Vehicle Seat Control Apparatus for Posture Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat control systems for vehicles do not adequately adjust to both lateral acceleration and the sitting state of occupants, leading to inadequate posture retention during vehicle maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A seat control apparatus that includes an occupant weight recognition unit, an occupant sitting state recognition unit, a lateral acceleration estimation unit, and a seat controller, which adjusts the seat's shoulder support, armrest position, and tilt angle based on the occupant's sitting state and anticipated lateral acceleration to maintain posture stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seat is controlled based only on subsequent lateral acceleration, then the control system is simple, but the occupant posture retention is inadequate because it does not account for variations in load applied to the occupant due to different sitting states
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary recognition of the occupant's sitting state using sensors (weight sensor, grip sensor, armrest sensor) before the lateral acceleration occurs. This preliminary information about the occupant's posture and support needs is stored and then used to guide the seat adjustment control during the actual lateral acceleration event, enabling more accurate posture retention without overly complex real-time control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates multiple sensors that provide feedback about the occupant's sitting state (weight distribution, grip force on steering wheel, load on armrest). This feedback information is continuously monitored and used by the control unit to adjust seat parameters dynamically, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to the actual occupant state rather than relying on fixed predetermined settings
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and adjustment portions are added to account for occupant sitting state, then posture retention improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit integrates multiple functions into a single device: it processes data from weight sensors, grip sensors, and armrest sensors; calculates subsequent lateral acceleration; determines optimal seat adjustments; and controls multiple adjustment portions (seat tilt, shoulder support, armrest position). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive posture retention
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts seat parameters (protrusion amount of shoulder supporting portion, position of armrest, tilt angle of seat) dynamically based on calculated adjustment amounts derived from sensor readings and lateral acceleration estimates. By continuously adapting these parameters rather than using fixed settings, the system achieves high reliability across varying occupant states and conditions without requiring a separate physical mechanism for each scenario
Data Source
AI summary
A seat control apparatus controls a seat of a vehicle in which an occupant of the vehicle sits. The seat control apparatus includes an occupant weight recognition unit; an occupant sitting state recognition unit configured to recognize an occupant sitting state including at least either of a grip force of the occupant and a load applied to the occupant; a lateral acceleration estimation unit configured to estimate a subsequent lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and a seat controller configured to control the seat. The seat has an occupant support adjustment portion including at least one of a first adjustment portion, a second adjustment portion, and a third adjustment portion. The seat controller calculates an adjustment amount of the occupant support adjustment portion and controls the occupant support adjustment portion in response to the calculated adjustment amount.