Vehicle Seat Control Unit Staggered Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat apparatuses face challenges in reducing the time required to change the position of the seat cushion and seatback from the seating position to the storage position and vice versa, while minimizing interference with vehicle components such as walls and doors, and optimizing the operating time of the seatback and seat cushion.
Innovation Solution
A seat apparatus with a control unit that coordinates the operation of the seat drive device to ensure the seat cushion and seatback are moved independently, with the operation starting times and speeds adjusted to prevent interference, allowing for simultaneous or overlapping movements that reduce overall operating time and minimize contact with other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the seatback and seat cushion are moved simultaneously from seating position to storage position, then the operating time is reduced, but interference with vehicle components such as walls and doors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the seatback and seat cushion movement by using a control unit that independently adjusts the operating speed of each component during the storing operation. The system transitions from static simultaneous movement to dynamic coordinated movement, where the seatback and seat cushion move at different speeds at different times to avoid interference with vehicle components while maintaining efficient overall operation time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seatback is moved into storage position together with the seat cushion after folding, then interference with other components is prevented, but the entire operating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the seatback fold forward to a predetermined position before the seat cushion begins its storing movement. This preliminary folding action of the seatback creates sufficient clearance in advance, allowing the seat cushion to move into the storage position without interfering with other vehicle components, while the seatback completes its folding motion simultaneously or subsequently.
3Ease of operation
If the operation starting time of seat cushion coincides with operation starting time of seatback, then the operating procedure is simplified, but interference with vehicle components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storing operation into distinct phases with different control strategies. The operation is divided into: (1) preliminary seatback folding phase, (2) coordinated movement phase where seat cushion moves after seatback folding begins, and (3) completion phase. This segmentation allows the control unit to manage the starting times of seatback and seat cushion independently, preventing interference while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat apparatus includes a seat cushion on which an operator is seated, a seatback for supporting the operator seated on the seat cushion, a seat drive device changing a position of the seat cushion and the seatback between a seating position and a storage position by operating the seat cushion and the seatback, and a control unit for controlling the seat drive device, the control unit controlling the seat drive device in a way that an operation starting time of the seat cushion does not coincide with an operation starting time of the seatback and an operating time of the seat cushion overlaps temporally an operating time of the seatback when the seat cushion and the seatback are moved between the seating position and the storage position such that an interference of the seat cushion and the seatback is restricted.