Vehicle Seat Control Surface for Intuitive Longitudinal Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive vehicle seat control systems are not intuitive for users, as they require non-standard control directions that do not align with the intended movement of the seat parts, making it difficult for occupants to control longitudinal movements and adjust comfort or safety functions.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a first control surface that extends along a transverse direction and has a command direction with a longitudinal component, allowing occupants to control seat movements and functions through intuitive movements, such as sliding buttons or virtual buttons on a touchscreen, and a second control surface for vertical movements, enhancing ergonomic accessibility and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control surfaces are used with non-standard control directions, then the control system can be implemented with conventional designs, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the control direction does not align with the intended movement direction of seat parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional control approach by aligning the control direction with the movement direction. Instead of requiring users to learn non-intuitive control mappings, the control surface is configured so that moving the control element in a given direction directly corresponds to moving the seat part in that same direction, making the system self-explanatory and intuitive to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of control direction alignment. By modifying how the control surface is oriented and how control inputs are mapped to seat movements, the system transforms from a non-intuitive interface to one where the control direction parameter matches the movement direction parameter, significantly improving ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If control surfaces are separated into multiple surfaces for different directions, then the ease of operation improves by providing dedicated control for longitudinal and vertical movements, but the device complexity increases due to additional control surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality into separate control surfaces: a first control surface for longitudinal movements and a second control surface for vertical movements. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function and positioned for ergonomic accessibility, with each surface having a dedicated control direction that matches the intended movement direction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the control system by using multiple control surfaces oriented in different directions. The first control surface is oriented for longitudinal control while the second control surface is oriented for vertical control, creating a multi-dimensional control interface that naturally guides user input through intuitive hand movements across different spatial planes
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for automotive vehicle seat, intended to control a displacement along the longitudinal direction, of at least one part of the automotive vehicle seat, comprises at least one first control surface, substantially flat, wherein the first control surface extends along a transverse direction of the seat and a command direction, wherein the command direction has at least one component along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the first control surface is configured for controlling the displacement of the part of the vehicle seat along the longitudinal direction as a function of a movement along the command direction of a member of an occupant of the seat in contact with a first zone of the first control surface.