Seat Cushion Vibration Control for Directional Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle alarm devices fail to provide sufficient directional notification to drivers due to variations in vibration perception caused by seat structure and vibrator installation, leading to difficulties in distinguishing between left and right vibrations and resonance issues.
Innovation Solution
A notification device with multiple exciters installed in seat cushions, generating sweep signals with continuously changing frequencies, divided into higher- and lower-band signals, and adjusted for output to different exciters to create distinct vibration patterns and timings, preventing resonance and enhancing directional awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibrators are installed in the seat frame, then the vibration can be transmitted to the driver, but resonance occurs in the frame causing vibrations in multiple positions which makes it difficult for the driver to recognize directional information
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device divides the seat cushion into multiple independent vibration regions by installing multiple exciters at different positions. Each exciter independently generates vibrations in its local region, allowing directional information to be transmitted without causing frame resonance. This segmentation prevents the harmful resonance effect while maintaining reliable directional notification.
2Ease of operation
If monotonous vibrations are used in left and right positions, then the notification can be simple, but the driver cannot clearly determine the difference between left and right vibrations through the buttocks and waist
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device applies different vibration characteristics to different local regions of the seat cushion. Each exciter generates vibrations with specific frequency characteristics suitable for its position, creating distinct vibration patterns that the driver can easily differentiate. This local differentiation enhances directional information recognition while maintaining notification simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification device uses periodic sweep signals that continuously change frequency over time. These periodic vibrations with varying frequencies create distinct temporal patterns that help the driver differentiate between vibrations from different directions, overcoming the limitation of monotonous vibrations while keeping the notification system simple.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the same frequency vibration is used for all exciters, then the notification signal can be uniform, but the driver cannot distinguish the source position of the vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device changes the frequency parameter of vibrations generated by different exciters. Each exciter produces vibrations at different frequencies or frequency ranges, allowing the driver to distinguish the source position of vibrations. This parameter differentiation maintains signal uniformity in terms of vibration presence while providing position information through frequency variation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for clear and reliable directional notification through changeful vibrations, reducing resonance and improving the driver's ability to recognize directional information, by using sweep signals with overlapping frequency bands and time differences in exciter outputs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of exciters installed in cushion portions of a seat and being located in different positions of the seat
Implementation Method 2
the vibrators are installed in a seat frame. For this reason, the vibration of the vibrators tends to cause resonance in the frame
Data Source
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AI summary
A notification device (1) includes a sweep signal generator (3) that generates a sweep signal by changing the frequency of a predetermined wave at a constant speed in a frequency band which allows exciters (EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4) to generate a vibration, a sweep signal divider (4) that divides the sweep signal into a higher-band sweep signal in a higher-frequency band including an overlap frequency band and a lower-band sweep signal in a lower-frequency band including the overlap frequency band, a signal output determination unit (2) that determines from which exciters the higher-band sweep signal and lower-band sweep signal should be outputted, and an output signal adjuster (9) that makes an adjustment for outputting the higher-band sweep signal and lower-band sweep signal from the exciters determined.