Vehicle Seat Feedback Control for Motion Sickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing motion sickness symptoms in vehicles, such as ventilation and seat massage, are not effective in preventing symptoms that occur suddenly due to the mismatch between physiological and optical perceptions during dynamic movements in autonomous vehicle guidance, leading to nausea and dizziness.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a control unit connected to a sensor system, navigation system, and display unit that generates seat adjustment signals and display signals to counteract acceleration forces, aligning sensory perceptions with actual vehicle movements, thereby reducing motion sickness symptoms by dynamically adjusting vehicle seats and providing congruent visual, auditory, or haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous vehicle guidance is implemented allowing concentrated activities on monitors, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but motion sickness symptoms worsen due to loss of spatial reference
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors vehicle movements through sensor systems (accelerometers, gyroscopes, inclinometers) and provides real-time feedback by adjusting seat position and orientation to counteract detected accelerations, rotations, and incline changes, thereby maintaining spatial reference and preventing motion sickness while enabling autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The seat system acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's autonomous guidance system and the occupant's body, mechanically counteracting motion forces through dynamic position adjustment. This intermediary function protects the occupant from motion sickness effects while allowing concentrated activities on monitors without requiring direct visual reference to the vehicle surroundings
2Ease of operation
If countermeasures such as ventilation and seat massage are applied, then comfort is improved, but effectiveness against sudden motion sickness symptoms is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously adjusting the seat position and orientation in advance of motion sickness symptoms occurring. The sensor system detects vehicle movements and the control unit proactively modifies seat configuration to counteract accelerations before they cause discomfort, rather than reacting after symptoms appear
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive comfort measures (ventilation, massage) with an active mechanical counteraction system. The seat system mechanically counteracts motion forces through dynamic position and orientation adjustment, providing reliable prevention through physical intervention rather than symptomatic relief
3Object-affected harmful factors
If seat adjustment signals are generated to counteract acceleration forces, then motion sickness symptoms are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat system serves multiple functions: it provides normal seating support, dynamically counteracts motion forces through position adjustment, and maintains spatial reference for the occupant. By combining these functions in a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the seat (position, orientation, inclination) in response to detected vehicle movements. The control unit processes sensor data and generates adjustment signals that modify seat parameters to counteract accelerations, providing an elegant solution that avoids complex mechanical structures through intelligent parameter modulation
Data Source
AI summary
A system reduces motion sickness symptoms for occupants of a vehicle. The system has a control unit which is coupled to a sensor system and/or a navigation system, a vehicle seat system, and/or a display unit for receiving and/or outputting signals. The control unit is designed to generate seat adjustment signals and/or display signals depending on received surroundings data and/or vehicle component data.