Seat Frame Vibration Mounting for Stronger In-Seat Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration devices for vehicle seats, such as those described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. S53-86118, fail to provide sufficient vibration transmission due to the configuration where vibration is transmitted through a fabric and urethane material, leading to inadequate vibration experience.
Innovation Solution
A vibration device is attached directly to the seat frame, comprising a vibrator and a control unit that vibrates based on sound source signals, using low-pass filters and peak detection circuits to synchronize vibrations with low-frequency components, ensuring efficient vibration transmission to the seat occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vibration is transmitted through fabric and urethane material, then the vibration device can be attached to the seat cushion, but sufficient vibration is not obtained and vibration attenuation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibrator from the seat cushion structure and attaches it directly to the seat frame, removing it from the fabric and urethane material transmission path. This extraction eliminates the vibration attenuation caused by these materials while maintaining ease of manufacture through direct mounting on the frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat frame serves as an intermediary structure that directly transmits vibration from the vibrator to the seat cushion without requiring transmission through fabric and urethane materials. This intermediary approach provides a rigid transmission path that maintains vibration efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vibration is transmitted through fabric and urethane material, then the vibration device can be integrated into the seat cushion, but vibration attenuation occurs and sufficient vibration is not obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrator is extracted from the soft seat cushion material and repositioned on the rigid seat frame, eliminating the attenuation path while preserving adaptability through direct attachment to the frame structure that supports the entire seat assembly.
3Reliability
If the vibrator is attached to the seat frame, then sufficient vibration is transmitted to the occupant, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seat frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat and simultaneously acts as the mounting structure for the vibrator and the vibration transmission path to the occupant. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the direct attachment approach.
4Reliability
If large speakers are used to provide sufficient vibration, then the vibration experience is enhanced, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic vibration transmission mechanism of large speakers with a direct mechanical vibration transmission system using a vibrator mounted on the seat frame. This substitution achieves sufficient vibration transmission with a compact device volume by utilizing the existing frame structure for both support and vibration transmission.
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 provides a more immersive and comfortable vibration experience by transmitting vibrations effectively through the seat frame, reducing discomfort and enhancing the sense of rhythm and immersion in music, without the need for large speakers and minimizing vibration attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator that has a vibration face that is attached to a seat frame forming a framework of the vehicle seat, the vibrator imparting vibration to the seat frame
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration device causes a vehicle seat, including a seat frame that supports the seat relative to a vehicle body and a seat cushion that supports a seated occupant, to vibrate. The vibration device includes a vibrator having a vibration face attached to a seat frame, and a vibration control device that causes the vibrator to vibrate based on an input sound source signal.