Vehicle Seat Haptic Feedback With Resilient Motor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driver alert systems, particularly haptic devices in vehicle seats, lack effectiveness in providing clear and localized haptic alerts to drivers of potential collisions, often resulting in delayed reaction times and compromised seat comfort and durability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat assembly with integrated haptic feedback system featuring resilient material-supported motors in bolsters, which generate distinct vibrational patterns to alert drivers of collision threats, isolated from the seat frame to minimize vibration crossover and enhance directional feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If motors are directly mounted to the seat frame, then structural simplicity is improved, but vibration crossover between motors increases and haptic alert clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces resilient material as an intermediary element between the motors and the seat frame. This mediator serves multiple functions: it provides vibration isolation to prevent cross-contamination between adjacent motors, maintains structural support, and allows independent operation of each motor for directional haptic feedback. The resilient material acts as a decoupling element that preserves structural simplicity while eliminating vibration interference.
2Loss of time
If haptic alert intensity is increased, then driver reaction time is improved, but seat comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing haptic feedback at specific localized positions (bolsters) rather than throughout the entire seat. The motors are positioned in the bolsters to provide directional, localized alerts that target the driver's contact points. This localized approach delivers strong haptic signals where needed for rapid reaction while leaving other seat areas comfortable for normal occupancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic alert system uses periodic vibration patterns with varying frequencies and durations to convey different alert levels. By using controlled periodic actions rather than continuous high-intensity vibration, the system achieves effective driver alerting while minimizing overall discomfort. The periodic nature allows for brief, intense pulses that capture attention without sustained discomfort.
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 system provides clear, localized, and efficient haptic alerts that improve driver reaction times to collision threats while maintaining seat comfort and durability, with adjustable vibration intensity and frequency to indicate alert severity and direction.
Implementation Method 1
The first motor is supported by and separated from the seat frame by the resilient material of the first bolster to attenuate vibrations between the first motor and the seat frame
Data Source
AI summary
Haptic feedback systems, vehicle seat assemblies, and vehicles are provided. The haptic feedback system includes a bottom seat member, a first motor, and a second motor. The bottom seat member includes a seat pan with a first side, a second side, a first bolster, and a second bolster. The first bolster is positioned on the first side of the seat pan and the second bolster is positioned on the second side of the seat pan, wherein the first bolster and the second bolster include a resilient material. The first motor supported by the resilient material of the first bolster and the second motor is supported by the resilient material of the second bolster.