Seat Head Restraint Actuation for Rear Visibility and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat head restraint systems lack efficient mechanisms for automatic adjustment and stowage in response to seat position changes, which can obstruct rear seat visibility and passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat controller system that communicates with sensors and actuators to pivot or stow head restraints based on seat back position changes, allowing for automatic adjustment and stowage without requiring rear seatbelt buckling, and enabling remote control through wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If head restraint remains in upright position, then head restraint provides continuous support, but rear seat visibility is obstructed when seat back is in forward position
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint is designed to dynamically change its position between upright and folded states based on seat back position. The actuator system enables the head restraint to automatically transition from a fixed support position to a stowed position, making the system adaptive rather than static, thus resolving the contradiction between providing continuous support and maintaining visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the seat back position sensor and the actuator. It receives position information from the sensor, processes the logic for when to fold or extend the head restraint, and sends control signals to the actuator, enabling coordinated operation that balances support and visibility needs.
2Measurement precision
If head restraint is manually adjusted, then adjustment precision is high, but operation complexity increases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint system performs self-adjustment through the actuator and controller system. The sensor detects seat back position, the controller processes this information, and the actuator automatically positions the head restraint without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the position sensor continuously monitors seat back position and sends this information to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine the appropriate head restraint position and commands the actuator accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precise positioning automatically.
3Ease of operation
If head restraint is automatically actuated, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it can extend the head restraint to an upright position, retract it to a folded position, and potentially maintain intermediate positions. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single actuation mechanism controlled by the controller, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for each function and managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller integrates the functions of receiving sensor input, processing position logic, and sending actuator commands into a single control unit. The actuator and sensor are merged into a coordinated system managed by the controller, consolidating multiple functions into integrated components rather than separate independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a seat back having pivoted forward to a predetermined position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to pivot a head restraint in response to the input. Another vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a seat back having pivoted rearward to a predetermined position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to pivot a head restraint in response to the input. Another vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a rear seat assembly having adjusted to a slouch position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to stow a head restraint of a front seat assembly in response to the input.