Automatic Seat Height Adjustment Isolating Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat suspension systems in heavy-duty vehicles fail to differentiate between height changes caused by external forces like vibrations and internal factors, leading to unnecessary adjustments and increased wear, and do not allow operators to set preferred seat heights individually.
Innovation Solution
An automatic seat height adjustment system using sensors, a controller, and a controllable actuator that adjusts the seat height only when changes are due to internal factors, allowing operators to set their preferred height and incorporating an operator presence sensor to prevent unnecessary adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suspension system continuously adjusts seat height to maintain desired height, then the seat height control is active and responsive, but unnecessary adjustments occur during external vibrations and shocks leading to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the height adjustment function into two independent parts: a height control system that maintains desired seat height and a vibration isolation system that filters out external vibrations. By separating these functions, the system avoids making adjustments in response to vibrations while still maintaining accurate height control through the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the vibration isolation system with its own control algorithm) between the height control system and the actuator. This intermediary filters out vibration-induced height changes before they reach the height control system, preventing unnecessary adjustments while allowing legitimate height corrections.
2Extent of automation
If the system uses factory preset weight-based height settings, then automatic height adjustment is provided, but operators cannot set their preferred seat height individually
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static factory preset height settings to dynamic operator-selectable height settings. The height adjustment apparatus allows operators to dynamically choose their preferred height, and the system adapts to this selection in real-time, providing both automation and personalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The height adjustment apparatus enables operators to service their own seating preferences by directly inputting their desired height settings. This self-service capability eliminates the need for factory presets while maintaining automatic adjustment functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the seat height readjusts when unoccupied for more than seven seconds, then the system returns to preset position, but this causes increased wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining the last occupied seat position as the desired height setting. When the operator leaves, the system holds this position rather than returning to a factory preset, avoiding unnecessary adjustments. The seven-second timer triggers a state change from active occupancy to unoccupied mode, but the height remains stable until the next operator arrives.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an automatic seat height system that adjusts a seat height. The height of a seat is adjusted only when a calculated seat height is outside of the range of a desired seat height. The seat is adjusted only when a seat height change from the desired seat height is not due to external forces such as vibration or shock. The seat height apparatus comprises a sensor, a height adjustment apparatus, a controller and a controllable actuator all in operable communication. The controller comprises software that calculates a calculated seat height based on a measured raw seat height. The calculated seat height is a time history position value pattern. The controller then compares the calculated seat height to a desired seat height to determine a change factor. If the change factor is outside of a predetermined range, the controller directs the controllable actuator to change the height of the seat to bring it within the range.