Vehicle Seat Impact Detection via Dual-Direction Load Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle impact detection systems face inaccuracies due to seat frame deformation during minor collisions, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential undetected impacts, as they rely on load sensors that may not accurately detect seat occupancy loads after deformation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with load detecting portions at the end of a vehicle seat to measure both compressing and pulling-direction loads, determining an impact based on predetermined threshold values and time periods, and warning passengers through an integrated impact warning system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load sensors are used to detect seat occupancy, then seat occupancy can be determined, but detection accuracy deteriorates after seat frame deformation due to impact
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of impact events using acceleration sensors before the load sensor accuracy deteriorates. By detecting the impact event first and warning the user, the system prevents further degradation of measurement accuracy and ensures the user is aware of potential seat frame deformation that could affect future occupancy readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The acceleration sensor acts as an intermediary device to detect impact events indirectly through seat acceleration rather than directly measuring seat occupancy load. This intermediary detection method remains reliable even when the primary load sensor accuracy is compromised by seat frame deformation.
2Reliability
If acceleration sensors and signal processing circuits are added to detect impact, then impact detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration sensor serves multiple functions: it detects impact events for user warning and simultaneously monitors seat occupancy conditions. By making the sensor multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated impact detection hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable impact detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing acceleration sensor and processor in the seat occupancy system are utilized for the additional function of impact detection. Rather than adding completely new dedicated components, the system repurposes existing elements to provide impact detection, reducing the need for additional hardware and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Device complexity
If load sensors are attached to deformed seat frame portions, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to zero point displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary impact detection and warns the user before load measurement accuracy deteriorates. By alerting the user to potential seat frame deformation through impact detection, the system prevents inaccurate load measurements that would result from attaching sensors to deformed portions, thereby maintaining measurement precision without complicating sensor installation.
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
Accurately determines vehicle impacts without additional sensors, reducing manufacturing costs and ensuring passengers are informed of potential damage, thereby promoting timely vehicle inspections.
Implementation Method 1
a load detecting portion attached to an end portion of a seat portion of a seat for the vehicle that includes a seat back at a rear portion of the seat for the vehicle, and detecting a compressing-direction load, applied to the end portion of the seat portion toward a floor of the vehicle, and a pulling-direction load, applied to the end portion of the seat portion away from the floor of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining an impact on a vehicle includes: a load detecting portion attached to an end portion of a seat portion of a seat for the vehicle, and detecting a compressing-direction load, and a pulling-direction load; and an impact determining portion determining that the impact is applied on the vehicle in a case where the compressing-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value, is detected and subsequently the pulling-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value, is detected within a first predetermined time period, or in a case where the pulling-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a third predetermined value, is detected and subsequently the compressing-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a fourth predetermined value, is detected within a second predetermined time period.