Motor Vehicle Seat Lateral Support Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle seat technologies fail to dynamically adapt lateral support to current vehicle states while allowing simple disembarking, leading to inaccurate exit detection and suboptimal comfort.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a network of pressure sensors, including fiber optic sensors, to monitor pressure distribution and adjust fluid pressure in bladders dynamically, reducing pressure only when a load-related pressure rise is detected, and using a controller to adapt bladder pressure based on entry/exit situations, driving conditions, and occupant parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pressure in the bladder on the door side is reduced immediately upon recognizing an entry or exit situation, then the ease of disembarking is improved, but the accuracy of exit detection deteriorates because pressure reduction occurs before actual exit
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure sensors to continuously monitor pressure changes in the bladders and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the bladder pressure based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that accurately detects when the occupant actually exits by monitoring the characteristic pressure rise that occurs when the occupant leans on the door-side bladder during exit
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for exit by monitoring pressure changes that indicate the occupant is about to exit, but only reduces pressure after confirming the exit action has occurred through detected pressure rise patterns, ensuring timing is optimized for both detection accuracy and comfort
2Measurement precision
If a network of pressure sensors is used to continuously monitor pressure distribution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into multiple sensing zones with pressure sensors distributed in a grid pattern across the seat surface and backrest. This segmentation allows localized pressure measurement at multiple points, enabling accurate detection of occupant position, weight distribution, and exit intentions through spatial pressure patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor network serves multiple functions: detecting occupant presence, measuring weight distribution, identifying exit intentions through pressure patterns, and providing feedback for dynamic bladder pressure adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor systems for each function
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
This approach provides precise exit detection and optimized lateral support by dynamically adjusting bladder pressure, ensuring comfortable entry and exit while improving overall seat comfort and support.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensors disposed in a grid network on outside surfaces of edge bladders of the seat
Implementation Method 2
The pressure sensors are preferably fiber optic pressure sensors, with which pressure-induced flexural losses lead to transmission changes in the glass fibers
Implementation Method 3
edge bladders subjected to fluid in the seat surface and backrest sides
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a motor vehicle seat includes receiving pressure signals from pressure sensors disposed in a grid network on outside surfaces of edge bladders of the seat. The method further includes raising or lowering a fluid pressure within the edge bladders using the pressure signals, including lowering of the bladder pressure on the door side on recognizing an entry or exit situation only if a load-related pressure rise in bladders on the door side has occurred.