Vehicle Seat Lumbar Fill-Level Memory Without Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat cavity systems with pressure bubbles for lumbar adjustments require pressure sensors to store and recall fill levels, limiting their functionality without a memory function when sensors are not available.
Innovation Solution
The method involves recording and evaluating pressure curves over time during filling and emptying to store and reproduce fill levels by using slope values, allowing the system to count up or down to reach a stored fill level without pressure sensors, utilizing a counter connected to the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure sensors are used to store and recall fill levels, then the memory function can be implemented, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure sensing function from a dedicated pressure sensor and transfers it to the existing fill level sensor. The fill level sensor's output signal, which already contains pressure information, is reused for both fill level detection and pressure measurement. This eliminates the need for separate pressure sensors while maintaining the memory function capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill level sensor is given a dual function: it serves both as a fill level indicator and as a pressure sensor. By evaluating the pressure curve characteristics (slope, area under curve) from the fill level sensor's output, the system can determine both the fill level and the pressure state, thereby implementing memory function without additional sensors.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are installed in the cavity system, then accurate fill level measurement is possible, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fill level measurement function and pressure measurement function into a single sensor system. The fill level sensor's signal is processed to extract both fill level information and pressure information through curve evaluation, combining multiple measurement capabilities into one sensor to reduce manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill level sensor serves itself by providing its output signal for dual purposes. Instead of requiring separate sensors for fill level and pressure, the fill level sensor's signal is reused and processed to provide both measurement functions, making the system more cost-effective and easier to manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the cavity system is completely emptied, then storage is achieved, but the ability to reproduce previous fill levels is lost without memory function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by storing the pressure curve characteristics and count values during the filling process before emptying occurs. This pre-stored information serves as a reference that enables the system to reproduce the exact fill level after complete emptying, preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the pressure curve during filling and emptying processes. The evaluated pressure values are compared against stored reference values, and the filling/emptying process is controlled to achieve the desired fill level reproduction, ensuring accurate recovery of previous settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for setting the fill level when filling a cavity system, in particular a cavity system in vehicle seat that exhibits one or more pressure chambers or bubbles for lumbar adjustments. With the method, a fill level set by the user is measured and a value representative thereof is stored. The value representative for the fill level is determined from a curve line that is characteristic for the respective cavity system.