Vehicle Seat Position Sensing via Magnetic Stripe Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat positioning systems rely on costly and unreliable technologies such as potentiometers and Hall-effect sensors, which require complex setups and are prone to errors, lacking efficient methods to determine precise linear and rotational positions without mechanical markers.
Innovation Solution
Integration of magnetic and optical sensors with embedded controllers to detect magnetic field strength and visual features, allowing for the determination of rail positions along predefined paths without the need for mechanical markers, using magnetic stripes and optical sensors to decode positional data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If potentiometers and Hall-effect sensors are used for position sensing, then position detection capability is achieved, but system cost increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors (potentiometers) and complex magnetic sensors (Hall-effect sensors) with a simplified magnetic field sensing approach using magnetic stripes and magnetic sensors that detect magnetic field strength variations, eliminating the need for complex mechanical setups and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic stripes that encode position information through variations in magnetic field strength, creating a non-contact copy of position data that can be read by magnetic sensors, thereby eliminating mechanical contact and improving system reliability
2Measurement precision
If mechanical markers are used for position reference, then position accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical markers with magnetic stripes that encode position information through magnetic field variations, allowing non-contact position detection that maintains accuracy while reducing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent encodes position information in magnetic stripes by varying magnetic field strength parameters along the linear path, enabling position detection through magnetic field measurements rather than mechanical marker recognition
3Reliability
If contact sensors are used for position detection, then position feedback is obtained, but wear and reliability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based position sensors with non-contact magnetic field sensing, where magnetic sensors detect magnetic field strength variations from magnetic stripes without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and improving durability
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 solution provides accurate and reliable positioning of vehicle seat components, reducing costs and improving reliability by eliminating the need for contact sensors and mechanical markers, while enabling precise position determination with high positional resolution.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic sensor is configured to generate sensor data in response to sensing the magnetic feature of the rail. The sensor data is indicative of magnetic field strength of the magnetic feature in proximity to the magnetic sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The optical sensor is configured to generate sensor data indicative of the visual feature. The visual feature may include a color gradient or a shape.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend in an upward direction away from the seat bottom. The vehicle seat further includes an electronics system.