Vehicle Seat Multibend Sensing for Accurate Contour Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bend sensors are inadequate for accurately determining complex curves due to limitations in precision, sensitivity, and cost, particularly when measuring dynamic deformations in applications like robotics, human motion tracking, and virtual reality, as they suffer from accumulated measurement errors and are prone to drift and fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A multibend sensor system comprising flexible strips with a sliding and reference strip configuration, where the relative shift between strips is measured to determine curvature, reducing the impact of measurement errors and providing accurate shape determination without the need for precise angular encoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional bend sensors are used to detect shape and motion, then the device complexity is low and cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to accumulated errors and drift
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent bend sensors arranged in series along the flexible strip. Each bend sensor measures the bend angle at a specific location, and the combination of multiple segmental measurements enables accurate reconstruction of complex curves and dynamic deformations without accumulated errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring only bend angle (one dimension) to measuring both bend angle and position along the strip (two dimensions). This dimensional expansion allows the system to accurately determine complex shapes and contours by capturing spatial distribution of bends across multiple locations
2Measurement precision
If multiple bend sensors are arranged in series to measure complex curves, then measurement precision improves, but reliability deteriorates due to accumulated measurement errors and drift
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors bend angles from multiple sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically reconstruct the shape of the flexible strip. This real-time feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for individual sensor drift and maintain measurement reliability over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from single-point bend detection to multi-point bend angle detection. By measuring bend angles at multiple locations simultaneously and using relative measurements, the system eliminates accumulated errors and improves both precision and reliability
3Measurement precision
If high precision angular encoders are used to reduce measurement errors, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive high-precision angular encoders with simpler, lower-cost bend sensors. While individual bend sensors have lower precision, the system achieves overall high measurement accuracy by combining multiple such sensors in series, using cost-effective components throughout
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat comprises a seat component having a contour; wherein the contour changes when at least a portion of a user's body is in contact with the seat component and at least one multibend sensor operatively connected to the seat component and adapted to at least partially conform to the contour of the seat component; the at least one multibend sensor comprising a signal generation source adapted to transmit signals and a signal receiver adapted to receive at least some of the transmitted signals. The seat further comprises a signal processor operatively connected to the signal receiver, the signal processor adapted to make at least one measurement associated with the received signals; and, a sensing module operatively connected to the signal processor and configured to use the at least one measurement to determine information regarding the contour of the seat component.