Vehicle Seat Obstacle Detection for Safe Position Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat configurations that allow for position changes relative to the floor can pose risks due to obstacles, such as occupants' feet or body parts, which can block or get caught during tilting or pivoting movements, leading to potential injury or damage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat assembly with a control device comprising a signal transmitter and receiver to detect obstacles in the path of the seating portion and backrest, triggering warnings or locking mechanisms to prevent harmful movements and ensuring safe configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seating portion is made movable relative to the floor to enable position changes, then the adaptability and versatility of the seat is improved, but the risk of obstacles blocking or getting caught during movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means (transmitter and receiver) are positioned to detect obstacles in advance before the seating portion begins its movement. The system performs preliminary scanning of the movement path to identify any obstacles that could block or get caught during the tilting or pivoting motion, allowing the control unit to prevent movement before it starts
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the position of the seating portion and the output signal from the detection means. When an obstacle is detected or during movement, the control unit provides feedback to activate the locking means to secure the seating portion, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds to real-time conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest is made rotatable relative to the seating portion to improve comfort and adaptability, then the seat functionality is enhanced, but the risk of obstacles getting caught during rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means are positioned to scan the area where the backrest will rotate during pivoting motion. The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles in the rotation path before the backrest movement begins, allowing the control unit to prevent rotation that would cause obstacles to get caught between the backrest and seating portion
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the angular position of the backrest and the detection means output signal continuously. When an obstacle is detected in the rotation path or during backrest movement, the control unit provides feedback to activate the locking means to secure the backrest at its current position, preventing further rotation that could entangle the obstacle
3Reliability
If detection means are added to detect obstacles, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted as a separate, dedicated subsystem with the transmitter and receiver positioned specifically for obstacle detection. This modular approach allows the detection means to be integrated into the existing seat structure without requiring complete system redesign, managing complexity through functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the connecting means for seating portion position changes, controls the locking means for safety, and processes signals from the detection means. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate control systems, thereby managing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety functionality
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
The system effectively prevents obstacles from blocking or getting caught during seat position changes, enhancing safety by automatically locking the seat or alerting the user to potential hazards, thus reducing the risk of injury or damage.
Implementation Method 1
the signal transmitter and the receiver are configured to transmit, respectively receive, an electromagnetic, optical, or audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seat with: a seating portion having a front edge and a rear edge, means for connecting the seating portion to the floor of the vehicle, a backrest, rotatable relative to the seating portion about a first transverse axis, a control device comprising a detection means, comprising a signal transmitter and a receiver, and wherein the signal transmitter is configured so that the transmitted signal passes through a determined area for detecting an obstacle near the seat, the transmitter and the receiver being positioned so as to be able to detect an obstacle in the path of the seating portion and/or of the backrest when changing the position of the seating portion and/or of the backrest.