Vehicle Seat Pivot Fitting Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat pivot fittings fail to effectively detect obstacles when adjusting the backrest, leading to reduced structural strength and potential damage, as they do not accurately determine intermediate inclined positions or fully stowed states, which can result in prolonged contact with obstacles and increased risk of bending or damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection unit within the pivot fitting that determines the seat's position using switches and sensors, coupled with an indicator unit to notify the user of obstacles and an electronic control unit to manage lock and unlock states, ensuring the seat is properly stowed without damaging obstacles or the fitting itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pivot fitting adjusts the backrest inclination automatically, then the seat can be stowed to increase load space, but the structural strength is reduced when an obstacle is present in the travel way
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit performs preliminary detection of obstacles before the backrest completes its folding motion. By detecting intermediate inclined positions and determining that the seat is not reaching the fully stowed position, the system identifies obstacles in advance and prevents the backrest from continuing to fold, thereby avoiding damage to both the obstacle and the pivot fitting structure.
2Reliability
If the detection unit determines intermediate inclined positions, then obstacles can be detected early, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit provides continuous feedback during the backrest folding process by monitoring intermediate inclined positions. The unit determines whether the seat is reaching the fully stowed position and sends signals to the control unit, enabling real-time obstacle detection and timely user notification without requiring overly complex detection mechanisms.
3Speed
If the seat folds quickly to the non-use position, then the adjustment speed is improved, but the risk of damaging obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the backrest to fold quickly through normal ranges but detects and skips the dangerous portion of the motion when an obstacle is present. By identifying intermediate inclined positions where obstacles may be located, the system prevents the backrest from rushing through the obstacle area, thereby maintaining fast adjustment speeds for clear paths while avoiding damage when obstacles are detected.
Data Source
AI summary
A pivot fitting for a seat, in particular vehicle seat, is configured to adjust an inclination of the seat between at least a use position and at least a non-use position. The pivot fitting may have at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, any intermediate inclined position or the non-use position.