Vehicle Seat Position Sensing via Accelerometer Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat systems lack an efficient mechanism to track and adjust the position of the seat relative to the vehicle floor, limiting the ability to customize occupant support and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat position-sensing system that includes a guide track, position wheel, and sensor, where the position wheel is engaged with the guide track via pins to rotate and provide a signal indicative of the seat's location, allowing a controller to determine the seat's position along a linear path, enabling precise adjustment and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a position-sensing system is added to track seat position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position-sensing mechanisms with an accelerometer-based system. The accelerometer mounted on the seat measures acceleration data, which is then integrated to determine seat position. This substitution of mechanical sensing with electronic/inertial sensing reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that uses acceleration data from the accelerometer to infer seat position. Rather than directly measuring position with complex mechanical encoders, the system uses acceleration as an intermediary measurement that can be mathematically integrated to obtain position information, simplifying the overall sensing architecture.
2Measurement precision
If the position wheel rotates to track seat movement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position-tracking function from a complex mechanical position wheel assembly and implements it through a simpler accelerometer-based system. By removing the need for mechanical position wheels, guide tracks, and associated mounting structures, the system becomes easier to manufacture while maintaining the ability to track seat position accurately through electronic sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical position wheel system with an electronic accelerometer system. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components that are difficult to manufacture and assemble, while providing equivalent or superior position tracking capability through electronic means.
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
Enables precise tracking and adjustment of the vehicle seat's position relative to the floor, enhancing occupant comfort and support by allowing customizable seating arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may include an accelerometer that provides a signal corresponding to the angular orientation of the position wheel relative to the ground under the vehicle seat.
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant support for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a foundation. The vehicle seat is configured to support an occupant of the vehicle above a floor of the vehicle. The foundation is configured to interconnect the vehicle seat to the floor to permit movement of the vehicle seat relative to the floor along a linear path.