Vehicle Seat Position Sensor Using Torsion Spring Translator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat position-sensing systems lack an efficient mechanism to accurately determine the linear position of a vehicle seat along a floor, as they often rely on complex and unreliable rotational speed translation methods.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat position-sensing system utilizing an input wheel, a rotation translator with inner and outer torsion springs, and a sensor to translate rotational speed into a slower output rotation, allowing for precise determination of the seat's linear position along a predetermined path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex rotational speed translation methods are used to determine seat position, then measurement capability is provided, but reliability is reduced and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat position determination accuracyVSAvoidsensing system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical rotational speed translation mechanisms with a simpler system using an input wheel that directly converts linear seat movement into rotational motion. This mechanical substitution eliminates unreliable multi-stage translation while maintaining measurement capability through direct coupling between the input wheel and sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex rotational speed translation mechanism from the sensing system. By removing this intermediate complexity, the system achieves more reliable seat position determination through a streamlined path from linear motion to rotational sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If complex rotational speed translation methods are used, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat position determination accuracyVSAvoidsensing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex rotational speed translation mechanism from the system architecture. This extraction simplifies the device by eliminating unnecessary intermediate components while preserving the essential measurement function through direct input wheel-to-sensor coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes a straightforward mechanical input wheel mechanism for the complex rotational speed translation system. This substitution reduces device complexity by using a single-stage mechanical conversion from linear to rotational motion rather than multiple translation stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If rotational speed translation is used to determine linear position, then position measurement is enabled, but the system requires complex translation mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear position determinationVSAvoidtranslation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of converting linear motion to rotational motion through complex multi-stage translation mechanisms, the patent inverts the approach by using a single input wheel that directly converts linear seat movement into rotational motion in one step. This inversion simplifies the mechanism while maintaining the ability to determine linear position from rotational measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 converts the rotational displacement of the input wheel into a slower output rotation, enabling accurate and reliable determination of the vehicle seat's position along the floor, as demonstrated by a reduction ratio of approximately 10:1 in rotational speed, enhancing positional accuracy and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The translator includes a housing, an output shaft, an inner torsion spring, and an outer torsion spring. The inner torsion spring is coupled on one end to the input wheel and coupled on an opposite end to the output shaft. The outer torsion spring is coupled on one end to the housing and coupled on an opposite end to the output shaft.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 2

The translator is configured to provide means for translating an input rotational speed provided by the input wheel to a relatively slower output rotational speed to cause about one output rotation to occur in response to traveling from a beginning to an end of the linear path.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS10220729B2Seat position-sensing system

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING LLC

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.