Vehicle Seat Adjustment Power Buffering for Flexible Cable Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat adjustment systems face challenges in providing flexible and efficient power-operated adjustments within vehicle interiors, particularly in autonomously driving vehicles, due to the need for flexible electrical connections that incur significant material, installation, and weight expenses.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment system for vehicle seats incorporating a chargeable energy storage device connected to an adjustment device, with a charging device capable of providing an operating current of higher amperage than the charging current, allowing for shorter cable lengths and reduced material expenditure, enabling independent operation from the vehicle's energy source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible electrical connections (drag chains, cable cassettes) are used to enable seat displacement, then adaptability is improved, but weight and material expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into two distinct parts: a flexible connection for power supply to the adjustment device, and a rigid connection for the energy storage device. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the flexible connection only needs to handle charging current, while the rigid connection can use shorter, lighter cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device acts as an intermediary between the electrical connection and the adjustment device. It decouples the power supply requirements, allowing the electrical connection to be optimized for charging current while the energy storage device handles the higher current demands of the adjustment device during operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If longer cable lengths are used to accommodate seat displacement, then adaptability is improved, but material expenditure and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is segmented such that only the charging device requires flexible, displacement-accommodating cables, while the connection between the energy storage device and adjustment device can use shorter, more direct cable routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between drawing power from the energy source (via flexible charging cables) and from the energy storage device (via shorter operation cables), allowing cable length to be optimized for each operational state.
3Power
If electrical connection is designed for high amperage of operating current, then power delivery capability is improved, but material expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the electrical connection system have different current carrying requirements. The charging device connection is designed for lower charging current, while the energy storage device to adjustment device connection is designed for higher operating current. Each connection uses appropriate cable sizing for its specific local requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the current parameter dynamically by switching between charging mode (lower current from energy source) and operation mode (higher current from energy storage device). This allows the electrical connection to be optimized for the actual current requirements of each mode rather than always designing for maximum current.
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 reduces material and production costs while enhancing flexibility and safety by allowing the seat to be adjusted power-operatedly even when the vehicle's energy source is unavailable, with adaptable charging options and efficient energy management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one chargeable energy storage device, which is electrically connected to the at least one adjustment device and is configured to provide an operating current for operating the at least one adjustment device
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided an adjustment system for a vehicle seat, having at least one electronically controllable adjustment device for the motorized adjustment of an adjustment position of the vehicle seat, at least one chargeable energy storage device, which is electrically connected to the at least one adjustment device and is configured to provide an operating current for operating the at least one adjustment device, and a charging device, which is connected or connectable to the at least one energy storage device and is connectable to an energy source to charge the at least one energy storage device and is configured to provide a charging current, wherein an amperage of the operating current is greater than a maximum amperage of the charging current.