Vehicle Seat Pressure Sensing for Asymmetrical Posture Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prolonged unfavorable sitting postures in vehicle seats, particularly in commercial vehicles, lead to adverse health effects due to shocks and vibrations, often unnoticed by occupants, causing increased driver absences and economic repercussions.

Innovation Solution

A system with sensors in the seat part to detect seat pressure distribution, a control device to evaluate asymmetrical postures, and an output device to alert occupants, optionally adjusting seat settings to improve ergonomics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are arranged in the seat part to detect seat pressure distribution, then the detection precision of sitting posture is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precision of sitting postureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat part is segmented into multiple sensor arrangement locations to detect pressure distribution at different positions. This segmentation allows the system to capture detailed sitting posture information by evaluating pressure patterns across multiple discrete sensor points, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a completely new detection approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor device is designed to serve multiple functions: detecting sitting posture, identifying asymmetrical pressure distribution, and providing data for health effect assessment. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor array to address various detection needs, improving measurement capabilities while avoiding the need for separate specialized devices for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a control device evaluates output signals from sensors to detect asymmetrical sitting posture, then the detection capability of unfavorable posture is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability of unfavorable postureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives output signals from the sensor device, evaluates them to detect asymmetrical pressure distribution, and can provide feedback to alert the occupant about unfavorable sitting posture. This feedback mechanism enables continuous monitoring and correction, improving detection capability by systematically processing sensor data and translating it into actionable posture assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary between the sensor device and the occupant. It processes the raw output signals from multiple sensors, interprets the pressure distribution patterns, and determines whether asymmetrical sitting posture exists. This intermediary function simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the evaluation logic rather than requiring direct sensor-to-occupant communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 identifies and corrects asymmetrical sitting postures, reducing health risks and improving driver comfort and productivity.

Implementation Method 1

the at least two sensors are pressure force sensors. Preferably, when a pressure force acting on the sensor changes, an electrical parameter of the sensor changes. The output signal of the at least two sensors is proportional to this change.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4631778A1System for detecting a sitting posture of an occupant in a vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 GRAMMER AG
  • EP4631778A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP4631778A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4631778A1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for detecting a seating posture of an occupant in a vehicle seat, comprising a vehicle seat with a seat part comprising a seat surface and a backrest, wherein at least one first sensor device is provided which comprises at least two sensors arranged in the seat part, wherein at least one control device is intended and configured to evaluate output signals of the at least two sensors with regard to an asymmetric seat pressure distribution on the seat surface caused by an occupant.