Vehicle Seat Rotation Stops With Adaptive Angle Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat control systems in vehicles, such as agricultural and industrial tractors, are limited in their ability to accommodate the wide range of angular movement required by modern vehicles, and do not adequately adjust seat rotation based on operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system with a first stop arrangement fixed to the seat and a second stop mechanism mounted to the vehicle structure, controlled by an electronically actuatable system, allowing adjustable and automated seat rotation limits based on various operating parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a basic stop mechanism is used to limit seat rotation, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system cannot accommodate the wide ranges of seat angular movement necessary in modern vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism is made dynamically adjustable through an electronically actuatable control system with an actuator arrangement that can independently adjust the positions of second abutments. This allows the permitted angle of rotation to be changed easily based on operating conditions, transforming a static mechanical stop into a dynamic, adaptive system that can accommodate wide ranges of seat angular movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the stop mechanism by allowing independent adjustment of second abutment positions. This enables modification of the permitted angle of rotation magnitude and position about the vertical axis, adapting the system to different operational requirements without changing the fundamental mechanical structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed stop positions are used to limit seat rotation, then the manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the system cannot adjust permitted angles based on different operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed mechanical stop positioning with an electronically actuatable control system. Instead of relying on precision-machined fixed stops, the system uses electronic actuators to dynamically position abutments, substituting mechanical precision requirements with electronic control capabilities that can achieve precise positioning through software and sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop mechanism transitions from a static, fixed-position design to a dynamic system where abutment positions can be independently adjusted electronically. This allows the system to adapt permitted angles based on operating conditions such as vehicle speed, steering angle, or operational mode, achieving high adaptability without compromising positioning accuracy.
3Extent of automation
If manual adjustment of stop mechanisms is required, then the system is simpler and more reliable, but it requires operator input and cannot respond automatically to changing operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms with sensors that monitor vehicle operating conditions such as speed, steering angle, and seat position. This feedback enables the controller to automatically adjust the actuator arrangement and modify permitted seat rotation angles in response to changing conditions, achieving automated control while maintaining system reliability through continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions: it monitors various vehicle parameters, determines appropriate permitted angles based on operating conditions, actuates the stop mechanism accordingly, and can provide operator alerts or warnings. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single integrated control unit, managing complexity through functional integration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the permitted angle of rotation is increased to provide wider operational range, then the adaptability improves, but the safety risk increases when the vehicle is operating in unsafe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the permitted angle of rotation based on real-time assessment of vehicle operating conditions. When conditions are safe, the system allows wider rotation ranges for operational flexibility. When unsafe conditions are detected (such as high speed, improper steering configuration, or hazardous environmental conditions), the system automatically reduces the permitted rotation angle to prevent unsafe seat positions, thus adapting the mechanical limits to current safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system takes preliminary anti-action by proactively limiting seat rotation before unsafe conditions can develop. Through continuous monitoring of vehicle parameters and predictive control algorithms, the system prevents the seat from rotating into hazardous positions by adjusting stop mechanisms in advance, rather than reacting after a dangerous situation arises. This preemptive approach eliminates the need for operator intervention to prevent unsafe configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~10
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A system for controlling the permitted angular rotation of a vehicle operator's seat (15) about a vertical axis (16) relative to the vehicle. The system having first stop (25) rotatable with the seat and second stop mechanism (27, 28) carried by the vehicle for engagement by the first stop to limit the angular rotation of the seat relative to the vehicle. Control means are provided for adjusting the second stop mechanism (27, 28) to allow variation in the permitted angle of rotation of the seat dependent on various factors including the direction of travel of the vehicle, the orientation of the seat, and/or the mode of operation the vehicle.