Vehicle Seat Sensor Mounting on Ribbed Pressure-Receiving Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats with radio wave sensors for detecting occupant vital signs face challenges in maintaining high attaching rigidity and avoiding interference with movable pressure-receiving members and support structures.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle seat design includes a pressure-receiving member with ribs to increase rigidity and a radio wave sensor fixed to high-strength areas, supported by an attaching wire, ensuring the sensor's stability and alignment without interfering with the movement of the support member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radio wave sensor is attached to the movable pressure-receiving member, then the sensor can detect occupant vital signs, but the attaching rigidity is insufficient due to the deformable nature of the pressure-receiving member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate support member as an intermediary structure between the pressure-receiving member and the radio wave sensor. The support member has a fixed portion attached to the seatback frame and a sensor attachment portion that remains stable even when the pressure-receiving member deforms, providing a reliable mounting surface for the sensor without requiring the pressure-receiving member itself to be rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the support structure into functionally independent segments: the pressure-receiving member for load reception and deformation, the support member for providing stable sensor mounting, and the radio wave sensor for detection. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the others.
2Ease of operation
If the radio wave sensor is placed in a position that does not interfere with the movement of the support member or pressure-receiving member, then the sensor operation is not interfered with, but the attaching rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that decouples the sensor from the moving pressure-receiving member. The fixed portion of the support member attaches to the stationary seatback frame, while the sensor attachment portion provides a stable mounting surface that moves with the pressure-receiving member, ensuring both non-interference and attaching rigidity.
3Reliability
If the pressure-receiving member is made more rigid to increase sensor attaching stability, then the attaching rigidity improves, but the flexibility and comfort for the occupant decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the structural system into a rigid support member for sensor mounting and a flexible pressure-receiving member for occupant comfort. The support member maintains its rigidity to provide stable sensor attachment, while the pressure-receiving member retains its deformability to adapt to occupant body shapes and provide comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary that provides a rigid mounting surface for the sensor while being structurally independent from the flexible pressure-receiving member, allowing the pressure-receiving member to deform freely for comfort without affecting sensor stability.
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 design enhances the attaching rigidity and flexibility of the radio wave sensor, allowing accurate detection of occupant vital signs while minimizing discomfort and interference with seat movements.
Implementation Method 1
The radio wave sensor emits radio waves toward the occupant and detects radio waves reflected off the occupant to acquire information about the occupant
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion and a seatback. The vehicle seat has a plate-shaped pressure-receiving member configured to receive a load from an occupant seated on the vehicle seat and a radio wave sensor fixed to the pressure-receiving member. The radio wave sensor is configured to acquire information about the occupant by emitting radio waves toward the occupant and detecting the radio waves reflected off the occupant. The pressure-receiving member includes a plurality of first ribs that protrudes from a backside of the pressure-receiving member, which is a side facing away from the occupant, in a direction away from the occupant, and a plurality of second ribs that protrudes from the backside in a direction away from the occupant, the plurality of second ribs crossing the plurality of first ribs. The radio wave sensor includes at least one fixing part that is fixed to the pressure-receiving member. The at least one fixing part includes a first fixing part that is fixed to a surrounded area that is surrounded by the plurality of first ribs and the plurality of second ribs on the backside.