Vehicle Seat Internal Support Member Pressure Sensor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs with internal support members and pressure sensors face challenges in accurately detecting the presence of an occupant due to pressure diversion from the inclined portions, leading to incorrect differentiation between occupants and objects.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a sheet or plate internal support member with strategically positioned openings and a pressure sensor mounting portion that amplifies pressure and stabilizes the sensor, preventing swinging motion and ensuring accurate detection by distributing load effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pressure sensor is placed on an inclined portion of the internal support member, then the structure is simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates because pressure is diverted to the inclined portions
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is extracted from the inclined portion and relocated to the flat upper surface of the internal support member. This separation removes the sensor from the area where pressure is diverted to the inclined portions, allowing accurate detection of vertical pressure while the inclined portions continue to support hip pressure independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor mounting portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the internal support member and the pressure sensor. This mounting portion provides a dedicated platform on the flat upper surface that is optimized for sensor attachment and pressure transmission, improving both mounting reliability and detection accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the pressure sensor is mounted on the internal support member, then occupant presence can be detected, but the sensor may swing or move due to lateral pressure, reducing detection reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting portion features an asymmetric structure with a wider first side extending in the width direction of the seat cushion frame compared to the second side. This asymmetric design creates uneven support surfaces that prevent the sensor from swinging laterally while maintaining ease of installation from the wider side.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounting portion is pre-formed with specific geometric features (wider first side, narrower second side) that inherently prevent sensor swinging before the sensor is even installed. This preliminary structural preparation ensures stability is built into the mounting design itself, rather than requiring additional fastening mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes an internal support member for supporting a seat occupant. The internal support member includes a main body in plate or sheet form positioned within a seat cushion frame and first and second mounting portions engaged by first and second cross members of the seat cushion frame. A pressure sensor is mounted on a part of an upper surface of the internal support member which is closer to the first cross member than the second cross member. The main body of the internal support member is formed with a pair of openings positioned on either side of a central longitudinal line. A sensor mounting portion supporting the pressure sensor is defined between mutually adjoining edges of the openings. The first mounting portion includes a central first mounting piece which is positioned laterally centrally and has a greater width than the sensor mounting portion.