Active Seat Suspension Failsafe Controller for Actuator Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active seat suspensions in vehicles can provide undesirable operation when actuators fail or exceed design thresholds, leading to uncomfortable conditions for occupants due to uncontrolled motion and acceleration transmission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller that detects failure states in active seat suspensions, such as actuator malfunctions or excessive temperatures, to limit or lock the actuators' operation, thereby maintaining occupant comfort by restricting motion and preventing further damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the active seat suspension continues operating after actuator failure, then the system maintains its motion control function, but the occupant comfort deteriorates due to uncontrolled motion and acceleration transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is programmed with predetermined failure state detection capabilities and automatic response protocols. When failure indicators are detected (such as abnormal current draw, position deviations, or loss of feedback signals), the controller automatically transitions to a safe mode that locks the actuator or limits its range of motion, preventing harmful uncontrolled movements before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actuator performance through feedback mechanisms including position sensors, current sensors, and temperature sensors. This real-time feedback enables the controller to detect failure states and automatically adjust actuator operation or lock the actuator to prevent harmful motion, thereby maintaining occupant comfort even when the actuator is malfunctioning.
2Device complexity
If the actuator operates without temperature monitoring, then the system structure remains simple, but the actuator may overheat and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor is integrated with the actuator to provide continuous thermal feedback to the controller. When the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller automatically reduces actuator operation or shuts it down to prevent overheating and damage, thereby improving actuator reliability without requiring major structural changes to the system.
3Reliability
If the controller limits actuator operation upon detecting failure, then damage prevention is improved, but the motion control capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is pre-programmed with failure detection algorithms and automatic response strategies. Upon detecting actuator failure through monitoring parameters such as current, position, or temperature, the controller automatically locks the actuator or restricts its motion range to prevent damage, while still maintaining basic seat positioning capabilities through alternative control methods or passive suspension elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments related to active seat suspensions as well as their methods of operation are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, a failure state of an active seat suspension may be detected after which operation of one or more actuators of the active seat suspension may be limited in response to the detected failure state. In another embodiment, a crash or imminent crash of a vehicle may be detected and an active seat suspension may be operated to lower a seat connected thereto to lower the seat toward an underlying portion of the vehicle. In yet another embodiment, operation of an active seat suspension may be limited to reduce a temperature of the active seat suspension when a rate of change and/or a magnitude of a sensed temperature of an actuator of an active seat suspension is greater than a predetermined threshold.