Vehicle Seat Vibration Control for Acceleration Perception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seats do not effectively allow occupants to perceive vehicle acceleration and stability, particularly through low sensitivity of receptors at body parts like the back, hip, and buttocks, leading to varying driving skills among individuals.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat with vibration application units that apply vibrations with frequencies between 100 Hz and 300 Hz, varying amplitudes based on vehicle acceleration, and differential amplitudes depending on acceleration direction, enhanced by slip state detection and road surface vibration input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vibration is applied to the seat at frequencies below 100 Hz, then the vibration is imperceptible to the occupant, but increasing the frequency above 300 Hz causes the occupant to feel uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant perception of vehicle accelerationVSAvoiduncomfortable sensation for occupant

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vibration at frequencies between 100 Hz and 300 Hz, which is an optimized parameter range that balances perceptibility and comfort. This frequency range is specifically chosen to be detectable by human receptors while avoiding uncomfortable high-frequency vibrations, resolving the contradiction between perception and comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If vibration amplitude is increased to improve perception of vehicle acceleration, then the occupant can better sense tire grip and slip states, but excessive amplitude causes discomfort and distraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperception of tire grip and slip stateVSAvoidoccupant distraction and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration amplitude is dynamically adjusted based on vehicle acceleration detection. The system increases amplitude when acceleration changes occur (such as during slip events) to enhance perception, then reduces it when stable, preventing constant distraction while maintaining situational awareness capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from acceleration sensors to control vibration amplitude. When the sensor detects vehicle acceleration corresponding to slip or grip changes, the controller increases vibration amplitude to alert the occupant, then decreases it when the situation stabilizes, creating a responsive feedback loop that balances perception and comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If vibration is continuously applied to maintain occupant awareness, then the occupant remains alert to vehicle conditions, but continuous vibration becomes distracting and uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant awareness of driving conditionsVSAvoidoccupant distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous vibration, the system applies vibration periodically only when vehicle acceleration changes are detected. This intermittent activation maintains occupant awareness when needed while avoiding constant distraction, resolving the contradiction between reliability and comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enhances the occupant's perception of vehicle acceleration and stability, improving driving accuracy and security by emphasizing the sense of tire grip and recognizing slip states.

Implementation Method 1

one or more vibration application units configured to apply vibration to a portion of the vehicle seat... cause each of the one or more vibration application units to vibrate with a vibration application waveform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The vibration application waveform includes a frequency component that is higher than or equal to 100 Hz and lower than or equal to 300 Hz and has an amplitude that varies in accordance with acceleration acting on the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration-dependent vibration modulation: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12459530B2Vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

A vehicle seat, in which an occupant of a vehicle is to be seated, includes one or more vibration application units and a vibration application control processor. The one or more vibration application units are each configured to apply vibration to a portion of the vehicle seat. The portion is to be in contact with the occupant. The vibration application control processor is configured to cause each of the one or more vibration application units to vibrate with a vibration application waveform. The vibration application waveform includes a frequency component that is higher than or equal to 100 hertz and lower than or equal to 300 hertz and has an amplitude that varies in accordance with acceleration acting on the vehicle.