Sitting sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sitting sensors fail to detect sitting accurately when occupants shift their position forward or backward from the normal sitting position, as they rely on linearly disposed pressure-sensitive switches that only detect when multiple contacts are turned on, missing cases where only one contact is activated due to changed seating positions.
Innovation Solution
A sitting sensor design featuring a pair of insulating sheets with pressure-sensitive switches configured in groups along the left-right and front-rear directions of a seat, with specific switches positioned at ends to ensure detection regardless of the occupant's position, and belts to prevent relative displacement of switches, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If pressure-sensitive switches are linearly disposed with predetermined space apart, then the device structure is simple, but sitting detection fails when occupant shifts position forward or backward
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive switches are segmented into multiple groups (first group, second group, third group) arranged in different directions (left-right, front-rear, and both directions). This segmentation ensures that regardless of the occupant's position, at least one group will have multiple contacts activated, resolving the detection failure issue while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of pressure-sensitive switches to a two-dimensional distributed arrangement across different directions (left-right and front-rear). This dimensional change allows the sensor to detect sitting positions throughout the entire seat surface, not just at specific linear points, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity
2Reliability
If pressure-sensitive switches are arranged to detect forward and rearward positions, then detection coverage is improved, but relative displacement of switches occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive switches are mounted on flexible insulating sheets that can elastically deform under load. This flexibility allows the sheets to conform to the seat surface and accommodate occupant position changes without causing relative displacement between switches, maintaining both detection coverage and positional stability
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pressure-sensitive switches are combined into integrated assemblies mounted on common insulating sheets and spacers. This merging approach ensures that all switches within an assembly move together as a unit, preventing relative displacement while maintaining the distributed arrangement needed for comprehensive detection coverage
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 sensor effectively detects sitting in various positions by ensuring that at least one switch is activated in each group, even when the occupant shifts forward or backward, improving detection sensitivity and preventing false triggers from luggage.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pressure-sensitive switches including a pair of electrodes facing each other at the plurality of openings
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of pressure-sensitive switches of a sitting sensor (1) has a first pressure-sensitive switch group including a first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) including a first specific pressure-sensitive switch and a second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21), and a second pressure-sensitive switch group including first pressure-sensitive switches (SW11, SW12) including the first specific pressure-sensitive switch, and a second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22), in which in the first pressure-sensitive switch group, the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21) are disposed adjacent to each other along a left-right direction of a seat (SE), in the second pressure-sensitive switch group, the first pressure-sensitive switches (SW11, SW12) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22) are disposed adjacent to each other along a front-rear direction of the seat (SE), and turning on the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch causes a current to flow between a pair of terminals (T1, T2).