Sliding Vehicle Seat Layout for Driver Access to Infants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seats do not provide sufficient stability for drivers to attend to infants or children safely, leading to distracted driving and increased risk of accidents.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat system that includes a passenger seat and an independent seat positioned behind the passenger seat, both of which are coupled to a sliding rail and can be adjusted using a controller that responds to factors such as the presence of an infant or child, their weight, and crying sounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the independent seat is positioned behind the passenger seat and can slide independently, then the driver's ability to attend to infants or children is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional sliding rail and control system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver's ability to attend to infants or childrenVSAvoidsliding rail and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat system is divided into two independent seating units: the passenger seat and the independent seat. Each seat can slide independently on separate sliding rails, allowing the driver to position the independent seat closer when attending to infants or children without affecting the passenger seat position. This segmentation enables flexible, independent control of each seat's position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Both the passenger seat and independent seat are equipped with sliding rails that allow dynamic position adjustment. The seats can move forward and backward along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, enabling the driver to dynamically reposition the independent seat based on real-time needs for attending to infants or children while maintaining passenger comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the controller automatically adjusts seat positions based on detected factors, then the safety and stability for attending to infants or children is improved, but the device complexity increases due to sensors and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and stability for attending to infants or childrenVSAvoidsensors and control logic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system incorporates multiple sensors that continuously monitor weight, crying sounds, and seat position. When an infant or child is detected in the independent seat, the system receives feedback signals and automatically adjusts the seat position to optimize the driver's ability to attend to the child. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enhances safety by ensuring proper positioning without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic seat position adjustment based on sensor detections without requiring driver operation. The controller independently processes weight data, crying sound detection, and position information to autonomously reposition the independent seat, reducing the need for manual control and minimizing driver distraction while enhancing safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If the passenger seat and independent seat are coupled to the same sliding rail, then the space utilization is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilization in vehicleVSAvoidseat coupling and rail alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding rail system is designed as a universal structure that can accommodate both the passenger seat and the independent seat. The rail is positioned to allow both seats to slide along its length, maximizing space utilization in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. This multi-functional rail design enables flexible seating arrangements while maintaining a compact vehicle interior layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4534344A1Seat for vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP4534344A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4534344A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4534344A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a seat for a vehicle that includes a passenger seat occupied by a passenger, an independent seat positioned behind the passenger seat and operated independently from rear seats, and a sliding rail provided on the vehicle floor in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in which the passenger seat and the independent seat are coupled, allowing for independent sliding.