Vehicle Height Control Using Seat-Based Driver Body Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle height adjustment systems do not adequately consider the driver's body shape for enhanced riding or alighting convenience, leading to suboptimal comfort and ease of getting on or off the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a control module to determine the seat position, estimate the driver's body shape, calculate a vehicle height adjustment parameter based on the body shape, and generate a suspension control signal to adjust the vehicle height accordingly, taking into account calf length, hip height, and thigh length to customize the vehicle height for improved convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle height is adjusted using a fixed suspension system, then the structure is simple, but the riding or alighting convenience for different body types is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of the driver's body shape before vehicle height adjustment. The control module estimates body shape parameters (hip height, calf length, thigh length) based on seat position detection, and uses these estimates to pre-calculate the optimal vehicle height adjustment parameter, ensuring convenience is optimized before the driver actually enters or exits the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the driver's own body measurements (estimated from seat position) to automatically adjust the vehicle height. The control module calculates the vehicle height adjustment parameter based on the estimated body shape without requiring manual input from the driver, making the system self-adapting to individual drivers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle height is adjusted based on general settings, then the control system is simple, but the customization for individual driver convenience is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from fixed general settings to dynamic body-shaped parameters. The control module estimates specific body parameters (hip height, calf length, thigh length) and calculates the vehicle height adjustment parameter based on these varying parameters, enabling customization for each driver's body type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces physical measurement devices with a computational estimation approach. Instead of using mechanical sensors to directly measure the driver's body, the control module estimates body shape parameters through calculation based on seat position data, substituting a complex mechanical measurement system with a simpler computational model.
3Measurement precision
If the seat position is used to estimate body shape, then additional sensors are avoided, but the measurement precision may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a computational model (copy) of the driver's body shape based on seat position data. The control module estimates body parameters by calculating the relationship between seat position and body dimensions, creating a virtual representation of the driver's anatomy without requiring physical contact sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat position acts as an intermediary parameter that connects the driver's body shape to the vehicle height control. Instead of directly measuring body dimensions, the system uses seat position as a mediator to infer body shape parameters, which are then used to determine the optimal vehicle height.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment an apparatus for controlling a height of a vehicle includes a seat having a seat unit and a backrest unit, the seat unit movable in directions of two or more axes, a control module configured to determine a position of the seat in a state in which a driver is seated, estimate a body shape of the driver based on the position of the seat, calculate a vehicle height adjustment parameter based on the body shape and generate a suspension control signal for adjusting a vehicle height based on the vehicle height adjustment parameter and a suspension driving device configured to control a suspension based on the suspension control signal.