Vehicle Seat Backrest Touch Interface for Easy-Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seats with manual handles require a free hand and significant force to operate, making it difficult for injured, elderly, children, or individuals carrying items to easily transition the seat into an easy-entry position.

Innovation Solution

A touch-sensitive operating device integrated into the vehicle seat's backrest, featuring a display element and input device for intuitive operation, allowing for reduced force requirements and enabling automatic execution of functions without continuous manual actuation, with the option for different function assignments and language support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a manual handle connected to a backrest lock by Bowden cable is used, then the vehicle seat can be transferred into a forward-pivoted non-use position, but significant force is required to operate the handle and a free hand is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of seat position transferVSAvoidforce required to operate handle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical handle operation with an electric motor-driven system. The operating device includes a motor that automatically pivots the backrest between use and non-use positions, eliminating the need for manual force application to the Bowden cable mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs the backrest positioning function automatically through the motor-driven mechanism. The seat adjusts its own position without requiring external manual intervention, making the system self-servicing for the positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If a manual handle is used for operating the backrest lock, then the seat can be moved to non-use position, but operation is difficult for injured people, old people, children, or people carrying items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for diverse usersVSAvoidease of handle operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electric motor-driven operating device replaces the manual mechanical handle, making the system accessible to users who cannot physically operate a manual handle, including injured people, elderly, children, or those carrying items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor-driven operating device provides universal accessibility for all user groups. The control interface can be operated with minimal force and can be positioned for easy access, making it suitable for diverse users with varying physical capabilities.

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

3Ease of operation

If a touch-sensitive input device with display element is integrated into the upholstery, then intuitive operation with minimal force is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive operabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of operating device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive input device with display element serves as an intermediary interface between the user and the motor-driven mechanism. It provides intuitive control through tactile feedback and visual display, simplifying user interaction while managing the underlying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: the touch-sensitive input device, the display element, and the motor control are combined in one compact assembly integrated into the upholstery, reducing overall system complexity despite adding intelligent control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3310611B1Vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL
  • EP3310611B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3310611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor-vehicle seat, comprising a seat part (2) and a backrest (4), wherein an operating device (10) is provided in a padding region (6) of the backrest (4), and wherein the operating device (10) comprises a display element and a touch-sensitive input apparatus and the operating device (10) is arranged in an upper region of the backrest (4) and/or in the region of a side of the backrest (4) of the vehicle seat (1) facing a rear row of seats.