Vehicle Seat Adjustment via Force Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat systems lack the ability to efficiently and ergonomically adjust positions in response to user inputs without requiring the user to leave their seated position, limiting convenience and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat system comprising a motion unit and a monitoring unit with sensors and a controller that allows users to adjust the seat's position and orientation by detecting predetermined forces or gestures, enabling ergonomic rearrangement while seated, with optional features like a pop-up bar for enhanced grip and user-profiled seat configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional manual seat adjustment mechanisms are used, then the seat can be adjusted to different positions, but the user must leave their seated position to operate the adjustment, reducing convenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat adjustment convenienceVSAvoidtime to adjust seat

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical manual adjustment mechanisms with a sensor-based detection system. Force sensors embedded in the seat cushion detect applied forces and gestures to automatically control seat position adjustment, eliminating the need for manual operation and allowing users to adjust seats while remaining seated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat adjustment system operates autonomously by detecting user intent through force applied to the seat cushion. The system self-activates when it detects a predetermined force pattern, automatically adjusting the seat position without requiring the user to manually operate controls or leave their position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If force sensors are integrated into the seat to detect user intent, then ergonomic adjustment can be achieved while seated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsensor and controller system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensors serve multiple functions: they detect user intent for seat adjustment, identify different adjustment directions through force patterns, and can potentially monitor user presence. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity despite adding sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables users to adjust the vehicle seat ergonomically without leaving their seat, improving comfort and convenience by allowing precise control over seat configurations through intuitive force inputs, enhancing usability and reducing strain during rearrangement.

Implementation Method 1

a monitoring unit integrated into the seat and adapted to receive ergonomically input from a driver seated adjacent to the seat... sensing intent of a driver adjacent to the vehicle seat to move the vehicle seat by contacting a predetermined portion of the seat with a predetermined force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce detection: Force

Data Source

PatentUS10427553B2Adjustable vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING LLC

AI summary

A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom to extend away from the seat bottom. The seat back includes a backrest an a headrest coupled to the backrest to locate the backrest between the headrest and the seat bottom.