Vehicle Seat Adjustment Using Optical Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seat adjustment systems primarily focus on driver preferences and do not effectively accommodate the diverse anthropometric characteristics of passengers in the 2nd and 3rd row seats, particularly in vehicles with limited space, where optimal seating for comfort and safety is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A blind-spot detection system with an optical sensor arrangement and controller captures data on the anthropometric characteristics of expected passengers, adjusting the 2nd row seat and deploying the 3rd row seat to a riding position based on this data, ensuring comfort and safety for all passengers by compensating for varying body sizes and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seat adjustment systems focus on driver preferences only, then driver comfort is optimized, but passenger comfort and safety in 2nd and 3rd row seats deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seat adjustment system is segmented into multiple independent control zones, with separate adjustment mechanisms for driver seat (1st row), 2nd row seats, and 3rd row seats. Each zone can be independently adjusted based on the anthropometric characteristics of occupants in that specific row, allowing optimized comfort for each passenger group rather than a unified driver-centric system
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of expected passengers before they enter the vehicle, deriving anthropometric characteristics from these images, and pre-adjusting the 2nd and 3rd row seats to optimal positions before the passengers board. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment by passengers and ensures immediate comfort upon seating
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustable seat mechanisms are provided for diverse body sizes, then passenger comfort improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation by automatically capturing images of passengers, deriving their anthropometric characteristics, and adjusting the seats without any manual intervention from the passengers. The optical sensor arrangement and controller work autonomously to perform the entire adjustment process, eliminating the need for complex manual control interfaces while providing personalized comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated optical-mechanical system. Instead of requiring passengers to manually operate mechanical adjustment controls, the system uses optical sensors to capture passenger characteristics and automatically actuates the mechanical seat adjustment mechanisms through electronic control, reducing the complexity of user interaction
3Ease of operation
If 2nd row seat is adjusted for optimal 2nd row passenger position, then 2nd row passenger comfort improves, but 3rd row passenger access and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary adjustments by capturing images of both 2nd row and 3rd row expected passengers before they enter the vehicle. Based on the anthropometric characteristics derived from these images, the controller pre-positions the 2nd row seat to simultaneously optimize both rows' comfort and access requirements, rather than adjusting for one row at a time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple seat parameters including longitudinal position, lateral position, and recline angle of the 2nd row seat based on the combined anthropometric characteristics of both 2nd and 3rd row passengers. This multi-parameter optimization allows the 2nd row seat to be positioned in a configuration that accommodates both rows' needs
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 system enhances passenger comfort and safety by optimizing seat positions based on individual passenger characteristics, improving ingress and egress access and overall seating experience in vehicles with multiple rows.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor arrangement... configured to capture data indicative of... objects alongside the vehicle and, while the vehicle is stopped, an expected 3rd row passenger
Data Source
AI summary
A method may be performed by a sensor arrangement and a controller. The method may include capturing, by the sensor arrangement, data indicative of anthropometric characteristics of an expected 3rd row passenger prior to the passenger entering a vehicle. The method may also include deploying, by a controller, a 3rd row seat and moving a 2nd row seat prior to the expected 3rd row passenger entering the vehicle to a riding position that is based on the characteristics and 2nd row passenger data. The sensor arrangement may include an optical sensor arrangement such as used in a blind-spot detection system for a vehicle.