Vehicle Seat Shape Memory Actuation for Lateral Acceleration Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats lack effective mechanisms to enhance occupant support and comfort, particularly in situations involving lateral acceleration forces, and current adjustment systems are limited in their ability to provide dynamic support and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The integration of shape memory material-based actuators into vehicle seats, which include shape memory alloys (SMAs) or polymers, are used to create adjustable and supportive structures. These actuators can be configured as wires, sheets, or mats, and are activated to change shape in response to heat, allowing for enhanced support and adjustment of seat components such as the backrest and cushion, thereby improving occupant comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shape memory material members are used to provide dynamic support and adjustability, then occupant comfort and support are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuators (motors, linkages, gears) with shape memory material members that respond to thermal stimuli. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining adjustability functionality, as the shape memory materials directly produce motion through phase-change-driven deformation without requiring complex mechanical transmission systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters of the shape memory materials (temperature, phase state) to control seat configuration. By heating or cooling the shape memory material members, the seat can dynamically adjust between different configurations (flat, reclined, bolstered) without mechanical actuators, thereby improving adaptability while reducing device complexity.
2Force
If shape memory material members are activated to contract, then push force on occupant is increased, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic activation of shape memory material members to generate push forces for massaging or supporting the occupant. Instead of continuous activation, the system cycles through heating and cooling phases, allowing the shape memory materials to contract and relax repeatedly. This periodic action delivers necessary mechanical force while minimizing energy consumption by utilizing the material's inherent elasticity during relaxation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-heats or pre-cools shape memory material members to prepare them for activation. By maintaining the shape memory materials near their transformation temperature, the system reduces the energy required for actual activation, as less thermal energy input is needed to trigger the phase change and subsequent contraction that generates push force.
3Strength
If tubular members are used to concentrate contraction effect, then structural efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the seat structure into modular segments, with individual tubular members positioned at specific locations to concentrate contraction effects where needed. Each tubular member can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the seat structure, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural efficiency of concentrated contraction effects at critical support points.
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 use of shape memory material-based actuators in vehicle seats enables increased support during lateral acceleration forces and improved comfort by dynamically adjusting seat components, providing a more effective and comfortable riding experience while reducing the need for complex mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
When activated, the shape memory material members can contract. The effect of the contraction can be concentrated in the portion of the respective one of the shape memory material members that is exposed outside of the tubular member.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat can be configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. Shape memory material members can be operatively positioned with respect to a seat portion of the vehicle seat. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated by an activation input. When activated, the shape memory material members can engage a seat pan so as to cause the seat pan to tilt in a respective lateral direction. As a result, a seat cushion supported by the seat pan can also tilt in the respective lateral direction. The seat cushion can be tilted in a lateral direction that is opposite to the direction of the lateral acceleration. Thus, the effects of lateral acceleration felt by a seat occupant can be reduced. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration.