Vehicle Seat with Trajectory Guide for Passenger Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semi-autonomous or assisted driving scenarios, the limited adjustability of vehicle seats restricts face-to-face communication between passengers due to the seat geometry, which is optimized for driving and does not allow for adequate turning towards co-passengers or the rear, limiting space for parallel activities like using mobile devices or engaging with rear-seat passengers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat with a guide system that allows movement away from the vehicle center and rotation about a vertical axis, enabling the seat to be repositioned along a trajectory that includes a vertical component, with a holding device for adjustable fixation and an actuator for tilting the seat surface, facilitating comfortable positions and improved communication between passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the seat geometry is optimized for the driving task with the steering wheel positioned directly in front of the driver, then the driving performance is improved, but the ability to communicate face-to-face with co-driver or passengers in the rear is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is made dynamically adjustable through a guide system that enables movement along a trajectory with lateral, longitudinal, and vertical components. The guide includes a rail with sliding bodies or rollers that allow the seat to move away from the vehicle center and rotate about its vertical axis, transforming the static seat into a dynamic component that can adapt to different communication needs while maintaining driving functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The guide system introduces additional movement dimensions beyond traditional longitudinal adjustment. The trajectory includes lateral movement away from the vehicle center, vertical movement components, and rotational movement about the vertical axis, creating a multi-dimensional adjustment space that enables face-to-face communication positions while preserving driving-oriented positions
2Ease of operation
If the seat is turned relatively far to face co-driver or passengers in the rear, then communication is improved, but the seat geometry optimized for driving task prevents adequate turning
Solution Approach 1:
The seat incorporates a rotational mechanism about its vertical axis that is integrated with the guide system. This dynamic rotation capability allows the seat to pivot toward the vehicle center for communication while maintaining the ability to return to the forward-facing driving position, creating a dynamically adjustable communication angle rather than a fixed compromised position
Solution Approach 2:
The seat adjustment function is segmented into independent movement components: lateral movement along the guide trajectory, vertical movement, and rotational movement about the vertical axis. This segmentation allows each degree of freedom to be controlled independently, enabling the seat to achieve optimal communication positioning without compromising driving capability
3Productivity
If there is limited space for parallel working with steering wheel positioned directly in front of driver, then driving control is maintained, but space for using laptop or mobile device is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system creates additional spatial dimensions for seat positioning, including lateral movement away from the vehicle center and vertical movement components. This multi-dimensional positioning capability expands the available workspace area by allowing the seat to move into positions that create more legroom and elbow space for parallel activities like using laptops or mobile devices, while maintaining driving control capability
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat, includes a guide describing a trajectory, said vehicle seat being movable on the guide along the trajectory so that the vehicle seat is moved away from a vehicle center, and a front side of the vehicle seat is rotated about a vertical axis of the vehicle seat toward the vehicle center.