Vehicle Switch Position Adjustment for Driver Posture Adaptability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers face difficulty in operating the changeover switch between automated and manual driving modes due to changes in their posture, particularly when the driver seat is inclined or moved, making it hard to reach the switch.

Innovation Solution

An operation device that adjusts the position of the changeover switch based on the state of the driver seat, using sensors and actuators to ensure the switch remains accessible regardless of the seat's position or inclination, utilizing a controller to determine the target position of the switch based on the seat's state and moving it accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the driver changes posture between automated and manual driving modes, then driver adaptability to different modes is improved, but the operability of the changeover switch deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver posture adaptabilityVSAvoidswitch operability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of driver seat position changes and proactively adjusts the changeover switch position before the driver attempts to operate it. This anticipatory adjustment ensures the switch is already in the optimal position when the driver needs to change modes, preventing operability issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The changeover switch transitions from a fixed position to a dynamic position that adapts to driver posture changes. The switch position is continuously adjusted based on real-time detection of driver seat configuration, ensuring maintainability of switch accessibility across different driving modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3521107B1Method for adjusting a switch position, and operating device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3521107B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3521107B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3521107B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for adjusting a switch position includes adjusting a position of a changeover switch (10) for changing over a travel mode of a vehicle (1) between an automated driving mode in which travel of the vehicle (1) is controlled in an automated manner and a manual driving mode in which travel of the vehicle (1) is operated by a driver is adjusted according to a state of the driver seat (6).