Wearable Occupant Posture Correction Before Vehicle Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant protection systems face challenges in applying stimuli effectively due to clothing interference, varying electrode contact positions, and occupant movement during impacts, leading to inadequate posture control and protection performance.
Innovation Solution
An occupant protection device with sensors to predict impacts, a controller to determine stimulus application content, and stimulus application units (such as electrodes, vibrators, and actuators) worn by the occupant to adjust posture before impacts, using electric current, heat, pressure, or vibration based on vehicle and occupant information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are provided on the seat to apply stimulus to the occupant, then posture control function is provided, but clothing interferes with electricity flow reducing stimulus effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wearable stimulus application unit that serves as an intermediary between the electrode system and the occupant's skin. This wearable unit includes electrodes that directly contact the skin through clothing, using the clothing as part of the stimulus transmission path rather than treating it as an obstacle. The wearable unit includes a stimulus application electrode that contacts the skin and a clothing electrode that contacts the outer surface of the clothing, creating a pathway for electric current to flow through the clothing to reach the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (voltage, current, waveform) of the stimulus based on detected occupant posture and clothing characteristics. The control unit adjusts stimulus application parameters dynamically to ensure effective stimulus delivery despite variations in clothing material, thickness, and occupant posture, thereby maintaining reliable posture control effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If electrodes are fixed on the seat, then device complexity is reduced, but stimulus application position varies with occupant physique reducing control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static electrode system fixed on the seat to a dynamic wearable stimulus application unit that moves with the occupant. The wearable unit includes sensors and electrodes that maintain consistent contact positions with the occupant's body regardless of their physique. The control unit dynamically adjusts stimulus application based on real-time posture detection, ensuring accurate and consistent stimulus delivery to the intended muscle groups.
3Loss of time
If stimulus is applied strongly to quickly correct posture, then response time is reduced, but occupant comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic or pulsed stimulus rather than continuous strong stimulus. The control unit delivers stimulus in controlled pulses or cycles, allowing muscle response time between pulses. This periodic stimulation achieves posture correction over time while avoiding the discomfort and potential harm associated with continuous high-intensity stimulus application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts stimulus parameters (intensity, duration, frequency, waveform) based on the detected posture deviation magnitude and rate of change. For small deviations, gentle stimulus is applied; for larger deviations, stronger stimulus is used temporarily then reduced as correction progresses. This adaptive parameter adjustment achieves timely posture correction while maintaining occupant comfort.
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 effectively controls occupant posture to improve protection performance by anticipating and adjusting to impending impacts, regardless of clothing or seating posture, enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulus application unit may include a first electrode to be worn near and in front of an ear of the occupant and a second electrode to be worn near and behind the ear of the occupant, and apply a stimulus to the occupant when electricity flows between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Implementation Method 2
The stimulus application unit may include vibrators mounted respectively on left and right shoulders of the occupant, and apply a stimulus to the occupant by vibration of the vibrators.
Implementation Method 3
The stimulus application unit may include an actuator to be worn on an ear auricle of the occupant, and apply a stimulus to the occupant by pulling the ear auricle with the actuator.
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant protection device includes a first sensor configured to output vehicle information indicating a traveling state of a vehicle and a situation around the vehicle, a second sensor configured to output occupant information indicating a seating state of an occupant, a stimulus application unit that is to be worn by the occupant and is configured to apply a stimulus to the occupant, and a controller configured to control the stimulus application unit. The controller predicts an impact to be received by the vehicle, determines a stimulus application content by the stimulus application unit necessary for correcting a posture of the occupant to a posture prepared for the impact when the impact is predicted, and activates the stimulus application unit in accordance with the determined stimulus application content and thus corrects the posture of the occupant prior to a timing when the vehicle receives the impact.