Electromechanical control assembly for a chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an efficient and cost-effective way to integrate data transmission and control between seats and mobile terminals for applications related to the 'Internet of Things' and 'Quantified Self', particularly in enhancing user comfort and health monitoring without distracting users.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a seat with electromechanical actuators and sensor elements wirelessly connected to a mobile terminal, allowing for data transmission and control of seat parameters, such as height, angle, and vibration, using high-performance processors in mobile terminals to keep seat electronics simple, with flexible communication options like Bluetooth and energy storage for autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex electronics are integrated into the seat for data transmission and control, then functionality and intelligence are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex processing electronics from the seat and relocates them to the user's mobile terminal. The seat retains only essential components (actuators, sensors, communication module), while the mobile terminal handles data processing, analysis, and control decisions. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining full functionality while dramatically reducing seat complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the mobile terminal as a universal device that already possesses high-performance processors, sensors, and communication capabilities. By utilizing the mobile terminal's existing multi-functional capabilities for seat control and health monitoring, the system avoids duplicating these functions in the seat, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication means are added to enable data transmission between seat and mobile terminal, then system flexibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the mobile terminal's existing wireless communication capabilities (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular) to enable data transmission between the seat and terminal. By leveraging the universal communication protocols already present in smartphones and tablets, the system achieves high flexibility without adding specialized communication hardware to the seat.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and actuators are integrated into the seat for health monitoring and ergonomic control, then functionality and user benefit are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex sensor integration and data analysis functions from the seat manufacturing process and relocates them to the mobile terminal's software. The seat requires only basic sensor integration for collecting physiological data, while the terminal's application handles sophisticated analysis, interpretation, and feedback generation, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile terminal's existing processors and sensors serve the dual purpose of their original functions plus the additional role of analyzing seat sensor data and controlling seat actuators. This self-service approach allows the terminal to handle complex health monitoring and control tasks without requiring equivalent capabilities to be built into the seat.
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
Enables flexible and cost-effective integration of smart seat functions, including ergonomic adjustments and health monitoring, without requiring additional wearables, while maintaining user convenience and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electromechanical actuator (12, 14, 22, 24) assigned to the seat
Implementation Method 2
The seat and the mobile terminal are each provided with at least one communication means, which are designed to wirelessly transmit data between the seat and the mobile terminal
Implementation Method 3
at least one sensor element assigned to the seat... to receive and process data collected by the sensor element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising a seat (10) and a mobile terminal that are or can be connected to one another in order to transmit data, wherein the seat (10) comprises at least one electromechanical actuator (22, 24, 26, 28) and/or at least one sensor element (32, 34, 36, 38), the mobile terminal is designed to receive inputs from a user and control the at least one actuator (22, 24, 26, 28) on the basis of these inputs and/or to receive and process data collected by the at least one sensor element (32, 34, 36, 38), and the seat (10) and the mobile terminal are each provided with at least one communication means (44), which are designed to wirelessly transmit data between the seat (10) and the mobile terminal. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.