Wireless Seat Data Interconnect for Flexible Pitch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat data interconnect systems require time-consuming disconnection and reconnection of cable harnesses or spacers when seat pitch is changed, leading to potential mechanical or electrical failures and limiting flexibility due to the need for various cable lengths.
Innovation Solution
An elongate medium, such as a leaky cable with unshielded regions, is retained along the seat rail, allowing wireless communication between a transceiver on the vehicle seat and the medium, enabling seat pitch adjustments without disconnection, and minimizing interference with other devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cable harnesses are used to couple rows of seats together, then control of the entertainment system can be achieved, but the cable harness needs to be removed and reconnected each time seat pitch is changed, leading to time-consuming operations and potential mechanical or electrical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable harness connection system with a wireless communication system. Transceivers are integrated into the seat structures, enabling data transmission without physical cable connections. This substitution eliminates the need to disconnect and reconnect cable harnesses when adjusting seat pitch, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless transceivers as intermediary devices between seats and the entertainment system control. These transceivers enable communication without direct physical cable connections, allowing seat pitch changes without disconnection operations. The intermediary wireless communication system resolves the contradiction by maintaining connectivity while enabling mechanical adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cable harnesses are used to couple rows of seats together, then control of the entertainment system can be achieved, but repeated disconnection and reconnection can result in mechanical or electrical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable harness connection system with a wireless communication system. Transceivers are integrated into the seat structures, enabling data transmission without physical cable connections. This substitution eliminates the repeated mechanical stress of disconnection and reconnection, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless transceivers as intermediary devices between seats and the entertainment system control. These transceivers enable communication without direct physical cable connections, allowing seat pitch changes without disconnection operations. The intermediary wireless communication system resolves the contradiction by maintaining connectivity while enabling mechanical adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cable lengths are provided to accommodate different pitch combinations, then all pitch configurations can be supported, but a large inventory of different length interconnects is required, restricting flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable harness system with a wireless communication system using transceivers. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple cable lengths and complex inventory management, as the wireless system naturally adapts to any seat configuration. The contradiction between adaptability and device complexity is resolved by removing the physical cable infrastructure entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless transceiver system serves all pitch configurations universally, eliminating the need for specialized cable lengths for different arrangements. A single wireless communication infrastructure supports all seat configurations, resolving the contradiction by providing universal functionality instead of multiple specialized components.
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
This solution allows for flexible seat positioning without disrupting the cabling infrastructure, reducing the risk of mechanical or electrical failures and eliminating the need for multiple cable lengths, thus simplifying seat layout changes and maintaining system functionality.
Implementation Method 1
An elongate medium, such as a leaky cable with unshielded regions, is retained along the seat rail, allowing wireless communication between a transceiver on the vehicle seat and the medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle seat data interconnect, a method and a vehicle seat data system is disclosed. The vehicle seat data interconnect comprises an elongate medium operable to propagate data signals along its length and a transceiver locatable with a vehicle seat and operable to wirelessly couple with said elongate medium to enable data signals to be transmitted between said transceiver and said elongate medium. This enables a seat pitch to be altered without the need to remove any cabling or to disconnect the interconnect each time. Instead, the seat may be moved to a new position and the transceiver may still wirelessly couple with the elongate medium. Hence, the elongate medium can be retained in place without needing to be removed when the seat is moved and the transceiver located on the vehicle seat will enable data signals to be transmitted with the elongate medium even when the transceiver is in its new location.