Wireless Seat Position Detection System for Memory Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat arrangements with manual, mechanical adjusting devices and memory functions are limited by allowing only two possible seat positions to be stored and offer uncomfortable and slow adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A wireless seat position detection system using a transmitter element and a receiver element, such as a smartphone, allows for the storage and recognition of multiple seat positions, enabling quick and comfortable adjustment through acoustic and visual feedback, with the measuring device employing potentiometers or optical sensors for precise position determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a mechanical memory device with detent positions is used, then seat positions can be stored, but the number of storable positions is limited to two

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of storable seat positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical memory device

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical memory device with an electronic system consisting of a measuring device, transmitter element, and receiver element. The measuring device detects seat position, the transmitter element wirelessly transmits position data, and the receiver element stores multiple positions in memory. This substitution eliminates the limitation of storing only two positions while avoiding complex mechanical structures with multiple detent positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If a mechanical adjustment device with multiple detent positions is implemented, then more seat positions can be stored, but the adjustment process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of available seat positionsVSAvoidtime required for seat adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through the measuring device that continuously detects the current seat position and transmits it to the receiver element. The system compares the current position with stored optimal positions and provides feedback to guide the user to the correct position, significantly reducing adjustment time compared to manually searching through multiple detent positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical detent position system with an electronic detection and storage system. Instead of physically engaging multiple detent positions, the system uses electronic memory to store coordinate data of optimal positions and wireless transmission to retrieve and display them, enabling rapid positioning without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a wireless transmission system is used, then multiple seat positions can be stored and retrieved quickly, but additional electronic components are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of seat position retrievalVSAvoidnumber of electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the receiver element to serve multiple purposes: it acts as a wireless receiver for position data, a storage device for multiple seat positions, a processing unit for comparing current and stored positions, and a user interface for displaying and guiding adjustment. This consolidation reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the storage of an arbitrary number of seat positions, providing quick and comfortable seat adjustments with real-time position feedback, enhancing user convenience and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a measuring device arranged on the at least one adjustment device or on the respective seat part for determining the set seat position of the respective seat part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 2

the measuring device has a transmitter element for wireless transmission of the seat position to a receiver element connected thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP3140153B1Seat assembly with seat position recognizing means and memory function

Publication Date: 2018.05.16 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG

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Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a seat arrangement with seat position detection and memory function for a vehicle, comprising a seat (1), consisting of a plurality of seat parts (1a-1c) which can be moved relative to one another, having at least one mechanical adjusting device (2) for the manual adjustment of a seat position of a user into a seat position which is adapted individually to the user, comprising, furthermore, a measuring device (3) which is arranged on the at least one adjusting device (2) or on the respective seat part (1a-1c) for determining the set seat position of the respective seat part (1a-1c). According to the invention, the measuring device (3) has a transmitter element (4) for wireless transmission of the seat position to an associated receiver element (5), wherein the receiver element (5) stores and recognizes the seat position which is adapted individually to the user.