SYSTEM, METHODOLOGIES, AND COMPONENTS ACQUIRING, ANALYZING, AND USING OCCUPANT BODY SPECIFICATIONS FOR IMPROVED SEATING STRUCTURES AND ENVIRONMENT CONFIGURATION

• US 20170282770A1
• Filed: 06/20/2017
• Published: 10/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC (Forvia SE)
• Original Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC (Forvia SE)
• Inventors: HOTARY, James T., BAUDU, Samuel, FITZPATRICK, Robert C., LOWELL, Dana R., BRNCICK, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 9,889,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/026 varying hardness or support of upholstery, e.g. for tuning seat comfort when driving curved roads
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/16 height-adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/20 the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/04, B60N2/22 , B60N2/3002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/501 actively controlled suspension, e.g. electronic control
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/52 using fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/525 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/838 Tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 : Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 : massaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 : Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence

Abstract

Equipment and processes generate a seating solution by obtaining occupant data, calculating body dimensions from the occupant data, and calculating a best-fit body arrangement for an occupant. Occupant data may be obtained in various ways using available computational devices and software or by manually measuring the relevant dimensions on the occupant. A user interface for inputting occupant metrics and/or occupant measurements may be provided in a mobile terminal included in the vehicle or separate from the vehicle, thus giving users increased flexibility while maximizing simplicity and usability for the user or other personnel obtaining the data. Once an occupant'"'"'s best-fit body arrangement is determined, it may be altered by changing the predetermined criteria to achieve optimum comfort, safety, and therapeutic benefit as well as used for providing improved comfort on a continuous basis and/or in response to detected or predicted vehicle, road, or atmospheric conditions.

Claims

1. An occupant support system comprising a configuration control system,

the configuration control system comprising:

an interface configured to obtain occupant data associated with an occupant; and

a computer configured to provide means for receiving the occupant data, calculating a set of body ratios using the occupant data, calculating external body dimensions using the body ratios and occupant data, calculating internal body dimensions using an estimate of a thickness of the occupant'"'"'s flesh and external body dimensions, and calculating a best-fit body arrangement of the occupant using the internal body dimensions and predetermined criteria so that the occupant'"'"'s comfort and/or safety is increased when the occupant'"'"'s body is in the best-fit body arrangement.