Patent Application
20220032820
This disclosure relates to low-wattage electric motors with controllable functions.
Low-wattage electric motors may be utilized in vehicles to make adjustable components of the vehicle's interior. Adjustable interior components may include seats, steering wheels, consoles, pedals, seatbelts, and other interior components that a passenger or driver may wish to arrange in an optimal fashion.
Existing systems may have limited controls or a limited number of motors. It would be desirable to retrofit existing vehicle interiors with adjustable features, resulting in a smart motor system.
One aspect of this disclosure rs directed to a smart motor system comprising: a sensor, a controller in first data communication with the sensor, a motor in electrical communication with the controller, and an interface in second data communication with the controller and configured to present system data indicating operating parameters of the smart motor system to a user. The sensor may be operable to generate sensor data indicating at least one parameter measuring an arrangement of a configurable element of a vehicle interior. The motor may be operated by an electrical signal transmitted via the electrical communication between the controller and the motor. The controller is operable to prevent operation of the motor when the at least one parameter indicates that the arrangement of the configurable element is beyond a threshold value and wherein the first data communication comprises a Local Interconnection Network.
A further aspect of this disclosure is directed to a smart motor system comprising: a first motor configured to respond to electrical stimulus and operable to control an arrangement of a first configurable element of a vehicle interior, a second motor configured to respond to electrical stimulus and operable to control an arrangement of a second configurable element of a vehicle interior, a controller in electrical communication with the first motor and the second motor, a first sensor in data communication with the controller and operable to generate first sensor data indicating at least a first parameter measuring the arrangement of the first configurable element, a second sensor in data communication with the controller and operable to generate second sensor data indicating at least a second parameter measuring the arrangement of the second configurable element, and an interface in data communication with the controller and configured to present system data indicating operating parameters of the smart motor system to a user. The controller is operable to prevent operation of the first motor when the first parameter indicates that the arrangement of the first configurable element is beyond a first threshold value, the controller is operable to prevent operation of the second motor when the second parameter indicates that the arrangement of the second configurable element is beyond a second threshold value, and wherein the data communication comprises a Local Interconnection Network.
In some embodiments, the controller may be detachably coupled to the motor. In some embodiments, the Local interconnection Network may comprise a Controller Area Network.
The above aspects of this disclosure and other aspects will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings.
The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended to be merely examples that may he embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to practice the disclosed concepts.
Configuration of the configurable elements may occur along at least one adjustable direction 107. A motor assembly 101 may be operable to make adjustments along one or more adjustable directions 107. By way of example, and not limitation, motor assembly 101a may be operable to adjust the leg room of seat 103 by adjusting its displacement along adjustable direction 107a1, while also being operable to adjust the height of seat 103 by adjusting its displacement along adjustable direction 107a2. In contrast, motor assembly 101b may only be operable to adjust the relative tilt of seat 103 by adjusting the displacement of the seat-back along adjustable direction 107b. A motor assembly 101 may be operable to control a configurable element along an arbitrary number of adjustable directions 107. For example, motor assembly 101c may be operable to adjust the relative position of steering wheel 105 in at least three adjustable directions. Steering wheel 105 may be moved closer to or further from a driver along adjustable direction 107c1. Steering wheel 105 may be vertically raised or lowered along adjustable direction 107c2. Steering wheel 105 may be tilted along adjustable direction 107c3 to optimize its position for the reach of the driver.
In embodiments wherein a single motor assembly 101 may adjust a configurable element in a plurality of ways, the motor assembly 101 may comprise a plurality of motors or a single motor operable to perform multiple functions without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
In the depicted embodiment, seat 103 is, shown to be configurable with respect to leg-room along adjustable direction 107a1, vertical height along adjustable direction 107a2, and incline along adjustable direction 107b. Seat 103 may comprise other adjustable components without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. By way of example, and not limitation, seat 103 may comprise the illustrated incline control, leg-room control, and vertical control, but also such controls as a lumbar control, a swivel control, a tilt control, a seat firmness control, a recliner control, and a folding control without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may comprise different combinations of controls without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
In the depicted embodiment, vehicle 100 may advantageously utilize a number of sensors 109 to generate sensor data measuring an arrangement of one or more configurable elements. The sensors 109 may be in data communication with the controllers of motor assemblies 101 via a Local Interconnection Network (LIN). In the depicted embodiment, the LIN is supported by a LIN hub 111 that provides data communication between devices connected to the LIN, but other embodiments may comprise independent communications between components without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In the depicted embodiment, the LIN may comprise a Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol, and LEN hub 111 may comprise a CAN bus. Other embodiments may comprise other configurations without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
The sensors 109 may be utilized to provide indications that are of particular use to one or more of motor assemblies 101. Each of sensors 109 may comprise one or more of a distance sensor, a proximity sensor, a force sensor, a tension sensor, a weight sensor, an obstruction sensor, or another sensor type known to one of ordinary Skill in the art. Each of sensors 109 may be configured to provide measurements useful to one or more of motor assemblies 101, such as a distance measurement, proximity measurement, force measurements, tension measurements, weight measurements, object detections, or any other type of measurement blown to one of ordinary skill in the art. The measurements provided by each of sensors 109 may be utilized to indicate parameters of the measured environment. The parameters may comprise distances between elements of the system or objects within the environment the system, force applied by an element of the system, force applied upon an element of the system, tension experienced by an element of the system, weight of objects within the environment of the system, or detection of objects within the environment of the system. In the depicted embodiment, the controller of a motor assembly 101 may be operable to request sensor data from one or more of sensors 109, and generate a corresponding power signal to operate an associated electric motor in response to the received sensor data. By way of example, and not limitation, a controller may monitor a particular measurement of a sensor 109, and discontinue active operation of an associated electric motor if the measurement is beyond a threshold value. Such a threshold value may correspond to a particular arrangement of a configurable element, and may represent a defined Limit in the arrangement for reasons of passenger comfort or safety. Such thresholds may be utilized to improve safety by providing an “anti-pinch” or “anti-trap” function of motor assembly 101, wherein the motor assembly 101 is configured to stop operation in response to a measurement beyond a threshold value indicating the potential for damage to an external object, damage to the motor, or injury to a passenger or user. Sensors that are utilized for the purpose of enabling an anti-pinch or anti-trap function of the motor assembly 101 may be referred to as “anti-pinch sensors” or “anti-trap” sensors.
By way of example, and not limitation, sensor 109a may comprise an obstruction sensor operable to detect proximity of objects in front of seat 103, and motor assembly 101a may monitor the proximity of any object detected by sensor 109a. If the proximity indicated by the sensor data generated by sensor 109a is below a minimum threshold, motor assembly 101a may discontinue providing power to its associated electric motor so as to avoid damage to the system, injury to a passenger, discomfort of the passenger, or damage to the object in proximity. Sensors 109 may be configured to anticipate common use conditions of vehicle 100. By way of example, and not limitation, sensor 109a may be configured to only detect objects that are smaller than a predetermined threshold size, because it is understood that a driver's legs may be in front of seat 103 when seat 103 is occupied by a driver. Alternatively, motor assembly 101a may utilize a hierarchy of thresholds, Wherein the proximity threshold may be defined differently for smaller objects than a larger objects (such as the driver's legs).
Sensors 109 may be disposed within the interior of vehicle 100 advantageously in locations where they are most effective. By way of example, and not limitation, sensor 109b may comprise a proximity sensor disposed within the ceiling of vehicle 100. Such an arrangement may render sensor 109b advantageous to detect when a passenger's head is approaching the ceiling. Motor assemblies 101a and 101b may advantageously utilize such data during vertical or tilt control of seat 103, and may slow or discontinue their operation of their associated electric motors if a passenger's head comes within a threshold proximity of sensor 109b to optimize the comfort and safety of the passenger.
Similarly by way of example, and not of limitation, sensor 109c may comprise a pressure sensor disposed within steeling wheel 105, and may be utilized to detect when steering wheel 105 is arranged in an uncomfortable or potentially unsafe manner. In one such example, motor assembly 101c may utilize sensor data generated by sensor 109c to determine if the proximity of steering wheel 105 is too low vertically along adjustable direction 107c2. In such an embodiment, Sensor 109c may detect an upward pressure on steering wheel 105, which may correspond to the steering wheel'being adjusted down against the driver's knees during operation of vehicle 100 if the pressure exceeds a threshold value and a threshold duration. Because such an arrangement may result in an unsafe driving condition, motor assembly 101c may adjust steering wheel 105 along one or more of adjustable directions 107c1, 107c2, or 107c3 until the indicated pressure is no longer greater than the threshold value or duration.
Other embodiments may utilize additional or different numbers of sensors having different configurations without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more of motor assemblies 101 may utilize data generated from a plurality of sensors 109 to monitor and optimize the arrangement of the configurable elements within vehicle 100. In some embodiments, one or more of motor assemblies 100 may utilize data generated from different ones of sensors 109 based upon a contextual operation of vehicle 100. In some embodiments, one or more of motor assemblies 100 may utilize one or more of sensors 109 in response to one of sensors 109 malfunctioning or indicating erroneous measurements without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
In the depicted embodiment, a memory 113 in data communication with LIN hub 111 may store and provide access to threshold values for the controllers of motor assemblies 101, but other embodiments may comprise other configurations without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments, each controller may comprise its own distinct memory providing the threshold values associated with the arrangement of configurable elements.
In the depicted embodiment, LIN hub 111 may be in wireless data communication with a computing device 115. In the depicted embodiment, computing device 115 comprises a smart phone, but other embodiments may comprise a tablet computer, laptop computer, cloud-based computer, onboard computing device of vehicle 100, or any other similar device blown to one of ordinary skill in the art without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In the depicted embodiment, computing device 115 is data communication with LIN hub 111 via a 2-way wireless connection, such as Bluetooth™, Zigby, or WLAN connection, but other embodiments may utilize other connectivity without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments, computing device 115 may achieve data communication with LIN hub 111 using an Internet or cloud-based data connection, such as a Wi-Fi connection or satellite data connection, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments, computing device 115 may achieve data communication with LIN hub 111 via a wired connection such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, Ethernet connection, Thunderbolt™ connection, or any other suitable wired connection known to one of ordinary skill in the art without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
When in data communication with LIN hub 111, computing device 115 may provide an interface for a user to monitor the arrangement of the configurable elements. In the depicted embodiment, the interface of computing device 115 may additionally permit a user to generate commands to control one or more configurable elements of vehicle 100. This control of the arrangement independent of conventional on-board controls of vehicle 100 may advantageously permit a user to make adjustments to the configurable elements without needing to be within vehicle 100. By way of example, and not limitation, if the previous driver of vehicle 100 was significantly shorter than a current user of vehicle 100, the user may not be able to comfortably get into seat 103 without first adjusting its position relative to the steering wheel 105 and the console of the vehicle. Remote access to the configuration via the interface of computing device 115 may advantageously permit a user to adjust the arrangement of the configurable elements to optimize comfort and ease of entry and exit of the vehicle 100. In another non-limiting example, vehicle 100 may be utilized as a ride-share vehicle, and thus be subject to a wide variety of passengers having a wide variety of configuration preferences. Between active passengers, motor assemblies 101 may reset the configurable elements to a “default” arrangement to accommodate a variety of customers. Alternatively, each customer may set up their own set of threshold values corresponding to a preferred configuration of the vehicle, and vehicle 100 may arrange itself into the preferred configuration for the next customer of the ride share. In some embodiments, vehicle 100 may comprise an “easy entry” feature utilizing motor assembly 101a. In such embodiments, seat 103 may be positioned along adjustable direction 107a such that its distance from steering wheel 105 is maximized when a driver is detected to have exited the vehicle. Seat 103 may remain in this position until a driver enters vehicle 100, in order to optimize the ease of entry. After a driver is detected in the seat 103, motor assembly 101a may then reposition seat 103 to a different position of the driver's choosing to optimize comfort while driving. Such embodiments may be particularly advantageous for ride-share vehicles, which may have a wide variety of drivers having different heights or difficulties entering or exiting the vehicle. Other embodiments may utilize an “easy entry” adjustment for other seats or configurations, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
In the depicted embodiment, users may create and store one Or more user-selectable threshold values that correspond to a user-defined “preset” arrangement of a configurable element. Such user-defined preset arrangements may be utilized to optimize the comfort of a passenger during operation of vehicle 100. In the depicted embodiment, a user may define a plurality of user-defined present arrangements for one or more of the configurable elements of vehicle 100. By way of example, and not limitation, a passenger who is not driving may define a preset arrangement that corresponds to their optimal comfort for reading during the ride, and another preset arrangement corresponding to their optimal comfort for sleeping. Other arrangements may be stored and accessed by users without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. User-defined preset arrangements may be stored in memory 113, a memory associated with computing device 115, or another memory accessible to LIN huh 111, such as a cloud storage memory accessible via an Internet connection.
In the depicted embodiment, a user may utilize the interface of computing device 115 to directly control one or more of the configurable elements of vehicle 100. In some embodiments, interface control of the configurable elements may override a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, interface control of the configurable elements may not override a predetermined threshold, such as a threshold that was defined for reasons related to safety. In the depicted embodiment, some threshold defined based on user comfort may be overridden by interface control or user-defined preset, whereas other thresholds defined based upon safety may not be overridden by the user. Other embodiments may comprise other configurations without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
Vehicle 100 may comprise additional configurable elements without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
In the depicted embodiment, the associated motor assemblies are not shown, as they are advantageously disposed within the console of the vehicle, away from view of the passengers. Such an arrangement may be advantageous because it optimizes the space available for interface 207 and controls 209 to provide functionality to the user. In the depicted embodiment, interface 207 and controls 209 may provide additional vehicle functionality to the user, such as interior climate control or multimedia access, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
Other embodiments may comprise other sensor types.
Motor assembly 101d may be operable to control the arrangement of seat 503 with respect to adjustable directions 507. 509, and 511. Adjustable direction 507 may comprise a folding mechanism of seat 503, suitable for configuring seat 503 to optimize storage of items within the cabin of vehicle 500, or for a seat stowaway function. Motor assembly 101d may further adjust the front-to-back position of seat 503 with respect to the cabin of vehicle 500. Motor assembly 101d may further be operable to adjust a vertical position of seat 503, such as to within a storage cavity 513 of vehicle 500, located underneath the floorboards of the vehicle cabin. By utilizing the functions of motor assembly 101d, the vehicle 500 may be configured into a stowaway position, wherein seat 503 is folded and lowered into storage cavity 513. When seat 503 is configured into the stowaway position and stored within storage cavity 513, the storage space for cargo, such as luggage 515, may be maximized within the cabin of vehicle 500. In some embodiments, the configuration of seat 503 may comprise a different number of motor assemblies without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
Because seat 503 may be positionable along adjustable direction 507, adjustable direction 509, and adjustable direction 511, it may be advantageous to provide a mechanism to prevent unwanted adjustments from forces not generated by motor assemblies 101. Motor assembly 101e may comprise a motorized latching mechanism operable to prevent undesired adjustment of the position of seat 503. By way of example, and not limitation, motor assembly 101e may operate a latching mechanism when seat 503 is determined not to be placed in a stowaway configuration. When the latch of motor assembly 101e is active by the motor assembly, motion of seat 503 along adjustable direction 509 may be prevented. By way of example, and not limitation, this may be useful when storing cargo such as luggage 515 in the vehicle behind seat 503. In the depicted embodiment, a sudden deceleration of vehicle 500 may cause luggage 515 to push against the back of seat 503 if the inertia of luggage 515 is not overcome by the deceleration of vehicle 500. In such an embodiment, the latch activated by motor assembly 101e may advantageously prevent the motion of seat 503 with respect adjustable direction 509, improving the safety conditions of passengers and preventing unsafe motion of luggage 515. Other embodiments may comprise other latching mechanisms controlled by motor assemblies 101 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
In the depicted embodiment, motor assembly 101f may be operable to adjust the relative position of console 505 with respect to adjustable axes 517. In the depicted embodiment, motor assembly 101f may be operable to adjust the position of console 505 with respect to a vertical and side-to-side direction with respect to seat 503. Other embodiments may comprise other functions of motor assembly 101f, such as opening/closing the storage compartment of console 505 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. Some embodiments of console 505 may comprise a different number of motor assemblies 101 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
Controller 601 itself receives power and data via its input connector 613. Input connector 613 may be configured to receive power and data from a LIN. The data may comprise sensor data from a sensor, control data from a processor in data communication with the communication data. Other configurations may utilize other data transmission through input connector 613 without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. Controller 601 further comprises a chassis 615 housing controller processors (not shown) that are utilized to modulate the electrical signal output via output connector 611. In some embodiments, chassis 615 may comprise a memory without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments, chassis 615 may comprise a wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, or wireless transceiver operable to provide wireless data communication between controller 601 and one or more external devices, such as LIN hub, without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein.
Controller 601 advantageously comprises a low-profile design suitable for direct coupling to electric motor 600, but other embodiments may utilize an adapter or connector cable without deviating from the teachings disclosed herein. Direct coupling of controller 601 to electric motor 600 may advantageously permit the coupled motor assembly to be housed together within the vehicle, such as within a seat, console, or behind a panel. The direct coupling of controller 601 to electric motor 600 may additionally improve the electromagnetic compliance (EMC) of the device by minimizing the length of the electrical leads coupling the two. Minimizing the length of the electrical leads coupling controller 601 and electric motor 600 may optimize the EMC of the system by minimizing portions of the system susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMT) from environmental or other external sources.
In some embodiments, output connector 611 and input connector 613 may comprise conventional connectors that are suitable to be inserted into existing vehicle electrical connections. Such implementations may advantageously permit vehicles with existing conventional electric motors to be retrofitted with the functions of controller 601, such as automated control and user control described above with respect to
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the disclosed apparatus and method. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as claimed. The features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosed concepts.
