GB2616631A

GB2616631A - A seat for a person inside a motor vehicle as well as a corresponding method

Info

Publication number: GB2616631A
Application number: GB2203578.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Burr John; Gee Kevin; Papp Ethan
Original assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2022-03-15
Filing date: 2022-03-15
Publication date: 2023-09-20
Also published as: DE102023000540A1; GB202203578D0

Abstract

The invention discloses a seat 12 for a person inside a motor vehicle 10, comprising at least one seating surface 14 and one back rest 16, wherein a speaker device 18 is arranged in the seating surface 14 and/or in the back rest 16, and wherein the seat 12 comprises one electronic computing device 20 for controlling the speaker device 18, wherein the electronic computing device 20 is configured for receiving a rotational speed signal 22 for the rotational speed of an engine of the motor vehicle 10 and/or for receiving an acceleration signal 24 for the acceleration of the motor vehicle and depending on the rotational speed signal 22 and/or the acceleration signal 24 the electronic computing device 20 is configured for generating a sound signal 26, wherein the sound signal 26 is output by the speaker device 18. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method.

Description

A SEAT FOR A PERSON INSIDE A MOTOR VEHICLE AS WELL AS A

CORRESPONDING METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the invention relates to a seat for a person inside a motor vehicle, as well as to a corresponding method.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] From the state of the art it is known that a person inside a motor vehicle sitting on a seat can be provided with music from speakers inside the seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a seat as well as a corresponding method, by which a higher driving experience of a person inside the motor vehicle is realized.

[0004] This object is solved by a seat as well as a method according to the independent claims. Advantageous forms of configurations are presented in the dependent claims.

[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to a seat for a person inside a motor vehicle, comprising at least one seating surface and one back rest, wherein a speaker device of the seat is arranged in the seating surface and/or in the back rest, and wherein the seat comprises one electronic computing device for controlling the speaker device.

[0006] According to an embodiment the electronic computing device is configured for receiving a rotational speed signal (RPM) for the rotational speed of an engine of the motor vehicle and/or for receiving an acceleration signal for the acceleration of the motor vehicle and depending on the rotational speed signal and/or the acceleration signal the electronic computing device is configured for generating a sound signal, wherein the sound signal is output by the speaker device.

[0007] Therefore a haptic feedback seat is presented for use in the interior of the motor vehicle that includes sound excitors, mounted at strategic locations, as well as a custom software algorithm that can control the excitors based on vehicle and driver context, for the purpose of adding more emotion to the driver experience.

[0008] The excitors may be placed in the seat. For example, four excitors can be used, which gives the ability to control haptic sensations in different areas of the person's upper back. The hardware computer driving the excitors is audio-based and has for example a four-channel audio output, for example a four-channel amplifier. The hardware can also convert CAN-signals to audio signals used for the vehicle alerts.

[0009] According to an embodiment the speaker device comprises at least four speakers, wherein the speakers are arranged on different positions at the seat.

[0010] In another embodiment the sound signal is a sinus wave with a frequency of 60 Hz.

[0011] In another embodiment during a positive acceleration and a negative acceleration the sound signal is generated.

[0012] In another embodiment a volume of the sound signal is adapted depending on the rotational speed signal and/or the acceleration signal.

[0013] In another embodiment additionally a safety sound signal is generated by the electronic computing device.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the seat according to the preceding aspect.

[0015] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a seat for a person inside a motor vehicle, the seat comprising at least one seating surface and one back rest, wherein a speaker device of the seat is arranged in the seating surface and/or the back rest, and wherein the speaker device is controlled by an electronic computing device of the seat.

[0016] According to an embodiment, a rotational speed signal for the rotational speed of an engine of the motor vehicle and/or an acceleration signal for the acceleration of the motor vehicle is received by the electronic computing device and depending on the rotational speed signal and/or the acceleration signal the electronic computing device generates a sound signal, wherein the sound signal is output by the speaker device.

[0017] Advantageous forms of a configuration of the seat are to be regarded as advantageous forms of the motor vehicle as well as to the corresponding method. Therefore, the seat as well as the motor vehicle comprises means for performing the method.

[0018] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figure and/or shown in the figure alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this disclosure, illustrates exemplarily an embodiment and together with the description, serves to explain the disclosed principles. The same numbers are used throughout the figure to reference like features and components. An embodiment of system and/or method in accordance with embodiment of the present subject matter is now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figure.

[0020] The drawing shows in: [0021] Fig. 1 a schematic view according to an embodiment of a seat in an embodiment of a motor vehicle.

[0022] In the figure the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0024] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by "comprises" or "comprise" does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0026] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view according to the embodiment of a motor vehicle 10 comprising a seat 12. The seat 12 is configured for a person inside the motor vehicle 10. The seat 12 comprises at least one seating surface 14 and/or one back rest 16. A speaker device 18 of the seat 12 is arranged inside the seating surface 14 and/or in the back rest 16, and wherein the seat 12 comprises further one electronic computing device 20 for controlling the speaker device 18. The speaker device 18 is in this embodiment arranged in the back rest 16.

[0028] The electronic computing device 20 is configured for receiving a rotational speed signal 22 for the rotational speed of an engine of the motor vehicle 10 and/or for receiving an acceleration signal 24 for the acceleration of the motor vehicle 10 and depending on the rotational speed signal 22 and/or the acceleration signal 24 the electronic computing device 20 is configured for generating a sound signal 26, wherein the sound signal 26 is output by the speaker device 18.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the speaker device 18 is arranged in the back rest 16. Furthermore, the speaker device 18 comprises at least four speakers 28, which may be also referred to as excitors.

[0030] The sound signal 26 is a sinus wave with a frequency of 60 Hz. In particular, during a positive acceleration and a negative acceleration the sound signal 26 is generated. Furthermore, a volume of the sound signal 26 is adapted depending on the rotational speed signal 22 and/or the acceleration signal 24.

[0031] The seat 12 comprising the electronic computing device 20 as well as the speaker device 18 generates emotional user experience when driving the motor vehicle 10, giving the person, who is sitting on the seat 12, the impression that the vehicle is talking back to them, and therefore, can generate a better feeling for the motor vehicle 10, and therefore an increased safety of the motor vehicle 10.

[0032] In particular, a haptic feedback system is provided that includes the sound excitors, mounted at strategic locations, as well as a custom software algorithm that can control the excitors based on the vehicle and driver's context.

[0033] Furthermore, the speaker device 18 may be configured for generating music, car alert or further sound signals, for example safety sound signals, all at the same time, since the excitors are controlled by the electronic computing device 20.

[0034] The excitors are for example placed in the seat 12 as shown in the Fig. 1. Using for example four excitors gives the ability to control haptic sensations in different areas of the user's upper back. The hardware computer driving the excitors is audio-based and has a four-channel audio output, for example a four-channel amplifier. The hardware can also convert CAN-signals to audio signals used for vehicle alerts.

[0035] In particular, the rotational speed signal 22 and the acceleration signal 24 is used for controlling the volume of the sinus wave at 60 Hz. The excitors are the hardware capable of generating the haptic feedback and this is the part that is embedded in the seat 12.

[0036] The CAN signal for the rotational speed is usable for values from CAN-bus from 0 to 7000 RPM for the motor vehicle 10. The algorithm uses the range of 2000 to 7000, wherein 2000 is a purposed fully chosen low bound, so as to start the excitor volume augmentation only after 2000 RPM. These live RPM values multiplied by a scale factor, in particular chosen after some testing, to be for example 0,010. The longitudinal acceleration may also be a CAN-value. The usable values from the CAN-bus are from -10 to +10 for the motor vehicle 10, wherein positive values mean that the motor vehicle 10 is accelerating forward, in particular pushing on the throttle, and negative values mean that the motor vehicle 10 is accelerating backwards, for example pushing on the brakes or the engine braking. The algorithm always takes the absolute value of the longitudinal acceleration, so there is always a positive value sent into the excitor volume calculation, wherein this has the intentional side effect that braking also causes the excitors to activate. This live acceleration value is multiplied by a scale factor, for example of 1.0.

[0037] For example, at any point while driving, the algorithm may calculate the current RPM x the RPM scale factor x the acceleration scale factor x the longitudinal acceleration. For example, if the RPM is 3500 and the longitudinal acceleration is 2.1 m/s2, the excitor volume is 3500 x 0.010 x 1.0 x 2.1 = 73.5 percent. The volume is then driven by the percentage with the 60 Hz sinus wave output of the audio jack of the computer into a car sound system amplifier, which takes this sinus wave and pumps it through the excitors in the seat 12.

[0038] The presented seat 12 may use the vehicle's safety systems to drive the sound excitors to give users physical feedback. This can for example be used for blind spot warnings, lane departure or emergency breakings. The excitors are driven off a computer that is connected to the vehicle's CAN-system that interprets the signals to sounds and drives the excitors. The excitors can also be driven independently or together depending on the situation.

[0039] There may be also higher frequencies filtered out in music through and use lower frequencies to drive the sound excitors. This will give the user a more immersive experience with the music they are listening to.

Reference Signs motor vehicle 12 seat 14 seating surface 16 back rest 18 speaker device electronic computing device 22 rotational speed signal 24 acceleration signal 26 sound signal 28 speaker

Claims

CLAIMS1. A seat (12) for a person inside a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one seating surface (14) and one back rest (16), wherein a speaker device (18) of the seat (12) is arranged in the seating surface (14) and/or in the back rest (16), and wherein the seat (12) comprises one electronic computing device (20) for controlling the speaker device (18), characterized in that the electronic computing device (20) is configured for receiving a rotational speed signal (22) for the rotational speed of an engine of the motor vehicle (10) and/or for receiving an acceleration signal (24) for the acceleration of the motor vehicle (10) and depending on the rotational speed signal (22) and/or the acceleration signal (24) the electronic computing device (20) is configured for generating a sound signal (26), wherein the sound signal (26) is output by the speaker device (18).
2. The seat (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the speaker device (18) comprises at least four speakers (28), wherein the speakers (28) are arranged on different positions at the seat (12).
3. The seat (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sound signal (26) is a sinus wave with a frequency of 60Hz.
4. The seat (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that during a positive acceleration and a negative acceleration the sound signal (26) is generated.
5. The seat (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a volume of the sound signal (26) is adapted depending on the rotational speed signal (22) and/or the acceleration signal (24).
6. The seat (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that additionally a safety sound signal is generated by the electronic computing device (20).
7. A method for operating a seat (12) for a person inside of a motor vehicle (10), the seat (12) comprising at least one seating surface (14) and one back rest (16), wherein a speaker device (18) of the seat (12) is arranged in the seating surface (14) and/or in the back rest (16), and wherein the speaker device (18) is controlled by an electronic computing (20) device of the seat (12), characterized in that a rotational speed signal (22) for the rotational speed of an engine of the motor vehicle (10) and/or an acceleration signal (24) for the acceleration of the motor vehicle (10) is received by the electronic computing device (20) and depending on the rotational speed signal (22) and/or the acceleration signal (24) the electronic computing device (20) generates a sound signal (26), wherein the sound signal (26) is output by the speaker device (18).