Radiant heater for vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automotive radiant heaters are fixed to the steering column, limiting the radiation range and efficiency, as they cannot be adjusted to optimize heat distribution to the passenger's legs, leading to inefficient heating and potential burns from misplaced heat.

Innovation Solution

A radiant heater with a heat generation device coupled to the steering column cover, featuring adjustable heat generators that can rotate and adjust in height, allowing precise targeting of the heat reception area, reducing waste heat and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the radiant heater is fixed to the steering column, then the structure is simple and stable, but the radiation range is limited and heating efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat generation device is made adjustable in position along the steering column through a guide groove and positioning mechanism, allowing dynamic repositioning to optimize the radiation range toward passenger legs while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the heat generation device is adjusted to target passenger legs, then heating efficiency improves, but the risk of burns increases due to concentrated heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidburn risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is designed to distribute radiant heat across a broader area of the passenger's legs rather than concentrating it on one spot, reducing burn risk while maintaining heating efficiency through optimized heat generator positioning and orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the radiant heater is mounted on the steering column, then space is saved, but the adjustment range and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adjustment rangeVSAvoidmounting space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat generation device is designed to extend outward from the steering column in an additional spatial dimension, providing adjustment range and versatility without occupying excessive mounting space on the column itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The adjustable radiant heater improves heating efficiency by directing more heat to the passenger's legs, reducing the risk of burns and optimizing space usage, while maintaining improved safety and usability.

Implementation Method 1

having one or more heat generators generating radiant heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heat: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11801732B2Radiant heater for vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A radiant heater for a vehicle may include a heat generation device which is coupled to a first surface of a steering column cover through a hinge, has one or more heat generators generating radiant heat, and can rotate with respect to the first surface of the steering column cover by the hinge so that the distance between the heat generators and a heat reception portion can be adjusted.