Armrest Heater Wire Pattern for Energy-Efficient Arm Warming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing armrest heaters inefficiently use energy due to uniform wiring across the armrest, including the wrist region, which has a smaller contact area compared to the elbow region, leading to energy wastage.

Innovation Solution

The armrest heater is designed with a heater wire pattern that varies in width and length across different regions, with a larger width and longer length in the elbow region and a smaller width and shorter length in the wrist region, mirroring the arm's shape to optimize heating efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If heater wire is arranged uniformly across the entire armrest region including wrist area, then heating coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating coverage areaVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heater wire density is made non-uniform across different regions of the armrest. The first region (elbow area) has higher wire density while the second region (wrist area) has lower wire density, matching the local heating requirements of each body part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest heating area is divided into multiple regions with different heating requirements. The patent segments the armrest into a first region for the elbow and a second region for the wrist, allowing independent optimization of heater wire arrangement in each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If heater wire pattern matches arm shape with varying width, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidheater wire arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heater wire pattern transitions from uniform to non-uniform density across different regions. The wire arrangement adapts to the local geometry of the armrest surface, creating a tapered pattern that follows the contour from the broader elbow region to the narrower wrist region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design efficiently warms the arm by aligning the heater wire pattern with the arm's shape, reducing energy usage in the wrist region and enhancing overall energy efficiency while maintaining consistent thermal sensation across the arm.

Implementation Method 1

electric heating wire is arranged in a meandering manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250302202A1Armrest heater

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD

AI summary

An armrest heater according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided on an armrest of a seat having a seat back. The armrest heater includes a sheet-like base material and a heater wire. The base material is arranged in the armrest. The heater wire is wired along a main surface of the base material. The armrest heater includes a first region on one end side in a first direction of the armrest and a second region on another end side in the first direction of the armrest. The heater wire includes a heater forming wire portion, the heater forming wire portion having a heater pattern in which a width of the first region in a second direction intersecting with the first direction is larger than a width of the second region in the second direction.