Climate-Controlled Bed Airflow Sequencing for Personalized Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate control systems for vehicles and furniture lack individualized temperature control, leading to discomfort, as they typically cool or heat entire spaces rather than focusing on specific areas like seats or beds, resulting in inefficient energy use and delayed temperature adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A climate-controlled seat assembly incorporating multiple thermoelectric devices (TEDs) and a blower system with a control scheme that selectively activates or deactivates TEDs, allowing for continuous air delivery with temperature regulation, using sensors and user interfaces for customized temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the entire vehicle or space is cooled or heated as a unit, then the overall environmental temperature is controlled, but individualized temperature control for specific areas like seats is delayed and energy-inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is segmented into multiple independent thermoelectric devices (TEDs) distributed across the seat surface, each capable of independent temperature control. This allows localized temperature adjustment without waiting for entire vehicle climate control to take effect, resolving the contradiction between overall temperature control and rapid localized response.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seat are equipped with separate thermoelectric devices that can be controlled independently based on local thermal requirements. This enables personalized temperature control for different body contact areas, achieving rapid localized temperature adjustment while maintaining energy efficiency by only cooling/heating where needed.
2Temperature
If multiple thermoelectric devices are activated simultaneously for comprehensive temperature control, then complete coverage is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system activates only the necessary number of thermoelectric devices based on detected thermal conditions and user preferences, rather than running all devices continuously. This partial action approach maintains uniform temperature distribution where needed while reducing energy consumption by keeping unnecessary devices inactive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic sensing and control cycles, where sensors detect temperature conditions and the controller adjusts TED activation accordingly. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain temperature uniformity when needed while reducing energy consumption during periods when temperature adjustments are not required.
3Speed
If thermoelectric devices are continuously operated for rapid temperature adjustment, then instantaneous climate control is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect thermal conditions in advance and pre-activates the necessary thermoelectric devices before the user experiences discomfort. This preliminary action enables rapid temperature adjustment when needed while avoiding continuous operation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining fast response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal state of the seat and surrounding environment, providing feedback to the controller which adjusts TED activation in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain rapid response capability by activating devices only when temperature deviation is detected, optimizing the balance between response speed and energy consumption.
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 solution provides instantaneous and personalized temperature control, reducing energy consumption by optimizing TED operation and maintaining user comfort, while minimizing capital and energy costs through efficient blower and TED management.
Implementation Method 1
a blower which distributes ambient air or other fluid past air conditioning devices
Implementation Method 2
two or more thermoelectric devices in fluid communication with the blower
Data Source
AI summary
A climate controlled seat, bed or other assembly configured to receive a person includes a blower and two or more thermoelectric devices or other conditioning fluid modules. According to one embodiment of an operational scheme, a control system for the seat or bed is configured to continuously discharge air from the blower through the thermoelectric devices. In one arrangement, the thermoelectric devices are sequenced between an activated and a deactivated position. Consequently, the desired cooling and/or cooling effect can be maintained while reducing energy consumption of the climate control system.