Climate-Controlled Bed Airflow With Sequenced Thermoelectric 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 specific areas, such as seats or beds, resulting in inefficient energy use and delayed temperature adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A climate-controlled seat assembly incorporating thermoelectric devices (TEDs) and a control system that allows for selective activation or deactivation of these devices, along with a blower to continuously deliver air, enabling instantaneous heating or cooling based on user preferences or sensor inputs, reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire vehicle or building is cooled or heated as a unit, then the overall environmental temperature is controlled, but individualized temperature control for specific areas like seats or beds is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is divided into multiple independent thermoelectric devices (TEDs), each capable of controlling temperature in specific zones (e.g., different seats or bed sections). This segmentation allows individualized temperature control for each zone while maintaining overall system manageability through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each thermoelectric device is equipped with its own control system and sensors, enabling local temperature adjustment independent of other zones. This allows different temperature settings for different seats or bed sections according to individual user preferences, achieving local quality differentiation within the overall system.
2Temperature
If normal air conditioning is used in a hot vehicle, then the overall air temperature is reduced, but the seat surface remains hot and uncomfortable for occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric devices are activated immediately when the vehicle is started or when occupancy is detected, beginning cooling of the seat surfaces before the occupant sits down or while they are settling in. This preliminary action eliminates the delay associated with waiting for ambient air conditioning to cool the seat surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the conventional mechanical air conditioning system with thermoelectric devices that directly cool or heat seat surfaces through solid-state thermal transfer. This substitution provides instantaneous temperature control of the seat surface, bypassing the slower process of cooling the entire vehicle interior through air circulation.
3Reliability
If multiple thermoelectric devices are activated simultaneously, then comprehensive temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system activates only the necessary number of thermoelectric devices based on actual occupancy and temperature requirements. Rather than running all devices continuously, the system applies partial action by selecting specific zones that need temperature adjustment, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring and adjustment of thermoelectric device operation, cycling devices on and off based on real-time temperature sensor feedback. This periodic action maintains desired temperature levels while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding continuous operation of all devices.
4Temperature
If thermoelectric devices are continuously operated, then consistent temperature control is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor the temperature in each zone and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the operation of thermoelectric devices to maintain desired temperature levels, reducing or stopping device operation when temperature targets are achieved, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining temperature consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of thermoelectric devices based on changing conditions such as occupancy, ambient temperature, and desired setpoints. Rather than continuous static operation, the devices are activated only when and where temperature adjustment is needed, creating a dynamic response that maintains temperature consistency while optimizing energy usage.
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 solution provides personalized temperature control, reducing energy usage and capital costs by optimizing the operation of TEDs and blowers, ensuring user comfort while maintaining consistent power consumption and thermal response.
Implementation Method 1
two or more thermoelectric devices in fluid communication with the blower
Implementation Method 2
at least one blower, 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.