Carbon Nanotube Heating Pad Structure for Durable Heatable Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heatable seats in vehicles often use metal high resistance wires with low tensile strength, which can easily break and pose hazards.
Innovation Solution
A heatable seat design incorporating a heating pad with a flexible substrate and a carbon nanotube layer, where the carbon nanotubes are aligned and connected by van der Waals attractive force, providing high tensile strength and flexibility, and a low contact resistance for efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal high resistance wire is used as heating element, then heating function is achieved, but tensile strength is low and wire breaks easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon nanotubes with a flexible substrate to create a heating element that achieves both high tensile strength and flexibility. The carbon nanotube layer is formed on the flexible substrate through chemical vapor deposition, creating a composite structure that overcomes the low strength limitation of traditional metal wires while maintaining heating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to carbon nanotubes, fundamentally altering the physical and mechanical properties of the heating element. This parameter change results in significantly higher tensile strength and improved reliability, as carbon nanotubes possess superior mechanical strength compared to metal wires of comparable dimensions.
2Strength
If carbon nanotube layer is used as heating element, then tensile strength and flexibility are improved, but contact resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film structure where the carbon nanotube layer is deposited on a flexible substrate. This thin film configuration provides both mechanical flexibility and sufficient electrical conductivity, achieving low contact resistance while maintaining the strength advantages of carbon nanotubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional metal wire mechanical structure with a carbon nanotube-based structure that achieves electrical conduction through the unique properties of carbon nanotubes. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky metal wires while providing both mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.
3Productivity
If carbon nanotube layer is used as heating element, then heating efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a carbon nanotube layer with specific structural characteristics that optimize heating efficiency. The chemical vapor deposition process creates a controlled structure with appropriate density and distribution, ensuring efficient heating while managing power consumption through localized optimization of the carbon nanotube network.
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 carbon nanotube layer in the heating pad offers high tensile strength, flexibility, and rapid temperature rise with low power consumption, enhancing the durability and performance of the heatable seat.
Implementation Method 1
carbon nanotubes are aligned and connected by van der Waals attractive force
Implementation Method 2
A heatable seat design incorporating a heating pad with a flexible substrate and a carbon nanotube layer
Data Source
AI summary
A heatable seat includes a back and a bottom. At least one of the back and the bottom includes a heating pad. The heating pad includes a heating element, a number of first electrodes and a number of second electrodes. The heating element includes a flexible substrate and a carbon nanotube layer fixed on the flexible substrate. The heating element has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is cut into a number of first strip structures. The second end is cut into a number of second strip structures. Each of the first electrodes clamps one of the first strip structures and is electrically connected with the first strip structure. Each of the second electrodes clamps one of the second strip structures and is electrically connected with the second strip structure.