Embedded Blowing Pad Duct Structure for Durable Seat Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling/heating pads for vehicular seats have a complex fabrication process, leading to increased costs and a short lifespan due to the use of porous synthetic resin for the duct, which is prone to deformation and contamination, causing air flow path narrowing and unpleasant odors.
Innovation Solution
A blowing pad with a duct made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or non-porous plastic embedded in foamed porous synthetic resin, where the duct is formed with higher durability and elasticity, and the foaming process integrates the duct within the main foam, reducing the number of fabrication steps and preventing air leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a porous synthetic resin duct is used in the conventional cooling/heating pad, then the fabrication process is simpler, but the duct deforms and clogs under user weight, narrowing the air flow path and reducing lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the duct from porous synthetic resin to elastic material (natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or non-porous plastic), which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties to resist deformation under load while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by embedding the elastic material duct within the porous synthetic resin main pad, combining the ease of manufacture of foam with the durability and elasticity of rubber or non-porous plastic to resolve the contradiction between simple fabrication and long-term reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (main pad, duct, foam cover) are attached together in the conventional method, then each component can be optimized independently, but the number of fabrication processes increases and fabrication costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the duct and main pad into a single integrated structure by embedding the duct within the main pad during the foaming process, eliminating the need for separate attachment steps and reducing fabrication complexity while maintaining component functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent forms the duct within the main pad during the initial foaming process rather than attaching it later, performing the integration action preliminarily to reduce subsequent fabrication steps and overall process complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If a porous synthetic resin duct is used, then fabrication costs are reduced, but bacteria, mold, and mites infiltrate through the duct, causing contamination and unpleasant odors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the porosity parameter of the duct material from porous to non-porous (by using non-porous plastic or rubber materials), eliminating the pore structure that allows biological infiltration while keeping fabrication costs reasonable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach where the non-porous elastic material duct is embedded in the porous main pad, creating a barrier against biological contamination in the air flow path while maintaining the cost-effective foam structure for the main pad body
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 reduces fabrication costs, increases the lifespan of the blowing pad by preventing duct deformation and contamination, and minimizes air leakage, resulting in improved durability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a main foam formed of a foamed porous synthetic resin
Data Source
AI summary
A blowing pad, a fabrication method of the blowing pad, and a blowing system using the blowing pad are provided. The blowing pad includes a main foam formed of a foamed porous synthetic resin, and a duct embedded in the main foam, wherein the main foam includes an air inlet to which an air inlet tube is inserted and a plurality of vent holes, each of which is connected to the duct, wherein the duct is formed of any one of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and non-porous plastic, wherein the air inlet tube is connected to an external blowing pipe.