Flexible Thermoelectric Engine for Vehicle Seats
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating and cooling mechanisms for vehicle seat surfaces are inefficient and require significant time and power to achieve desired comfort, and existing thermoelectric solutions lack flexibility to conform to the shape of the seating surface.
Innovation Solution
A flexible thermoelectric engine comprising a thermoelectric device sandwiched between two flexible circuits with insulating materials and copper conductors, allowing for multi-directional flexibility and efficient heat management, connected to a power source via electrical terminals and optionally embedded with a thermistor for temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If traditional heating and cooling mechanisms are used for seat surfaces, then the mechanisms can provide heating and cooling functions, but they require significant time and power consumption to achieve desired comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating and cooling functions into a single thermoelectric device that can rapidly switch between modes. The thermoelectric module integrates both heating elements and cooling elements in one compact unit, eliminating the need for separate heating pads and cooling systems, thereby reducing overall power consumption and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoelectric device changes its operational parameters by reversing the polarity of the applied voltage to switch between heating and cooling modes. This allows rapid adaptation to different thermal requirements without the time delays associated with traditional independent heating and cooling systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid thermoelectric devices are used, then the devices can provide thermoelectric functionality, but they cannot conform to the shape of the seating surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs) as the substrate for mounting thermoelectric elements. These flexible PCBs can be bent and shaped to conform to the contours of the seating surface while maintaining electrical connectivity. The flexible substrate eliminates the rigidity problem of traditional thermoelectric devices without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible circuits are used to enable multi-directional flexibility, then the device can conform to surface shapes, but maintaining electrical connectivity during flexing becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible printed circuit boards designed with specific trace patterns and reinforcement structures that maintain electrical connectivity even when bent in multiple directions. The flexible PCBs incorporate strain relief features and robust solder joint designs that prevent connection failure during flexing, ensuring reliable electrical connectivity throughout the range of motion.
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 flexible thermoelectric engine rapidly heats or cools the surface, conforming to the shape of the seating surface while maintaining electrical connectivity, thereby enhancing occupant comfort with reduced power consumption and increased efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Thermoelectric devices which operate according to the Peltier effect are commonly known in the art. The Peltier effect creates a temperature difference between two electrical junctions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A thermoelectric engine for heating and cooling a surface. The thermoelectric engine includes a top circuit and bottom circuit. A thermoelectric device is electrically connected between the top and bottom circuits. The top and bottom circuits include a plurality of spaced apart conductors bonded to a base layer. The base layer includes a plurality of elongated slots spaced apart by a bridge of base layer material for allowing the top and bottom circuits to flex between the conductors.