Vehicle Floor Mat Channels and Granules for Liquid Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle floor mats struggle to effectively remove liquids from their surface, leading to pooling and potential damage or discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The floor mat features a channel below its exterior surface to absorb liquids, which then flow through a chamber containing free-moving granules. These granules can generate heat through friction or induction heating, aiding in liquid evaporation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If channels are added below the exterior surface to provide liquid passageways, then liquid removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floor mat incorporates a porous absorbent layer that allows liquid to pass through the exterior surface into channels below. This porous structure enables liquid removal without requiring complex active pumping systems, as capillary action and gravity can drive liquid flow through the porous material and channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel system acts as an intermediary structure between the exterior surface and the interior of the floor mat. It provides a dedicated pathway for liquid transport, separating the liquid removal function from the main mat body and enabling efficient liquid evacuation while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Temperature
If granules are made free-moving in a chamber to generate heat through friction, then heating capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The granules are positioned in a chamber where they can move freely and generate heat through friction caused by vibrations or movements during vehicle operation. This self-heating mechanism eliminates the need for external heating elements, power sources, or control systems, providing thermal generation capability while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The granules transition from a static configuration to a dynamic, free-moving state within the chamber. This dynamic arrangement allows the granules to respond to vibrations and movements, converting mechanical energy into thermal energy through friction, thereby providing adaptive heating without complex control mechanisms.
3Quantity of substance
If the exterior surface is designed to absorb liquid, then liquid absorption is improved, but liquid pooling on the surface worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The floor mat is segmented into functional zones: an exterior surface for liquid absorption, channels for liquid transport, and a chamber for granule heating. This segmentation creates a multi-stage liquid removal system where absorption, transport, and evaporation occur in sequence, preventing liquid pooling at any single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The design establishes continuous liquid removal action through the integrated system of absorbent exterior surface, channels, and heating chamber. Liquid is continuously absorbed from the surface, transported through channels, and evaporated by heated granules, creating an unbroken chain of liquid removal that prevents pooling.
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 design efficiently wicks away liquids from the floor mat's surface, preventing pooling and ensuring a dry and comfortable environment within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of granules are free to move relative to each other within the chamber due to pressure applied to the exterior surface
Implementation Method 2
a channel that is located below an exterior surface of the mat body. The channel is configured to provide a passageway for liquid that is absorbed through the exterior surface
Data Source
AI summary
A floor mat includes a mat body comprising a channel that is located below an exterior surface of the mat body. The channel is configured to provide a passageway for liquid that is absorbed through the exterior surface. A plurality of granules is located in a chamber below the exterior surface of the mat body. The plurality of granules are free to move relative to each other within the chamber due to pressure applied to the exterior surface.