Vehicle Headrest Thermal Conditioner with Collapsible Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headrest thermal conditioners face challenges in integrating impact absorption capabilities while effectively heating air for occupant comfort, as they often require complex assemblies that compromise safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A seat headrest assembly with a thermal conditioning device housed beneath the core, featuring a collapsible member and a blower, which includes a positive temperature coefficient heating element and a motor-controlled vent, allowing for adjustable airflow and impact absorption without compromising safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the thermal conditioning device is integrated into the headrest, then heating efficiency and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conditioning device merges the blower, heating element, and housing into a single integrated assembly that fits within the headrest structure. This consolidation improves heating efficiency while managing device complexity through unified design rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the thermal conditioning device, and delivers heated air through the vent. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective heating capability.
2Ease of operation
If the vent is located in close proximity to the occupant's head, then comfort is improved, but the impact absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is designed with movable portions that can change position or orientation. During normal operation, the vent is positioned for optimal comfort and airflow delivery. During impact, the vent structure can move or deform to accommodate the force while maintaining structural integrity of the headrest.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent is divided into movable portions that can independently respond to impact forces. This segmentation allows the vent to maintain its comfort function during normal use while distributing impact forces across multiple movable segments during collision, preserving the headrest's safety capability.
3Strength
If a collapsible member is added between the vent and thermal conditioning device, then impact absorption is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible member is pre-positioned between the vent and thermal conditioning device to provide cushioning before impact occurs. This member is designed to compress or collapse during impact, absorbing energy and protecting the thermal conditioning device while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall assembly.
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 efficient heating and comfort to the occupant's neck area while maintaining impact absorption capabilities, ensuring safety and comfort during collisions by integrating the thermal conditioning device in a manner that absorbs energy and moves out of the way during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
A heating module and a blower are arranged in the fluid passage... The heating module is a positive temperature coefficient heating element
Implementation Method 2
A blower is arranged in the passage to move the air through the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A seat headrest assembly (16) includes a core (54) that includes a core bottom (56). A thermal conditioning device (22) includes a housing (26) that provides a fluid passage (28) that extends to a vent (62). A heating module (36) and a blower (38) are arranged in the fluid passage. The thermal conditioning device is arranged beneath the core bottom.