Heatable seat assembly and method for controlling a plurality of seats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heatable seat assemblies, particularly those used in vehicles and outdoor settings, face challenges such as water damage, uniform heat distribution issues, and lack of individual temperature control, which affect user comfort and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system for controlling a plurality of heatable seat assemblies, where a central computing system receives temperature data and setpoints from individual seat controllers, determines power patterns for each heating system, and sends these patterns back to the seat controllers, allowing for individual temperature adjustment and centralized management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centralized computing system controls multiple heatable seat assemblies, then individual temperature control and energy efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual temperature controlVSAvoidcentralized control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides control functions between a centralized computing system for coordination and individual seat controllers for local execution. Each seat assembly is segmented as an independent controllable unit with its own heater and sensor, allowing individual temperature management while benefiting from centralized optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized computing system receives temperature feedback from sensors in each seat assembly and adjusts power distribution accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables dynamic optimization of energy consumption while maintaining individual temperature control for each user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If outdoor seat cushions are made water-resistant, then durability is improved, but heating system performance may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The seat cushion uses a waterproof yet thermally conductive material that acts as a protective shell. This thin film barrier prevents water ingress while allowing heat to pass through efficiently, maintaining both water resistance and heating performance without energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enables precise temperature control for each user, improves energy efficiency, reduces the risk of theft and misuse, and lowers the overall cost of the system while maintaining comfort and reliability in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

a heating system to heat the seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250064216A1Heatable seat assembly and method for controlling a plurality of seats

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 TERMYCA DIGITAL SL

AI summary

A computer-implemented method to control the operation of a plurality of heatable seat assemblies, a computing system having a processor to carry out the computer implemented method and a computer program that cause processor to carry out the computer implemented method are provided. A heatable seat assembly including a seat, a support structure supporting the seat and a cover attached to the seat. The heatable seat assembly additionally includes a heating system to heat the seat, a seat controller to control the temperature of the heating system and a detachable power source system to supply power to the heating system.