Heated floor mat assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators often experience cold feet and lower legs when operating vehicles in colder climates due to the floor becoming cooler than preferred.

Innovation Solution

A heated floor mat assembly with a heating element bonded to the underside, an insulative foam support layer, and adhesive layers positioned in a recess to warm the feet, providing comfort and support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heating element is added to warm the floor mat, then the temperature comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor mat temperatureVSAvoidfloor mat structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element, adhesive layers, and foam support layer are merged into a single integrated assembly that fits within the recess of the floor mat, combining multiple functions (heating, insulation, structural support) into one unified component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element and foam support layer are nested within the recess of the floor mat, with the heating element positioned between the topside and the foam support layer, creating a compact nested structure that minimizes additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If an insulative foam support layer is added to maintain warmth, then the temperature retention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat retentionVSAvoidfloor mat structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foam support layer acts as an intermediary insulative layer between the heating element and the floor, trapping heat and preventing it from escaping to the cooler floor surface, thereby improving temperature retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam support layer utilizes the porous structure of foam material to trap air pockets, which provide thermal insulation and help retain heat generated by the heating element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If adhesive layers are used to bond components, then the structural stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent bondingVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layers provide self-aligning and self-bonding properties that allow components to be easily attached without requiring complex alignment fixtures or additional fastening mechanisms, simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 heated floor mat assembly effectively warms the feet of operators, enhancing comfort in cold environments by utilizing a heating element and insulative foam support to maintain warmth.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element bonded to an underside of the floor mat with the first adhesive layer to heat the floor mat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

an insulative foam support layer bonded to an underside of the heating element with the second adhesive layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11161444B2Heated floor mat assembly

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A floor mat assembly for use on a floor comprises a floor mat, a first adhesive layer, a heating element, a second adhesive layer, and an insulative foam support layer. The floor mat comprises a topside for interaction with a person. The heating element is bonded to an underside of the floor mat with the first adhesive layer to heat the floor mat. The foam support layer is bonded to an underside of the heating element with the second adhesive layer.