Integrated Ventilation Module for Quiet Chair Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally heatable and coolable chairs suffer from high noise levels due to external fans, which are aesthetically unpleasing and require significant installation space.
Innovation Solution
The integration of fans within the seat and backrest shells as part of a ventilation module, combined with a textile mat design and strategically placed air outlets, reduces noise and installation space while providing effective temperature control through a slim, air-permeable structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fans are arranged on the outside of the chair, then the ventilation function is achieved, but the noise level is high and the aesthetic appearance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is integrated inside the seat shell, nested within the chair structure rather than being mounted externally. This nesting approach hides the noise-generating component while maintaining its ventilation function, thereby reducing perceived noise levels and improving aesthetic appearance without compromising manufacturing ease
2Ease of manufacture
If fans are arranged on the outside of the chair, then the ventilation function is achieved, but the aesthetic appearance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is integrated inside the seat shell, nested within the chair structure rather than being mounted externally. This nesting approach hides the noise-generating component while maintaining its ventilation function, thereby reducing perceived noise levels and improving aesthetic appearance without compromising manufacturing ease
3Ease of manufacture
If a single large fan is used, then the ventilation function is achieved, but the installation space requirement is high
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is divided into multiple smaller fans distributed within the seat shell rather than using one large fan. This segmentation allows each fan to be compact and easily integrated into the existing chair structure, reducing the overall installation space requirement while maintaining adequate ventilation function
4Ease of manufacture
If passage ducts are used to supply air from the fan, then the ventilation function is achieved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The complex passage duct system is removed and replaced by directly positioning the fan adjacent to the ventilation ducts. This extraction of the intermediate ducting simplifies the overall structure, reduces the number of components, and lowers device complexity while still achieving the ventilation function through direct air delivery
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 significantly reduces noise levels, minimizes visible components, and achieves efficient temperature regulation with a compact design, enhancing user comfort and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The ventilation ducts deliver the air flow to the person sitting on the chair via individual holes through a mesh-like surface. To generate the air flow, there is a fan in the seat area and a fan in the backrest area
Implementation Method 2
The air from the ventilation ducts is routed through an upholstery fabric via air outlets and released to the seated person. The cover material is designed, for example, as a mesh membrane covering (3D knitted mesh), which can be arranged both in the back and in the seat area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Air-conditioned chair (19) which can be heated or cooled, at least one ventilation duct (5) being arranged at least inside a seat shell (22) or a back shell (23), which is supplied with an air flow (28) by at least one fan (10). is supplied, with the ventilation duct (5) releasing the air flow (28) to a person sitting on the chair (19), with at least one ventilation module (3, 6) being arranged inside the seat shell (22) or back shell (23), in which the at least one fan (10) and the at least one ventilation duct (5) is integrated.