Movable Armrest Heating Layout for Consistent Seat Warmth

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seat heating systems fail to effectively warm the arms and shoulders of users when the armrests are lifted, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in energy usage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating heating elements into the bottom side of movable armrests and implementing a switching mechanism to control energization based on the armrest's position, ensuring that the arms, shoulders, and back are warmed regardless of the armrest's position, while conserving energy by stopping unnecessary heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating elements are installed only in the top side of movable armrest portions, then the arms can be warmed when armrests are in the lowered position, but the arms, shoulders and back cannot be warmed when armrests are lifted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarmth to armsVSAvoidheating effectiveness in different armrest positions

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating elements positioned at different locations (top side, bottom side, inner side of armrest portions). Each heating element can be independently controlled to provide targeted warmth to different body parts depending on armrest position, resolving the contradiction between warming effectiveness in lowered vs. lifted positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different heating elements based on the armrest position (lowered or lifted). When armrests are lowered, top-side heating elements are activated; when lifted, bottom-side heating elements are activated. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous effective warming regardless of armrest position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If heating elements are installed in both top side and bottom side of armrest portions, then warmth can be provided in any armrest position, but energy is wasted when heating elements are not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectiveness in different armrest positionsVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates position detection (through sensors or switches) that provides feedback on the armrest position. Based on this feedback, the control system intelligently activates only the heating elements needed for the current position, preventing energy waste while maintaining adaptability to different positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different heating elements based on the armrest position (lowered or lifted). When armrests are lowered, top-side heating elements are activated; when lifted, bottom-side heating elements are activated. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous effective warming regardless of armrest position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If heating elements are installed in the inner side of armrest portions, then the sides of the body can be warmed, but the arms are not warmed when arms are placed in certain positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarmth to body sidesVSAvoidcomfortableness for different arm positions

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating elements positioned at different locations (top side, bottom side, inner side of armrest portions). Each heating element can be independently controlled to provide targeted warmth to different body parts depending on armrest position, resolving the contradiction between warming effectiveness in lowered vs. lifted positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures consistent warmth for the user's arms, shoulders, and back even when armrests are lifted, optimizing energy usage by switching heating elements between top and bottom sides depending on the armrest's position.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (207a) installed in at least a bottom side (206b) of the movable armrest portion (206)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2233046B1Seat with heating device

Publication Date: 2014.10.22 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

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AI summary

A seat with a heating device is provided which realizes a configuration in which the arm, palms and finger tips of a user can easily be warmed when the user uses the seat with the heating device. When the user is seated in a seat with a heating device and feels cold due to it being winter, the user controls a switch to heat the seat, whereby energization of heating elements 3a, 3b, 3c is started which are connected to a power supply via electric wires. When the energization of the heating elements 3a, 3b, 3c is started, heat generated thereby is conducted to skin materials 2a, 2b, 2c and surfaces of the skin materials are warmed. When the user places his or her arm on an armrest portion 5, the arm is warmed via the skin material 2c, whereby the user can feel the sensation of comfortableness.