Movable Radiant Heater Layout for Truck Cabin Bed and Windshield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional heating systems in heavy-duty vehicles are energy-intensive, loud, and take time to be effective, making them inefficient for maintaining comfortable temperatures in vehicle cabins.

Innovation Solution

A radiant heater system that is movable between two positions, emitting infrared heating radiation either towards a bed or a windshield, allowing for efficient heating of specific areas without warming the entire cabin interior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional air heating systems are used to warm the cabin, then the entire cabin interior is heated, but this consumes excessive energy and takes time to be effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using infrared heating panels that emit radiation directly to specific localized areas (bed, windshield, dashboard) rather than heating the entire cabin air. This targeted approach heats only the objects and surfaces where warmth is needed, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature in critical zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical convection-based air heating system with a radiant heating system that uses infrared electromagnetic radiation. This substitution eliminates the need to heat and circulate air throughout the cabin, providing faster and more energy-efficient heating by directly transferring thermal energy to objects and surfaces through radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If traditional air heating systems are used, then the cabin can be warmed, but the system is loud and energy-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin temperatureVSAvoidnoise and energy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical air circulation fans and heating elements with infrared radiant heating panels. This substitution eliminates the noise generated by fans and air movement while reducing energy waste by heating only specific areas rather than the entire cabin atmosphere, thereby removing the harmful factors of noise and excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heating function from the air and applies it directly to specific objects and surfaces. By taking out the heating action from the general cabin air and concentrating it on specific areas (bed, windshield, dashboard), the system eliminates the need for loud air circulation mechanisms and reduces overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of energy

If a movable heater is used to target specific areas, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy wasteVSAvoidheater positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the heating panel movable and adjustable, allowing it to be positioned at different locations within the cabin. This dynamic positioning capability enables the heater to target specific areas (bed, windshield, dashboard) as needed, optimizing energy efficiency by heating only where required while maintaining flexibility through adjustable placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system provides quick, energy-efficient, and quiet heating, optimizing comfort by targeting specific areas for heating, such as a bed or windshield, while minimizing energy waste.

Implementation Method 1

the heater is a radiant heater... the heater is configured to emit infrared heating radiation towards the bed... the heater is configured to emit infrared heating radiation towards the windshield

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4541612A1Cabin for a vehicle, vehicle, and method for using the cabin
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4541612A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4541612A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4541612A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cabin for a heavy-duty vehicle, the cabin comprising a windshield, a bed (30), located inside the cabin, configured for a user to sleep on the bed (30), a heater (40), wherein the heater (40) is a radiant heater, wherein the bed (30) is positioned between a floor of the cabin and the heater (40), and the heater (40) is movable relative to the bed (30) between a first position, wherein the heater (40) is configured to emit infrared heating radiation (41) towards the bed (30), and a second position, wherein the heater (40) is configured to emit infrared heating radiation (41) towards the windshield.