Occupant supporting device and its temperature management system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature management systems for occupant supporting devices in vehicles consume high energy, have slow warming/cooling speeds, and generate noise due to the use of ambient air, leading to discomfort for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A closed or semi-closed loop air-circulating temperature management system where air is circulated within a circuit with minimal exchange with outside air, utilizing a main power device, temperature adjusting device, and air distributing device to rapidly warm or cool the space around the seat, with an optional auxiliary power device for enhanced heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ambient air is suctioned into the temperature management system for heating or cooling, then the seat temperature can be adjusted, but energy consumption increases and warming/cooling speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the thermal parameters of the air by recirculating it through the temperature management system multiple times. Instead of continuously introducing new ambient air, the same air is heated or cooled repeatedly, maintaining temperature adjustment capability while reducing energy consumption and increasing thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The air circulation system operates continuously, maintaining a steady flow of air through the temperature management system. This continuous circulation ensures that the air is constantly being heated or cooled, providing sustained temperature adjustment without the need to repeatedly process large volumes of new ambient air, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
2Temperature
If ambient air is continuously suctioned and expelled through the temperature management system, then temperature adjustment is achieved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
By recirculating air through the system, the air flow rate required for effective temperature management is reduced. The same air is processed multiple times at lower velocities, which significantly reduces noise generation from air movement while maintaining the necessary temperature adjustment capability.
3Temperature
If ambient air is used for temperature management, then the system can provide heating or cooling, but warming/cooling speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous recirculation of air through the temperature management system ensures that air is constantly being heated or cooled. This continuous processing of the same air volume at multiple passes through the system achieves faster temperature changes compared to single-pass systems that rely on high volumes of ambient air.
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 system achieves rapid warming or cooling with improved comfort by minimizing energy consumption and noise, providing a better heating or cooling effect.
Implementation Method 1
the air is heated or cooled
Implementation Method 2
the air is heated or cooled
Implementation Method 3
a main power device for circulating the air in the air-circulating circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature management system for an occupant supporting device comprising an air-circulating circuit is provided, the air-circulating circuit comprising: an air distributing device; a main power device for circulating the air in the air-circulating circuit; and a temperature adjusting device for adjusting the temperature of the air in the air-circulating circuit, wherein an airflow, which has been temperature adjusted by the temperature adjusting device, out of the main power device comprises at least a first portion which flows into the air distributing device and a second portion which returns back to the main power device after circulating within the air-circulating circuit, and wherein the airflow which returns back to the main power device will be adjusted by the temperature adjusting device and circulated in the air-circulating circuit again. A seat cushion and a seat backrest comprising the temperature management system, and an occupant supporting device comprising the seat cushion and the seat backrest are also provided. The occupant supporting device can be a seat or a bed.