Reclining Seat Airflow Path Control for Adaptive Cabin Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems in vehicles, such as aircraft and trains, face challenges in maintaining a comfortable temperature and humidity environment as passengers change positions, making it difficult to achieve desired conditions due to varying seat states and postures.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning device for reclining seats that includes a ventilator with air flow paths in the seat and backrest parts, a controller to determine the reclining state, and an imaging device to detect seat coverage, allowing for adaptive air circulation to maintain a comfortable environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed air conditioning system is used in vehicle seats, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying seat states and passenger postures
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system dynamically adjusts air flow paths and ventilation modes based on real-time detection of seat reclining angles and passenger postures. The controller modifies air flow characteristics according to detected seat states, transforming a static system into an adaptive one that responds to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect seat reclining angles and passenger postures, feeding this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts air flow paths and ventilation parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously optimizes air conditioning performance for the current seat configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air flow paths are added to accommodate reclining seats, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is divided into multiple segments: a first air flow path for normal seating positions and a second air flow path for reclining positions. This segmentation allows the system to handle different seat configurations through dedicated flow paths, simplifying the control logic while improving adaptability to reclining states.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system is designed with multi-functional air flow paths that can serve both upright and reclining seat positions. The same ventilation components (blowers, ducts) are used for multiple operating modes, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems while maintaining compatibility with various seat states.
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 effectively creates a comfortable air environment by adjusting air flow and temperature based on the seat's reclining state and passenger posture, ensuring optimal conditions regardless of the seat's position or coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a first air flow path which is provided to at least one of the seat part and the backrest part, and which is formed inside the seat part or the backrest part
Implementation Method 2
the controller causes air to be suctioned in and expelled in the first air flow path such that air circulates between the first air flow path and a second air flow path formed in the covering
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning device (10) is an air conditioning device (10) for a reclining seat (10) comprising a seat part (1b) and a backrest part (1a), the air conditioning device (10) comprising a ventilator and a controller (11). The ventilator is provided to at least one of the seat part (1b) and the backrest part (1a), and includes a first air flow path (A1, A2) formed inside the seat part (1b) or the backrest part (1a). The controller (11) determines a reclining state of the backrest part (1a) with respect to the seat part (1b), and controls air in the first air flow path (A1, A2) in accordance with the determined reclining state.