Vehicle Seat Air-Conditioning Coupling for Flexible Seat Positions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems in vehicles face challenges in efficiently controlling airflow and temperature distribution across vehicle seats, especially when seats are adjusted for comfort positions, particularly in vehicles with autonomous or semi-autonomous driving functions.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning arrangement featuring a movable vehicle seat with a fluid channel and adjustable connection devices allows for seat-specific temperature control by coupling and uncoupling the air-conditioning component to different connection devices along the fluid channel, ensuring efficient airflow and temperature management regardless of seat position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle seat is adjusted to a comfort position far back, then the occupant comfort is improved, but the efficiency of airflow and temperature control from instrument panel air vents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is segmented into multiple independent air channels, each serving specific zones. A first air channel serves the instrument panel region while a second air channel serves the vehicle seat region, allowing independent optimization of each zone's temperature control regardless of seat position
Solution Approach 2:
A connection device acts as an intermediary between the second air channel and the vehicle seat's air conditioning component. This connection device includes a movable fluid connection that can establish or disconnect the fluid path between the air channel and the seat's air conditioning component, enabling adaptive temperature control as the seat moves
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable fluid connection is used to connect the air-conditioning component to different connection devices, then the adaptability to seat positions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid connection is designed as a dynamic component that can change its state between connected and disconnected. The movable fluid connection includes a connection element that can be positioned to establish fluid communication with different connection devices or remain disconnected, allowing the system to adapt to various seat positions without permanent complex routing
Solution Approach 2:
The movable fluid connection serves multiple functions: it acts as a connector when the seat is in positions requiring air conditioning, and as a disconnecting element when the seat moves away. This single component performs both connection and disconnection functions, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for each function
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 solution provides effective airflow and temperature control for vehicle occupants by enabling the air-conditioning component to be connected to different positions along the fluid channel as the seat moves, ensuring comfort regardless of the seat's position, and includes shut-off valves to prevent refrigerant leakage when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (20B) for cooling the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
The shut-off valve can be closed when the fluid connection is not connected to the at least one connection device, in order to prevent leakage of refrigerant from the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an air-conditioning arrangement for a vehicle. The air-conditioning arrangement includes at least one fluid channel, which has at least two identically designed connection devices. The air-conditioning arrangement includes at least one movable vehicle seat. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding vehicle having such an air-conditioning arrangement. The at least one vehicle seat includes an air-conditioning component that outputs a temperature-controlled airflow from the vehicle seat. The air-conditioning component can be removably connected to the connection devices of the at least one fluid channel via a movable fluid connection to establish fluid communication between the air-conditioning component and the fluid channel.