Vehicle Seat Airflow Control Using Blower Current Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat air-conditioning devices require occupant detection sensors, leading to complex configurations and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat air-conditioning device that uses a blower with a current detection circuit to determine seat occupancy based on current consumption, eliminating the need for additional sensors and allowing for energy-efficient operation by adjusting blower speed based on detected current levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If occupant detection sensors are added to the vehicle seat air-conditioning device, then seat occupancy detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blower motor serves dual functions: air circulation and occupancy detection. The existing current detection circuit, originally intended only for motor control, is repurposed to detect seat occupancy by monitoring current consumption patterns, eliminating the need for separate sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational parameters (current consumption of the blower motor) to perform occupancy detection. The blower motor's electrical characteristics change when an occupant is present, and this self-generated data is utilized for detection purposes without requiring external sensing components
2Measurement precision
If occupant detection sensors are added to the vehicle seat air-conditioning device, then seat occupancy detection accuracy is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blower motor serves dual functions: air circulation and occupancy detection. The existing current detection circuit, originally intended only for motor control, is repurposed to detect seat occupancy by monitoring current consumption patterns, eliminating the need for separate sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes inexpensive electrical measurement (current consumption) instead of expensive physical sensors. The occupancy detection is achieved through software analysis of electrical parameters already being measured for motor control, avoiding costly hardware additions
3Use of energy by moving object
If blower speed is continuously adjusted for energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but air flow stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blower operates in periodic cycles, alternating between high-speed and low-speed modes based on occupancy detection. This periodic operation maintains adequate air circulation while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The blower speed is dynamically adjusted based on real-time occupancy detection results. The system transitions between different operational states (high-speed when occupied, low-speed when unoccupied) to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining functional requirements
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
Accurately detects seat occupancy without additional sensors, reduces production costs, and optimizes energy consumption by stabilizing blower speed for comfort and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the blower includes a current detection circuit that detects a current consumption of the blower
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat air-conditioning device includes: a blower that is included in a seat; at least one of an inlet duct or an outlet duct, the inlet duct being a duct through which air is led to be drawn in from a surface of the seat by the blower, and the outlet duct being a duct through which the air led by the blower is discharged from a surface of the seat; and a controller that is electrically connected to the blower. The blower includes a current detection circuit that detects a current consumption of the blower. The controller determines whether an occupant is sitting on the seat, based on the current consumption detected by the current detection circuit.