Vehicle Seat Airflow Splitter With Movable Door Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seat systems lack the ability to individually control or adjust airflow to multiple seat effectors, often delivering a constant airflow without the option to direct, adjust, or split airflow between different locations.
Innovation Solution
An air distribution device with a 3-way valve that includes a door mechanism to regulate airflow through multiple outlets, allowing for independent control of airflow to each seat effector, enabling airflow to be directed entirely to one location, split between locations, or entirely to another location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a constant airflow system is used to supply air to seat effectors, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to individually control or adjust airflow to multiple seat effectors is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution device is segmented into multiple independent outlet channels, each可控 by its own door mechanism. This allows the airflow to be divided and directed to different seat effectors independently, enabling individual control of each outlet while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution device incorporates movable doors that can dynamically adjust the opening area of each outlet. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to flexibly control airflow distribution to different seat effectors based on occupancy and preference, transforming a static constant airflow system into a dynamically adjustable one.
2Adaptability or versatility
If airflow is divided between multiple seat effectors, then individual seat effector control is enabled, but flow resistance and turbulence increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each outlet in the air distribution device is equipped with its own independent door mechanism, allowing local adjustment of airflow characteristics. This local control capability enables optimization of airflow distribution at each outlet to minimize turbulence and flow resistance while maintaining the ability to control individual seat effectors.
3Ease of operation
If a valve mechanism is added to regulate airflow, then airflow adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution device uses movable doors instead of complex valve mechanisms to regulate airflow. The doors can be actuated to change the opening area of each outlet, providing airflow adjustment capability through a relatively simple mechanical structure that avoids the complexity of traditional valve systems.
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 device provides flexible airflow regulation, reducing flow resistance, turbulence, and noise while maintaining consistent air pressure, allowing for personalized airflow adjustment based on occupant preferences.
Implementation Method 1
The door is configured to move relative to the first air outlet and the second air outlet to adjust an airflow provided to the first air outlet and the second air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An air distribution device that includes an air inlet (44), a first air outlet (46), a second air outlet (48), and a door (52). The door (52) is configured to move relative to the first air outlet (46) and the second air outlet (48) to adjust an airflow provided through the air inlet (44), the first air outlet (46) and the second air outlet (48). The air distribution device may be used in a vehicle seat, a vehicle, or both.