Vehicle Seat Thermal Control via Ambient Air Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heated and cooled seats in open-air vehicles, such as motorcycles, lack adjustment and compensation for changing conditions, as the air drawn from under the seat is often too hot due to the proximity of the engine, making it unsuitable for effective cooling.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a heating and cooling module that includes an air inlet communicating with a port in the seat cover, an ambient condition sensor, and a user interface, controlled by a controller that adjusts the heating and cooling based on user settings and ambient conditions to optimize comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is drawn from under the seat for cooling, then the cooling function is provided, but the air temperature is too high due to engine proximity making it unsuitable for effective cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air inlet function from the traditional under-seat location and creates a separate, dedicated air inlet port in the seat cover. This allows the system to obtain ambient air from a location away from the engine heat while maintaining the cooling function through the heating and cooling module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary air inlet port in the seat cover that mediates between the external ambient air and the heating and cooling module. This intermediary structure allows the system to access cooler ambient air while keeping the engine heat source separate from the cooling pathway.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed heating and cooling configuration is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system lacks adjustment and compensation for changing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the heating and cooling module through a controller that receives input from ambient condition sensors and user interface. This allows the system to automatically adjust its operation based on changing ambient conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates ambient condition sensors that provide feedback to the controller about the surrounding environmental conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically compensate for changing conditions and adjust the heating and cooling output accordingly.
3Ease of operation
If ambient condition sensing and automatic control are added, then the comfort management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the heating and cooling system to serve itself by automatically sensing ambient conditions and adjusting its operation through the controller. This self-service capability improves comfort management while keeping the user interface simple, as the system handles the complex control logic automatically.
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 configuration provides improved temperature management for vehicle occupants by using ambient and occupant condition data to adjust the seat's heating and cooling, ensuring comfort despite changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A heating and cooling module is disposed at least partially within the cover support
Implementation Method 2
The air inlet communicates air from a port in the seat cover to the heating and cooling module
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly for a vehicle having a longitudinal axis has a seat pan, a cover support adjacent to the seat pan and a seat cover comprising an upper surface and a first longitudinally extending side surface and a second longitudinally extending side surface. A heating and cooling module is disposed at least partially within the cover support. An air inlet is in communication with the heating and cooling module. The air inlet communicates air from a port in the seat cover to the heating and cooling module. An ambient condition sensor generates an ambient condition signal. A user interface generates a user setting corresponding to a comfort condition. A controller is coupled to the ambient condition sensor and the heating and cooling module. The controller controls the heating and cooling module in response to the user setting and the ambient condition signal.