Seat Armrest Airflow Layout for Localized Passenger Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems in aircraft cabins face inefficiencies in fuel consumption and discomfort due to inadequate temperature control for passengers, particularly in economy class, where individual air conditioning units are not feasible, and body parts not in direct contact with the seat experience temperature disparities.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system integrated into the armrests of seats, which direct conditioned air through nozzles to areas like the arms, knees, and chest, using existing seat components to provide comprehensive temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual heat exchanger units are installed under each passenger seat, then individual temperature control for each passenger is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the armrest structure: it serves as both a structural support component and a conduit for conditioned air delivery. The hollow interior of the armrest is utilized to house air channels, eliminating the need for separate ducting systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining individual temperature control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, delivering conditioned air to the passenger, and serving as a mounting structure for nozzles. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system
2Temperature
If conventional ECS systems cool the entire cabin air, then all passengers receive cooled air, but fuel consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly cooling the entire cabin air, the system provides localized temperature control directly at the passenger level through nozzles in the armrest. This allows each passenger to receive conditioned air only where needed, enabling the overall cabin temperature to be raised while maintaining individual comfort, thereby reducing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning system is segmented into individual passenger zones, with each armrest containing independent nozzles that deliver conditioned air locally. This segmentation allows different temperature zones to coexist in the cabin, enabling energy-efficient operation by conditioning only the immediate passenger area rather than the entire cabin volume
3Temperature
If cooled air is channelled through the seat cushion, then comfort is improved for body parts in contact with the seat, but body parts not in contact with the seat experience temperature disparities
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest nozzles act as an intermediary device that delivers conditioned air to the passenger's arms and upper body areas that are not in direct contact with the seat cushion. This complements the seat cushion cooling system by addressing the temperature control needs of exposed body parts, thereby achieving overall thermal comfort
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
Enhances passenger comfort by providing targeted temperature control to body parts not in direct contact with the seat, while utilizing existing space efficiently and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of nozzles formed through the inner wall, defined between a nozzle inlet on an inner surface of the inner wall facing into the hollow interior and a nozzle outlet on an outer surface of the inner wall facing towards a seating area of a person when sitting in the seat, the nozzles providing a path through which air flows from the hollow interior, into the nozzle inlet and out of the nozzle outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system for a seat, comprising an arm rest (4a, 4b) of the seat, the arm rest having a top side, an inner wall, an outer wall, a front end, and a back end defining a hollow interior between them, means for providing air conditioned to a desired temperature, from an air source to the hollow interior of the arm rest, and a plurality of nozzles formed through the inner wall, defined between a nozzle inlet on an inner surface of the inner wall facing into the hollow interior and a nozzle outlet on an outer surface of the inner wall facing towards a seating area of a person when sitting in the seat, the nozzles providing a path through which air flows from the hollow interior, into the nozzle inlet and out of the nozzle outlet.