Vehicle Seat Back Airflow Structure That Resists Duct Crushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat air-conditioning systems face efficiency issues due to the potential crushing of flow path forming portions under local loads, which obstructs air flow and reduces air-conditioning performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design that incorporates a back support device with an opening in the seat back thickness direction to prevent the flow path forming portion from being sandwiched between the seat back pad and the back support device, ensuring unobstructed air flow and improved air-conditioning efficiency by positioning the air conditioner above the back support device and using a deformable pressure receiving portion to maintain a favorable seated posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a soft material flow path forming portion is used for mountability, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the flow path may be crushed under local load reducing air-conditioning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid support portion is introduced as an intermediary structural element between the soft flow path forming portion and the seat back pad. This support portion prevents the flow path from being crushed under local loads while maintaining the soft material's ease of manufacture and mountability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: a soft flow path forming portion for air flow and a rigid support portion for structural integrity. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flow path forming portion is positioned in the seat back, then air-conditioning function is achieved, but the flow path may be sandwiched and crushed between the seat back pad and back support device
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support portion acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact and potential crushing between the soft flow path forming portion and the back support device, maintaining flow path integrity while preserving air-conditioning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support portion provides beforehand structural protection to the soft flow path forming portion, preventing it from being crushed before the actual air-conditioning operation begins, ensuring continuous operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat, comprising: a seat back pad attached to a seat back frame configuring a frame; a back support device provided on a seat rear side of the seat back pad, configured to assist a seated posture of a seated person, and including an opening penetrating in a seat back thickness direction; and an air conditioning device including an air conditioner configured to suction and blow out air, and a flow path forming portion connected to the air conditioner, inserted into the opening of the back support device, and performing at least one of blowing out air to a side of the seated person or suctioning air from the seated person side in accordance with the air conditioner.