Vehicle Seat Back Comfort Integrator Unit Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle seat back assemblies lack integrated comfort and thermal management solutions, resulting in inadequate passenger support and temperature regulation.

Innovation Solution

A modular vehicle seat back design featuring a comfort integrator unit with a lumbar system, thermal comfort components, and a sculpted seat-cover shell that can be secured to a seat-back frame using automated fastening, providing both heating and cooling capabilities and maintaining component positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a modular comfort integrator unit is integrated into the seat back, then passenger comfort and thermal management are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfort and thermal managementVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat back is divided into modular components: a seat-back frame, a comfort integrator unit, and a seat-cover shell. The comfort integrator unit itself is segmented into an integrator shell, lumbar system, comfort layer, and thermal comfort component, allowing independent assembly and replacement of each functional element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple comfort functions are merged into a single comfort integrator unit: lumbar support (via the lumbar system), thermal management (via the thermal comfort component with heating and cooling capabilities), and comfort positioning (via the comfort layer). This consolidation provides comprehensive comfort without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If automated robotic assembly is used to secure the comfort integrator unit, then manufacturing precision and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comfort integrator unit is pre-assembled with all comfort components (lumbar system, thermal component, comfort layer) attached to the integrator shell before installation into the seat back. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final installation step and enables automated robotic fastening without requiring complex in-situ assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual assembly operations are replaced with automated robotic fastening systems that use automated insertion of fasteners to secure the comfort integrator unit to the seat-back frame, improving precision and productivity while reducing labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the seat-cover shell is designed to encase and secure components, then component positioning stability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent positioning stabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The seat-cover shell is designed to encase the comfort integrator unit and seat-back frame, with zippers extending from the hinge to allow the shell to be pulled over the assembled components in an opened position and then secured in a closed position. This nesting approach ensures stable component positioning while maintaining manufacturability through a straightforward assembly sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 modular design enhances passenger comfort by securing the comfort integrator unit and thermal components within the seat back, ensuring effective temperature regulation and maintaining component alignment, thereby improving overall seating experience.

Implementation Method 1

The thermal comfort component may be a resistive heat mat or a thermoelectric component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a thermoelectric component comprising conductive material strips configured to provide both heating and cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 3

Each conductive material strip may include an integrated thermal engine and heat exchanger configured to be affixed within openings formed in the comfort layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

Each conductive material strip may include an integrated thermal engine and heat exchanger configured to be affixed within openings formed in the comfort layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS10532674B2Vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING LLC

AI summary

A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back includes a seat-back frame and a comfort integrator unit to be mounted to the seat-back frame, as well as a seat-cover shell that can be positioned over the mounted comfort integrator unit.