Vehicular Seat Back Exhaust Layout for Efficient Thermal Comfort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular seats with integrated air supply mechanisms for temperature regulation often suffer from low efficiency at the seat back due to direct air supply and waste air issues, which can impair occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular seat design featuring a temperature regulation unit with a heat exchanger and exhaust passage within the seat back, where waste air is directed downward toward the vehicle's sidewall, enhancing seat back temperature regulation efficiency without affecting the occupant and incorporating a duct and frame support for reduced vibration and noise, and a seat back board to conceal the exhaust portion for improved aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If waste air from the heat exchanger is exhausted toward the back of the seat back, then the temperature regulation efficiency is improved, but the occupant comfort deteriorates due to direct exposure to waste air
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust passage extends laterally along the side surface of the seat back and discharges waste air toward the vehicle sidewall, changing the discharge direction from rearward to lateral. This dimensional change in exhaust orientation allows waste air to be directed away from the occupant while maintaining effective temperature regulation at the seat back.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhaust portion is positioned at the side of the seat back facing the sidewall, then the harmful effect on occupant is reduced, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible exhaust components
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface of the seat back is divided into different functional zones: an upper region that maintains a clean, continuous appearance, and a lower region near the vehicle sidewall where the exhaust portion is positioned. This local differentiation allows the exhaust function to be implemented without compromising the overall aesthetic quality of the seat back.
3Device complexity
If the heat exchanger and exhaust passage are integrated inside the seat back, then the device complexity is reduced, but the vibration and noise increase due to lack of rigid support
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger and exhaust passage are integrated into a single unified structure that is collectively mounted to the seat back frame. This merging of components simplifies the overall system while the frame mounting provides rigid support to both elements, reducing vibration and noise generation during operation.
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 design enhances the efficiency of temperature regulation at the seat back, improves occupant comfort by eliminating waste air impact, reduces noise and vibration, and maintains a clean appearance by hiding the exhaust system.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature regulation unit which regulates temperature of an air blown from a surface of the seat back and has a heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular seat including: a seat back; a temperature regulation unit which regulates temperature of an air blown from a surface of the seat back and has a heat exchanger; and an exhaust passage which exhaust waste air discharged from the heat exchanger toward the outside of the seat, wherein: the heat exchanger and the exhaust passage are disposed inside the seat back; the exhaust passage has an exhaust portion which opens toward the outside of the seat back; and the exhaust portion is provided on a side of the seat back so as to be oriented downward, the side facing a side wall of the vehicle.