Vehicle Seat Climate Control via Movable Operating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate control systems for transportation vehicle seats lack intuitive and accurate control options, as users struggle to adapt climate control parameters to their specific needs due to the absence of a direct relationship between operating elements and the controlled devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a movable operating element with opposing directions to control climate control parameters, allowing for balanced and precise distribution of climate functions across separate regions of the seat, such as the backrest and seat surface, using a touch-sensitive interface to visualize and adjust heating and ventilation settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch-sensitive interface is used to control climate control parameters, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical operating elements (physical knobs, switches, or buttons) with a touch-sensitive interface that detects finger movements and translates them into control signals. This substitution improves ease of operation by providing a more intuitive and cleaner interface, while the complexity is managed through software-based control logic that maps touch movements to climate control parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If climate control function is distributed in separate regions along the seat geometry, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the climate control function into separate regions along the geometry of the seat (e.g., backrest, seat cushion, headrest), allowing independent control of heating and ventilation in each region. This segmentation enables users to adapt the climate control to their specific needs by adjusting parameters for individual regions, while the complexity is managed through a modular control system that handles each region independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different climate control parameters (temperature, heating power, ventilation rate) to be set for different regions of the seat. This enables customized climate control where each region can be optimized for its specific function and user preference, improving adaptability while the control system manages the complexity through region-specific parameter sets.
3Ease of operation
If an operating element movable in two opposing directions is used to control climate distribution, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical operating elements with a touch-sensitive interface that detects finger movements in two opposing directions. This substitution improves ease of operation by providing a more intuitive control mechanism, while the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced compared to mechanical systems, as the touch interface relies on electronic sensing rather than precise mechanical tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the air-conditioning function of a transportation vehicle seat wherein a value of an air-conditioning parameter is set by an operating element which is moved from a null position in two opposite directions. The air-conditioning parameter controls the distribution of an air-conditioning function in different regions along a first direction indicated by the geometry of the transportation vehicle seat. The separate regions include at least one first and second region. A uniform distribution of the air-conditioning function is produced in the regions in the null position of the operating element. When the operating element is moved in one direction of the two opposite directions, the value of the air-conditioning parameter for at least one of the first and second regions remains constant and is changed for at least the other of the first and second regions. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the method.