Vehicle Seat Climate Control Distributed Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current climate control systems for vehicle seats are costly due to separate electronic control modules and extensive wiring, and often require the same control module for both driver and passenger seats, leading to increased wiring complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A distributed control architecture that places power and control functions within load devices, such as thermoelectric devices and blowers, and employs an inter-device communication network, allowing one load device to control multiple end devices, reducing the need for a separate control module and minimizing wiring by using a LIN or CAN bus protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate electronic control modules are used for each load device, then control precision is improved, but device complexity and wiring cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions into a single control module that manages multiple load devices (thermoelectric devices, blowers, auxiliary heating components) through a shared communication bus. This eliminates the need for separate control modules for each device, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining control precision through digital communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control module is designed with universal functionality to control different types of load devices (thermoelectric devices, blowers, heaters) through a standardized interface. This multi-functional approach allows one control module to replace multiple dedicated control modules, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise control over each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the same control module is used for both driver and passenger seats, then device complexity is reduced, but wiring length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol module quantityVSAvoidwiring length

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into modular units where each seat assembly (driver and passenger) can be independently controlled. The control module communicates with load devices in different seats through a distributed network, allowing functional integration while physically separating control functions to minimize wiring length between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If extensive wiring is used to connect control modules to load devices, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces extensive physical wiring connections with a digital communication bus system. Load devices and the control module communicate through standardized electrical signals on a communication bus, eliminating the need for numerous individual wire connections. This maintains system reliability through robust digital communication while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If protection circuitry for short conditions is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against short conditionsVSAvoidprotection circuitry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control module and load devices incorporate self-diagnostic capabilities that automatically detect and respond to short circuit conditions. The system monitors its own operational status and can isolate faulty components without requiring complex external protection circuitry, maintaining reliability while minimizing additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution reduces wiring costs, eliminates protection circuitry for short conditions, and provides flexibility in option content while maintaining occupant comfort through efficient climate control, with the ability to control up to 16 slave nodes without exceeding protocol limitations.

Implementation Method 1

A distributed control architecture that places power and control functions within load devices, such as thermoelectric devices and blowers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10414302B2Climate control systems and methods

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 GENTHERM INC

AI summary

A distributed control system for a vehicle seat includes a control module for communicating on a single communication bus and a plurality of nodes connected to the control module via the communication bus, wherein each of the plurality of nodes are associated with a load device and each of the plurality of nodes comprises a logic component specific to the load device.