Vehicle Seat Climate Control for Moisture Removal Without Overcooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seats suffer from insufficient air circulation, leading to moisture accumulation and bacterial growth, which causes discomfort and health issues like sweating and back pain, and existing ventilation systems either fail to address these issues effectively or exacerbate the problem by cooling the skin too much.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat equipped with temperature and moisture sensors, a closed-loop/open-loop control system, and integrated heating and ventilation devices that actively manage seat climate based on sensor data to maintain optimal comfort parameters, including a porous first layer to absorb and conduct moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ventilation device is activated to remove moisture, then moisture removal is improved, but skin surface is cooled too much causing tension or back problems
Solution Approach 1:
The control device changes the operating parameters of the ventilation system by adjusting air flow rates and temperatures based on real-time sensor data about moisture levels and skin temperature, thereby removing moisture while maintaining comfortable skin surface temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor moisture content and temperature, feeding this information back to the control device which adjusts ventilation operation accordingly - increasing ventilation when moisture is high but reducing it when skin temperature drops, thus resolving the contradiction between moisture removal and temperature maintenance
2Temperature
If seat heater is activated to warm the seat, then temperature comfort is improved, but moisture is absorbed by the seat or seat cushions
Solution Approach 1:
The control device operates the heating device in periodic cycles rather than continuously - activating heating when temperature drops below comfort threshold and deactivating it when comfort is achieved or when moisture levels indicate risk of absorption, thus providing warmth while minimizing moisture absorption
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature and moisture sensors provide continuous feedback to the control device, which adjusts heating operation in real-time - reducing or stopping heating when moisture absorption risk is detected, thereby maintaining temperature comfort while preventing excessive moisture absorption into the seat materials
3Quantity of substance
If air circulation is increased to remove moisture, then moisture removal is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by adjusting ventilation strength according to actual moisture levels - using high air circulation only when moisture accumulation is detected and reducing it when moisture levels are acceptable, thereby achieving sufficient moisture removal while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically changes ventilation parameters (air flow rate, fan speed) based on sensor feedback about moisture content, optimizing the balance between moisture removal effectiveness and energy consumption by using only the necessary ventilation intensity
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 system effectively maintains a comfortable seat climate by dynamically adjusting temperature and moisture levels, preventing discomfort and bacterial growth, while ensuring minimal perceptible temperature changes and rapid moisture removal.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating device (10), arranged under the first layer (3) in the height direction (Z) of the seat element (2)... the closed-loop/open-loop control device (9) controls the comfort parameters of the seat element (2) in the comfort range... by activating the at least one heating device (10)... the temperature value is below a minimum temperature value (Tmin)... the heating device (10) is activated until the predetermined comfort value is reached
Implementation Method 2
heating the at least one seat element (2)... at least some of the moisture contained in the first layer (3) changes into the gaseous state... Steam is thus generated in the at least one seat element (2)
Implementation Method 3
at least one ventilation device (11)... connected to the shaped element (13)... the ventilation device (11) is operated... the steam is preferably sucked out of the seat element (2)... By means of the ventilation device (11), the steam is preferably sucked out of the seat element (2) through the knitted spacer fabric (12) and the fan region (14)
Implementation Method 4
The sensor device (6) comprises at least one temperature sensor (7)... and at least one moisture sensor (8)... for detecting the comfort parameters of temperature and relative moisture
Implementation Method 5
The sensor device (6) comprises at least one temperature sensor (7)... and at least one moisture sensor (8)... for detecting the comfort parameters of temperature and relative moisture
Implementation Method 6
a closed-loop/open-loop control device (9) controlling the heating device (10) and/or the ventilation device (11) in an open-loop or closed-loop manner on the basis of the data from the sensor device (6) with respect to the comfort parameters of temperature and/or moisture content
Implementation Method 7
A knitted spacer fabric (12) is arranged in the height direction (Z) of the seat element (2) under the heating device (10)... The knitted spacer fabric (12) has a high air permeability and good cushioning properties
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat comprising at least one seat element in which at least one heating device and at least one ventilation device are provided. The vehicle seat comprises a sensor device, which has at least one temperature sensor and at least one moisture sensor. A closed-loop/open-loop control device controls the heating device and/or the ventilation device in an open-loop or closed-loop manner on the basis of the data from the sensor device with respect to the comfort parameters of temperature and/or moisture content, whereby the seat climate can be actively controlled in an open-loop or closed-loop manner.