Seat Cooling Fan Module with Flow Path Control Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling structures for vehicles with electronic modules increase cost and weight due to additional cooling fans, limiting inside space and hindering the down-sizing of electronic modules, which aims to improve fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A cooling structure that integrates a cooling fan module at the seat's lower portion, a heating electronic module, and a flow path control valve to selectively direct airflow, allowing simultaneous or selective cooling of the seat and electronic module, reducing the need for additional cooling fans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If additional cooling fans are coupled with electronic parts to cool them, then the electronic parts can be cooled effectively, but cost and weight increase and inside space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling functions for both the seat and electronic module into a single cooling fan module. The cooling fan module generates air flow that is distributed to both the seat (through the seat cooling device) and the electronic module (through the electronic module housing), eliminating the need for separate cooling fans for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan module serves multiple functions: it cools both the seat and the electronic module simultaneously. The flow path control valve enables the system to selectively direct air flow to different destinations, allowing the same cooling system to adapt to different cooling requirements without needing additional dedicated cooling devices.
2Temperature
If additional cooling fans are installed to cool electronic modules, then cooling performance is improved, but cost and weight of the electronic module increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic module cooling is merged with the seat cooling function in a single cooling fan module. The cooling fan module is positioned to generate air flow that can reach both the seat and the electronic module, which is mounted on the lower surface of the seat. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling fans, thereby reducing the overall weight of the electronic module assembly.
3Temperature
If additional cooling fans are coupled with electronic parts, then cooling is achieved, but inside space of the vehicle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cooling fan module, seat cooling device, and electronic module cooling into a single spatial arrangement. The cooling fan module is positioned to serve dual purposes: cooling the seat through the seat cooling device and cooling the electronic module through its housing. This consolidation reduces the total volume occupied by cooling systems, thereby increasing the available inside space in the vehicle.
4Loss of energy
If down-sizing of electronic modules is pursued to improve fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency improves, but additional cooling fans are still required which increases cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a merged cooling system where a single cooling fan module provides cooling for both the seat and the electronic module. This integration supports the down-sizing of electronic modules by eliminating the need for additional dedicated cooling fans, thereby reducing overall system complexity and weight, which contributes to improved fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan module is designed with multi-functionality to cool both the seat and electronic module. The flow path control valve enables selective distribution of air flow, allowing the system to efficiently manage cooling requirements for downsized electronic modules without requiring additional cooling infrastructure, thus supporting fuel efficiency goals.
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 configuration reduces the cost and weight of electronic modules while maintaining or increasing interior space, enhancing marketability and fuel efficiency by efficiently cooling both the seat and electronic module without additional cooling fans.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan module mounted at a lower portion of the seat and configured to generate air flow
Implementation Method 2
a flow path control valve disposed at an upper portion of the cooling fan module to selectively convert a flow direction of air flowing in towards an upper end of the cooling fan module
Implementation Method 3
an electronic module which is a heating element, the electronic module disposed at a lower portion of the cooling fan module
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling structure of a seat and an electronic module is provided. The cooling structure includes a cooling fan module that is mounted at a lower portion of the seat and generates air flow. An electronic module operating as a heating element is disposed at a lower portion of the cooling fan module. A flow path control valve is disposed at an upper portion of the cooling fan module to selectively convert a flow direction of air flowing in towards an upper end of the cooling fan module. The electronic module is thus continuously cooled and the seat is selectively cooled while the cooling fan module operates.