Vehicle Seat Cooling Module with Side Air Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open-air vehicles like motorcycles face challenges in providing effective cooling for seats due to the high temperature air generated by the engine, which is not suitable for cooling systems that draw air from under the seat.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a heating and cooling module that includes a fan, heat exchanger, and ducts, where air is drawn in from the cooler side of the vehicle, allowing for independent control of heating and cooling, and the configuration of inlet and outlet ducts is optimized to accommodate the vehicle's geometry and heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is drawn from under the seat for cooling, then the cooling system is simple and compact, but the air temperature is too high due to engine heat to provide effective cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air intake location from the conventional position (under the seat) to a new position (side of the vehicle). The inlet duct is configured to draw air from the side of the vehicle body, away from the engine compartment, thereby obtaining cooler air for the cooling system while maintaining system compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (inlet duct with specific geometry) that mediates between the vehicle's external environment and the seat cooling system. The duct includes a inlet opening at the side of the vehicle body and directs air through a passage to the cooling module, filtering and temperature-regulating the air along the way.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat cooling system is designed for enclosed vehicles, then cooling is effective in cars, but the system does not work properly in open-air vehicles like motorcycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal seat cooling system that can adapt to different vehicle types (enclosed vehicles like cars and open-air vehicles like motorcycles). The system achieves this through configurable inlet and outlet ducts that can be positioned according to the specific vehicle's geometry and heat distribution characteristics, allowing the same basic cooling module to function reliably across different vehicle platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic adaptation approach where the duct configuration can be adjusted based on the vehicle type and operating conditions. The system can modify air intake locations, outlet positions, and duct routing to optimize performance for each specific vehicle application, transitioning from a static design to a dynamically adaptable system.
3Productivity
If inlet and outlet ducts are configured to optimize cooling, then cooling efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by configuring the inlet and outlet ducts with specific geometric characteristics suited to different locations in the vehicle. The inlet duct has a specific opening orientation and passage shape optimized for its location, while the outlet duct is configured to direct cooled air to the seat surface effectively. Each duct segment is designed with locally optimized properties rather than using a uniform design throughout.
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 solution provides a comfortable temperature for both the driver and passenger by utilizing cooler air from the vehicle's design, effectively cooling the seat while avoiding hot air from the engine, enhancing the overall riding experience.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the heating element
Implementation Method 2
a fan in communication with the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A seat assembly for a vehicle having a longitudinal axis (30) includes a seat pan (60), a cover support 56 adjacent to the seat pan, and a seat cover (46) that has an upper surface, a first longitudinally extending side surface and a second longitudinally extending side surface. A heating and cooling module (70) is disposed at least partially within the cover support. The seat assembly further comprises a first air inlet (74) in communication with the heating and cooling module. The first air inlet communicates air from a first port in the seat cover to the heating and cooling module.