Vehicle Seat Cushion Structure With Integrated Airflow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seats lack a design that balances comfort, reduced weight, and compact size while effectively integrating air conditioning to enhance passenger comfort without increasing manufacturing costs or weight.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a bearing structure made of ThermoPlastic Polyurethane (TPU) using multi-jet fusion and 3D printing, with a net-like structure that incorporates a diffuser for conditioned air and insulating elements to direct airflow through the seat, allowing for efficient air conditioning without dedicated ducts and minimizing weight and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional seat design with separate air conditioning ducts is used, then air conditioning function is provided, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air conditioning duct function with the bearing structure by incorporating a diffuser directly into the net-like bearing structure. The bearing structure itself serves as the air distribution system, eliminating the need for separate ducts and reducing overall weight while maintaining air conditioning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure performs multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the seat cushion, enables elastic deformation for comfort, and simultaneously serves as an air distribution system through integrated diffusers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air conditioning ducts.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional seat design with separate air conditioning ducts is used, then air conditioning function is provided, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning duct function is merged with the bearing structure. The diffusers are integrated directly into the net-like bearing structure, eliminating separate ducts and reducing device complexity while maintaining air distribution functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure serves as both the mechanical support system and the air distribution system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If a net-like bearing structure with integrated diffuser is used, then weight and size are reduced, but air flow distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing structure features localized diffusers at specific nodes of the net-like structure. This local integration of air distribution functionality into the bearing structure's nodes allows for effective air flow management without requiring complex overall system design, maintaining simplicity while achieving weight reduction.
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 design provides enhanced comfort through air conditioning, reduces energy consumption by focusing on heating or cooling the seat structure directly, and lowers manufacturing costs by utilizing a lightweight, net-like structure that serves as a large air duct, effectively addressing the need for compact and comfortable seating.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing structure (9), which is mounted on the frame and is elastically yielding
Implementation Method 2
there is obtained a path for an air flow, which flows through the seat cushion from the front to the back in order to reach and cool a battery pack arranged behind the seat
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser (13) which is configured to introduce the conditioned air received from the supply duct (14) into the bearing structure (9) of the cushion (6)
Implementation Method 4
an insulating element (15), which is impermeable to air and is arranged along a lower wall and/or a side wall of the bearing structure (9) of the cushion (6) in order to prevent air from flowing out
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A seat (5) for a vehicle (1) and having: a cushion (6), which is configured to be fixed to a floorboard of the vehicle (1) and is provided with a bearing structure (9), which is elastically yielding and has a net-like conformation, and with an upholstery (10), which covers the bearing structure (9); a diffuser (13), which at least partially engages a front wall of the bearing structure (9) of the cushion (6) and can be connected to a conditioned air supply duct (14) in order to introduce conditioned air into the bearing structure (9) of the cushion (6); and at least one insulating element (15), which is arranged along a lower wall and/or a side wall of the bearing structure (9) of the cushion (6) and is impermeable to air in order to prevent air from flowing out.