Seat Heater Alternating Temperature Control for Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seat heaters in vehicles consume excessive electric power due to unnecessary heat dissipation from heating wires covering entire surfaces and improper selection of heating elements, leading to reduced comfort and increased energy consumption, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A seat heater system with two embedded heat generators and a controller that alternates their set temperatures in predetermined time periods, ensuring the first heat generator, placed on quick-warmth-sensitive areas, maintains a higher temperature than the second, placed on slow-warmth-sensitive areas, reducing overall energy consumption without compromising comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating elements are integrated into the seat cushion and backrest, then heating function is provided, but bacteria can grow on the heating elements when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidbacterial growth

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of heat (which can promote bacterial growth) into a beneficial effect by using the heating elements to actively sterilize the seat surface. The control unit activates the heating elements at elevated temperatures for specific time periods to kill bacteria, thereby transforming the same heating function that could cause bacterial proliferation into a disinfection mechanism that eliminates bacteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements serve dual functions: providing comfort heating during normal use and performing self-sterilization when activated by the control unit. The system uses its own heating capability to eliminate the harmful effect (bacterial growth) without requiring separate sterilization equipment or processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If conventional heating elements are used, then heating function is achieved, but the heating elements occupy valuable space in the limited seat structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heating function from traditional bulky heating elements and implements it using conductive foam material that serves as both the heating element and the seat cushion material. This eliminates the need for separate heating components and reduces overall space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is merged with the seat cushion material itself. The conductive foam serves dual purposes as both structural cushioning material and heating element, eliminating the need for separate heating components and reducing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If conductive foam material is used as heating element, then space is saved, but the material may not provide sufficient heating power compared to traditional elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace savingVSAvoidheating power

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the electrical and thermal parameters of the conductive foam material, including its conductivity, thickness, and resistance, to achieve sufficient heating power. The control unit also adjusts heating temperature and duration parameters to compensate for the lower power density of the foam material compared to traditional heating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system uses composite construction combining conductive foam material with potentially enhanced conductivity through embedded conductive elements or coatings, thereby maintaining space-saving benefits while improving heating power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach reduces electric power consumption while maintaining occupant comfort by efficiently managing heat distribution based on body temperature sensitivity, enhancing energy saving performance without diminishing the feeling of warmth.

Implementation Method 1

heating element made from a conductive foam material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

heating the surface of the seat with the heating element for a predetermined period of time in order to kill bacteria

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal death of bacteria: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2514633B1Seat heater

Publication Date: 2018.10.24 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

A seat heater includes first heat-generating elements 11-15 embedded in a seat so as to correspond to first sites of a seat occupant, second heat-generating elements 20, 21 embedded in the seat so as to correspond to second sites of the seat occupant, and a controller 3 for executing a fluctuation control in which a first set temperature of the first heat-generating elements 11-15 and a second set temperature of the second heat-generating elements 20, 21 are increased or decreased in each of a plurality of predetermined time periods. The controller 3 sets the first set temperature to be higher than the second set temperature in one of the time periods and sets the second set temperature to be higher than the first set temperature in another of the time periods.