Seat Heater Circuit Integration for Slim Reliable Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seat heating devices face issues with durability, reliability, safety, and assembly workability due to complex structures, increased production costs, and uncomfortable user experiences caused by large size and weight, as well as potential electrical issues from poor sealing and lead wire vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A seat heating device with a temperature detection element and temperature control circuit integrated on a base substance, using heat-shrinkable tubes with thermoplastic adhesive for insulation, and reinforcing plates to reduce size and weight, while protecting lead wires and improving temperature control reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the temperature control circuit and temperature detection element are placed outside the base substance, then electrical connection and temperature control can be achieved, but the device size increases and causes uncomfortable seating feeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control reliabilityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control circuit and temperature detection element are integrated directly onto the base substance rather than being placed outside. This merging of components reduces the overall device volume and eliminates the uncomfortable seating feeling caused by external components, while maintaining reliable temperature control functionality through direct integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit components are transitioned from a three-dimensional external arrangement to a two-dimensional planar integration on the base substance surface. This dimensional change allows the temperature control circuit and detection element to be embedded within the seat structure, reducing protrusion and improving comfort while preserving electrical connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If lead wires extend outside the case body for connection, then electrical connection flexibility is improved, but the lead wires are vulnerable to cutting and durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidlead wire durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lead wires are pre-protected by extending them through the base substance rather than allowing them to extend externally. This beforehand protection prevents the lead wires from being exposed to cutting hazards, improving durability while maintaining electrical connection functionality through the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The vulnerable external portion of the lead wire system is extracted and replaced by integrating the electrical connections directly through the base substance. This removes the weak point where lead wires could be cut, while preserving the essential electrical connection function through the strengthened integrated pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple thermostats with different activating temperatures are arranged to provide temperature settings, then temperature control flexibility is improved, but assembly parts increase and circuit structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature setting flexibilityVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple thermostats with different activating temperatures, the invention uses a single temperature control circuit that controls the heating element's power output by changing electrical parameters. This allows multiple temperature settings to be achieved through parameter adjustment rather than through complex multi-thermostat circuitry, reducing assembly parts and circuit complexity while maintaining temperature control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances durability, reliability, and safety while reducing costs and weight, ensuring comfortable seating without strange feelings, and improves temperature control accuracy and insulation effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

insulation-covering is done by heat-shrinkable tube provided with a thermoplastic adhesive layer in the inside thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 2

thermoplastic adhesive layer in the inside thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

heating matter including a base substance and a heating wire arranged on the base substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

temperature detection element for detecting temperature of the heating matter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP1929901B1Heating device for seat
Publication Date: 2012.10.10 KURABE IND CO LTD
  • EP1929901B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1929901B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1929901B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A heating device for a seat exhibiting excellent durability, reliability, safety and enhanced workability in fixing work to a seat while reducing the cost and weight and ensuring comfortable feeling at seating without causing a strange feeling. The heating device for a seat comprises a heating matter (4) including a base substance (2) and a heating wire (3) arranged on the base substance, a temperature detection element (5) for detecting temperature of the heating matter, and a temperature control circuit (1) for controlling temperature of the heating matter based on the output from the temperature detection element, characterized in that the temperature detection element and the temperature control circuit are arranged at predetermined positions on the base substance. The temperature control circuit is insulation-covered together with a part of lead wires connected to the temperature control circuit.