Vehicle Seat Heating Element Energy Flow Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat heating systems lack the ability to accurately estimate energy flow to an occupant and determine clothing resistance, which hinders optimal comfort adjustments and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes sensors and controllers to estimate energy flow and clothing resistance by monitoring electrical energy supplied to heating elements, employing equations to infer thermal resistance values, allowing for dynamic adjustment of heating element power based on clothing insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating element power is increased to improve occupant comfort, then warmth delivery is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors heating element performance and occupant response, adjusting power delivery based on measured energy flow and estimated clothing resistance. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to deliver optimal warmth while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding excessive heating when the occupant is already comfortable or wearing insulating clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating element power based on estimated clothing resistance values. When high clothing resistance is detected (indicating insulating clothing), the system reduces power delivery accordingly. This parameter adaptation allows the heating system to maintain effectiveness across varying clothing conditions while optimizing energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If generic heating control is used to simplify system operation, then ease of operation is improved, but occupant comfort optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically estimates clothing resistance and adjusts heating power without requiring manual input from the occupant. Sensors and controllers work autonomously to monitor heating element performance, calculate energy flow, estimate clothing resistance, and optimize comfort settings. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while achieving reliable comfort optimization through automated adaptation.
3Reliability
If clothing resistance estimation is implemented to improve comfort personalization, then comfort optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the heating element itself as an intermediary to estimate clothing resistance. By monitoring the electrical properties and thermal response of the heating element under controlled conditions, the system indirectly infers clothing resistance without requiring direct measurement of the occupant or their clothing. This intermediary approach enables comfort personalization while avoiding the complexity of direct occupant sensing.
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
Enables personalized comfort settings and reduced energy consumption by accurately estimating clothing resistance, thereby optimizing heating element power delivery.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heating elements for providing warmth to an occupant
Implementation Method 2
measuring an amount of electrical energy supplied to the one or more heating elements
Data Source
AI summary
A heating system and method that includes a heating element configured to generate heat; and a controller configured to: determine a value representative of an ambient cabin temperature; supply the power to the heating element to; measure the power supplied to the heating element or obtain a value representative of the power supplied to the heating element; determine or calculate a temperature of the heating element; determine heat loss from the vehicle seat to atmosphere surrounding the vehicle seat based on a temperature difference between the ambient cabin temperature and the temperature of the heating element; estimate an amount of heat transferred from the vehicle seat to an occupant of the vehicle seat based on the measured power supplied to the heating element and the determined heat loss from the vehicle seat to an ambient environment surrounding the vehicle seat; and adjust the power supplied to the heating element.