Vehicle Seat Thermal Massage System with Heating Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seating systems lack a comprehensive thermal massage solution that can provide targeted and customizable heat and massage therapy to effectively alleviate muscle fatigue and discomfort during long journeys.
Innovation Solution
The integration of individually-controllable massage elements with heating layers, such as electrically conductive coatings, laminated resistive heaters, or carbon heaters, into the seat structure, which can be pneumatically or electro-pneumatically activated, allowing for independent control of massage and heat application through a controller system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heating layers are integrated into massage elements, then thermal massage effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating layers with massage elements into an integrated thermal massage system. The heating layer is positioned within or adjacent to the massage elements, allowing simultaneous delivery of mechanical pressure and thermal energy to the same anatomical location, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect while maintaining a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating layers are selectively positioned at specific locations within the massage elements rather than uniformly throughout the entire seat. This localized heating approach targets specific muscle groups that require thermal therapy, optimizing the therapeutic effect while minimizing the overall system complexity and energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individually-controllable massage elements are used, then massage customization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The massage system is divided into multiple independently controllable massage elements, each capable of being activated or deactivated separately. This segmentation allows for customized massage patterns targeting different muscle groups, while each modular element can be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The massage elements are designed with universal interfaces and standardized construction that allow them to be used in various configurations and positions. This multi-functionality enables the same basic element design to serve multiple purposes across different seat regions, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining customization capabilities.
3Temperature
If multiple heating layer types are integrated, then thermal therapy effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite heating structures that integrate different types of heating layers (such as resistive heating elements and phase change materials) within the same massage element. This composite approach allows for sophisticated thermal control with multiple heating modes while maintaining a compact, unified structure that does not significantly increase overall system complexity.
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 solution enables a customizable thermal massage experience that combines pressure and heat to emulate a hot stone massage, providing targeted relief to muscle groups, enhancing passenger comfort and reducing fatigue during extended travel.
Implementation Method 1
the heating layer is at least one of an electrically conductive coating, a laminated resistive heater, a flex heater, and a carbon heater
Data Source
AI summary
A seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. At least one of the seat bottom and the seat back includes a trim cover having a seating surface and a plurality of individually-controllable massage elements underlying the trim cover. Each of the plurality of individually-controllable massage elements has a surface facing the trim cover, wherein at least a portion of the surface includes a heating layer selectively configured to generate heat.