Ventilated Vehicle Seat Insert Spanning Trench Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ventilated vehicle seat inserts are limited by trenches in seat designs, restricting airflow to adjacent sections, leading to reduced ventilation effectiveness, increased moisture buildup, and higher costs due to the need for multiple inserts and high-quality air movers, which are also not recyclable.
Innovation Solution
An insert design that fits between seat trim seams, utilizing an air permeable spacer covered by a non-air permeable spacer material with strategically placed openings to direct airflow beyond trenches, reducing the number of inserts required and minimizing moisture buildup, while using less expensive and recyclable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional insert is installed in a seat section with trenches, then ventilation is provided for that specific section, but air cannot penetrate into adjacent sections behind the trench, requiring separate inserts for each section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate ventilated inserts into a single insert by positioning it to span across trench boundaries. The insert extends into adjacent seat sections, allowing one insert to ventilate multiple sections that would otherwise require separate inserts, thereby reducing overall device complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to extend beyond the traditional boundaries of a single seat section defined by trenches. By projecting into adjacent sections separated by trenches, the insert operates in a dimensional sense that transcends the conventional compartmentalization, enabling cross-section ventilation capability.
2Reliability
If a conventional insert covers the entire seat section, then ventilation is provided, but the normal breathability of the seat is eliminated when the air mover is turned off or broken, causing moisture to build up
Solution Approach 1:
The insert utilizes porous or permeable materials that allow passive air flow through the seat structure even when the active air mover is not operating. This maintains the seat's natural breathability while the ventilation system is inactive or malfunctioning, preventing moisture accumulation without compromising the active ventilation function when the air mover is operational.
3Reliability
If multiple inserts are installed to ventilate different seat sections, then each section is ventilated, but the cost increases due to multiple air movers and spacer materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ventilation functions into a single insert unit, reducing the total number of air movers and spacer materials required. By enabling one insert to serve multiple seat sections, the overall quantity of expensive components is reduced, lowering manufacturing and material costs while maintaining comprehensive ventilation coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed as a multi-functional component that can ventilate multiple seat sections simultaneously. This universal design allows a single insert to perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate inserts, reducing the total component count and associated costs while maintaining reliable ventilation across all target areas.
4Reliability
If high-quality air movers are used to reduce vibration, then ventilation performance is improved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple ventilation functions into a single insert, the patent reduces the total number of air movers required in the system. This allows for the use of lower-cost, lower-complexity air mover components while still achieving the required overall ventilation performance, as the reduced component count compensates for the potentially lower individual component quality.
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
Enhances airflow to a larger seating area with reduced resistance, decreases moisture accumulation, and lowers costs by minimizing the need for multiple inserts and high-cost air movers, while allowing for more efficient ventilation of previously unventilated areas.
Implementation Method 1
Normally this spacer is a material layer that is enclosed in a sufficiently air tight envelope... The insert is made of an air permeable but compressible material
Implementation Method 2
An air mover communicates air fluidly with the space inside the ventilated insert through this opening
Implementation Method 3
A non-air permeable spacer cover with openings covers the spacer. At least one opening disposed peripherally around the edge surface of the spacer communicates air through the opening
Data Source
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AI summary
An insert for ventilating a vehicle seat having a frame and cushioning supported on the frame covered by an air permeable cover covering the cushion includes an air permeable spacer having a top surface for facing the covering, a bottom surface for disposition in a recess in the cushioning, and an edge surface between the top and bottom surfaces. A non-air permeable spacer cover enveloply covers the spacer. At least one opening in the cover disposed peripherally around the edge surface of the spacer communicates air through the openings. An air supply opening in the cover aligned adjacent the bottom surface communicates air through the spacer material and the at least one opening in the cover.