Vehicle Seat Thermal Device for Localized Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat cooling systems either fail to provide efficient cooling to occupants or consume excessive energy, often cooling the entire cabin space rather than focusing on the seat area, which results in longer time to thermal sensation and higher energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A heat-transfer unit using a closed-path refrigerant flow is positioned under the vehicle seat and between frame rails, transferring heat from ambient air to the vehicle frame, providing cooling air at or below 0 degrees Celsius directly to the seat while minimizing noise and power usage, thus enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the time to thermal sensation for the occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional HVAC systems cool the entire cabin space, then the cabin temperature is reduced, but the time to thermal sensation is extended and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing cooling only to the seat area where the occupant is located, rather than cooling the entire cabin space. The cooling system directs cooled air specifically to the seat back and seat bottom, creating a localized cooling zone that reduces energy consumption while still providing thermal sensation to the occupant.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling zones corresponding to different seat areas. The system includes separate cooling pathways for the seat back and seat bottom, allowing selective cooling of specific regions rather than treating the entire cabin as a single cooling zone.
2Temperature
If traditional HVAC systems cool the entire cabin space, then the cabin temperature is reduced, but the time to thermal sensation is extended
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating cooling resources on the immediate seat area where the occupant contacts the cooling surface, the system achieves thermal sensation much faster than cooling the entire cabin. The localized cooling directly affects the occupant's body contact points, eliminating the time delay associated with cooling large volumes of air.
3Temperature
If heat-transfer unit is positioned under the vehicle seat, then cooling air is provided directly to the seat, but noise and heat waste are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat waste generated by the heat-transfer unit into a beneficial effect by directing it away from the occupant and toward the vehicle frame or exterior. The system utilizes the vehicle frame as a heat sink to dissipate waste heat, and positions components to direct noise away from the cabin interior.
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 provides faster thermal sensation to the occupant with reduced energy consumption by focusing cooling directly on the vehicle seat, using less power compared to traditional HVAC systems and minimizing noise and heat waste.
Implementation Method 1
The heat-transfer unit is configured to provide means for transferring heat from ambient air surrounding the vehicle seat to the vehicle frame using a closed-path flow of refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
using a closed-path flow of refrigerant to cause cooling air at about zero degrees Celsius to be provided to the vehicle seat
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger restraint includes a vehicle seat and a foundation adapted to couple the seat to a vehicle frame included in a vehicle. The vehicle seat is adapted to support a passenger sitting thereon. The foundation couples the vehicle seat in spaced-apart relation to the vehicle frame to allow the vehicle seat to move back and forth relative to the vehicle frame.