Vehicle Seat Ventilation Air Mover with Selective Outlet Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seating ventilation systems are often too bulky to effectively cool multiple seat areas efficiently, failing to provide comfortable ventilation for passengers during long trips.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat ventilation system with an air mover within the seatback, featuring an inlet channel and two outlet channels that can selectively direct airflow to either a vent located near the headrest or into the seatback interior, allowing for adjustable airflow distribution and control through a bezel and airflow adjusters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ventilation system is designed to cool multiple seat areas, then the ventilation coverage is improved, but the system becomes too bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is divided into multiple independent outlet channels (first outlet channel for seatback cooling, second outlet channel for seat cushion cooling) that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the system to provide multi-area ventilation coverage while maintaining a compact overall structure by only activating the necessary channels based on occupancy and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable airflow controls that allow dynamic regulation of air flow distribution between different outlet channels. This dynamic adaptability enables the compact system to efficiently serve multiple seat areas by adjusting airflow patterns rather than requiring fixed, oversized ventilation openings in all areas simultaneously.
2Reliability
If ventilation airflow is directed to multiple areas, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses adjustable airflow controls to dynamically regulate air distribution based on real-time conditions such as ambient temperature, seat occupancy, and desired cooling intensity. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain effective cooling across multiple areas while optimizing power consumption by adjusting airflow rates rather than operating at maximum capacity continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system changes operational parameters (airflow rate, outlet selection, air mover speed) based on environmental conditions and user preferences. By adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining constant high-power operation, the system achieves reliable multi-area cooling effectiveness while reducing overall power consumption.
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 system provides customizable and efficient ventilation, enhancing passenger comfort by directing cooling airflow to specific areas such as the back and neck, while minimizing bulkiness and power usage.
Implementation Method 1
An air mover is provided within a seatback of the vehicle seat. An inlet channel extends from an occupant seatback surface to the air mover and includes first and second outlet channels. The air mover selectively and alternatively moves air from the inlet channel to one of the first and second outlet channels.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes an air mover within a seatback. An inlet channel extends from an occupant seatback surface to the air mover and includes first and second outlet channels. The air mover selectively and alternatively moves air from the inlet channel to one of the first and second outlet channels. The first outlet channel includes a vent located proximate a headrest.