Vehicle Seat Ventilation Assembly With Integrated Airflow Channels

Solution Overview

Problem

The fabrication of vehicle seat assemblies is lengthy and cumbersome due to the need for multiple components, which also adds weight to the seat, while existing ventilation systems require additional mounting elements and may not efficiently circulate air within the padding element.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle seat assembly features a support element and padding element with grooves that define an internal volume in fluidic communication with the ventilation duct, eliminating the need for additional mounting elements and enhancing air flow by direct fluidic contact between the padding element and the ventilation system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mounting elements and additional components are used to assemble the ventilation system, then the ventilation system can be properly assembled and function, but the fabrication process becomes lengthy and cumbersome and the weight of the seat assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation system assemblyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting elements are merged with the support element itself. The support element is designed with integrated mounting features (such as recesses, protrusions, or attachment points) that directly receive and secure the ventilation system components, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, screws, or adhesives. This integration reduces the total component count while maintaining secure assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat, defines the internal volume for air circulation, and simultaneously acts as the mounting structure for the ventilation system. By combining these functions into a single component, the design reduces complexity without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional mounting elements and additional components are used to assemble the ventilation system, then the ventilation system can be properly assembled and function, but the fabrication time increases and manufacturing becomes more tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation system assemblyVSAvoidfabrication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting elements are merged with the support element itself. The support element is designed with integrated mounting features (such as recesses, protrusions, or attachment points) that directly receive and secure the ventilation system components, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, screws, or adhesives. This integration reduces the total component count while maintaining secure assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting features are pre-integrated into the support element during its manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures that when the ventilation system is assembled, the mounting function is already prepared, eliminating the need for additional mounting steps and reducing fabrication time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional mounting elements are used to attach the ventilation system, then the ventilation system can be securely mounted, but the weight of the vehicle seat assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation system mountingVSAvoidseat assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting elements are merged with the support element itself. The support element is designed with integrated mounting features (such as recesses, protrusions, or attachment points) that directly receive and secure the ventilation system components, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, screws, or adhesives. This integration reduces the total component count while maintaining secure assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces weight, and improves air circulation within the seat by allowing air to flow directly through the defined internal volume, enhancing passenger comfort without additional components.

Implementation Method 1

the ventilation system being able to blow and/or draw a volume of air through said ventilation duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentUS12139056B2Vehicle seat assembly and associated assembly method

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 FAURECIA SIEGES D AUTOMOBILE SA

AI summary

An assembly for a vehicle seat that includes: a support element defining a through opening, a padding element attached at least in part to the support element, and a ventilation system assembled to the support element in fluidic communication with the through opening. An inner surface of the support element and/or an inner surface of the padding element define at least one groove. An inner surface of the groove, the inner surface of the support element, and an inner surface of the padding element define an internal volume there between in fluidic communication with the through opening.