Vehicle Seat Ventilation Device with Slit Outlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation and air conditioning systems for the rear area of vehicles are either energy-intensive or require significant installation space, often necessitating increased development efforts and cooperation with other components like vehicle seats.

Innovation Solution

A compact, energy-saving ventilation device with an air-guiding housing, fan, and an elongated slit-like air outlet opening integrated into the backrest of a vehicle seat, which generates a primary draft that accelerates air around the seat to create a secondary, wider airflow for efficient rear area conditioning, reducing energy consumption by more than half compared to direct airflow systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If existing ventilation systems are used to provide rear area air conditioning, then the air conditioning function is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidair conditioning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is segmented into a primary airflow path (direct fan output) and a secondary airflow path (induced ambient air). The slit-like outlet opening segments the airflow into a thin primary stream that triggers a larger secondary flow, effectively dividing the cooling task between conditioned and unconditioned air streams to reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slit-like air outlet opening acts as an intermediary element that transforms the fan's direct airflow into a trigger for a larger secondary flow. This intermediary structure enables the primary airflow to induce and carry ambient air, effectively using a small amount of conditioned air to move a much larger volume of unconditioned air, thereby reducing the energy required for direct cooling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If existing ventilation systems are installed in the rear area, then ventilation function is provided, but installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation functionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device is merged with the seat structure, specifically integrating the air outlet device into the backrest of the front seat. This combination allows the ventilation system to utilize the existing seat space and structure, eliminating the need for separate rear area ventilation components and reducing overall installation space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air outlet device is positioned in the vertical dimension at the upper boundary edge of the backrest, utilizing the height dimension rather than occupying additional horizontal space. The elongated slit-like opening runs along the longitudinal direction, maximizing ventilation effectiveness while maintaining a compact footprint that integrates seamlessly with the seat's existing geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If air outlet device is positioned at the boundary edge of backrest, then compact design is achieved, but airflow distribution must be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidairflow generation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow parameters are changed by using a slit-like outlet opening with specific dimensional ratios (elongated in the longitudinal direction). This geometric parameter change transforms the airflow from a conventional circular or rectangular pattern into a thin, elongated stream that effectively triggers secondary flow while maintaining a compact device footprint. The slit configuration optimizes the relationship between outlet area and flow induction capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for efficient air conditioning of the rear vehicle area with reduced energy consumption and minimal impact on installation space, enabling easy integration and adaptation into various vehicle seats while maintaining a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

a fan (13) which can be arranged in order to transport air from the air inlet opening (11) to the air outlet device (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Implementation Method 2

The position of the slit-like air outlet opening (15) in the area of the boundary edge of the backrest then enables the thin-layer primary airflow to generate a secondary airflow, in which the air volume adjoining the boundary edge of the backrest is also accelerated around the vehicle seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEntrainment: Entrainment

Data Source

PatentEP3144180B1Ventilation device and seat with such a ventilation device, in particular for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 DENSO AUTOMOTIVE DEUT GMBH
  • EP3144180B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3144180B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3144180B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ventilation device (10), particularly for use in motor vehicles. The invention further relates to a seat, particularly a vehicle seat (1), with such a ventilation device (10). The ventilation device (10) according to the invention comprises a housing with at least one air inlet opening (11), an air outlet device (14) connected to the air inlet opening (11), and a blower (13) which can be arranged to transport air from the air inlet opening (11) to the air outlet device (14). The ventilation device according to the invention is characterized in that it is suitable for attachment to or integration into a vehicle seat (1), wherein the air outlet device (14) is suitable for attachment to or integration into the backrest (3) of the vehicle seat (1).Furthermore, the air outlet device (14) has an elongated slot-like air outlet opening (15) which is suitable for arrangement in the area of ​​the limiting edge (6, 7) of the backrest (3) for blowing air towards the rear.