Vehicle Seatback Air Mover with Selective Inlet Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seating assemblies with ventilated cooling solutions are often too bulky to effectively conform to seat designs while providing efficient airflow, compromising passenger comfort during long trips.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly with an air mover integrated into the seatback, featuring first and second inlet channels and outlet channels, along with adjustable airflow components, allows for selective and alternative air movement to optimize airflow distribution, including exhaust options to a vent or into the seatback interior, controlled by an actuator and controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If current ventilated cooling solutions are implemented in vehicle seats, then passenger comfort is improved, but the device becomes too bulky to conform to seat designs
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilated cooling system is divided into separate functional components: an air mover positioned at the bottom of the seatback, inlet channels distributed across the seatback, and outlet channels leading to vents. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and integrated into the existing seat structure without requiring a bulky monolithic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The air mover is positioned within the seatback structure at the bottom, with inlet and outlet channels nested within the seatback framework. The vents are integrated into the existing seat upholstery and trim. This nesting approach allows the cooling system to be embedded within the seat structure rather than adding external bulk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If current ventilated cooling solutions are implemented in vehicle seats, then passenger comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air mover serves multiple functions: it draws air through the inlet channels, propels air through the outlet channels, and can be controlled to provide different airflow patterns. The controller integrates multiple control functions including activating cooling modes, adjusting airflow distribution, and coordinating the air mover operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a controller that can dynamically adjust airflow distribution between different outlet channels based on detected conditions. The air mover can vary its operation to provide different cooling patterns, and the system can adapt to changing thermal conditions or passenger needs, reducing the need for multiple fixed-function components.
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 configuration enhances passenger comfort by efficiently distributing airflow, improving ventilation and reducing the need for additional air conditioning system usage, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The air mover includes first and second outlet channels, and the air mover selectively and alternatively moves air from at least one of the first inlet channel to one of the first and second outlet channels or the second inlet channel to the first outlet channel
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes an air mover within a seatback. First and second inlet channels extend from an occupant seatback surface and a seatback lower portion, respectively, to the air mover. The air mover includes first and second outlet channels, and the air mover selectively and alternatively moves air from at least one of the first inlet channel to one of the first and second outlet channels or the second inlet channel to the first outlet channel.