Steering Wheel Eutectic Core for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering wheels in vehicles, especially heavy vehicles, become excessively hot due to solar radiation, making them difficult to operate, and existing cooling solutions are inefficient or cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel with a core made of eutectic material that can be manually controlled to maintain a comfortable temperature between 15°C and 25°C, using a combination of a fluid cooling system and heating means, including a pressurized gas and electrical resistor, to absorb or release heat as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air conditioning is used to cool the steering wheel, then the steering wheel temperature is reduced, but the system becomes cumbersome and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of a phase change material (PCM) embedded in the steering wheel. The PCM absorbs excess heat during solar radiation by melting (solid to liquid transition), maintaining the steering wheel temperature within a comfortable range without requiring complex active cooling systems. This passive thermal management resolves the contradiction by achieving temperature control through material phase change rather than mechanical cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the thermal management function from a complex active cooling system and embeds it directly into the steering wheel structure through PCM integration. By taking out the need for separate cooling mechanisms and incorporating thermal regulation material within the steering wheel itself, the solution reduces system complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Temperature
If additional cooling systems are added to the steering wheel, then cooling capability is improved, but the steering wheel becomes cumbersome and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material is nested within the steering wheel structure, with the PCM contained in capsules or matrices integrated into the steering wheel's internal architecture. This nesting approach allows the cooling function to be embedded without adding external components that would increase size or compromise ergonomics, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM is strategically positioned in specific zones of the steering wheel where heat accumulation is most problematic, such as the grip areas and central hub. This localized thermal management approach provides effective cooling where needed without requiring comprehensive cooling of the entire steering wheel structure, preserving ergonomic design and operational ease.
3Temperature
If continuous air conditioning is used, then steering wheel temperature is controlled, but driver and passenger comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides periodic thermal regulation by absorbing heat during high-temperature periods (when solar radiation is intense) and releasing it during cooler periods. This passive, cyclic thermal management eliminates the need for continuous air conditioning operation, thereby avoiding the discomfort associated with constant cold air flow while maintaining acceptable steering wheel temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of solar radiation heating the steering wheel into a beneficial thermal regulation mechanism. The PCM absorbs the excess heat energy from solar exposure, transforming the harmful thermal input into useful latent heat storage, thereby passively cooling the steering wheel without requiring active cooling systems that would discomfort drivers and passengers.
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 steering wheel effectively maintains a comfortable temperature, enhancing driver comfort without significant changes in size or usability, using harmless compressed gas and allowing for manual or automatic temperature adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a core 8 made of eutectic material configured to melt at a comfortable ambient temperature to maintain the steering wheel 6 at that comfortable ambient temperature throughout the transition of that eutectic material from solid to liquid
Implementation Method 2
the driver can activate the solidification of said core 8 into eutectic material so that by absorbing heat from its exterior to return to the liquid state, it maintains the steering wheel 6 at the eutectic melting temperature
Implementation Method 3
this system comprises a space 11 through which a pressurized gas can flow, and which is situated adjacent to the core 8, so that this pressurized gas, expanding into said space, cools and thus allows the core 8 to solidify
Implementation Method 4
the means for controlling the temperature of the steering wheel 6 comprise heating means 9 suitable to heat the core 8 so as to allow its melting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A steering wheel (6) for a vehicle comprising a grip portion (6a) connected to a hub (6b) borne freely rotatable relative to a support (7) borne by a vehicle, this grip portion (6a) comprising a core (8) made of eutectic material having a eutectic melting temperature at a comfortable ambient temperature and temperature control means configured to vary the physical state of the core (8) to allow its melting or solidification in order to maintain the grip portion (6a) at the eutectic melting temperature.