Vehicle Air Duct Layout for Faster Foot Warming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioning duct devices fail to adequately warm the feet of occupants in cold weather, leading to discomfort due to the insulating effect of shoes and the slow warming process.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning duct device with a blowout port positioned between the vehicle compartment floor and seat surface, blowing conditioned air obliquely forward to warm the calves and, subsequently, the vehicle door, enhancing heat distribution and perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If warm air is supplied to the feet through a foot blowout port, then the toes of the occupant are warmed, but the warming effect is reduced due to the insulating effect of shoes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by warming the calves (which contain thick blood vessels) before the toes. The blowout port is positioned to supply warm air to the calf area first, allowing the body's natural circulation to distribute the warmth to the toes, thereby overcoming the insulating effect of shoes that block direct heating of the toes
2Temperature
If the vehicle air conditioner is started in cold weather, then warm air is eventually produced, but it takes about 10 minutes until the occupant feels warmth at the feet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by targeting the calves (containing thick blood vessels) with warm air before the toes. This allows the body's natural circulation system to rapidly distribute warmth throughout the lower body, significantly reducing the time required for the occupant to feel warmth compared to direct toe heating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the body's blood circulation system as an intermediary to transfer heat. Instead of directly heating the toes through shoes, warm air is supplied to the calves where thick blood vessels can efficiently carry the thermal energy to the feet and toes, acting as a natural heat distribution network
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 device quickly warms the occupant's calves and vehicle door, improving comfort by efficiently distributing heat and reducing perceived chilliness at the feet in cold weather.
Implementation Method 1
a duct (4) having therein a flow path for conditioned air, the duct being disposed, at least partially, inside the housing and connected to a vehicle air conditioner and the blowout port
Implementation Method 2
blow out the conditioned air from the blowout port obliquely forward with respect to the seat... quickly warms the occupant's calves and vehicle door
Data Source
AI summary
A technology that further improves an air conditioning function of a vehicle air conditioning duct device 1 is provided. The vehicle air conditioning duct device 1 includes: a housing 2 disposed on a lateral side of a seat and on a side opposite to a vehicle door with respect to the seat; a blowout port 3 provided at a position, in the housing 2, between a vehicle compartment floor upper surface 93 and a seat surface 94 of the seat; and a duct 4 having therein a flow path 40 for conditioned air, the duct 4 being disposed inside the housing 2 and connected to a vehicle air conditioner and the blowout port 3. The vehicle air conditioning duct device 1 is configured to blow out the conditioned air from the blowout port 3 obliquely forward with respect to the seat.