Ventilated Seat Foam Substrate Bellows Effect Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilated vehicular seats face issues with localized heat distribution, premature discolouration and wear, increased cost and weight, and recyclability challenges due to complex and heterogeneous construction, as well as inadequate temperature and humidity control.
Innovation Solution
A passively ventilated seat element featuring a foam substrate with channels and apertures that extend beyond the occupant contact area, creating a bellows effect for improved air circulation and temperature and humidity control, produced from isocyanate-based polymers like polyurethane foam, which simplifies production and enhances recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If resistive heating elements are incorporated into the seat, then heating function is provided for occupant convenience, but heat penetration causes premature discolouration and wear of the seat component
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the resistive heating element and the seat upholstery. This reflective layer redirects heat toward the occupant while preventing heat penetration into the seat component, thereby eliminating premature discolouration and wear while maintaining heating functionality
2Ease of operation
If heating elements are distributed over the entire seat surface, then heating function is provided, but comfort properties of the seat are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
Heating elements are selectively positioned only in regions where they provide benefit to the occupant, rather than being distributed across the entire seat surface. This localized heating approach maintains comfort properties while providing effective heating function
3Ease of operation
If conventional ventilated seat designs are used, then ventilation is provided, but the construction becomes complex and heterogeneous, reducing recyclability
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation channels are integrated directly into the foam substrate itself, merging the structural support function and the ventilation function into a single homogeneous component. This eliminates the need for separate ventilation layers and complex assembly, thereby improving recyclability while maintaining ventilation effectiveness
4Ease of operation
If resistive heating system is used, then heating is provided, but the system adds extra expense and weight to the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The seat utilizes the body heat of the occupant themselves to provide warming, eliminating the need for additional resistive heating systems. The foam substrate's inherent thermal properties and ventilation design work together to retain and distribute this body heat, providing temperature control without adding weight or expense
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 effectively improves comfort by enhancing temperature and humidity control without adding weight or complexity, while being easier and less expensive to produce and recycle, with increased breathability and ventilation rates compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
the foam substrate configured to create a bellows effect of air in one or both of the air manifold portion when the occupant contact portion is successively compressed and de-compressed
Implementation Method 2
A passively ventilated seat element featuring a foam substrate with channels and apertures that extend beyond the occupant contact area, creating a bellows effect for improved air circulation and temperature and humidity control
Data Source
AI summary
In a preferred embodiment there is disclosed a vehicular seat element comprising a foam substrate, the foam substrate comprising an A-surface for contact by an occupant and a B-surface opposed to the A-surface, a central portion of the A-surface have a first surface area and comprising a plurality of channels, the central portion of the A-surface comprising an occupant contact portion having a second surface area, wherein the first surface area is greater than the second surface area, a plurality of apertures disposed in the plurality of channels, each aperture interconnecting the A-surface and the B-surface of the foam substrate. The plurality of channels acts a distribution manifold for air to be moved laterally with respect to the A-surface of the foam pad and also through the holes in the seat pad to allow for circulation of air. In other words, the through holes in the foam provide a pass for air to flow from the B-surface of the foam pad to the A-surface of the foam pad, and vice versa. This air flow is further promoted by compressing and decompressing of the foam by the mass of the occupant while the vehicle is in motion. This compression and decompression of the foam creates a so-called bellows effect to push or pull air through the vehicular seat. Ideally, the series of channels molded in the A-surface of the foam pad form a manifold that enhances air distribution by providing multiple paths for the air flow around (not just beneath) the occupant and through the seat.