Ventilated Seat Insert Structure for Even Air and Temperature Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive vehicle seats lack effective solutions for providing comprehensive comfort through heating, cooling, and ventilation, with existing designs often limited in their ability to evenly distribute air and maintain occupant comfort across the seating surface.

Innovation Solution

An insert system for automotive vehicle seats that includes a spacer material creating an open space with impermeable barrier layers and air movers, allowing for the distribution of air through perforations and directed airflow to enhance comfort, which can be integrated with heating elements and thermoelectric devices for temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an insert system with spacer material and air movers is implemented, then ventilation and temperature control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidinsert system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert system is divided into distinct functional layers: spacer material layer for air distribution, barrier layer for containment, and integration points for heating/cooling elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system versatility for both heating and cooling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insert system is designed to perform multiple functions through a unified structure that can accommodate both heating elements and cooling air movers. The same insert framework supports temperature control in both directions, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall device complexity despite the multi-functional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If air is distributed through perforations in the insert, then airflow evenness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation distribution uniformityVSAvoidinsert fabrication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insert incorporates a perforated layer with uniformly distributed openings that allow air to pass through. This porous structure is integrated into the insert during manufacturing, creating a built-in air distribution network that ensures even airflow without requiring post-manufacturing adjustments or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The air distribution function is merged directly into the insert structure itself through the perforated layer, rather than being a separate component. This integration ensures that airflow distribution is inherent to the insert design, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving uniform air delivery across the seating surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If barrier layers are used to enclose spacer material, then air flow control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow containmentVSAvoidlayer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer is implemented as a flexible, thin film that conforms to the insert structure and seating surface. This thin-film approach provides effective air flow containment and maintains the integrity of the air distribution system without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the overall insert design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 insert system effectively provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to automotive vehicle seats by distributing air evenly and maintaining occupant comfort, addressing the limitations of existing designs by enhancing airflow and temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

an air mover in fluid communication with said open space within said insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

said insert may include a heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

providing heating, ventilation, cooling or a combination thereof to the seats and/or the occupant of the seats

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

providing heating, ventilation, cooling or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

providing heating, ventilation, cooling or a combination thereof to the seats and/or the occupant of the seats

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS7735932B2Automotive vehicle seat insert

Publication Date: 2010.06.15 GENTHERM GMBH

AI summary

There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle. More particularly an insert for a ventilated seat, the insert including a forward layer, a rearward layer, a spacer material intermediate of the forward layer and the rearward layer, and an air moving member that includes a fan and a housing, and is attached to an outer surface of the rearward layer.