Venturi-Based Vehicle Seat Conditioning System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle seat heating and cooling systems require separate electrical and fluid connections, leading to complexity and limited capacity in large vehicles like aircraft, making it difficult to efficiently condition all passenger seats without overburdening existing systems.

Innovation Solution

A single conditioning system for vehicle passenger seats using a Venturi device to generate airflow, with an integrated heating element and temperature sensor, controlled by a controller to operate in ventilation or heating modes, allowing for efficient airflow and temperature adjustment without excessive system load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate heating and cooling systems are used, then heating and cooling functions are provided, but system complexity and number of connections increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat conditioning capabilityVSAvoidsystem connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate heating and cooling systems into a single integrated system. The air handling unit provides both heated and cooled air through separate ducts, while the seat assembly includes both heated air blower and cooled air blower that can operate independently or simultaneously. This merging reduces the number of separate connections needed to the vehicle's thermal management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat assembly is designed with multi-functionality to provide both heating and cooling through a single integrated structure. The seat back and seat cushion each contain independent heating elements and cooling channels, allowing the same seat assembly to perform multiple conditioning functions without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate systems are used for heating and cooling, then comprehensive seat conditioning is achieved, but vehicle system capacity is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat conditioning coverageVSAvoidvehicle system load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seat assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones with independent control. The heated air blower and cooled air blower are separate components that can be independently controlled, allowing selective operation of heating or cooling functions based on passenger needs and vehicle system capacity, thereby reducing overall system load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat conditioning system incorporates dynamic control through independent blowers for heated and cooled air. The controller can dynamically adjust or deactivate specific functions (heating or cooling) based on real-time conditions, allowing the system to operate within vehicle capacity limits while providing comprehensive conditioning when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed seat position is used, then space and cost constraints are met, but pressure points and hot spots form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat configuration simplicityVSAvoidpressure points and hot spots

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical seat adjustment mechanisms with a thermal conditioning system. Instead of requiring complex movable parts to change seat position for comfort, the invention uses heated and cooled air delivery systems to alleviate pressure points and hot spots, providing comfort through thermal management rather than mechanical repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system efficiently ventilates and heats or cools all types of vehicle seats using a single system, reducing complexity and strain on existing vehicle systems, enabling conditioning of all seats without the need for multiple connections, particularly beneficial in large vehicles like aircraft.

Implementation Method 1

a Venturi device configured to generate air flow relative to a seat element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

a heating element configured to heat the Venturi device or the air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11161437B2Seat heat and ventilation systems and vehicle seat assemblies

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 BE AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

A conditioning system for a vehicle passenger seat and a vehicle passenger seat assembly, the system including at least one conditioning unit including a Venturi device configured to generate air flow relative to a seat element and a temperature element configured to heat or cool the Venturi device or the air flow, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature in relation to the at least one conditioning unit, and a controller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and operably coupled to the at least one conditioning unit. The controller is configured to operate in a first operating condition in which the Venturi device is activated and the temperature element is inactive to ventilate the seat, and a second operating condition in which both the Venturi device and the temperature element are activated to heat or cool the seat.