Adjustment, heating and ventilation of car seats
Seats in modern cars are a complex mechanism with many design solutions. The safety and convenience of the driver and passengers largely depends on their device. The designers are constantly making some useful additions to achieve the maximum level of comfort. Many functions are available to modern drivers, such as electric adjustment, ventilation and heated seats.
Basic elements of a car seat
The main components of a car seat are:
- frame (frame);
- pillow;
- back;
- headrest.
The supporting element of the seat is a frame made of durable steel. It is usually installed in the passenger compartment on a mount with special rails (slide). They are used to adjust the seat in the longitudinal direction. A pillow and a backrest are attached to the frame.
The height of the backrest and the size of the pillow are calculated taking into account the height of the average person. Springs are used for softness and comfort. They are attached to the frame. Polyurethane foam is usually used as a filler. The seats are covered with upholstery. It can be various durable fabrics, artificial or natural leather. Combined materials (leather plus fabric, etc.) can be used. The better the finishing materials, the more presentable and expensive the car interior will look like.
In addition to the basic elements, the car seat has a headrest and armrests (optional). Since 1969, the use of head restraints has become mandatory. They prevent the head from moving backwards in the event of a sudden collision with the vehicle from behind, reducing the risk of whiplash injury.
Adjusting car seats
Modern seats allow for adjustment in different directions and planes. You can change the angle of inclination of the backrest and cushion, the height of the cushion, move it along, change the position of the headrest and armrests, etc.
The adjustment drive can be:
- mechanical;
- electric;
- pneumatic.
The mechanical drive is considered classic. Different car models have their own adjustment methods. These can be special levers or an adjusting wheel. Suffice it to recall the methods of adjustment in Soviet cars.
The electric adjustment drive is considered more modern and comfortable. The controls are located on the door panel in the driver's field of vision or located directly on the seat. Built-in electric drives are powered from the vehicle's on-board network. They can change the position of the backrest, cushion, headrest, side cushions and lumbar support. It all depends on the configuration of a particular model.
Special attention can be paid to the "seat memory" function. The driver adjusts the optimal position of the chair according to his parameters as it is convenient for him. Then you need to select the desired option in the chair control by pressing the "Set" or "M" (Memory) button. Multiple positions can be saved this way. This is useful when several drivers are using the car. For example, husband and wife. The driver selects his saved profile in the settings, and the seat takes the desired position. In addition, the position of the mirrors and the steering wheel can be memorized.
Air is used in pneumatic actuators. Often, such options are combined - pneumo-electric. Air is supplied to certain areas of the chair. In this way, you can change not only the basic positions, but also the geometry of the seat itself. Mercedes-Benz has made great progress on this issue.
Heated seats
Heated seats are available in many modern cars, even in basic trim levels. The technology itself appeared back in 1955.
Heated from the on-board power supply. Technically, this is an uncomplicated system. Consists of the following elements:
- Heating element. As a rule, this is a wire that is covered with Teflon and a nichrome spiral.
- Heat-resistant padding that covers the heating elements.
- Thermostat.
- Governing bodies.
The heating elements work according to the resistor principle, i.e. heat up due to resistance. They are located in the back and cushion of the chairs. The supply wires go through the relay. A thermostat is required to control the temperature. It prevents the elements from overheating. When they reach the set temperature, the relay turns off. When the temperature drops, the system turns on again. Typically, the driver has up to three heating options to choose from: weak, medium and strong.
If the car does not have a seat heating function, then now it is possible to set the heating yourself. There are many options on the market. There is nothing difficult in the design and installation, but you will have to remove the seat upholstery. Heating elements are glued to the surface of the chair, contacts are removed and connected to the control unit via a relay.
If you do not want to crawl under the seat upholstery, you can install an overhead heating element in the form of a cover. Such devices are connected via a cigarette lighter.
Seat ventilation
Ventilation systems are installed in expensive premium and business class cars. It is known that some upholstery materials, such as leather, get very hot in the sun. Ventilation will quickly cool the material to a comfortable temperature.
Several fans are mounted in the seat, which draw air from the passenger compartment, thereby cooling the surface of the seats. Standard systems use two fans in the cushion and two fans in the backrest, but there may be more.
In order for the air from the fans to pass freely through the upholstery of the seats, a special mesh material called a spacer is used. This material not only allows air to pass through, but also regulates its flow through the chair. The system is also powered by a 12V on-board network.
Not all cars have such systems, but they can also be installed independently by purchasing a kit. For installation, you need to remove the casing and build in the fans, having previously prepared a place for them in the foam rubber. The connection takes place through the control unit.
Some craftsmen who do not want to spend money on a ready-made system try to make it themselves. Computer coolers are usually used as fans. Instead of a spacer, you can take a fine plastic plant net.
Driving comfort is very important for any driver, especially if the work involves long and everyday journeys. Modern car seats have many useful features. You can be sure that such technologies will only get better.
