Characteristics of an integrated automotive seat with a surface heating system and ventilation channels

This study is aimed at the development and evaluation of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based planar heating systems for integration in automotive seats featuring ventilation channels to allow for an enhancement in energy efficiency, safety, and user comfort. Employing roll-to-roll (RTR) manufacturing techniques and advanced carbon nanotube coating technology, this research was successfully able to produce thin, flexible, and durable heating pads. These heaters are much more efficient than traditional wire heating systems, reducing energy consumption by up to 49%, with quick and uniform heating capabilities. The experiment was conducted by manufacturing two planar heating sheets (back sheet and bottom sheet). The experiments were conducted through stability and durability performance test evaluation, heat generation performance evaluation, and comparison analysis with third-party samples. Through the tests, consistent thickness, high precision, and uniform heat distribution were confirmed, indicating safety. The comparison with a third-party sample showed that the back and bottom sheets have a higher power consumption efficiency per unit area of about 45 % on average. Thus, the planar heater sheet developed in this study can be applied to various smart heating product development fields.