Climate comfort system for vehicle seat

• US 10,076,981 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2015
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dry, Alan George
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US14/861,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20170080838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 2974521-45265, 29721613
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/565 sucked from the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5678 characterised by electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/646 shape of the cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame. A cushion assembly includes a plurality of closed base cells disposed on the frame. Each base cell includes a fixed volume of fluid disposed therein. A plurality of trim cells are disposed on the base cells and include a variable volume of fluid disposed therein. The trim cells are in communication with a fluid pump. A coverstock is disposed over the trim cells. The trim cells further define a plurality of apertures configured to communicate air between a climate control system and a seating surface of the coverstock.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a frame;

a seat cushion assembly comprising;

a plurality of closed base cells disposed on the frame, each base cell having a fixed volume of fluid disposed therein;

a plurality of trim cells disposed on the base cells and having a variable volume of fluid disposed therein, the trim cells being in communication with a fluid pump; and

a coverstock disposed over the trim cells, the trim cells further defining a plurality of elongate channels configured to communicate air between a climate control system and a seating surface of the coverstock.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an anti-jounce cell disposed below the plurality of closed base cells.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of ventilation apertures are in communication with elongate channels that extend through the plurality of trim cells.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim of claim 1, further comprising:

surface grooves disposed on a top surface of the plurality of trim cells, the surface grooves being in communication with the plurality of elongate channels.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of trim cells are also in communication with one another.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of closed base cells include central support members disposed therein.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of closed base cells include forward base cells and rearward base cells, and wherein the rearward base cells have a greater depth than the forward base cells.

8. A cushion assembly for a vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a plurality of closed base cells;

an anti-jounce cell disposed below the base cells proximate a rear portion of the cushion assembly;

a plurality of open trim cells disposed on the base cells and in communication with a fluid pump; and

a coverstock disposed over the trim cells, the trim cells further including ventilation apertures in communication with a seating surface of the coverstock.

9. The cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein the anti-jounce cell is disposed in a seat portion of the cushion assembly proximate a rear portion of the seat portion.

10. The cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein the anti-jounce cell includes an arcuate configuration.

11. The cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein the ventilation apertures are in communication with elongate channels that extend through the plurality of open trim cells.

12. The cushion assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

surface grooves disposed on a top surface of the plurality of open trim cells, the surface grooves being in communication with the ventilation apertures.

13. The cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of open trim cells are also in communication with one another.

14. The cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of closed base cells include support members disposed therein.

15. The cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of closed base cells include forward base cells and rearward base cells, and wherein the rearward base cells have a greater depth than the forward base cells.

16. A cushion assembly for a vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a plurality of closed base cells disposed on a frame, each base cell having a fixed volume of fluid disposed therein;

a plurality of open trim cells disposed on the base cells and in communication with a fluid pump; and

a coverstock disposed over the trim cells, the trim cells further including ventilation apertures configured to move air proximate a seating surface of the coverstock.

17. The cushion assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

an anti-jounce cell disposed below the plurality of closed base cells.

18. The cushion assembly of claim 17, wherein the anti-jounce cell is disposed in a seat portion of the cushion assembly proximate a rear portion of the seat portion.

19. The cushion assembly of claim 16, wherein the ventilation apertures are in communication with elongate channels that extend through the plurality of open trim cells.

20. The cushion assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

surface grooves disposed on a top surface of the plurality of open trim cells, the surface grooves being in communication with the ventilation apertures.