Automotive vehicle seat insert

• US 20050127723A1
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WET Automotive Systems Limited (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Drobnjakovic, Valerija, Bajic, Goran, Lazanja, Marinko, Fernandez, Lucas, Liss, Anne Patrice, White, Brennon Lewis, Brennan, Lindy
• Granted Patent: US 7,052,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.110
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/56 Heating or ventilating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5642 with circulation of air through a layer inside the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/48 Upholstered article making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method

Abstract

There is disclosed an insert suitable for placement within a seat of an automotive vehicle. The insert preferably includes multiple layers, one of which includes a heater for providing an occupant of the seat with warmth. The insert also preferably includes a blower or air pump for providing ventilation and/or cooling to the seat occupant.

Claims

1-40. -40. (canceled)

41. A comfort system for a seat of a transportation vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material for providing an open space within the insert;

ii. the insert includes a first opening and a second opening in fluid communication with the open space;

iii. the insert includes an extension formed as a tubular structure for providing fluid communication with the open space; and

iv. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the first opening, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. the extension extends to the air mover for assisting in providing the fluid communication between the air mover and the second opening.

42. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the insert is located beneath a seat cover.

43. A comfort system as in claim 41 further comprising a heater attached to the insert

44. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the air mover is adjacent the second opening and second opening is located in the extension.

45. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the air mover is configured to pull air into the insert through the first opening, through the open space and the extension and out of the insert through the second opening.

46. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the extension is of substantially smaller width than the rest of the insert and wherein the extension is configured to extend behind a cushion of the seat to the air mover.

47. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the insert is sealed about the peripheral edge at least partially with an adhesive or melting of barrier layers.

48. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the insert is formed of multiples layers, which also integrally form the extension.

49. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the insert is separate from, but attached to a cushion of the seat.

50. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein the insert includes a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer and wherein the first barrier layer is adhered to the second barrier sub-layer for sealing about a peripheral edge of the insert.

51. A comfort system as in claim 41 wherein at least one through-hole extends through a central portion of the insert without being in fluid communication with the open space or the second opening.

52. A comfort system for a seat of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material for providing an open space within the insert;

ii. the insert includes a plurality of first openings and a second opening in fluid communication with the open space;

iii. the insert includes an extension formed as a tubular structure for providing fluid communication with the open space; and

iv. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the plurality of first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. the air mover is at least partially disposed within the second opening and second opening is located in the extension;

ii. the air mover is configured to pull air into the insert through the plurality of first openings, then through the open space and the extension and out of the insert through the second opening;

iii. the insert is formed of multiples layers, which also integrally form the extension.

53. A comfort system as in claim 52 wherein the insert is located beneath a seat cover.

54. A comfort system as in claim 52 further comprising a heater attached to the insert.

55. A comfort system as in claim 52 wherein the extension is of substantially smaller width than the rest of the insert and wherein the extension is configured to extend behind a cushion of the seat to the air mover.

56. A comfort system as in claim 52 wherein the insert is separate from, but attached to a cushion of the seat.

57. A comfort system as in claim 52 wherein the insert includes a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer and wherein the first barrier layer is adhered to the second barrier sub-layer for sealing about a peripheral edge of the insert.

58. A comfort system for a seat of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material for providing an open space within the insert;

ii. the insert includes a plurality of first openings and a second opening in fluid communication with the open space;

iii. the insert includes an extension formed as a tubular structure for providing fluid communication with the open space; and

iv. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert by adhering layers of the insert together or melting and pressing layers of the insert together; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the plurality of first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. the air mover is at least partially disposed within the second opening and second opening is located in the extension;

ii. the air mover is configured to pull air into the insert through the first opening, then through the open space and the extension and out of the insert through the second opening;

iii. the insert is formed of multiples layers, which also integrally form the extension;

iv. the air mover is secured to the insert by securing flanges to an attachment component.

59. A comfort system as in claim 58 wherein the insert is located beneath a seat cover.

60. A comfort system as in claim 59 further comprising a heater attached to the insert

61. A comfort system as in claim 60 wherein the extension is of substantially smaller width than the rest of the insert and wherein the extension is configured to extend behind the cushion of the seat to the air mover.

62. A comfort system as in claim 61 wherein the insert is separate from, but attached to a cushion of the seat.

63. A comfort system as in claim 62 wherein the flanges are part of a blower housing and the attachment component is a frame member sandwiched between layers or sub-layers of the insert.

64. A comfort system as in claim 63 wherein the insert includes a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer and wherein the first barrier layer is adhered to the second barrier sub-layer for sealing about a peripheral edge of the insert.

65. A comfort system as in claim 64 wherein at least one through-hole extends through a central portion of the insert without being in fluid communication with the open space or the second opening.

66. A comfort system as in claim 65 further comprising a control unit in communication with the air mover wherein the control unit is programmed with instructions for commanding the air mover to change output levels if a temperature sensor senses a temperature below one or more threshold levels.