Automotive vehicle seat insert

• US 20050140189A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bajic, Goran, Onica, Madalina, Truant, Scott, Brennan, Lindy
• Granted Patent: US 7,370,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment

Abstract

There is disclosed a sealed edge insert suitable for placement within a seat of an automotive vehicle. The insert includes multiple layers, one of which includes a heater for providing an occupant of the seat with warmth. The insert also includes an air mover (e.g., a fan) for providing ventilation to the seat occupant. Further, the insert includes an extension that extends to a backside of a cushion component of the seat for attachment to provide fluid communication from the insert to the air mover.

Claims

1. A ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle seat having a seat cushion component and a seat backrest component, at least one of which is ventilated, each ventilated component having an air-permeable trim surface at the occupant contact areas of the seat and a cushion;

an insert that is sealed about its peripheral edge, the insert being located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including an extension extending from a body portion of the insert, the extension having a first opening defined therein, wherein;

i) the insert defines an internal open space that provides fluid communication between the first opening and a plurality of second openings of the insert; and

ii) the extension extends through a forward and a rearward surface of the cushion of the ventilated component; and

a fan attached to the extension of the insert in fluid communication with the open space of the insert.

2. A ventilated seat as in claim 1 wherein the extension is contoured as it extends away from the body portion.

3. A ventilated seat as in claim 2 wherein the extension includes a proximate portion, a distal portion and an arced portion therebetween.

4. A ventilated seat as in claim 3 wherein the extension extends from an edge of the body portion of the insert such that the distal portion is substantially coextensive with the edge of the body portion.

5. A ventilated seat as in claim 4 wherein the edge of the body portion is substantially coextensive with an edge of the cushion.

6. A ventilated seat as in claim 5 wherein the extension extends toward a forward edge of the cushion to attach to the air mover.

7. A ventilated seat as in claim 6 wherein the plurality of second openings are in fluid communication with the trim surface.

8. A ventilated seat as in claim 7 wherein the air mover is a fan that is attached to a frame structure of the seat and is adapted for blowing air toward the seat occupant for a predetermined amount of time, after which the fan draws air in a direction away from the occupant.

9. A ventilated seat as in claim 8 wherein the ventilated seat component is the seat cushion component.

10. A ventilated seat as in claim 1 further comprising a heater integrated into the insert.

11. A ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle seat having a seat cushion component and a seat backrest component, at least one of which is ventilated, each ventilated component having an air-permeable trim surface at the occupant contact areas of the seat and a cushion;

an insert that is sealed about its peripheral edge, the insert being located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including an extension extending from a body portion of the insert, the extension have a first opening defined therein, wherein the insert defines an open space that provides fluid communication between the first opening and a plurality of second openings of the insert; and

an air mover attached to the extension of the insert in fluid communication with the open space of the insert wherein the air mover is attached to one or more components of the seat behind the cushion.

12. A ventilated seat as in claim 11 wherein the insert include a heater sub-layer.

13. A ventilated seat as in claim 11 wherein the extension extends through a forward and a rearward surface of the cushion of the ventilated component.

14. A ventilated seat as in claim 13 wherein the air mover is attached to a mounting structure.

15. A ventilated seat as in claim 13 wherein the air mover is a fan and the mounting structure is a plate.

16. A ventilated seat as in claim 14 wherein a plurality of fasteners are attached to the mounting structure.

17. A ventilated seat as in claim 16 wherein the one or more components behind the cushion are metal wires and the plurality of fasteners are attached to the metal wires.

18. A ventilated seat as in claim 17 wherein the metal wires are part of a lumbar guide or back support adjustment assembly.

19. A ventilated seat as in claim 18 wherein the ventilated seat component is the backrest cushion component.

20. A ventilated seat for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

an automotive vehicle seat having a seat cushion component and a seat backrest component, at least one of which is ventilated, each ventilated component having an air-permeable trim surface at the occupant contact areas of the seat and a cushion;

an insert that is sealed about its peripheral edge, the insert being located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including an extension extending from a body portion of the insert, the extension have a first opening defined therein, wherein the insert defines an open space that provides fluid communication between the first opening and a plurality of second openings of the insert; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the insert for drawing air from the insert, and being attached to at least one lumbar guide wire of the seat backrest.