Air conditioning system for a seat

• US 20060249995A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stoewe, Stefan, Ulbrich, Thomas, Harnisch, Jens
• Granted Patent: US 7,618,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.140
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/74 for ventilation, heating or cooling actuated by rocking the chair A47C3/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5621 by air
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5816 attachments thereof

Abstract

An air-conditioning system for a seat includes a cushion having a cover and two air-conditioned zones proximate a surface facing a seat occupant, and an elongated depression between the zones, the depression having a floor which is recessed with respect to the zones and into which the cover is at least partially drawn into in the direction of the depression floor, the air-conditioned zones being at least partially distanced from the depression. The zones and the depression are connected by a plurality of air-permeable channels, the channels being located between the air-conditioned zones essentially on or above the depression floor. The depression, in the transverse direction, is at least partially air-permeable, despite the cover.

Claims

1. An air-conditioning system for a seat comprising at least one cushion having at least one cover and two air-conditioned zones proximate a surface facing a seat occupant, and an elongated depression between the zones, the depression having a floor which is recessed with respect to the zones and into which the at least one cover is at least partially drawn into in the direction of the depression floor, wherein the zones and the depression are connected by at least one air-permeable connection mechanism, and wherein the depression, in the transverse direction, is at least partially air-permeable.

2. An air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection mechanism is located between the air-conditioned zones essentially on or above the floor of the depression.

3. An air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the air-conditioned zones are at least partially distanced from the depression.

4. An air-conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the air-conditioned zones are at least partially distanced from the depression.

5. An air-conditioning system according to claim 1, comprising a cushion material located in a space between the depression and each of the air-conditioned zones.

6. An air-conditioning system according to claim 2, comprising a cushion material located in a space between the depression and each of the air-conditioned zones.

7. An air-conditioning system according to claim 3, comprising a cushion material located in a space between the depression and each of the air-conditioned zones.

8. An air-conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein said seat cushion comprises said cushion material located between the depression and each of the air-conditioned zones.

9. An air-conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein said cushion material is in the shape of a bead or has a square profile.

10. An air-conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein said cushion material is in the shape of a bead or has a square profile.

11. An air-conditioning system according to claim 1, comprising a fan or blower under only one of the air-conditioned zones, the fan or blower being in fluid communication with the other of the air-conditioned zones by the at least one air-permeable connection mechanism.

12. An air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein a part of said cover drawn into said depression includes at least one mechanism for drawing it down.

13. An air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein said at least one mechanism is an anchor lug.

14. An air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the part of the cover drawn into said depression is at least partially air-permeable.

15. An air-conditioning system according to claim 14, wherein the part of the cover drawn into said depression is porous, reticulated, perforated, punched or slit.

16. An air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the mechanism for drawing down the cover is at least partially air-permeable.

17. An air-conditioning system for a seat comprising:

a cushion having a cover and two air-conditioned zones proximate a surface facing a seat occupant; and

an elongated depression between the zones, the depression having a floor which is recessed with respect to the zones and into which the cover is at least partially drawn into in the direction of the depression floor, the air-conditioned zones being at least partially distanced from the depression,

wherein the zones and the depression are connected by a plurality of air-permeable channels, the channels being located between the air-conditioned zones essentially on or above the depression floor, and

wherein the depression, in the transverse direction, is at least partially air-permeable.

18. An air-conditioning system according to claim 17, comprising a cushion material located in a space between the depression and each of the air-conditioned zones.

19. An air-conditioning system according to claim 18, wherein said cushion material is in the shape of a bead or has a square profile.

20. An air-conditioning system according to claim 17, comprising a fan or blower under only one of the air-conditioned zones.