Modular comfort assembly diffuser bag having integral air mover support

• US 20070176471A1
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGB Automotive Limited (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: IGB Automotive Limited (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Knoll, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,862,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.140
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A ventilation diffuser bag for disposition on a vehicle occupant support includes a perforated, occupant facing side and an opposite non-perforated, support surface facing side. The non-perforated side includes an opening to allow air flow into the diffuser bag. An air mover support integral with the non-perforated side includes an endless sidewall extending from the opening for providing support for an air mover. The endless sidewall includes a retaining edge spaced from the non-perforated side for suspendably retaining the air mover within the air mover support. The non-perforated side of the diffuser bag is supportable on an occupant facing surface of a vehicle occupant support, and the air mover support extends into the occupant support.

Claims

1. A ventilation diffuser bag for disposition on a vehicle occupant support, the ventilation diffuser bag comprising:

a perforated, occupant facing side and an opposite non-perforated, support surface facing side;

said non-perforated side including an opening to allow air flow into said diffuser bag; and

an air mover support integral with said non-perforated side including an endless sidewall extending from said opening for providing support for an air mover;

said endless sidewall including a retaining edge spaced from said non-perforated side for suspendably retaining said air mover within said air mover support;

wherein said non-perforated side of said diffuser bag is supportable on an occupant facing surface of a vehicle occupant support and said air mover support extends into said occupant support.

2. The diffuser bag of claim 1, wherein said endless sidewall includes a vibration dampening suspension portion.

3. The diffuser bag of claim 1, wherein said endless sidewall includes a stepped portion.

4. The diffuser bag of claim 1, including an air mover received in said air mover support and retained in said endless sidewall by said retaining edge.

5. The diffuser bag of claim 1, including an air permeable material disposed in said diffuser bag between said perforated side and said non-perforated side.

6. The diffuser bag of claim 1, including a screen mounted in said opening, said screen being disposed within said diffuser bag.

7. The diffuser bag of claim 1, including a heating element mounted on an outer surface of said perforated side.

8. The diffuser bag of claim 1, wherein said diffuser bag comprises a plastic material.

9. The diffuser bag of claim 1, including a lumbar support disposed in said diffuser bag between said perforated side and said non-perforated side.

10. A diffuser bag as in claim 1 in combination with a vehicle occupant support.

11. A vehicle occupant support comprising:

a ventilation diffuser bag allowing for circulation of air through said bag;

said diffuser bag having a perforated, occupant facing side and an opposite non-perforated, support surface facing side;

said non-perforated side including an opening to allow air flow into said diffuser bag;

an air mover support integral with said non-perforated side including an endless sidewall extending from said opening for providing support for an air mover;

said endless sidewall including a retaining edge spaced from said non-perforated side for suspendably retaining said air mover within said air mover support; and

a seat portion having an occupant facing surface and a through hole for said air mover support of said ventilation diffuser bag; and

said non-perforated side of said diffuser bag being mounted on said occupant facing surface of said seat portion such that said air mover support is disposed in said through hole.

12. The vehicle occupant support of claim 11, including an air permeable material encapsulated within said diffuser bag.

13. The vehicle occupant support of claim 11, including a heating element mounted on said perforated, occupant facing side of said diffuser bag.

14. The vehicle occupant support of claim 11, wherein said endless sidewall includes a vibration dampening suspension portion.

15. The vehicle occupant support of claim 14, wherein said endless sidewall includes a stepped portion engagable with a stepped portion of said occupant facing surface adjacent said through hole to suspend said suspension portion of said endless sidewall within said through hole.

16. The vehicle occupant support of claim 11, wherein said diffuser bag includes a screen mounted in said opening, said screen being disposed within said diffuser bag.

17. A method of manufacturing a ventilation diffuser bag, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a perforated, occupant facing side of said diffuser bag;

providing an air mover;

molding a non-perforated, support facing side of said diffuser bag having an opening to allow air flow therethrough and including an integral air mover support, said air mover support including an endless sidewall extending from said opening for providing support for said air mover, said endless sidewall including a retaining edge spaced from said non-perforated side for suspendably retaining said air mover within said air mover support;

mounting said air mover in said air mover support such that said air mover engages said retaining edge;

disposing an air permeable material adjacent said non-perforated side;

permanently connecting edges of said perforated, occupant facing side to edges of said non-perforated, support facing side such that said air permeable material is disposed between said perforated side and said non-perforated side.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said non-perforated side is molded using a vacuum forming machine.

19. The method of claim 17, including the step of laminating a heating element to an outer surface of said perforated side.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of permanently connecting said perforated side to said non-perforated side includes die-electrically welding said perforated side to said non-perforated side.

21. The method of claim 17, including the steps of:

providing a seat portion of an occupant support, said seat portion having an occupant facing surface;

forming a through hole in said seat portion for said air mover support of said ventilation diffuser bag; and

mounting said ventilation diffuser bag to said occupant facing surface of said seat portion such that said air mover support is disposed in said through hole.