METHOD FOR VENTILATING A SEAT
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a ventilated seat having an insert with a seat portion, and having a flow control layer with first and second ports, a spacer having an inlay and a main portion, and a first fluid barrier where the inlay is substantially isolated from the main portion by a fluid-tight boundary. The present invention also relates to a ventilated seat having an insert with a seat portion and having a first flow control layer with at least one port, a first and a second spacer, and a fluid barrier comprising at least one port. The present invention also relates to a ventilated seat with an insert having a seat portion and having a flow control layer with a port and a plurality of flow holes in the seat portion, a spacer, a fluid barrier and at least one conduit with a plurality of flow holes located adjacent to the seat portion of the flow control layer. The seat also may include a fan in fluid communication with the spacer and a fluid conditioning device. The present invention also relates to methods of ventilating a seat. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device (TED) and conditioning air with the TED to provide heating or cooling and communicating that conditioned air through an insert with either pushing or pulling the condition air through the insert.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1-57. -57. (canceled)
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58. A method of cooling or heating a cushion with a ventilation system, comprising the steps of:
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placing a edge sealed insert over the cushion and below a surface of an air-permeable cushion cover, wherein the edge sealed insert including holes defined for fluid flow; bonding the edge sealed insert with an adhesive to the cushion; automatically operating the ventilation system upon detection of the presence of a user by an occupant detection sensor; drawing ambient air through an annular inlet into a fan; directing the drawn air past a TED and into the insert; automatically regulating both the amount of power directed to the TED and the operating speed of the fan through a control system; and providing cooling or heating at a rate that ranges from greater than about 5°
C./min. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62)
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Specification