FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS
First Claim
1. A climate control assembly for a seat, comprising:
- a cushion having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side facing generally in opposite directions;
at least one fluid passage extending from the first side to the second side of the cushion;
a recessed area along the first side of the cushion, the recessed area being in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and
a spacer positioned within the recessed area, the spacer being at least partially fluid permeable and being configured to substantially retain the spatial integrity of the recessed area;
wherein the recessed area occupies at least about half of a surface area of the first side of the cushion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat portion or a backrest portion of seating assembly comprises a recessed area or wide groove along its exterior surface. The recessed area can be configured to receive a spacer (e.g., spacer fabric, member, module, etc.) that helps maintains the spatial and structural integrity of the recessed area. The spacer can be generally air and fluid permeable. In addition, a scrim layer can be positioned over the spacer fabric to help direct and/or distribute air or other fluid to an exterior surface of the seating assembly. The recessed area can also be configured to receive one or more films, occupant sensory devices, comfort layers, scrims, temperature sensors, heating devices and/or the like. Thus, air or other fluid can be delivered into the recessed area of a seat or backrest portion of a seating assembly, and subsequently delivered through the spacer fabric and scrim layer towards or away from an occupant. In some embodiments, the air or fluid is conditioned (e.g., heated or cooled) prior to entering the recessed area.
222 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A climate control assembly for a seat, comprising:
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a cushion having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side facing generally in opposite directions; at least one fluid passage extending from the first side to the second side of the cushion; a recessed area along the first side of the cushion, the recessed area being in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and a spacer positioned within the recessed area, the spacer being at least partially fluid permeable and being configured to substantially retain the spatial integrity of the recessed area; wherein the recessed area occupies at least about half of a surface area of the first side of the cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A climate controlled seat assembly comprising:
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a cushion having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side facing generally in opposite directions; at least one fluid passage extending from the first side to the second side of the cushion; a recessed area along the first side of the cushion, the recessed area being in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and a spacer positioned within the recessed area, the spacer being at least partially fluid permeable and being configured to substantially retain the spatial integrity of the recessed area; wherein the recessed area comprises a depth between 5 and 15 mm.
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32. A climate controlled seat comprising:
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a cushion having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side facing generally in opposite directions; at least one fluid passage extending from the first side to the second side of the cushion; a recessed area along the first side of the cushion, the recessed area being in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and a spacer positioned within the recessed area, the spacer being at least partially fluid permeable and being configured to substantially retain the spatial integrity of the recessed area; wherein the recessed area comprises a depth and a width, the ratio of the width to depth being between 8 and 40.
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Specification