CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR A SEATING ASSEMBLY

• US 20090218855A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
• Inventors: Wolas, Scott R.
• Application Number:
  US12/393,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20090218855A1
• 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 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface

Abstract

According to some embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate control device configured for use with a seating assembly includes a fluid module having a fluid transfer device. The climate control device further comprises a fluid duct in fluid communication with the fluid module, wherein the fluid duct includes a distal end. The additional includes at least one outlet opening positioned at the distal end of the fluid duct. In some arrangements, the fluid duct is configured to be positioned at, near or through a seat bite area of the seating assembly. In other arrangements, the fluid module is configured to selectively transfer air to or from the at least one outlet opening through the fluid duct.

Claims

1. A climate control device for use with a seating assembly, said climate control device comprising:

a fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device;

a fluid duct in fluid communication with the fluid module, said fluid duct comprising a distal end; and

at least one outlet opening positioned at the distal end of the fluid duct;

wherein the fluid duct is configured to be positioned at or through a seat bite area of the seating assembly; and

wherein the fluid module is configured to selectively transfer air to or from the at least one outlet opening through the fluid duct.

2. The climate control device of claim 1, wherein the fluid module further comprises a thermoelectric device configured to selectively thermally condition air being transferred through the fluid duct.

3. The climate control device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the fluid duct generally terminates at or near the seat bite of the seat assembly.

4. The climate control device of claim 3, further comprising a fluid distribution member positioned at the distal end of the fluid duct, said fluid distribution member configured to help distribute air from the fluid duct toward an occupant seated in the seating assembly.

5. The climate control device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the fluid duct generally extends through the seat bite of the seat assembly.

6. The climate control device of claim 5, further comprising at least one fluid chamber disposed along at least one of a seat back portion or a seat bottom portion of the seating assembly;

wherein said at least one fluid chamber comprises a first surface adapted to be positioned against a front surface of the seat back portion or the seat bottom portion and a second surface generally opposite of the first surface;

wherein said at least one fluid chamber is configured to permit air to pass through said second surface toward a seated occupant; and

wherein the fluid module is configured to selectively transfer air to or from the fluid chamber, through the fluid duct.

7. The climate control device of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluid chamber is configured to be positioned along an exterior of the seat back portion or the seat bottom portion.

8. The climate control device of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluid chamber is configured to be positioned along an interior of the seat back portion or the seat bottom portion.

9. The climate control device of claim 1, wherein the climate control device is an after-market device configured to be installed on a completed seating assembly.

10. The climate control device of claim 1, further comprising a cover generally positioned along the at least one outlet opening to prevent objects from falling through said at least one outlet opening.

11. The climate control device of claim 1, further comprising a power adapter configured to be selectively inserted within a power outlet to supply electrical power to the fluid module.

12. The climate control device of claim 11, wherein the power adapter is configured to be inserted into a standard power outlet.

13. The climate control device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to regulate at least one operational aspect of the fluid module.

14. A climate control system configured to be removably installed on a seating assembly, said climate control system comprising:

a fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device and a thermoelectric device;

a fluid duct in fluid communication with the fluid module and the thermoelectric device, said fluid duct configured to be routed through a seat bite area of a seating assembly; and

at least one fluid chamber configured to be disposed along at least one of a seat back portion or a seat bottom portion of the seating assembly;

wherein the at least one fluid chamber comprises walls that define an interior space, said interior space being in fluid communication with the fluid duct;

wherein at least a portion of the walls of the fluid chamber is configured to be air-permeable;

wherein the fluid module is configured to selectively transfer air through the fluid duct and the at least one fluid chamber, through the at least a portion of the walls of the fluid chamber that is air-permeable; and

wherein the thermoelectric device is configured to selectively heat or cool air being transferred by the fluid transfer device.

15. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one fluid chamber is configured to be positioned along an exterior of the seat back portion or the seat bottom portion.

16. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one fluid chamber is configured to be positioned along an interior of the seat back portion or the seat bottom portion.

17. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one fluid chamber comprises a spacer material.

18. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the fluid module is configured to be secured along a rear side of the seat back portion or along a bottom side of the seat bottom portion.

19. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the climate control system is an after-market device configured to be installed on a completed seating assembly.

20. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the seating assembly comprises a seat.

21. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the seating assembly comprises a bed.

22. The climate control system of claim 14, further comprising a power adapter configured to be selectively inserted within a power outlet to supply electrical power to the fluid module.

23. The climate control system of claim 14, further comprising a controller configured to regulate at least one operational aspect of the fluid module.