AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE SEAT INSERT

• US 20100301643A1
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bajic, Goran, Lazanja, Marinko, Axakov, Dmitri, Marlovits, Ed
• Granted Patent: US 7,971,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5621 by air
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance

Abstract

There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.

Claims

1. An insert for use in a seat ventilation system of a vehicle seat that includes a cushion and the vehicle seat having an air-permeable trim surface proximal an occupant contact area, the insert comprising:

i. a forward layer including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface;

ii. a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least one opening and having an inner surface and an outer surface;

iii. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the insert;

iv. an air mover disposed outside of the rearward layer of the insert, the air mover attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material;

wherein the air mover of the insert is designed to be received in a hole located in the cushion when the insert is assembled in the seat and the insert is to be located beneath the air-permeable trim surface to move air through the insert and toward an occupant.

57. The insert according to claim 1, wherein the air mover also includes a controller combined into a housing of the air mover.

58. The insert according to claim 1, wherein the air mover comprises an outwardly extending annular flange wall adhered to the inner surface of the rearward layer.

59. The insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises a connector member, the connector member at least partially sandwiching the rearward layer with the outwardly extending annular flange wall of the air mover.

60. The insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert is operationally connected to a thermoelectric element to provide heating or cooling.

61. The insert according to claim 1 further comprising a heater integrated in the forward layer.

62. The insert according to claim 61 wherein the heater comprises a positive temperature coefficient material.

63. The insert according to claim 62 wherein the heater comprises a substrate layer comprising a polymeric film.

64. The insert according to claim 63 wherein the polymeric film includes one or more openings for allowing air to flow through the polymeric film.

65. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the forward layer, the rearward layer, or both comprises at least one of a fleece, a mesh or a gauze material.

66. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the forward layer and the rearward layer are sealed about a periphery forming a sealed peripheral edge.

67. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to move air through the insert in a direction that will push the air through the air-permeable trim surface and toward the occupant.

68. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to move air through the insert in a direction that will pull air through the air-permeable trim surface and away from the occupant.

69. The insert according to claim 1 wherein the integrated heater comprises at least one of a metal wire or a carbon wire.

21-56. -56. (canceled)

70. An insert for use in a seat ventilation system of a vehicle seat that includes a seat cushion and a seat back cushion, and the vehicle seat having an air-permeable trim surface proximal an occupant contact area, the insert comprising:

i. a forward layer including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface;

ii. a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least one opening;

iii. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the insert;

iv. an air mover disposed outside of the insert, attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material;

v. a heater coupled to the insert to transfer heat to air moved by the air mover; and

wherein the air mover of the insert is designed to be received in a hole located in one of the seat cushion or the seat back cushion upon assembly of the insert to the seat, and the insert is designed to be located beneath the air-permeable trim surface.

71. The insert according to claim 70, wherein the outwardly extending annular flange wall of the air mover is connected to the rearward layer.

72. The insert according to claim 70, wherein the insert further includes a connector member, the connector member at least partially sandwiches the rearward layer with the outwardly extending annular flange wall of the air mover.

73. The insert according to claim 70 wherein the insert is operationally connected to the heater and the heater comprises a thermoelectric element to transfer heat to and from the air being moved via the air mover.

74. The insert according to claim 70 wherein the heater comprises a heater layer located within the insert, the heater layer comprising a positive temperature coefficient material.

75. The insert according to claim 74 wherein the heater layer comprises a substrate layer comprised of a polymeric film.

76. The insert according to claim 75 wherein the polymeric film includes at least one opening for allowing air to flow there through.

77. The insert according to claim 70 wherein at least one of the forward layer and the rearward layer comprise at least one of a fleece, a mesh or a gauze material.

78. The insert according to claim 70 wherein the periphery of the insert has a sealed peripheral edge.

79. The insert according to claim 70 wherein the air mover comprises a fan adapted to push air through the air-permeable trim surface.

80. The insert according to claim 70 wherein the air mover comprises a fan adapted to pull air through the air-permeable trim surface.

81. The insert according to claim 70 wherein the heater layer comprises a metal wire.