CLIMATE COMFORT SEAT ASSEMBLY

• US 20140152058A1
• Filed: 12/03/2012
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Hoke, Paul Bryan, Maranville, Clay Wesley, Jaranson, John W., Kolich, Michael, Ferretti, Daniel, Lem, Jeroen
• Granted Patent: US 9,168,852 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/56 Heating or ventilating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5607 characterised by convection
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5614 by liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5621 by air
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5678 characterised by electrical systems

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat structure. A carrier is disposed on the seat structure and includes a matrix of fluid transfer lines. A spacer material is positioned over the carrier. A trim cover is disposed over the spacer material. A desiccant is made from a volcanic ash and is supported by the seat structure. The matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat structure;

a carrier disposed on the seat structure and including a matrix of fluid transfer lines;

a spacer material positioned over the carrier;

a trim cover disposed over the spacer material; and

a desiccant made from a volcanic ash and supported by the seat structure, wherein the matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the desiccant is disposed between the trim cover and the spacer material.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the matrix of fluid transfer lines are integrally formed in the carrier.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the matrix of fluid transfer lines are separate and distinct lines held in place by receiving channels disposed in the carrier.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an air movement system disposed in communication with the spacer material.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein a gaseous fluid is routed through the matrix of fluid transfer lines.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat structure supporting a thermoelectric device;

a carrier disposed on the seat structure and including a thermal seat manifold;

a spacer material positioned over the carrier;

a trim cover disposed over the spacer material; and

a desiccant supported by the seat structure, wherein the thermal seat manifold thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

one of a thermopile and a thermistor disposed proximate the trim cover for measuring a relative temperature of a passenger.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein a phase change material is routed through the thermal seat manifold and stored in a phase change material container.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the desiccant includes volcanic ash.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the thermal seat manifold includes a matrix of fluid transfer lines integrally formed in the carrier.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the matrix of fluid transfer lines are separate and distinct lines held in place by receiving channels disposed in the carrier.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

an air movement system disposed in communication with the spacer material.

14. A climate control system for a vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat carrier including a thermal seat manifold through which a fluid is routed;

a spacer member positioned over the seat carrier;

a trim cover disposed over the spacer member; and

a desiccant supported by the seat carrier, wherein a matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.

15. The climate control system of claim 14, further comprising:

a pump that forces fluid through the thermal seat manifold.

16. The climate control system of claim 14, further comprising:

an air movement system disposed in communication with the spacer member.

17. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the trim cover is perforated.

18. The climate control system of claim 14, further comprising:

one of a thermopile and a thermistor disposed proximate the trim cover for measuring the relative temperature of a passenger.

19. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the spacer member is constructed from a non-woven low-density material.

20. The climate control system of claim 14, wherein the desiccant includes volcanic ash.