Motor vehicle seat with ventilation device

• US 6,277,023 B1
• Filed: 09/28/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Schwarz, Tobias
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, Harold
• Application Number:
  US09/406,786
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 454/120, 454/90, 297/180.14, 297/452.42, 297/452.46, 297/452.47
• US Class Current: 454/120
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment

Abstract

A motor vehicle seat with a ventilation device having an exhaust channel, the entrance of which connects to an air-permeable contact surface. A porous air-permeable mat is provided adjacent to the contact surface, and an exhaust fan is provided in the exhaust air channel. An intake channel terminates at the mat and has an intake opening. A total air current drawn in by the intake fan and exiting the exhaust channel includes an air current drawn in through the intake opening and an air current drawn in through the contact surface.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle seat with a ventilating device, comprising:

an air permeable contact surface of said seat;

a porous and air permeable mat arranged adjacent to said contact surface;

an intake channel within said seat having a free intake opening at one terminus and an output terminus connected to said mat;

an exhaust channel having an entrance connected with said mat and an output terminus; and

a fan disposed within said exhaust channel generates a flow of air through said exhaust channel, wherein

the total quantity of air that is drawn through said exhaust channel by said fan comprises;

(i) a first air current drawn through said free intake opening and conveyed through said intake channel and said mat to said exhaust channel entrance, and

(ii) a second air current drawn through said contact surface and conveyed through said mat to said exhaust channel entrance.

2. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein:

said fan is adjacent to said entrance of said exhaust channel.

3. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein said exhaust channel is adjacent an upper end of said mat.

4. The motor vehicle seat of claim 3, wherein said intake channel is adjacent a lower end of said mat below said exhaust channel.

5. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein said exhaust channel is directed toward the rear of a backrest of said seat.

6. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising:

an exhaust channel cover attached to a backrest of said seat on a side opposite to that of said contact surface, wherein

said cover directs the flow of air discharged from said exhaust channel away from an occupant seated behind said seat.

7. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein an egress area of said exhaust channel is adjustable.

8. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein said intake channel is above the lumbar spinal region of a seat user.

9. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein said intake opening is below said intake channel in the rear of a backrest of said seat.

10. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein said intake opening is on the underside of an intake channel directed obliquely through a seat portion of said seat.

11. The motor vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein said intake channel is in a front area of said seat portion.

12. The motor vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein a plurality of air connection channels, directed obliquely through said seat portion, channel air to a shared intake chamber.

13. The motor vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein a sliding device is provided at said exhaust channel for altering the surface area of the exit of said exhaust channel.

14. The motor vehicle seat of claim 13, wherein said sliding device includes adjustable slats for directing air flow.