Automotive vehicle seat insert

• US 7,052,091 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WET Automotive Systems Limited (Gentherm Incorporated), Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Bajic, Goran, Lazanja, Marinko, Fernandez, Lucas, Liss, Anne Patrice, White, Brennon Lewis, Drobnjakovic, Valerija, Brennan, Lindy
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US11/043,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20050127723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 297/180.14, 297/180.12, 297/180.13, 297/180.11, 297/452.43
• US Class Current: 297/452.43
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/56 Heating or ventilating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5642 with circulation of air through a layer inside the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/48 Upholstered article making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method

Abstract

There is disclosed an insert suitable for placement within a seat of an automotive vehicle. The insert preferably includes multiple layers, one of which includes a heater for providing an occupant of the seat with warmth. The insert also preferably includes a blower or air pump for providing ventilation and/or cooling to the seat occupant.

Claims

1. A comfort system for a seat of a transportation vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material for providing an open space within the insert;

ii. the insert includes a first barrier layer with a plurality of first openings and a second barrier layer with a second opening, the first openings and second opening in fluid communication with the open space and the spacer material located between the first and second barrier layer;

iii. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert with an adhesive, a melt seal or both that seals the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer forming a peripheral strip about the insert; and

iv. the insert includes a heater layer overlaying the layer of spacer material; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. a tubular structure extends to the air mover for assisting in providing the fluid communication between the air mover and the open space;

wherein the heater layer is formed of carbon fibers overlaying the layer of spacer material.

2. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the insert is located beneath a seat cover.

3. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the air mover is located beneath a cushion of the seat.

4. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the air mover is configured to push air into the insert through the second opening.

5. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the tubular structure is of substantially smaller width than the insert and wherein the tubular structure is configured to extend behind a cushion of the seat to the air mover.

6. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the insert is separate from, but attached to a cushion of the seat.

7. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein at least one through-hole extends through a central portion of the insert without being in fluid communication with the open space or the second opening.

8. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the spacer material is secured to the first barrier layer, the second barrier layer or both with an adhesive.

9. A comfort system as in claim 1 further comprising at least one control unit in communication with the air mover wherein the control unit is programmed with instructions for commanding the air mover to change output levels if a temperature sensor senses a temperature above or below one or more threshold levels.

10. A comfort system as in claim 1 further comprising an air permeable layer of spacer material between the insert and an occupant location of the seat for assisting in distributing air under an occupant of the seat and wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 0.2 cm and about 3.0 cm.

11. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 1.0 cm and about 2.0 cm.

12. A comfort system as in claim 1 wherein the spacer material is formed of fabric panels, which are interconnected by polymeric strand material.

13. A comfort system for a seat of a transportation vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material for providing an open space within the insert;

ii. the insert includes a first barrier layer with a plurality of first openings and a second barrier layer with a second opening, the first openings and second opening in fluid communication with the open space and the spacer material located between the first and second barrier layer;

iii. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert with an adhesive, a melt seal or both that seals the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer forming a peripheral strip about the insert; and

iv. the insert includes a heater layer overlaying the layer of spacer material; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. a tubular structure extends to the air mover for assisting in providing the fluid communication between the air mover and the open space;

wherein at least one through-hole extends through a central portion of the insert without being in fluid communication with the open space or the second opening.

14. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the insert is located beneath a seat cover.

15. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the air mover is located beneath a cushion of the seat.

16. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the air mover is configured to push air into the insert through the second opening.

17. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the tubular structure is of substantially smaller width than the insert and wherein the tubular structure is configured to extend behind a cushion of the seat to the air mover.

18. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the insert is separate from, but attached to a cushion of the seat.

19. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the spacer material is secured to the first barrier layer, the second barrier layer or both with an adhesive.

20. A comfort system as in claim 13 further comprising at least one control unit in communication with the air mover wherein the control unit is programmed with instructions for commanding the air mover to change output levels if a temperature sensor senses a temperature above or below one or more threshold levels.

21. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 0.2 cm and about 3.0 cm.

22. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 1.0 cm and about 2.0 cm.

23. A comfort system as in claim 13 wherein the spacer material is formed of fabric panels, which are interconnected by polymeric strand material.

24. A comfort system for a seat of a transportation vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material for providing an open space within the insert;

ii. the insert includes a first barrier layer with a plurality of first openings and a second barrier layer with a second opening, the first openings and second opening in fluid communication with the open space and the spacer material located between the first and second barrier layer;

iii. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert with an adhesive, a melt seal or both that seals the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer forming a peripheral strip about the insert; and

iv. the insert includes a heater layer overlaying the layer of spacer material; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. a tubular structure extends to the air mover for assisting in providing the fluid communication between the air mover and the open space;

wherein the spacer material is secured to the first barrier layer, the second barrier layer or both with an adhesive.

25. A comfort system as in claim 24 wherein the insert is located beneath a seat cover.

26. A comfort system as in claim 24 wherein the air mover is located beneath a cushion of the seat.

27. A comfort system as in claim 24 wherein the air mover is configured to push air into the insert through the second opening.

28. A comfort system as in claim 24 wherein the tubular structure is of substantially smaller width than the insert and wherein the tubular structure is configured to extend behind a cushion of the seat to the air mover.

29. A comfort system as in claim 24 wherein the insert is separate from, but attached to a cushion of the seat.

30. A comfort system as in claim 24 further comprising at least one control unit in communication with the air mover wherein the control unit is programmed with instructions for commanding the air mover to change output levels if a temperature sensor senses a temperature above or below one or more threshold levels.

31. A comfort system as in claim 24 further comprising an air permeable layer of spacer material between the insert and an occupant location of the seat for assisting in distributing air under an occupant of the seat and wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 0.2 cm and about 3.0 cm.

32. A comfort system as in claim 24 wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 1.0 cm and about 2.0 cm.

33. A comfort system as in claim 24 wherein the spacer material is formed of fabric panels, which are interconnected by polymeric strand material.

34. A comfort system for a seat of a transportation vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material for providing an open space within the insert;

ii. the insert includes a first barrier layer with a plurality of first openings and a second barrier layer with a second opening, the first openings and second opening in fluid communication with the open space and the spacer material located between the first and second barrier layer;

iii. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert with an adhesive, a melt seal or both that seals the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer forming a peripheral strip about the insert; and

iv. the insert includes a heater layer overlaying the layer of spacer material; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. a tubular structure extends to the air mover for assisting in providing the fluid communication between the air mover and the open space;

wherein the spacer material is formed of fabric panels, which are interconnected by polymeric strand material.

35. A comfort system as in claim 34 wherein the insert is located beneath a seat cover.

36. A comfort system as in claim 34 wherein the air mover is located beneath a cushion of the seat.

37. A comfort system as in claim 34 wherein the air mover is configured to push air into the insert through the second opening.

38. A comfort system as in claim 34 wherein the tubular structure is of substantially smaller width than the insert and wherein the tubular structure is configured to extend behind a cushion of the seat to the air mover.

39. A comfort system as in claim 34 wherein the insert is separate from, but attached to a cushion of the seat.

40. A comfort system as in claim 34 further comprising at least one control unit in communication with the air mover wherein the control unit is programmed with instructions for commanding the air mover to change output levels if a temperature sensor senses a temperature above or below one or more threshold levels.

41. A comfort system as in claim 34 further comprising an air permeable layer of spacer material between the insert and an occupant location of the seat for assisting in distributing air under an occupant of the seat and wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 0.2 cm and about 3.0 cm.

42. A comfort system as in claim 34 wherein the peripheral strip has a width of between about 1.0 cm and about 2.0 cm.

43. A comfort system for a seat of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

an insert adapted for use with a vehicle seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material formed of a spacer fabric for providing an open space within the insert;

ii the insert includes a first barrier layer with a plurality of first openings and a second barrier layer with a second opening, the first openings and second opening in fluid communication with the open space and the spacer material located between the first and second barrier layer;

iii. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert with an adhesive, a melt seal or both that seals the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer forming a peripheral strip about the insert that extends outwardly from the insert; and

iv. the insert includes a heater layer overlaying the layer of spacer material, the heater layer including resistive wires laminated to a fabric; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the plurality of first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. a tubular structure extends to the air mover for assisting in providing the fluid communication between the air mover and the open space; and

ii. the air mover is configured to push air into the insert through the second opening;

wherein the spacer material is secured to the first barrier layer, the second barrier layer or both with an adhesive.

44. A comfort system as in claim 43 wherein the heater layer is formed of carbon fibers overlaying the layer of spacer material.

45. A comfort system as in claim 43 wherein the insert is separate from, but secured to a cushion of the seat with an adhesive.

46. A comfort system as in claim 43 wherein the spacer material is formed of fabric panels, which are interconnected by polymeric strand material.

47. A comfort system for a seat of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a cushion of the seat of the automotive vehicle;

an insert overlaying the cushion of the seat, wherein;

i. the insert includes a layer of spacer material formed of a spacer fabric structure for providing an open space within the insert, the spacer fabric structure including opposing honeycomb panels interconnected with polymeric strand material;

ii. the insert includes a first forward plastic barrier layer with a plurality of first openings and a second rearward plastic barrier layer with a second opening, the first openings and second opening in fluid communication with the open space and the spacer material located between the first and second barrier layer;

iii. the insert is sealed about a peripheral edge of the insert with an adhesive, a melt seal or both that seals the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer forming a peripheral strip about the insert, the peripheral strip extending outwardly from the insert;

iv. the insert includes a heater layer overlaying the layer of spacer material, the heater layer including carbon fibers secured to a fabric with an adhesive;

v. the heater layer is laminated to the first or second barrier layer with an adhesive; and

vi. the insert is secured to the cushion with an adhesive;

an air mover in fluid communication with the plurality of first openings, the second opening and the open space for moving air therethrough, wherein;

i. a tubular structure extends to the air mover for assisting in providing the fluid communication between the air mover and the open space;

ii. the air mover is configured to push air into the insert through the second opening;

iii. the air mover is secured to a frame of the seat of the vehicle;

an air permeable layer of spacer material between the insert and an occupant location of the seat for assisting in distributing air under an occupant of the seat.

48. A comfort system as in claim 47 wherein the spacer material is secured to the first barrier layer, the second barrier layer or both with an adhesive.