Modular comfort assembly for occupant support

• US 7,168,758 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGB Automotive Limited (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: IGB Automotive Limited (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Brady, Benson J., Bevan, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'Adamo; Stephen
• Application Number:
  US10/816,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20040245811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 297/180.1, 297/180.11, 297/180.12, 297/180.13, 297/180.14, 297/180.15
• US Class Current: 297/180.13
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/425 Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/467 adjustable by fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/74 for ventilation, heating or cooling actuated by rocking the chair A47C3/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/748 for heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5628 coming from the vehicle ventilation system, e.g. air-conditioning system
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/666 vertically adjustable

Abstract

A modular comfort assembly adapted for installation within an occupant support includes a ventilation diffuser bag allowing for circulation of air through the bag. The diffuser bag includes a side surface having perforations therein and an opposite non-perforated side. The modular comfort assembly further includes a heating element and a lumbar support system. The heating element is adapted for placement on the surface of the diffuser bag having the perforations therein. The lumbar support system is adapted for placement on the non-perforated side of the diffuser bag.

Claims

1. A modular comfort assembly adapted for installation within an occupant support, the comfort assembly comprising:

a ventilation diffuser bag allowing for circulation of air through said bag;

said diffuser bag including an air permeable side surface having perforations randomly disposed over the totality of said air permeable side and an opposite air impermeable, non-perforated side, said diffuser bag non-perforated side being supported on an occupant facing surface of the occupant support; and

a heating element adapted for placement on said air permeable side surface of said diffuser bag.

2. The modular comfort assembly of any one of claim 1, wherein said heating element further comprises a permeable surface to allow for communication of ventilation air through the heating element and heating of said heating element is independent of air movement.

3. The modular comfort assembly of any one of claim 2, wherein the air circulated through said diffuser bag is not conditioned.

4. The modular comfort assembly of any one of claim 1, wherein said diffuser bag comprises an air permeable fabric encapsulated within said diffuser bag.

5. The modular comfort assembly of claim 1, wherein said diffuser bag comprises an air inlet.

6. The modular comfort assembly of claim 5, further comprising an air mover connected to said diffuser bag air inlet.

7. The modular comfort assembly of any one of claim 1, further comprising one of a pressure sensitive adhesive and a hook and loop fastener for mounting the assembly to a surface of a foam bun of the occupant support.

8. The modular comfort assembly of any one of claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a single control module for operation of the assembly.

9. The modular comfort assembly of any one of claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a separate controller for each component of the assembly.

10. The modular comfort assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second heating element electrically connected to said heating element and spacedly disposed from said heating element.

11. The modular comfort assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second ventilation diffuser bag including an air permeable surface having perforations randomly disposed over the totality of said air permeable side and an opposite air impermeable, non-perforated side, said second diffuser bag being spacedly disposed from said diffuser bag.

12. The modular comfort assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lumbar support system adapted for placement on said air impermeable, non-perforated side of said diffuser bag.

13. The modular comfort assembly of claim 1, wherein said lumbar support system includes internal baffles.

14. The modular comfort assembly of claim 1, further including an air pump connected to an air inlet of said lumbar support system to allow for inflation and deflation of said lumbar support system.