Automotive vehicle seat having a comfort system

• US 7,578,552 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Onica, Madalina, Truant, Scott, Brennan, Lindy, Bajic, Goran
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr.; Milton
• Application Number:
  US11/931,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20080217967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 297/180.14, 297/180.12, 297/452.46, 297/452.47, 297/284.4
• US Class Current: 297/184.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment

Abstract

There is disclosed a comfort system suitable for use in a seat of an automotive vehicle. The system preferably includes an air mover in fluid communication with an open space below a trim layer of the seat for providing ventilation, heating and/or cooling to the seat occupant.

Claims

1. A seat for a vehicle, comprising:

a) a polymeric foam cushion;

b) at least one through-hole passage that extends through the cushion;

c) an air-permeable trim surface disposed over the cushion in an area where an occupant contacts the seat;

d) a peripheral edge-sealed insert for providing an open space beneath the air-impermeable trim surface;

e) a layer of the insert having a plurality of openings therein;

f) an air mover in fluid communication with the open space of the insert through the through-hole passage for directing air to or through the openings of the insert layer;

g) a tubular structure that extends through the through-hole passage and attaches to the air mover, wherein the tubular structure is generally flexible and attaches to the air mover by a flange structure in mating engagement with a ring; and

f) a heater comprising a thermoelectric unit integrated with the air mover or a flexible electrical heater layer;

wherein the layer with openings includes a film or a textile, wherein the air mover is attached to a mounting structure for attaching the air mover to a lumbar support adjustment assembly, and wherein the cushion includes a plurality of sub-passageways having an air-impermeable barrier thereon.

2. A ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle seat having a ventilated component selected from a seat component and a backrest component, at least one of which provides a seat cushion and an air permeable trim surface;

a spacer layer located beneath the trim surface of the ventilated component, the spacer layer including;

a first spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough; and

an impermeable barrier layer being generally located between the first spacer material and the trim surface, the impermeable barrier layer having holes for enabling fluid flow through the trim surface; and

an air mover assembly including;

a blower adapted for moving air through the spacer layer, the blower being fixedly secured to a lumbar support,

wherein the air mover assembly substantially adjoins the spacer layer, and

wherein the seat cushion includes an opening extending therethrough for at least assisting in providing fluid communication between the blower and the spacer layer.

3. The ventilated seat of claim 2, wherein the impermeable barrier layer is attached to the first spacer material.

4. The ventilated seat of claim 3, wherein the air mover assembly further includes a thermoelectric unit, a PTC heater, or both, in communication with the blower for moving air through the spacer layer.

5. The ventilated seat of claim 4, wherein the spacer layer further includes a second spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough, the second spacer material being generally located between the impermeable barrier layer and the trim surface.

6. The ventilated seat of claim 5, further comprising a tubular member that is in communication with the blower, wherein the tubular member has a first portion having an arcuate profile and a second portion substantially parallel with a side edge of the seat cushion.

7. The ventilated seat of claim 6, wherein the second portion of the tubular member is at least partially disposed within the opening of the seat cushion.

8. The ventilated seat of claim 7, wherein the blower is at least partially disposed within the seat cushion.