Air conditioning system for a seat

• US 7,618,089 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ulbrich, Thomas, Harnisch, Jens, Stoewe, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US11/405,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20060249995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 297/180.13, 297/180.14, 297/452.46, 297/452.47, 454/120
• US Class Current: 297/180.13
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/74 for ventilation, heating or cooling actuated by rocking the chair A47C3/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5621 by air
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5816 attachments thereof

Abstract

An air-conditioning system for a seat includes a cushion having a cover and two air-conditioned zones proximate a surface facing a seat occupant, and an elongated depression between the zones, the depression having a floor which is recessed with respect to the zones and into which the cover is at least partially drawn into in the direction of the depression floor, the air-conditioned zones being at least partially distanced from the depression. The zones and the depression are connected by a plurality of air-permeable channels, the channels being located between the air-conditioned zones essentially on or above the depression floor. The depression, in the transverse direction, is at least partially air-permeable, despite the cover.

Claims

1. An air-conditioning system for a seat including at least two air-conditioned zones on a seat cushion or a seat back with an air-permeable seat cover, comprising:

a blower creating an air flow in communication with the at least two air-conditioned zones;

a cushion core including;

at least one elongated depression separating the core into the at least two air-conditioned zones,

at least one channel running traverse to the at least one elongated depression;

a distribution layer disposed above and in communication with the blower and above the cushion core in the at least two air-conditioned zones; and

a profile strip disposed along an edge of the at least one elongated depression and spanning at least a portion of the at least one channel;

wherein the at least two air-conditioned zones are separated by the at least one elongated depression and the profile strip;

further wherein the air-permeable seat cover includes an air-permeable cover stitching furrow anchored to the bottom of the at least one elongated depression and the air flow communicates between the at least two air-conditioned zones via the at least one channel and at least one elongated depression through the air-permeable cover stitching furrow.

2. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip is fastened to a cushion insert, the cushion insert comprising at least the profile strip and the distribution layer.

3. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel is 1.0 to 3.0 cm wide and 3.0 to 8.0 cm long.

4. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 1, wherein the blower is disposed under only one of the air-conditioned zones.

5. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 1, wherein the profile strip is comprised of sectional foam.

6. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 1, wherein the an air-permeable cover stitching furrow comprises the air-permeable seat cover, and air-permeable underlayment, and an anchor lug.

7. An air-conditioning system for a seat including at least two air-conditioned zones on a seat cushion or a seat back with an air-permeable seat cover, comprising:

a blower creating an air flow in communication with the at least two air-conditioned zones;

a cushion core including;

at least one elongated depression separating the core into the at least two air-conditioned zones;

at least one channel running traverse to the at least one elongated depression;

a distribution layer disposed above and in communication with the blower and above the cushion core in the at least two air-conditioned zones;

a profile strip disposed along an edge of the at least one elongated depression and spanning at least a portion of the at least one channel;

a textile support layer disposed above in communication with the distribution layer and above the profile strip;

an air-permeable underlayment disposed above the textile support layer and below the air-permeable seat cover, in communication with both;

wherein the at least two air-conditioned zones are separated by the at least one elongated depression and the profile strip;

further wherein the air-permeable seat cover includes an air-permeable cover stitching furrow anchored to the bottom of the at least one elongated depression and the air flow communicates between the at least two air-conditioned zones via the at least one channel and at least one elongated depression and through the air-permeable cover stitching furrow.

8. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 7, wherein the profile strip is fastened to a cushion insert, the cushion insert comprising the textile support layer and the distribution layer.

9. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 7, wherein the at least one channel is 1.0 to 3.0 cm wide and 3.0 to 8.0 cm long.

10. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 7, wherein the blower is disposed under only one of the air-conditioned zones.

11. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 7, wherein the profile strip is comprised of sectional foam.

12. The air-conditioning system for a seat according to claim 7, wherein the an air-permeable cover stitching furrow comprises the air-permeable seat cover, the air-permeable underlayment, and an anchor lug.