Automotive vehicle seating insert

• US 7,637,573 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Liss, Anne Patrice, White, Brennon Lewis, Drobnjakovic, Valerija, Bajic, Goran, Lazanja, Marinko, Fernandez, Lucas, Brennan, Lindy
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US11/623,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20070120399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.42, 297/452.43, 297/452.44, 297/452.45
• 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, comprising:

a seat cushion;

a seat cover disposed over the seat cushion;

wherein the seat cushion is formed of a foam and the seat cover allows air to flow therethrough;

an insert located beneath the seat cover;

the insert including;

a forward layer;

a rearward layer;

a middle layer therebetween, the middle layer including an interwoven polymeric strand spacer material with opposing honeycomb structures forming an open space within the insert; and

an air impermeable peripheral edge;

wherein both the forward layer and the rearward layer including a barrier sub-layer that is substantially impermeable to air, further wherein the barrier sub-layer of the forward layer is adhered to the barrier sub-layer of the rearward layer for creating the air impermeable peripheral edge and an air tight seal about the middle layer, and the insert includes at least one first opening in the rearward layer, the at least one first opening including an attachment component adapted to receive a blower housing, and a plurality of second openings in the forward layer; and

an air mover in fluid communication with the first opening, the second openings and the open space.

2. The system of claim 1, the forward layer further comprising an outer protective layer, the outer protective layer including a closed pore foam.

3. The system of claim 1, further wherein the forward layer includes an electrically resistive element heater sub-layer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a combined area of each of the plurality of second openings in the first layer is within 10 cm² of a combined area of the at least one first opening.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a combined area of each of the plurality of openings in the first layer is within 5 cm² of a combined area of the at least one first opening.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thermoelectric heater for assisting the system in providing heat.