Automotive vehicle seat insert

• US 7,971,931 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lazanja, Marinko, Axakov, Dmitri, Marlovits, Ed, Bajic, Goran
• Primary Examiner(s): McPartlin; Sarah B
• Application Number:
  US12/856,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20100301643A1
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.42, 297/452.43, 297/452.46, 297/452.47, 297/180.13, 297/180.14, 297/180.12
• US Class Current: 297/180.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5621 by air
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5635 coming from the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance

Abstract

There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a seat ventilation system of a vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:

i. a cushion;

ii. an air permeable trim surface proximal an occupant contact area;

iii. a forward layer including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface;

iv. a rearward layer, comprising a first material and including at least one opening and having an inner surface and an outer surface;

v. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the apparatus;

vi. two or more air movers disposed outside of the rearward layer of the apparatus, the air movers attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material;

wherein the air movers of the apparatus are each dimensioned to fit within a corresponding hole located in the cushion when the insert is positioned thereon and will move air through the corresponding hole in the cushion and toward an occupant.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air movers also include a controller combined into a housing of the air movers.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air movers comprise an outwardly extending annular flange wall adhered to the inner surface of the rearward layer.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a connector member, the connector member at least partially sandwiching the rearward layer with the outwardly extending annular flange wall of the air mover.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operationally connected to a thermoelectric element to provide heating or cooling.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a heater integrated in the forward layer.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the heater comprises a positive temperature coefficient material.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the heater comprises a substrate layer comprising a polymeric film.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the polymeric film includes one or more openings for allowing air to flow through the polymeric film.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the forward layer, the rearward layer, or both comprises at least one of a fleece, a mesh or a gauze material.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the forward layer and the rearward layer are sealed about a periphery forming a sealed peripheral edge.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air movers are each fan that are adapted to move air through the insert in a direction that will push the air through the air-permeable trim surface and toward the occupant.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air movers are each fan that are adapted to move air through the insert in a direction that will pull air through the air-permeable trim surface and away from the occupant.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the integrated heater comprises at least one of a metal wire or a carbon wire.

15. An apparatus for use in a seat ventilation system of a vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:

i. a cushion;

ii. an air permeable trim surface proximal an occupant contact area;

iii. a forward layer including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface;

iv. a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least one opening;

v. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the apparatus;

vi. an air mover disposed outside of the apparatus attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material;

vii. a heater coupled to the apparatus to transfer heat to air moved by the air mover; and

wherein the air mover of the apparatus is dimensioned to fit within a corresponding hole located in one of the seat cushion or the seat back cushion when positioned thereon, and the apparatus is designed to be located beneath the air-permeable trim surface.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the outwardly extending annular flange wall of the air mover is connected to the rearward layer.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus further includes a connector member, the connector member at least partially sandwiches the rearward layer with the outwardly extending annular flange wall of the air mover.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the apparatus is operationally connected to the heater and the heater comprises a thermoelectric element to transfer heat to and from the air being moved via the air mover.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the heater comprises a heater layer located within the apparatus, the heater layer comprising a positive temperature coefficient material.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the heater layer comprises a substrate layer comprised of a polymeric film.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the polymeric film includes at least one opening for allowing air to flow there through.

22. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein at least one of the forward layer and the rearward layer comprise at least one of a fleece, a mesh or a gauze material.

23. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the periphery of the insert has a sealed peripheral edge.

24. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the air mover comprises a fan adapted to push air through the air-permeable trim surface.

25. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the air mover comprises a fan adapted to pull air through the air-permeable trim surface.

26. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the heater layer comprises a metal wire.

27. An apparatus for use in a seat ventilation system of a vehicle seat having a cushion and an air-permeable trim surface proximal an occupant contact area, the apparatus comprising:

i. a cushion;

ii. an air permeable trim surface proximal an occupant contact area;

iii. a forward layer including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface;

iv. a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least one opening and having an inner surface and an outer surface;

v. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the apparatus;

vi. an air mover disposed outside of the rearward layer of the apparatus, the air mover attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material;

wherein the air mover of the apparatus is dimensioned to fit within a corresponding hole located in the cushion when the insert is positioned thereon and will move air through the corresponding hole in the cushion and toward or away from an occupant.