Automotive vehicle seat insert

• US 8,162,391 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2011
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• 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, Bajic, Goran, Marlovits, Ed, Axakov, Dmitri
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US13/172,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20110266842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 300 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 on top of a cushion, the top of the cushion disposed under a trim cover, having an air-permeable trim surface, of a ventilated seating system, and including two or more through-holes, the apparatus comprising:

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

a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least two openings and having an inner surface and an outer surface;

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

two or more air movers disposed outside of the rearward layer of the apparatus, each air mover attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at one of the at least two openings with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material and the air-permeable trim cover;

wherein each of the air mover of the apparatus is dimensioned to fit within a cavity created by the two or more through-holes and disposed therein.

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 outwardly extending annular flange wall of each of said air movers is 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 one of the two or air movers.

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 6 wherein the heater comprises at least one of a metal wire or a carbon wire.

11. 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.

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

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

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