Valve layer for a seat

• US 8,235,462 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WET Automotive Systems Limited (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bajic, Goran, Lazanja, Marinko, Panic, Zoran, Zlotin, Boris, Ulan, Peter, Gerasimov, Vladimir, Proseanik, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): Carnmer, Laurie
• Application Number:
  US13/075,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20120169094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 297/180.1, 29718011-18016, 29745242-45247, 542/3
• US Class Current: 297/180.16
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/74 for ventilation, heating or cooling actuated by rocking the chair A47C3/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/744 with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5664 with unforced air circulation, i.e. not using a fan or the like

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides a ventilated seat with a valve sheet having one or more valve assemblies. The valve sheet maybe on a frame of the seat. The valve assemblies open in response to a force such as a force applied by an individual occupying the seat. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of thermally regulating a seat by occupying a seat with a valve sheet. By occupying the seat one or more valves assemblies open air moving though the open valve assemblies thermally regulates the seat.

Claims

1. A ventilated seat, comprising:

an insert located between a cushion and an air permeable seat cover, the insert comprising;

a valve sheet including at least a valve layer, wherein the valve layer includes one or more discontinuities extending through the thickness of the valve sheet to form one or more valves wherein upon application of suitable force the one or more discontinuities are configured to change shape to form an opening extending through the valve layer for allowing fluid flow therethrough and upon removal of said force the one or more discontinuities return to an original shape to close the opening, and wherein the discontinuities formed by the valve sheet comprises crosses formed on a surface of the valve sheet which extend through the thickness of the cross section of the valve sheet;

a heater layer; and

one or more spacers to provide an open space within the insert.

2. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the heater includes a plurality of wires adapted for heating upon application of a current.

3. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the heater is a positive temperature coefficient heater.

4. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the heater is a carbon fiber heater.

5. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the heater includes through-holes.

6. A ventilated seat, comprising:

an insert located between a cushion and an air permeable seat cover, the insert comprising;

a;

a valve sheet including at least a valve layer, wherein the valve layer includes one or more discontinuities extending through the thickness of the valve sheet to form one or more valves wherein upon application of suitable force the one or more discontinuities are configured to change shape to form an opening extending through the valve layer for allowing fluid flow therethrough and upon removal of said force the one or more discontinuities return to an original shape to close the opening, and wherein the discontinuities formed by the valve sheet comprises crosses formed on a surface of the valve sheet which extend through the thickness of the cross section of the valve sheet;

b;

a positive temperature coefficient heater including through-holes; and

c;

one or more spacers to provide an open space within the insert.