Automotive vehicle seat insert

• US 7,478,869 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bajic, Goran, Lazanja, Marinko, Axakov, Dmitri, Marlovits, Ed
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US11/464,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20070188007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 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. A seating system, comprising:

a seat having a seat cushion and a seat backrest cushion, at least one of which is part of a ventilated component, each ventilated component having an air-permeable trim surface at an occupant contact area of the seat;

an insert located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including the following;

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

ii. a rearward layer including at least one opening;

iii. a spacer material intermediate of the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the insert; and

iv. an air mover disposed on an outside of the insert, attached to an outer surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening, and in fluid communication with the spacer material;

wherein the ventilated component includes a through-hole that receives the air mover upon assembly of the insert to the ventilated component.

2. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the forward layer, the rearward layer or both are insert molded about the spacer material.

3. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the forward layer includes a heater.

4. The seating system as in claim 3 further comprising a control unit in communication with the air mover wherein the control unit is programmed with instructions for commanding the air mover and the heater to change output levels if a temperature sensor senses a temperature above or below one or more threshold levels.

5. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the insert includes a seam located on a bottom surface of the insert and the ventilated component includes a channel for receiving the seam and assisting in attaching the insert to the ventilated component.

6. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the forward layer and the rearward layer form a bag containing the spacer material, the bag being sealed at a single sealed edge.

7. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the air mover includes a housing that is at least partially formed of an elastomeric and/or rubber material.

8. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the air mover is attached to the outer surface of the rearward layer by an adhesive, one or more mechanical fasteners or both.

9. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the air mover includes a connector member disposed between an inner surface of the rearward layer and the spacer for assisting in attaching the air mover to the insert.

10. The seating system as in claim 1 further including a second air mover attached to the outer surface of the rearward layer at a second opening and in fluid communication with the spacer material wherein the ventilated component includes a second through-hole that receives the second air mover upon assembly of the insert to the ventilated component.

11. A seating system, comprising:

a seat having a seat cushion and a seat backrest cushion, at least one of which is part of a ventilated component, each ventilated component having an air-permeable trim surface at an occupant contact area of the seat;

an insert located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including the following;

i. a barrier layer in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface;

ii. a spacer material creating an open space within the insert, wherein the barrier layer wraps about at least two edges of the spacer material; and

iii. an air mover attached to a bottom surface of the spacer material and in fluid communication with the spacer material, wherein the bottom surface of the spacer material faces a top surface of the seat cushion or the seat backrest cushion;

wherein the ventilated component includes a through-hole that receives the air mover upon assembly of the insert to the ventilated component.

12. The seating system as in claim 11 wherein the barrier layer includes a heater.

13. The seating system as in claim 11 wherein the air mover includes an annular flange that extends outwardly from the air mover and is designed to overlap a portion of the ventilated component beyond the through-hole for supporting the air mover.