U.S. patent application number 10/702697 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for vehicle seat air conditioning system.
Invention is credited to Aoki, Shinji, Kamiya, Toshifumi.
Application Number | 20040090093 10/702697 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32212028 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040090093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kamiya, Toshifumi ; et
al. |
May 13, 2004 |
Vehicle seat air conditioning system
Abstract
In a vehicle seat air conditioning system, when air blows,
discomfort in seating caused by the presence of an air-blowing unit
is reduced and a depression is nearly avoided in the surface cover
material. The system utilizes a surface cover material, a cushion
member positioned on a backside of the surface cover material, an
air-blowing hole penetrating through the thickness of said cushion
member, an air-blowing unit positioned on a backside of said
cushion member to supply air to said air-blowing hole, and a
support portion, which is integral with the cushion member and that
supports the surface cover material, provided in a position of said
air-blowing hole. The size of an air-blowing hole proximate to the
support portion is smaller than the size of an air-blowing hole
proximate said air-blowing unit.
Inventors: |
Kamiya, Toshifumi;
(Takahama-city, JP) ; Aoki, Shinji; (Chiryu-city,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
32212028 |
Appl. No.: |
10/702697 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/180.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/5657 20130101;
B60N 2/5628 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/180.14 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 13, 2002 |
JP |
2002-329664 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle seat air conditioning system, comprising: a surface
cover material forming a surface against which a passenger
contacts; a cushion member positioned on a side of said surface
cover material to function as cushioning for a passenger, wherein
said cushion member defines an air-blowing hole penetrating through
said cushion member in a cushion thickness direction; and an
air-blowing unit positioned on a side of said cushion member to
supply air to said air-blowing hole, wherein in a position of said
air-blowing hole on a side of said surface cover material, a
support portion that supports said surface cover material is
provided, a size of the air-blowing hole on a side of the support
portion is smaller than a size of the air-blowing hole on a side of
said air-blowing unit, and said support portion is formed
integrally with said cushion member.
2. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein in a position of said air-blowing hole on the side of said
surface cover material, a plurality of hole portions are defined by
said support portion, and a cross-sectional area of each said hole
portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the air-blowing
hole on the side of said air-blowing unit.
3. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein only a single hole portion is defined by said support
portion in a position of said air-blowing hole on the side of said
surface cover material, and a cross-sectional area of said single
hole portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the
air-blowing hole on the side of said air-blowing unit.
4. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 2,
wherein an entire outer periphery of said plurality of hole
portions is larger than an outer periphery of the air-blowing hole
on the side of said air-blowing unit, and said plurality of hole
portions are provided to expand outwardly.
5. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein a thickness size of said support portion in an air flow
direction is 10% to 70% of a thickness size of said cushion
member.
6. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein a cross-sectional area of the air-blowing hole on the side
of said air-blowing unit is approximately equal to or larger than a
blade size of the air-blowing fan that supplies air in said
air-blowing unit.
7. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein an electric heater is provided on the back side of said
surface cover material.
8. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein a protrusion protruding toward said air-blowing unit from
the opening of the air-blowing hole for the entire circumference is
provided on the back side of said cushion member, and an air outlet
portion to let out air supplied from said air-blowing unit is
fitted to said protrusion.
9. The vehicle seat air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein said surface cover material is provided at a surface of a
seat backrest portion that supports a back of the passenger, and
said backrest portion includes said cushion member placed on the
back side of said surface cover material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon, claims the benefit of
priority of, and incorporates by reference, the contents of
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-329664 filed Nov. 13,
2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system
located within a vehicle seat. Furthermore, the invention is
applicable to an air conditioning system with a dynamic pressure
type air blower.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Various kinds of conventional vehicle seat air conditioning
systems have been suggested. One such air conditioning system has
an air-blowing hole through which conditioned air is made to flow
through the bottom seat cushion, that is, through the thickness of
the cushion member, and an air-blowing unit is integrally attached
with a cover member being inserted to the air-blowing hole from the
passenger side of the cushion.
[0006] There is a plurality of small holes in the center of the
cover member. When the air-blowing unit is driven to rotate, air is
made to flow into the air-blowing hole in the cushion member,
passed through the small holes in the cover member and an air
passageway in the seat, and blown out from a blowing opening formed
at the surface of the cover material (for example, see Japanese
Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-190358).
[0007] According to the disclosure of the document, the air-blowing
unit is supported elastically at the seat. However, the air-blowing
unit is provided in the seat such that the cover member, which is a
part of the air-blowing unit, is directly in abutment against the
back side of the surface cover material against which a passenger's
back rests. Here, the cover member provided to integrally attach
and support the air-blowing fan must be formed as a rigid member.
Consequently, the passenger may be aware of the presence of the
cover member and feel uncomfortable while seated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the
above disadvantage and it is therefore an object of the embodiments
to reduce the discomfort of the seated passenger by the presence of
the air-blowing unit in the vehicle seat.
[0009] In order to achieve the above described object, a vehicle
seat air conditioning system according to a first aspect of the
present invention includes a surface cover material (16) forming a
surface against which a passenger rests, a cushion member (30)
positioned on the back side of the surface cover material (16) to
provide a cushioning function for the passenger, an air-blowing
hole (31) that penetrates through the cushion member (30) in the
thickness direction, and an air-blowing unit (14) positioned on the
back side of the cushion member (30) to supply air to the
air-blowing hole (31). In a position of the air-blowing hole (31)
on the side of the surface cover material (16), a support portion
(31b) that supports the surface cover material (16) is provided,
the size of the air-blowing hole on the side of the support portion
(31b) is smaller than the size of the air-blowing hole (31) on the
side of the air-blowing unit, and the support portion (31b) is
formed integrally with the cushion member (30).
[0010] In this way, in the air-blowing hole (31), the support
portion (31b) is integrally formed with the cushion member (30),
and therefore a cushioning function is provided for the passenger.
Furthermore, a rigid cover member is not provided at the end of the
air-blowing hole (31) on the side of the surface cover material
(16). Therefore, a passenger can be comfortably seated without
being aware of the presence of the cover member.
[0011] Furthermore, in an attempt to solve the disadvantage
associated with the conventional device, the inventors examined an
example provided with a through hole having a cross-sectional area
approximately equal to that of the air-blowing fan (21) in the air
blowing casing (20) according to the first embodiment over the
entire axial length of the cushion member (30) instead of using the
support portion (31b). A dent was made in the surface cover
material (16), which was and is not preferable in terms of
design.
[0012] According to the first aspect of the invention, however, the
support portion (31b) to support the surface cover material (16) is
provided in a location of the air-blowing hole (31) on the side of
the surface cover material (16). Therefore, such an undesirable
dent in terms of design is not made in the surface cover material
(16) if the air-blowing hole (31) is of a large size.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in
the vehicle seat air conditioning system according to the first
aspect, in a position of the air-blowing hole (31) on the side of
the surface cover material (16), a plurality of hole portions (31a)
are defined by the support portion (31b), and the cross-sectional
area of each of the hole portions (31a) is smaller than the
cross-sectional area of the air-blowing hole (31) on the side of
the air-blowing unit. In this way, the plurality of hole portions
(31a) may be provided and the dent as described above can
effectively be prevented from being made.
[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the
vehicle seat air conditioning system according to the first aspect,
only a single hole portion (31a) is defined by the support portion
(31b) in a position of the air-blowing hole (31) on the side of the
surface cover material (16). The cross-sectional area of the single
hole portion (31a) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the
air-blowing hole (31) on the side of the air-blowing unit. In this
way, only the single hole portion (31a) may be formed and the
above-described dent can effectively be prevented from being
made.
[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in
the vehicle seat air conditioning system according to the second
aspect, the entire outer periphery of the plurality of hole
portions (31a) is larger than the outer periphery of the
air-blowing hole (31) on the side of the air-blowing unit, and the
plurality of hole portions (31a) are provided to expand outwardly.
In this way, the hole portions (31a) are provided to expand more
outwardly than the outer periphery of the air-blowing hole (31),
and therefore the total opening area of the hole portions (31a) can
be increased. Consequently, if the cross-sectional area of the air
distribution groove (33) is reduced, the communication portion
between the hole portions (31a) and the air distribution groove
(33) is increased, so that air flow resistance by the air-blowing
unit (14) can be reduced.
[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the
vehicle seat air conditioning system according to any one of the
first to fourth aspects, the thickness (L2) of the support portion
(31b) in the air flow direction is 10% to 70% of the thickness (M)
of the cushion member (30). The inventors have confirmed that when
the size (L2) of the support portion (31b) in the airflow direction
is 80% or more of the thickness (M) of the cushion member (30), the
support portion (31b) interferes with the air-blowing unit (14) as
a passenger is seated. It has also been confirmed that when the
percentage is not more than 10%, the support portion (31b) does not
interfere with the air-blowing unit (14) but the support portion
(31b) has reduced strength.
[0017] In this way, according to the fifth aspect, when the size
(N2) of the support portion (31b) in the airflow direction is 10%
to 70% of the thickness (M) of the cushion member (30), the
strength of the support (31b) portion can be maintained while the
support portion (31b) can be prevented from interfering with the
air-blowing unit (14). According to a sixth aspect of the present
invention, in the vehicle seat air conditioning system according to
any one of the first to fifth aspects, the cross-sectional area of
the air-blowing hole (31) on the side of the air-blowing unit (14)
is approximately equal to or larger than the blade size (D2) of the
air-blowing fan (21) that supplies air in the air-blowing unit
(14).
[0018] In this way, the cross-sectional area of the air-blowing
hole (31) on the side of the air-blowing unit (14) is approximately
equal to or larger than the blade size of the air-blowing fan.
Therefore, the air flow resistance by the air-blowing unit (14) can
be reduced.
[0019] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in
the vehicle seat air conditioning system according to any one of
the first to sixth aspects, an electric heater (18) is provided on
the back side of the surface cover material (16). In this way, the
surface cover material (16) can be warmed in winter, and warm air
heated by the electric heater (18) may be discharged from the
surface cover material. This provides comfortable and effective
heating through the seat.
[0020] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in
the vehicle seat air conditioning system according to any one of
the first to seventh aspects, a protrusion (30b) that protrudes
toward the air-blowing unit (14) from the opening of the
air-blowing hole (31) for the entire circumference is provided on
the back side of the cushion member (30), and an air outlet portion
(15) to let out air supplied from the air-blowing unit (14) is
fitted to the protrusion (30b). In this way, the air-blowing unit
(14) is fitted to the protrusion (30b), and therefore air supplied
by the air-blowing unit (14) can be prevented from leaking. In a
ninth aspect of the present invention, said surface cover material
(16) is provided at a surface of a seat backrest portion that
supports a back of the passenger, and said backrest portion
includes said cushion member placed on the back side of said
surface cover material (16).
[0021] The parenthesized numerals accompanying the foregoing
individual means correspond with those of the detailed description.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become
apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It
should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally showing how an
air-blowing unit according to a first embodiment of the invention
is mounted in a vehicle seat;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing how the
air-blowing unit is mounted in a seat backrest portion according to
the first embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an air-blowing hole
taken in the axial direction according to the first embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 3B is a view taken in the direction of arrow IIIB in
FIG. 3A;
[0027] FIG. 4 shows the airflow rate of the air-blowing holes;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing how an air-blowing
unit is mounted in a seat backrest portion according to a second
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a view of a hole portion and a distribution groove
according to a third embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of an air-blowing hole
taken in the axial direction according to a fourth embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 7B is a view as seen in the direction of arrows VIIB in
FIG. 7A;
[0032] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an air-blowing hole
taken in the axial direction according to a fifth embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 8B is a view as seen in the direction of arrows VIIIB
in FIG. 8A;
[0034] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an air-blowing hole
taken in the axial direction according to a sixth embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 9B is a view as seen in the direction of arrows IXB in
FIG. 9A;
[0036] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of an air-blowing hole
taken along line XA-XA in FIG. 10B according to a seventh
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 10B is a view as seen in the direction of arrows XB in
FIG. 10A;
[0038] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of an air-blowing hole
taken in the axial direction according to an eighth embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 11B is a view as seen in the direction of arrows XIB in
FIG. 11A;
[0040] FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of an air-blowing hole
taken in the axial direction according to a ninth embodiment;
and
[0041] FIG. 12B is a view as seen in the direction of arrows XIIB
in FIG. 12A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The following description of the preferred embodiments is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0043] A vehicle seat air conditioning system according to a first
embodiment of the invention is applied to a seat backrest portion
12. FIG. 1 shows the general structure of a vehicle seat 10
according to the first embodiment, more specifically, a bucket seat
for a driver or a passenger in the front of a vehicle.
[0044] The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion portion 11 to
support the buttocks of a passenger, and a seat backrest portion 12
that supports the back of the passenger. The seat cushion portion
11 and the seat backrest portion 12 store first and second
air-blowing units 13 and 14, respectively.
[0045] The second air-blowing unit 14 has an air inlet (not shown)
in a lower side position of the seat backrest portion 12 and draws
air from inside the compartment through the air inlet. Then, air
(conditioned air) is made to flow through an air passageway 15
inside the seat backrest portion 12 and discharged from air blowing
openings 17, which are made of a plurality of small holes provided
in the surface cover material 16 of the seat backrest portion 12,
in the direction of the arrows a toward the body of the
passenger.
[0046] In the seat backrest portion 12, an electric heater 18 is
provided on the back side of the surface cover material 16. The
electric heater 18 is made up of a wire-shaped electric resistor
provided in a zigzag manner in a wide area of the seat backrest
portion 12 against which the passenger rests.
[0047] Note that the first air-blowing unit 13 can function in the
same manner as the above. An interior air conditioning unit 19 is
provided, for example, inside the instrument panel (not shown) in
the front part of the compartment. Conditioned air blown from the
interior air conditioning unit 19 air conditions the inside of the
compartment. Therefore, the first and second air-blowing units 13
and 14 can blow conditioned air inside the compartment.
[0048] Now, how the second air-blowing unit 14 is provided in the
seat backrest portion 12 will be described in conjunction with FIG.
2. As shown in FIG. 2, the second air-blowing unit 14 is in
communication with the air passageway 15 in the seat backrest
portion 12.
[0049] The second air-blowing unit 14 has a frame-shaped, air
blowing casing 20 whose outer shape is rectangular. The air blowing
casing 20 is provided with an axial flow type, air-blowing fan 21.
The air-blowing fan 21 is rotatably provided to supply air from the
back side to the front side of the vehicle.
[0050] An attachment bracket member 23, to mount the second
air-blowing unit 14 to a wire-shaped seat spring 22, has a
rectangular frame member 25 that is larger than the rectangular
frame member 24 of the air blowing casing 20. An inlet duct portion
26 leading into the seat is integrally formed with the frame member
25. The tip end of the inlet duct portion 26 on the vehicle front
side is about half as high as the frame member 25, in the vertical
direction of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2. Note that in FIG. 2,
in the attachment bracket member 23, only the inlet duct portion 26
is shown in cross section. At the surfaces where the frame member
24 of the air blowing casing 20 and the frame member 25 of the
attachment bracket member 23 face each other, flexible members 27,
28 are attached by an adhesive or the like.
[0051] When the second air-blowing unit 14 is mounted, the
wire-shaped seat spring 22 is held between the flexible member 27
for the frame member 24 in the air blowing casing 20 and the
flexible member 28 for the frame member 25 in the attachment
bracket member 23. In this state, the air blowing casing 20 and the
attachment bracket member 23 are joined together through bolts (not
shown). In this way, the second air-blowing unit 14 is entirely
supported by the wire-shaped seat spring 22 in a displaceable
manner in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The flexible
members 27, 28 both absorb the torsion of the seat spring 22 and
serve to reduce the vibration of the second air-blowing unit 14 and
to prevent air from leaking.
[0052] Now, the internal structure of the seat backrest portion 12
will briefly be described in conjunction with FIG. 2. A cover pad
portion 29 and a cushion member 30 are placed upon each other on
the back side of the surface cover material 16. The surface cover
material 16 is typically made of leather or fabric (a generic term
for any textile) according to the seat design. The cover pad
portion 29 and the cushion member 30 are each made of an
elastically extensible material. The cover pad portion 29 is, for
example, made of an elastic resin member such as a closed cell
type, polyurethane foam. The cushion member 30 having a thickness
(for example about 40 mm) sufficiently larger than that of the
cover pad portion 29 particularly provides the seat with a
cushioning function. Meanwhile, the cushion member 30 is made of,
for example, an elastic resin material such as an open cell type,
polyurethane foam. The wire-shaped seat spring 22 of a steel spring
material having a circular section is provided to extend in the
width (horizontal) direction of the vehicle in a position more on
the vehicle rear side (on the back side of the surface cover
material 16) than the cushion member 30. In this way, the air
blowing casing 20 can be supported elastically in the displaceable
manner.
[0053] The inlet duct portion 26 is formed integrally with the
attachment bracket member 23. Now, how the inlet duct portion 26
and the air passageway 15 (FIG. 1) inside the seat backrest portion
12 communicate will be described in conjunction with FIG. 2. There
is an air-blowing hole 31 penetrating through the cushion member 30
in the thickness direction. A seal member 32 to prevent air leakage
from the air blowing casing 20 is provided between the back side
end surface 30a of the cushion member 30 positioned on the rear
side of the vehicle and the frame member 25. The inlet duct portion
26 is then inserted in the air-blowing hole 31.
[0054] The inlet duct portion 26 protrudes from the end surface of
the frame member 25 of the attachment bracket member 23 toward the
front side of the vehicle for a prescribed size N (for example,
about 10 mm to 15 mm). The thickness M of the cushion member 30 in
the front-rear direction of the vehicle is, for example, about 40
mm, which is sufficiently larger than the size N of the part of the
inlet duct portion 26 protruding toward the vehicle front side.
Therefore, the feel of the seat backrest portion 12 against the
back of a passenger is not worsened by the protrusion of the inlet
duct portion 26.
[0055] An air distribution groove 33 in communication with the
air-blowing hole 31 is formed at the front surface of the cushion
member 30 with respect to the front of the vehicle. The air
distribution groove 33 is provided to distribute conditioned air
from the air-blowing hole 31 in a wide area of the seat backrest
portion 12 against which the passenger rests. Therefore, as shown
in FIG. 2, the air distribution groove 33 branches from the
position of the air-blowing hole 31 to extend upwardly and
downwardly, that is, in the vertical direction with respect to the
vehicle.
[0056] The cover pad portion 29, which is positioned more toward
the vehicle front side than the cushion member 30, has a number of
communication holes 34 along the distribution groove 33 that are in
communication with the air distribution groove 33. The surface
cover material 16 positioned on the front side of the cover pad
portion 29 has a number of small holes having a very small diameter
(for example, about 0.8 mm to 1 mm), which form the blowing
openings 17 in FIG. 1. Therefore, conditioned air in the air
distribution groove 33 is passed through the communication holes 34
to reach the back side of the surface cover material 16, and then
permitted to blow from the number of blowing openings 17 at the
surface cover material 16 as if to wrap around a passenger's
body.
[0057] An electric heater 18 is provided between the surface cover
material 16 and the cover pad portion 29, and therefore in winter,
the electric heater 18 can be turned on to directly warm the
surface cover material 16. In addition, conditioned air, upon
reaching the backside of the surface cover material 16, can be
heated by the electric heater 18, and the heated air (warm air) may
be blown around the body of the passenger. As can be understood
from the foregoing description, the air passageway 15 shown in FIG.
1 is formed by the air-blowing hole 31, the air distribution groove
33, and the communication holes 34.
[0058] Now, the shape of the air-blowing hole 31, an essential
element of the invention, will be described. FIG. 3A is a
cross-sectional view taken in the front-rear direction of the
vehicle near the air-blowing hole 31 in the cushion member 30, and
FIG. 3B is a view seen in the direction of arrow IIIB in FIG.
3A.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the air-blowing hole 31 is
formed to have an area approximately equal to the cross-sectional
area of the air-blowing fan 21, calculated based upon the blade
size. A support portion 31b to support the surface cover material
16 is provided in the vicinity of the air-blowing hole 31 on the
side of the surface cover material 16. This is because a high
power, dynamic pressure type, air blower necessary for making a
passenger feel sufficient air flow from the vehicle seat must have
a large fan blade size. A large air-blowing hole 31 must be
provided in the cushion member 30 to mount such a blower in the
vehicle seat, and the support portion 31b must be provided to
prevent the surface cover material 16 from being dented. Note that
the support portion 31b is integrally formed with the cushion
member 30, and a plurality of holes, more specifically, three
sector-shaped holes 31a, are defined by the support portion
31b.
[0060] Meanwhile, in FIG. 4, the ordinate indicates the air
quantity (volume/hour) in the air blowing casing 20, and the
abscissa indicates three examples of the air-blowing hole 31. In
the example X, the inlet duct portion 26 of the air blowing casing
20 is narrowed with respect to the width of the vehicle, and the
blowing hole 31 is narrowed in the width-wise direction of the
vehicle, similar to the inlet duct portion 26. The example Y is
based on an embodiment of the invention. In example Z, the hole is
a through hole having a cross-sectional area approximately equal to
the cross-sectional area of the blowing fan 21 calculated based on
the blade size for the entire axial length.
[0061] The specific shape of example Y will be described. In FIGS.
3A and 3B, the outer diameter D1 is .phi.90 mm, and in the axial
size of the air-blowing hole 31, the size L1 from the back side end
surface 30a to the support portion 31b is 25 mm, the axial size L2
of the support portion 31b is 15 mm, and the width size L3 of the
support portion 31b is 10 mm.
[0062] In this arrangement, for each of the air-blowing holes 31
having the shapes of the examples Y and Z, the air quantity in the
air blowing casing 20 is large, while the air quantity for example
X is small. When the air blowing casing 20 was visually inspected
in its stationary state, there was no dent in examples X and Y, but
a dent was found in example Z. Consequently, it has been found
that, in the example according to an embodiment of the invention, a
dent is not made when a passenger is seated, and the air quantity
in the air blowing casing 20 is large.
[0063] Note that the inventors have confirmed from experiments and
examination that when the size L2 of the support portion 31b in the
air flow direction is 80% or more of the thickness size M of the
cushion member 30 in FIG. 2, the support portion 31b interferes
with the air-blowing unit 14 as a passenger is seated. It has also
been confirmed that when the percentage is not more than 10%, the
support portion 31b does not interfere with the air-blowing unit 14
but has reduced strength.
[0064] Now, the above function and effects according to the first
embodiment will be summarized.
[0065] (1) The use of the support portion 31b formed integrally
with the cushion member 30 removes the necessity of a rigid cover
member. Therefore, a passenger does not feel discomfort that would
otherwise be caused in seating because of the presence of the cover
member.
[0066] (2) The cross-sectional area of the air-blowing hole 31 is
approximately equal to or larger than the blade size D2 of the
air-blowing fan 21. Therefore, when air is blown by the second
air-blowing unit 14, the airflow resistance can be reduced, which
secures the air blowing performance.
[0067] (3) The cross-sectional area of each of the hole portions
31a is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air-blowing
hole 31, and there are a number of such hole portions. Therefore,
the strength of the support portion 31b can be maintained, while
the airflow resistance can be restrained.
[0068] (4) The electric heater 18 is provided on the back side of
the surface cover material 16, so that the surface cover material
16 can be warmed by the electric heater 18 in winter, and warm air
heated by the electric heater 18 can be discharged from the surface
cover material. This provides comfortable and effective heating
through the seat.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0069] According to the first embodiment, the air blowing casing 20
and the attachment bracket member 23 at which the inlet duct
portion 26 is provided are joined together with bolts (not shown).
Then, the inlet duct portion 26 is inserted into the air-blowing
hole 31. Meanwhile, according to a second embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 5, in place of the attachment bracket member 23, an air outlet
portion 35 provided with holes in the center for supplying air is
used. On the backside of the cushion member 30, a protrusion 30b
protruding toward the air-blowing unit 14 is provided over the
entire circumference from the opening of the air-blowing hole 31.
The air outlet portion 35 is fitted with the protrusion 30b. In
this manner, the second air-blowing unit 14 is inserted as it is
surrounded by the protrusion portion 30b, and therefore air blown
from the second air-blowing unit 14 is kept from leaking through
the air-blowing hole 31.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, the hole portions 31a may be a plurality
of triangular shapes. The hole portions 31a are in communication
with the air distribution groove 33.
FOURTH EMBODIMENT
[0071] As shown in FIG. 7B, the hole portions in the cushion member
30 may be a plurality of circles when seen in the direction of
arrows VIIB in FIG. 7A.
FIFTH EMBODIMENT
[0072] As shown in FIG. 8B, the hole portions in the cushion member
30 may be a plurality of rectangular shapes when seen in the
direction of arrows VIIIB in FIG. 8A.
SIXTH EMBODIMENT
[0073] As shown in FIG. 9B, the hole portions in the cushion member
30 may be provided to expand outwardly from the outer periphery of
the air-blowing hole 31 when seen in the direction of arrows IXB in
FIG. 9A.
[0074] In this way, the total opening area of the hole portions 31a
may be increased. Consequently, even if the cross-sectional area of
the air distribution groove 33 is reduced, the communication
portion between the hole portions 31a and the air distribution
groove 33 is increased, and therefore the air flow resistance by
the air-blowing unit 14 can be reduced.
SEVENTH EMBODIMENT
[0075] As shown in FIG. 10B, the hole portions in the cushion
member 30 may be a plurality of circular shapes when seen in the
direction of arrows XB in FIG. 10A. As shown in FIG. 10B, the end
surface 31e of the axial end surfaces of the support portion 31b on
the side of the air blowing casing 20 may be formed into a round
shape. This is because the air blowing speed is higher on the outer
side than on the central side of the air-blowing hole 31 when the
air-blowing fan 21 is driven to rotate.
EIGHTH EMBODIMENT
[0076] As shown in FIG. 11B, the hole portion in the cushion member
30 may have a circular shape when seen in the direction of arrows
XIB in FIG. 11A.
NINTH EMBODIMENT
[0077] As shown in FIG. 12B, the hole portion in the cushion member
30 may have a shape formed by two sector shapes connected in the
center and facing each other with their circular parts on the outer
side when seen in the direction of arrows XIIB in FIG. 12A.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0078] According to the first embodiment, the cushion member 30 of
the seat backrest portion 12 is provided with the air-blowing hole
31 and the support portion 31b to connect the air blowing casing
20. Meanwhile, the seat cushion portion 11 may be provided with the
same structure.
[0079] The shape of the hole portion 31a is not limited to those
described in conjunction with the third to eighth embodiments. A
net type member that has a prescribed thickness through which air
from the air blowing casing 20 passes may be provided between the
cover pad portion 29 and the support portion 31b of the cushion
member 30. In this way, the air distribution effect before and
after the cover pad 29 increases, which can reduce the airflow
resistance.
[0080] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *