U.S. patent application number 11/778365 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for device for conducting air in order to provide air conditioning for a body support device.
This patent application is currently assigned to W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG. Invention is credited to Markus Kopfer, Martin Krobok.
Application Number | 20070296251 11/778365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38872871 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070296251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krobok; Martin ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
DEVICE FOR CONDUCTING AIR IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AIR CONDITIONING FOR
A BODY SUPPORT DEVICE
Abstract
The invention relates to a device (100) for conducting air in
order to provide air conditioning for a body support device,
particularly one in a vehicle seat. According to the invention, the
device (100) is also provided with at least one adjustment device
(7) for adjusting at least one contact area (20) of the body
support device that comes into contact with a user.
Inventors: |
Krobok; Martin; (Aichach,
DE) ; Kopfer; Markus; (Monchsroth, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOBRUSIN & THENNISCH PC
29 W LAWRENCE ST
SUITE 210
PONTIAC
MI
48342
US
|
Assignee: |
W.E.T. Automotive Systems
AG
|
Family ID: |
38872871 |
Appl. No.: |
11/778365 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11813891 |
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PCT/DE2006/000003 |
Jan 3, 2006 |
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11778365 |
Jul 16, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/180.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/74 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/180.11 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 18, 2005 |
DE |
DE 102005002416.5 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A ventilated seat comprising: a body support device for a
vehicle seat; a ventilation device placed over the body support
device, the ventilation device including: an air-permeable carrier
layer, an air-impermeable layer attached to the air-permeable
carrier layer, and an air-guiding layer located between the
air-permeable carrier layer and the air-impermeable layer, wherein
the ventilation device is configured to receive air from an
air-feeding device and guide the air through the air-permeable
carrier layer; and at least one adjusting device located between
the ventilation device and the body support device, the at least
one adjusting device including an inflatable bladder to deflect the
ventilation device away, towards, or both away and towards the body
support device.
9. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the body support device
comprises a vehicle seat cushion.
10. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the air-permeable
carrier layer is formed at least in part by a non-woven
material.
11. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the air-impermeable
layer is formed of a polyurethane film.
12. The ventilated seat of claim 11, wherein the air-impermeable
layer is adhered to the air-permeable layer at an outer edge of the
air-impermeable layer to completely cover the air-guiding
layer.
13. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the air-impermeable
layer is connected directly to the air-feeding device.
14. The ventilated seat of claim 13, wherein the air-feeding device
is at least partially disposed within a recess of the body support
device.
15. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the air-impermeable
layer is connected to the air-feeding device through a tube.
16. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the air-guiding layer
is formed of a spacing fabric.
17. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the at least one
adjusting device is attached to the ventilation device.
18. The ventilated seat of claim 17, wherein the inflatable bladder
is formed at least in part by the air-impermeable layer and is
formed of an air-impermeable material.
19. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the ventilated seat
includes a plurality of adjusting devices having a length and a
width.
20. The ventilated seat of claim 19, wherein the length of the
plurality of adjusting devices extends along a width of the body
support device that is perpendicular to an expected position of a
user's spinal column.
21. The ventilated seat of claim 19, wherein the width of the
plurality of adjusting devices is greater at end portions of the
plurality of adjusting devices as opposed to a middle portion of
the plurality of adjusting devices.
22. The ventilated seat of claim 8, wherein the at least one
adjusting device is attached to at least one fluid supply line for
pneumatically inflating the inflatable bladder and the at least one
fluid supply line includes a valve for controlling air flow to and
from the inflatable bladders.
23. The ventilated seat of claim 8, further comprising a heater
located adjacent the air-permeable carrier layer and on a side of
the air-permeable carrier layer opposite the air-guiding layer.
24. A ventilated seat comprising: a body support device for a
vehicle seat; an air-permeable carrier layer located over the body
support device, an air-guiding layer located between the
air-permeable carrier layer and the body support device, wherein
the air-guiding layer is located in a recess formed in the body
support device and directly attached to the air feeding device and
wherein the air-guiding layer is configured to receive air from an
air-feeding device and guide the air through the air-permeable
carrier layer; and at least one adjusting device located between
the air-guiding layer and the body support device, the at least one
adjusting device including an inflatable bladder to deflect the
ventilation device away, towards, or both away and towards the body
support device.
25. The ventilated seat of claim 24, wherein the air-guiding layer
includes an air-impermeable material comprising a polyurethane
film.
26. The ventilated seat of claim 25, wherein the air-feeding device
is at least partially disposed within a recess of the body support
device.
27. A ventilated seat comprising: a body support device for a
vehicle seat cushion; a ventilation device placed over the body
support device, the ventilation device including: an air-permeable
carrier layer formed of a spacing fabric, an air-impermeable layer
adhered to the air-permeable carrier layer at an outer edge of the
air-impermeable layer and including an opening for receiving an air
flow, and an air-guiding layer located between the air-permeable
carrier layer and the air-impermeable layer; at least one adjusting
device located between the ventilation device and the body support
device, the at least one adjusting device being attached to the
ventilation device and including an inflatable bladder to deflect
the ventilation device away, towards, or both away and towards the
body support device, the inflatable bladder being formed at least
in part by the air-impermeable layer and is attached to at least
one fluid supply line for pneumatically inflating the inflatable
bladder, the at least one fluid supply line includes a valve for
controlling air flow to and from the inflatable bladders; a heater
located adjacent the air-permeable carrier layer and on a side of
the air-permeable carrier layer opposite the air-guiding layer; and
an air feeding device in fluid communication with the ventilation
device through the opening formed in the air-impermeable layer.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for guiding air
according to the preamble of claim 1. Devices according to the
class are used, e.g., for air conditioning vehicle seats.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] Air-conditioning devices for vehicle seats are known.
Pneumatic seat adjusters for lumbar support and massage systems for
seats are also known. Integrating both systems into a seat is
problematic. If a seat adjuster is positioned under a seat cushion,
large volumes must be moved in order to notice an effect at the
seat surface. This leads to overdimensioned pumps and low
adjustment speeds. Conversely, the air-conditioning function is
impaired when the adjustment elements are positioned on the sitting
surface.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One object of the invention is a device with the features of
claim 1. This has the advantage that through the integration of a
seat adjuster into an air-conditioning device, mutual interference
between the two systems is avoided.
[0004] Other advantageous constructions can be taken from the
subordinate claims.
FIGURES
[0005] The following description deals with possibilities for
configuration of the invention. These designs are to be understood
as only examples, and reference is made to:
[0006] FIG. 1, top view of an air-conditioning device with
adjuster
[0007] FIG. 2, longitudinal section through the arrangement of FIG.
1
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A body support device is understood below to include, in
particular, any furniture for sitting and/or resting and all
devices offering support to a person while standing, sitting, or
lying down in vehicles.
[0009] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a functional module according to the
invention. A device 100 for guiding air for air conditioning a body
support device has a carrier layer 1. This is manufactured from an
air-permeable material. In the embodiment, it is formed at least
partially by a non-woven material. It is designed for overlay on a
foam core of a cushion, especially of a vehicle seat.
[0010] On the side of the carrier layer 1 facing a contact zone 20
and a user there are heating conductors 11 of an electrical heating
element. They are arranged essentially over the entire surface of
the carrier layer 1. They can be produced from metal and/or from
electrically conductive plastics, e.g., carbon.
[0011] An air-guiding layer 2 is arranged on the side of the
carrier layer 1 facing away from the contact surface 20. The
air-guiding layer 2 can be formed, e.g., from a spacing fabric. In
the present example, it is formed from a plurality of spirals
extending longitudinally in the guide layer. It has a sufficient
cross section of, e.g., one centimeter, to provide a sufficient
amount of air to the contact surface 20. The dimensions of its
basic surface are somewhat smaller than that of the carrier layer
1. It is therefore guaranteed that when the air-guiding layer 1 is
inserted into a corresponding recess of a seat cushion, there is no
detectable unevenness at the edges.
[0012] The air-guiding layer 2 is essentially completely covered by
a wall 25. This is formed in the embodiment from a polyurethane
film that is not permeable to air. The wall 25 essentially
completely covers the air-guiding layer 2. It is connected--in the
embodiment, adhered-to the carrier layer in its edge region.
[0013] The wall 25 has a recess connected to an air-feeding device
4. This air-feeding device 4 is formed in the present embodiment by
a fan 14, which is fixed indirectly or directly to the air-guiding
layer 2 and/or to the wall 25. It can also be formed, however, by a
tube or a snorkel-like extension of the wall 25, which is
connected, e.g., to a distant fan or an on-board air-conditioning
system.
[0014] At least one adjusting device 7 is provided on the wall 25.
This adjusting device 7 has a volume body 27 whose volume is
variable. In the present example, the volume body 27 is formed from
a bladder 17. This bladder 17 is preferably formed from material
that is not permeable to air. In the present embodiment, the
bladder is also formed from polyurethane film. A part of the
bladder wall 30 is here formed by the wall 25 of the air-guiding
layer 2.
[0015] The volume body 27 preferably has an elongated construction
and runs perpendicular to the expected position of the spinal
column of a user. It is preferably constructed thicker at its ends.
In the area of its center, in the vicinity of the spinal column, it
has a narrower construction. The volume body 27 is connected to a
fluid supply device and/or an outlet valve via a fluid line 8.
[0016] For the shown case that several volume bodies 27 are
provided, a plurality of fluid lines 8 is also required if the
volume body 27 is to be individually adjustable. Because the fan 14
also requires an electric supply line 5, it is preferable to guide
the fluid lines 8 and the supply line 5 within the air-guiding
layer 2. In order to not interfere with the air-distributing
function of the air-guiding layer 2, it is preferable to guide it
along the edge of the air-guiding layer 2.
[0017] During operation, an air stream 9 is blown into the
air-guiding layer 2 via the fan 14 for air conditioning. There it
is distributed along the carrier layer 1, and is then blown out
through this layer and through the heating element to the user.
[0018] For adjusting the seat contours according to the desires of
the user and/or for massaging, the bladders 17 are filled via the
fluid lines 8 with a corresponding amount of fluid. In this way,
the bladder 17 expands or contracts accordingly. Thus, the contact
zone 20 is positioned or moved accordingly.
* * * * *