U.S. patent application number 12/001694 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for attachment assembly for securing trim material to the padding of a ventilated seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lear Corporation. Invention is credited to Torbjorn Andersson.
Application Number | 20090152909 12/001694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40680317 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090152909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andersson; Torbjorn |
June 18, 2009 |
Attachment assembly for securing trim material to the padding of a
ventilated seat
Abstract
A ventilated vehicle seat includes one of a seat back and a seat
cushion having an air transmission channel therethrough. Upholstery
covers the one of a seat back and a seat cushion. An air permeable
spacer layer is disposed between the one of a seat back and a seat
cushion and the upholstery, and the air permeable spacer layer is
in fluid communication with the air transmission channel. An air
permeable tie-down strap connects the upholstery to the one of a
seat back and a seat cushion.
Inventors: |
Andersson; Torbjorn;
(Trolhatten, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACMILLAN, SOBANSKI & TODD, LLC
ONE MARITIME PLAZA-FIFTH FLOOR, 720 WATER STREET
TOLEDO
OH
43604
US
|
Assignee: |
Lear Corporation
|
Family ID: |
40680317 |
Appl. No.: |
12/001694 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/180.13 ;
297/180.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/565 20130101;
B60N 2/5642 20130101; B60N 2/5816 20130101; B60N 2/5685
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/180.13 ;
297/180.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/02 20060101
A47C031/02 |
Claims
1. A ventilated vehicle seat comprising: one of a seat back and a
seat cushion having an air transmission channel therethrough;
upholstery covering the one of a seat back and a seat cushion; an
air permeable spacer layer disposed between the one of a seat back
and a seat cushion and the upholstery, the air permeable spacer
layer being in fluid communication with the air transmission
channel; and an air permeable tie-down strap connecting the
upholstery to the one of a seat back and a seat cushion.
2. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the
spacer layer is adjacent the upholstery, and wherein the upholstery
and adjacent spacer layer comprise a plurality of panels, adjacent
panels being joined together at a seam.
3. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the
air permeable tie-down strap is disposed in a trench formed in the
one of a seat back and a seat cushion.
4. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the
spacer layer is adjacent the upholstery, wherein the upholstery and
adjacent spacer layer comprise a plurality of panels, adjacent
panels being joined together at a seam, and wherein the tie-down
strap has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being
attached to the upholstery and adjacent spacer layer at the seam,
the second edge being attached to the one of a seat back and a seat
cushion within the trench.
5. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein a
portion of the tie-down strap extends outwardly of the panels at
the seam, the outwardly extending portion of the tie-down strap
defining a flow path for air moving between adjacent panels of the
air permeable layer and through the air permeable tie-down
strap.
6. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the
air permeable tie-down strap defines a flow path for air moving
between adjacent panels of the air permeable layer at the seam and
through the trench.
7. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the
air permeable tie-down strap includes a plurality of apertures for
the movement of air between adjacent panels of the air permeable
layer at the seam and through the trench.
8. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the
tie-down strap is attached to an air permeable panel at the
seam.
9. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein the
tie-down strap is further attached within a trench formed in the
one of a seat back and a seat cushion.
10. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 1, further
including a second cushion between the upholstery and the spacer
layer.
11. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 1, further
including an anchor interconnecting a portion of the one of a seat
back and a seat cushion and the tie-down strap.
12. A ventilated vehicle seat comprising: one of a seat back and a
seat cushion having an air transmission channel therethrough;
upholstery covering the one of a seat back and a seat cushion; an
air permeable spacer layer disposed between the one of a seat back
and a seat cushion and the upholstery, the air permeable spacer
layer being in fluid communication with the air transmission
channel; and an air permeable tie-down strap connecting the
upholstery to the one of a seat back and a seat cushion; wherein
the air permeable tie-down strap defines a flow path for air moving
within the spacer layer.
13. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 12, wherein the
air permeable tie-down strap is disposed in a trench formed in the
one of a seat back and a seat cushion.
14. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 13, wherein the
spacer layer is adjacent the upholstery, wherein the upholstery and
adjacent spacer layer comprise a plurality of panels, adjacent
panels being joined together at a seam, and wherein the tie-down
strap has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being
attached to the upholstery and adjacent spacer layer at the seam,
the second edge being attached to the one of a seat back and a seat
cushion within the trench.
15. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 14, wherein a
portion of the tie-down strap extends outwardly of the panels at
the seam, the outwardly extending portion of the tie-down strap
defining a flow path for air moving between adjacent panels of the
air permeable layer and through the air permeable tie-down
strap.
16. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 12, further
including a second cushion between the upholstery and the spacer
layer.
17. The ventilated vehicle seat according to claim 12, further
including an anchor interconnecting a portion of the one of a seat
back and a seat cushion and the tie-down strap.
18. An air permeable tie-down strap for a ventilated vehicle seat,
the tie-down strap comprising a mesh body portion having a length
and a width; wherein the ventilated vehicle seat includes one of a
seat back and a seat cushion having an air transmission channel
therethrough, upholstery covering the one of a seat back and a seat
cushion, and an air permeable spacer layer disposed between the one
of a seat back and a seat cushion and the upholstery, the air
permeable spacer layer being in fluid communication with the air
transmission channel; and wherein a portion of the tie-down strap
is attached to at least one of the upholstery and the spacer layer,
and a portion of the tie-down strap is attached to the one of a
seat back and a seat cushion, thereby connecting the at least one
of the upholstery and the spacer layer to the one of a seat back
and a seat cushion.
19. The air permeable tie-down strap according to claim 18, wherein
the air permeable tie-down strap is disposed in a trench formed in
the one of a seat back and a seat cushion.
20. The air permeable tie-down strap according to claim 18, wherein
the spacer layer is adjacent the upholstery, wherein the upholstery
and adjacent spacer layer comprise a plurality of panels, adjacent
panels being joined together at a seam, and wherein the tie-down
strap has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being
attached to the upholstery and adjacent spacer layer at the seam,
the second edge being attached to the one of a seat back and a seat
cushion within the trench.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Various embodiments of an attachment assembly are described
herein. In particular, the embodiments described herein relate to
an improved attachment assembly for securing the seat trim to the
seat padding in trench attachment applications in a ventilated
vehicle seat.
[0002] Ventilated vehicle seats can include a frame to support the
seat and to mount it to a vehicle, padding to cover the frame and
made, for example, of foam material, an air permeable spacer layer,
and an outer layer of upholstery. The upholstery may be attached to
the padding and/or the frame by any known attachment assembly, such
as a trench attachment application. It would be desirable to
provide an improved attachment assembly for securing the seat
upholstery to the seat padding in trench attachment applications in
a ventilated vehicle seat.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present application describes various embodiments of a
ventilated vehicle seat. One embodiment of the ventilated vehicle
seat includes one of a seat back and a seat cushion having an air
transmission channel therethrough. Upholstery covers the one of a
seat back and a seat cushion. An air permeable spacer layer is
disposed between the one of a seat back and a seat cushion and the
upholstery, and the air permeable spacer layer is in fluid
communication with the air transmission channel. An air permeable
tie-down strap connects the upholstery to the one of a seat back
and a seat cushion.
[0004] Other advantages of the ventilated vehicle seat will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view, partially in
section, of a vehicle seat having an improved upholstery attachment
assembly.
[0006] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of
the improved upholstery attachment assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the
line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of the vehicle
seat taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG.
1 a schematic perspective view of a portion of a ventilated vehicle
seat assembly, indicated generally at 10. The illustrated vehicle
seat assembly 10 includes padding or a molded foam seat cushion 12,
and a molded foam seat back 14. The vehicle seat assembly is
structured and configured for mounting to a vehicle floor (not
shown).
[0010] The seat cushion 12 and seat back 14 include a flexible trim
material or upholstery 16. The upholstery 16 may be constructed of
any desired material, such as natural or synthetic fabric or
leather.
[0011] The seat cushion 12 may also include a cushion portion 13
and an air permeable spacer layer 18 disposed between the cushion
portion 13 and the upholstery 16. Although the exemplary embodiment
of the seat assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 shows one spacer
layer 18, it will be understood that more than one layers of spacer
layer 18 may be provided. The air permeable spacer layer 18 may be
formed from any suitable material that allows air to flow through
the spacer layer 18, as described in detail below. For example, the
spacer layer 18 may be formed from polyester fleece, reticulated
foam, or woven material. Alternatively, the spacer layer 18 may be
formed from any material having a relatively high air permeability,
allowing air to flow in all directions
[0012] In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer layer 18 is within
the range of from about five mm to about 14 mm thick. In another
embodiment, the spacer layer 18 is within the range of from about
four mm to about 24 mm thick. Alternatively, the spacer layer 18
may be any desired thickness. It will be understood that the
optimum thickness for the spacer layer 18 will only be determined
by routine experimentation and by considering the space available
and the required air flow performance. The spacer layer 18 may be
as thick as possible, and comprise as many layers of air permeable
material as possible, so as to maximize the movement of air and the
cooling of the seat cushion 12 and/or seat back 14. The spacer
layer 18 may be attached to the seat cushion by 12 any desired
means, such as for example with an adhesive or with hook-and-loop
fasteners. It will be understood that no such attachment means are
required.
[0013] The seat cushion 12 may also include one or more air
transmission channels 20. Such an air transmission channel 20 may
extend between a fan 22, as best shown in FIG. 2 to the spacer
layer 18. It will be understood that any desired number of channels
20 may be formed in the cushion portion 13. Additionally, any
desired number of channels 20 may be provided in the seat cushion
12.
[0014] If desired, an additional layer 24 may be disposed between
the spacer layer 18 and the upholstery 16. For example, the
additional layer 24 may be a heater mat. Alternatively, the
additional layer 24 may be a second cushion or trim pad, which may
be manufactured from a flexible foam material. Although the
exemplary embodiment of the seat assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 2
shows one additional layer 24, it will be understood that more than
one additional layer 24 may be provided. The additional layer 24
may be attached to the spacer layer 18 by any desired means, such
as for example with an adhesive or with hook-and-loop fasteners. It
will be understood that no such attachment means are required.
[0015] As best shown in FIG. 1, the upholstery 16 and adjacent
spacer layer 18 are divided into a plurality of
subsections/portions or panels, such as for example the panels 26
and 28, wherein the panels 26 and 28 are joined together by
stitching 30 and define a seam 32 therebetween, such as between the
panels 26 and 28 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in the exemplary
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the upholstery 16 and the spacer
layer 18 of adjacent panels 26 and 28 are joined together by the
stitching 30. In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
the stitching 30 is arranged above a trench 34.
[0016] The seat assembly 10 further includes an air permeable
tie-down strap 36, illustrated in FIG. 3. The tie-down strap 36
includes an elongated anchor portion 38 and an elongated body
portion 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the body portion 40 is
formed from a plastic mesh. It will be understood however, that the
body portion 40 may be formed from any suitable material such as
for example, woven, non-woven, and knitted material. The body
portion 40 may also be formed from any desired material having
sufficient perforations or apertures formed through body portion 40
to ensure a desired volume of air to flow through the body portion
40. The tie-down strap 36 may have any desired length L. The body
portion 40 and the anchor portion 38 may be formed of different
materials and may have any desired cross sectional shape.
[0017] Referring again to FIG. 2, the tie-down strap 36 may be
suitably attached between the panels 26 and 28 at the seam 32. The
tie-down strap 36 may be attached by any suitable means, such as by
sewing, with adhesive, or with mechanical fasteners. The tie-down
strap 36 may be attached between the panels 26 and 28 such that a
portion H2 of the height H1 extends outwardly (downwardly when
viewing FIG. 2) of the seam 32 and toward a bottom of the trench
34. The portion H2 of the height H1 of the tie-down strap 36 which
extends outwardly of the seam 32 toward the bottom of the trench 34
advantageously allows air to freely flow through the spacer layer
18, through the trench 34, and through the tie-down strap 36.
[0018] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the fan 22 is
positioned to pull air from the vehicle cabin (as shown by the
arrows 44), through the spacer layer 18 (as shown by the arrows
46), through the trench 34 and the tie-down strap 36 (as shown by
the arrows 48), through the channels 20 (as shown by the arrows
50), and into the vehicle cabin below the seat assembly 10 (as
shown by the arrows 52). It will be understood that if desired, the
fan 22 may also be structured, configured, and positioned to push
air from the lower portion of the seat assembly 10 to and through
the upholstery 16. Additionally, any desired number of fans 22 may
be used, such as for example, two or more fans 22.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the seat assembly 10
with a vehicle occupant sitting thereon, the occupant thereby
covering a portion of the Aside surface 12A of the seat cushion 12.
Advantageously, because of the use of the tie-down strap 34 in the
trench 34, air may travel freely throughout the spacer layer 18
when a vehicle occupant is sitting on the seat assembly 10.
Specifically, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the
fan 22 pulls air from the vehicle cabin (as shown by the arrows
44), through the upholstery 16 of the side-bolster portions 12B of
the seat cushion 12 and into the spacer layer 18 (as shown by the
arrows 46). The air then travels through the trench 34 and the
tie-down strap 36 (as shown by the arrows 48), through the channels
20 (as shown by the arrows 50), and into the vehicle cabin below
the seat assembly 10 (as shown by the arrows 52).
[0020] As best shown in FIG. 2, the tie-down strap 36 is attached
to the seat cushion 12 by an anchor 42. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the anchor 42 is embedded in the cushion
portion 13, such as by being integrally molded therewith, in a
lower portion of the trench 34. It will be understood that the
anchor 42 may be mounted or attached to the seat cushion 12 by any
desired method, and may be mounted or attached after the cushion
portion 13 has been formed.
[0021] The anchor 42 is further attached to the tie-down strap 36
about the anchor portion 38. The anchor 42 may have any desired
shape. For example, the illustrated anchor 42 includes a body
portion 42A having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional
shape, and an anchor portion 42B having a substantially T-shaped
cross-sectional shape (inverted T-shape as viewed in FIG. 2). The
anchor portion 42B extends outwardly (downwardly as viewed in FIG.
2) of the body portion 42A and is embedded in the seat cushion 13.
Alternatively, the anchor portion 42A may have any other
cross-sectional shape. The anchor portion 42A may also comprise one
or more boss or rods (not shown) extending outwardly of the body
portion 42A, one or more clips (not shown), or may comprise a hole
formed in the body portion 42A for receiving a means of attachment
or a portion of the seat cushion 13. Additionally, the anchor 42
may be formed from any desired material, such as for example,
plastic, aluminum, steel, and other desired metals and
non-metals.
[0022] It will be understood that the tie-down strap 36 may be
attached to the anchor 42 or may be attached directly to the
cushion portion 13 by any means, such as for example, a hog-ring
(not shown), with hook and loop fasteners (not shown), or any other
suitable fasteners.
[0023] Advantageously, the seat assembly 10 is able to provide
efficient and effective cooling of the seat occupant at an improved
cost relative to known ventilated seats.
[0024] The principle and mode of operation of the improved
ventilated vehicle seat have been described in its various
embodiments. However, it should be noted that the ventilated
vehicle seat described herein may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically illustrated and described without departing from its
scope.
* * * * *