Seat Structure Patents (Class 454/120)
  • Patent number: 11548352
    Abstract: A vehicle has a storage bin positioned between the seat and the rear wall of an interior compartment. The storage bin includes a receiving portion and louvered portion. The receiving portion is defined by a peripheral wall and a bottom. The louvered portion is coupled with the receiving portion. The louvered portion includes at least one window. An air flow path is defined by the storage bin. The air flow path enables air to pass into and through the at least one window under the receiving portion bottom and out through an exhaust vent in the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Brian P Sturza, Joseph V Rozenbaum
  • Patent number: 11377005
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning device includes: a sucking section provided at a seat that is disposed over a floor portion of a cabin, the sucking section configured to suck air via the seat from a vehicle front side relative to the seat, from a floor portion side relative to a vehicle vertical direction middle of the cabin; and a guiding section configured to guide air sucked by the sucking section toward the floor portion side at a vehicle rear side relative to the seat or toward a vehicle upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Iwasaki, Keiichi Kondo, Shuichi Ui
  • Patent number: 11225142
    Abstract: A method for controlling the air-conditioning function of a transportation vehicle seat wherein a value of an air-conditioning parameter is set by an operating element which is moved from a null position in two opposite directions. The air-conditioning parameter controls the distribution of an air-conditioning function in different regions along a first direction indicated by the geometry of the transportation vehicle seat. The separate regions include at least one first and second region. A uniform distribution of the air-conditioning function is produced in the regions in the null position of the operating element. When the operating element is moved in one direction of the two opposite directions, the value of the air-conditioning parameter for at least one of the first and second regions remains constant and is changed for at least the other of the first and second regions. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Inventors: Sükrü Cengil, Andrea Schnurr, Marina Belun, Jan Peter Herdey, Oliver Wolf
  • Patent number: 11021085
    Abstract: A seat air conditioner is applied to a seat including a seat cushion portion, a seat back portion, and a reclining mechanism portion for varying a reclining angle of the seat back portion relative to the seat cushion portion. The seat air conditioner includes a blower, an air blowing portion from which the air blown by the blower is blown toward the seated occupant, and a wind direction adjustment unit that adjusts a wind direction of the blown air. The wind direction adjustment unit is configured to adjust the wind direction of the air blown out from at least the part of the air blowing portion such that the air from the air blowing portion is blown toward a specific part of the seated occupant regardless of the reclining angle when the seat back portion is inclined toward a rear side of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahisa Fujii, Hironobu Murakami
  • Patent number: 10974628
    Abstract: A seat adapter arranged to be secured to a rear surface of a car seat having one or more holes, the seat adapter including a plate, including a first surface arranged to be secured to the rear surface, a second surface, and one or more perforations operatively arranged to create one or more breakaway sections, a first section extending from the second surface, and a through-hole extending through the plate and the first section, the through-hole arranged to be at least partially aligned with one of the one or more holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph Patrick Mooney
  • Patent number: 10974629
    Abstract: A ventilated seat having ventilation openings arranged on a seat surface of the seat, a ventilation device for generating an air flow, ventilation channels for air-conducting connection of the ventilation device to the ventilation openings, flow control devices for the individual opening and closure of the ventilation channels and/or of the ventilation openings, sensors for determining a force applied to the seat surface and/or a pressure acting on the seat surface and/or for determining an air pressure in the ventilation channels, and a control unit designed to control the flow control devices in accordance with the force determined and/or the pressure determined by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Wolf, Nikica Hennes, Jeroen Lem
  • Patent number: 10967701
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a blower unit, a blowing duct, and an air switching portion. The blower unit is configured to blow cold air and warm air simultaneously. The blowing duct includes a target blowing portion through which air is sent to a space that is an air-conditioning target, and a non-target blowing portion through which the air is sent to a space that is not an air-conditioning target. The air switching portion is configured to switch between a cold air supply state in which the cold air is sent to the target blowing portion while the warm air is sent to the non-target blowing portion, and a warm air supply state in which the warm air is sent to the target blowing portion while the cold air is sent to the non-target blowing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Kawano
  • Patent number: 10906438
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a seat operable between a lateral use position and a vertical storage position. A mattress is disposed below the seat when the seat is in the lateral use position and held in place by securing features. The mattress is operable between a deployed condition and a stowed condition. A fluid duct is disposed below a forward seat and in fluid communication with an HVAC system of the vehicle. The fluid duct is configured to move air into the mattress to affect the deployed condition of the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Mozurkewich, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 10479241
    Abstract: A fixed frame supports a movable seat structure. The movable seat structure is configured to move relative to the fixed frame. An air duct supported by the fixed frame supplies an air vent positioned on a rearward side of the fixed frame with air. Movement of the movable seat structure relative to the fixed frame has no effect on the position or orientation of the air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Filipkowski, Colin J. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9815347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner with at least one air conduction device and a switching device. Provision is made that in a first operating state, the air conditioner has air passing at least partially through it in a first direction, that the air conditioner has air flowing through it at least partially in a second direction different from the first direction, and that the air conditioner has at least one switching device, to alter the flow direction of the air in the air conduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventor: Jonathan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9725101
    Abstract: A passenger compartment duct is provided with a passenger compartment air blow opening through which air is supplied into a passenger compartment and a cab-air-supply-duct communicating opening communicating with a cab air supply duct. The cab air supply duct is provided with a cab air blow opening through which air is supplied into a cab and a passenger-compartment-duct communicating opening communicating with the passenger compartment air supply duct. There are provided a damper turning communication from the passenger compartment air supply duct to the cab air supply duct ON or OFF, a cab air outlet through which air in the cab is discharged to the outside of the cab, and a damper opening or closing the cab air outlet. The cab air outlet includes a first outlet opened so as to communicate with an air intake side of cab air-conditioning units and a second outlet opened so as to communicate with the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yuasa
  • Patent number: 9056570
    Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Trevor M. Laib, Anthony R. Parkington, Shawn A. Claflin, Henry V. R. Fletcher, III
  • Publication number: 20150140915
    Abstract: An air vent that is integrated into the back panel of a vehicle's seat back is provided. The air vent, which is coupled to an air duct within the vehicle seat, allows heated or cooled air from the vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to be directed towards the rear portion of the vehicle's passenger cabin, thereby helping to insure the comfort of those passengers in the vehicle's rear seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Dore Rawlinson
  • Publication number: 20150118947
    Abstract: A vehicular cold-air shielding structure that is provided on a floor of a vehicle includes a front seat that is slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and a shielding member that is disposed under the front seat and that is provided so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle. The shielding member has a flexibility that allows the shielding member to follow the sliding movement of the front seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Choji Sakuma, Yoshiyuki Takeuchi, Satoshi Kobayashi, Yoshinori Ishimoto, Ryosuke Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9004993
    Abstract: A vehicular seat air-conditioning system comprising a blower (11) which generates blown air, an intake duct (12) which is connected to an intake side of the blower (11), a seat air-conditioning duct (13) which is connected to the in-door air-conditioning unit (21) and in which cool air which was cooled by the in-door air-conditioning unit (21) flows, and a box-shaped part (14) which is formed by a separate member from chassis members forming the cabin space and which is connected to a downstream side end of the seat air-conditioning duct (13). The box-shaped part (14) have side walls (14b) which extend in a vertical direction and a bottom (14c) which closes a space surrounded by the side walls (14b) from the lower side, the top ends of the side walls (14b) form an opening part (14a) which opens facing the upper side in the vertical direction, and an upstream side end of the intake duct (12) is inserted into the inside of the box-shaped part (14) through the opening part (14a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahisa Fujii, Yasuhiko Niimi, Yuji Ito, Takeshi Nishiura
  • Patent number: 8986085
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a device for air conditioning a vehicle seat includes at least one heating device for heating the vehicle seat and at least one ventilating device for ventilating the vehicle seat, as well as a device for operating the same. In order to adapt the air conditioning of the vehicle seat to the individual, subjective needs of the person using it, it is provided that, in response to a manually switched on ventilating device, the heating device is automatically regulated, at least as a function of a seat surface temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Wollenhaupt, Matthias Pietsch, Matthias Michanicki
  • Publication number: 20150079892
    Abstract: Heating and cooling device for a vehicle seat with separating material (2) that forms at least a portion of an air-distribution chamber (1), with an upper-side layer (4) covering the separating material (2) on its upper side, with a lower-side layer (5) of separating material (2) on the underside opposite from the upper-side layer (4) that is essentially airtight whereby the upper-side layer (4) and the lower-side layer (5) are connected together about the outer circumference of the separating materials (2). An air-inlet aperture (6) is provided to the air-distribution chamber (1) and air-outlet apertures (10) are provided in the upper-side layer (4) to remove air from the air-distribution chamber (1). The upper-side layer (4) and the lower-side layer (5) are connected at least about their outer circumference by a box-shaped insert (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: STEFAN BAUER, THORSTEN SCHLEUCHER
  • Patent number: 8979620
    Abstract: A hood article and a method of use for a seat conditioning assembly. The hood article including an air-impermeable housing with an internal hollow chamber and at least a first aperture adapted and a second aperture to connect an air mover to a collar device of an air distribution system assembly. The hood article used for fluidly connecting the air mover to the air distribution system assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Peter P. Efthymiou, Paul Stichhaller, Marinko Lazanja, Matthew Zuzga
  • Publication number: 20150056906
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle seat has: a centrifugal fan; a first case housing the fan and including a fan inlet and a fan outlet; and a second case providing an inlet-side air passage and an outlet-side air passage. The second case has; an inside-air inlet introducing air from a surface of the vehicle seat into the inlet-side air passage; a conditioned-air inlet introducing conditioned air from an air conditioning unit for a passenger compartment into the inlet-side air passage; a conditioned-air outlet through which air in the outlet-side air passage flows to the surface of the vehicle seat; and an exhaust-air outlet through which air in the outlet-side air passage flows out of the second case. The second case includes: an inlet-side switching door that selectively opens or closes the inside-air inlet and the conditioned-air inlet; and an outlet-side switching door that selectively opens or closes the conditioned-air outlet and the exhaust-air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Takahisa FUJII, Yasuhiko NIIMI
  • Patent number: 8950467
    Abstract: A seat air-conditioning system for automotive vehicles includes an air-conditioning unit for generating cold air or hot air, a driver seat including a seat portion provided with a plurality of air discharge holes through which to discharge the cold air or the hot air to the outside, a front passenger seat including a seat portion provided with a plurality of air discharge holes through which to discharge the cold air or the hot air to the outside, an outlet duct mounted to the air-conditioning unit for drawing the cold air or the hot air from the air-conditioning unit therethrough, a seat duct connected to the outlet duct for supplying the cold air or the hot air to the driver seat and the front passenger seat therethrough, and a seat blower attached to the outlet duct for blowing the cold air or the hot air at an increased flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Halla Visteon Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Woong Lee, Jong Su Kim, Soo-Yong Jin
  • Patent number: 8888573
    Abstract: A seat conditioning module for a seat conditioning assembly including an air mover, an intake port, outtake port, wherein at least one of the intake port, the outtake port, or both are in fluid communication with a seat surface. A valve assembly with at least two apertures movably disposed between the air mover and the at least one intake and at least one outtake ports. An actuation device for moving the valve assembly to control the passage of the fluid through the at least two apertures. An optional conditioning device in fluid communication with the air mover and the seat surface. A control device for at least controlling the position of the at least two apertures of the valve assembly, the activation of the optional conditioning device, the operation of the air mover, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Syed Iqbal, Dmitri Axakov, Matthew Zuzga
  • Publication number: 20140302763
    Abstract: A cooling structure for vehicle high-voltage electric parts includes an air inlet passage having an air inlet port which is disposed higher than a seat cushion of a rear seat so as to supply air from a passenger compartment to a battery unit, an inverter unit and a DC-DC converter unit and a cooling fan which causes cooling air to flow into the air inlet passage. An opening portion from which air is taken into the air inlet passage is formed inside a side seatback which is placed transversely outward of a main seatback of the rear seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Asami Kitaguchi, Nobukazu Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20140159442
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a heater fan for a body support arrangement, and specifically the heater fan has at least one air delivery arrangement and at least one heating appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Winfried Helmenstein
  • Publication number: 20130252528
    Abstract: An air-condition system includes an air-conditioner having a main blower, a main duct and a heat exchanger, a suction port disposed near a seat, and a sub duct of which one end is connected to the suction port. The air-conditioner suctions air into the main duct through the sub duct, and blows the air into the passenger compartment again. According to the air-condition system, the conditioned air blown out into the passenger compartment is suctioned from the suction port disposed near the seat. Therefore, the conditioned air is recovered and a flow of conditioned air backward from the suction port is restricted, so that comfortable zone air-conditioning can be done. It is unnecessary to provide a heat exchanger used only for zone air-conditioning and thereby simplicity of the system configurations and cost reduction can be brought.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Toshio Yajima, Takashi Fujita
  • Publication number: 20130165033
    Abstract: Vehicle seats may be configured as part of an airflow management system capable of controlling the environment in the immediate vicinity of seated passengers. A vehicle seat may include any number of air intake and discharge ports arranged so that discharged air flows along the body of the seated passenger on its way to the air intake ports. The air may be heated and/or cooled along a system air flow path to have an immediate effect on the comfort of the seated passenger without the need to heat or cool the entire vehicle cabin. Less energy is consumed to achieve a vehicle seat-specific climate than to achieve an overall interior cabin climate. The airflow management system may include more than one such vehicle seat, and the airflow characteristics with respect to each vehicle seat may be separately controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, LLC
    Inventor: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
  • Patent number: 8454094
    Abstract: A combined deodorizing and air freshening vehicle seat cushion for removing odors and releasing a pleasant aroma in a vehicle may include primary bodies oriented in a side-by-side configuration. The primary bodies may include a deodorizing agent contained within an internal cavity of the primary bodies for filtering and deodorizing the airborne odor in the ambient air. Auxiliary bodies may be contiguously conjoined to the primary bodies and may include freshening agents for impregnating the deodorized ambient air with pleasant aromas. An air-permeable fluid-absorbent liner preferably has pivotally coupled seat and back portions removably positioned over the primary and auxiliary bodies respectively. A communications link provides a passageway for circulating air throughout first and groups of primary bodies defined along seat and back rest sections of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Dana Boulware, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20130118708
    Abstract: A cabin for a work vehicle comprises: a driver's seat positioned within the cabin; cabin frames including at least a transverse frame located in a rear region of the cabin; a roof supported by at least some of the cabin frames; at least one air-conditioning duct located within the roof; an air-conditioning unit located rearwardly with respect to a rearward end of a seat portion of the driver's seat and adjacent the transverse frame for conditioning air and for feeding air-conditioned air into the at least one air-conditioning duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kubota Corporation
  • Patent number: 8196648
    Abstract: An air expandable bladder grips a beverage container within the vehicle and serves as a beverage holder. The container holder utilizes a hot air duct that receives its hot air from the heater core and its cold air from the evaporator, both of which may be located within the HVAC case. An air inlet duct receives the hot, cold, or blended air from an air mixing valve and directs the air into, and expands, the bladder. An exit orifice may exist in the bladder to release air from the bladder and provide back pressure in the bladder. A user-controlled switch permits a person to select whether hot, cold, or blended air will pass into the bladder inlet duct. The drink holder may be located within a center console, dash, door or other location within the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Matsukawa
  • Publication number: 20120129439
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a seat part having a seating surface and an air flow passage, an air conditioning unit, and a blower. The passage includes a suction port on the seating surface and an air outlet at a region of the seat part other than the seating surface. The unit includes a face air outlet and a lower air outlet through which conditioned air from the unit is blown out toward the seating surface. The blower forms a flow of air in the passage from the suction port toward the air outlet. At time of cooling vehicle interior by the unit, the conditioned air blown out of the lower outlet is suctioned from the seating surface, and air that has passed through the passage is blown out of the region of the seat part other than the seating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Ota, Manabu Maeda
  • Publication number: 20120129440
    Abstract: A cooling structure for vehicle high-voltage electric parts includes an air inlet passage 26 having an air inlet port 32 which is disposed higher than a seat cushion 6 of a rear seat 7 so as to supply air from a passenger compartment 9 to a battery unit 21, an inverter unit 22 and a DC-DC converter unit 23 and a cooling fan 30 which causes cooling air to flow into the air inlet passage 26. An opening portion 35 from which air is taken into the air inlet passage 26 is formed inside a side seatback 4 which is placed transversely outward of a main seatback 5 of the rear seat 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Asami Kitaguchi, Nobukazu Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20120003909
    Abstract: A hood article and a method of use for a seat conditioning assembly. The hood article including an air-impermeable housing with an internal hollow chamber and at least a first aperture adapted and a second aperture to connect an air mover to a collar device of an air distribution system assembly. The hood article used for fluidly connecting the air mover to the air distribution system assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Peter P. Efthymiou, Paul Stichhaller, Marinko Lazanja, Matthew Zuzga
  • Patent number: 8083575
    Abstract: A ventilation system is provided in an automobile by forming an intake opening in the top of the seats in the automobile. A telescopic pipe is located in the cushion of the seat with its top end mounted to the intake opening and its lower end mounted to an outlet port at the underside of the seat. An ammonia sensor and a air drawing fan is mounted in the telescopic pipe. The air drawing fan is actuated by the ammonia sensor with the control of a seat fan module when the ammonia sensor detects body waste odor air expelled by a passenger sitting in the seat. Exhaust ducts are provided for conducting the odor air out of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Hong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 7873451
    Abstract: An air supply mechanism for a vehicle seat comprises a control device for driving a fan and a heating element connected downstream of the fan. When the vehicle is unlocked, a vehicle door is opened and/or a folding-top switch is actuated in order to open the folding-top, the control device causes a heating element to be preconditioned. When there is a switching-on signal for the air supply mechanism, the control device ends the preconditioning and switches on the heating element and the fan. The heating element and fan are subsequently regulated by the control device as a function of vehicle speed and external temperature. In this manner, a seat occupant does not experience an initial draft or a delayed switching-on reaction but rather experiences a pleasant warmth even immediately after the air supply mechanism is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Hartmann, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Publication number: 20100240292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner with at least one air conduction device and a switching device. Provision is made that in a first operating state, the air conditioner has air passing at least partially through it in a first direction, that the air conditioner has air flowing through it at least partially in a second direction different from the first direction, and that the air conditioner has at least one switching device, to alter the flow direction of the air in the air conduction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Jonathan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7708626
    Abstract: An air supply device for an automotive seat includes an air duct which is arranged at the delivery side of a fan and has at least one air outlet opening provided in the upper region of the seat for supplying the head, shoulder and neck region of a seat occupant with a flow of air. A heating element is arranged in the air duct between the fan and the air outlet opening, and the air supply device has at least one sensor for detecting a parameter value as a function of which the flow of air emerging from the air outlet opening is controlled. In order to provide the air supply device with a flow of air which can be controlled in a more universal manner, the sensor is arranged inside the air duct between the air outlet opening and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Claudio Bargheer, Dietmar Hartmann, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Patent number: 7640753
    Abstract: Conditioned air discharged from a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is further conditioned by a thermoelectric (TE) air conditioning unit and then directed to air passages in a vehicle seat. Activation of the TE air conditioning unit is based on climate control parameters utilized by the HVAC unit, including a set temperature, radiant heating effects, and cabin air temperature. The climate control parameters are utilized to establish a target seat temperature that optimizes occupant comfort and the transient response of the seat cooling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Prasad Shripad Kadle, Edward Wolfe, IV, Xiaoxia Mu, Lin-Jie Huang
  • Patent number: 7621135
    Abstract: Differential thermal conditioning of vehicle seat zones is achieved with convenient adjustment of a seat temperature differential for optimizing the thermal comfort of the seat occupant. Two or more thermoelectric units supply conditioned air to different zones of the seat, and the temperature differential between specified zones of the seat is set by an occupant-adjustable control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Prasad Shripad Kadle, Edward Wolfe, IV, Xiaoxia Mu
  • Patent number: 7621594
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an air supply mechanism for a vehicle seat (12), and a method for the operation thereof. The air supply mechanism comprises a control device (24), for driving a fan (38) and a heating element (39) connected downstream of the fan (38). When the air supply mechanism is switched on, the control device (24) switches on a heating element (39) and at the same time carries out a starting control of a fan (38) in such a manner that the fan (38) starts and is operated at minimum blower speed for a predetermined period of time before the blower speed is raised to a predetermined working point and subsequently the blower speed is regulated as a function of the driving speed. In this manner, a seat occupant does not experience an initial sensation of draft due to a powerful discharge of relatively cold air but rather experiences a pleasant warmth even directly after the mechanism is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Hartmann, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Patent number: 7618089
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a seat includes a cushion having a cover and two air-conditioned zones proximate a surface facing a seat occupant, and an elongated depression between the zones, the depression having a floor which is recessed with respect to the zones and into which the cover is at least partially drawn into in the direction of the depression floor, the air-conditioned zones being at least partially distanced from the depression. The zones and the depression are connected by a plurality of air-permeable channels, the channels being located between the air-conditioned zones essentially on or above the depression floor. The depression, in the transverse direction, is at least partially air-permeable, despite the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Stoewe, Thomas Ulbrich, Jens Harnisch
  • Publication number: 20090253362
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ventilation means, particularly for ventilating surfaces close to or in contact with persons, having at least one air-ducting means which comprises at least a barrier layer, a covering layer and, therebetween, a distribution layer, at least one barrier layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing away from the user, and at least one covering layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing toward a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Krobok
  • Publication number: 20090253363
    Abstract: An air-conditioned vehicle seat is provided having an air impermeable lower upholstered seat or backrest part, an intermediate layer through which air flows, and an upholstery cover through which air flows on the side of the intermediate layer. By way of stitches anchored on the upholstered part, the upholstery cover is divided into mutually delimited upholstery zones, air bridges extending between the individual upholstery zones transversely to the seams provided for connecting the intermediate layer. An unhindered seat ventilation and a durably secure fixing of the stitches is achieved in a simple manner with respect to manufacturing and without impairing the sitting comfort, in that, in the longitudinal direction of the seams, the air bridges have a construction that is narrower than that of the seam-side edge zones of the intermediate layer, and the stitches are anchored without the insertion of air bridges on the wall sections of the upholstered part adjoining the air bridges on both sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Pudenz
  • Publication number: 20090229785
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a seat assembly with one or more seat outlets for exhausting conditioned air to an occupant seat therein. A HVAC assembly operates in a warm-up mode and a cool-down for generating heated and cooled air to achieve a predetermined air temperature. An air selection module controls airflow from the HVAC assembly to air ducts for delivering air from the air selection module to the seat assembly. At least one seat valve moveable between open and closed positions controls air flow from the air selection module to one or more seat ducts. A purge valve moveable between open and closed positions vents air from the air selection module. The vehicle further includes a control system for closing the purge valve and opening at least one seat valve in response to the air temperature of the air from the HVAC assembly being at least the predetermined air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Prasad Shripad Kadle, Edward Wolfe, IV, Timothy D. Craig, John Lawrence Pawlak, III
  • Publication number: 20090218855
    Abstract: According to some embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate control device configured for use with a seating assembly includes a fluid module having a fluid transfer device. The climate control device further comprises a fluid duct in fluid communication with the fluid module, wherein the fluid duct includes a distal end. The additional includes at least one outlet opening positioned at the distal end of the fluid duct. In some arrangements, the fluid duct is configured to be positioned at, near or through a seat bite area of the seating assembly. In other arrangements, the fluid module is configured to selectively transfer air to or from the at least one outlet opening through the fluid duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Amerigon Incorporated
    Inventor: Scott R. Wolas
  • Publication number: 20090140562
    Abstract: A combined deodorizing and air freshening vehicle seat cushion for removing odors and releasing a pleasant aroma in a vehicle may include primary bodies oriented in a side-by-side configuration. The primary bodies may include a predetermined quantity of a deodorizing agent contained within an internal cavity of the primary bodies for filtering and deodorizing the airborne odor in the ambient air. Auxiliary bodies may be contiguously conjoined to the primary bodies and may include freshening agents for impregnating the deodorized ambient air with pleasant aromas. Pairs of flaps may automatically pivot between closed and tensioned open positions when an external force is exerted onto the seat cover such that air may be laterally forced out of the primary bodies, through the flaps, and into the auxiliary bodies to be impregnated with pleasant aromas. Thereafter, the freshened air may be released into the vehicle through outlet ports of the auxiliary bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Dana Boulware, SR.
  • Publication number: 20090134675
    Abstract: The backrest and/or seat cushion part of a motor vehicle seat include/includes padding with a ventilation device including a ventilation layer and a device for heating and/or cooling the air flowing through the ventilation layer. The padding can be heated and/or cooled by the ventilation device in an improved manner by a warm or cold air flow for heating the seat or ventilating the seat. The heating and/or cooling device forms a sandwich with at least one heating and/or cooling layer and at least one air-permeable layer. The air-permeable layer has a structure by which the air flow can be converted into a turbulent and/or diffuse flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Daimier AG
    Inventor: Karl Pfahler
  • Patent number: 7503625
    Abstract: An air supply device for a vehicle seat has an air channel arranged on the pressure side of a blower. The channel comprises at least one air discharge opening provided in the upper region of the seat for supplying the head, shoulder and neck area of an occupant of the seat with an adjustable airflow. A heating element is arranged in the air channel between the blower and the air discharge opening. In order to provide the air supply device with an airflow which feels more comfortable to the occupant of the seat, a grid element is arranged inside the air channel between the air discharge opening and the heating element. As a result, the airflow emerging from the air discharge opening is homogenized and slowed down, and this slowing-down allows more heat to be transferred to the airflow from the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Claudio Bargheer, Dietmar Hartmann, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Publication number: 20090042501
    Abstract: Provided is an air distribution system for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The air distribution system has a conduit in fluid communication with an HVAC system. The conduit has an outlet that is located under a vehicle seat, and which transfers conditioned air from the HVAC system through the conduit and which discharges the conditioned air generally under the seat in such a manner that the conditioned air flows out from under the vehicle seat and up along a side of the seat. The outlet may also, or in the alternative, be configured to specifically direct conditioned air upward along a side of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Stephen T. Hung
  • Publication number: 20080315634
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat, in particular for an open motorcar, having an air supply device for supplying an air flow from an air output opening to the head, neck and shoulder area of a passenger. The air supply device includes a heating or cooling system for heating or cooling the air flow. This air supply device is a more efficient heating or cooling system for a motor vehicle seat. For this purpose, the air supply device comprises a sandwich that includes at least one heating or cooling layer and at least one air penetrable layer and a structure which makes it possible to convert the air flow into turbulent or diffused steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Hartmann, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner, Dirk Weisser
  • Publication number: 20080191520
    Abstract: An air supply mechanism for a vehicle seat has an air discharging opening which is provided in the upper region of the vehicle seat and via which the head, shoulder, and neck region of a seat occupant can be subjected to an airflow in order to reduce undesirable draft phenomena. The airflow can be regulated with a control device, by regulating a blower speed of a fan, and can be heated via a heating element. The heating element has three heating stages which can be selected by a manually setting a regulating device by the seat occupant in order to select a heating stage and/or by the control device in response to an external parameter value. It is possible for the control device to regulate the blower speed of the fan in response to a further external parameter value. This construction makes it possible for the sensation of heat experienced by the seat occupant to be taken into account in the elimination of a sensation of a draft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Hartmann, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Patent number: 7281574
    Abstract: A rear face inlet 25 and a foot inlet 28, and a rear face duct portion 26 and a foot duct portion 31 which are adapted to distribute air from the inlets, respectively, are disposed in alignment with each other in a transverse direction of a vehicle. As a result, a conventional overlapping portion where the rear face inlet and the foot inlet are made to overlap each other vertically somewhere along the length of each of the inlets in a transverse direction of the vehicle and a conventional overlapping portion where the rear face duct and the rear foot duct are disposed in such a manner as to overlap each other in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle somewhere along the length of a downwardly extending portion of each of the ducts can be eliminated, whereby the air conditioning unit can be constructed so as to be decreased in size vertically and longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuji Shibata, Yoshio Yoshida