Abstract: An electrode unit for detecting whether a seat is occupied or not (occupancy conditions) is embedded in a seat of an automotive vehicle together with an electrically powered seat heater. Both of the electrode unit and the seat heater are flat, and the electrode unit is laminated on the heat heater. The electrode unit is composed of an upper electrode, a lower electrode and an insulating film disposed between both electrodes. The occupancy conditions are detected based on changes in a capacitance between the upper electrode and a member grounded to a vehicle body. To reduce a capacitance between the upper electrode and seat heater and to thereby improve sensitivity of the detection of the occupancy conditions, an alternating voltage that alternates in accordance with an alternating voltage supplied to the upper electrode is supplied to the lower electrode.

Abstract: A portable footrest including a foot platform having a top surface and a bottom surface and a heater in thermal communication with the bottom surface. A housing is disposed in supporting relation to the foot platform and the heater. The housing is shaped and dimensioned to maintain the foot platform and the heater above a level of a surface upon which the footrest is placed. An electronic assembly is in electrical communication with the heater. The electronic assembly includes an electrical connector for connection to an power source, means for manually energizing and de-energizing the heater, and means for automatically de-energizing the heater.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.

Abstract: A sheet heater structured so that heating wire is fixed to air-passing base material by sewing. This structure can provide a sheet heater that has improved durability of heating wire 2 against the load imposed on the seat during sitting, comfortable feeling of sitting in the seat, and high air-passing capability.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for automobile seats is disclosed. In particular, a heating wire is installed in the interiors of a seat. A piezoelectric element is installed between an automobile engine and each engine mount. The heating wire is energized by the power generated by each piezoelectric element when an engine vibrates. The seat is heated based on a heating operation of the heating wire.

Abstract: A ventilated seat assembly including a trim cover, an enclosed chamber, a spacer, and a cushion is disclosed. The enclosed chamber is formed by a top portion and an air-impermeable bottom portion and includes an opening for receiving air from an air mover. The top portion includes a plurality of holes configured to provide air movement through the chamber. The spacer is located within the chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.

Abstract: An open-air vehicle seat for a motorcycle, a snowmobile, or an all terrain vehicle etc. is provided which enables a vehicle operator to turn on or off a plurality of heating elements embedded in a multi-layer seat cover on top of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A modular comfort assembly adapted for installation within an occupant support includes a ventilation diffuser bag allowing for circulation of air through the bag. The diffuser bag includes a side surface having perforations therein and an opposite non-perforated side. The modular comfort assembly further includes a heating element and a lumbar support system. The heating element is adapted for placement on the surface of the diffuser bag having the perforations therein. The lumbar support system is adapted for placement on the non-perforated side of the diffuser bag.

Abstract: A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support includes the step of providing a modular comfort assembly including a heating element and at least one of a ventilation diffuser bag and a lumbar support system, the heating element, the diffuser bag, and the lumbar support system being modularly attachable to each other on sides thereof. The occupant support includes an outer cover, an internal foam bun, and a frame. The method further includes the step of mounting the modular comfort assembly onto a surface of the foam bun beneath the outer cover.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a heating device arranged in connection with the vehicle seat and connected to a control unit which includes a current-feeding apparatus for feeding a current to the heating device. The vehicle seat also includes a temperature sensor connected to the control unit for detecting the temperature at the heating device. The control unit is arranged to feed the current if the measured temperature falls below a pre-determined temperature value. An occupant sensor is also provided for detecting the presence of an occupant or an object in the vehicle seat. The occupant sensor is arranged as a single integral unit together with the heating device in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automotive vehicle seating comfort system for providing heating, cooling, ventilation or a combination thereof to an individual in an automotive car seat. The system typically includes an insert, a blower and a tubular structure for providing fluid communication between the insert and blower for providing ventilation and/or cooling for the individual. Preferably, the insert includes a heater or heater layer for providing heat for the individual.

Abstract: A heating element that can be incorporated into a molded foam article closely adjacent to the outer cover sheet without showing any evidence that a heating element is encapsulated within the foam portion of the article and provides essentially the same relatively softness and “feel” that would be obtained if the heating element was not part of the article.

Abstract: An air supply device is provided for a vehicle seat of an open-top motor vehicle having at least one air outflow opening which is provided in the upper region of the vehicle seat and via which an airstream can be applied to the head area, shoulder area and nape area of the sitting vehicle occupant in order to reduce undesired draft phenomenon. The airstream can be regulated by way of a control device. In order to provide improved comfort for the sitting vehicle occupant when driving with the top open, the airstream is adjusted, when the air supply device is switched on, by way of the control device as a function of an automatically sensed external parameter value or of a predefined value selectable by the sitting vehicle occupant, to an assigned basic value, starting from which the further adjustment of the airstream is carried out as a function of an automatically sensed further parameter value.

Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for placement within a seat of an automotive vehicle. The insert preferably includes multiple layers, one of which includes a heater for providing an occupant of the seat with warmth. The insert also preferably includes a blower or air pump for providing ventilation and/or cooling to the seat occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a sensor assembly that is used to provide data for an occupant classification system. The data is used to determine such characteristics as seat occupant weight and position. These characteristics are used to control deployment of a safety restraint mechanism such as an airbag. The sensor assembly is part of a mat that is placed on top of a foam cushion used to form a seat bottom. Fasteners are used to permanently attach the mat to the foam to restrict lateral and vertical movement of the mat relative to the foam.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for producing an air flow within an upholstered seat back or bottom in which a seat insert has a blower mounted in a pouch at the crotch region between the seat back and bottom and has an outlet which directs air flow up through a spacer layer so as to distribute air flow out through a porous seat back cover or beneath a nonporous cover. A solid plastic backing sheet underlies the spacer layer to direct all air flow out from the spacer layer, the plastic sheet also forming the blower pouch. A mesh layer is bonded to the plastic sheet and used to attach the insert to the seat cushion as well as to carry a heating element pattern extending thereover to also enable electrical heating of the seat back or bottom.

Abstract: The invention is a device for heating a seat (3) comprising a heating element (2) connected to a control unit (1) which is arranged to feed a current (I) through the heating element (2), a detector unit (6) in connection to the heating element (2) connected to the control unit (1) with current (I) being fed when the measured temperature value falls below a predetermined desired value (TB). The invention is characterized in that the detector unit (6) comprises at least one first temperature sensor (7) on or in the vicinity of the heating element (2) with at least one further temperature sensor (8) at a predetermined distance from the heating element (2). By means of the invention a more even heating of the seat is obtained with an increased comfort for a person sitting in the seat.

Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for placement within a seat of an automotive vehicle. The insert preferably includes multiple layers, one of which includes a heater for providing an occupant of the seat with warmth. The insert also preferably includes a blower or air pump for providing ventilation and/or cooling to the seat occupant.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automotive vehicle seating comfort system for providing heating, cooling, ventilation or a combination thereof to an individual in an automotive car seat. The system typically includes an insert, a blower and a tubular structure for providing fluid communication between the insert and blower for providing ventilation and/or cooling for the individual. Preferably, the insert includes a heater or heater layer for providing heat for the individual.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automotive vehicle seating comfort system for providing heating, cooling, ventilation or a combination thereof to an individual in an automotive car seat. The system typically includes an insert, a blower and a tubular structure for providing fluid communication between the insert and blower for providing ventilation and/or cooling for the individual. Preferably, the insert includes a heater or heater layer for providing heat for the individual.

Abstract: A modular comfort assembly adapted for installation within an occupant support includes a ventilation diffuser bag allowing for circulation of air through the bag. The diffuser bag includes a side surface having perforations therein and an opposite non-perforated side. The modular comfort assembly further includes a heating element and a lumbar support system. The heating element is adapted for placement on the surface of the diffuser bag having the perforations therein. The lumbar support system is adapted for placement on the non-perforated side of the diffuser bag.

Abstract: An RFID-based induction heating/vending system for quickly and efficiently heating, vending, and recollecting stadium seats (10) or other objects. The system includes a plurality of objects each including an induction-heatable body (22), a charging/vending station (12) for heating and vending the objects; a self-serve warming station (14) that may be used by consumers to reheat their objects; and a check-out station (16) that automatically collects objects from consumers after use.

Abstract: A seat module is designed as a seat cushion or backrest and can be actively ventilated. The seat module includes a cushion, which has a cushion pad impermeable to air and an upholstered zone that extends over the latter and through which air can be made to flow and which is covered by an air-permeable cushion cover. A cushion carrier accommodates the cushion. To improve the quality of the module as regards sitting comfort and long-term stability combined with low manufacturing costs, the upholstered zone through which air can be made to flow is composed of three layers and in the manner of a sandwich of two rubberized hair layers and a knitted layer of coarse-mesh knitted spacing fabric in between the hair layers.

Abstract: Method for production and application of a heating element for heating in vehicles where the heating element consists of heating wire defining at least one electric heating loop extending in a predetermined pattern including positioning the heating wire onto one side of a carrier; applying adhesive over the carrier, at least over areas where the heating wire is lying and over the heating wire, so the heating wire adheres to the surface of the carrier; transporting the carrier with the heating wire to a substrate, wherein the heating wire is adjacent to the substrate; pressing the heating wire against the substrate; heating and melting the adhesive to separate the heating wire from the carrier leaving the heating wire adhered to the substrate; and, removing the carrier, so the heating wire is released from the carrier and adheres to the substrate, to form the heating element for heating in the vehicle.

Abstract: A seating having a heat source fluidly connected to a substantially hollow bench which defines an interior space, a substantially hollow deck extending outwardly from the footwall of the bench, perforations in the frontal wall of the base to exhaust pressurized heated air from the interior space of the bench into the deck, and perforations in the top surface of the deck to exhaust pressurized heated air from the deck and into the atmosphere. The seating device is additionally equipped with a heating rack comprising a heating element, a duct having a plurality of posts, each post having a terminal support with at least one opening therein. Each terminal support is adapted selectively to support and heat helmets or other equipment. The seating device provides heat to the entire body of a person sitting on its bench or standing on its deck.

Abstract: A portable seat is provided. The seat comprises a cushion device inside a pocket formed by an outer casing. A heat transfer device is carried by the cushion device and is inside the outer casing. The cushion may be reversed permitting the heat transfer device to be immediately adjacent the user or to provide at least a portion of the cushion between the heat transfer device and the user.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle seat for an open motor vehicle, with an air supply device integrated in its backrest and/or head restraint, the device including an air outlet duct having an outlet opening arranged on the front side of the head restraint, for supplying the head, neck and shoulder region of the vehicle occupant with hot air, and an air inlet duct having an inlet opening, with a heating element being assigned to the air supply device. The inlet opening of the air supply device is arranged on the rear side of the backrest or of the head restraint and approximately level with or above a rear end wall edge of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.

Abstract: A padded element for a vehicle, the element comprising padding of flexible synthetic foam which supports a flexible member and which presents a support face for coming to bear against a user, said support face being covered by: a film suitable for providing a barrier against the synthetic foam before it polymerized; a first compressible flexible layer covering the film on its side opposite side to the padding and presenting permeability to air of less than 200 l.m−2.s−1 under a pressure difference of 100 Pa, and presenting a load-bearing capacity of 5 kPa; a second flexible layer presenting a load-bearing capacity of 12 kPa; and a flexible outer decorative covering.

Abstract: A surface heating system consists of a support and a heating layer that contains an electrically conductive plastic. The heating layer is formed by a flexible film. A heatable object made as such a surface heating system. A method for producing a surface heating system, where a heating layer containing an electrically conductive plastic bonded to a support, and where the heating layer is formed by initially applying an electrically conductive, especially a foam plastic material onto the support and then hardening the plastic material on the support. Alternatively, the method produces a surface heating system with a heating layer of an electrically conductive plastic is bonded to a support. The heating layer is produced from an electrically conductive, especially a foam plastic material, and then arranged on the support. Another alternative of the method consists of bonding a heating layer with an electrically conductive plastic to a support. A fabric is produced as the support.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating a motor vehicle seat comprises a heater mat and a measurement mat having capacitive sensors. The heater mat is disconnected throughout the entire period of performing a measurement using the sensors. The invention also provides a method of implementing the above apparatus.

Abstract: A heating element comprises a heating film having an electrically nonconductive support layer and a conductive layer. The conductive layer of the present invention comprises a metallic layer or material that is deposited onto the support layer. The heating element system is suitable for integration into the seating surface or backrest surface of an automotive vehicle which may also comprise additional components such as upholstered units and sensors to facilitate the comfort of the occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible cover for a vehicle seat has an inside face with a conductive thread fixed thereagainst to form a seam in chain stitch that does not pass through the cover and that is not visible on the outside face of the cover.

Abstract: An RFID-based induction heating/vending system for quickly and efficiently heating, vending, and recollecting stadium seats (10) or other objects. The system includes a plurality of objects each including an induction-heatable body (22), a charging/vending station (12) for heating and vending the objects; a self-serve warming station (14) that may be used by consumers to reheat their objects; and a check-out station (16) that automatically collects objects from consumers after use.

Abstract: An induction heatable body (22) that quickly heats to a desired temperature, retains heat long enough to be used in almost any application, and develops no “hot spots” even when heated by a heating source having an uneven magnetic field distribution. The induction-heatable body (22) achieves the foregoing while remaining relatively lightweight, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The induction-heatable body (22) includes a plurality of induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) each sandwiched between alternating layers of heat retentive material (34a, b, c). The induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) consist of sheets of graphite material that can be inductively heated at magnetic field frequencies between 20 and 50 kHz. The heat-retentive layers (34a, b, c) consist of solid-to-solid phase change material such as radiation cross-linked polyethylene.

Abstract: A seat part for a vehicle seat having a seat cushion which is covered over by an air-permeable cushion cover, can be actively ventilated and on the top surface of which there are formed, by stitched-down seams, a central and a front level seat surface and two border beads which bound the level seat surfaces laterally. The seat having a heating mat which is arranged between the seat cushion and cushion cover and belongs to an electric seat heater. In order to ensure that the seat cushion has good through-ventilation and is dimensionally stable over a long period of time, the heating mat is perforated, and the perforations of the heating mat are designed to be considerably sparser in the region of the central level seat surface than in the region of the front level seat surface and the border beads.

Abstract: A cushion for a motor vehicle seat includes a layer of ventilation fabric, through which air can flow, and miniature fans integrated into the cushion to blow air into the ventilation layer. The air is received in sleeves installed in ventilation channels which penetrate the cushion from a cushion bottom side and extend to an upper side of the ventilation layer. To achieve adequate cushion ventilation with low fan noise even when using thin fabric ventilation layers made of relatively hard material, the sleeves are closed on their upper end with a flange and are provided directly below the flange with oblong holes which extend in the circumferential direction and have a width measured in the axial direction which is equal to or less than the thickness of the layer of fabric.

Abstract: A seat module intended for a vehicle seat is designed as a seat cushion or backrest and can be actively ventilated. The seat module includes a cushion which has a lower foam layer impermeable to air, a central air-guiding layer made from a knitted fabric, and an air-permeable upper foam layer. The cushion is covered with a cushion cover and is divided by tacking into a face area and two side areas, which extend in the longitudinal direction. A cushion carrier accommodates the cushion. To improve the quality of the module for sitting comfort and long-term stability while achieving low manufacturing costs, the air-guiding layer rests on the lower foam layer in the face area of the cushion and directly on the cushion carrier in the side area of the cushion.

Abstract: A flexible cover for a vehicle seat, the cover having an inside face against which a conductive thread is fixed by means of a flexible assembly thread forming a seam of chain stitches, which seam does not pass through the cover and is not visible on its outside face, the assembly thread penetrating into the thickness of the cover and surrounding the conductive thread.

Abstract: A temperature detector for an air-conditioned vehicle seat with seat heating and/or seat ventilation is disclosed. To ensure accurate temperature measurement for regulation purposes close to the surface of the seat cushion while eliminating purely local temperature peaks, the temperature detector is provided with a flat, extended heat absorption surface, which is preferably formed by a thin, flexible layer of good thermal conductivity in which a temperature sensor in button or disc form is firmly embedded.

Abstract: A two-dimensional heating element, especially for seat heaters in the motor vehicle sector, having a textile base material and contact conductors and heating conductors which are electrically conductive and touch one another. The contact conductors delimit heating areas. The heating conductors are laid effectively in the direction of stitch wales and orthogonal to the stitch wales in such a way that there are at least two zones functioning at least as a main heating area and at least as a secondary heating area with different heating capacities.

Abstract: An induction heatable body (22) that quickly heats to a desired temperature, retains heat long enough to be used in almost any application, and develops no “hot spots” even when heated by a heating source having an uneven magnetic field distribution. The induction-heatable body (22) achieves the foregoing while remaining relatively lightweight, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The induction-heatable body (22) includes a plurality of induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) each sandwiched between alternating layers of heat retentive material (34a, b, c). The induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) consist of sheets of graphite material that can be inductively heated at magnetic field frequencies between 20 and 50 kHz. The heat-retentive layers (34a, b, c) consist of solid-to-solid phase change material such as radiation cross-linked polyethylene.

Abstract: A seating device having an air conditioning unit fluidly connected to a substantially hollow air diffuser. The air diffuser has a plurality of apertures through which cold air generated by the air conditioning unit is exhausted. The air diffuser serves as a back rest for the seating device. The air diffuser sits in a channel defined by the back surface of the seating member of the seating device, the horizontal support member on an L-shaped support bracket, and the front surface of the vertical braces of the L-shaped support bracket.

Abstract: The present application pertains to a seat pad particularly for motor vehicles seats, with a core portion made of expanded plastics material. The upper side of the core portion facing the seat surface is provided with channel-like grooves, so that the geometry of the remaining core portion allows an optimum distribution of the seat pressure because of the good adaptation to the human anatomy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head restraint for vehicles of any kind with a support with upholstery portion. The head restraint is comprised of two detachably connected half shells which have collectors for receiving and collecting light, corresponding solar modules for conversion of the light into electrical energy, and storage elements for storing this energy. The half shell of the head restraint, arranged rearwardly in the travel direction, has a frame for receiving a detachable component for various purposes, such as an illuminated vanity mirror, a screen, or the like. Within a second removable component, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with a hydrogen cartridge can be provided for additional energy generation.

Abstract: A seating device having a heat source fluidly connected to a substantially hollow bench which defines an interior space, a substantially hollow deck extending outwardly from the footwall of the bench, perforations in the frontal wall of the base to exhaust pressurized heated air from the interior space of the bench into the deck, and perforations in the top surface of the deck to exhaust pressurized heated air from the deck and into the atmosphere. The pressurized heated air warms the entire outer surface of the bench and the deck. The pressurized heated air exhausting from the perforations in the top surface of the deck warms the entire region in front of the bench. The seating device provides heat to the entire body of a person sitting on its bench or standing on its deck.

Abstract: An automobile seat for a convertible motor vehicle has a seat back with an appropriate headrest. At least one air outflow opening of an air supply system is arranged in an upper area of the seat back in order to reduce undesirable drafts. At least one additional air outflow opening of the air supply system is provided in the seat surface facing the seat occupant for seat ventilation and/or seat heating purposes.

Abstract: A supporting part for a seat has at least one plastic layer made of a material composed of thermally reversibly deformable material. The plastic layer can be shaped from a first shape into any predeterminable second shape at a shaping temperature higher than its temperature of use and can be fixed in this reversible shape at a temperature range lower than the shaping temperature. This layer can also be returned to its first shape by reheating it up to the shaping temperature. Another layer arranged as a heating layer is provided to apply a thermal treatment to the intermediate layer made of a material that can also o be reversibly deformable.

Abstract: A seat pressure sensor unit of the present invention is provided at a portion receiving a pressure of a seat. The sensor unit comprises a sensor provided on a top face of a base cloth and a heater wire provided on the top face of the base cloth not so as to overlap the sensor.