Fan Directly Attached To A Chair Or Seat Component Patents (Class 297/180.14)
  • Patent number: 7216934
    Abstract: In a seat back of automotive seat with an inflatable cushion device, an inflatable cushion element and a pair of air supply units are provided as constituent elements of the inflatable cushion device. In particular, a pair of support wire elements are provided to a seat back frame in the seat back so as to supportively receive the two air supply units, respectively. Specifically, those two support wire elements are fixedly connected with respective two upper portions respectively of two lateral frame portions of the seat back frame. Each of the two air supply units is covered with an elastic cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Kobari
  • Patent number: 7213876
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a backrest (16) that has a backrest cushion (18) and a rear backrest cover (20), and an air-handling device that is associated with the backrest (16) and is connected to an air distribution device (30, 32) in the seat. The rear backrest cover (20) is at least partially air permeable, and covers at least one passage (27) of the air-handling device (23). The air exchanged between the environment and the air-handling device (23) passes for the most part through the air-permeable regions of the backrest cover (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive System AG
    Inventor: Stefan Stoewe
  • Patent number: 7204550
    Abstract: A seat of a childcare apparatus comprises a backrest board having through holes in a thickness direction, a stacked board which has through holes which can be aligned with the through holes, a reflective sheet provided so as to cover the through holes and forming an air layer between the reflective sheet and the backrest board, and a ventilation hole provided in the reflective sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Aprica Ikujikenkyukai Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Kenzou Kassai, Sachiyo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7201441
    Abstract: An air conditioned seat with a padded seat surface (4) and a padded backrest (8) and with a fan (16) arranged beneath the seat surface (4). The fan (16) is connected to an air distribution apparatus (20, 22) in the seat, and includes a flow region (31) that is open to the environment. The flow region (31) is located substantially on the side of the fan (16) facing the seat surface (4). The fan inlet (30) is further environmentally protected by a diffuser (36) located in the flow region (31) and forming a slit opening (40) between a top edge (38) of the diffuser (36) and an underside (28) of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, AG
    Inventors: Stefan Stoewe, Rainer Spee
  • Patent number: 7191480
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a base portion and a three dimensional engineered material, the three dimensional engineered material and the base cooperate to provide support for the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Romano, Sohrab Soltani, Michael V. Bolden
  • Patent number: 7168758
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: IGB Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bevan, Benson J. Brady
  • Patent number: 7147279
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: IGB Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bevan, Benson J. Brady
  • Patent number: 7131689
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, AG
    Inventors: Lindy Brennan, Goran Bajic, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic
  • Patent number: 7117611
    Abstract: The body hair and feet drying chair is a seat comprising an upright base having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, and a hollow interior. A seat is disposed on top of the base. At least one air outlet is defined in the seat in communication with the base's hollow interior. At least one air channel is defined in the bottom portion of the base in communication with the base's hollow interior. A motorized fan contained within the hollow interior of the base draws air into the hollow interior through the air channels and expels air from the hollow interior through the air outlets. Air expelled from the air outlets dries genital and posterior areas of a user seated on the body hair and feet drying chair, while air drawn into the air channels dries the user's feet and toes when the user's feet and toes are positioned over the air channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventors: Chan J. Park, Myo Sik Park
  • Patent number: 7100978
    Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes a porous upper surface layer, a resinous film non-porous first layer, a non-porous second layer, and a spacer layer. The resinous film non-porous first layer is beneath the upper surface layer and includes ventilation holes. The spacer layer is between the non-porous layers for providing cushioning and for ensuring airflow in lateral, longitudinal and perpendicular directions, even when the seat is occupied. The spacer layer is fixed in position between the first layer and the second layer for preventing slipping of the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Ronald G. Bedro
  • Patent number: 7083227
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, AG
    Inventors: Lindy Brennan, Goran Bajic, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic
  • Patent number: 7070231
    Abstract: A portable seat cushion comprising: A) a seat portion; B) a back portion; and C) an integral fan that circulates air through the seat and back portions, the front portion having a front surface, a perimeter, a rear surface and an interior between the rear and front surfaces and the back portion having a front surface, a top, a bottom, a perimeter, a rear surface and an interior between the rear surface and the front surface, the seat and back portions being joined by a flexible connection that permits the seat and back portions to rotate relative to each other and provides a mechanism for the passage of air from the seat portion to the back portion. The rear surfaces and perimeters of each of the seat and back portions is relatively air impermeable while the front surfaces of these members is air permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Peter H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7070232
    Abstract: A breathable seat comprises a seat body formed of urethane foam, a three-dimensional network cushion body incorporated in that region of the seat body which bears a user's body, a seat cover having breathability, and a pan frame. The cushion body is formed of a large number of continuous linear elements of thermoplastic resin. The linear elements are looped windingly so that their respective contact portions are fused together. The seat body is formed having venting holes that penetrate the urethane foam in its thickness direction. The venting holes communicate with the cushion body and apertures of the pan frame. The seat cover envelops the seat body and the cushion body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Minegishi, Kazuo Kikuchi, Takashi Ebihara
  • Patent number: 7059671
    Abstract: The Modified Chair with Cooling Air Jets can be used to fulfill the need to provide a cooling mechanism for a person using a beach or lounge chair for relaxation purposes. Cool air is blown using fans into the framework of this modified chair and is dispensed through a series of jet spouts in the framework, thus cooling the person lying or sitting on the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Frank C. Coggins
  • Patent number: 7029065
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ventilated seating system. The ventilated seating system provides a back rest portion including an upper end and a lower end and a perforated duct positioned adjacent to the lower end of the back rest portion. The ventilated seating system further provides a seat base portion including a front end and a back end with the back end positioned adjacent to the perforated duct, and wherein air is drawn across a surface of the seat base portion and a surface of the back rest portion without passing through the seat base and the back rest portions, and into the perforated duct. The ventilated seating system may utilize a pressure differential to draw the air into the duct. To enhance operation, the system may further include adjustable perforated ducts. The adjustable perforated ducts may be adjusted manually or mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Trevor M. Laib
  • Patent number: 7028493
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a front air conditioning unit and a seat air conditioning unit are automatically controlled by an air conditioner ECU. If a seat air conditioner switch is operated by a user during an automatic control, the setting (e.g. air volume of a seat blower) of the seat air conditioning switch is learned. Based on the learning, a seat blower characteristic diagram, which is stored in a ROM, is changed. Therefore, from this time onward, under the same environmental condition, the seat blower air volume is determined based on the changed seat blower characteristic diagram. Accordingly, a seat air conditioning is provided as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Toshifumi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6988770
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald G. Witchie
  • Patent number: 6976734
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a backrest (16) that has a backrest cushion (18) and a rear backrest cover (20), and an air-handling device that is associated with the backrest (16) and is connected to an air distribution device (30, 32) in the seat. The rear backrest cover (20) is at least partially air permeable, and covers at least one passage (27) of the air-handling device (23). The air exchanged between the environment and the air-handling device (23) passes for the most part through the air-permeable regions of the backrest cover (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Stefan Stoewe
  • Patent number: 6929322
    Abstract: A buffering member is connected between a cushion member and an air discharge duct of a blower unit to damp vibrations of the blower unit and thus to limit conduction of the vibrations from the blower unit to the cushion member. Resilient damper members are held between a connector bracket and a cover member and hold seat spring members, so that the blower unit is supported by the seat spring member. The connector bracket includes protrusions, which protrude toward the cushion member and hold the seat spring members through the resilient damper members. The cushion member includes recesses, which receive the protrusions of the connector bracket in such a manner that the protrusions are spaced from the cushion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Toshifumi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6929218
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided comprising a fuselage and a central monitoring system positioned within the fuselage. A plurality of seating elements is also positioned within said fuselage. Each of the plurality of seating elements includes a plurality of seat options integrated into the seating element and an electronics control system integrated into the seating element. The electronics control system includes a seat processor having logic adapted to monitor an operational status of each of the seat options and communicate the operational status to the central monitoring system via wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William C. Sanford, Shawn Claflin, Mark E. Wentland, Bradley J. Mitchell, Kevin S. Callahan, Trevor Laib, James A. Fullerton
  • Patent number: 6893086
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignees: W.E.T. Automotive Systems Ltd., Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Lindy Brennan, Brennon Lewis White, Anne Patrice Liss, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic, Marinko Lazanja
  • Patent number: 6869140
    Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes a bag formed from impermeable materials enclosing a spacer material. The latter preferably includes upper and lower netting sheets and fibers extending between the netting sheets, the fibers being sufficiently resilient to prevent total collapse of the spacer material when the seat is occupied. An air mover that forces air into or draws air from the bag may be coupled to the air space between the air impermeable layers of the bag. Groups of holes are provided in the top of the bag, and the total cross-sectional areas of the groups of holes are preferably selected to equalize air flow over the seating surface, rather than having all the air flow through the holes nearest the fan. An optional, porous heating layer may be located above the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brennon L. White, Mary J. Lumbard, Anne P. Liss, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 6869139
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Lindy Brennan, Goran Bajic, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic
  • Patent number: 6848742
    Abstract: A seat air conditioning unit includes a seat defining an air passage therein through which air flows toward a seat surface, and first and second blower units for blowing air in the air passage. The first blower unit is provided in a seat bottom of the seat and the second blower unit is provided in a backrest of the seat. The first blower unit includes one of a centrifugal fan, a mixed flow fan, and a regeneration fan. The second blower unit includes an axial flow fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Toshifumi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6840576
    Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes a first portion and a tongue portion. The first portion includes a porous upper surface layer, a non-porous first inner layer that is adjacent to the upper surface layer and that includes ventilation holes, a non-porous lower surface layer, and an expanded spacer layer between the non-porous layers that provides an air space. The tongue portion includes a tongue that is integrally-formed with the first portion. The tongue extends from the edge of the first portion and includes an opening in one of the non-porous layers. The opening provides access to the air space within the expanded spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Ronald G. Bedro
  • Patent number: 6817675
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat includes padding which is assigned to a backrest or a seat cushion and includes a lower padding part, a ventilation layer which rests on the lower padding part and through which air may flow, and an air-permeable, upper padding layer arranged above the latter, the padding covered by upholstery and provided with stitching along which the upholstery is connected to the upper padding layer via fastening device(s), and the ventilation layer extending into side parts of the padding and having a virtually unchanged thickness in the region of the stitching. The upholstery and the upper padding layer are fastened to the lower padding part along the stitching via the fastening device(s) bridging the ventilation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Henning Buss, Karl-Heinz Minuth, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Patent number: 6808230
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Henning Buss, Joachim Kunkel, Karl Pfahler
  • Publication number: 20040189061
    Abstract: The invention relates to an upholstered element (1) for a lower seat part (2) and/or a backrest (4) of an air-conditioned motor-vehicle seat (6), comprising an elastic upholstered air-permeable base part (8) and an air-permeable air-conditioning layer (10) which is disposed on the surface of the base part (8). The air-conditioning layer (10) consists of at least two partial layers (14, 16), i.e. a lower layer (14) which is oriented towards the base part (8) and an upper layer (16) which is disposed on top of the lower layer (14). The upper layer (16) is made of a material which absorbs moisture. Preferably, an intermediate layer (22) made of an air-permeable material is disposed between the base part (8) and the lower layer (14). The lower layer (14) is relatively softer and the intermediate layer (22, 22a) is relatively harder, whereby the lower layer (14) and intermediate layer (22) are prevented from being pressed into holes (18) in the base part (8) when the seat is occupied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Dirk Hartwich, Gerhard Schmale
  • Patent number: 6786273
    Abstract: A seat cushion has cooling flow passages that are provided in a substantially parallel and planar manner. Air at a temperature lower than the body temperature is blown through the cooling flow passages substantially parallelly to the body surface of a person sitting on the cushion. As a result, the temperature gradient near the body surface is increased so as to release heat from the body, resulting in a feeling of coolness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ichigaya
  • Patent number: 6786541
    Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes an imperforate foam air plenum member located in a foam cushion top. The air plenum member is assembled from a molded box-like foam member and an integrally molded cover. The air plenum has an air port for application of positive or negative pressure. The cover has apertures for air to pass into or out of the air plenum member. One preferred embodiment of the air plenum member includes an integrally molded portion that is assembled into an air conduit for said air port. The cover can have various sizes that are larger than the box-like member and can have inner and outer surface conformations to suit various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregary A. Haupt, Jeff Montgomery, Gary Reynolds, Hilding Holcombe
  • Publication number: 20040164594
    Abstract: An air conditioned seat with a padded seat surface (4) and a padded backrest (8) and with a fan (16) arranged beneath the seat surface (4). The fan (16) is connected to an air distribution apparatus (20, 22) in the seat, and includes a flow region (31) that is open to the environment. The flow region (31) is located substantially on the side of the fan (16) facing the seat surface (4). The fan inlet (30) is further environmentally protected by a diffuser (36) located in the flow region (31) and forming a slit opening (40) between a top edge (38) of the diffuser (36) and an underside (28) of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Stefan Stoewe, Rainer Spee
  • Patent number: 6761399
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Claudio Bargheer, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Patent number: 6758741
    Abstract: A vehicle interior structure includes an air vent wall. The air vent wall has a nonpermeable layer, a nonpermeable surface layer and a permeable layer. The permeable layer has a three-dimensional net construction and is disposed between the nonpermeable layer and the nonpermeable surface layer. The permeable layer has two welded nonpermeable portions, which are extended linearly. An air passage is formed between the welded nonpermeable portions. The vehicle interior structure is applied to a vehicle temperature control system including an air conditioning unit and an air blower unit. The interior of the vehicle is ventilated through the air passage of the air vent wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Kazushi Shikata
  • Patent number: 6746076
    Abstract: A windbreak device is provided for an open motor vehicle, in whose passenger cell at least one vehicle seat having a backrest and associated head restraint is arranged. Air outflow openings of the air-distributing device are provided level with an upper region of the backrest in order to avoid undesirable draughts for the vehicle occupant. The air-distributing device is integrated in the backrest and is supported directly by the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Axel Bogisch, Thomas Foelster, Vasilios Orizaris, Karl Pfahler, Juergen Schrader
  • Publication number: 20040104607
    Abstract: A breathable seat comprises a seat body formed of urethane foam, a three-dimensional network cushion body incorporated in that region of the seat body which bears a user's body, a seat cover having breathability, and a pan frame. The cushion body is formed of a large number of continuous linear elements of thermoplastic resin. The linear elements are looped windingly so that their respective contact portions are fused together. The seat body is formed having venting holes that penetrate the urethane foam in its thickness direction. The venting holes communicate with the cushion body and apertures of the pan frame. The seat cover envelops the seat body and the cushion body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Minegishi, Kazuo Kikuchi, Takashi Ebihara
  • Patent number: 6736452
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning unit mounted in a vehicle seat, a resilient member is provided adjacent to a rear surface of a cover member that makes contact with a user. A cushion member is provided between the cover member and the resilient member. A blower unit is supported by the resilient member on a side opposite to the cushion member with respect to the resilient member. The blower unit is fixed to the resilient member by interposing the resilient member between a fixing member and a blower case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Toshifumi Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20040090093
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat air conditioning system, when air blows, discomfort in seating caused by the presence of an air-blowing unit is reduced and a depression is nearly avoided in the surface cover material. The system utilizes a surface cover material, a cushion member positioned on a backside of the surface cover material, an air-blowing hole penetrating through the thickness of said cushion member, an air-blowing unit positioned on a backside of said cushion member to supply air to said air-blowing hole, and a support portion, which is integral with the cushion member and that supports the surface cover material, provided in a position of said air-blowing hole. The size of an air-blowing hole proximate to the support portion is smaller than the size of an air-blowing hole proximate said air-blowing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Toshifumi Kamiya, Shinji Aoki
  • Patent number: 6733072
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Laurent Jaillet, Hervé Rancon, Jérôme Senechal, Nordine Edouibi
  • Publication number: 20040084937
    Abstract: A vehicle seat component (14, 14a, 14′) and its method for making same with a seating portion (20) molded from either expanded polyethylene or expanded polypropylene to have a density in the range of 0.3 to 2.8 pounds per cubic foot with a softness to provide seating comfort. A seat support (22) of the seat component is molded from expanded polypropylene and has a density in the range of 5 to 10 pounds per cubic foot so as to provide structural support. The seating portion (14, 14a) can be molded from either expanded pellets (28) or extruded and expanded tubes (34) of either polyethylene or polypropylene, while the seat support (22) is molded from expanded polypropylene pellets (30). The seat component (14′) may have a cover (36′) molded to the seating portion (20), and both the moldings may be sequentially in the same mold (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Michael J. Berta
  • Publication number: 20040036326
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Lindy Brennan, Brennon Lewis White, Anne Patrice Liss, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic, Marinko Lazanja
  • Patent number: 6685553
    Abstract: A seat air conditioning unit includes a seat defining an air passage in a seat member and a blower unit for blowing air into the air passage. The air passage includes an air introduction passage communicating with the blower unit, air distribution passages formed on a surface of a main pad of the seat member adjacent to a sub pad and through holes formed in the sub pad at portions corresponding to the air distribution passages. The air distribution passages extend from the air introduction passage toward the front and rear ends or the top and bottom ends of the seat. The through holes have openings on a surface of the sub pad adjacent to a cover. A dimension of each opening is greater than a dimension of the air distribution passage in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the air distribution passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Aoki
  • Patent number: 6682140
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle seat having a backrest, the padding of which includes a ventilation layer through which air can flow with the aid of a fan of a ventilation device, the backrest provided on its rear side with a soft trim part from which at least one air inlet opening for the ventilation device has been left open. The air inlet opening is arranged in the upper region of the soft trim part of the backrest and in the region of overlap with the associated fan of the ventilation device, the air inlet opening covered by a covering arranged on the soft trim part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Minuth, Karl Pfahler
  • Patent number: 6676207
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including at least one pad (12) having an air-permeable surface area (16). In the region of the air-permeable surface area (16) of the pad, an air-permeable heating element (18) is arranged to heat the surface area (16) of the pad. A fan unit (24) blows air through the heating element (18) and the surface area (16) of the pad. A first temperature sensor (26) detects the temperature of the surface area (16) or of the heating element (18). A second temperature sensor (30) detects the temperature of the air aspirated by the fan (24). A fan regulator (32) regulates the volume flow of air as a function of the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Rauh, Stefan Stowe
  • Publication number: 20030230913
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat includes padding which is assigned to a backrest or a seat cushion and includes a lower padding part, a ventilation layer which rests on the lower padding part and through which air may flow, and an air-permeable, upper padding layer arranged above the latter, the padding covered by upholstery and provided with stitching along which the upholstery is connected to the upper padding layer via fastening device(s), and the ventilation layer extending into side parts of the padding and having a virtually unchanged thickness in the region of the stitching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Henning Buss, Karl-Heinz Minuth, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Publication number: 20030214160
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Lindy Brennan, Goran Bajic, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic
  • Patent number: 6644735
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Claudio Bargheer, Peter Nordberg, Vasilios Orizaris, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Publication number: 20030197404
    Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes a first portion and a tongue portion. The first portion includes a porous upper surface layer, a non-porous first inner layer that is adjacent to the upper surface layer and that includes ventilation holes, a non-porous lower surface layer, and an expanded spacer layer between the non-porous layers that provides an air space. The tongue portion includes a tongue that is integrally-formed with the first portion. The tongue extends from the edge of the first portion and includes an opening in one of the non-porous layers. The opening provides access to the air space within the expanded spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Ronald G. Bedro
  • Patent number: 6629724
    Abstract: A portable ventilated seat assembly for use by an occupant in a vehicle includes a lay-on pad for supporting the occupant. The pad includes a porous material forming an upper surface layer, a non-porous first inner layer adjacent to the upper surface layer, a non-porous layer forming a lower surface layer and an expanded spacer material between the non-porous layers. The ventilated assembly further includes a fan coupled to the air space between the non-porous layers for ventilating the seat assembly. The ventilated seat assembly allows ventilation and cooling (or reverse flow heating or cooling) for the occupant. The spacer material may have upper and lower netting layers and fibers extending therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David F. Ekern, Ronald G. Bedro
  • Patent number: 6629725
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kunkel, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Patent number: RE39394
    Abstract: A seat apparatus includes a seat cushion, a seat back associated with the seat cushion, an air vent extending from the bottom side of the cushion towards the sitting side of the cushion, and an air producing device which blows air, preferably temperature controlled air, to the air vent and to a groove facing the sitting side of the cushion. The seat apparatus is thus able to distribute air, preferably temperature controlled air, to the seated individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Suzuki, Hidetoshi Nakane, Masato Itakura, Toshihiro Inayoshi