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Patent

Variable temperature seat

TL;DR: In this paper, a reclining construction with a plurality of plenums (14, 16 and 17) formed in the foam (30) of the seat cushion is described, and the air then migrates through a reticulated foam layer (40) that is itself covered with an air permeable layer of material (42).
Abstract: A seating construction (10) with a plurality of plenums (14) and (20) into which is received temperature conditioned air (5). The air passes through the seat via a plurality of channels (14, 16 and 17) formed in the foam (30) of the seat cushion. The air then migrates through a reticulated foam layer (40) that is itself covered with an air permeable layer of material (42). The reticulated foam (40) and stitching of the seat fabric (42) facilitate diffusion of the air from the foam channel conduits (14, 16 and 17). The air then convectively circulates against and near the occupant of the seat to facilitate climate control around the occupant.
Citations
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Patent
28 Mar 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle is described. But this insert is not suitable for the use in a commercial vehicle, as it is unsuitable for indoor environments.
Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.

302 citations

Patent
10 Mar 2005
TL;DR: In this paper, an automotive vehicle seating comfort system for providing heating, cooling, ventilation or a combination thereof to an individual in an automotive car seat is described. And 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.
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.

262 citations

Patent
12 May 1999
TL;DR: In this article, a system for thermally conditioning and pumping a fluid is described, which consists of a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a temperature-sensitive device configured to pump heat.
Abstract: Disclosed is a system for thermally conditioning and pumping a fluid. The system includes a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a thermoelectric device configured to pump heat. Heat exchangers are provided for transferring heat to and from the thermoelectric device and for generating a fluid flow across the thermoelectric device. The conditioned fluid may be placed in thermal communication with a variety of objects, such as a vehicle seat, or anywhere localized heating and cooling are desired. Thermal isolation may also be provided in the direction of flow to enhance efficiency.

227 citations

Patent
David M. Misaras1
31 Jan 2001
TL;DR: In this article, an apparatus and method of perforating the cover layer or soft skin of an automotive trim panel such as an instrument panel with a laser to allow light to bleed through the perforations is presented.
Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of perforating the cover layer or soft skin of an automotive trim panel such as an instrument panel with a laser to allow light to bleed through the perforations. The light source would preferably be a low heat generating or “cool” type source such as an LED. The light source would be attached to a suitable substrate or incorporated in to a flexible printed circuit and coupled to the vehicle electrical system. This method would enable fill switch integration to a trim panel and provide a seamless styling opportunity regarding the electrical controls. This method would help reduce cost and weight, improve quality, and promote new seamless styling theme.

198 citations

Patent
28 Nov 2005
TL;DR: A vehicle seat with a backrest cover is at least partially air permeable, and covers at least one passage of the air-handling device as discussed by the authors, where the air exchanged between the environment and the air handling device passes for the most part through the air permeable regions of the backrest covers.
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 ).

192 citations

References
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Patent
18 Oct 1989
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a seat construction with joined seat and backrest parts, and a plenum into which is received temperature conditioned air, where coil springs define the plenum and a covering is secured over the springs consisting of, from the inside out, a metal mesh layer, an elastomer sheet with a number of openings, and an air permeable fabric layer.
Abstract: A seating construction with joined seat and backrest parts has a plenum into which is received temperature conditioned air. Coil springs define the plenum and a covering is secured over the springs consisting of, from the inside out, a metal mesh layer, an elastomer sheet with a number of openings, and an air permeable fabric layer. The elastomer sheet behaves as a viscous liquid when subjected to forces and shocks. An alternative to the elastomer sheet is a baglike layer filled with fluid with a number of openings provided to enable passage of conditioned air through the layer.

180 citations

Patent
23 Apr 1987
TL;DR: A modified blanket assembly construction includes rigid edge wall members holding the outer and inner layers separated at a predetermined spacing reducing "pinch-off" between the layers restricting air flow within parts of the cavity or chamber.
Abstract: A blanket assembly has an outer layer constructed of a relatively close weave fabric preventing air flow therethrough. Underneath the top layer is a second layer of material edge connected to the top layer and which is constructed of a material permeable to air, such as relatively thin taffeta, for example. A cavity exists between the two layers which receives pressurized cooled or heated air that passes through the air permeable layer to cool or heat the individual using the blanket assembly. A modified blanket assembly construction includes rigid edge wall members holding the outer and inner layers separated at a predetermined spacing reducing "pinch-off" between the layers restricting air flow within parts of the cavity or chamber. Peltier effect elements are selectively energizable to heat or cool air provided to the blanket assembly cavity.

155 citations

Patent
17 Nov 1988
TL;DR: In this paper, a seat pad and backrest enclose a plenum into which pressurized air is provided from a closely adjacent Peltier air temperature and humidity modifying apparatus (either cooled or warmed).
Abstract: A seat pad and backrest enclose a plenum into which pressurized air is provided from a closely adjacent Peltier air temperature and humidity modifying apparatus (either cooled or warmed). A metallic mesh is part of the seat pad and backrest and warms or cools the user by conduction. Alternatively, the seat pad and backrest can be separate each having its own plenum, and modified air is provided to both via a selectively adjustable proportioning valve. Yet another alternative unitarily incorporates a seat pad and backrest into a chair with a single plenum fed temperature modified air from a Peltier unit mounted on the chair.

143 citations

Patent
02 Aug 1961

141 citations

Patent
16 Jun 1976
TL;DR: In this article, the thermoelectric heat pump is broken down into discrete sections which heat or cool the input fluid in stages, and the system thus operates as several discrete heat pumps each doing only a small portion of the heat pumping without sacrificing the desired final outlet temperature.
Abstract: Thermoelectric heat pumps using parallel flow, crossflow, or counter-flow of the input and output fluid streams have been designed and built, but performance has been insensitive to flow arrangement due to the use of one-piece, essentially isothermal heat exchangers on the heated and cooled thermoelectric junctions. Thus, none of these designs have capitalized on the sensitivity of the thermoelectric coefficient of performance to the junctions temperature differences and the smaller temperature differences possible with the counter-flow arrangement. In the improved design, the thermoelectric heat pump is broken down into discrete sections which heat or cool the input fluid in stages. The system thus operates as several discrete heat pumps each doing only a small portion of the heat pumping without sacrificing the desired final outlet temperature. Thus, the junction temperature differentials for each thermoelectric unit in the system is less than that with conventional one-piece heat sink designs. Consequently, the coefficient of performance or "heat pump efficiency" of the sectioned system is significantly improved.

130 citations