US20070107440A1 - Air flow device incorporated into seat for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle comprises: a seat1of a vehicle including a seating portion1bon which a passenger is seated and also including a seat back portion la against which passenger leans; a suction hole4open on a surface7of the seat of a vehicle, communicated with a vehicle passenger compartment2;a suction air passage6formed inside the seat1of a vehicle, communicated with the suction hole4;a blower5for forcibly generating an air current in the suction air passage6;and a pocket cover3covering one portion of the surface of the seat1of a vehicle. Further, the suction hole4is arranged opposite to a reverse face3aof the pocket cover. Due to the above constitution, it is possible to provide an air flow device, incorporated into a seat of a vehicle, which has a good appearance and an excellent air flow performance.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle which forces air from the vehicle passenger compartment through the seat.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Concerning this type air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle, for example, the official gazettes of JP-A-2003-252036 and 2003-285628 disclose an air flow device in which an air current is blown out from a seat surface, into a vehicle passenger compartment, through an air passage formed in the seat. In this type air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle, a flow of air is forcibly blown out into an air passage formed in the seat. The blast of air is blown out from a large number of small holes, which are formed on a seat surface communicated with the air passage formed in the seat, into the vehicle passenger compartment.
• In the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle disclosed in the official gazette of JP-A-2003-252036, a flow of air is blown out from a large number of small holes formed on the seat skin. Further, the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle disclosed in the official gazette of JP-A-2003-252036 includes an air passage by which the air, which has been taken from the vehicle passenger compartment through a suction port formed on a seat back surface, is blown out from an exhaust port formed on the seat back surface.
• However, in the above conventional air flow device incorporated into a seat for vehicle use, a flow of air is sent into the vehicle passenger compartment from a large number of small holes formed in the seat skin. Therefore, a large pressure loss is necessarily caused in the air passage. Accordingly, it is difficult to ensure that a necessary volume of air can be blown out.
• In the device described in the official gazette of JP-A-2003-252036, a suction port and an exhaust port for blowing a flow of air are provided on the surface of the seat back. Therefore, it is possible to improve the pressure loss caused in the air passage. However, since the suction port and the exhaust port are seen by passengers, the device appearance is not good.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle which has a good appearance, and the air flow performance of which is excellent.
• In order to accomplish the above object, in an embodiment of the present invention, an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle comprises: a seat (1) of a vehicle including a seat portion (1b) on which a passenger is seated and also including a seat back portion (1a) against which the back of the seated passenger leans; vent holes (4,11) open on a surface (7) of the seat of a vehicle, communicated with the vehicle passenger compartment (2); an air passage (6,28,31) formed inside the seat (1) of a vehicle, communicated with the vent holes (4,11); an air flow means (5) for forcibly generating an air current in the air passage (6,28,31); and a seat member (3,10) which is provided covering one portion (7) of the surface of the seat of a vehicle. Further, the vent holes (4,11) are arranged opposed to a reverse face (3a,10a) of the seat member.
• According to the present invention, the vent hole to communicate the vehicle passenger compartment with the inside of the seat is arranged opposite to the reverse face of the seat member. Therefore, the vent hole is open at a position which is seldom seen by the passengers. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the size of the opening area of the vent hole. At the same time, it is possible to provide an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle, the vehicle passenger compartment of which has a good appearance.
• In the present invention, a vent hole (4,11) is a suction port (4) for taking in air from the vehicle passenger compartment (2) by the air flow means (5).
• According to the present invention, from the viewpoint of an outward appearance, the suction port is hidden by the seat member. Therefore, it is possible to extend the opening area of the suction port. Due to the foregoing, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss in the suction air current. Accordingly, a reduction in the volume of air sent from the air flow means can be prevented. Alternatively, the energy consumption can be reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of clogging of the suction port which is caused when dust floating in the vehicle passenger compartment is sucked into the suction port. When a filter area is increased, it is possible to extend the periods between replacing the filter. As the filter can be hidden by the seat member, contamination of the filter caused by clogging can be hidden. Therefore, an outward appearance of the vehicle passenger compartment has a good appearance.
• In the present invention, the seat (1) for vehicle use includes: an air flow means (5); a Peltier module (9) for conducting heat absorption and heat emission on the air sucked from the vehicle passenger compartment (2) by the air flow means (5); and an exhaust passage (13) connected to a blowout portion (25) of the Peltier module (9), wherein a suction port (4) is arranged so that one portion of the suction port can face a pocket space (21) partitioned by the seat member (3).
• According to the present invention, air is drawn from the vehicle passenger compartment into the pocket space through an open portion which is not partitioned by the seat member. Therefore, when this open portion is set at an appropriate position, an efficiency of absorbing or emitting heat by the Peltier module can be enhanced.
• In the present invention, the seat (1) for vehicle use includes: an air flow means (5); a Peltier module (9) for conducting heat absorption and heat emission on the air sucked from the vehicle passenger compartment (2) by the air flow means (5); and an exhaust passage (13) connected to a blowout portion (25) of the Peltier module (9), wherein the exhaust passage (13) is communicated with an exhaust port (14) arranged in a portion located lower than the suction port (4).
• According to the present invention, the air to be exhausted is exhausted from the exhaust port arranged in a lower portion of the suction port. Due to the foregoing, exhaust heat of the air, which has passed through the Peltier module, is seldom mixed with the air sucked from the vehicle passenger compartment through the suction port. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a deterioration of the efficiency of absorbing or emitting heat by the Peltier module.
• In the present invention, the seat (1) for vehicle use includes: an air flow means (5); a Peltier module (9) for conducting a heat absorption and a heat emission on the air sucked from the vehicle passenger compartment (2) by the air flow means (5); and an exhaust passage (13) connected to a blowout portion (25) of the Peltier module (9), wherein the suction port (4) is arranged so that one portion of the suction port can face a pocket space (21) partitioned by the seat member (3), and the exhaust passage (13) is communicated with an exhaust port (14) arranged in a lower portion of the suction port (4) outside the pocket space (21).
• According to the present invention, the exhaust port and the suction port are partitioned from each other, and the exhaust port is arranged in a lower portion of the suction port. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the exhaust heat of the air, which has passed through the Peltier module, from being transmitted to the suction port. Therefore, a deterioration of the air conditioning performance caused by the Peltier module can be prevented.
• In the present invention, the seat member (3,10) is formed out of a pocket cover (3).
• According to the present invention, as the suction port is arranged inside the pocket cover, the suction port can seldom be seen by the passengers. Accordingly, the vehicle passenger compartment has a good appearance. Further, as the existing parts can be put into practical use, it is possible to obtain an air passage, the structure of which is simple, the pressure loss of which is small and the manufacturing cost of which is low.
• In the present invention, a wall portion (30) protruding to a reverse side (3a) of the seat member is provided on one portion on the surface of the seat of a vehicle on which a vent hole (4) is open and which is covered with the seat member (3). According to the present invention, even when an object is put into a space formed between the seat member and one portion of the vehicle seat surface, the object is located on the reverse side of the seat member by the wall portion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the vent hole from being blocked by the object concerned.
• In the present invention, a filter (15) is provided in the vent hole (4). According to the present invention, passengers can seldom see the dust attached onto the filter. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the appearance of the vehicle passenger compartment is deteriorated. As the filter is arranged at a position which can seldom be seen by the passengers, a structure of attaching the filter can be made simple. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a filter, the attaching and detaching property of which is good, at a low cost.
• In the present invention, the seat member (3,10) includes a seat handle cover (10). According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the same operational effect as that of a case in which the seat member is formed out of a pocket cover.
• In this connection, reference numerals in the parentheses in the means described above show a corresponding relation with the specific means of the embodiments described later.
• The present invention may be more fully understood from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth below, together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a structure of an air flow-device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the first embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional illustration taken on line III-III inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing a relation between a suction port and a pocket cover in the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the first embodiment;
• FIG. 5 is a front view of a suction port of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the first embodiment, wherein this view is taken from a reverse side of a pocket cover;
• FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a structure of an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the second embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional illustration taken on line VII-VII inFIG. 6;
• FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing a relation between a suction port and a filter in the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the second embodiment;
• FIG. 9 is a rear view showing a structure of an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the third embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view showing a relation between a suction port and a seat handle cover of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the third embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSFirst Embodiment
• Referring to FIGS.1 to5, the first embodiment will be explained below.FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a structure of an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment.FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment.FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional illustration taken on line III-III inFIG. 1.FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing a relation between asuction port4 and apocket cover3 in the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment.FIG. 5 is a front view of asuction port4 of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle, wherein this view is taken from a reverse side of apocket cover3.
• The air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment includes: aseat1 of a vehicle including aseating portion1bin which a passenger is seated and also including a seat back portion la against which the seated passenger leans; a vent hole which is opened onto avehicle seat surface7 and communicated with avehicle passenger compartment2; an air passage which is formed inside thevehicle seat1 and communicated with the vent hole.; ablower5 which is an air flow means for forcibly generating an air current in this air passage; and a seat member for covering one portion of thevehicle seat surface7. Further, the vent hole is arranged opposite to a reverse face of the seat member.
• Theseat1 for vehicle use includes: a seatingportion1bfor supporting the hip portion and the thigh portion of a passenger; and a seat backportion1afor supporting the back of the seated passenger. The seat backportion1aincludes: amain pad17 made of cushioning material such as urethane; acover pad16 for covering themain pad17; aseat spring member19,20 located on the back side of themain pad17; and a frame member (not shown) located inside of thecover pad16, wherein an outer shape of the seat backportion1ais formed out of these components. A surface on the front side of the seat backportion1ais covered with askin member12, and a surface on the back side of the seat backportion1ais covered with aback board8.
• Theblower5 is not limited to a blower, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, which is arranged inside theseat1 of a vehicle. Even when a blower is arranged outside theseat1 of a vehicle, as long as it is composed in such a manner that an air current can be forcibly formed in an air passage when the blower is communicated with the air passage such as a duct, any blower may be used. The seat member is formed in such a manner that the seat member protrudes from a surface of theseat1 of a vehicle. The seat member is arranged so that a predetermined space can be formed between the surface of theseat1 of a vehicle and the reverse face of the seat member. In this connection, the material of the seat member is not particularly limited.
• A vent hole is open onto the surface of theseat1 for vehicle use by a predetermined opening area. A size of the vent hole is distinctly larger than that of a large number of small holes, which are usually formed on the seat skin. Further, the size of the vent hole is distinctly larger than the gaps formed in the fabric net or the small holes formed in foamed resin. A shape of the opening is not particularly limited. For example, the shape of the opening may be rectangular, circular or slit-shaped. In this connection, theseat1 of a vehicle of the present embodiment can be applied to any of the driver's seat, the front passenger seat and the rear passenger seats.
• Explanations will be made into an example of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present invention in which the vent hole is asuction port4, the seat member is a pocket cover and the air passage is anair passage6. Thesuction port4 is formed on aback board8 composing a surface on the back side of the seat backportion1a.Theback board8 is made of resin, and an overall shape of thesuction port4 is formed by means of integral molding in which a metallic mold is used. Theback board8 is integrally fixed with theseat skin12 in such a manner that theback board8 composes an outer surface of the seat backportion1a.Inside theback board8, asuction air passage6, which is communicated with thesuction port4, is formed all over the back face of the seat backportion1a.
• In the seat backportion1a,acover pad16 is provided inside theseat skin12. Further, inside thecover pad16, amain pad17, the shape of which is predetermined, is provided. On theseat skin12, a large number ofsmall holes12aare formed. Thesesmall holes12acompose a blowout port through which air is blown out from theseat1 of a vehicle. Thecover pad16 is made of continuously foamed urethane material. Due to the continuously foaming, a large number ofsmall holes16aare provided.
• In themain pad17, ablowout air passage18, which is communicated with thesuction air passage6, is formed. An end opening of theblowout air passage18 on thecover pad16 side is communicated with thevehicle passenger compartment2 through a large number ofsmall holes12aformed on theseat skin12 and through a large number ofsmall holes16aformed on thecover pad16. A large number ofsmall holes12a,which are communicated with theblowout passage18, may be formed when theseat skin12 is composed of fabrics having the air ventilation property.
• On the downstream side of thesuction air passage6 and on theback board8 side of theblowout air passage18, ablower5 is provided. Asuction port5aof theblower5 is located in thesuction air passage6 and is opposite to the back face of theback board8, and itsblowout port5bis located in aback board8 side opening end portion of theblowout air passage18. Theblower5 is fixed to theseat spring member19 through a bracket (not shown). In the joint portions of theseat spring member19, the bracket and theblower5, elastic members, made of rubber, are interposed so that vibration cannot be transmitted from theblower5 to the passenger.
• Thesuction port4 is open and opposite to theback face3aof the pocket cover, which covers oneportion7 of the surface of theseat1 of a vehicle, while forming a predetermined interval. Between theback face3aof the pocket cover and thesuction port4, apocket space21 is formed. After the air has been sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2 into thepocket space21, the air enters theair passage6 from thesuction port4. It is desirable that thesuction port4 is completely covered with thepocket cover3. In this case, thesuction port4 cannot be seen by passenger. Therefore, an opening area of thesuction port4 can be made as large as possible. Thesuction port4 may be composed of one opening. Alternatively, thesuction port4 may be composed of a plurality of openings close together.
• In the case where thepocket cover3 is a map pocket cover provided in a lower portion on the back face side of the driver's seat or the front passenger seat, as shown inFIG. 3, thepocket space21 is formed in such a manner that a predetermined interval is provided between thepocket cover3 and thesuction port4 by theband22.
• As shown inFIG. 4, in oneportion7 of the surface of the seat for vehicle use in which thesuction port4 is open and which is covered with thepocket cover3, awall portion30 is arranged which protrudes toward theback face3aof the pocket cover. Thiswall portion30 is formed into a rib-shape which is protruded toward theback face3aof the pocket cover by a predetermined size of protrusion. At least onewall portion30 is provided. In the case where an object is put into thepocket space21, an amount of protrusion of thewall portion30 is determined so that a gap can be formed between the object to be put into the pocket and thesuction port4 and so that a ventilation can be made in the gap when the object is contacted with thewall portion30 and pushed to thepocket cover3 side. A shape of thewall portion30 may be formed in such a manner that thewall portion30 extends in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the shape of thewall portion30 may be formed in such a manner that thewall portion30 extends in the horizontal direction.
• It is preferable that thewall portion30 includes aninclined face30awhich is arranged in a lower portion of thewall portion30 and inclined with respect to the vehicle seat surface. For example, in the case where books are put into thepocket space21, the books are greatly inclined by thisinclined face30a.Therefore, a gap formed between the books and thesuction port4 can be extended.
• As shown inFIG. 5, a plurality ofsuction ports4 may be arranged at regular intervals and thewall portion30 may be arranged between thesuction ports4 which are adjacent to each other. When thewall portion30 is arranged as described above, with respect to anysuction port4, the accommodated object such as a book is pushed by thewall portion30, which is located close to the object, to thepocket cover3 side. Accordingly, it becomes possible to ensure a gap between the accommodated object and eachsuction hole4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the accommodated object from blocking thesuction hole4.
• In this connection, it is preferable that theblowout air passage18 is provided in an upper portion in the seat backportion1a.Especially, it is preferable that theblowout air passage18 is arranged as follows. When the passenger is seated in theseating portion1band leans against the seat backportion1a,the blowout air can be supplied to the passenger's shoulder portion, the portion from the shoulder portion to the neck portion and the head. Theabove suction port4, thesuction air passage6, theblower5 and theblowout air passage18 may be arranged on theseating portion1bside.
• In this connection, theblower5 is not particularly limited to a specific type. In the case where theblower5 is composed of an axial fan, it is possible to reduce the height of the fan. Therefore, a height of the device can be decreased and a space on the back face side of the seat backportion1acan be effectively put into practical use. As an opening space of thesuction port4 can be extended in the present invention, when a fan diameter of the axial fan is increased, a volume of the blast of air can be further increased without extending the height of the fan.
• The air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle composed as described above works as follows. A blast of conditioned-air, which has been blown out from a conditioned-air outlet (not shown) of an air conditioner, is taken into theseat1 of a vehicle and blown out from the surface of theseat1 of a vehicle. In this way, an air current can be formed in the periphery of the passenger. For example, when an air current is formed so that a wind of air, which is conditioned for providing a comfortable air circumstance, can reach thesurface7 of the seat of a vehicle and this conditioned-wind is positively blown out from the back side of the passenger existing on the opposite side to thesurface7 of the seat of a vehicle, the air circumstance in the periphery of the passenger can be enhanced and it becomes possible to produce an immediate effect or air conditioning.
• As described above, the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment includes: asuction port4 which is open to thesurface7 of the seat of a vehicle and communicated with thevehicle passenger compartment2; anair passage6 which is formed inside theseat1 of a vehicle and communicated with thesuction port4; ablower5 for forcibly generating an air current in thesuction air passage6; and apocket cover3 for covering one portion of the surface of theseat1 of a vehicle. Further, thesuction port4 is arranged being opposed to theback face3aof the pocket cover.
• According to this constitution, thesuction port4 to communicate thevehicle passenger compartment2 with the inside of the seat is arranged on theseat surface7 opposite to the back face of thepocket3. Therefore, thesuction port4 can be opened at a position that the passenger can seldom see. Accordingly, it is possible to extend the opening area of thesuction port4. Further, the vehicle passenger compartment has a good appearance. Especially when the opening area of thesuction port4 is extended, it becomes possible to reduce a pressure loss in the passage in which the suction air current flows. Accordingly, there is no possibility that a volume of air delivered by theblower5 is decreased. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the electric power consumption. As it is possible to extend the opening area of thesuction port4 as much as possible, a volume of suction air can be increased, which makes the passenger feel more comfortable. Since the opening area of thesuction port4 can be extended, there is no possibility that thesuction port4 is clogged by sucking dust floating in the vehicle passenger compartment. Therefore, a deterioration of the air flow performance, which is caused by the clogging, can be prevented.
• In the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment, in the case where a member of theseat1 of a vehicle composing thesuction port4 is composed of a backboard made of resin, when thesuction port4 is formed together with the member of theseat1 at the time of integral molding, it is possible to compose asuction port4, the shape, size and position of which are desired.
• In the air blasting device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment, awall portion30 protruding toward the pocket cover back face3ais provided in oneportion7 on the vehicle seat surface to which thesuction port4 is open and which is covered with thepocket cover3. When the above structure is employed, even when an object such as a book, magazine or map is put into a space formed between thepocket cover3 and oneportion7 on the vehicle seat surface, the accommodated object is located on theback face3aside of the pocket cover by thewall portion30. Accordingly, a predetermined space can be ensured between the object concerned and thesuction port4. Therefore, thesuction port4 cannot be blocked by the accommodated object.
Second Embodiment
• The air flow device incorporated into a seat for vehicle use of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the air flow device of the second embodiment includes a heat exchanger which is provided inside the seat and has a heat exchanging function so that the air in thevehicle passenger compartment2 can be air-conditioned and blown out from the seat surface. The air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment will be explained by referring to FIGS.6 to8.FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a structure of an air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment.FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional illustration taken on line VII-VII inFIG. 6.FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing a relation between asuction port4 and afilter15 in the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle.
• As shown inFIG. 6, the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle includes: a blower5.arranged inside theseat1 of a vehicle, especially arranged inside the seat back1a;anair passage31 arranged from thesuction port4 to theblower5; aPeltier module9 which is an example of the heat exchanger arranged on the downstream side of theblower5; anexhaust passage13 connected to thefirst blowout portion25 of thePeltier module9; and ablowout air passage27 in which the air conditioned by thePeltier module9 flows from thesecond blowout portion26 of thePeltier module9 onto the seat surface.
• In the same manner as that of the first embodiment, thesuction port4 is provided opposite to the back face of thepocket cover3. On the entire opening, afilter15 is provided. Thesuction port4 is arranged in such a manner that one portion of thesuction port4 faces apocket space21 partitioned by thepocket cover3. Anexhaust passage13 is communicated with theexhaust port14 provided in a lower portion of thesuction port4 outside thepocket space21.
• Theexhaust port14 exists outside a bag forming thepocket space21. However, it is desirable that theexhaust port14 is arranged opposite to the back face on the lower portion side of thepocket cover3. In this structure, a lower portion of thepocket cover3, which is opposite to theexhaust port14, is extended downward with respect to the bottom face of the bag composing thepocket space21. Exhaust air discharged from theexhaust port14 collides with the back face on the lower portion side of thepocket cover3 opposite to theexhaust port14. After that, the exhaust air is discharged into thevehicle passenger compartment2 while it is flowing along the back face on the lower portion side of thepocket cover3.
• Ablowout air passage27 is formed into a predetermined shape by a main pad from the back face side of the seat backportion1ato the front face side and communicated with a large number of small holes provided in the cover pad and the seat skin. Between the reverse face side of the back board composing the back face of the seat backportion1aand the main pad, thesuction air passage31 is formed in a region from thesuction port4 to thesuction port5aof theblower5. Theblower5 may be composed of an axial fan in the same manner as that of the first embodiment. However, in the case where the heat exchanger is used, it is preferable that theblower5 is composed of a centrifugal fan, as shown inFIG. 6, capable of coping with a high pressure loss.
• As shown inFIG. 7, thePeltier module9 mainly includes: a fin-sub-module9afor the exhaust having afirst blowout portion25; and a fin-module9bused for temperature control having asecond blowout portion26; and an element module (not shown). The element module is interposed between the fin-sub-module9aand the fin-module9b.Both the fin-sub-module9aand the fin-module9bare composed of radiating fins made of copper. The element module is formed in such a manner that a glass-epoxy board containing a thermo-element of bismuth-tellurium is covered with a water-proof polyimide film. Further, the thermo-element is electrically connected to the fin-sub-module9aand the fin-module9bthrough an electrode plated with copper and nickel.
• ThePeltier module9 composed as described above conducts heat absorption from, and heat emission to, the air which has been blown out from theblower5 into thevehicle passenger compartment2. When a flowing direction of a DC current supplied to thePeltier module9 is changed over, it is possible to change the heat absorption side module and the heat emission side module. ThePeltier module9 may be composed so that it can change between the heat absorption side module and the heat emission side module by being linked with a change-over operation between a cooling mode and a heating mode of an air conditioner of a vehicle. In this constitution, in the cooling mode, the fin-sub-module9bis made to be a heat absorption side module and cool air is sent to theblowout air passage27, and the fin-sub-module9ais made to be a heat emission side module and heated air is sent to theexhaust passage13. On the contrary, in the heating mode, the fin-sub-module9bis made to be a heat emission side module and heated air is sent to theblowout air passage27, and the fin-sub-module9ais made to be a heat absorption side module and cool air is sent to theexhaust passage13.
• Thefilter15 includes: an engagingpiece15bprovided in one end portion; ahandle portion15dprovided in the other end portion; an elastically deformed engagingportion15cwhich is also provided in the other end portion; and amesh portion15awhich is provided between the engagingportions15cand15b,wherein thefilter15 is capable of being attached and detached. On theback board8 of the seat of a vehicle to which thefilter15 is attached, an engaginghole24, into which the engagingpiece15bis inserted, is provided in a lower portion of thesuction port4. In an upper portion of thesuction port4, a fixinghole23, into which the engagingportion15cis fixed, is provided. When thefilter15 is attached onto thebackboard8, first, the engagingpiece15bis inserted into the engaginghole24 so as to fix one end portion of thefilter15. Then, the engagingportion15cis engaged in the fixinghole23. The engagingportion15cis held in the fixinghole23 by a force generated by the engagingportion15citself when the engagingportion15cis going to return to its initial shape by the elastic deformation. Therefore, both end portions of the filter are fixed to thebackboard8.
• Explanations will be made into an air current in thevehicle passenger compartment2 when the above air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle is operated. A cooling mode operation is started when a passenger sets the temperature in the vehicle passenger compartment so as to cool the vehicle passenger compartment. Then, a flowing direction of a DC current is determined under the condition that the fin-sub-module9bis set to be a heat absorption side module and the fin-sub-module9ais set to be a heat emission side module, and at the same time, theblower5 is set in motion. Air is sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2 into thesuction port4 and flows in thesuction passage31. Then, the air branches into the fin-sub-module9band the fin-sub-module9a.The air flowing in the fin-sub-module9bis cooled by the fin-sub-module9band blown out through theblowout air passage27 on the seat surface into thevehicle passenger compartment2 along the periphery of a passenger's body. Therefore, the passenger feels comfortable due to the cooling action of the thus flowing air current. On the other hand, the air flowing in the fin-sub-module9ais heated by the fin-sub-module9aand is blown out onto a floor in thevehicle passenger compartment2 from theexhaust port14, which is located in a lower portion of the vehicle seat, via theexhaust passage13.
• A heating mode operation is started when a passenger sets a temperature in the vehicle passenger compartment so as to heat the vehicle passenger compartment. Then, a flowing direction of a DC current is determined under the condition that the fin-sub-module9ais set to be a heat absorption side module and the fin-sub-module9bis set to be a heat emission side module, and at the same time, theblower5 is set in motion. Air is sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2 into thesuction port4 and flows in thesuction passage31. Then, the air branches into the fin-sub-module9band the fin-sub-module9a.The air flowing in the fin-sub-module9bis heated by the fin-sub-module9band blown out through theblowout air passage27 into thevehicle passenger compartment2 along the periphery of a passenger's body. Therefore, the passenger feels comfortable due to the heating action of the thus flowing air current. On the other hand, the air flowing in the fin-sub-module9ais cooled due to the fin-sub-module9aand is blown out onto a floor in thevehicle passenger compartment2 from theexhaust port14, which is located in a lower portion of the vehicle seat, via theexhaust passage13.
• When the series of operation described above is repeated, a flow of circulating air is formed round the passenger in thevehicle passenger compartment2. Accordingly, it is possible to conduct air-conditioning with high efficiency and with a relatively simple device. Especially when cooling air is blown out from a portion in the periphery of the passenger on the seat surface in accordance with a demand of the passenger, it is possible to form an air current for positively solving the problem of the damp heat that a passenger may feel. Therefore, forming the air current in the manner described above is effective. When the above series of operation is repeated, an air current circulating in thevehicle passenger compartment2 is formed round the passenger at the time of heating. Therefore, the passenger does not feel cold at the upper half of the body.
• As described above, in the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment, heat absorption and heat emission are conducted on the air which is sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2 by theblower5. ThePeltier module9, which is arranged on the downstream side of theblower5, and theexhaust passage13, which is connected to thefirst blowout portion25 of thePeltier module9, are arranged inside theseat1 of a vehicle. Thesuction port4 is arranged so that one portion of thesuction port4 can face thepocket space21 partitioned by thepocket cover3. When this constitution is employed, it is possible to enhance the heat absorption efficiency or the heat emission efficiency of thePeltier module9 by setting an open portion, which is not partitioned by thepocket cover3, at an appropriate position.
• Theexhaust passage13 of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle is communicated with theexhaust port14 provided in a lower portion of thesuction port4. When this constitution is employed, it becomes difficult for the exhaust heat of the air, which has passed through thePeltier module9, to be mixed with the air which is sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2 through thesuction port4. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a deterioration in the efficiency of the heat absorption or the heat emission conducted by thePeltier module9.
• In the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle, thesuction port4 is arranged so that one portion of thesuction port4 can face thepocket space21 which is partitioned by thepocket cover3. Further, outside thepocket space21, theexhaust passage13 is communicated with theexhaust port14 arranged in a lower portion of thesuction port4.
• When this constitution is employed, it is possible to prevent the exhaust heat of the air, which has passed through thePeltier module9, from being transferred to thesuction port4 and flowing into thesuction air passage31 as it is. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a deterioration of the air conditioning performance caused by the Peltier module. As thesuction port4 is arranged opposite to thereverse face3aof the pocket cover, an opening area of thesuction port4 can be extended as much as possible. Therefore, a volume of air to be sucked can be increased, which provides an effect that an amount of heat exchange by thePeltier module9 is increased.
• In the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle, thefilter15 is provided in thesuction port4. When this constitution is employed, the passenger can hardly see the dust attached to thefilter15. Therefore, the vehicle appearance is good. As thefilter15 is arranged at a position where the passenger can hardly see it. Therefore, thefilter15 can be attached with a simple attaching structure, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and further the attaching and detaching property can be enhanced. Further, in the case where the Peltier module is provided, the vehicle passenger compartment appearance is good because the filter can seldom be seen by the passenger and, further the clogging of the Peltier module can be prevented.
Third Embodiment
• The air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that thesuction port11 is arranged at a position opposite to the reverse side of theseat handle cover10. The air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the third embodiment will be explained referring toFIGS. 9 and 10.FIG. 9 is a rear view showing a structure of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment, andFIG. 10 is a partial sectional view showing the relation between asuction port11 and aseat handle cover10 of the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle of the present embodiment.
• As shown inFIG. 9, the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle includes: aseat handle cover10 for covering both end portions of thehandle29; and asuction port11, which is provided on the seat surface opposite to the reverse face of theseat handle cover10, wherein thesuction port11 is a vent hole. Further, the air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle includes: ablower5 arranged inside of the seat backportion1aof theseat1 of a vehicle; anair passage28 arranged from thesuction port11 to theblower5; and a blowout air passage (not shown) in which the air sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2 flows from the blowout port of theblower5 toward the seat surface.
• As shown inFIG. 10, thesuction port11 is provided on the surface of theback board8 opposite to thereverse face10aof the seat handle cover. Therefore, thesuction port11 cannot be seen by a passenger seated on the rear side of the seat backportion1a.The seat handlecover10 is usually attached to theback board8, that is, theseat handle cover10 covers both end portions of the belt-shapedhandle29 that a passenger can hold. A predetermined space is formed between thereverse face10aof theseat handle cover10 and thesuction port11.
• Thesuction air passage28 is formed in a region from thesuction port11 to thesuction port5aof theblower11 and between the reverse side of theback board8, which composes the back face of the seat backportion1a,and the main pad. The blowout air passage is formed into a predetermined shape by a main pad provided from the back face side of the seat backportion1ato the front face side. This blowout air passage communicates with a large number of small holes provided in the cover pad and seat skin. Theblower5 is composed of an axial fan in the same manner as that of the first embodiment.
• When theblower5 is operated, air is sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2 into a predetermined space through the opening of the lower end portion of theseat handle cover10. The air is sucked from thesuction port11 onto the reverse face side of theback board8 and flows in thesuction air passage28 toward thesuction port5aof theblower5. Further, the air, which has been sucked from thevehicle passenger compartment2, flows in the blowout air passage and is blown out from the seat surface into thevehicle passenger compartment2 along the periphery of the passenger's body. In this way, the passenger made comfortable by the blast of air.
• As described above, the air blasting device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle includes thesuction port11 opposite to the reverse face of theseat handle cover10. When this constitution is employed, as thesuction port11 is arranged inside theseat handle cover10 that the passenger can hardly see it, the vehicle passenger compartment appearance is good. Further, as the existing components can be put into practical use, it is possible to obtain an air passage, the structure of which is simple, the pressure loss of which is small and the manufacturing cost of which is low.
• In this connection, the constitution of the present embodiment, in which thesuction port11 is arranged opposite to the reverse face of theseat handle cover10, can be applied to the second embodiment having thePeltier module9. In this case, thesuction port4 of the second embodiment is replaced with thesuction port11, which provides the same operational effect as that of the second embodiment.
• While the invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments chosen for purposes of illustration, it should be apparent that numerous modifications could be made thereto, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the basic concept and scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle comprising: a seat of a vehicle including a seating portion in which a passenger is seated and also including a seat back portion against which the seated passenger leans; a vent hole open on a surface of the seat of a vehicle, communicated with a vehicle passenger compartment; an air passage formed inside the seat of a vehicle, communicated with the vent hole; an air flow means for forcibly generating an air current in the air passage; and a seat member which covers one portion of the surface of the seat of a vehicle, wherein

the vent hole is arranged opposite to a reverse face of the seat member.

2. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the vent hole is a suction port for taking air in from the vehicle passenger compartment by the air flow means.

3. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 2, the seat of a vehicle including: an air flow means; a Peltier module for conducting heat absorption from, and heat emission to, the air sucked from the vehicle passenger compartment by the air flow means; and an exhaust passage connected to a blowout portion of the Peltier module, wherein

the suction port is arranged so that one portion of the suction port can face a pocket space partitioned by the seat member.

4. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 2, the seat of a vehicle including: an air flow means; a Peltier module for conducting a heat absorption and a heat emission on the air sucked from the vehicle passenger compartment by the air flow means; and an exhaust passage connected to a blowout portion of the Peltier module, wherein

the exhaust passage is communicated with an exhaust port arranged in a lower portion of the suction port.

5. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 2, the seat of a vehicle including: an air flow means; a Peltier module for conducting a heat absorption and a heat emission on the air sucked from the vehicle passenger compartment by the air flow means; and an exhaust passage connected to a blowout portion of the Peltier module, wherein

the suction port is arranged so that one portion of the suction port can face a pocket space partitioned by the seat member, and

the exhaust passage is communicated with an exhaust port arranged in a lower portion of the suction port outside the pocket space.

6. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the seat member is formed out of a pocket cover.

7. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein a wall portion protruding toward the reverse side of the seat member is provided on one portion on the surface of the seat of a vehicle on which the vent hole is opened and which is covered with the seat member.

8. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein a filter is provided in the vent hole.

9. An air flow device incorporated into a seat of a vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the seat member includes seat handle cover.

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