US20070296251A1 - Device for conducting air in order to provide air conditioning for a body support device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for conducting air in order to provide air conditioning for a body support device, particularly one in a vehicle seat. According to the invention, the device (100) is also provided with at least one adjustment device (7) for adjusting at least one contact area (20) of the body support device that comes into contact with a user.

Description

• The present invention relates to a device for guiding air according to the preamble ofclaim1. Devices according to the class are used, e.g., for air conditioning vehicle seats.
STATE OF THE ART
• Air-conditioning devices for vehicle seats are known. Pneumatic seat adjusters for lumbar support and massage systems for seats are also known. Integrating both systems into a seat is problematic. If a seat adjuster is positioned under a seat cushion, large volumes must be moved in order to notice an effect at the seat surface. This leads to overdimensioned pumps and low adjustment speeds. Conversely, the air-conditioning function is impaired when the adjustment elements are positioned on the sitting surface.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
• One object of the invention is a device with the features ofclaim1. This has the advantage that through the integration of a seat adjuster into an air-conditioning device, mutual interference between the two systems is avoided.
• Other advantageous constructions can be taken from the subordinate claims.
FIGURES
• The following description deals with possibilities for configuration of the invention. These designs are to be understood as only examples, and reference is made to:
• FIG. 1, top view of an air-conditioning device with adjuster
• FIG. 2, longitudinal section through the arrangement ofFIG. 1
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• A body support device is understood below to include, in particular, any furniture for sitting and/or resting and all devices offering support to a person while standing, sitting, or lying down in vehicles.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show a functional module according to the invention. Adevice100 for guiding air for air conditioning a body support device has acarrier layer1. This is manufactured from an air-permeable material. In the embodiment, it is formed at least partially by a non-woven material. It is designed for overlay on a foam core of a cushion, especially of a vehicle seat.
• On the side of thecarrier layer1 facing acontact zone20 and a user there areheating conductors11 of an electrical heating element. They are arranged essentially over the entire surface of thecarrier layer1. They can be produced from metal and/or from electrically conductive plastics, e.g., carbon.
• An air-guidinglayer2 is arranged on the side of thecarrier layer1 facing away from thecontact surface20. The air-guidinglayer2 can be formed, e.g., from a spacing fabric. In the present example, it is formed from a plurality of spirals extending longitudinally in the guide layer. It has a sufficient cross section of, e.g., one centimeter, to provide a sufficient amount of air to thecontact surface20. The dimensions of its basic surface are somewhat smaller than that of thecarrier layer1. It is therefore guaranteed that when the air-guidinglayer1 is inserted into a corresponding recess of a seat cushion, there is no detectable unevenness at the edges.
• The air-guidinglayer2 is essentially completely covered by awall25. This is formed in the embodiment from a polyurethane film that is not permeable to air. Thewall25 essentially completely covers the air-guidinglayer2. It is connected—in the embodiment, adhered-to the carrier layer in its edge region.
• Thewall25 has a recess connected to an air-feeding device4. This air-feeding device4 is formed in the present embodiment by afan14, which is fixed indirectly or directly to the air-guidinglayer2 and/or to thewall25. It can also be formed, however, by a tube or a snorkel-like extension of thewall25, which is connected, e.g., to a distant fan or an on-board air-conditioning system.
• At least one adjusting device7 is provided on thewall25. This adjusting device7 has a volume body27 whose volume is variable. In the present example, the volume body27 is formed from a bladder17. This bladder17 is preferably formed from material that is not permeable to air. In the present embodiment, the bladder is also formed from polyurethane film. A part of the bladder wall30 is here formed by thewall25 of the air-guidinglayer2.
• The volume body27 preferably has an elongated construction and runs perpendicular to the expected position of the spinal column of a user. It is preferably constructed thicker at its ends. In the area of its center, in the vicinity of the spinal column, it has a narrower construction. The volume body27 is connected to a fluid supply device and/or an outlet valve via afluid line8.
• For the shown case that several volume bodies27 are provided, a plurality offluid lines8 is also required if the volume body27 is to be individually adjustable. Because thefan14 also requires anelectric supply line5, it is preferable to guide thefluid lines8 and thesupply line5 within the air-guidinglayer2. In order to not interfere with the air-distributing function of the air-guidinglayer2, it is preferable to guide it along the edge of the air-guidinglayer2.
• During operation, an air stream9 is blown into the air-guidinglayer2 via thefan14 for air conditioning. There it is distributed along thecarrier layer1, and is then blown out through this layer and through the heating element to the user.
• For adjusting the seat contours according to the desires of the user and/or for massaging, the bladders17 are filled via thefluid lines8 with a corresponding amount of fluid. In this way, the bladder17 expands or contracts accordingly. Thus, thecontact zone20 is positioned or moved accordingly.

Claims (21)

1-7. (canceled)

8. A ventilated seat comprising:

a body support device for a vehicle seat;

a ventilation device placed over the body support device, the ventilation device including:

an air-permeable carrier layer,

an air-impermeable layer attached to the air-permeable carrier layer, and

an air-guiding layer located between the air-permeable carrier layer and the air-impermeable layer, wherein the ventilation device is configured to receive air from an air-feeding device and guide the air through the air-permeable carrier layer; and

at least one adjusting device located between the ventilation device and the body support device, the at least one adjusting device including an inflatable bladder to deflect the ventilation device away, towards, or both away and towards the body support device.

9. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the body support device comprises a vehicle seat cushion.

10. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the air-permeable carrier layer is formed at least in part by a non-woven material.

11. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the air-impermeable layer is formed of a polyurethane film.

12. The ventilated seat ofclaim 11, wherein the air-impermeable layer is adhered to the air-permeable layer at an outer edge of the air-impermeable layer to completely cover the air-guiding layer.

13. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the air-impermeable layer is connected directly to the air-feeding device.

14. The ventilated seat ofclaim 13, wherein the air-feeding device is at least partially disposed within a recess of the body support device.

15. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the air-impermeable layer is connected to the air-feeding device through a tube.

16. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the air-guiding layer is formed of a spacing fabric.

17. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one adjusting device is attached to the ventilation device.

18. The ventilated seat ofclaim 17, wherein the inflatable bladder is formed at least in part by the air-impermeable layer and is formed of an air-impermeable material.

19. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the ventilated seat includes a plurality of adjusting devices having a length and a width.

20. The ventilated seat ofclaim 19, wherein the length of the plurality of adjusting devices extends along a width of the body support device that is perpendicular to an expected position of a user's spinal column.

21. The ventilated seat ofclaim 19, wherein the width of the plurality of adjusting devices is greater at end portions of the plurality of adjusting devices as opposed to a middle portion of the plurality of adjusting devices.

22. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one adjusting device is attached to at least one fluid supply line for pneumatically inflating the inflatable bladder and the at least one fluid supply line includes a valve for controlling air flow to and from the inflatable bladders.

23. The ventilated seat ofclaim 8, further comprising a heater located adjacent the air-permeable carrier layer and on a side of the air-permeable carrier layer opposite the air-guiding layer.

24. A ventilated seat comprising:

a body support device for a vehicle seat;

an air-permeable carrier layer located over the body support device,

an air-guiding layer located between the air-permeable carrier layer and the body support device, wherein the air-guiding layer is located in a recess formed in the body support device and directly attached to the air feeding device and wherein the air-guiding layer is configured to receive air from an air-feeding device and guide the air through the air-permeable carrier layer; and

at least one adjusting device located between the air-guiding layer and the body support device, the at least one adjusting device including an inflatable bladder to deflect the ventilation device away, towards, or both away and towards the body support device.

25. The ventilated seat ofclaim 24, wherein the air-guiding layer includes an air-impermeable material comprising a polyurethane film.

26. The ventilated seat ofclaim 25, wherein the air-feeding device is at least partially disposed within a recess of the body support device.

27. A ventilated seat comprising:

a body support device for a vehicle seat cushion;

a ventilation device placed over the body support device, the ventilation device including:

an air-permeable carrier layer formed of a spacing fabric,

an air-impermeable layer adhered to the air-permeable carrier layer at an outer edge of the air-impermeable layer and including an opening for receiving an air flow, and

an air-guiding layer located between the air-permeable carrier layer and the air-impermeable layer;

at least one adjusting device located between the ventilation device and the body support device, the at least one adjusting device being attached to the ventilation device and including an inflatable bladder to deflect the ventilation device away, towards, or both away and towards the body support device, the inflatable bladder being formed at least in part by the air-impermeable layer and is attached to at least one fluid supply line for pneumatically inflating the inflatable bladder, the at least one fluid supply line includes a valve for controlling air flow to and from the inflatable bladders;

a heater located adjacent the air-permeable carrier layer and on a side of the air-permeable carrier layer opposite the air-guiding layer; and

an air feeding device in fluid communication with the ventilation device through the opening formed in the air-impermeable layer.

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