Seat heating and cooling system

Abstract

An apparatus for selectively heating and cooling (temperature conditioning) a seat on a vehicle, where the seat is exposed to the environment. A thermoelectric device selectively heats and cools a heat exchanger filled with a liquid. The heat exchanger includes, in one embodiment, an air trap chamber. The liquid is forced through a heat exchanger in the seat by a pump. The coil transfers heat by conduction through the seat to the seat's occupant. A controller permits selection of the amount of heating or cooling of the liquid. A switch determines the polarity of the voltage applied to the thermoelectric device, which determines whether the liquid is heated or cooled.

1 . An apparatus for temperature conditioning a seat that is exposed to an environment, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first heat exchanger coupled to a seat for providing heat exchange with an occupant of said seat, said first heat exchanger including a liquid tight bladder through which a first heat transfer fluid is circulated, said first heat transfer fluid being a liquid;    a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with said first heat exchanger, said second heat exchanger including an air trap chamber;    a first pump for forcing said first heat transfer fluid between said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger;    a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface thermally coupled to said second heat exchanger;    a third heat exchanger thermally coupled to said second surface of said thermoelectric device;    a radiator in fluid communication with said third heat exchanger;    a second pump for forcing a second heat transfer fluid between said third heat exchanger and said radiator, said second heat transfer fluid being a liquid; and    a controller providing power to said thermoelectric device, said controller selectively heating one of said first and second surfaces, said controller selectively cooling the other of said first and second surfaces, said controller including a ramp circuit that applies power to said thermoelectric device over a specified period of time.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a temperature selector, said temperature selector in communication with said controller, said controller varying a current flowing through said thermoelectric device.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a switch for reversing a polarity of a direct current voltage applied to said thermoelectric device.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first heat exchanger includes a bladder with at least one channel for directing said first heat transfer fluid through said bladder.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a safety cutout device for stopping a direct current voltage applied to said thermoelectric device, said safety cutout device sensing a temperature and operating when said sensed temperature exceeds a selected temperature.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for temperature conditioning a seat that is exposed to an environment, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first heat exchanger coupled to a seat for providing heat exchange with an occupant of said seat;    a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with said first heat exchanger, said second heat exchanger including an air trap chamber;    a first pump for forcing a first heat transfer fluid between said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger, said first heat transfer fluid being a liquid;    a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface thermally coupled to said second heat exchanger;    a third heat exchanger thermally coupled to said second surface of said thermoelectric device; and    a controller providing power to said thermoelectric device, said controller selectively heating one of said first and second surfaces, said controller selectively cooling the other of said first and second surfaces, said controller including a ramp circuit that applies power to said thermoelectric device over a specified period of time.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further including a temperature selector, said temperature selector in communication with said controller, said controller varying a current flowing through said thermoelectric device.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further including a switch for reversing a polarity of a direct current voltage applied to said thermoelectric device.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further including a radiator in fluid communication with said third heat exchanger and a second pump for forcing a second heat transfer fluid between said third heat exchanger and said radiator.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further including a heat sink on said third heat exchanger and a fan circulating air across said heat sink.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first heat exchanger is a bladder with at least one channel for directing said first heat transfer fluid through said bladder.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further including a safety cutout device for stopping a direct current voltage applied to said thermoelectric device, said safety cutout device sensing a temperature and operating when said sensed temperature exceeds a selected temperature.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further including a thermistor for sensing said temperature.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for temperature conditioning a seat that is exposed to an environment, said apparatus comprising: 
 a means for changing a temperature of a liquid;    a means for trapping air in said liquid;    a pump for transferring said liquid to a seat; and    a means for conducting thermal energy between said liquid and said seat for heat transfer between said seat and an occupant of said seat.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further including a means for controlling a temperature of said liquid.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further including a means for transferring thermal energy between said means for changing said temperature and the environment.