Vehicle seat with thermal elements

Abstract

A climate controlled seat assembly comprises a seat cushion having an outer surface with a support portion for supporting an occupant. A supply passage extends through the seat cushion. A distribution system comprises at least one distribution passage configured to distribute air along the support surface of the seat cushion and the distribution system communicates with the supply passage. A fluid system is in communication with the supply passage and is configured to move air between the distribution system and the supply passage. A seat covering is positioned over the support portion of the outer surface of the seat cushion. A heat source is positioned between the seat covering and an inlet to the supply passage.

1 - 30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . A climate controlled seat assembly, comprising: 
 a cushion that forms a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels extending along a first side of the cushion;    an insert disposed within the plurality of channels, the insert comprising an insert flange that at least partially overlaps the first side of the cushion;    a flexible scrim coupled to at least a portion of the insert flange to define a plurality of generally sealed, hollow passages therebetween, the flexible scrim comprising a laminate structure formed by a plurality of layers, at least one of the plurality of layers being a contact layer that contacts the insert flange, the flexible scrim further comprising at least one opening corresponding to each of the plurality of channels, the at least one opening configured to permit air flow from the corresponding sealed hollow passages outwardly relative to the cushion; and    a resistive heating element that is disposed such that the contact layer is positioned between the resistive heating element and the insert flange.    
   
   
       32 . The climate controlled seat assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising a fluid transfer device that is in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of generally sealed hollow passages.  
   
   
       33 . The climate controlled seat assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the fluid transfer device further includes a thermoelectric device configured to thermally condition the fluid supplied to at least one of the plurality of generally sealed hollow passages.  
   
   
       34 . The climate controlled seat assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the thermoelectric device comprises a Peltier circuit.  
   
   
       35 . The climate controlled seat assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the fluid transfer device comprises a radial fan.  
   
   
       36 . The climate controlled seat assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the fluid transfer device is disposed within the seat assembly.  
   
   
       37 . The climate controlled seat assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the resistive heating element is disposed within the flexible scrim.