Control system for seat

Abstract

A control system for use with a ventilated portion of a seat includes a control module and a humidity sensor. The control module is configured to be coupled to at least one of an air mover and a heater of the ventilated portion. The humidity sensor is coupled to the control module and is configured to be located near the occupant when the occupant is seated on the seat. The humidity sensor is configured to send a signal to the control module representative of the humidity level in the area of the humidity sensor. The control module is configured to control the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signal received from the humidity sensor.

1 . A seat assembly for use by an occupant, comprising: 
 a seat having a backrest portion and a seat cushion portion, at least one of the backrest portion and the seat cushion portion including a ventilated portion, the ventilated portion including at least one of an air mover and a heater; and    a control system including: 
 a control module coupled to the at least one of the air mover and the heater; and  
 a humidity sensor coupled to the control module and located near an area of the seat an occupant contacts when the occupant is seated on the seat, the humidity sensor being configured to send a signal to the control module representative of the humidity level in the area of the humidity sensor,  
   wherein the control module controls the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signal received from the humidity sensor.    
   
   
       2 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the control system further comprises a temperature sensor coupled to the control module, the temperature sensor being configured to send a signal to the control module representative of the temperature in the area of the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The seat assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the control module controls the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signals received from the humidity sensor and from the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       4 . The seat assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the control module controls the operation of both the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signals received from the humidity sensor and from the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       5 . The seat assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the temperature sensor is a plurality of temperature sensors.  
   
   
       6 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the humidity sensor is a plurality of humidity sensors.  
   
   
       7 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the air mover and the heater is part of an HVAC system of a vehicle.  
   
   
       8 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the humidity sensor is located within the seat and proximate a surface of the seat.  
   
   
       9 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the humidity sensor is located in an area between the backrest portion and the seat cushion portion of the seat.  
   
   
       10 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the humidity sensor is configured to send a signal to the control module representative of the humidity level of the air in the area around the occupant when the occupant is seated on the seat.  
   
   
       11 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the control system further comprises a user interface coupled to the control module, the user interface configured to send a signal to the control module representative of commands provided by the occupant.  
   
   
       12 . The seat assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the control module controls the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signals received from the humidity sensor and from the user interface.  
   
   
       13 . A control system for use with a ventilated portion of a seat configured to receive an occupant, the ventilated portion including at least one of an air mover and a heater, the control system comprising: 
 a control module configured to be coupled to the at least one of the air mover and the heater; and    a humidity sensor coupled to the control module and configured to be located near the occupant when the occupant is seated on the seat, the humidity sensor being configured to send a signal to the control module representative of the humidity level in the area of the humidity sensor;    wherein the control module is configured to control the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signal received from the humidity sensor.    
   
   
       14 . The control system of  claim 13 , wherein the control system further comprises a temperature sensor coupled to the control module, the temperature sensor being configured to send a signal to the control module representative of the temperature in the area of the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       15 . The control system of  claim 14 , wherein the control module is configured to control the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signals received from the humidity sensor and from the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       16 . The control system of  claim 15 , wherein the control module is configured to control the operation of both the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signals received from the humidity sensor and from the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       17 . The control system of  claim 13 , wherein the humidity sensor is configured to be located within the seat and proximate a surface of the seat.  
   
   
       18 . The control system of  claim 13 , further comprising a user interface coupled to the control module, the user interface configured to send a signal to the control module representative of commands provided by the occupant.  
   
   
       19 . The control system of  claim 18 , wherein the control module is configured to control the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signals received from the humidity sensor and from the user interface.  
   
   
       20 . A method for controlling the operation of a seat assembly having a ventilated portion, the seat assembly including an occupant contact area configured to receive an occupant, the ventilated portion including at least one of an air mover and a heater, the method comprising the steps of: 
 detecting a humidity level at a location near the occupant contact area;    generating a signal representative of the humidity level; and    controlling the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the signal representative of the humidity level.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of measuring the temperature at a location proximate the occupant contact area.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of controlling the operation of the at least one of the air mover and the heater based at least in part on the measured humidity level and the measured temperature.