Conditioning system for cooling and heating surfaces, particularly automobile seats

Abstract

A temperature control mat 5 is described, in particular for the rapid cooling of a vehicle seat covering 4 . The temperature control mat comprises at least two interconnected thin films of plastic 5 a , 5 b, forming a fluid chamber system 10 , and openings 11 distributed over the temperature control mat which penetrate through the temperature control mat 5 . For temperature control, initially a temperature control fluid is directed through the fluid chamber system. Subsequently, the system is emptied and an air stream is directed through a spacing structure 6 , in order to dissipate moisture passing through the openings 11.

1 . A temperature control mat ( 5 ), in particular for use in a seat element ( 2 ) and/or rest element ( 3 ), comprising: 
 at least two layers of liquid-impermeable plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ), which are connected to each other in such a way that they form a fluid chamber system in between;    at least one fluid inlet ( 13 ) and at least one fluid outlet ( 14 ) for directing a fluid through the fluid chamber system; and    openings ( 11 ), which are arranged in a distributed manner in the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) and penetrate the latter in such a manner that water vapor can pass through the openings ( 11 ) past the fluid chamber system.    
     
     
         2 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , the openings ( 11 ) forming 20% to 80% of the projected surface area of the interconnected layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ).  
     
     
         3 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 2 , the fluid chamber system having a maximum volume of 0.3 l/m 2  to 3 l/m 2 .  
     
     
         4 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , the openings ( 11 ) having an average diameter in the range from 1 mm to 20 mm.  
     
     
         5 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 2 , the openings ( 11 ) having an average diameter in the range from 1 mm to 20 mm.  
     
     
         6 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) being connected to each other in such a way that, when the fluid chamber system is filled with a fluid, the maximum distance between the at least two layers of plastic lies in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.  
     
     
         7 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 2 , the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) being connected to each other in such a way that, when the fluid chamber system is filled with a fluid, the maximum distance between the at least two layers of plastic lies in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.  
     
     
         8 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 3 , the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) being connected to each other in such a way that, when the fluid chamber system is filled with a fluid, the maximum distance between the at least two layers of plastic lies in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.  
     
     
         9 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) being connected to each other in such a way that the fluid chamber system is subdivided into a number of chambers ( 10 ), each chamber ( 10 ) defining a fluid passage.  
     
     
         10 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 3 , the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) being connected to each other in such a way that the fluid chamber system is subdivided into a number of chambers ( 10 ), each chamber ( 10 ) defining a fluid passage.  
     
     
         11 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 9 , the fluid passages being formed with an average length in the range from 3 mm to 15 mm.  
     
     
         12 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 9 , a number of or all the fluid passages being connected to a common fluid distributing chamber ( 13   a ) and/or fluid collecting chamber ( 14   a ).  
     
     
         13 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 11 , a number of or all the fluid passages being connected to a common fluid distributing chamber ( 13   a ) and/or fluid collecting chamber ( 14   a ).  
     
     
         14 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 11 , one or more common fluid inlets and outlets being provided.  
     
     
         15 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , a single fluid inlet ( 13 ) and a single fluid outlet ( 14 ) being provided for the entire temperature control mat.  
     
     
         16 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 9 , a single fluid inlet ( 13 ) and a single fluid outlet ( 14 ) being provided for the entire temperature control mat.  
     
     
         17 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , each of the at least two layers of plastic having a thickness in the range from 10 μm to 1 mm.  
     
     
         18 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 11 , the thickness of each of the at least two layers of plastic being approximately 200 μm.  
     
     
         19 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , at least one of the at least two layers of plastic being air-permeable, at least in certain regions.  
     
     
         20 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , at least one of the layers of plastic consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).  
     
     
         21 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 1 , at least one of the layers of plastic consisting of a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         22 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 20 , at least one of the layers of plastic consisting of a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         23 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 21 , the fluoropolymer being polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).  
     
     
         24 . The temperature control mat as claimed in  claim 23 , the PTFE being compressed, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with a porosity in the range from 2% to 30%, in order to assist the venting of the fluid chamber system.  
     
     
         25 . A seat element ( 2 ) and/or rest element ( 3 ) with an outer covering ( 4 ) and a cushion core ( 7 ) under the outer covering and with a temperature control mat ( 5 ) positioned between the covering ( 4 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ), as claimed in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         26 . The seat element and/or rest element as claimed in  claim 25 , an open spacer structure ( 6 ) being provided between the covering ( 4 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ), in order to permit ventilation through the spacer structure ( 6 ).  
     
     
         27 . The seat element and/or rest element as claimed in  claim 26 , the spacer structure ( 6 ) being positioned between the temperature control mat ( 5 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ).  
     
     
         28 . The seat element and/or rest element as claimed in  claim 25 , the temperature control mat ( 5 ) not pressing visibly through the surface of the outer covering ( 4 ).  
     
     
         29 . The seat element and/or rest element as claimed in  claim 25 , the cover ( 4 ) comprising a water-vapor-permeable leather material.  
     
     
         30 . The seat element and/or rest element as claimed in  claim 29 , leather material having an MVTR value of over 10 mg/cm 2 h, in particular greater than 12 mg/cm 2 h.  
     
     
         31 . The seat element and/or rest element as claimed in  claim 25 , the temperature control mat ( 5 ) being connected to the covering ( 4 ).  
     
     
         32 . The seat element and/or rest element as claimed in  claim 25 , the spacer structure ( 6 ) being connected to the temperature control mat ( 5 ).  
     
     
         33 . A temperature control system comprising a seat element ( 2 ) and/or rest element ( 3 ) as claimed in  claim 25  and further comprising a liquid circuit system, to which the temperature control mat having one or more common fluid inlets and outlets, is connected via the fluid inlet and outlet openings ( 13 ,  14 ).  
     
     
         34 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 33 , further comprising in the liquid circuit system a pump (P) downstream of the outlet ( 14 ), in order to suck liquid through the fluid chamber system, and an inlet shut-off valve ( 17 ) upstream of the inlet ( 13 ), in order to interrupt the liquid flow into the fluid chamber system.  
     
     
         35 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 33 , further comprising ventilation to produce an air stream over a surface of the temperature control mat ( 5 ), in order to dissipate moisture and vapor entering the seat element ( 2 ) and/or backrest element ( 3 ) through the covering ( 4 ).  
     
     
         36 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 33 , further comprising a cooling device ( 15 ) in the liquid circuit system for cooling the liquid.  
     
     
         37 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 33 , the cooling device ( 15 ) being set up such that the necessary power for the cooling device can be provided by the vehicle's own battery.  
     
     
         38 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 37 , the cooling device ( 15 ) being activatable by remote control or time switches.  
     
     
         39 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 33 , further comprising a liquid reservoir ( 9 ), the cooling device ( 15 ) being provided for cooling the liquid in the liquid reservoir ( 9 ).  
     
     
         40 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 39 , further comprising an insulation ( 16 ) for the liquid reservoir ( 9 ).  
     
     
         41 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 33 , further comprising a heating device ( 20 ) in the liquid circuit system for heating the liquid.  
     
     
         42 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 36 , further comprising a heating device ( 20 ) in the liquid circuit system for heating the liquid.  
     
     
         43 . The temperature control system as claimed in  claim 41 , further comprising a bypass line ( 18 ), through which the liquid in the liquid circuit system is directed when the heating device ( 20 ) is activated.  
     
     
         44 . A vehicle seat comprising: 
 a seat element ( 2 ) and/or rest element ( 3 ) having an outer covering ( 4 ) and a cushion core ( 7 ) under the outer covering;    a temperature control mat ( 5 ) positioned between the covering ( 4 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ), wherein the temperature control mat ( 5 ), comprises: 
 at least two layers of liquid-impermeable plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ), which are connected to each other in such a way that they form a fluid chamber system in between;  
 at least one fluid inlet ( 13 ) and at least one fluid outlet ( 14 ) for directing a fluid through the fluid chamber system; and  
 openings ( 11 ), which are arranged in a distributed manner in the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) and penetrate the latter in such a manner that water vapor can pass through the openings ( 11 ) past the fluid chamber system.  
   
     
     
         45 . A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 44 , further comprising a temperature control system comprising a liquid circuit system, to which the temperature control mat having one or more common fluid inlets and outlets, is connected via the fluid inlet and outlet openings ( 13 ,  14 ).  
     
     
         46 . The vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 45  having a temperature control system further comprising a liquid reservoir ( 9 ), and a cooling device ( 15 ) being provided for cooling the liquid in the liquid reservoir ( 9 ), wherein the liquid reservoir ( 9 ) being arranged underneath the vehicle seat.  
     
     
         47 . A vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 44  further comprising a spacer structure ( 6 ) being positioned between the covering ( 4 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ), in order to permit ventilation through the spacer structure ( 6 ).  
     
     
         48 . A method for controlling the temperature of a seat element and/or rest element, the seat and/or rest element having an outer covering ( 4 ) and, under the covering ( 4 ), a cushion core ( 7 ), comprising: 
 passing a cooling or heating fluid into a closed fluid chamber system, which is positioned between the covering ( 4 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ), so that the fluid chamber system fills with the fluid; and    when a setpoint temperature is reached at a predetermined point of the seat and/or rest element, draining the fluid from the fluid chamber system, whereby the fluid chamber system empties.    
     
     
         49 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the fluid chamber system inflates during filling and collapses during emptying.  
     
     
         50 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , the fluid being passed constantly or intermittently through the fluid chamber system when the fluid chamber system is filled with fluid.  
     
     
         51 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , further comprising the step of producing an air stream over a surface of the fluid chamber system.  
     
     
         52 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , the fluid being a liquid.  
     
     
         53 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , comprising using a temperature control system comprising a seat element ( 2 ) and/or rest element ( 3 ) having an outer covering ( 4 ) and a cushion core ( 7 ) under the outer covering, and a temperature control mat ( 5 ) positioned between the covering ( 4 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ), wherein the temperature control mat ( 5 ) comprises: 
 at least two layers of liquid-impermeable plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ), which are connected to each other in such a way that they form a fluid chamber system in between;    at least one fluid inlet ( 13 ) and at least one fluid outlet ( 14 ) for directing a fluid through the fluid chamber system; and    openings ( 11 ), which are arranged in a distributed manner in the at least two layers of plastic ( 5   a ,  5   b ) and penetrate the latter in such a manner that water vapor can pass through the openings ( 11 ) past the fluid chamber system,    and further comprising a liquid circuit system, to which the temperature control mat having one or more common fluid inlets and outlets, is connected via the fluid inlet and outlet openings ( 13 ,  14 ).    
     
     
         54 . A method as claimed in  claim 48  comprising providing an open spacer structure ( 6 )between the covering ( 4 ) and the cushion core ( 7 ), in order to permit ventilation through the spacer structure ( 6 ), comprising the step of directing an air stream through the spacer structure ( 6 ) parallel to the covering ( 4 ).