Ventilated seat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ventilated seat having an insert with a seat portion, and having a flow control layer with first and second ports, a spacer having an inlay and a main portion, and a first fluid barrier where the inlay is substantially isolated from the main portion by a fluid-tight boundary. The present invention also relates to a ventilated seat having an insert with a seat portion and having a first flow control layer with at least one port, a first and a second spacer, and a fluid barrier comprising at least one port. The present invention also relates to a ventilated seat with an insert having a seat portion and having a flow control layer with a port and a plurality of flow holes in the seat portion, a spacer, a fluid barrier and at least one conduit with a plurality of flow holes located adjacent to the seat portion of the flow control layer. The seat also may include a fan in fluid communication with the spacer and a fluid conditioning device. The present invention also relates to methods of ventilating a seat. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device (TED) and conditioning air with the TED to provide heating or cooling and communicating that conditioned air through an insert with either pushing or pulling the condition air through the insert.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
   
   
       52 . A ventilated seat, comprising:
 an air permeable trim layer;   at least one of a seat component or a backrest component comprising a shaped foam body located below the trim layer and having an upper surface and a lower surface;   an insert having at least a seat portion comprising;
 a first flow control layer comprising at least one ventilation hole; 
 a fluid barrier layer; 
 a port in the first flow control layer or the fluid barrier layer; and 
 an open space located between the first control layer and the fluid barrier layer; 
   a spacer layer that is disposed between the trim layer and the insert;   a fan in fluid communication with the insert for moving air within the shaped foam body and across at least one of the open space and the spacer layer; and   a thermoelectric device in fluid communication with the fan.   
   
   
       53 . The ventilated seat of claim  1 , wherein the spacer layer comprises a reticulated foam, a polymeric strand material, a grooved material or a helical material. 
   
   
       54 . The ventilated seat of claim  2 , further comprising a layer of adhesive in contact with the spacer layer, wherein the adhesive is used for securing the spacer layer in position. 
   
   
       55 . The ventilated seat of claim  3 , wherein the insert is a sealed edge insert. 
   
   
       56 . The ventilated seat of claim  1 , wherein the thermoelectric device is a source of temperature conditioned air. 
   
   
       57 . The ventilated seat of claim  5 , further comprising a control unit for controlling at least one of the fan, and the thermoelectric device. 
   
   
       58 . The ventilated seat of claim  1 , further comprising:
 a duct extending through the shaped foam body between the upper and the lower surfaces, wherein the duct being generally centrally located in the shaped foam body;   a fluid distribution ducting network defined in the shaped foam body, wherein the fluid distribution ducting network radially extends outward from the duct;   wherein the fan is in fluid communication with the insert through the duct and through the fluid distribution ducting network; and   the thermoelectric device is in fluid communication with the fan as a source of temperature conditioned air.   
   
   
       59 . The ventilation seat of claim  7 , wherein:
 (i) the ventilation seat further comprises a spacer layer including a foam layer that is disposed between the trim layer and the insert;   (ii) the ventilation device further comprises a heater layer that is integrated onto the insert, is part of the trim cover, or is located between the trim layer and the insert;   (iii) the insert further comprises a layer of adhesive in contact with the foam layer, wherein the adhesive is used for securing the foam layer in position;   (iv) the fan blows or draws the temperature conditioned air from the thermoelectric device to the open space;   (v) the open space provides a mixing region where ambient air is combined with the temperature conditioned air;   (vi) the ambient air or the temperature conditioned air is blown or drawn by the fan through the duct; or   (vii) any combination thereof.   
   
   
       60 . A ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle seat having a ventilated component selected from a seat component and a backrest component, at least one of which provides a seat cushion and an air permeable trim surface;   an insert located beneath the trim surface of the ventilated component, the insert including:
 a first spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough; and 
 a flow control layer being generally located between the first spacer material and the trim surface, the flow control layer having at least one hole for enabling fluid flow through the trim surface; and 
   an air mover assembly including:
 a blower adapted for moving air through the insert, the blower being fixedly secured to a frame member, 
   wherein the air mover assembly substantially adjoins the insert, and   wherein the seat cushion includes an opening extending therethrough for at least assisting in providing fluid communication between the blower and the insert.   
   
   
       61 . The ventilated seat of claim  9 , wherein the air mover assembly further includes a thermoelectric unit, a PTC heater, or both, in communication with the blower for moving air through the spacer layer. 
   
   
       62 . The ventilated seat of claim  9 , wherein:
 (i) the ventilated seat further comprises a tubular member that is in communication with the blower, the tubular member having a first portion having and arcuate profile and a second portion substantially parallel with a side edge of the seat cushion;   (ii) the spacer layer further includes a second spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough, the second spacer material being generally located between the impermeable barrier layer and the trim surface; or   (iii) both (i) and (ii).   
   
   
       63 . A method for ventilating a seat comprising the steps of:
 providing:
 an air permeable trim layer; 
 at least one of a seat component or a backrest component comprising a shaped foam body located below the trim layer and having an upper surface and a lower surface; 
 an insert having at least a seat portion comprising;
 a first flow control layer comprising at least one ventilation hole; 
 a fluid barrier layer; 
 a port in the first flow control layer or the fluid barrier layer; and 
 an open space located between the first control layer and the fluid barrier layer; 
 
 a spacer layer that is disposed between the trim layer and the insert; 
 a fan in fluid communication with the insert; 
 a thermoelectric device in fluid communication with the fan, the thermoelectric device being a source of temperature conditioned air; 
 wherein the spacer layer comprises a reticulated foam, a polymeric strand material, a grooved material or a helical material, the insert is a sealed edge insert 
   securing the spacer layer in position with a layer of adhesive in contact with the spacer layer;   moving air within the shaped foam body and across at least one of the open space and the spacer layer.   
   
   
       64 . A method for ventilating a seat comprising the steps of:
 providing:
 a vehicle seat having a ventilated component selected from a seat component and a backrest component, at least one of which provides a seat cushion and an air permeable trim surface; 
 an insert located beneath the trim surface of the ventilated component, the insert including:
 a first spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough; and 
 a flow control layer being generally located between the first spacer material and the trim surface, the flow control layer having at least one hole for enabling fluid flow through the trim surface; and 
 
 an air mover assembly including a blower, the air mover assembly substantially adjoining the insert, and 
 wherein the seat cushion includes an opening extending therethrough for at least assisting in providing fluid communication between the blower and the insert; 
   fixedly securing the blower to a frame member; and   moving air through the insert by way of the air mover.