Apparatus and method for adjusting an airflow of an air supply device for a vehicle seat

Abstract

An apparatus and method for adjusting an airflow of an air supply device for a vehicle seat, in particular of a cabriolet, are provided. At an outside temperature which is greater than a predetermined limit temperature, the heating element of the air supply device may be deactivated.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An air supply device for a vehicle seat, comprising:
 at least one air outlet opening provided in an upper region of the vehicle seat and via which a head, shoulder and neck region of a seat occupant can be acted upon by an airflow;   at least one heating element over which the airflow is conducted; and   a control device that, at an outside temperature which is greater than a predetermined limit temperature, deactivates the heating element such that an airflow flows out of the air outlet opening at the outside temperature.   
     
     
         9 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the control device cooperates with at least one of a sensor for determining the outside temperature and a sensor for detecting insolation. 
     
     
         10 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the limit temperature can be adjusted by the control device as a function of at least one of a vehicle speed and an intensity of insolation. 
     
     
         11 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the limit temperature is individually adjustable by the seat occupant. 
     
     
         12 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the limit temperature is 25° C. 
     
     
         13 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the limit temperature can be adjusted by the control device as a function of at least one of a vehicle speed and an intensity of insolation. 
     
     
         14 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the limit temperature is individually adjustable by the seat occupant. 
     
     
         15 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the limit temperature is 25° C. 
     
     
         16 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the limit temperature is 25° C. 
     
     
         17 . The air supply device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the limit temperature is 25° C. 
     
     
         18 . A method for adjusting an airflow of an air supply device for a vehicle seat including at least one air outlet opening provided in an upper region of the vehicle seat and via which a head, shoulder and neck region of a seat occupant can be acted upon by an airflow, and at least one heating element over which the airflow is conducted, wherein, based on detection of at least one of an outside temperature greater than a predetermined limit temperature and insolation, the heating element is deactivated, and thereby the airflow flows out of the air outlet opening at the outside temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , in which strength of the airflow is adjusted as a function of vehicle speed. 
     
     
         20 . A method for adjusting an airflow of an air supply device for a vehicle seat including at least one air outlet opening provided in an upper region of the vehicle seat and via which a head, shoulder and neck region of a seat occupant can be acted upon by an airflow, and at least one heating element over which the airflow is conducted, comprising:
 detecting at least one of an outside temperature at the vehicle and insolation in a passenger compartment;   deactivating the at least one heating element, based on at least one of the outside temperature exceeding a predetermined limit temperature and a detected insolation; and   outputting the airflow out of the air outlet opening at the outside temperature, if the at least one heating element is deactivated.   
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , in which strength of the airflow is adjusted as a function of vehicle speed.