Fluid delivery systems for climate controlled seats

Abstract

A seat portion or a backrest portion of seating assembly comprises a recessed area or wide groove along its exterior surface. The recessed area can be configured to receive a spacer (e.g., spacer fabric, member, module, etc.) that helps maintains the spatial and structural integrity of the recessed area. The spacer can be generally air and fluid permeable. In addition, a scrim layer can be positioned over the spacer fabric to help direct and/or distribute air or other fluid to an exterior surface of the seating assembly. The recessed area can also be configured to receive one or more films, occupant sensory devices, comfort layers, scrims, temperature sensors, heating devices and/or the like. Thus, air or other fluid can be delivered into the recessed area of a seat or backrest portion of a seating assembly, and subsequently delivered through the spacer fabric and scrim layer towards or away from an occupant. In some embodiments, the air or fluid is conditioned (e.g., heated or cooled) prior to entering the recessed area.

1 . A climate control assembly for a seat, comprising:
 a cushion having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side facing generally in opposite directions;   at least one fluid passage extending from the first side to the second side of the cushion;   a recessed area along the first side of the cushion, the recessed area being in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and   a spacer positioned within the recessed area, the spacer being at least partially fluid permeable and being configured to substantially retain the spatial integrity of the recessed area;   wherein the recessed area occupies at least about half of a surface area of the first side of the cushion.   
   
   
       2 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed area is configured to further receive a scrim, the scrim comprising at least one opening through which fluids may pass. 
   
   
       3 . The climate control assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the scrim comprises a plurality of openings. 
   
   
       4 . The climate control assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the scrim comprises a single opening, the single opening having an area generally greater than one-half of the total area of the scrim. 
   
   
       5 . The climate control assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the scrim comprises a padding layer configured to generally enhance the comfort to a seated occupant. 
   
   
       6 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed area includes a bottom surface and at least one side surface, the recessed area comprising at least one film layer to cover at least of the bottom surface and the side surfaces, the film layer having an air permeability that is lower than an air permeability of the spacer. 
   
   
       7 . The climate control assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the film layer is attached to the spacer. 
   
   
       8 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed area comprises a generally rectangular shape. 
   
   
       9 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage is configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid module. 
   
   
       10 . The climate control assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device. 
   
   
       11 . The climate control assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid module further comprises a thermoelectric device configured to selectively heat or cool a fluid. 
   
   
       12 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an occupant sensing device configured to detect when an occupant is seated within the seat. 
   
   
       13 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element. 
   
   
       14 . The climate control assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the heating element is positioned between the bottom surface of the recessed area and an exterior surface of the seat. 
   
   
       15 . The climate control assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the heating element is generally integrated with the spacer. 
   
   
       16 . The climate control assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the heating element comprises a plurality of slots or other openings, the slots or other openings being configured to permit a fluid to pass therethrough. 
   
   
       17 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the climate control assembly is configured to be positioned within an automobile seat. 
   
   
       18 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the climate control assembly is configured to be positioned within a bed. 
   
   
       19 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the cushion comprises at least one pocket, the pocket being in fluid communication with the recessed area and being configured to deliver a volume of fluid to a targeted region of the cushion. 
   
   
       20 . The climate control assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one pocket is coextensive with the recessed area. 
   
   
       21 . The climate control assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the spacer comprises a unitary member that is shaped and sized to fit within both the recessed area and the at least one pocket. 
   
   
       22 . The climate control assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one pocket is separate from the recessed area. 
   
   
       23 . The climate control assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one pocket and the recessed area are in fluid communication using a channel formed on the first side of the cushion. 
   
   
       24 . The climate control assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one pocket and the recessed area are in fluid communication using a channel formed on the second side of the cushion. 
   
   
       25 . The climate control assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one pocket and the recessed area are in fluid communication using a conduit positioned within the cushion, generally between the first and second sides of the cushion. 
   
   
       26 . The climate control assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid module is configured to deliver fluid through the fluid passage in a direction generally from the first side to the second side of the cushion. 
   
   
       27 . The climate control assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid module is configured to deliver fluid through the fluid passage in a direction generally from the second side to the first side of the cushion. 
   
   
       28 . The climate control assembly of  claim 26 , further comprising a second fluid module and a second fluid passage, wherein the second fluid module is further configured to deliver fluid through the second fluid passage in a direction generally from the second side to the first side of the cushion. 
   
   
       29 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a spacer fabric. 
   
   
       30 . The climate control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage is configured to be selectively placed in fluid communication with a vehicle's HVAC system. 
   
   
       31 . A climate controlled seat assembly comprising:
 a cushion having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side facing generally in opposite directions;   at least one fluid passage extending from the first side to the second side of the cushion;   a recessed area along the first side of the cushion, the recessed area being in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and   a spacer positioned within the recessed area, the spacer being at least partially fluid permeable and being configured to substantially retain the spatial integrity of the recessed area;   wherein the recessed area comprises a depth between 5 and 15 mm.   
   
   
       32 . A climate controlled seat comprising:
 a cushion having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side facing generally in opposite directions;   at least one fluid passage extending from the first side to the second side of the cushion;   a recessed area along the first side of the cushion, the recessed area being in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and   a spacer positioned within the recessed area, the spacer being at least partially fluid permeable and being configured to substantially retain the spatial integrity of the recessed area;   wherein the recessed area comprises a depth and a width, the ratio of the width to depth being between 8 and 40.