Variable temperature seat climate control system

Abstract

A temperature climate control system comprises a variable temperature seat, at least one heat pump, at least one heat pump temperature sensor, and a controller. Each heat pump comprises a number of Peltier thermoelectric modules for temperature conditioning the air in a main heat exchanger and a main exchanger fan for passing the conditioned air from the main exchanger to the variable temperature seat. The Peltier modules and each main fan may be manually adjusted via a temperature switch and a fan switch, respectively. Additionally, the temperature climate control system may comprise a number of additional temperature sensors to monitor the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the occupant as well as the temperature of the conditioned air directed to the occupant. The controller is configured to automatically regulate the operation of the Peltier modules and/or each main fan according to a temperature climate control algorithm designed both to maximize occupant comfort during normal operation, and minimize possible equipment damage, occupant discomfort, or occupant injury in the event of a heat pump malfunction.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat having means for distributing temperature conditioned air through the seat to increase a seat occupant's thermal comfort;  
       at least one heat pump connected to the seat by an air  conduit for providing temperature conditioning  conditioned air to the seat, the heat pump comprising:  
       at least one thermoelectric module for temperature conditioning the air ;  
       at least one fan for passing the temperature conditioned air through the seat to an occupant and for removing unwanted thermal energy from the thermoelectric module  to the seat;  
       a controller for activating and regulating the operation of the thermoelectric module and  fan of at least one heat pump  independent of occupant input after a desired mode of operation has been selected;  
       means for automatically operating the controller to optimize  change system response, to provide maximum  thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control cooling functions of the system to minimize  reduce occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response; and  
       an indicator switch attached to the seat to detect the presence of an occupant, the indicator switch being electrically connected to the controller.  
     
     
       2. The system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a temperature sensor attached to the heat pump to sense the operation of the heat pump, the temperature sensor being electrically connected to the controller to facilitate controlling the operation of the heat pump.  with at least one of a sensor sensing the temperature of the heat pump, a sensor sensing the temperature of the seat, or a sensor sensing the ambient air temperature near the seat. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in claim  2   1 , comprisingwherein the sensor comprises at least one temperature sensor positioned in the flow path of the temperature conditioned airfluid. 
     
     
       4. The system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising more than one seat, the operation of each heat pump for each seat being automatically regulated by a single controller capable of providing different comfort control to different seats. 
     
     
       5. A method for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat, the method comprising the steps of: 
       activating at least one thermoelectric module to provide temperature conditioned air to be distributed through a variable temperature seat ;  
       activating at least one electric fan for passing the temperature conditioned air through means inside of  to the variable temperature seat;  
       sensing a system temperature and relaying the temperature information to a controller;  
       automatically adjusting the electrical power to the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is operated in a cooling mode and when the temperature of the temperature conditioned air is below a minimum cooling temperature a predetermined amount of time after the cooling mode has been selected; and  
       automatically activating each fan and each thermoelectric module by occupying the seat and automatically deactivating each fan and the thermoelectric module by vacating the seat.  
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 5 , comprising manually adjusting the speed of each electric fan and mode of operation for each thermoelectric module to provide a desired flow rate and temperature of conditioned air directed to the occupant. 
     
     
       7. A method for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat, the method comprising the steps of: 
       sensing whether the seat is occupied and relaying the information to a controller configured to automatically regulate the operation of one or more thermoelectric modules and fans;  
       activating at least one thermoelectric module in response to sensing occupancy of the seat to provide temperature conditioned air;  
       activating at least one fan for passing  to pass the temperature conditioned air through air channels inside of  to the variable temperature seat;  
       sensing a system temperature and relaying the temperature information to the controller; and  
       automatically reducing electrical power to the thermoelectric modules when operated in a cooling mode after the temperature of the temperature conditioned air is below a minimum cooling temperature and after a maximum amount of time has passed since the system was placed in a cooling mode of operation.  
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of reducing electrical power to the thermoelectric modules when operated in a cooling mode, the operating temperature is below a predetermined cooling temperature, a predetermined amount of time has passed since the temperature was last adjusted by the occupant, and the temperature of the conditioned air directed to an occupant is a cooler by a predetermined amount than the ambient temperature surrounding the occupant  wherein the step of automatically changing the electrical power comprises the step of changing the power based on signals correlated to temperature and to elapsed time. 
     
     
       9. A method for controlling the temperature climate in a variable controlled occupant seat, the method comprising the steps of: 
       activating a number of thermoelectric modules for temperature conditioning air to be passed and distributed through a variable temperature seat  to generate temperature conditioned air;  
       activating at least one fan for passing the temperature conditioned air through air channels inside of the variable temperature seat to an occupantcommunicating the temperature conditioned air to the occupant seat by at least one fan; and;  
       sensing the  a control temperature of the thermoelectric modules  and relaying information correlated to the temperature information  to a controller configured to automatically deactivate the operation of the thermoelectric modules and fans  the at least one fan when the temperature is below approximately 200° K. and above approximately 349° K.;  
       automatically decreasing the electrical power to the thermoelectric modules when the thermoelectric modules are operated in a cooling mode, the temperature is below approximately 303° K., and it has been more than 6 minutes since the operating mode was last adjusted by the occupant; and  
       automatically decreasing the electrical power to the thermoelectric modules when the thermoelectric modules are operated in a heating mode and the temperature is in the range of from 339° K. to 349° K  reaches a predetermined limit for a predetermined time to prevent damage to one of the occupant seat or a seat occupant. 
     
     
       10. The method as recited in  claim 9 , comprising sensing  wherein the control temperature comprises at least one of the temperature of the conditioned air directed to the occupant and the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the occupant and relaying the temperature information to the controller . 
     
     
       11. The method as recited in  claim 10 , comprising automatically decreasing  changing the electrical power to the thermoelectric modules when the thermoelectric modules are operated in a cooling mode, the temperature is below approximately 303° K., it has been more than 6 minutes since a the operating mode was last adjusted by the occupant, and the temperature of the conditioned air is more than 3° K. less than the temperature of the ambient air . 
     
     
       12. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat having means  at least one conduit configured to distribute a sufficient amount of temperature conditioned air through the seat and the temperature conditioned air through the seat for the purpose of increasing  to increase a seat occupant's thermal comfort;  
       at least one heat pump for providing temperature conditioned air, each heat pump being connected to  in fluid communication with the conduit in the seat by an air conduit  and including one or more fans and one or more thermoelectric modules;  
       a controller for activating and regulating the operation of each  in electrical communication with the heat pump to produce  and fan and controlled to provide temperature conditioned air at a temperature and fan speed to maximize  to increase the thermal comfort of the  a seated occupant;  
       at least one temperature  sensor for monitoring the operation of at least one heat pump, the temperature sensor being electrically connected to the controller  or monitoring the temperature of the air passing through the heat pump, or monitoring ambient air temperature and providing a signal correlated to that operation or monitored temperature to the controller;  
       means for automatically operating the controller to optimize system response, to  provide maximum  thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control heating and cooling functions of the system to minimize  reduce occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response; and  
       an indicator for detecting the presence of the seat occupant, the indicator being electrically connected to the controller.  
     
     
       13. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat having means  at least one distribution conduit configured to distribute temperature conditioned air through the seat and the temperature conditioned air through the seat for the purpose of increasing  to increase a seat occupant's thermal comfort;  
       at least one heat pump for providing temperature conditioned air from the heat pump to the distribution conduit, each heat pump being connected to the seat by an air conduit and  including one or more fans and one or more thermoelectric modules;  
       a controller for activating and regulating the operation of each heat pump to produce temperature conditioned air at a temperature and fan speed to maximize  adjust the thermal comfort of the seated occupant;  
       at least one temperature sensor for monitoring the operation of at least one heat pump, the temperature sensor being  electrically connected to the controller; and  
       means for automatically operating the controller to optimize  vary the system response, to provide maximum  thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control heating and cooling functions of the system, to minimize  reduce occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response, wherein the means for automatically operating the controller reduces the cooling functions of the system when the temperature of the temperature conditioned air is below a minimum cooling temperature and after a maximum amount of time has passed since the system was placed in a cooling mode of operation.  
     
     
       14. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the reduction in cooling functions  variation in temperature conditioned air is achieved by reducing power  changing voltage to the thermoelectric module. 
     
     
       15. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the reduction in cooling functions  variation in temperature conditioned air is achieved by reducing  changing power to at least one of the thermoelectric module and to  the fan. 
     
     
       16. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat having means for distributing temperature conditioned air through the seat to increase a seat occupant's thermal comfort;  
       at least one heat pump connected to the seat by an air conduit for  providing temperature conditioning air to the seat, each heat pump comprising: ; 
       at least one thermoelectric module for temperature conditioning the air; 
       at least one fan for passing  positioned to move the temperature conditioned air through the seat to an occupant and for removing unwanted thermal energy from the thermoelectric module  conduit;  
       a controller for activating and regulating the operation of the thermoelectric module and fans of each  heat pump independent of occupant input after a desired mode of operation has been selected;  
       means for automatically operating the controller to optimize system response, to provide maximum thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control heating and cooling functions of the system, to minimize  reduce occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response, wherein the means for automatically operating the controller reduces the cooling functions of the system when the temperature of the temperature conditioned air is below a minimum cooling temperature and after a maximum amount of time has passed since the system was placed in a cooling mode of operation.  
     
     
       17. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat comprising a seat bottom and a seat back portion each having means for distributing  an air distribution conduit sized and located to distribute temperature conditioned air through the seat and directing  it to an occupant;  
       a seat back heat pump for conditioning the temperature of the air and passing the air through an air conduit to the seat back, the seat back heat pump comprising a main exchanger fan and at least one thermoelectric module ;  
       a seat bottom heat pump for conditioning the temperature of the air and passing the air through an air conduit to the seat bottom, the seat bottom heat pump comprising a main exchanger fan and at least one thermoelectric module ;  
       at least one fan arranged to move air from at least one of the heat pumps through the air conduit associated with the respective heat pump; 
       aat least one temperature sensor positioned in each heat pumpto monitor the temperature of at least one of the ambient air, conditioned air from at least one heat pump, or at least one heat pump;  
       a controller for automatically activating and regulating the speed of the main fans, and automatically selecting the mode of operation for the thermoelectric module in each heat pump  receiving information from the temperature sensor and configured to automatically activate and regulate at least one of the speed of the fans and the temperature of the air conditioned by at least one of the heat pumps;  
       means for automatically operating the controller to optimize system response, to provide maximum thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control cooling functions of the system to minimize occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response, wherein the means for automatically operating the controller reduces the cooling functions of the system when the temperature of the temperature conditioned air is below a minimum cooling temperature and after a maximum amount of time has passed since the system was placed in a cooling mode of operation.  
     
     
       18. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat comprising a seat bottom and a seat back portion each having means for distributing  a system configured and located to distribute temperature conditioned air through  in the seat and directing it to an occupant ;  
       a seat back heat pump for conditioning the temperature of the air and passing the air through an air conduit to the seat back, the seat back heat pump comprising a main exchanger fan and at least one thermoelectric module  in fluid communication with a fan arranged to pass temperature conditioned air to the system;  
       aat least one seat bottom heat pump for conditioning the temperature of the air and passing the air through an air conduit to the seat bottom, the seat bottom heat pump comprising a main exchanger fan and at least one thermoelectric modulein fluid communication with a fan arranged to pass temperature conditioned air to the system;  
       aat least one temperature sensor positioned in each heat pumpto monitor the temperature of at least one of the seat bottom, seat back, ambient air, conditioned air from at least one heat pump, and at least one heat pump;  
       a controller for automatically activating and regulating the speed of the main fans, and automatically selecting the mode of operation for the thermoelectric module in each heat pump  receiving information from the temperature sensor and configured to automatically activate and regulate at least one of the speed of the fans and the temperature of the air conditioned by at least one of the heat pumps;  
       means for automatically operating the controller to optimize system response, to provide maximum thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control cooling functions of the system to minimize occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response; and  
       an indicator for detecting the present of an occupant, the indicator being electrically connected to the automatic operating means  controller.  
     
     
       19. A system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the time and power to the controller vary with a temperature signal from the least one temperature sensor. 
     
     
       20. A system as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the time and power to the controller vary with a temperature signal from the least one temperature sensor. 
     
     
       21. A system as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of automatically changing the electrical power to the thermoelectric modules when the control temperature reaches a predetermined temperature and/or when a predetermined amount of time has passed. 
     
     
       22. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat having a conduit to distribute temperature conditioned heating or cooling medium to an area of a seat; 
       at least one heat pump connected to the seat by a conduit for providing a temperature conditioning medium to the conduit in the seat; 
       at least one fan for passing the temperature conditioned air to the conduit in the seat; 
       a controller for activating and regulating the operation of the fan independent of occupant input after a desired mode of operation has been selected; 
       means for automatically operating the controller to change system response, to provide thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control cooling functions of the system to reduce occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response; and 
       an indicator switch located within the seat to detect the presence of an occupant, the indicator switch being electrically connected to the controller. 
     
     
       23. A method for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat, the method comprising the steps of: 
       activating at least one thermoelectric module to provide temperature conditioned air; 
       activating at least one electric fan for passing the temperature conditioned air to the variable temperature seat; 
       sensing a system temperature and relating the temperature information to a controller; 
       automatically adjusting the electrical power to the thermoelectric module based upon temperature and elapsed time information to adjust the temperature of the air distributed to the occupant seat; and 
       automatically activating each fan and each thermoelectric module by occupying the seat and activating a weight-sensitive sensor and automatically deactivating each fan and the thermoelectric module by vacating the seat and deactivating a weight-sensitive sensor. 
     
     
       24. A method for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat, the method comprising the steps of: 
       sensing whether the seat is occupied by use of a weight-sensitive sensor and relaying the information to a controller configured to automatically regulate the operation of one or more thermoelectric modules and fans; 
       activating at least one thermoelectric module in response to sensing the status of the weight-sensitive sensor to provide temperature conditioned air; 
       activating at least one fan to pass the temperature conditioned air to the variable temperature seat; 
       sensing a temperature and relaying the temperature information to the controller; and 
       automatically changing electrical power to the thermoelectric modules, by varying a duty cycle of power to the modules, when operated in a cooling mode after the temperature of the temperature conditioned air is below a minimum cooling temperature and after a maximum amount of time has passed since the system was placed in a cooling mode of operation. 
     
     
       25. A system for controlling the temperature climate in a variable temperature occupant seat comprising: 
       an occupant seat having at least one conduit configured to distribute a sufficient amount of temperature conditioned air through the seat to increase a seat occupant's thermal comfort; 
       at least one heat pump for providing temperature conditioned air, each heat pump being in fluid communication with the conduit in the seat and having a fan to move thermally conditioned air to the conduit in the seat; 
       a controller in electrical communication with the heat pump and fan and controlled to provide temperature conditioned air to increase the thermal comfort of a seated occupant; 
       at least one sensor for monitoring the operation of at least one heat pump, or monitoring the temperature of the air passing through the heat pump, or monitoring ambient air temperature and providing a signal correlated to that operation or monitored temperature to the controller; 
       means for automatically operating the controller to provide thermal comfort to the seated occupant, and to control heating and cooling functions of the system to reduce occupant discomfort and adverse physiological response; and 
       an indicator located in the seat for detecting the presence of the seat occupant, the indicator being in communication with the controller.