Apparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seat

Abstract

A seat assembly comprises a seat cushion having an outer surface comprising a front side for supporting an occupant in a sitting position and a rear side. A base member is positioned on the rear side of the seat cushion. An adjustable lumbar support device is provided on the rear side of the seat cushion. A first passage extends through the seat cushion. A ventilation system is provided for distributing air from the first passage along the support surface of the seat cushion. A climate control apparatus is provided for providing climate conditioned air to the ventilation system. A flexible conduit connects the climate control apparatus to the ventilation system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to climate control. More specifically, this invention relates to climate control of a cushion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Temperature modified air for environmental control of living or working space is typically provided to relatively extensive areas, such as entire buildings, selected offices, or suites of rooms within a building. In the case of vehicles, such as automobiles, the entire vehicle is typically cooled or heated as a unit. There are many situations, however, in which more selective or restrictive air temperature modification is desirable. For example, it is often desirable to provide an individualized climate control for an occupant seat so that substantially instantaneous heating or cooling can be achieved. For example, an automotive vehicle exposed to the summer weather, where the vehicle has been parked in an unshaded area for a long period of time, can ca...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, an automotive vehicle exposed to the summer weather, where the vehicle has been parked in an unshaded area for a long period of time, can cause the vehicle seat to be very hot and uncomfortable for the occupant for some time after entering and using the vehicle, even with normal air conditioning.

Furthermore, even with normal air-conditioning, on a hot day, the seat occupant's back and other pressure points may remain sweaty while seated.

There are, however, problems that have been experienced with existing climate control systems for seats.

For example, some climate control systems are not easily integratable into existing seat construction methods.

Such systems require a significantly greater number of parts as compared to existing automotive seats, and often require complex mechanical parts.

In the past, this has resulted in increased costs for individualized occupant cooling in automobiles.

The current techniques are also problematic because they may limit the ability for vehicle designers to provide modern seating embodiments and stylistic designs.

The location and movement of the backrest provides significant engineering obstacles for the climate control system.

This results in a more complicated design and increased costs.

Another problem that has been experienced with existing climate control systems for seats involves the connection between the channels and passages formed in the cushion of the seat and the climate control device which supplies conditioned air to these channels and passages.

Specifically, the connection may create a region of rigidity in the seat cushion degrading the feel and comfort of the seat.

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