Conditioning system for cooling and heating surfaces, particularly automobile seats

Abstract

A temperature control mat 5 is described, in particular for the rapid cooling of a vehicle seat covering 4. The temperature control mat comprises at least two interconnected thin films of plastic 5a, 5b, forming a fluid chamber system 10, and openings 11 distributed over the temperature control mat which penetrate through the temperature control mat 5. For temperature control, initially a temperature control fluid is directed through the fluid chamber system. Subsequently, the system is emptied and an air stream is directed through a spacing structure 6, in order to dissipate moisture passing through the openings 11.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a temperature control system, which can be used for the rapid cooling and possibly also heating of surfaces—in particular of car seats. In addition, the invention relates to a seat and / or rest element, in particular with leather covering, and to a complete car seat, respectively fitted with such a temperature control system. Finally, the invention also relates to a temperature control mat for such a temperature control system and to a temperature control method for cooling and possibly heating a seat and / or rest element. [0002] It is known not only to heat but also to cool seats—in particular car seats. Cooling is necessary if car seats heat up under strong solar irradiation to high temperatures, which can lead to serious burns of the skin. This problem arises in particular in the case of dark leather seats. In general, the driver must wait until the seat has cooled down to a temperature comfortable for sitting, whether by ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] To ensure the transporting of moisture through the seat covering, the temperature control mat is combined with an open spacer structure. Any two-dimensional, open structure which on the one hand permits a through-flow of gas to dissipate water vapor passing through the seat covering and on the other hand is adequately flexible and nevertheless stable under pressure, so that it does not collapse even under the weight of a person imparting a load to it, can be used as the spacer structure. The spacer structure may be securely connected to the temperature control mat, for example sewn or preferably adhesively bonded, so that the temperature control mat including the spacer structure can be easily handled and integrated into a seat. The spacer structure preferably lies between the temperature control mat and the seat cushion, so that the sequence of the layer structure is as follows: seat covering, temperature control mat, spacer structure, seat cushion, and any additional layers lying inbetween.

[0033] However, the variant of a partly open system is also possible. In this case, the emptying and complete filling of the fluid chamber system is additionally assisted by at least one of the layers of plastic forming the fluid chamber system being liquid-impermeable but air-permeable, at least in certain regions, so that an exchange of air can take place through the fluid-chamber wall, in particular the venting of undesired inclusions of air. Particularly suitable in this connection is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with a low porosity, to keep the evaporation losses low during operation. Tests with a low porosity of, for example, 2% to 30% (measured with a Capillary Flow Porometer CFP-1500-AXLS from PMI—Porous Materials, USA) and a high water ingress pressure of over 6 bar have produced good results.

Problems solved by technology

Cooling is necessary if car seats heat up under strong solar irradiation to high temperatures, which can lead to serious burns of the skin.

This problem arises in particular in the case of dark leather seats.

Because of the relatively rigid nature of the hoses or pipes, the system of lines undesirably presses through the seat covering and adversely affects the feel of the seat.

If the system of lines is arranged further in the interior of the seat to remedy this disadvantage, however, a significant reduction in efficiency occurs because of the poor heat transfer associated with the greater distance from the temperature-controlling surface.

It is disadvantageous, furthermore, that, in the case of the previously described systems, no moisture resulting for example from the perspiration of a person sitting on the surface is removed.

This may have the consequence on hot days of clothing becoming soaked with perspiration.

Although no lines press through the seat covering in the case of the two systems last described, the removal of moisture is not ideal in these cases either, although a certain drying is reliably achieved by the air stream emerging from the seat.

However, the person sitting on the seat closes the pores in the seat, so that at these points the transporting of moisture and exchange of air is virtually completely blocked.

Moreover, the air emerging from the open pores flows past the person, which is felt to be uncomfortable and may be harmful to health, in particular in the lumbar region.

In addition, perforated seat coverings, in particular made of leather, have a tendency to become clogged with dust and dirt particles and are also not desired for design reasons.

A further disadvantage is that the systems described only begin to work when the car is started, i.e. the driver initially sits down on a hot seat, before the cooling of the seat begins.

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