Blower housing for climate controlled systems

Abstract

A blower for use in a climate controlled system includes an outer housing, a plurality of protruding members extending from the outer housing, an inlet opening in the outer housing, an impeller positioned with an internal cavity or space defined by the outer housing and a filter configured for placement against at least some of the protruding members. In some embodiments, the space created by the protruding members between the filter and outer housing facilitates the transfer of air or other fluids into the internal cavity of the blower.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 884,184, filed Jan. 9, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This application relates to climate control systems. More specifically, this application relates to an improved blower to use in climate controlled seating assemblies.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]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 desira...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Another aspect of the present invention comprises a method of facilitating the transfer of a fluid through a filter positioned upstream of a blower inlet. The method includes providing a plurality of protruding members along an outside portion of a blower housing and securing at least a portion of a filter against the protruding members. In some embodiments, the gap created by the protruding members between the filter and the blower housing is configured to reduce the head loss associated with the flow of fluid from outside the blower into an interior portion of the blower.

Problems solved by technology

For example, an automotive vehicle exposed to summer weather conditions, where, for example, the vehicle has been parked in an unshaded area for a long period of time, can cause the vehicle seat to become 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 and generally uncomfortable to the seated occupant.

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