Ventilated seat and method for ventilating a seat

Abstract

A ventilated seat comprises vents arranged on the seat surface of the seat, a ventilation device for generating an air flow, a ventilation channel for connecting the ventilation device with the air of the vent, a flow control device for individually opening and closing the ventilation channel and / or the vents, a sensor for determining the force applied to the seat surface and / or the pressure acting on the seat surface and / or for determining the air pressure in the ventilation channel, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to control the flow control device according to the force determined by the sensor and / or the determined pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to ventilated seats and, more particularly, to a ventilated seat having a controlled air flow control device and a method of ventilating a seat. Background Art

[0002] Too high or too low temperature and humidity can cause discomfort to people sitting on the seats, especially vehicle passengers sitting on vehicle seats. In order to avoid this discomfort, the seats can have equipment such as seat ventilation systems, which have vents on the seat surface and a fan, and the vents face the people using the seats.

[0003] Typically, an air flow is generated by using a fan and the air is delivered to the seat surface and discharged from there into the environment. In other words, the person sitting on the seat is exposed to the air flow. Depending on the requirements, this can be conditioned air, such as cooled or heated and / or dry air. In addition, systems are known in which air (e.g. conditioned air) is blown towards the person sitting on the seat, or air is sucked away from the person in order to generate an air flow.

[0004] Problems may arise in the described seat ventilation system if one or more vents are blocked. For example, such a blockage may be due to excessive pressure exerted by a seated person, such as by the body of the seated person at least partially closing the vent. The increased pressure leads to an increased flow resistance at the corresponding vent. However, since the air flow preferentially passes through the vent at the lowest pressure in the flow path with the lowest flow resistance, the humidity and temperature in the area under high pressure are then no longer affected by the air flow or are affected only to a limited extent. Instead, most of the air flow is usually lost via vents that are not in contact with the person using the seat.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to change the temperature and / or air humidity in areas where the ventilation openings are at least partially blocked, especially in areas where a person using the seat directly contacts the seat surface. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a ventilated seat is provided. The ventilated seat includes a vent provided on a seat surface, a ventilating device for generating an air flow, and a ventilating channel for air-conductingly connecting the ventilating device to the vent. The ventilated seat also includes a flow control device for individually opening and closing the ventilating channel and / or the vent, a sensor for determining at least one of a force applied to the seat surface, a pressure acting on the seat surface, and an air pressure in the ventilating channel, and a control unit for controlling the flow control device according to the force determined by the sensor and / or the determined pressure.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a ventilated seat is provided. The ventilated seat includes a vent provided on a seat surface, a ventilating device generating an airflow, and a ventilating passage connecting the ventilating device to the ventilating device. The ventilated seat also includes a flow control device for controlling the airflow through the ventilating device, one or more sensors for determining a load on the seat, and a control unit for controlling the flow control device according to the load.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for ventilating a seat is provided. The method comprises the following steps: generating an airflow, passing the airflow through a ventilation channel of the seat and through a vent provided on a seat surface of the seat, determining at least one of a force applied to the seat surface, a pressure acting on the seat surface, and an air pressure in the ventilation channel, and associating the determined at least one force and pressure with an associated ventilation channel and / or associated vent. The method further comprises the following steps: defining a set point opening state of the ventilation channel and / or vent according to the associated at least one force and pressure, determining an actual opening state of the ventilation channel and / or vent, comparing the actual opening state with the set opening state, and if there is a difference between the actual opening state and the set opening state, opening or closing the ventilation channel and / or vent.

[0009] These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the attached picture:

[0011] Figure 1 is a front view of a seat designed as a vehicle seat according to one embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a cross section of a seat showing an open vent;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a seat with a partially closed air vent; and

[0014] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a portion of a method of ventilating a seat according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In the examples shown below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show some examples and, for purposes of illustration, show specific embodiments in which the invention may be implemented. Since components of the embodiments may be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for illustration and is by no means limiting.

[0016] It goes without saying that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical modifications may be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It goes without saying that the features of the various illustrative embodiments described herein may be combined with each other unless otherwise specifically stated. The following detailed description should therefore not be interpreted as having a limiting meaning, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, where convenient, identical or similar elements have the same reference numerals.

[0017] Figure 1 A ventilated seat 1 designed as a vehicle seat according to one embodiment is shown. The seat 1 generally has a seat base connected to a seat back and a headrest connected to the top of the seat back. The seat 1 has a seat surface 2 and vents 3 arranged on the seat surface 2. In the example shown, the vents 3 are unevenly distributed on the seat surface 2, but may also be arranged in other ways.

[0018] Furthermore, a sensor 8 is provided on the seat surface 2. In one embodiment, the sensor 8 is designed as an optical fiber pressure sensor distributed in a matrix form on the seat surface 2 in this example. The sensor 8 is used to determine the pressure acting on the seat surface 2, which pressure can be applied by a person using the seat 1 (see Figure 2 ) and determine the resulting pressure distribution. In this way, a specific pressure can be associated with each vent 3.

[0019] The measured pressure value recorded by the sensor 8 is transmitted to the control unit 12, which is configured to control the flow control device 7 according to the pressure determined by the sensor 8, such as Figure 2 and 3 The control unit 12 may include a microprocessor and / or other digital or analog control circuitry, and may be a shared or dedicated controller that may be located on or near the seat.

[0020] Figure 2 and 3 A schematic cross section of a seat 1 according to an embodiment is shown. Here too, ventilation openings 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d arranged on the seat surface 2 can be seen. The ventilation openings 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are each connected via a ventilation channel 6 to a ventilation device 4, which in the example shown and described here is a fan. The ventilation device 4 serves to generate an air flow 5, which flows from the interior of the seat 2 in the direction of the seat surface 2.

[0021] In the ventilation passages 6 leading to the ventilation openings 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, stop valves are provided as flow control devices 7, which are used for the individual opening and closing of the ventilation passages 6. After closing the ventilation passages 6, it is also impossible for any more air to flow through the relevant ventilation openings 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, respectively.

[0022] Figure 2 The illustration in shows a normal state in which all flow control devices 7 are open, with the result that the airflow 5 can theoretically flow through the vents 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. However, it can also be seen that the vents 3c and 3d are at least partially blocked by a person using the seat 1 by sitting on top of the seat 1, and therefore the airflow 5 through the vents 3c and 3d is at least reduced compared to the airflow 5 through the vents 3a and 3b.

[0023] This blockage is detected by the pressure increase in the area of ​​the seat surface 2 associated with the ventilation openings 3c and 3d. The flow control devices 7 in the ventilation channels 3a and 3b are then closed by the control unit 12, while the flow control devices 7 in the ventilation channels 3c and 3d continue to remain open. This state is as follows Figure 3 As shown. As a result, the air flow 5 in the ventilation channels 3c and 3d is enhanced as the air pressure increases, and effective ventilation can be achieved even in the area of ​​the at least partially blocked openings. After a period of time, the pressure acting on the seat surface 2 can be determined again and compared with the limit value. Depending on the result, the flow control device 7 is then controlled again by the control unit 7 between the open and closed position.

[0024] Figure 4 A flow chart showing a portion of a method 20 for ventilating a seat according to one embodiment is shown, wherein an airflow 5 flows from the interior of a seat 2 in the direction of a vent 3. Features of generating and passing the airflow 5 through a ventilation channel 6 of the seat 1 and through the vent 3 provided on the seat surface 2 of the seat 1 have been omitted from the illustration.

[0025] In a first step 22 of the method 20, a pressure limit value t i , where i = 1-n. Here, the pressure limit value t i is chosen such that a blockage of the associated ventilation opening 3 can be inferred from the overshoot or undershoot.

[0026] In a second step 24, the pressure p is determined i , where i = 1-n (actual pressure). Next, at step 26, the pressure p i The pressure limit value t associated with each vent 3 i For comparison. If the pressure p i Exceeding the limit value t i , the associated vent 3 is opened at step 28 (if it is not already open). Pressure p i Does not exceed the limit value t i All other vents 3 are closed (if they are not already closed). After this or if any vent 3 does not exceed the limit value t i, the pressure p can be determined again for each vent i , wherein the steps of method 20 have been described below in a corresponding manner.

[0027] The ventilated seat and the method for ventilating a seat are based on the basic idea of ​​adjusting the air flow with reference to pressure and / or force data generated, for example, by the weight of the seated person. In this case, the high-pressure air channel is (partially) opened by using a control unit and all other air channels are (partially) closed. This ensures that the air flows mainly into the area in which the person is in direct contact with the seat surface. Three different variants are available, for example: closing the low-pressure air channels / vents (insofar as they are not closed or only partially closed) or opening the high-pressure air channels / vents (insofar as they are not opened or only partially opened) or performing a combination of the two variants mentioned above.

[0028] In other words, a completely or partially blocked ventilation channel and / or vent can be analyzed with reference to force or pressure changes, for example by determining the pressure acting on the vent or on a seat surface adjacent to the vent. If the determined pressure reaches or exceeds a predetermined limit value, it can be assumed that the vent is blocked. The higher the determined pressure, the greater the blockage. That is, the greater the proportion of the vent is blocked, until it is completely blocked. As a result, less air can flow through the vent until the air flow disappears completely.

[0029] As an alternative, the change in the air pressure in the ventilation channels leading to the vents can also be determined. In this case, if a predetermined limit value is reached or exceeded in the case of an air flow directed from the seat interior to the vents, or if a predetermined limit value is fallen below in the case of an air flow directed from the vents to the seat interior, it can be assumed that the corresponding vents are blocked. If a blockage is detected, it is envisaged to at least partially or even completely close the remaining unblocked vents and / or the ventilation channels leading to these unblocked vents.

[0030] In the case of an airflow directed from the interior of the seat toward the vent, this results in a higher air pressure in the ventilation channel leading to the blocked vent, with the result that air can even flow out in the area of ​​the blocked vent and the temperature and humidity can be influenced by this airflow. In the case of an airflow directed from the vent to the interior of the seat, a greater pressure reduction in the ventilation channel and at the vent can be produced by closing the unblocked vent. This reduced pressure can produce an increased airflow, thus ensuring that the person sitting on the seat can also feel the ventilation effect in this case.

[0031] According to one embodiment, a ventilated seat, such as a vehicle seat, has ventilation openings arranged on a seat surface of the seat. Here, the seat surface should be understood as the entire surface facing a person using the seat. For example, it can be the seat area of ​​the seat base that contacts the person's buttocks and thighs and / or the surface of the seat back facing the person, which contacts the back and possibly the person's head, such as via a headrest.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the seat has a plurality of ventilation openings. These openings can have the same or different designs with respect to their size and geometry and can be arranged on the seat surface in a uniform or non-uniformly distributed manner. In areas where particularly close contact between the seat surface and a person using the seat is likely, such as in areas of the seat surface corresponding to the lower back of a person, for example, a greater number of ventilation openings can be provided than in areas of the seat surface where direct contact with a person using the seat is less likely.

[0033] The ventilated seat according to one embodiment also has a ventilation device for generating an air flow. For example, the ventilation device can be a fan or a blower. The ventilation device can be designed to generate an air flow that flows from the interior of the seat in the direction of the vents, generally in the direction of the person using the seat, and / or an air flow that flows from the vents in the direction of the interior of the seat. There can also be multiple ventilation devices, such as a first fan for the seat base cushion and a second fan for the backrest of the seat.

[0034] Furthermore, the seat according to one embodiment has a ventilation channel for connecting the ventilation device with the vent air guide. A channel should be considered to mean a connection between the ventilation device and the vent that is continuous over the length of the channel. In other words, each ventilation channel starts at the ventilation device (the beginning of the ventilation channel) and ends at one of the vents (the end of the ventilation channel), wherein air can be supplied or exhausted only at the beginning and end of the ventilation channel.

[0035] For example, a branched ventilation channel system can be provided, wherein after a common initial ventilation channel section, for example after a ventilation channel section is provided starting from the ventilation channel in the direction of the ventilation channel end, a plurality of ventilation channel sections emanating from the ventilation channel section are formed, each of the plurality of ventilation channel sections for its part ending in a corresponding ventilation opening. A plurality of branches can also be provided.

[0036] For example, the ventilation channel can be arranged inside the seat so that it cannot be seen from the outside. For example, the ventilation channel can be arranged in the form of a gap behind the seat upholstery, the seat shell or a suitable panel. However, the ventilation channel can also be designed as a separate component, such as in the form of a plastic hose. It is also possible to arrange the ventilation channel in a ventilation or air conditioning insert in the seat.

[0037] According to one embodiment, exactly one ventilation device, such as a single fan, is provided, which is connected to all vents in an air-conducting manner. For example, the ventilation device can be arranged in a ventilation channel which branches in such a way that each vent is assigned exactly one ventilation channel downstream in the case of an air flow directed from the interior of the seat to the vents or upstream in the case of an air flow directed from the vents to the interior of the seat.

[0038] The seat according to one embodiment further has a flow control device for individually opening and closing ventilation channels and / or vents, wherein the opening or closing can be partial or complete. Individually means that each vent can be closed or opened independently of the other vents. For this purpose, the flow control device can be arranged on or in the associated ventilation channel, or on or in the associated vent. In a different embodiment, the flow control device is designed as a valve. For example, all flow control devices can be designed as valves.

[0039] Furthermore, the seat according to one embodiment has a sensor for determining the force applied to the seat surface and / or the pressure acting on the seat surface and / or for determining the air pressure in the ventilation duct. For example, the sensor can be designed as a force sensor or a pressure sensor. The sensor can advantageously be associated with one or more ventilation openings, so that a pressure or force value can be determined for each ventilation opening, which can be used to assess the presence of a blockage of this ventilation opening.

[0040] The seat further has a control unit which is designed to control the valves as a function of the force determined by the sensor and / or the pressure determined. If a predetermined pressure or force limit value is exceeded or undershot, the ventilation openings and / or ventilation channels associated with the determined pressure or force value are opened or closed or sealed. Starting from an initial state in which all channels are partially open (e.g. 50% open), for example, if this value is exceeded or undershot, some channels are opened or closed to a greater extent.

[0041] In one embodiment, the control unit may include a processor such as a microprocessor that is designed to identify a blocked vent based on a pressure or force distribution on the seat surface or based on a pressure distribution in the ventilation channel, the distribution being determined by a sensor, and the processor is designed to send a signal to the control unit to control individual flow control devices for individually opening and closing such vents and / or ventilation channels.

[0042] The seat advantageously provides the possibility to detect blocked vents by observing pressure or force changes using sensors, and if the pressure or force changes by more than a predetermined amount, this is used to identify blocked vents. According to one embodiment, due to the relationship between force and pressure (force per unit area), both force and pressure can be used as measurement variables for identifying blocked vents. Regardless of the direction of the airflow, the force exerted on the seat surface (such as the weight of a person using the seat or the pressure on the seat surface due to the weight) can be used to determine blocked vents.

[0043] Once blocked vents are determined or identified, the air pressure applied to these blocked vents can be increased by closing some or all unblocked openings using a flow control device. To this end, the flow control device is controlled in an appropriate manner using a control unit. This provides the possibility of effectively controlling temperature and humidity even in seating areas with at least partially blocked vents and improves the sitting comfort of the person using the seat.

[0044] According to various variant embodiments, the sensor can be designed as a fiber optic pressure sensor. For example, such a sensor can include a glass fiber as a pickup. The occurrence of a pressure load causes bending losses, which lead to transmission changes in the glass fiber. The pressure can then be derived from these changes. A plurality of fiber optic pressure sensors can be arranged in the form of a matrix distributed over the seat surface. Here, the specific number of fibers and the number of measuring points along the fibers can be selected depending on the specific application. By using a fiber optic pressure sensor or a close mesh arrangement of the fibers of the sensor, the pressure distribution on the seat surface can be determined.

[0045] According to further variant embodiments, the sensor can be designed as a capacitive and / or piezoresistive sensor. Piezoresistive pressure sensors can be produced at low cost and have high sensitivity. According to further variant embodiments, the sensor can be designed as a force sensor. By using a force sensor, the force acting on the sensor can be determined. For example, the force acting on the seat surface, such as the weight of a person using the seat, can be determined.

[0046] According to a further variant embodiment, the seat can have a regulating device for air conditioning. For example, the regulating device can be used to heat or cool and / or dry the air in the air flow. To this end, the regulating device can be arranged in the ventilation channel downstream of the ventilation device for generating an air flow in the case of an air flow directed from the interior of the seat in the direction of the vent.

[0047] As an alternative, the conditioning device can also be arranged in front of the ventilation device for generating the air flow, ie upstream thereof, with the result that already air-conditioned air reaches the ventilation device and is guided into the ventilation channel.

[0048] By using the regulating device, the air used to ventilate the seat can be adjusted in temperature and / or air humidity according to the respective ambient conditions and the wishes of the person using the seat, which helps to improve the comfort of the person using the seat.

[0049] A vehicle according to one embodiment has a seat according to the above description. Here, a vehicle should be understood to mean any mobile vehicle, including a land vehicle or a vessel or an aircraft, such as a passenger car. In particular, the vehicle seat of the vehicle can be designed according to the above description. Ventilation of the seat helps to improve driving comfort and can also improve safety, because the temperature of the seat can be better regulated and temperature stress on the driver can be largely avoided.

[0050] The method for ventilating a seat has the features explained in more detail below, which can be performed in the order explained, but can also be performed in a different order as needed. For example, the method can be performed by using the ventilated seat described above. To this extent, the above statements used to explain the ventilated seat according to one embodiment are also used to describe the method. According to the method according to one embodiment, an airflow is generated. The airflow can flow from the inside of the seat in the direction of the seat surface, or it can also flow from the seat surface in the direction of the inside of the seat. Regardless of the direction of flow, the airflow passes through the ventilation channel of the seat and the vents arranged on the seat surface. In other words, the airflow flows through the ventilation channel and the vents. In addition, the force applied to the seat surface of the seat and / or the pressure acting on the seat surface of the seat and / or the air pressure in the ventilation channel are determined as measured load variables. The measured variables can indicate the load on the seat.

[0051] The determined measured load variables, i.e. forces and / or pressures (wherein pressures also include air pressure), are associated with one or more ventilation channels and / or vents, which are referred to hereinafter as associated ventilation channels or associated vents. For example, the force or pressure distribution on the seat surface can be determined by using the above-mentioned sensors. The set point opening state of the ventilation channels and / or vents is then defined based on the associated forces and / or the associated pressures, such as open, closed, partially closed, etc. In other words, the ideal state regarding the opening state is determined for one, some or all ventilation channels and / or vents, in particular for the associated ventilation channels and / or vents, the opening state being based on a determined force and / or based on a determined pressure.

[0052] For example, the set point opening states can be defined in such a way that blocked ventilation channels and / or vents are supplied with an air flow at a higher air pressure. For this purpose, "open" can be defined as the set point opening state for blocked ventilation channels and / or vents, while the "closed" set point opening state is defined for all unblocked ventilation channels and / or vents. This configuration has the effect that the air flow flows more through blocked ventilation channels and / or vents, as a result of which the temperature and humidity can be effectively controlled even in the seat area and the sitting comfort of a person using the seat, for example, is improved.

[0053] After the actual opening state of the ventilation channels and / or vents is determined, the actual opening state is compared with the set point opening state. If a difference between the actual opening state and the set point opening state of one, some or all ventilation channels and / or vents is detected, these ventilation channels and / or vents are partially or completely opened or closed in a corresponding manner, with the result that the set point opening state then corresponds to the actual opening state. The force applied to the seat surface of the seat and / or the pressure acting on the seat surface of the seat and / or the air pressure in the ventilation channels can then be determined again, and the subsequent steps are performed according to the above description.

[0054] According to various variant embodiments, the set point opening state is defined according to the associated force and / or associated pressure by specifying limit values ​​for the force and / or pressure and comparing the associated force and / or associated pressure with the corresponding limit values. If the limit values ​​are exceeded, a blockage of the associated ventilation channel and / or the associated vent can be inferred. The limit values ​​for all ventilation channels or vents can be the same or different. For example, different limit values ​​can be specified, depending on the location of the vent on the seat surface.

[0055] If the limit value is exceeded, "open" is defined as the set point open state for the associated possibly blocked ventilation channel and / or vent. On the other hand, for all other irrelevant ventilation channels and / or vents, "closed" is defined as the set point open state. As already described, this makes it possible to focus the airflow on the blocked ventilation channels and / or vents.

[0056] If, in a variant embodiment, an air flow is generated from the seat surface in the direction of the seat interior and the air pressure in the ventilation channel is determined as a measured variable, a reduced air pressure in this case indicates a blockage of the associated ventilation channel and / or the vent. Here, when below a limit value, "open" can be defined as the set point opening state of the associated ventilation channel and / or the associated vent and "closed" can be defined as the set point opening state of the remaining ventilation channels and / or vents, so that in this case the air flow is concentrated on the blocked ventilation channel and / or vent.

[0057] It will be appreciated that changes and modifications may be made to the above described constructions without departing from the inventive concept and it will be appreciated that these concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless the claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

Claims

1. A ventilated seat, comprising: A vent, the vent being disposed on a seat surface; A ventilator for generating airflow; A ventilation channel, the ventilation channel is used for air conduction connection between the ventilation device and the ventilation port; a flow control device, the flow control device being used to individually open and close the ventilation passage and / or the ventilation opening; a sensor that determines at least one of a pressure acting on the seat surface and an air pressure in the ventilation passage; and a control unit that controls the flow control device based on the pressure determined by the sensor; The pressure is compared with a pressure limit value of each of the vents, and if the pressure exceeds the pressure limit value, the vent is opened, and if the pressure does not exceed the pressure limit value, the vent is closed.

2. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

3. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the flow control device comprises a valve.

4. The ventilated seat according to claim 1 further comprises a regulating device for air conditioning.

5. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the seat is a vehicle seat.

6. A ventilated seat, comprising: A vent, the vent being disposed on a seat surface; A ventilator for generating airflow; a ventilation passage connecting the ventilation device to the ventilation port; a flow control device for controlling airflow through the vent; one or more sensors that determine a load on the seat; and a control unit that controls the flow control device according to the load, wherein the load includes a pressure applied to the seat; The pressure is compared with a pressure limit value of each of the vents, and if the pressure exceeds the pressure limit value, the vent is opened, and if the pressure does not exceed the pressure limit value, the vent is closed.

7. The ventilated seat of claim 6, wherein the one or more sensors include a pressure sensor that senses pressure acting on the seat.

8. The ventilated seat of claim 6, wherein the load includes air pressure in the ventilation passage. 9 . The ventilated seat of claim 8 , wherein the one or more sensors include an air pressure sensor that senses air pressure in the ventilation passage.

10. The ventilated seat of claim 6, wherein the flow control device comprises a valve.

11. The ventilated seat according to claim 6, further comprising a regulating device for air conditioning.

12. The ventilated seat of claim 6, wherein the seat is a vehicle seat.

13. A method for ventilating a seat, comprising: Generate airflow; passing the airflow through a ventilation passage of the seat and through ventilation openings disposed on a seat surface of the seat; determining at least one of a pressure acting on the seat surface and an air pressure in the ventilation passage; associating the determined at least one pressure with an associated ventilation channel and / or an associated ventilation opening; defining a set point opening state of said ventilation passage and / or vent according to said associated at least one pressure; determining an actual opening state of the ventilation channel and / or ventilation opening; comparing the actual open state to the set point open state; and if there is a difference between the actual open state and the set point open state, opening or closing the ventilation passage and / or vent; The set point opening state is defined according to the associated pressure by the following steps: Specifying a limit value ti of said pressure; comparing the associated pressure to a corresponding limit value; defining the set point opening state of the associated ventilation channel and / or the associated ventilation opening to open when the limit value is exceeded; and When the limit value is fallen below, the set point opening state of the remaining ventilation channels and / or ventilation openings is defined as closed.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating an air flow from an interior of the seat in a direction toward the seat surface.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating an air flow in a direction from the seat surface toward the seat interior.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the seat is a vehicle seat.

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