Exhaust bag for vehicle seat climate system

Abstract

The present application relates to an exhaust bag for a vehicle seat climate system. A blower system includes a thermoelectric device and a blower adapted to move air through the thermoelectric device. The blower moves the air into an exhaust bag. The exhaust bag has a flexible body. The flexible body defines an interior space. A spacer is located in the interior space.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention also relates to an exhaust for a seat climate system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible exhaust bag for a seat climate system.

[0002] Some vehicle seats include a climate system for the comfort of the seat occupant. These climate systems can include an air circulation system, a heater, and a cooler. One type of seat climate system uses a thermoelectric device to cool the seat for the occupant. The thermoelectric device produces waste heat, and a blower is used to move air through the hot side of the thermoelectric device in order to remove the waste heat. The waste heat is typically exhausted under the seat, away from the thermoelectric device. It would be advantageous for a seat climate system to have an improved exhaust. SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention relates to a blower system. The blower system includes a thermoelectric device and a blower adapted to move air through the thermoelectric device. The blower moves the air into an exhaust bag. The exhaust bag has a flexible body. The flexible body bounds an interior space. A spacer is positioned in the interior space.

[0004] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a seat blower system. The seat blower system includes a seat foam. The blower system is attached to the seat foam. The blower system includes a blower operable to move air through into an exhaust bag. The exhaust bag has a flexible body that bounds an interior space, wherein a spacer is positioned in the interior space.

[0005] Aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat assembly.

[0007] Figure 2 is a plan view of the B surface of a prior art seat foam suitable for use in Figure 1 the seat assembly shown and including a prior art seat climate system.

[0008] Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 showing a seat foam including a seat climate system having an exhaust bag according to the present invention.

[0009] Figure 4 is a plan view fromFigure 3 a plan view of a seat blower system of the seat climate system shown in

[0010] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5. Figure 4

[0011] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a seat assembly mounted relative to a vehicle floor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Referring now to the drawings, a seat assembly, generally designated 10, is illustrated in Figure 1 The illustrated seat assembly 10 is a vehicle bench seat, but can be any desired type of seat. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat 12 and a seat back 14. The seat 12 includes a seat A surface 16 adapted to support a seat occupant (not shown).

[0013] Referring to Figure 2 , a plan view of a prior art seat foam 18 is illustrated from below. The prior art seat foam 18 is adapted for use on the seat 12 of the seat assembly 10 in order to provide cushioning for the seat occupant. The prior art seat foam 18 includes a prior art seat climate system, generally designated 20. The prior art seat climate system 20 includes a first prior art blower system 22a and a second prior art blower system 22b, and is operable to increase the comfort of the seat occupant on either end of the seat assembly 10. The first prior art blower system 22a and the second prior art blower system 22b include substantially identical components, and only the first prior art blower system 22a will be described in detail.

[0014] The first prior art blower system 22a includes a blower 24. The blower 24 is operable to draw in ambient air and expel the air into an air passage 26. The air moves through the air passage 26, past a thermoelectric device 28, and exits the first prior art blower system 22a through an exhaust 30. Both the air passage 26 and the exhaust 30 are made of molded plastic, which allows them to be held in place relative to the prior art seat foam 18 and maintain a cross-sectional opening for air flow. The thermoelectric device 28 is operable to cool portions of the seat assembly 10 for the comfort of the seat occupant. The first prior art blower system 22a is used to remove waste heat from the thermoelectric device 28 and expel the waste heat through the exhaust 30 at a location below the seat assembly 10, thereby moving the waste heat away from the seat occupant and away from the air intake of the blower 24.

[0015] Referring now to Figure 3 ​FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat assembly 10 in accordance with the present application. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat 12 and a seat back 14. The seat 12 is supported by a seat base 16. The seat back 14 is supported by a seat back frame 18. The seat assembly 10 is operable to provide a seat occupant with a cushioning material. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat foam 20 that is operable to provide the seat occupant with the cushioning material. The seat foam 20 includes a first thermoelectric device 22 and a second thermoelectric device 24. The first thermoelectric device 22 and the second thermoelectric device 24 are operable to increase the comfort of the seat occupant at either end of the seat assembly 10. The first thermoelectric device 22 and the second thermoelectric device 24 are operable to cool portions of the seat assembly 10 for the comfort of the seat occupant. The first thermoelectric device 22 and the second thermoelectric device 24 are operable to remove waste heat from the seat assembly 10 and expel the waste heat through an exhaust bag 26. The seat foam 20 is substantially identical to the seat foam 18 of the prior art and is adapted for use on the seat 12 of the seat assembly 10 in order to provide the seat occupant with the cushioning material. According to the present application, the seat foam 20 includes a seat climate system generally indicated at 28. The seat climate system 28 includes a first blower system 30a and a second blower system 30b and is operable to increase the comfort of the seat occupant at either end of the seat assembly 10. The first blower system 30a and the second blower system 30b include substantially identical components and only the first blower system 30a will be described in detail.

[0016] Referring to Figure 4 , a plan view of the first blower system 30a is illustrated from above. The first blower system 30a includes a blower 32 that is operable to draw in ambient air and expel the air into an air channel 34. The air moves through the air channel 34, past a thermoelectric device 36 and into an exhaust bag 38. The exhaust bag 38 extends from a bag inlet 40 where exhaust air enters the exhaust bag 38 to a bag outlet 42 where the exhaust air exits the exhaust bag 38.

[0017] The illustrated thermoelectric device 36 is operable similar to the previously described thermoelectric device 22 in order to cool portions of the seat assembly 10 for the comfort of the seat occupant. Similarly, the first blower system 30a is operable to remove waste heat from the thermoelectric device 36 and expel the waste heat through the exhaust bag 38. The illustrated first blower system 30a is one example of a system that can be used with the present application described herein, but the present application can be used with other desired types of air moving systems. For example, the blower 32 can be operable to pull air through the thermoelectric device 36 or the blower 32 can be operable to move air through other desired types of air channels.

[0018] Referring to Figure 5 , a plan view of the second blower system 30b is illustrated from above. The second blower system 30b is substantially identical to the first blower system 30a and only the differences between the first blower system 30a and the second blower system 30b will be described. The second blower system 30b includes a blower 44 that is operable to draw in ambient air and expel the air into an air channel 46. The air moves through the air channel 46, past a thermoelectric device 48 and into an exhaust bag 50. The exhaust bag 50 extends from a bag inlet 52 where exhaust air enters the exhaust bag 50 to a bag outlet 54 where the exhaust air exits the exhaust bag 50. Figure 4A schematic cross-sectional view of the vent bag 44 taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4. The vent bag 44 includes a flexible body 50 that defines an interior space 52. The flexible body 50 is shown as being made of polyurethane film, but the flexible body 50 can be made of any desired material. A spacer 54 is disposed in the interior space 52. The spacer 54 is shown as being made of polyester mesh, but the spacer 54 can be made of any desired material. The spacer 54 maintains separation between the two sides of the flexible body 50 and allows air to flow through the vent bag 44 from the bag inlet 46 to the bag outlet 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior space 52 is larger than the spacer 54, which allows the spacer 54 to move within the interior space 52 relative to the flexible body 50. Additionally, the illustrated spacer 54 extends out of the interior space 52 through the bag outlet 48. However, the spacer 54 can be any other desired size.

[0019] The vent bag 44 includes a cover layer 56 that is on an outer surface of the flexible body 50 opposite the interior space 52. The cover layer 56 is shown as being made of wool fabric, but the cover layer 56 can be made of any desired material. The cover layer 56 provides a protective layer for the flexible body 50. The vent bag 44 also includes a plurality of optional tabs 58 that extend from the cover layer 56. The tabs 58 are used to properly position the vent bag 44 on the seat foam 32.

[0020] The vent bag 44 includes a connector 60 that is attached to the flexible body 50 at the bag inlet 46. The connector 60 is adapted to attach the vent bag 44 to the thermoelectric device 42 so as to allow air to move from the thermoelectric device 42 into the interior space 52. The connector 60 is shown as being molded from plastic, but can be made of any desired material and in any desired manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag outlet 48 is an opening in the flexible body 50 that allows air to travel from the interior space 52 to the outside of the flexible body 50. However, the bag outlet 48 can include any desired shape or structure.

[0021] The vent bag 44 includes an adhesive 62 on an outer surface of the flexible body 50 on the side opposite the cover layer 56. The adhesive 62 is shown as being a double-sided tape, but the adhesive 62 can be any desired adhesive. When the first blower system 36a is connected to the seat foam 32, as shown in FIG. 5, the adhesive 62 is used to connect the vent bag 44 to a B surface 64 of the seat foam 32. The B surface 64 is opposite the A surface 16 on which a seat occupant sits. This allows the vent bag 44 to be held in a desired position relative to the seat foam 32 during further processing and use of the seat foam 32. Figure 3

[0022] Figure 3 ​​As shown, the bag outlet 48 is located at the rear end 66 of the seat foam 32. As a result, the waste heat from the thermoelectric device 42 is discharged into the space behind the seat assembly 10, rather than below the seat assembly 10. The exhaust bag 44 can have any desired size and shape, and the bag outlet 48 can be located at any desired location relative to the seat foam 32.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings Figure 6 , a cross-sectional view of a portion of the seat assembly 10 mounted adjacent to a vehicle floor 68 is illustrated. As shown, there is a passageway 70 between the seat assembly 10 and the vehicle floor 68. A first portion of the passageway 70 is defined between the vehicle floor 68 and the B surface 64 of the seat foam 32, and a second portion of the passageway 70 is defined between the seat back 14 and the vehicle floor 68. The exhaust bag 44 is advantageous over a molded plastic exhaust due to the flexible body 50 allowing the exhaust bag 44 to match the contour of the B surface 64 of the seat foam 32. This allows the exhaust bag 44 to fit into the relatively small passageway 70 and accommodate small misalignments between the seat assembly 10 and the vehicle floor 68 without damaging the exhaust bag 44.

[0024] The principles and modes of operation of this application have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this application can be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A blower system comprising: a thermoelectric device and a blower adapted to move air through the thermoelectric device and into an exhaust bag to remove waste heat from the thermoelectric device, the exhaust bag comprising a flexible body defining an interior space, wherein a spacer made of mesh material is located in the inner space, and Wherein, the exhaust bag is attached to the B surface of the seat assembly, the B surface being the surface opposite the surface adapted to support a seat occupant.

2. The blower system according to claim 1, wherein: The inner space is larger than the spacer.

3. The blower system of claim 1 , wherein: The exhaust bag has a bag inlet where air enters the interior space and a bag outlet where air exits the interior space, and wherein the spacer extends through the bag outlet.

4. The blower system of claim 1 , wherein: The seat assembly includes a seat foam, and wherein a bag outlet of the exhaust bag is located adjacent a rear end of the seat foam.

5. A seat blower system comprising: Seat foam; and a blower system attached to the seat foam, the blower system comprising a thermoelectric device and a blower operable to move air through the thermoelectric device and into an exhaust bag to remove waste heat from the thermoelectric device, the exhaust bag comprising a flexible body defining an interior space, wherein a spacer made of mesh material is located in the inner space, and Wherein, the exhaust bag is attached to the B surface of the seat foam, the B surface being the surface opposite the surface adapted to support a seat occupant.

6. The seat blower system of claim 5, wherein: The exhaust pockets match the contour of the B-surface of the seat foam.

7. The seat blower system of claim 5, wherein: The inner space is larger than the spacer.

8. The seat blower system of claim 5, wherein: The exhaust bag has a bag inlet where air enters the interior space and a bag outlet where air exits the interior space, and wherein the spacer extends through the bag outlet.

9. The seat blower system of claim 5, wherein: The exhaust bag includes a bag outlet positioned adjacent a rear end of the seat foam.

Images