Air-conditioned vehicle seat

Abstract

A vehicle seat, an air-conditioned vehicle seat, and an air conditioning system for the vehicle seat are disclosed. The air conditioning system includes: a fan attached to a first side of a connecting member of the vehicle seat; a gasket attached to a second side of the connecting member; and an air distributor disposed adjacent to the gasket on the first side of the connecting member. The air conditioning system does not use an adhesive between the air distributor and the gasket.

Description

[0001] priority

[0002] This application claims priority to US 63 / 074,502, filed September 4, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] These teachings relate to an air-conditioned vehicle seat, an air conditioning system for a vehicle seat, and a method of assembling it. Background Technology

[0004] Some vehicle seats include one or more features to enhance occupant comfort. For example, some vehicle seats include one or more air conditioning systems for guiding warm air, cool air, and / or ambient air toward or away from the occupant.

[0005] While some currently available seats may be suitable for their intended purpose, improvements to existing technology may be desired. For example, reducing the number of components in an air-conditioned seat may be desirable, which could advantageously reduce cost, weight, and assembly time. Similarly, improvements to the technology used to assemble and / or install air-conditioning systems in vehicle seats may be desired. Summary of the Invention

[0006] These teachings provide a vehicle seat, an air-conditioned vehicle seat, and an air conditioning system for the vehicle seat, the air conditioning system comprising: a fan attached to a first side of a connecting member of the vehicle seat; a gasket attached to a second side of the connecting member; and an air distributor disposed adjacent to the gasket on the first side of the connecting member. The air conditioning system does not use an adhesive between the air distributor and the gasket.

[0007] These teachings provide a method for assembling vehicle seats and an air conditioning system for vehicle seats.

[0008] The air conditioning system includes a fan, an air distributor, and gaskets. When there is a load or occupant in the seat, the gaskets form a seal between the fan and the air distributor. There is no adhesive between the gaskets and the air distributor in the seat and / or air conditioning system. The gaskets and the corresponding seat support structures on which the gaskets are applied or mounted include foolproof features to reduce or eliminate assembly variations during attachment of the gaskets to the frame.

[0009] A vehicle seat includes: a seat support including a connecting member having a first side and an opposing second side; a gasket attached to the first side of the connecting member; a fan attached to the second side of the connecting member; and an air distributor disposed adjacent to the gasket on the first side of the connecting member; wherein the vehicle seat does not use an adhesive between the air distributor and the gasket. The gasket includes a sealing surface, and pressure from an occupant in the vehicle seat presses the air distributor against the sealing surface of the gasket to form a seal therebetween. The gasket is attached to the second side of the connecting member with an adhesive. The fan has a flange extending through the connecting member and at least partially through the gasket. The gasket includes one or more gasket anti-misalignment devices. The connecting member includes one or more anti-misalignment devices that cooperate with the one or more gasket anti-misalignment devices to assist in aligning the gasket on the connecting member. The one or more gasket anti-misalignment devices include one or more extensions, protrusions, or fingers. The seat support is a suspension system. The suspension system is connected to a seat cushion frame assembly. The seat cushion frame assembly is part of the bottom seat portion of the vehicle seat.

[0010] A method of assembling a portion of a vehicle seat includes: attaching a fan to a first side of a connecting member on a seat support; attaching a gasket to an opposite second side of the connecting member; and providing an air distributor adjacent to a sealing surface of the gasket; wherein no adhesive is present between the sealing surface of the gasket and the air distributor for the portion of the vehicle seat. Pressure acting on the portion of the vehicle seat from a load or occupant presses the air distributor against the sealing surface of the gasket to form a seal therebetween. The fan includes a flange, and the method includes extending the flange at least partially through the connecting member and at least partially through the gasket. The attachment step includes attaching the gasket to the second side of the connecting member with an adhesive. The attachment step includes removing a liner from the gasket to expose the adhesive on the gasket. The attachment step includes aligning a gasket anti-mistake device with a seat support anti-mistake device. The gasket anti-mistake device includes two or more extensions, and the seat support anti-mistake device includes one or more protrusions. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 It is a side view of a vehicle including its seats.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the seat.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a top view of the seat support components.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a top view of the washer.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a top view of the gaskets assembled into the seat support.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the wind turbine.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a bottom view of part of the seat support.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of a seat support with gaskets and a fan assembled thereon.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a top view of the air distributor.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a top view of the air distributor assembled into the seat support.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a top view of the occupant sensors and air distributor assembled into the seat support. Detailed Implementation

[0022] These instructions provide a type of seating. The seating can be located in a vehicle. The vehicle can be a car, such as a bus or truck. The vehicle can be an airplane, train, bus, and / or ship. The seating can also be used in non-transportation applications, such as at home or in the office.

[0023] A seat may include one or more parts or areas, such as the bottom or seat part, the back or backrest part, the headrest part, one or more armrests, or a combination thereof.

[0024] A seat or one or more of its parts (i.e., the bottom or seat portion, the backrest or backrest portion, the headrest portion, one or more armrests, or combinations thereof) may include one or more seat supports. Seat supports may provide support for the seat and / or for the occupants and / or loads within the seat. Seat supports may provide a structure to which one or more components of the seat, such as a seat cushion, an air conditioning system, or both, may be supported and / or attached. Seat supports may be a bottom or seat frame, a backrest or backrest frame, a seat base, a suspension system or cushion, seat pad, foam, seat cushion, backrest, connecting member, or a combination thereof. The one or more seat supports may be covered by one or more coverings or layers (e.g., fabric, leather, foam, vinyl, plastic, or combinations thereof).

[0025] Seats, seat supports, frames, and / or suspension systems may include one or more connecting members. A connecting member can be any area where one or more components of the seat, seat support, bottom frame, backrest frame, suspension system, or combination thereof are connected, attached, assembled, and / or supported. These components may be one or more of the following: air conditioning system, fan, air distributor, gasket, seal, sensor, occupant sensor, or a combination thereof. These components may be connected, attached, or assembled to the connecting member by one or more fasteners, adhesives, or both. For example, the one or more fasteners may be one or more clamps, pins, twist locks, screws, rivets, weld points, hook and loop fasteners, or combinations thereof. For example, the one or more adhesives may be liquid adhesives, peel-off tape, double-sided tape, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), or tape, or combinations thereof.

[0026] The connecting member may be or may include one or more plates, brackets, flanges, recesses, holes, wires, rods, fasteners, ribs, or combinations thereof. The connecting member may include one or more openings or holes allowing air to move through it. The connecting member may have a first side and an opposing second side. These two sides may be substantially coplanar with each other, or they may be arranged at an angle relative to each other. Relative to the orientation of the vehicle, these two sides of the connecting member may be upper and lower sides or upper and lower surfaces, left and right sides or left and right surfaces, front and rear sides or front and rear surfaces, or combinations thereof.

[0027] Connecting members may have one or more foolproof features. This helps ensure that one or more components connected, attached, or assembled thereto are arranged in a proper orientation. These one or more components may be one or more of the following: air conditioning systems, fans, air distributors, gaskets, seals, sensors, occupant sensors, or combinations thereof. This helps ensure consistent seat assembly. This helps ensure that components are properly attached or assembled together and / or attached to the seat to reduce or eliminate potential quality problems. The one or more foolproof features on the connecting member may be one or more flanges, ribs, protrusions, recesses, holes, notches, grooves, screws, holes, markings, supports, or combinations thereof.

[0028] The seat may include one or more air conditioning systems. The air conditioning system may be used to move or direct air toward or away from one or more occupants or passengers in or near the seat. The air may be ambient air (i.e., air with approximately the same temperature as the surrounding environment). The air may be conditioned air. Conditioned air may be air that is generally warmer than the air in the surrounding environment. Conditioned air may be air that is generally cooler than the air in the surrounding environment.

[0029] An air conditioning system may be located in or within one or more parts of the seat, such as the bottom or seat portion, backrest or backrest portion, headrest portion, one or more armrests, one or more cushions, or a combination thereof. The air conditioning system may be connected, attached, or assembled to the seat, bottom or seat portion, backrest or backrest portion, headrest portion, one or more armrests, seat supports, frame, seat cushion, connecting members, suspension system, or a combination thereof.

[0030] Seats and / or air conditioning systems may include one or more air distributors. Air distributors can be used to distribute or disperse air, supplied by one or more fans when operating in push mode (i.e., when air is pushed or blown toward an occupant in the seat). The pushed air can be distributed or dispersed to one or more locations of the seat or its components. When the fans operate in pull or suction mode (i.e., when air is drawn in or sucked away from an occupant in the seat), the air distributor can be used to pull, draw in, suck in, or collect air from one or more locations of the seat or its components via the fans.

[0031] An air distributor may consist of one or more sheets or layers. An air distributor may have an upper sheet or layer connected to a lower sheet or layer. These sheets may be joined or sealed around their perimeter to create an open space therein or between them. An air distributor may be a bag or have a bag-like structure.

[0032] The upper and lower panels may be sufficiently airtight, except for one or more vents defined in the upper and / or lower panels through which air is introduced into and / or expelled from the air distributor. One or both panels may be flexible enough to adapt the air distributor to the movement of the seat and / or its components when there is an occupant or load in the seat. One or both panels may be flexible enough to adapt the air distributor to various geometries of the seat and / or seat components to which the air distributor is attached, contacts, and / or is adjacent. One or both panels may be robust enough to resist puncture or tearing. One or more panels may be rigid enough to maintain the structure of the air distributor and / or limit or prevent buckling or collapse of the air distributor, which could limit or prevent airflow through it.

[0033] One or both of the upper and lower panels may include one or more fan ports. These fan ports may be one or more ports through which a fan or hose is connected, allowing air to be pushed into and / or drawn out of the air distributor via the fan. One or both of the upper and lower panels may include one or more vent holes. These vent holes may be one or more holes through which air can be pushed out of the air distributor and into the surrounding environment. These vent holes may also be one or more holes through which air can be drawn from or drawn into the air distributor.

[0034] An air distributor may include one or more spacer layers or materials within an open space defined between two sheets or layers. When there are occupants and / or loads in the seat, the spacer layers may be used to prevent crushing and / or collapse of the open space, which could undesirably prevent air from moving through the air distributor.

[0035] Air distributors may be of the type disclosed in US6869140B2, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0036] An air distributor can be attached, attached, or assembled to a seat or one or more parts of the seat, such as a frame, connecting members, etc. The air distributor can be attached, attached, or assembled via one or more fasteners, adhesives, or both. For example, the one or more fasteners can be one or more clamps, pins, twist locks, screws, rivets, weld points, hook and loop fasteners, or combinations thereof. For example, the one or more adhesives can be liquid adhesives, peel-off tape, double-sided tape, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), or tape, or combinations thereof.

[0037] Seats and / or air conditioning systems may include one or more fans. These fans may be used to move air. Fans may push, blow, or exhaust air. Fans may pull, draw in, suck in, or draw in air. Air may move toward or away from the seat, toward or away from the occupants of the vehicle seat, or both. These fans may move, push, or blow air toward the occupants of the seat. These fans may move, pull, draw in, suck in, or draw in air away from the occupants of the seat. The air may be ambient air with a temperature substantially similar to the air around the seat. The air may be conditioned air. Conditioned air may be air that is generally warmer than ambient air. Conditioned air may be air that is generally cooler than ambient air. Fans may be axial fans, radial fans, or both.

[0038] The one or more fans may include a thermoelectric device (TED). The TED can heat or warm the air as it enters or leaves the fan. The TED can cool the air as it enters or leaves the fan. The TED can be used to heat and / or cool the air blown onto a user. The one or more fans may include a heating device, a cooling device, or both (i.e., a thermoelectric device (TED)). For example, TED and / or wind turbines can be used in any manner or with any construction having inserts as described in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Patent Nos. RE38,128; 4,923,248; 6,629,724; 6,676,207; 6,857,697; 6,869,139; 6,869,140; 6,976,734; 7,083,227; 7,213,876; 7,338,117; 7,356,912; 7,475,938; 7,506,938; and 7,587,901, or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009-0218855, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0039] The fan may have a casing. One or more impellers may be housed within the casing. The fan, casing, or both may have one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets through which air is drawn into the casing and discharged from the casing through the air outlets. The casing may guide and / or redirect air between one or more inlets and one or more outlets of the fan.

[0040] The housing may have one or more flanges. The flanges may protrude or extend away from the housing. The flanges may surround an air inlet, an air outlet, or both. During installation of the fan into an air conditioning system and / or a seat, the flanges may be guided into and / or through gaskets, seat supports, connecting members, air distributors, or combinations thereof.

[0041] The fan or housing can be connected or assembled to seat supports, suspension systems, frames, seat cushions, connecting members, air distributors, or combinations thereof. The fan or housing can be connected or assembled to one or more of the aforementioned components via one or more fasteners. These fasteners may include one or more pins, push pins, twist locks, screws, rivets, hook and loop fasteners, clamps, tabs, belts, eyelets, protrusions, weld points, or combinations thereof. The fan or housing can be connected or assembled to one or more of the aforementioned components via press fit or interference fit. The fan or housing can be connected or assembled to one or more of the aforementioned components via one or more adhesives. The adhesive may be a liquid adhesive. The adhesive may be a dry adhesive. The adhesive may be a peel-off layer or tape.

[0042] Seat or air conditioning systems may include one or more gaskets. Gaskets can be used to form a seal or connection between one or more components of the seat and / or air conditioning system. Seals can be fluid or air seals. Gaskets or seals can form air seals to reduce or eliminate air leakage between two or more adjacent components of the seat and / or air conditioning system. Gaskets can form air seals between a fan and the seat, seat components, seat supports, frame, suspension, connecting members, air distributor, or combinations thereof.

[0043] Gaskets may be attached, connected, or assembled to one or more parts of a seat and / or one or more components of an air conditioning system. For example, gaskets may be attached, connected, or assembled to a seat, bottom or seat portion, backrest or backrest portion, headrest portion, one or more armrests, seat supports, frame, seat cushion, connecting members, suspension system, fan, air conditioning system, air distributor, or combinations thereof. Gaskets may be connected, attached, or assembled to one or more of the aforementioned components via one or more fasteners or adhesives. Gaskets may be connected, attached, or assembled to one or more of the aforementioned components via tape, single-sided and / or double-sided peel-off tape, glue, hook-and-loop fasteners, clamps, protrusions and mating holes, pins, pushers, screws, weld points, or combinations thereof.

[0044] Gaskets can be connected, attached, or assembled to one or more of the aforementioned components by pressure or load applied to the seat. For example, one or both sides of a gasket may not have a conventional connection (i.e., fasteners and / or adhesives) between the gasket and the corresponding adjacent component (e.g., an air distributor), but can form an air seal with the adjacent component by a load or by an occupant sitting on the seat and / or by pressure applied to the seat. At this point, the load or pressure applied to the seat can cause the component (i.e., an air distributor) and / or the gasket to move, bias, or twist into contact with each other and / or compress the component and / or the gasket into each other to form an air seal. When the load or occupant is removed from the seat, the air seal may remain intact, or the air seal may rupture due to the gasket and / or component not being compressed or moving away from each other. Gaskets can form air seals between two or more different interfaces. For example, a gasket can form an air seal between a fan (or its housing), an air distributor, a seat support, a frame, a connecting member, a seat cushion, or a combination thereof.

[0045] An air seal between the gasket and the adjacent mating parts can be created by clamping and / or compressing the gasket between the two parts during the assembly of the air distribution system and / or the seat. An air seal between the gasket and the adjacent mating parts can be created and / or maintained when air passes through the air distribution system (i.e., when the air distributor is inflated).

[0046] Gaskets can be made of foam, paper, rubber, silicone, metal, cork, felt, neoprene, nitrile rubber, fiberglass, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), or plastic polymers. Gaskets can be molded or die-cut parts.

[0047] Gaskets can actually have any shape. For example, gaskets can be circular, oval, square, rectangular, rhomboid, annular, or triangular. Gaskets can have one or more openings or passages through which air can move. Openings can have any shape. For example, openings can be circular, oval, square, rectangular, rhomboid, or triangular.

[0048] The gasket may have one or more foolproof features. Foolproof features help ensure that the gasket is properly oriented and / or positioned to be attached, attached, or assembled to the seat, seat portion, seat support, frame, suspension system, connecting member, fan, air distribution system, or a combination thereof. This helps ensure consistent seat assembly. This helps ensure that components are properly attached or assembled together and / or attached or assembled to the seat to reduce or eliminate potential quality problems, such as obstructed or deflected airflow. The one or more foolproof features may be one or more flanges, ribs, protrusions, recesses, holes, notches, grooves, markings, supports, or combinations thereof.

[0049] The gasket may have two opposing sides (i.e., a first side and a second side). One or both of these sides may have adhesive. The adhesive may be exposed. The adhesive may be covered with a pad or cover, which must be removed to expose the adhesive. Adhesive may be applied to one or both sides of the gasket before applying or installing the gasket to a seat, seat portion, seat support, frame, suspension system, connecting member, fan, air distribution system, or a combination thereof. One or both sides of the gasket may not have any adhesive and may form a connection with one or more of the seat components (i.e., the seat, seat portion, seat support, frame, suspension system, connecting member, fan, air distribution system, or a combination thereof) by pressure applied to the seat via load or occupant and / or by being sandwiched between two or more components.

[0050] The seat and / or air conditioning system may include one or more occupant sensors. Occupant sensors can be any type of sensor or combination of sensors that senses or detects load in or near the seat or the presence of one or more occupants. Occupant sensors can be membrane sensors, capacitive sensors, force sensors, mass sensors, or combinations thereof. A computer or processor can monitor the occupant sensors. For example, the computer or processor can communicate electrically with the occupant sensors, and the air conditioning system can remain off when the occupant sensors determine or detect that there is no occupant in the seat. Conversely, when the occupant sensors determine or detect that an occupant is in the seat, the air conditioning system can be on or remain on.

[0051] A seat, an air conditioning system, or both can be assembled and / or connected together via a method. This method may include one or more steps described herein. These one or more steps can actually be performed in any other device. One or more steps may be combined with one or more other steps to form a single step. Two or more steps may be combined into a single step. One or more steps may be eliminated. One or more steps may be repeated. One or more method steps described herein may be reversed to disassemble the seat, air distribution system, or both.

[0052] The method may include the steps of providing a seat, one or more seat parts, seat support, frame, suspension system, connecting member, seat cushion, fan, air distributor, air conditioning system, gasket, or a combination thereof.

[0053] The method may include the step of assembling a seat. This may include assembling or connecting one or more of the following: seat components, seat supports, frame, suspension system, connecting members, seat cushion, or combinations thereof. The method may include the step of attaching the suspension system to the seat frame.

[0054] The method may include the step of exposing adhesive on a gasket. The method may include the step of removing a liner from the gasket to expose it. The method may include the step of applying adhesive to the gasket. The adhesive may be applied to one or more sides or surfaces of the gasket. The method may include the step of applying or exposing adhesive to a connecting member, frame, seat support, or combination thereof. The method may include the step of applying adhesive to a frame, connecting member, seat support, or combination thereof.

[0055] The method may include the step of mounting a washer to a connecting member, frame, suspension, or a combination thereof. The method may include the step of aligning a foolproof feature on the connecting member with a foolproof feature on the washer to ensure proper positioning / orientation of the washer on the frame. For example, the method may include the step of aligning one or more recesses of the washer foolproof device with one or more protrusions of the connecting member foolproof device.

[0056] This method may include the step of installing or attaching a fan. The fan may be installed or attached to the seat, frame, or connecting member before or after the installation of the gasket. The fan, or a portion thereof, such as a flange of the fan, may slide over or through an opening defined in the gasket and / or connecting member. The gasket may be installed on one side of the frame or connecting member, and the fan may be installed on an opposite second side of the frame or connecting member. The fan may be attached to the frame or connecting member using one or more fasteners or adhesives. The fan may rotate, move, or slide into a locked position during its installation. After the fan is installed, the gasket should not cover the fan opening through which air is drawn into and / or exhausted from the housing. After the fan is installed, the gasket may contact the fan housing and / or flange. After the fan is installed, a gap may be defined between the fan housing and / or flange and the gasket. This method may include the step of attaching a seat belt to the fan. The seat belt may be used to provide power and / or control the air conditioning system and / or the fan.

[0057] This method may include the step of attaching or installing an air distributor. The air distributor may be mounted on a frame, seat, cushion, connecting member, gasket, or a combination thereof. The air distributor may be installed before or after the fan is installed. The air distributor may be installed on the frame, connecting member, and / or seat before or after the gasket is installed. The air distributor is installed by placing it against the gasket. The opening of the air distributor should be aligned with the opening defined in the gasket. A portion of the fan, such as a flange surrounding the fan opening, may be received into the opening of the air distributor. The air distributor may lie flat against (i.e., in contact with) the sealing surface of the gasket, or a gap may be defined between the air distributor and the gasket. Preferably, no adhesive or fastener is provided between the air distributor and the gasket. In this respect, the air distributor may lie flat against the gasket. One or more foolproof features may be provided to ensure proper alignment of the air distributor opening with the gasket opening. The air distributor may be attached to the frame, connecting member, or both via one or more fasteners and / or adhesives.

[0058] The method may include the steps of installing or attaching one or more occupant sensors. The occupant sensors may be attached to any side of the frame or connecting member, air distributor, or a combination thereof. The occupant sensors may be attached via one or more fasteners or adhesives.

[0059] The method may include the steps of attaching a seat cushion and / or foam to a frame, connecting members, seat portions, or combinations thereof. The method may include the step of aligning one or more vents in an air distributor with one or more vents in the seat cushion or foam. A blower and / or gasket may be attached to the frame and / or connecting members before or after the installation of the seat foam and / or seat cushion.

[0060] This method may include the step of creating a seal between the air distributor and the gasket. This can be achieved by providing a load, weight, or the presence of an occupant in the seat, which can be used to compress or move one or both of the air distributor and the gasket to bring them into contact with each other and form a seal. The seal may be a fluid seal that restricts or prevents air from escaping or leaking between them. After the load, weight, or occupant is removed from the seat, the fluid seal may remain, or it may be destroyed because the air distributor and / or the gasket are not compressed and are far apart from each other.

[0061] Figure 1 Vehicle 10 is shown. Vehicle 10 includes vehicle seat 12.

[0062] Figure 2 A vehicle seat 12 is shown. The vehicle seat 12 has a seat portion 14 and a backrest portion 16. The seat portion 14 and the backrest portion 16 may each have a seat support 18. The seat 12 may include an air conditioning system 20. The air conditioning system 20 may include one or more components disclosed herein, including: one or more gaskets 36, one or more fans 54 and / or one or more air distributors 68.

[0063] Figure 3 Seat support 18 is shown. Seat support 18 can be disposed within seat portion 14. Figure 2 However, in some configurations, the seat support 18 may also, or alternatively, be disposed within the backrest portion 16. Figure 2 ).

[0064] The seat support 18 includes a frame 22 and a suspension system 24. The suspension system 24 has a connecting member 26. The connecting member 26 has a first side 28 (facing upwards, pointing outwards from the paper), an opposing second side 30 (facing downwards, pointing inwards from the paper), and a through hole 32 extending between the two sides 28 and 30. The connecting member 26 has one or more foolproof devices 34. In this case, the foolproof device 34 is a protrusion, button, knob, rib, tab, support, boss, or other feature that protrudes upwards and away from the connecting member 26.

[0065] Figure 4Washer 36 is shown. Washer 36 includes a first side 38 having an adhesive 40 that may be covered or used to cover a gasket 42, a second side 44 opposite to the first side 38, and a through-hole 46 extending through or between the two sides 38, 44. The opposite second side 44 may not have any adhesive. The second side 44 of washer 36 may also be referred to as a sealing surface. Washer 36 has one or more washer anti-fouling devices 48. In this case, the washer anti-fouling device 48 may include one or more extensions or fingers 50 extending from the periphery of the washer, and a curved or semi-circular recess 52 between two adjacent extensions or fingers 50.

[0066] For further reference Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the attachment or connection of gasket 36 to connecting member 26. To attach gasket 36 to connecting member 26, liner 42 is separated or removed from gasket 36, thereby exposing adhesive 40. The exposed adhesive 40 is then brought into contact with a first side 28 of connecting member 26. Thus, adhesive 40 adheres or secures gasket 36 to connecting member 26.

[0067] The washer 36 is attached or connected to the connecting member 26 and / or the seat support 18 such that the through holes 32, 46 are substantially aligned. This ensures that airflow through the through holes 32, 46 will not be obstructed during operation of the air conditioning system. To ensure the substantially aligned through holes 32, 46, the washer's foolproof device 48 cooperates with the foolproof device 34 of the connecting member 26. More specifically, the foolproof device 34 of the fan connecting member 36 is arranged in a recess 52 defined between the two extensions 50 of the washer 36.

[0068] Figure 6 A fan 54 is shown. The fan 54 has a housing 56, a flange 58 extending from the housing 56, and an opening 60 defined in the flange 58. The fan 54 has an electrical connector 62 and one or more fan connectors 64. The connector 62 can be used to connect a seatbelt to the fan 54. The seatbelt can be used to provide power and / or control the air conditioning system and / or the fan 54.

[0069] Figure 7 The second side 30 or bottom of the connecting member 26 of the suspension system 24 is shown. The connecting member 26 includes one or more connectors 66.

[0070] For further reference Figure 8Washer 36 and fan 54 are shown as being connected to suspension system 24. Fan 54 is connected to suspension system 24 by aligning flange 58 with through holes 32, 46 defined in connecting member 26 and washer 36 and inserting flange 58 at least partially through them and then engaging connectors 64, 66 to engage or lock fan 54 to suspension system 24. Additional fasteners may or may not be present between fan 54 and washer 36.

[0071] exist Figure 8 In the assembly configuration shown, the gasket 36 is adhered to the first side of the seat support 18, and the fan 54 is attached to the opposite second side of the seat support 18.

[0072] Figure 9 An air distributor 68 is shown. The air distributor 68 may include a first piece or first side 70 and an opposing second piece or second side 72. The pieces 70, 72 may be sealed or joined at their periphery 74 to form a bag or bag structure. The bag structure may have an open area or space 76 defined between the two pieces 70, 72. The air distributor has a fan orifice 78, which provides passage for air to enter and / or exit the bag structure by being pulled or pushed via a fan 54. The air distributor 68 may have one or more vents 80 for air to enter and / or exit the bag structure. The orifices 80 may be fluidly connected to one or more corresponding holes, openings, or passages defined in the cushion or foam to be directed toward or away from the user.

[0073] One or more washers 81 may at least partially surround one or more holes 80. Washers 81 may be made of the same material as washers 36 disclosed above. Any statements made with respect to washers 36 may apply to washers 81, and vice versa.

[0074] Gasket 81 can be used to provide a fluid-impermeable seal between air distributor 68 and seat cushion or foam. Occupant weight or downward pressure acting on the seat cushion or foam can be used to compress the seat cushion or foam, gasket 81, and air distributor 68 to create a fluid-impermeable seal that restricts or prevents air from escaping between the air distributor 68 and the seat cushion or foam. The one or more gaskets 81 may have adhesive on one or both sides for attachment to the air distributor 68 and / or seat cushion or foam. However, in some configurations, gasket 81 may not have adhesive between the seat cushion or foam and the gasket surface in contact with the seat cushion or foam. In some configurations, a small air gap may be defined between the adjacent surfaces of the seat cushion or foam and air distributor 68 when occupant weight or pressure is removed from the seat. Alternatively, air distributor 68 and seat cushion or foam may remain in contact such that no air gap is defined between them when there is little or no occupant load in the seat.

[0075] However, in some configurations, the air distributor 68 may not have any gasket 81 surrounding the orifice 81. In these configurations, the plate or side 70 of the air distributor 68 may be adjacent to or in contact with the seat cushion or foam. The occupant weight or pressure acting on the seat cushion or foam can press the seat cushion or foam against the plate 70 of the air distributor 68 to create a fluid-tight seal that restricts or prevents air from escaping between the air distributor 68 and the seat cushion or foam. In some configurations, a small air gap may be defined between the adjacent surfaces of the seat cushion or foam and the air distributor 68 when the occupant weight or pressure is removed from the seat. Alternatively, the air distributor 68 and the seat cushion or foam may remain in contact such that no air gap is defined between them when there is little or no occupant load in the seat.

[0076] Figure 10 An air distributor 68 attached to a seat support 18 is shown. The air distributor 68 is attached to the seat support 18 by aligning a fan hole 78 defined in the air distributor 68 with a through hole 32 defined in the connecting member 26 and a through hole 46 defined in the washer 36. The air distributor 68 is positioned or disposed against or adjacent to a second side 44 of the washer 36 (see [reference needed]). Figure 8 The second side 44 can be referred to as the sealing surface of the gasket 36. No adhesive is provided between the air distributor 68 and the second side 44 of the gasket 36. One or more fasteners 80 can secure or attach the air distributor to the seat support 18.

[0077] Figure 11 An air distributor 68 and an occupant sensor 82 are shown attached to a seat support 18. The occupant sensor 82 is disposed on the air distributor 68, and both the occupant sensor 82 and the air distributor 68 are attached to the seat support 18 by one or more fasteners 80. In other configurations, the occupant sensor 82 may be installed or attached first, and then the air distributor 68 may be installed or attached to the occupant sensor 82.

[0078] The explanations and descriptions provided herein are intended to familiarize others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical applications. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can modify and apply the invention in various forms to best suit the requirements of a particular application.

[0079] Therefore, the specific embodiments of the invention described above are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of this teaching. Consequently, the scope of this teaching should not be determined by reference to this specification, but rather by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the appended claims is not an abandonment of such subject matter, nor should it be considered that the inventors do not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0080] Multiple components or steps may be provided by a single integrated component or step. Alternatively, a single component or step may be divided into multiple separate components or steps.

[0081] The use of the word "a" or "an" to describe an element or step is not intended to exclude other elements or steps.

[0082] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, without departing from this teaching, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment.

[0083] For ease of description, this document may use spatial relative terms such as “inside,” “outside,” “below,” “below,” “down,” “above,” and “up,” to describe the relationship of an element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figure. Spatial relative terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as “below” or “below” other elements or features will be oriented as “above” other elements or features. Thus, the instance term “below” may cover both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein shall be interpreted accordingly.

[0084] All articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible, as may be found from the appended claims, and are also incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system for vehicle seats, comprising: A fan is attached to a first side of a connecting member of the vehicle seat, the connecting member including an opening; A gasket, attached to a second side of the connecting member, the gasket comprising foam and the gasket being adhesively bonded to the surface of the second side of the connecting member surrounding the opening, without extending into the opening of the connecting member and without extending through the opening of the connecting member to the first side of the connecting member, to connect the gasket to the connecting member; as well as An air distributor is disposed adjacent to the gasket on the second side of the connecting member, wherein the fan is configured to move air through the opening into and out of the air distributor; The air conditioning system does not use adhesive between the air distributor and the gasket. The fan has a flange that extends through the connecting member and at least partially through the gasket.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, The gasket includes a sealing surface, and pressure from an occupant in the vehicle seat causes the air distributor to press against the sealing surface of the gasket to form a seal between the gasket and the air distributor.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The adhesive is covered by a liner.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The washer has a circular shape and a pair of extensions extending from the periphery of the washer.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein, The washer includes a curved recess located between the pair of extensions.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The fan includes a flange that extends at least partially through the connecting member and at least partially through the gasket.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The flange engagement connector is used to engage or lock the fan to the connection member.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connecting member is part of the suspension system of the vehicle seat.

9. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The washer includes one or more washer anti-misalignment devices, and the connecting member includes one or more anti-misalignment devices, the one or more anti-misalignment devices of the connecting member cooperating with the one or more washer anti-misalignment devices to help align the washer on the connecting member.

10. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The air distributor includes one or more vents.

11. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein, The air conditioning system includes gaskets that at least partially surround the one or more vents.

12. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connecting member is part of the suspension system of the vehicle seat, which is sandwiched between the fan and the gasket.

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