SEMI-RIGID VENTILATED TENSION / COMPRESSION ENVELOPE SYSTEM

Abstract

Vehicle seating arrangement, including: a backrest (22); a seat base (24), a shell which is arranged in the seat base (24) and has a left leg support (28) and a right leg support (30); a membrane (32) arranged over the shell (26) and having a plurality of perforations (33), wherein the membrane (32) and the shell (26) define a cavity (34); an air channel (36) defined in a bottom wall (38) of the shell (26), wherein the air channel (36) extends at least partially into the left leg support (28) and into the right leg support (30); a spacer material (40) arranged in the cavity (34); and a blower (42) which is connected to the air duct (36) and is designed to move air through the air duct (36), the spacer material (40) and the multitude of perforations (33).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle seating arrangement and in particular to a vehicle seating arrangement with a ventilated envelope system for providing an airflow to a vehicle occupant.

[0002] Vehicles with improved airflow technology increase comfort and value for the consumer.

[0003] DE 10 2009 058 996 A1 relates to a ventilation device for an air-conditioned object, wherein the ventilation device has at least one air guide device for guiding air through the object to be air-conditioned and wherein this has at least one enclosing device and at least one spacer device, and wherein the spacer device has at least one spacer in order to keep at least one free space open for air within the air guide device despite mechanical stress on the enclosing device.

[0004] DE 10 2005 052 590 A1 describes a ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising at least one ventilated component. The ventilated component has a cushion, an upper surface, and an insert located beneath the upper surface of each ventilated component. The insert has at least two layers, at least one of which is a molded layer. The two layers define a cavity that may contain a spacer. The seat also features an airflow arrangement that communicates fluidly with the cavity and serves to blow air into the insert or draw air out of it.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat assembly comprises a backrest and a seat base. A shell is arranged in the seat base and has a left leg support and a right leg support. A membrane is arranged over the shell and has a plurality of perforations. The membrane and the shell define a cavity. An air duct is defined in a bottom wall of the shell. The air duct extends at least partially into the left leg support and the right leg support. A spacer material is arranged in the cavity. A blower is connected to the air duct and is designed to move air through the duct, the spacer material, and the plurality of perforations.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat arrangement comprises a seat base with a shell having a bottom wall defining an air duct. A membrane is arranged over the shell and has a plurality of perforations. First and second flexible and independently movable leg sections extend forward from the shell. A blower is connected to the air duct and is designed to move air through the plurality of perforations.

[0007] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat arrangement comprises a semi-rigid shell, which is arranged in at least a backrest and / or a seat base and has at least one flexible wall. A membrane is arranged over the shell and has a plurality of perforations. An air duct is arranged in a bottom wall of the shell. A blower is connected to the air duct and is designed to move air through the plurality of perforations.

[0008] These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will become understandable and apparent to the person skilled in the art upon reading the following specification, claims and attached drawings.

[0009] The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective front view of a vehicle with a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a perspective front view of the vehicle seat with a ventilated system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 a perspective top view of the ventilated system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 a top view of the ventilated system from Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a side view of the ventilated system made of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a top view of the ventilated system from Fig. 4 with a removed membrane; Fig. 7 a perspective front view of the vehicle seat with the ventilated system in the vertical position; Fig. 8 a perspective front view of the vehicle seat with the ventilated system with one support leg in the vertical position and one support leg in the horizontal position according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 a perspective front view of the vehicle seat with the ventilated system and with the legs in the horizontal position; Fig. 10 a perspective front view of the vehicle seat with the ventilated system in operation; Fig. 11 a perspective front view of a vehicle seat with a ventilated system according to another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12 a perspective top view of the ventilated system according to the embodiment from Fig. 2, where part of a support is removed; Fig. 13 a top view of the ventilated system made of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 a side view of the ventilated system made of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 a top view of the ventilated system made of Fig. 12 with the removed membrane; and Fig. 16 a perspective front view of a vehicle seat with the ventilated system according to an embodiment of the present invention in operation.

[0010] For the purposes of the description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and their derivatives refer to the orientation of the invention as described in Fig. Figure 1 shows the invention. However, it is understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also understood that the specific devices and methods shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the invention concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical properties relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be understood as limiting unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims.

[0011] Referring to Fig. Reference numeral 20 (1-16) generally denotes a vehicle seating arrangement with a backrest 22 and a seat base 24. A shell 26 is arranged in the seat base 24 and has a left leg support 28 and a right leg support 30. A membrane 32 is arranged over the shell 26 and has a plurality of perforations 33. The membrane 32 and the shell 26 define a cavity 34. An air duct 36 is defined in a bottom wall 38 of the shell 26. The air duct 36 extends at least partially into the left leg support 28 and the right leg support 30. A spacer material 40 is arranged in the cavity 34. A blower 42 is connected to the air duct 36 and is designed to move air through the air duct 36, the spacer material 40, and the plurality of perforations 33.

[0012] Referring again to Fig. 1. A vehicle 50 has the vehicle seating arrangement 20 and also other features, such as multiple wheels 52, a bumper 54, a front end 56, and a rear end 58. The vehicle 50 can be any type of vehicle, including a compact car, a medium-sized vehicle, an off-road vehicle, a minivan, a large van, or any type of truck. As in the embodiment shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle seating arrangement 20 comprises the seat base 24 and the backrest 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat base 24 and the backrest 22 each have a ventilated system 60. The vehicle seating arrangement 20 can also include a headrest 62 and a cover fabric 64. Furthermore, the cover fabric 64 is arranged completely over the backrest 22 and the seat base 24. The cover fabric 64 is designed to give the vehicle seating arrangement 20 a uniform appearance and feel. The cover fabric 64 also forms a passenger-contact surface 66 on the upper side of the backrest 22 and the seat base 24 of the vehicle seating arrangement 20. In addition, the seat base 24 can, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the first and second leg sections 68 and 70 have a first leg section 68 and a second leg section 70. Furthermore, the first and second leg sections 68 and 70 are configured to be in a first position 72, corresponding to a substantially vertical position of the first and second leg sections 68 and 70, or in a second position 74, corresponding to a substantially horizontal position of the first and second leg sections 68 and 70. The first and second leg sections 68 and 70 can also move independently of each other, so that one of the first and second leg sections 68 and 70 can be in the first position 72 while the other of the first and second leg sections 68 and 70 is in the second position 74, and they are designed to support a thigh and a lower leg of a vehicle occupant. As in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the first and second leg sections 68 and 70 can be in the first position 72 while the other of the first and second leg sections 68 and 70 is in the second position 74. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the ventilated system 60 may be included in the seat base 24 and / or in the backrest 22.

[0013] Now, referring to the embodiment from Fig. Figure 3 of the ventilated system 60 includes the semi-rigid shell 26, which is arranged either in the seat base 24 or the backrest 22. The shell 26 is generally a thin, impermeable shell and has at least one flexible circumferential side wall 82 to allow for flexibility. The shell 26 is generally made of polyurethane foam, but it is also provided that the shell 26 is made of another type of foam, a plastic polymer, or other impermeable materials such as those used by a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, the shell 26 generally has a rectangular shape, except for an elongated slot 84 located on a front section of the seat base 24, which defines the right leg rest 30 and the left leg rest 28. The shell 26 is generally sized to fit into the backrest 22 or the seat base 24.The shell 26 has a bottom wall 38 with a surrounding side wall 82 extending upwards from the bottom wall 38, and an open top structure. The shell 26 may also have an air duct 36. The air duct 36 is operatively connected to the blower 42 and is designed to guide an airflow through the entire shell 26. The bottom wall 38 of the shell 26 may have at least one air duct 36. In the embodiment shown in... Fig. 3 The air duct 36 is formed in the bottom wall 38 of the shell 26. However, it is also provided that the air duct 36 is partially formed in the bottom wall 38, is arranged in contact with the bottom wall 38, is arranged next to the bottom wall 38, or is arranged in any other orientation known to a person skilled in the art.

[0014] Referring again to the embodiment from Fig. Figure 3 further states that the ventilated system 60 includes the impermeable membrane 32, which is arranged above and along the shell 26. In particular, the impermeable membrane 32 is in operative contact with the circumferential side wall 82 of the shell 26 and forms a surface opposite the bottom wall 38 of the shell 26, which forms the cavity 34. The impermeable membrane 32 is generally a thin film. However, it is also provided that the impermeable membrane 32 can consist of any other material known to a person skilled in the art and which provides an impermeable barrier.

[0015] Now, referring to the embodiment from Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The membrane 32 generally has a plurality of perforations 33 designed to allow air to enter and exit the cavity 34. As in the embodiment shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the perforations 33 are generally arranged in a repeating diamond-shaped pattern to create optimal airflow into and out of the casing. As shown in the Fig. As can be seen in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the repeating diamond-shaped pattern of the perforations 33 is such that each of the left and right leg supports 28, 30 has approximately half of the diamond-shaped pattern of each of the first and second leg sections 68, 70. However, it is also provided that the perforations 33 can be arranged in an offset orientation or in another orientation known to a person skilled in the art in order to provide optimal airflow for the vehicle occupant. As further shown in the embodiment in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the multitude of perforations 33 are arranged along the entire ventilated system 60 to provide an airflow for the entire surface of the seat base 24 or the backrest 22.

[0016] Referring again to the embodiment in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The circumferential side wall 82 of the shell 26 is arranged around both the right leg support 30 and the left leg support 28 and has a plurality of accordion-shaped bellows 90 designed to permit movement of the left and right leg supports 28, 30 from the first position 72 and the second position 74. In the first position 72, the left and right leg supports 28, 30 are in a substantially vertical position. In the second position 74, the left and right leg supports 28, 30 are in a substantially horizontal position. In particular, the accordion-shaped bellows 90 of the left and right leg supports 28, 30 are designed to expand and contract to allow easy and smooth movement from the first position 72 to the second position 74 and vice versa.The accordion-shaped bellows 90 are in a compressed state when the left and right leg supports 28, 30 are in the second position 74, and they are in an extended state when the left and right leg supports 28, 30 are in the first position 72. The left and right leg supports 28, 30 each have the accordion-shaped bellows 90, so that the left and right leg supports 28, 30 can be moved independently of each other from the first position 72 to the second position 74. The accordion-shaped bellows 90 begin at a lower end of the left and right leg supports 28, 30 and extend around the entire left and right leg supports 28, 30 and can be, as in the embodiment of . Fig. 3 can be seen, where air duct 36 is located.

[0017] Referring again to the embodiment from Fig. 3. The spacer material 40 can be arranged in the cavity 34. The spacer material 40 provides comfort for the vehicle occupant on the seat base 24 or the backrest 22 and is generally located in the cavity 34 between the membrane 32 and the bottom wall 38 of the shell 26. Furthermore, the spacer material 40 also provides rigidity to the ventilated system 60 to prevent the cavity 34 from collapsing under the weight of a vehicle occupant. In particular, the spacer material 40 is a permeable material, allowing air to pass through it. Due to its permeable nature, air from the air duct 36 can flow through the spacer material 40 and through the multiple perforations 33 in the membrane 32 to provide an airflow for the vehicle occupant.The spacer material 40 also provides the necessary rigidity so that the blower 42 can move air through the air duct 36 and the multitude of perforations 33 in the membrane 32 without ballooning the cavity 34 during the movement of air through the ventilated system 60, so that the cavity 34 can maintain its shape during the movement of air through the ventilated system 60.

[0018] Now, referring to the embodiments in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The ventilated system 60 is a generally flat construction with a generally rectangular perimeter when the left and right leg supports 28, 30 are in the second position 74. The rectangular perimeter is interrupted by the elongated slot 84, which separates the right leg support 30 from the left leg support 28. Furthermore, the ventilated system 60, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. Figure 5 shows a relatively thin construction with the accordion-shaped bellows 90, which is arranged along the circumferential side wall 82 of the left and right leg supports 28, 30. The thin structural composition of the ventilated system 60 allows for easy installation of the ventilated system 60 in the seat base 24 or the backrest 22.

[0019] Now, referring to the embodiment from Fig. The blower 42 is arranged in a rear section of the seat base 24 or the backrest 22 and is generally located behind the ventilated system 60. The blower 42 is generally positioned approximately centrally at the end opposite the left and right leg supports 28 and 30. Furthermore, the air duct 36 is operatively connected to the blower 42 and extends centrally downwards over the ventilated system 60 until it reaches the right leg support 30 and the left leg support 28. The air channel 36 then separates and extends separately into both the right leg support 30 and the left leg support 28. The part of the air channel 36 in the right leg support 30 and the part of the air channel 36 in the left leg support 28 each have several projections 100 designed to separate the airflow over the entirety of the left and right leg supports 28, 30.Furthermore, the air duct 36 also has an I-shaped projection 102 that extends from both sides of the centrally arranged air duct 36. The I-shaped projection 102 allows air to move through the entire seat base 24.

[0020] Now, referring to the embodiments in Fig. 7-9 The vehicle seat arrangement 20 is designed to move the right leg rest 30 and the left leg rest 28 from the first position 72 to the second position 74. Specifically, the left and right leg rests 28, 30 begin in the first position 82, which corresponds to a substantially vertical position of the left and right leg rests 28, 30 perpendicular to the vehicle floor. After activation by the vehicle occupant, the accordion-shaped bellows 90 of the left and right leg rests 28, 30 contract and then expand again to move the left and right leg rests 28, 30 from the first position 72 to the second position 74. In the second position 74, the left and right leg rests 28, 30 are at the same height as the seat base 24 and substantially parallel to the vehicle floor.The left and right leg supports 28, 30 provide additional support to the thigh and lower leg of the vehicle occupant in the second position 74, enabling the vehicle occupant to extend their legs horizontally for a more comfortable posture. As in the embodiment shown in . Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, the right leg support 30 and the left leg support 28 can also be designed for independent movement, so that the right leg support 30 can be in the first position 72 while the left leg support 28 is in the second position 74, or vice versa. As further shown in the embodiments in Fig. As can be seen in Figures 7-9, the first leg section 68 of the vehicle seating arrangement 20 is also in a substantially vertical position when the right leg support 30 is in the first position 72, and the first leg section 68 of the vehicle seating arrangement 20 is also in a substantially horizontal position when the right leg support 30 is in the second position 74. Similarly, when the left leg support 28 is in the first position 72, the second leg section 70 of the vehicle seating arrangement 20 is also in a substantially vertical position, and when the left leg support 28 is in the second position 74, the second leg section 70 of the vehicle seating arrangement 20 is also in a substantially horizontal position.

[0021] In operation and furthermore in the embodiment in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 10, when the ventilated system 60 is activated, the blower 42 is switched on and moves (draws or blows) air through the air duct 36. The air then flows through the spacer material 40 and through the perforations 33 in the impermeable membrane 32. The air then flows through the cover fabric 64, which may also have a plurality of perforations designed to align with the perforations 33 in the membrane 32 for ventilation of the vehicle occupant. However, it is also possible for the cover fabric 64 to be made of a permeable material, so that air flows from the perforations 33 on the membrane 32 and is delivered to the vehicle occupant. The circumferential side wall 82 of the shell 26, together with the spacer material 40 arranged in the cavity 34, gives the cavity 34 rigidity to prevent the cavity 34 from expanding or collapsing like a balloon when air is moved by the blower 42.

[0022] Now, referring to the embodiments in Fig. 11-16 The vehicle seating arrangement 20 can have many of the same features as described above, including the seat base 24, the backrest 22, the upholstery fabric 64, the headrest 62, and the ventilated system 60 in the seat base 24 or the backrest 22. As in the embodiment in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 11, the ventilated system 60 can be arranged in the backrest 22 and / or the seat base 24, similar to the embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 2 described. The vehicle seating arrangement 20 shown in the embodiment in Fig. However, 10 does not have the first and second leg sections 68, 70 and instead has a more traditional seat base 24 with a generally rectangular surface.

[0023] In particular with regard to Fig. 12-14 the ventilated system 60 can be similar to the previous embodiment in Fig. 3-5 the impermeable shell 26, the impermeable membrane 32, which is arranged above the shell 26 and defines the cavity 34, the plurality of perforations 33 in the membrane 32, the air channel 36 arranged in the shell 26 and the blower 42, which is operatively connected to the air channel 36 and is designed to move air through the plurality of perforations 33. The embodiment in Fig. However, figure 8 does not have the left and right leg supports 28, 30 and is instead a rectangular construction. As further described in the embodiments in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 can be seen and is similar to the one in Fig. 3 and Fig. In the embodiments shown and described above, the ventilated system 60 has perforations 33 in a repeating diamond-shaped pattern on the impermeable membrane 32 and is also a generally thin construction for easy installation of the ventilation system 60 in the seat base 24 or the backrest 22.

[0024] Now, referring to the embodiment from Fig. 15 The air duct 36 begins similarly to the one with reference to Fig. 6 described embodiment, wherein the air duct 36 is operatively connected to the blower 42, which is arranged centrally at one end of the ventilated system 60. In the embodiment in Fig. 15 The air duct 36 extends to the other end of the ventilated system 60 opposite the blower 42. In addition to the first I-shaped projection 102, as above with reference to the embodiment in Fig. As discussed in section 6, the embodiment in Fig. 15 a second I-shaped projection 102 extending from both sides of the air duct 36. The first and second I-shaped projections 102 are designed to provide airflow through the entire ventilated system 60.

[0025] Now, referring to the vehicle seating arrangement 20 in Fig. 16 can also be the embodiment of a ventilated system 60 as in Fig. 15 are shown being used. The ventilated system 60 from Fig. 15 has a similar effect to the ventilated system 60. Fig.2, but the left and right leg supports 28, 30 are missing. When the ventilated system 60 is activated, the blower 42 moves air, in particular through the air duct 36, in which the air then flows through the spacer material 40 and the perforations 33 on the impermeable membrane 32. The cover fabric 64 can, in turn, have a plurality of perforations that are aligned with the perforations 33 in the membrane 32 to distribute air to the vehicle occupant. The thin walls of the shell 26, together with the spacer material 40, allow the ventilated system 60 the necessary rigidity to prevent the cavity 34 from collapsing or ballooning during operation.

[0026] Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of improved airflow technology to enhance the comfort of the vehicle occupant. Previous ventilation systems featured vents on a small portion of the seat or system that moved air through the foam from beneath the seat. This airflow through the foam to reach the vehicle occupant has shortcomings. Furthermore, prior art systems are designed to operate with standard polyurethane upholstery foam. If no foam were used in the seat, or if a different type of foam were used, the prior art system would not function. The present invention utilizes a thin, impermeable shell that can be easily fitted into the seat base or backrest. The impermeable membrane is positioned over the shell, creating the cavity.The air duct is located within the cavity and is operatively connected to the blower. The blower is designed to move air through the air duct and through the perforations in the impermeable membrane in order to distribute the airflow and deliver it to the vehicle occupants.

Claims

[1] Vehicle seating arrangement, comprising: a backrest (22); a seat base (24), a shell which is arranged in the seat base (24) and has a left leg support (28) and a right leg support (30); a membrane (32) arranged over the shell (26) and having a plurality of perforations (33), wherein the membrane (32) and the shell (26) define a cavity (34); an air channel (36) defined in a bottom wall (38) of the shell (26), wherein the air channel (36) extends at least partially into the left leg support (28) and into the right leg support (30); a spacer material (40) arranged in the cavity (34); and a blower (42) which is connected to the air duct (36) and is designed to move air through the air duct (36), the spacer material (40) and the multitude of perforations (33). [2] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the shell (26) has flexible circumferential side wall sections. [3] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a front section of the shell (26) has an elongated slot (84). [4] Vehicle seating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the left leg support (28) and the right leg support (30) further comprise circumferential side walls (82) with a flexible accordion-shaped configuration which enables independent movement of the left leg support (28) and the right leg support (30). [5] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations (33) are arranged in a repeating diamond-shaped pattern. [6] Vehicle seating arrangement, comprising: a seat base (24) with a shell (26) with a bottom wall (38) that defines an air channel (36); a membrane (32) arranged over the shell (26) and having a plurality of perforations (33); first and second flexible and independently movable leg segments (68, 70) extending forward from the shell (26); and a blower (42) which is connected to the air duct (36) and is designed to move air through the multitude of perforations (33). [7] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the membrane (32) and the shell (26) form a cavity (34) which has a spacer material (40). [8] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 6, wherein a front section of the shell (26) has an elongated slot (84). [9] Vehicle seating arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the flexible and independently movable leg sections (68, 70) have a floor wall (38) and surrounding side walls (82) with an accordion-shaped configuration. [10] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the air duct (36) extends into both the first and the second flexible and independently movable leg section (68, 70). [11] Vehicle seating arrangement according to claim 9, further comprising: a cover material (64) arranged over the membrane (32). [12] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of perforations (33) are arranged in a repeating diamond-shaped pattern. [13] Vehicle seating arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the blower (42) is arranged behind a rear end of the shell (26). [14] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the spacer material (40) is permeable. [15] Vehicle seating arrangement, comprising: a semi-rigid shell (26) which is arranged at least in a backrest (22) and / or a seat base (24) and has at least one flexible wall; a membrane (32) arranged over the shell (26) and having a plurality of perforations (33); an air duct (36) arranged in a bottom wall (38) of the shell (26); and a blower (42) which is connected to the air duct (36) and is designed to move air through the multitude of perforations (33). [16] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the semi-rigid shell (26) is arranged in the seat base (24) and has a left leg section and a right leg section. [17] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the air duct (36) extends into both the left leg section and the right leg section. [18] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the membrane and the shell (26) form a cavity (34) which has a spacer material (40). [19] Vehicle seating arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the blower (42) is arranged behind a rear end of the shell (26). [20] Vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of perforations (33) are arranged in a repeating diamond-shaped pattern.

Images