Vehicular seat structure having cooling and heating function

Abstract

To provide a vehicular seat comprising a device which hardly breaks down by having a simpler structure without increasing the number of components and which can heat and cool a seat surface at a low cost.SOLUTION: A vehicular seat is fitted with a seat-like heating and cooling body that combines the function of generating heat during energization and warming a seated person's body by heating a skin cover of a seat, and the function of cooling the seated person's body by cooling the skin cover of the seat by three functions, that is, the function of absorbing the heat of the seated person's body and the skin cover of the seat during non-energization, the function of performing thermal conduction of the absorbed heat and the function of radiating the thermally-transferred heat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of a vehicle seat having a heating and cooling function for heating and cooling a seating surface on the surface side of a vehicle seat including a seat part and a backrest part.

Background Art

[0002] Some conventional vehicle seats are provided with not only a heating function but also a cooling function. For example, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the following structure is disclosed.

[0003] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 of Patent Document 1, a vehicle seat 31 having a seat part 32 and a backrest part 33 includes a seat internal heat exchanger 34 (34a, 34b) embedded inside the seating surface on the surface side, a seat external heat exchanger 35 disposed on the back surface side of the seat part 32, a medium circulation means 36 (36a, 36b) for circulating a heat exchange medium between the seat internal heat exchanger 34 (34a, 34b) and the seat external heat exchanger 35, and an electric heater 37 (37a, 37b) incorporated in the seat internal heat exchanger 34 (34a, 34b). When cooling the seating surface, the medium circulation means 36 (36a, 36b) is operated to supply the low-temperature medium of the seat external heat exchanger 35 provided with a cooling fan or a Peltier element cooled by energization to the seat internal heat exchanger 34 (34a, 34b). When heating, the electric heater 37 (37a, 37b) is operated to perform heating.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The vehicle seat 31 described in Patent Document 1 has seat-in heat exchangers 34 (34a, 34b) embedded inside the seat portion 32 and the backrest portion 33, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10, the seat-in heat exchangers 34 (34a, 34b) are provided with medium flow paths 34ap, 34bp through which a heat exchange medium such as engine cooling water circulates, and electric heater wires 37ah, 37bh. Further, a seat-out heat exchanger 35 is disposed on the back surface side of the seat portion 32. The seat-out heat exchanger 35 is equipped with a cooling fan, a Peltier element, etc. for cooling the heat exchange medium that has absorbed the heat of the seating surface, and is connected by the medium flow paths 34ap, 34bp so that the heat exchange medium circulates between the seat-in heat exchangers 34 (34a, 34b). Furthermore, medium circulation means 36 including an electric water pump 36a for circulating the heat exchange medium and a reservoir tank 36b is provided.

[0006] As described above, the vehicle seat 31 described in Patent Document 1 has many components and a complicated structure. For this reason, there are concerns that the durability may be reduced or the cost may increase.

[0007] The present invention was devised in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle seat equipped with a device that can condition the seat surface for heating and cooling with a simpler structure, fewer failures, and at a lower cost without increasing the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, it is characterized in that a sheet-like heating and cooling body is mounted, which has three functions: a function of generating heat when energized to heat the skin cover of the seat and warm the body of the seated person, a function of absorbing the heat of the body of the seated person and the skin cover of the seat when not energized, a function of conducting the absorbed heat, and a function of cooling the skin cover of the seat by dissipating the conducted heat to cool the body of the seated person.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] As described above, according to the vehicle seat structure of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that can heat and cool the seat surface with a simpler structure, fewer failures, and at a lower cost without increasing the number of parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on preferred embodiments.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0013] The vehicle seat 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a seat part 2, a backrest part 3, and a head support part 4.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat part 2 has a seat part frame (not shown), a pad 2a is attached to the seat part frame, and a skin cover 2b is covered so as to cover the surface thereof.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sheet-shaped heating / cooling body 2c is attached to the surface of the pad 2a so as to cover substantially the entire seating surface. This sheet-shaped heating / cooling body 2c extends from the rear of the seating surface to the back surface.

[0016] When the sheet-shaped heating / cooling body 2c attached to the pad 2a is energized, it generates heat and heats the skin cover 2b of the seat.

[0017] Inside the pad 2a, a cooling fan 5 is attached to a seat part frame (not shown). When the sheet-shaped heating / cooling body 2c is not energized, by directly blowing air onto the end portion extending rearward of the sheet-shaped heating / cooling body on the back surface side of the seat part 2, it cools.

[0018] An exhaust heat port 2f is provided on the back surface side of the seat part 2.

[0019] When an occupant sits on the seat part 2, the sheet-shaped heating / cooling body 2c when not energized absorbs heat in the region where body pressure is applied, radiates heat in the region of the end portion extending rearward of the seat part 2, and conducts heat in other regions.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the backrest part 3 has a backrest part frame (not shown), a pad 3a is attached to the backrest part frame, and a skin cover 3b is covered so as to cover the surface thereof.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sheet-like heating and cooling body 3c is attached to the surface of the pad 3a so as to cover substantially the entire seating surface. When the sheet-like heating and cooling body 3c is energized, it generates heat and heats the seat skin cover 3b. Further, the sheet-like heating and cooling body 3c extends from below the seating surface to the back side and is connected to the sheet-like heating and cooling body 2c behind the back surface of the pad 2a. When the sheet-like heating and cooling bodies 2c and 3c are not energized, the heat absorbed at the backrest portion 3 is transmitted to the sheet-like heating and cooling body 2c on the seat portion 2 side.

[0022] When the occupant sits on the backrest portion 3, the sheet-like heating and cooling bodies 2c and 3c when not energized absorb heat in the region where the body pressure is applied and conduct heat in other regions.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet-like heating and cooling bodies 2c and 3c are breathable fabrics in which conductive fibers 6 are arranged in a state of being separated from each other as the weft, and non-conductive fibers 7 are arranged in a state of being separated from each other as the warp. Both ends of the conductive fiber 6 are electrically connected via a conductor 8.

[0024] The conductive fiber 6 uses a fiber coated with a material having a high thermal conductivity such as carbon nanotubes as a conductive component, and generates heat when energized. The non-conductive fiber 7 uses a synthetic fiber made of a natural fiber or a resin material.

[0025] The conductor 8 uses a flexible electrical conductor having a low electrical resistance such as a plain woven copper wire.

[0026] The arrangement structure of the sheet-like heating and cooling body 2c with respect to the surface of the pad 2a is such that the conductive fibers 6 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the seat portion 2. The arrangement structure of the sheet-like heating and cooling body 3c with respect to the surface of the pad 3a is such that the conductive fibers 6 are arranged in the up-down direction of the backrest portion 3. By doing so, the heat absorbed on the seating surface can be transmitted to the extended regions of the sheet-like heating and cooling bodies 2c and 3c.

[0027] The conductor 8 is provided at the front end and the rear end on the surface of the pad 2a, and is provided at the upper end and the lower end on the surface of the pad 3a.

[0028] A cooling fan 5 is used to efficiently cool the sheet-like heating / cooling bodies 2c and 3c, but this cooling fan 5 is not necessarily required, and it is also possible to cool by natural convection.

[0029] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0030] The vehicle seat 11 has a seat portion 12, a backrest portion 13, and a head support portion 14.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the seat portion 12 has a seat frame (not shown), a pad 12a is attached to the seat frame, and a skin cover 12b is covered so as to cover the surface thereof.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sheet-like heating / cooling body 12c is attached to the surface of the pad 12a so as to cover substantially the entire seating surface. When this sheet-like heating / cooling body 12c is energized, it generates heat and heats the skin cover 12b of the seat. Further, this sheet-like heating / cooling body 12c extends from the rear of the seating surface to the back surface.

[0033] Inside the pad 12a, a cooling fan 15 is attached to a seat frame (not shown), and it cools by directly blowing air against the end portion of the sheet-like heating / cooling body 12c that extends to the rear of the seat portion 12.

[0034] An exhaust port 12f is provided on the back side of the seat portion 12.

[0035] When the occupant sits on the seat portion 12, in the sheet-like heating / cooling body 12c when not energized, it absorbs heat in the region where the body pressure is applied, radiates heat in the region of the end portion that extends to the rear of the seating surface, and conducts heat in other regions.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, the backrest portion 13 has a backrest frame (not shown in the figure). A pad 13a is attached to the backrest frame, and a skin cover 13b is covered so as to cover the surface thereof.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a sheet-like heating and cooling body 13c is attached to the surface of the pad 13a so as to cover substantially the entire seating surface. When the sheet-like heating and cooling body 13c is energized, it generates heat and heats the skin cover 13b of the seat. Also, the sheet-like heating and cooling body 13c extends from above the seating surface to the back side.

[0038] A cooling fan 16 is attached to a seat frame (not shown in the figure) inside the pad 13a, and it cools by directly blowing air against an end portion extending above the sheet-like heating and cooling body 13c.

[0039] An exhaust port 13f is provided on the back side of the backrest portion 13.

[0040] When the occupant sits on the backrest portion 13, the sheet-like heating and cooling body 13c when not energized absorbs heat in the region where the body pressure is applied, radiates heat in the region of the end portion extending above the seating surface, and conducts heat in other regions.

[0041] The sheet-like heating and cooling bodies 12c and 13c have the same structure as described above.

[0042] The arrangement structure of the sheet-like heating and cooling body 12c with respect to the surface of the pad 12a is such that the conductive fibers 6 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the seat portion 12. Also, the arrangement structure of the sheet-like heating and cooling body 13c with respect to the surface of the pad 13a is such that the conductive fibers 6 are arranged in the vertical direction of the backrest portion 13. By doing so, the heat absorbed on the seating surface can be transmitted to the extended regions of the sheet-like heating and cooling bodies 12c and 13c.

[0043] The conductive body 8 is provided at the front end and the rear end on the surface of the pad 12a, and is provided at the upper end and the lower end on the surface of the pad 13a.

[0044] Cooling fans 15 and 16 are used to efficiently cool the sheet-like heating / cooling bodies 12c and 13c, but these cooling fans 15 and 16 are not necessarily required, and it is also possible to cool by natural convection.

[0045] Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0046] The vehicle seat 21 has a seat portion 22, a backrest portion 23, and a head support portion 24.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the seat portion 22 has a seat frame (not shown), a pad 22a is attached to the seat frame, and a skin cover 22b is covered so as to cover the surface thereof.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a sheet-like heating / cooling body 22c is attached to the surface of the pad 22a so as to cover substantially the entire seating surface. When the sheet-like heating / cooling body 22c is energized, it generates heat and heats the skin cover 22b of the seat.

[0049] Inside the pad 22a, a cooling fan 25 is attached to a seat frame (not shown), and a passage 22d is provided for sucking the heat on the sheet-like heating / cooling body 22c by the cooling fan 25. Further, a heat radiation port 22e for radiating the heat on the sheet-like heating / cooling body 22c is provided on the surface of the pad 22a, which communicates with the ventilation passage 22d, and an exhaust heat port 22f for discharging the radiated heat is provided on the back surface side of the pad 22a. This heat radiation port 22e is disposed at a position where no body pressure is applied or where it is difficult to apply body pressure when the occupant is seated. In this embodiment, one heat radiation port 22e is provided, but a plurality of heat radiation ports may be provided.

[0050] When the occupant sits on the seat part 22, in the sheet-like heating / cooling body 22c when not energized, heat is absorbed in the region where body pressure is applied, and heat is radiated in the region of the heat dissipation port 22e provided on the surface of the pad 22a. In other regions, heat is conducted.

[0051] The skin cover 22b in the region covering the heat dissipation port 22e provided on the surface of the pad 22a is provided with a plurality of intake holes (not shown).

[0052] The backrest part 23 has a backrest frame (not shown). A pad 23a is attached to the backrest frame, and a skin cover 23b is covered so as to cover the surface thereof.

[0053] A sheet-like heating / cooling body 23c is attached to the surface of the pad 23a so as to cover substantially the entire seating surface. When this sheet-like heating / cooling body 23c is energized, it generates heat and heats the skin cover 23b of the seat.

[0054] Inside the pad 23a, a cooling fan 26 is attached to a seat frame (not shown). A passage 23d is provided for sucking the heat on the sheet-like heating / cooling body 23c by the cooling fan 26. Further, a heat dissipation port 23e for dissipating the heat on the sheet-like heating / cooling body 23c is provided on the surface of the pad 23a, which communicates with the passage 23d. On the back surface side of the pad 23a, an exhaust heat port 23f for discharging the dissipated heat is provided. The heat dissipation port 23e is arranged at a position where no body pressure is applied or where body pressure is hardly applied when the occupant sits. In this embodiment, one heat dissipation port 23e is provided, but a plurality may be provided.

[0055] When the occupant sits on the backrest part 23, in the sheet-like heating / cooling body 23c when not energized, heat is absorbed in the region where body pressure is applied, and heat is radiated in the region of the heat dissipation port 23e provided on the surface of the pad 23a. In other regions, heat is conducted.

[0056] The sheet-shaped heating and cooling bodies 22c and 23c have the same structure as described above.

[0057] The arrangement structure of the sheet-shaped heating and cooling body 22c with respect to the surface of the pad 22a is such that the conductive fibers 6 are arranged in the left-right direction of the seat part 2. Also, the arrangement structure of the sheet-shaped heating and cooling body 23c with respect to the surface of the pad 23a is such that the conductive fibers 6 are arranged in the left-right direction of the backrest part 3. By doing so, the heat absorbed on the seating surface can be transferred to the extended regions of the sheet-shaped heating and cooling bodies 2c and 3c.

[0058] The conductors 8 are provided at both left and right ends on the surfaces of the pad 22a and the pad 23a, respectively.

[0059] The skin cover 23b in the region covering the heat dissipation port 23e provided on the surface of the pad 23a is provided with a plurality of intake holes (not shown).

[0060] Cooling fans 25 and 26 are used to efficiently cool the sheet-shaped heating and cooling bodies 22c and 23c, but these cooling fans 25 and 26 are not necessarily required, and it is also possible to cool by natural convection.

[0061] As described above, the present invention has been specifically described based on preferred embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and various modifications are possible.

Industrial Applicability

[0062] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a heating and cooling function.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0063] 1, 11, 21, 31 Vehicle seat 2, 12, 22, 32 Seat part 2a, 12a, 22a Pad 2b, 12b, 22b Skin cover 2c, 12c, 22c Sheet-like heating and cooling body 2f, 12f, 22f Exhaust ports 3, 13, 23, 33 Backrest parts 3a, 13a, 23a Pads 3b, 13b, 23b Skin covers 3c, 13c, 23c Sheet-like heating and cooling body 4, 14, 24 Head support parts 5, 15, 16, 25, 26 Cooling fans 6 Conductive fibers 7 Non-conductive fibers 8 Conductive bodies 13f, 23f Exhaust ports 22d, 23d Passages 22e, 23e Heat dissipation ports 34 Seat internal heat exchanger 34a Seat part internal heat exchanger 34ap Seat part internal medium flow path 34ah Seat part internal electric heating wire 34b Backrest part internal heat exchanger 34bp Backrest part internal medium flow path 34bh Backrest part internal electric heating wire 35 Seat external heat exchanger 36 Medium circulation means 36a Electric water pump 36b Reservoir tank 37 Electric heater 37a Seat part electric heater 37b Backrest part electric heater

Claims

【Claim 1】 A vehicle seat characterized by being equipped with a sheet-shaped heating and cooling body having three functions: a function of generating heat when energized to heat the seat skin cover and warm the body of the seated person, a function of absorbing the heat of the body of the seated person and the seat skin cover when not energized, a function of thermally conducting the absorbed heat, and a function of cooling the seat skin cover by dissipating the thermally conducted heat to cool the body of the seated person.

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