Seat heater and seat air conditioner

Abstract

To reduce ventilation resistance of a seat heater and enhance arrangement flexibility of a heating wire.SOLUTION: A seat heater 5 is installed between a seat pad 15 in which a plurality of ventilation holes 22 through which air generated by an air blower flows are formed on a front surface 17 which is a surface near a seated occupant and a cover material covering the surface of the seat pad and having breathability. The seat heater 5 comprises a thin plate-like base material 51 having void spaces through which air can pass and a heating wire 52 fixed to the base material 51. In the base material 51 are formed a plurality of slits 53 which are different from the void spaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat heater and a seat air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] As a seat heater used in a seat air conditioner, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. The seat air conditioner includes a seat having a seat pad and a skin, and a blower. A plurality of ventilation holes for flowing the air generated by the operation of the blower are formed in the seat pad. The skin has air permeability. The seat air conditioner improves the comfort of the occupant sitting on the seat by sucking or blowing out air from the plurality of ventilation holes by the operation of the blower.

[0003] The seat heater includes a sheet-like base material having voids through which air such as non-woven fabric can pass, and heating wires fixed to the base material. The seat heater is disposed between the seat pad and the skin. If the ventilation resistance of the seat heater is large, the air flow in the plurality of ventilation holes of the seat pad is obstructed. Therefore, in the seat heater of Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the ventilation resistance of the seat heater, a plurality of ventilation holes are formed in the base material separately from the voids of the base material. The plurality of ventilation holes are formed by pressing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above-described conventional seat heater, a heating wire is fixed to a base material in which a plurality of ventilation holes are formed. In order to reduce the ventilation resistance of the seat heater, it is necessary to make the diameter of the ventilation holes 10 mm or more. In this case, the heating wire cannot be fixed at the positions of the plurality of ventilation holes. Therefore, the heating wire has to be arranged avoiding the plurality of ventilation holes, and the degree of freedom in arranging the heating wire is low. Since the heating wire is arranged avoiding the plurality of ventilation holes, there is a problem that the portion of the seated person to be warmed cannot be warmed.

[0006] Also, a general method for manufacturing a seat heater includes a cutting step of cutting a base material wound in a roll shape into the outer shape of the seat heater by a cutting machine. Therefore, in the method for manufacturing the seat heater of the above-described conventional technology, a pressing step of forming a plurality of ventilation holes in the base material by pressing is required separately from the cutting step of the base material. In order to reduce the manufacturing cost, it is desirable that the number of steps is small.

[0007] In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat heater and a seat air conditioner that can reduce the ventilation resistance of the seat heater, increase the degree of freedom in arranging the heating wire, eliminate the need for pressing to provide a plurality of ventilation holes in the base material in the manufacture of the seat heater, and simplify the manufacturing process of the seat heater.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention described in claim 1, A seat heater installed between a seat pad (15) that is a member for supporting the load from a seated person sitting on the seat and has a plurality of ventilation holes (22) through which the air generated by a blower flows formed on a surface (17) on the seated person side, and a skin (16) that covers the surface of the seat pad and has air permeability, A thin plate-shaped base material (51) having voids through which air can pass, A heating wire (52) fixed to the base material, and A plurality of slits (53) different from the voids are formed in the base material and the slit is closed when no tensile stress is applied to the base material, and opens when a load from a seated person is applied to at least a part of the base material .

[0009] Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, the seat air conditioner is a blower (4) for generating wind, a seat pad (15) that constitutes the seat (3) and supports the load from the occupant sitting on the seat, and has a plurality of ventilation holes (22) through which the wind generated by the blower flows formed on the surface (17) which is the surface on the occupant side, an epidermis (16) that constitutes the seat and covers the surface of the seat pad and has air permeability, and a thin plate-shaped seat heater (5) installed between the seat pad and the epidermis, and includes the seat heater has a thin plate-shaped base material (51) having voids through which air can pass, and a heating wire (52) fixed to the base material, a plurality of slits (53) different from the voids are formed in the base material and the slit is closed when no tensile stress is applied to the base material, and opens when a load from a seated person is applied to at least a part of the base material.

[0010] According to these, a plurality of slits are formed in the base material of the seat heater. For this reason, when an occupant sits on the seat or the sitting posture of the occupant changes, a seating pressure is applied to a part of the base material, and the base material deforms so as to expand. As a result, at least one of the plurality of slits opens. As a result, the ventilation resistance of the seat heater is reduced.

[0011] Further, according to these, in a state where no force for expanding the base material is applied to the base material, the plurality of slits are closed. For this reason, even when the heating wire is arranged passing over the plurality of slits during the manufacture of the seat heater, the heating wire can be fixed to the base material. Even if the heating wire is arranged passing over one slit and one slit is divided into a plurality of slits, those slits can open. For this reason, it is not necessary to arrange the heating wire on the base material avoiding the plurality of slits. Therefore, according to this seat heater, the degree of freedom in arranging the heating wire is high, and the heating wire can be arranged so as to warm the part that the occupant wants to warm.

[0012] Also, according to these, the formation of a plurality of slits can be achieved by making cuts in the base material. Therefore, in the cutting process of cutting the base material wound in a roll shape to the outer shape of the sheet heater, a plurality of slits can be formed. Thus, the pressing process that was necessary in the production of the conventional sheet heater described above can be made unnecessary. Compared with the conventional method for manufacturing a sheet heater, the manufacturing process of the sheet heater can be simplified.

[0013] Note that the reference numerals with parentheses attached to each component etc. indicate an example of the correspondence relationship between the component etc. and the specific components etc. described in the embodiments described later.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the vehicle seat air conditioner of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a front view of a part of the sheet heater and the seat pad of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a view of part IV of FIG. 2 of the sheet heater of the first embodiment as seen from the occupant side, and is a perspective view of the open slit and its peripheral part. [Figure 5] It is a view showing a part of the sheet heater and a part of the seat pad of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a view showing a part of the sheet heater and a part of the seat pad of the third embodiment. [Figure 7] In the sheet heater of the third embodiment, it is an enlarged view of the open slit and its peripheral part. [Figure 8] It is a sectional view of the vehicle seat air conditioner of the fourth embodiment, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 2. [Figure 9] It is a front view of a part of the sheet heater and the seat pad of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10]It is a plan view of a seat pad of a vehicle seat air conditioner used in a suction air velocity measurement test. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat air conditioner used in a suction air velocity measurement test, and is a view corresponding to the cross section taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a graph showing the measurement results of the suction air velocity for each of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-3. [Figure 13] It is a front view of the seat heater and seat pad of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a front view of a part of the seat heater of the sixth embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals and will be described.

[0016] (First Embodiment) A vehicle seat air conditioner using the seat heater of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 includes a seat 3 on which an occupant 2 sits, a blower 4 that forms an air flow, and a seat heater 5. The vertical direction D1, the left-right direction (i.e., the lateral direction) D2, and the front-rear direction D3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each indicate the respective directions of the seat 3 in a state where the seat 3 is installed in the vehicle interior. The vertical direction D1 of the seat 3 coincides with the vertical direction of the vehicle. The lateral direction D2 of the seat 3 coincides with the left-right direction of the vehicle. The front-rear direction D3 of the seat 3 coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0017] The seat 3 is applied to the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 and is a vehicle seat on which the occupant 2 sits. In the present embodiment, the occupant 2 is a sitter who sits on the seat 3. The seat 3 is installed in the vehicle interior. The seat 3 includes a seat back 10 and a seat cushion 11. The seat back 10 supports the back of the occupant 2 sitting on the seat 3. The vertical direction D1 of the seat back 10 in a state where the seat back 10 is parallel to the vertical direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the seat back 10. The seat cushion 11 supports the buttocks of the occupant 2 sitting on the seat 3.

[0018] A seat heater 5 is installed in each of the seat back 10 and the seat cushion 11. The seat back 10 and the seat cushion 11 have different outer shapes from each other, but have the same basic configuration. Similarly, the seat heater 5 installed in the seat back 10 and the seat heater 5 installed in the seat cushion 11 have different outer shapes from each other, but have the same basic configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the seat back 10 and the configuration of the seat heater 5 installed in the seat back 10 will be described.

[0019] The seat back 10 has a central portion 12 and a pair of side supports 13, 14. The central portion 12 is a portion located on the central side in the lateral direction D2 of the seat back 10 of the seat back 10. The central portion 12 faces the back of the occupant 2 sitting on the seat 3 in the thickness direction of the seat back 10 and supports the back of the occupant 2 from behind. The central portion 12 is also called the backrest surface and the seat surface. The side supports 13, 14 are portions located on both sides in the lateral direction D2 of the seat back 10 with respect to the central portion 12 of the seat back 10. The side supports 13, 14 support the back of the occupant 2 sitting on the seat 3 from the side.

[0020] The seat back 10 has a seat pad 15 and a skin 16. The seat pad 15 is a member that supports the load of the seated occupant 2, that is, a cushioning material. The seat pad 15 is composed of a molded body of a flexible polyurethane foam resin. The seat pad 15 has roles such as maintaining the posture of the occupant 2, distributing body pressure, and suppressing vibration. In this embodiment, the seat pad 15 is composed of one type of polyurethane foam resin, but it may be composed of two or more types of polyurethane foam resins with different softness. Also, the seat pad 15 may be composed of a foamed resin molded body other than the polyurethane foam resin.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat pad 15 has a surface 17 which is the surface on the occupant side of the seat pad 15, a back surface 18 which is the surface on the side opposite to the occupant side of the seat pad 15, and a side surface 19 which is the side surface of the seat pad. The skin 16 covers the surface 17 and the side surface 19 of the seat pad 15. The skin 16 is composed of a fabric or leather, etc. The skin 16 has a plurality of fine holes (not shown) called perforations and has air permeability. The diameter of one hole is, for example, about 1 mm.

[0022] The seat pad 15 has a central pad portion 151 and a pair of side pad portions 152, 153. The central pad portion 151 constitutes the central portion 12 of the seat back 10. The central pad portion 151 is a portion located on the central side in the lateral direction D2 of the seat back 10 of the seat pad 15. The side pad portions 152, 153 constitute the side supports 13, 14 of the seat back 10. The side pad portions 152, 153 are portions located on both sides in the lateral direction D2 of the seat back 10 with respect to the central pad portion 151 of the seat pad 15.

[0023] A plurality of hanging grooves 20 are formed on the surface 17 of the seat pad 15. The plurality of hanging grooves 20 are grooves for hanging and supporting the skin 16. A plurality of hanging portions formed on the skin 16 are inserted into and fixed to each hanging groove 20.

[0024] On the surface 17 of the central pad portion 151 of the seat pad 15, a plurality of ventilation holes 22 are formed. The plurality of ventilation holes 22 penetrate the seat pad 15 from the surface 17 to the back surface 18 of the seat pad 15. Wind generated by the operation of the blower 4 flows through the plurality of ventilation holes 22. On the surface 17 of the seat pad 15, each ventilation hole 22 is substantially circular in shape. The diameter of each ventilation hole 22 is, for example, 20 to 30 mm.

[0025] The seat heater 5 warms a seated person sitting on the seat 3 by generating heat. The seat heater 5 is installed between the seat pad 15 and the skin 16. The seat heater 5 is disposed to face the central pad portion 151 in the thickness direction of the seat heater 5. In other words, the seat heater 5 covers the surface 17 of the central pad portion 151 and covers the plurality of ventilation holes 22.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the seat heater 5 includes a base material 51 and a heating wire 52. The base material 51 is sheet-shaped (i.e., thin plate-shaped) and has voids through which air can pass. As the base material 51, non-woven fabric, soft foam polyurethane resin, etc. are used. When non-woven fabric is used as the base material 51, voids exist between the fibers. The heating wire 52 is a linear heating element that generates heat when energized. As the heating wire 52, copper alloy, etc. are used. Depending on the wiring specification of the heating wire 52, it is possible to provide a uniform temperature distribution or a temperature difference. The heating wire 52 is fixed to the base material 51 by thermal welding. Note that the heating wire 52 may be fixed to the base material 51 by adhesion using an adhesive. Also, the heating wire 52 may be fixed to the base material 51 by sewing.

[0027] The seat heater 5 is fixed to the seat pad 15 by adhesion using double-sided tape. Alternatively, the seat heater 5 is fixed to the skin 16 by tag pins. Note that when a plate-shaped cushioning material called a slab is fixed to the back side of the skin 16, the seat heater 5 is fixed to the slab by tag pins. In this way, the seat heater 5 may be fixed to the skin 16 via the slab.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of slits 53, which are different from the voids of the base material 51, are formed in the base material 51 to reduce the ventilation resistance of the sheet heater 5. Each slit 53 is a cut. In other words, each slit 53 is a linearly arranged gap. Each slit 53 is a gap of a size that cannot be visually confirmed when no tensile stress is applied to the base material 51. Each of the plurality of slits 53 extends linearly in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] The plurality of slits 53 includes a slit 53a disposed at a position in the base material 51 that faces a part of the heating wire 52 in the thickness direction of the base material 51. This slit 53a extends linearly so as to intersect the heating wire 52 projected in the thickness direction of the base material 51 with respect to the base material 51. The plurality of slits 53 includes a slit 53b disposed at a position in the base material 51 that does not face the heating wire 52 in the thickness direction of the base material 51. This slit 53b is disposed at a position in the base material 51 where the heating wire 52 is not disposed.

[0030] The plurality of slits 53 includes a slit 53c disposed at a position in the base material 51 that faces any one of the plurality of ventilation holes 22 in the thickness direction of the base material 51. The slit 53c is disposed at a position in the base material 51 where the ventilation hole 22 is projected when the ventilation hole 22 is projected in the thickness direction of the base material 51 with respect to the base material 51. The slit 53c disposed at a position facing the ventilation hole 22 is disposed so as to straddle the ventilation hole 22.

[0031] The manufacturing method of the sheet heater 5 includes a step of forming a base material. In this step, when the base material is a non-woven fabric, for example, the non-woven fabric is formed by the needle punching method. The formed non-woven fabric is wound up in a roll shape.

[0032] The manufacturing method of the seat heater 5 includes a cutting process of cutting the base material 51 wound in a roll shape into the outer shape of the seat heater 5 by an NC cutting machine. In this cutting process, by making cuts in the base material 51 with an NC cutting machine, a plurality of slits 53 are formed. In this way, since the formation of the plurality of slits 53 is not performed by punching, no punching scraps are generated. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment is an environmentally friendly manufacturing method. At this time, the plurality of slits 53 are formed such that each of the plurality of slits 53 is located at a position facing each of the plurality of ventilation holes 22 of the seat pad 15 in the base material 51.

[0033] Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the seat heater 5 includes a fixing process of fixing the heating wire 52 to the base material 51 that has been cut into the outer shape of the seat heater 5 and in which a plurality of slits 53 are formed, by welding. Thereby, the seat heater 5 is manufactured.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, a back groove 25 is formed on the back surface 18 of the seat pad 15. The back groove 25 forms a ventilation path between the plurality of ventilation holes 22 and the blower 4. On the back surface 18 side of the seat pad 15, a back cover 26 is provided at a portion corresponding to the back groove 25. The back cover 26 is made of, for example, a resin such as hard felt, polypropylene, or POM. The back cover 26 is attached to the back surface 18 of the seat pad 15 so as to close the open surface of the back groove 25. A blower 4 is provided behind the back cover 26. Although not shown, an opening hole is provided in the back cover 26 at a position corresponding to the air suction port of the blower 4. A back frame 28 is provided behind the blower 4. The outer edge of the back frame 28 is connected to the seat pad 15. A seat back space 29 is formed between the back cover 26 and the back frame 28.

[0035] The blower 4 is disposed in the seat back space 29. The blower 4 is a fan that generates an air current by rotating an impeller by driving an electric motor (not shown). A centrifugal fan is used as the impeller. Note that an axial flow fan, a mixed flow fan, or a turbo fan may be used as the impeller. The blower 4 is configured to blow out the air sucked through the plurality of ventilation holes 22 and the back grooves 25 from the perforations of the skin 16 into the seat back space 29.

[0036] In the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, during the cooling operation for cooling the occupant, the blower 4 operates with the energization of the seat heater 5 stopped.

[0037] When the seating posture of the occupant 2 is the normal posture in which the occupant 2 faces forward and most of the back of the occupant 2 contacts the seat back 10, the plurality of ventilation holes 22 of the central pad portion 151 are blocked by the back. For this reason, no air flows between the back of the occupant 2 and the seat back 10. Or, little air flows between the back of the occupant 2 and the seat back 10.

[0038] Arrow A1 in FIG. 2 indicates the direction in which the body of the occupant 2 faces. As shown in FIG. 2, the seating posture of the occupant 2 changes from the normal posture to an oblique posture in which the occupant 2 faces obliquely forward. In the oblique posture, one end side in the left-right direction of the back of the occupant 2 contacts the seat back 10, and the other end side in the left-right direction of the back of the occupant 2 is separated from the seat back 10. Thereby, the air in the vehicle interior passes through the skin 16 and the seat heater 5 and is sucked through the ventilation holes 22 not blocked by the back of the occupant 2, so that air flows between the back of the occupant 2 and the seat back 10. At this time, more air flows between the back of the occupant 2 and the seat back 10 than in the normal posture.

[0039] Next, the effects of the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment will be described. A plurality of slits 53 are formed in the base material 51 of the seat heater 5. Therefore, when the seating posture of the occupant 2 changes from the normal posture to the diagonal posture, a seating pressure is applied to a part of the base material 51, and the base material 51 deforms so as to expand. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one of the plurality of slits 53 opens. By at least one of the slits 53 opening, at least one opening space is formed in the base material 51. As a result, the ventilation resistance of the seat heater 5 is reduced.

[0040] In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of slits 53 include a slit 53c arranged at a position facing one ventilation hole 22 of the seat pad 15. Therefore, an air flow is likely to be sucked into the ventilation hole 22. In this way, by arranging the slit 53 at a position facing the passage through which the air flows in the seat pad 15, the ventilation resistance of the seat heater 5 can be reduced.

[0041] Note that the opening of the plurality of slits 53 is not limited to when the seating posture changes from the normal posture to the diagonal posture. When a seating pressure is applied to at least a part of the base material 51 and the base material 51 deforms so as to expand when the occupant 2 is seated, the plurality of slits 53 open.

[0042] By the way, as described above, in the seat heater of the prior art, the heating wire is fixed to the base material in which a plurality of ventilation holes are formed. In order to reduce the ventilation resistance of the seat heater, it is necessary to make the diameter of the ventilation hole 10 mm or more. In this case, the heating wire cannot be fixed at the positions of the plurality of ventilation holes. Therefore, the heating wire must be arranged avoiding the plurality of ventilation holes, and the degree of freedom in arranging the heating wire is low. Since the heating wire is arranged avoiding the plurality of ventilation holes, there is a problem that the part to be warmed by the seated person cannot be warmed.

[0043] In addition, the manufacturing method of the conventional seat heater described above includes a step of forming a base material, a step of forming a plurality of ventilation holes in the base material, and a cutting step of cutting the base material. In the step of forming the base material, for example, a non-woven fabric as the base material is formed by a needle punching method or the like. In the step of forming a plurality of ventilation holes, a plurality of ventilation holes are formed by pressing the non-woven fabric using a pressing machine. Thereafter, the non-woven fabric is wound up in a roll shape. In the cutting step, the non-woven fabric wound up in a roll shape is cut into the outer shape of the seat heater by an NC cutting machine. Thus, in the manufacturing method of the conventional seat heater, a pressing step of forming a plurality of ventilation holes in the base material by pressing is required separately from the cutting step of the base material. In order to reduce the manufacturing cost, it is desirable that the number of steps be small.

[0044] On the other hand, according to the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment, when no force for expanding the base material 51 is applied to the base material 51, the plurality of slits 53 are closed. Therefore, when the heating wire 52 is arranged passing over the plurality of slits 53 during the manufacture of the seat heater 5, the heating wire 52 can be fixed to the base material 51. Even if the heating wire 52 is arranged passing over one slit 53 and one slit 53 is divided into a plurality of slits 53, those slits 53 can be opened. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange the heating wire 52 avoiding the plurality of slits 53. Thus, according to the seat heater of the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in arranging the heating wire 52 is high, and the heating wire 52 can be arranged so as to warm the portion that the seated person wants to warm.

[0045] As described above, the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment has a high degree of freedom in arranging the heating wire 52. As a result, according to the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment, the heating wire 52 includes a portion arranged avoiding the plurality of slits 53 and a portion arranged passing over the plurality of slits 53. In other words, the plurality of slits 53 include a slit 53a arranged at a position facing a part of the heating wire 52 in the base material 51 and a slit 53b arranged at a position not facing the heating wire 52 in the base material 51.

[0046] Moreover, according to the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment, the formation of the plurality of slits 53 can be achieved by making cuts in the base material 51. Therefore, in the cutting process of cutting the base material wound in a roll shape to the outer shape of the seat heater 5, the plurality of slits 53 can be formed. That is, using the same cutting machine, it is possible to cut the base material wound in a roll shape to the outer shape of the seat heater 5 and to form the plurality of slits 53. Thus, the pressing process that was necessary in the production of the conventional seat heater described above can be made unnecessary. Compared with the manufacturing method of the conventional seat heater, the manufacturing process of the seat heater 5 can be simplified.

[0047] As described above, according to the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the ventilation resistance of the seat heater 5, increase the degree of freedom in arranging the heating wires 52, eliminate the pressing process of providing a plurality of ventilation holes in the base material 51 in the production of the seat heater 5, and simplify the manufacturing process of the seat heater 5.

[0048] (Second Embodiment) In the present embodiment, the direction of the plurality of slits 53 formed in the seat heater 5 is different from that in the first embodiment. Other configurations of the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the plurality of slits 53 linearly extend in the vertical direction (i.e., the vertical direction in the figure) of the seat back 10. Therefore, when the base material 51 is pulled in a direction intersecting each slit 53, each slit 53 opens. However, when the base material 51 is pulled in the vertical direction, each slit 53 does not open.

[0050] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, each of the plurality of slits 53 linearly extends in an oblique direction with respect to each of the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, each slit 53 can open regardless of whether the base material 51 is pulled in the vertical or horizontal direction.

[0051] (Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, the shape of the plurality of slits 53 formed in the seat heater 5 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of slits 53 extends in an S-shaped curve. Here, unlike this embodiment, when each slit 53 extends linearly, when the base material 51 is pulled in a direction parallel to each slit 53, each slit 53 does not open. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, no matter in which direction the base material 51 is pulled, as shown in FIG. 7, each slit 53 can open.

[0053] Furthermore, compared with the case where each slit 53 extends linearly, each slit 53 in this embodiment is easier to open. Therefore, even if the tensile stress applied to the base material 51 is small, by opening each slit 53, the ventilation resistance of the seat heater 5 can be reduced.

[0054] (Fourth Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of surface grooves 23 connecting two or more of the plurality of ventilation holes 22 are linearly arranged on the surface 17 of the central pad portion 151 of the seat pad 15. The depth of the surface groove 23 is smaller than the thickness of the central pad portion 151, for example, about 5 to 10 mm.

[0055] For example, the plurality of surface grooves 23 include a first straight portion 23a extending linearly to connect two ventilation holes 22, a second straight portion 23b extending linearly from another one ventilation hole 22, and a third straight portion 23c extending linearly intersecting both the first straight portion 23a and the second straight portion 23b. Note that there may be only one surface groove 23.

[0056] The plurality of slits 53 of the seat heater 5 includes a slit 53d disposed at a position in the base material 51 that faces the surface groove 23 in the thickness direction of the base material 51. The slit 53d extends linearly so as to intersect with the surface groove 23 projected in the thickness direction of the base material 51 with respect to the base material 51. Other configurations of the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, when the seating posture of the occupant 2 changes from the normal posture to the inclined posture, as described in the first embodiment, air flows between the back of the occupant 2 and the seat back 10. At this time, in this embodiment, the air flowing toward the ventilation hole 22 flows through the surface groove 23. Therefore, compared with the case where the surface groove 23 is not formed on the surface 17 of the central pad portion 151, more air flows between the back of the occupant 2 and the seat back 10.

[0058] And according to the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment, the plurality of slits 53 includes a slit 53d disposed at a position facing the surface groove 23 of the seat pad 15. Therefore, seating pressure is applied to at least a part of the base material 51, and when the slit 53d opens, an air flow is likely to be generated that is sucked into the ventilation hole 22 through the surface groove 23. In this way, by disposing the slits 53 at positions facing the passage through which air flows in the seat pad 15, the ventilation resistance of the seat heater 5 can be reduced.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the seat heater 5 of the present embodiment, when the occupant 2 sits on the seat 3, the slit 53d is more likely to open compared to the case where the surface groove 23 is not formed on the surface 17 of the seat pad 15. This has been confirmed by tests conducted by the inventor. When the surface groove 23 is formed on the surface 17 of the seat pad 15, when receiving the seating pressure from the occupant 2, the surface 17 of the seat pad 15 is likely to expand. As the surface 17 of the seat pad 15 expands, the base material 51 of the seat heater 5 also expands. Therefore, it is considered that the slit 53d is likely to open.

[0060] In addition to the slit 53d disposed at a position facing the surface groove 23 in the base material 51, the plurality of slits 53 may include a slit 53c disposed at a position facing the ventilation hole 22 in the base material 51, similar to the first embodiment.

[0061] Here, the test results obtained by the present inventor will be described. The present inventor measured the suction air velocity when the seat heater 5 of Example 1 was used in the vehicle seat air conditioner shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The suction air velocity is the velocity of the air sucked into the skin 16.

[0062] The vehicle seat air conditioner shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 corresponds to the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment. A seat heater 5 is installed between the seat pad 15 and the skin 16. A plurality of ventilation holes 22 and a plurality of surface grooves 23 are formed in the seat pad 15. The plurality of surface grooves 23 include a surface groove linearly extending in the horizontal direction so as to connect the surface grooves arranged in the horizontal direction, and a surface groove linearly extending in the vertical direction so as to connect the surface grooves arranged in the vertical direction. Further, the plurality of surface grooves 23 include a surface groove linearly extending so as to intersect the surface groove linearly extending so as to connect the surface grooves. The depth of the surface groove is 5 mm. By the operation of the blower 4, air passes through the skin 16 and the seat heater 5 in this order and flows through the plurality of surface grooves 23 and the plurality of ventilation holes 22.

[0063] The seat heater 5 of Example 1 includes a base material 51 and a heating wire 52, similar to the seat heaters 5 of the first and second embodiments. The base material 51 is made of a non-woven fabric. A plurality of slits 53 are formed in the base material 51. Similar to the seat heater 5 of the first embodiment, the plurality of slits 53 include a slit 53a disposed at a position facing a part of the heating wire 52 in the base material 51 and a slit 53b disposed at a position not facing the heating wire 52 in the base material 51. Further, the plurality of slits 53 include a slit 53c disposed at a position facing one of the ventilation holes 22 in the base material 51. Also, similar to the seat heater 5 of the second embodiment, the plurality of slits 53 include a slit 53d disposed at a position facing one of the surface grooves 23.

[0064] In the measurement of the suction air velocity, the inventor measured the air velocities at five locations on the surface of the skin 16 using an anemometer and calculated the average value of the measured air velocity values. When there are occupants 2, etc. on the surface of the seat 3, the suction air velocity cannot be measured. Therefore, the suction air velocity was measured in a state where there are no occupants or the like on the surface of the seat 3. Also, assuming that a seating pressure is applied to at least a part of the base material 51 due to the seating of the occupant 2 or a change in the seating posture, and a plurality of slits 53 are opened, the suction air velocity was measured while maintaining each slit 53 in an open state. The opening width of each slit 53 when the occupant 2 actually sat on the seat 3 was 2 to 3 mm. Therefore, the inventor measured the suction air velocity in a state where the base material 51 was stretched so that the maximum opening width of each slit 53 would be 2 to 3 mm.

[0065] The measurement results of the suction air velocity when using the seat heater 5 of Example 1 are shown in FIG. 12. Note that FIG. 12 shows the measurement results of the suction air velocity when using the seat heaters of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 in the vehicle seat air conditioner shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and, as Comparative Example 3, the measurement results of the suction air velocity when not using a seat heater.

[0066] In the seat heater 5 of Comparative Example 1, like the seat heater 5 of Example 1, the base material 51 is made of a non-woven fabric. Different from the seat heater 5 of Example 1, a plurality of ventilation holes are formed in the base material 51 by punching, separate from the voids of the non-woven fabric. Each ventilation hole is circular with a diameter of 3.5 mm.

[0067] In the seat heater 5 of Comparative Example 2, like the seat heater 5 of Example 1, the base material 51 is made of a non-woven fabric. Different from the seat heaters 5 of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, no slits or ventilation holes are formed in the base material 51.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 12, in Example 1, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 where a seat heater is used, the suction air velocity is lower than that in Comparative Example 3 where no seat heater is used. The suction air velocity in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 where a seat heater is used is higher than that in Comparative Example 2 where a seat heater is used. The suction air velocity in Example 1 was almost the same as that in Comparative Example 1. Although not shown, as a result of the inventor measuring the suction air volume which is the air volume of the air sucked into the epidermis 16, the suction air volume in Example 1 was also almost the same as that in Comparative Example 1. From these facts, it was confirmed that according to the seat heater 5 in which a plurality of slits 53 are formed in the base material 51, an effect of reducing the ventilation resistance almost the same as that of a conventional seat heater in which a plurality of ventilation holes are formed in the base material can be obtained.

[0069] (Fifth Embodiment) As shown in Fig. 13, similar to the fourth embodiment, a plurality of surface grooves 23 are linearly arranged on the surface 17 of the central pad portion 151 of the seat pad 15. In this embodiment, the plurality of surface grooves 23 extend so as to connect the plurality of ventilation holes 22 and the plurality of suspension grooves 20. For this reason, when the air in the vehicle interior on the side of the seated occupant 2 is sucked into the plurality of ventilation holes 22 by the operation of the blower 4, an air flow is formed from the suspension groove 20 through the surface groove 23 toward the ventilation hole 22.

[0070] The seat heater 5 is arranged so as to cover the central pad portion 151 and the plurality of suspension grooves 20 in the seat pad 15. The plurality of slits 53 in the seat heater 5 include a slit 53d arranged at a position facing the surface groove 23 in the base material 51 and a slit 53e arranged at a position facing any one of the plurality of suspension grooves 20 in the thickness direction of the base material 51 in the base material 51. The slit 53e extends linearly so as to intersect the suspension groove 20. Other configurations of the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 in this embodiment are the same as those of the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 in the first embodiment.

[0071] According to this, when the slit 53e facing the suspension groove 20 opens, an air flow is likely to be generated and sucked into the ventilation hole 22 through the suspension groove 20 and the surface groove 23. In this way, by arranging the slit 53 at a position facing the passage through which the air flows in the seat pad 15, the ventilation resistance of the seat heater 5 can be reduced.

[0072] (Sixth Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the plurality of slits 53 include two linear slits 53f and 53g that are orthogonal to each other within a region of the base material 51 that faces any one of the plurality of ventilation holes 22 in the thickness direction of the base material 51. When one ventilation hole 22 is projected in the thickness direction of the base material 51 with respect to the base material 51, the two slits 53f and 53g are arranged at positions where the ventilation hole 22 is projected on the base material 51. The two slits 53f and 53g are arranged so as to straddle the ventilation hole 22.

[0073] Other configurations of the vehicle seat air conditioner 1 of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the two slits 53f and 53g are orthogonal within a region facing one ventilation hole 22. Therefore, compared with the case where only one slit 53 is arranged in the region facing one ventilation hole 22 or the case where two non-intersecting slits 53 are arranged, the restraining force is smaller, and the two slits 53f and 53g are more likely to open. As a result, not only when the seating pressure is applied to the base material 51 when the occupant 2 is seated, but also when the seating pressure is not applied, the two slits 53f and 53g can be opened by the ventilation of the ventilation hole 22. Therefore, even when the seating pressure is not applied, the ventilation resistance of the seat heater 5 can be reduced.

[0074] Note that, in the present embodiment, the intersection of the two slits 53f and 53g is located at the center of the region facing one ventilation hole 22. However, the intersection of the two slits 53f and 53g may be away from the center. Also, in the present embodiment, the angle at which the two slits 53f and 53g intersect is 90 degrees. However, the angle at which the two slits 53f and 53g intersect may be an angle other than 90 degrees. Also, in the present embodiment, the two slits 53f and 53g extend linearly. However, the two slits 53f and 53g do not have to extend linearly and may extend in a curved shape. Also, in the present embodiment, there are two slits 53 that intersect within the region facing one ventilation hole 22, but there may be three or more. Even in these cases, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

[0075] (Other Embodiments) (1) In the third embodiment, all of the plurality of slits 53 extend in an S-shaped curve, but only a part of the plurality of slits 53 may extend in an S-shaped curve. In short, at least one of the plurality of slits 53 may extend in an S-shaped curve. In this case, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

[0076] (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the plurality of ventilation holes 22 suck air from the passenger-side space by the operation of the blower 4. However, the plurality of ventilation holes 22 may blow air into the passenger-side space by the operation of the blower 4.

[0077] (3) In each of the above embodiments, the seat heater 5 is applied to the vehicle seat air conditioner 1. However, the seat heater 5 may be applied to a seat air conditioner other than for vehicles.

[0078] (4) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope described in the claims, including various modifications and modifications within the equivalent scope. In addition, the above-described embodiments are not independent of each other, and can be appropriately combined except when the combination is clearly impossible. For example, the third embodiment can be combined with the first, fourth to sixth embodiments. At least one of the slits 53a to 53g described in the first, fourth to sixth embodiments may extend in an S-shaped curve.

[0079] (5) In each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential except when it is clearly stated as essential or when it is considered to be clearly essential in principle. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, they are not limited to that specific number except when it is clearly stated as essential or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, etc., they are not limited to that material, shape, positional relationship, etc. except when it is clearly stated or when it is clearly limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0080] 1 Vehicle seat air conditioner 5 Seat heater 15 Seat pad 16 Epidermis 51 Base material 52 Heating wire 53 Slit

Claims

1. A member that supports the load from a seated person sitting on a seat, comprising a seat pad (15) having a plurality of ventilation holes (22) through which the air generated by a blower flows formed on a surface (17) which is the surface on the seated person side, and a seat heater installed between the seat pad and a skin (16) that covers the surface of the seat pad and has air permeability, a thin plate-like base material (51) having voids through which air can pass, and a heating wire (52) fixed to the base material, wherein a plurality of slits (53) different from the voids are formed in the base material, the slits are closed when no tensile stress is applied to the base material, and open when the load from the seated person is applied to at least a part of the base material. The seat heater.

2. The seat heater according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits include a slit (53a) disposed at a position in the base material that faces a part of the heating wire in the thickness direction of the base material.

3. The seat heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of slits include a slit (53b) disposed at a position in the base material that does not face the heating wire in the thickness direction of the base material.

4. The seat heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of slits include a slit (53c) disposed at a position in the base material that faces any one of the plurality of ventilation holes in the thickness direction of the base material.

5. One or more surface grooves (23) connecting two or more of the plurality of ventilation holes are linearly arranged on the surface of the seat pad, The seat heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of slits include a slit (53d) disposed at a position in the base material that faces any one of the one or more surface grooves in the thickness direction of the base material.

6. The seat heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of slits include two slits (53f, 53g) that intersect within a region that faces any one of the plurality of ventilation holes in the thickness direction of the base material.

7. The seat heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of slits extends in an S-shaped curve.

8. A seat air conditioner, a blower (4) that generates wind, A member that constitutes the seat (3) and supports the load from the seated person sitting on the seat, comprising a seat pad (15) having a plurality of ventilation holes (22) through which the air generated by a blower flows formed on the surface (17) which is the surface on the seated person side, An epidermis (16) that constitutes the seat and covers the surface of the seat pad and has air permeability, A thin plate-shaped seat heater (5) installed between the seat pad and the epidermis, The seat heater has a thin plate-shaped base material (51) having voids through which air can pass, And a heating wire (52) fixed to the base material, A plurality of slits (53) different from the voids are formed in the base material, The slits are closed when no tensile stress is applied to the base material, and open when the load from the seated person is applied to at least a part of the base material. A seat air conditioner.

9. The seat air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of slits include a slit (53c) disposed at a position facing any one of the plurality of ventilation holes in the thickness direction of the base material.

10. One or more surface grooves (23) connecting two or more of the plurality of ventilation holes are linearly arranged on the surface of the seat pad, The seat air conditioner according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the plurality of slits include a slit (53d) disposed at a position facing any one of the one or more surface grooves in the thickness direction of the base material.

11. The seat air conditioner according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the plurality of slits include two slits (53f, 53g) that intersect within a region facing any one of the plurality of ventilation holes in the thickness direction of the base material.

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