Seat cushion expansion ventilation with primary fan

Abstract

The seat includes a seat cushion including a first mesh; a seat extension configured to move to a closed position and an extended position relative to the seat cushion, the seat extension having a second mesh; a first conduit forming a first air channel between the first and second meshes in the closed and extended positions; and a fan configured to draw air through the first and second meshes using the first conduit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 948,196, filed Sep. 8, 2020, entitled "SEAT CUSHION-EXTENSION VENTILATION WITH PRIMARY FAN," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This document relates to seat cushion expansion ventilation with a primary fan. [Background technology]

[0003] When a person sits in an automobile seat (e.g., a car, truck, or other vehicle seat) for an extended period of time, he or she may experience some discomfort with the seat cushion. For example, the person may feel that the length of the seat cushion supports only a portion of their thighs, or that there is high pressure on the legs at the front edge of the seat. This can result in a less comfortable sitting position. For such situations, so-called seat extensions have been proposed that can selectively extend to increase the length of the seat cushion, thereby providing more support for the person's thighs while sitting.

[0004] An occupant in a vehicle seat may also be exposed to elevated temperatures, for example, in areas where the occupant's body is in contact with the surface of the seat. Such elevated temperatures may be uncomfortable or uncomfortable if the occupant is a passenger, or may interfere with vehicle control if the occupant is a driver. Attempts have been made to address the issue of elevated temperatures and / or sweating by incorporating fans inside the seat cushion. When the seat includes a seat extension, some seats with fans do not provide any ventilation for the seat extension, which may result in the aforementioned discomfort / interference. Other seats with fans have a primary fan located inside the seat cushion and an auxiliary fan located in the seat extension. Such a solution may be undesirable due to one or more factors. For example, the extra fan, electrical harness, and control circuitry may increase the overall cost of the seat and / or the mass of the vehicle. As another example, the extra fan may increase noise levels and power consumption within the passenger compartment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, a seat includes a seat cushion including a first mesh; a seat extension configured to move to a closed position and an extended position relative to the seat cushion, the seat extension having a second mesh; a first conduit forming a first air channel between the first and second meshes in the closed and extended positions; and a fan configured to draw air through the first and second meshes using the first conduit.

[0006] Implementations may include any or all of the following features: the first and second meshes are made of a common mesh material; the first conduit has a third mesh inside a non-breathable layer; the first, second, and third meshes are made of a common mesh material; the first mesh has a width facing the seat extension, and the first conduit is narrower than the width of the first mesh; the second mesh has a width facing the seat cushion, and the first conduit is narrower than the width of the second mesh; the seat further comprises an air duct within the seat cushion, the air duct being positioned between the first mesh and the fan; the seat is configured such that the fan draws at least about 8 cubic feet (about 226.535 liters) of air per minute through the first and second meshes; and the first conduit is configured to deform when the seat extension moves between the closed position and the extended position. The seat is configured such that the seat cushion and the seat extension are separated by a first gap when the seat extension is in the extended position and such that the seat cushion and the seat extension are separated by a second gap when the seat extension is in the closed position, the second gap being narrower than the first gap, and the first conduit is configured to assume a folded position in which at least a portion of the first conduit is folded in half at the second gap. The seat further comprises a heating mat extending over the seat cushion and the seat extension, the heating mat being configured to assume a folded position in which a portion of the heating mat is folded in half at the second gap. The seat cushion further comprises a first pad positioned outside the first mesh, the first pad not extending into the first and second gaps. The seat extension further includes a second pad positioned outside the second mesh, the second pad not extending into the first and second gaps.The seat further comprises a third mesh located at a position other than the first and second meshes, and a second conduit forming a second air channel between the first and third meshes, the second conduit being stationary. The seat cushion comprises the third mesh and the second conduit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a car seat.

[0008] [Figure 2A] 2 shows an exemplary cross section of the car seat of FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] 2 shows an exemplary cross section of the car seat of FIG. 1.

[0009] [Figure 3] 2 shows an example of a seat cushion and a seat extension in the car seat of FIG. 1.

[0010] [Figure 4] 4 illustrates an exemplary cross section of the conduit of FIG. 3.

[0011] [Figure 5] 1 shows an example of a temperature sensor for a car seat.

[0012] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This document describes example systems and techniques for providing ventilation in at least the seat cushion and seat extension of a seat. Ventilation can also serve to cool an occupant by removing warm air and to make the occupant more comfortable by removing moisture from the occupant's perspiration. Ventilation for the seat extension may be provided using the same fan used for the seat cushion to reduce the cost and complexity of using a separate fan for the movable seat extension. For example, a single fan can be used to ventilate the seat cushion (sometimes referred to as the "primary fan") and also ventilate the seat extension, improving comfort.

[0014] Examples herein refer to seats. The seats may be used in vehicles such as cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, or elsewhere. The seats may have a base (e.g., a seat cushion) configured to support a substantial portion of an occupant's weight. The seats may have a seat back (e.g., a reclining or fixed seat back) configured to seat or otherwise support an occupant. The seats may have zero, one, or two armrests. The seats may have a head restraint (e.g., a head restraint mounted on top of the seat back). The seats may be provided with upholstery that presents a utility aspect of one or more materials (sometimes referred to as trim). The upholstery may further include one or more components designed to support an occupant's weight, including, but not limited to, springs, foam, padding, and / or air bladders. The seats may be provided with one or more safety features. For example, a restraint device (e.g., a seat belt or child car seat) may be mounted on the seat or attached to the body of the vehicle. As another example, one or more airbags may be positioned in and / or near the seat (eg, in the upholstery).

[0015] Examples herein refer to seat extensions. A seat extension is a portion of a seat that is selectively movable to increase, decrease, or otherwise change the support the seat provides to the occupant. Any seat may have zero, one, or more seat extensions. A seat restraint may be coupled (e.g., mounted) to a base of the seat, e.g., a structural portion of the seat cushion. A seat restraint may be movable between at least a closed position and an extended position. In some implementations, a seat restraint may be positioned closer to the seat cushion in the closed position than in the extended position. For example, this may be true if the seat extension is configured to slide on a track. In some implementations, a seat restraint may be positioned farther from a relevant portion of the occupant's body (e.g., a portion of the leg) in the closed position than in the extended position. For example, this may be true if the seat extension is configured to rotate via a hinge.

[0016] Examples herein refer to meshes, in which air is drawn through and / or forced through the mesh. Meshes include one or more strands of material connected to each other to form a three-dimensional structure that allows airflow in at least one direction. Any suitable type of material that allows air to pass through may be used. At least one material may include synthetic and / or natural materials. Synthetic materials may include compounds (e.g., composite materials), polymeric materials (e.g., plastic materials including fiberglass), and / or ceramic materials. Natural materials may include natural fibers (e.g., plant- or animal-derived). As used herein, mesh may include one or more materials that may be referred to as spacer fabrics, spacer knits, and / or three-dimensional fabrics. Meshes may have strands of one or more shapes and / or orientations that allow air to pass through. The strands may be randomly oriented or arranged in one or more patterns. In a mesh, two or more strands may cross each other, with or without adhering to each other (e.g., united). The strands may extend in any direction within the mesh. The structural properties of the mesh allow air to be drawn through and / or forced through the mesh even when the weight of an occupant is at least partially supported by the mesh.

[0017] Examples herein refer to one or more non-breathable layers. The non-breathable layer may be made of any material that sufficiently blocks or reduces the flow of air through the surface of the layer. In some implementations, the non-breathable layer is characterized by having a specific (e.g., a range of) air permeability. For example, a non-breathable layer such as a non-breathable tape may allow a maximum of a certain amount of air to traverse the layer per area unit and per time unit under a given specific pressure. In some implementations, the non-breathable layer is selected to have an air permeability that will provide a ventilation system (e.g., as exemplified below) with the ability to draw in at least a certain amount of air per time unit.

[0018] Examples herein refer to one or more fans. A fan is a machine that creates airflow. In some implementations, axial and / or centrifugal fans may be used. The fans may be driven by dedicated electric motors, such as direct current (DC) motors powered by the vehicle's electrical system.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows one example of a car seat 100. The car seat 100 may be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein. The car seat 100 includes a body 102 positioned relative to (e.g., on top of) one or more tracks 104. The car seat 100 may be configured for use by one or more occupants of a vehicle. In some implementations, the car seat 100 may be positioned in the first, second, third, or other row of the vehicle. For example, the car seat 100 may be a driver's seat or a passenger seat.

[0020] The vehicle seat 100 includes a seat cushion 106 and a seat back 108 that are coupled to each other. For example, the seat back 108 may be fixed or connected to the seat cushion 106 by one or more recliners. The vehicle seat 100 includes a seat extension 110 adjacent to the seat cushion 106. In some implementations, the seat extension 110 can move between two or more positions relative to the seat cushion 106. For example, the seat extension 110 can move along a track (not shown) to assume at least a closed position (e.g., as shown in the figures) or an extended position (discussed below). The vehicle seat 100 may be provided with a ventilation system as described in the examples herein. In some implementations, the ventilation system enables ventilating the seat extension 110 and the seat cushion 106 using a single fan, such as a primary fan mounted within the seat cushion 106. For example, the ventilation system may have a mesh in the seat cushion 106 and a mesh in the seat extension 110 connected by a conduit that forms an air channel for drawing air through the mesh.

[0021] 2A-2B show an exemplary cross-section of the car seat 100 of FIG. 1. The examples described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B may be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein. In FIG. 2A, a portion of the seat cushion 106 and the seat extension 110 are shown in a closed position. The seat cushion 106 includes a base 200, which is shown schematically. In some implementations, the base 200 is configured to rest against a portion of a car body (e.g., be positioned on the floor of the vehicle). For example, the base 200 can facilitate movement by the car seat 100 along a track fixed relative to the car body.

[0022] Base 200 supports seat cushion 106 and seat extension 110, as well as other components of car seat 100. Base 200 may include one or more foams 202, and seat extension 110 may include one or more foams 204. Foams 202 and 204 may support at least a portion of the weight of an occupant (not shown) in car seat 100. Base 200 may include one or more other components to enhance occupant comfort. In some implementations, massaging component 206 (shown here schematically with a linear shape) may include one or more pneumatic massage bladders and a carrier plate for supporting the bladders. For example, such a carrier plate may include openings to facilitate air flow, e.g., as described below.

[0023] The automobile seat 100 may include mesh 208A and mesh 208B, which may provide ventilation for the occupant. In some implementations, the meshes 208A and 208B are part of one continuous piece of mesh material (e.g., a sheet). For example, the mesh 208A may be positioned on the seat cushion 106 (e.g., against or adjacent to the foam 202 or the massaging component 206), and the mesh 208B may be positioned on the seat extension 110 (e.g., against or adjacent to the foam 204). The mesh 208A may extend across the entire occupant-facing surface of the seat cushion 106, or across a portion of such surface. The mesh 208B may extend across the entire occupant-facing surface of the seat extension 110, or across a portion of such surface.

[0024] The automobile seat 100 may include one or more comfort pads to further enhance seating comfort. Here, comfort pad 210A is positioned on the seat cushion 106 (e.g., against or adjacent to, e.g., on the outer side of, mesh 208A), and comfort pad 210B is positioned on the seat extension 110 (e.g., against or adjacent to, e.g., on the outer side of, mesh 208B). Comfort pad 210A may extend across at least a portion of the surface of mesh 208A. Comfort pad 210B may extend across at least a portion of the surface of mesh 208B. In some implementations, mesh 208A and / or mesh 208B may be positioned in a cutout (e.g., a portion intentionally left without material) of the corresponding comfort pad 210A or 210B.

[0025] The automobile seat 100 may include one or more heating mats for providing heating for the occupant, where heating mat 212A is positioned on the seat cushion 106 (e.g., against or adjacent to comfort pad 210A) and heating mat 212B is positioned on the seat extension 110 (e.g., against or adjacent to comfort pad 210B). Heating mat 212A may extend over at least a portion of the surface of comfort pad 210A. Heating mat 212B may extend over at least a portion of the surface of comfort pad 210B.

[0026] The vehicle seat 100 may include one or more trims on a surface intended to face the occupant, where trim 214A is positioned on the seat cushion 106 (e.g., against or adjacent to heating mat 212A) and trim 214B is positioned on the seat extension 110 (e.g., against or adjacent to heating mat 212B). One or both of trims 214A and 214B may include one or more seat covers (e.g., leather or a synthetic material, such as polyvinyl chloride), and one or more foam or laminate materials.

[0027] The vehicle seat 100 may include a motor 216. In some implementations, the motor 216 may act on the seat extension 110 to move the seat extension between at least a closed position (e.g., shown in FIG. 2A ) and an extended position (e.g., shown in FIG. 2B ). For example, the motor 216 may be a DC motor powered by the vehicle's electrical system.

[0028] The vehicle seat 100 may include a fan 218, shown here schematically with a dotted outline. The fan 218 may be considered the primary fan for the vehicle seat 100. In some implementations, the fan 218 is positioned within or adjacent to the seat cushion 106 (e.g., within the base 200). For example, the fan 218 is driven by a DC motor powered by the vehicle's electrical system. The fan 218 may be oriented in any of several different directions. In some implementations, the axis of rotation of the fan 218 extends in the plane of suction. For example, the axis of rotation may be oriented substantially vertically.

[0029] The car seat 100 may include an air duct 220. The air duct 220 may be a separate component made of any suitable material (e.g., plastic or metal) or may be formed by creating a passageway in another component of the car seat 100. In some implementations, the air duct 220 may extend through at least a portion of the seat cushion 106 (e.g., from the base 200 through the foam 202) to facilitate air flow between the fan 218 and the meshes 208A-208B. In some implementations, the air duct 220 may be positioned between the fan 218 and the mesh 208A. For example, the air duct may extend through or terminate adjacent to an opening in the carrier plate for the massaging component 206. The air duct 220 may have any of a number of different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., circular or rectangular) and may be relatively straight or have one or more corners.

[0030] The fan 218 provides ventilation for the car seat 100 by drawing air through the meshes 208A-208B. To facilitate airflow between the meshes 208A-208B, the car seat 100 includes a conduit 222. In some implementations, the conduit 222 includes a mesh portion that is merged, joined, or otherwise connected at each end to the meshes 208A and 208B, respectively. In some implementations, the conduit 222 includes the mesh 222A positioned toward the mesh 208A and the mesh 222B positioned toward the mesh 208B. For example, the meshes 208A, 222A, 222B, and 208B may be formed as a single, integrated piece of mesh material (i.e., a common mesh material) having an appropriate length. As another example, the meshes 222A-222B may constitute separate mesh portions attached to the mesh 208A at one end and to the mesh 208B at the other end.

[0031] In this example, the seat extension 110 of the car seat 100 is in a closed (e.g., unextended) position, and the conduit 222 is shown here folded in half (the folding being substantially in the plane of suction). That is, the seat extension 110 and the seat cushion 106 are separated by a gap when the seat extension 110 of the car seat 100 is in the closed position. Here, the conduit 222 extends into the gap and occupies substantially its entire width. Also, the heating mats 212A and 212B are now part of a continuous heating mat that extends along the conduit 222 into the gap between the seat extension 110 and the seat cushion 106. In that way, the portion of the continuous heating mat also now assumes a folded position, with the portion folded in half at the conduit 222. The trims 214A and 214B form a continuous trim in this example and extend along the conduit 222 into the gap between the seat extension 110 and the seat cushion 106. For example, the trims 214A and 214B are connected to each other via a fold 215 created by sewing the trims 214A and 214B to each other. The fold 215 hides the underlying mechanisms and seat components and opens when the seat extension 110 is extended. However, in this example, neither the comfort pads 210A nor 210B extend along the conduit 222 or into the gap between the seat extension 110 and the seat cushion 106.

[0032] That is, the ventilation system here includes at least mesh 208A-208B, conduit 222, air duct 220, and fan 218. Air drawn by fan 218 through mesh 208A-208B is shown here schematically as arrows entering trim 214A-214B from the top; arrows traveling along the length of mesh 208A-208B; arrows traveling through conduit 222; and arrows traveling through air duct 220. For the comfort of an occupant (not shown) seated in vehicle seat 100, such a ventilation system should provide at least sufficient airflow to remove a sufficient amount of air from the envelope surrounding the occupant's contact with vehicle seat 100. The required capacity of the ventilation system may depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, external climate or weather parameters, such as ambient temperature and amount of sunlight; the capacity of the vehicle's overall heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; the shape and surface materials of seat cushion 106 and seat extension 110; and the occupant's personal preferences. In some implementations, meshes 208A-208B and conduits 222 are made of a polymer-based material, and fan 218 is a centrifugal fan that draws air in from air ducts 220 at the sides and exhausts air in a substantially horizontal direction. For example, such a ventilation system may provide an airflow of at least about 8 cubic feet per minute (CFM) when a standard-sized occupant dummy (e.g., 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 172 pounds) is seated in car seat 100. By comparison, when car seat 100 is unoccupied, the ventilation system may provide an airflow of at least about 10 CFM (283.168 liters per minute).

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 2B , the seat extension 110 is now being moved relative to the seat cushion 106, assuming an extended position. For example, a motor 216 advances the seat extension 110 along a track and / or rotates the seat extension 110. The conduit 222 is configured to deform as the seat extension 110 moves between the closed and extended positions. For example, the deformation may include folding substantially in half (e.g., when approaching the closed position) or opening to a substantially planar configuration (e.g., when approaching the extended position). The seat extension 110 and the seat cushion 106 are separated by a gap 224 when the seat extension 110 of the vehicle seat 100 is in the extended position (e.g., as shown here). The gap present in FIG. 2A (in which the conduit 222 is folded substantially in half) is narrower than the gap 224.

[0034] The above example illustrates that a seat (e.g., automobile seat 100) may include a seat cushion (e.g., seat cushion 106) including a first mesh (e.g., mesh 208A). A seat extension may be configured to move relative to the seat cushion to a closed position (e.g., shown in FIG. 2A) and an extended position (e.g., shown in FIG. 2B). The seat extension may include a second mesh (e.g., mesh 208B). The seat may include a conduit (e.g., conduit 222) that forms an air channel between the first and second meshes in the closed and extended positions. The seat may include a fan (e.g., fan 218) configured to draw air through the first and second meshes using the conduit.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows an example of the seat cushion 106 and the seat extension 110 in the vehicle seat 100 of FIG. 1 . The seat cushion 106 includes a mesh 208A. In some implementations, the mesh 208A may occupy most of the area of ​​the seat cushion 106. For example, the mesh 208A may have a substantially rectangular shape or another shape. In some implementations, the mesh 208A may have a relatively large size, thereby resulting in more contact between the occupant and the seat cushion 106. For example, providing cooling and / or removing moisture (e.g., sweat) may be more important in areas with more contact. In some implementations, the area of ​​the mesh 208A near the occupant's back and / or buttocks may be relatively larger than the area near the occupant's thighs. The seat extension 110 includes a mesh 208B. In some implementations, the mesh 208B may occupy most of the area of ​​the seat extension 110. For example, the mesh 208B may have a substantially trapezoidal shape or another shape. The seat extension 110 is now in the extended position. For example, the conduits 222 that form the air channels between the meshes 208A-208B are now in a substantially planar configuration.

[0036] The conduit 222 can have any of a number of sizes and / or shapes. In some implementations, the conduit 222 has a substantially rectangular shape. The mesh 208A here has a particular width along its edge facing the seat extension 110. In some implementations, the conduit 222 is narrower than (e.g., less than half of) the width of the mesh 208A. Similarly, the mesh 208B here has a particular width along its edge facing the seat cushion 106. In some implementations, the conduit 222 is narrower than (e.g., less than half of) the width of the mesh 208B. There may be, for example, two spaced apart conduits forming multiple channels.

[0037] The automobile seat 100 may have one or more additional meshes connected by additional conduits. In some implementations, the conduits may be considered static conduits because they are not configured to move (e.g., deform) to accommodate a moving seat extension. Here, the mesh 300 is positioned elsewhere than the mesh 208A or 208B (e.g., to the side of the mesh 208A from the perspective of the passenger). The mesh 300 may be coupled to the mesh 208A by air channels formed by at least one conduit 302, which may be considered a static conduit. The mesh 300 may be included within the seat cushion 106, for example, as shown.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary cross-section of the conduit 222 of FIG. 3 . The conduit 222 here includes a mesh 400 surrounded by a non-breathable layer 402. In some implementations, the mesh 400 includes the same material as one or more other meshes in the vehicle seat 100. For example, the mesh 400 and meshes 208A-208B ( FIGS. 2A-2B ) can be formed as a continuous mesh material. The mesh can include one or more types of strands 404, shown here schematically using cross-hatching. The strands 404 can be straight, have a wavy shape, or otherwise have a periodic or random shape, these are just a few examples. In some implementations, the strands 404 can extend in two or more directions in the form of a three-dimensional matrix, web, or other three-dimensional structure, thereby forming air channels capable of carrying airflow.

[0039] The non-breathable layer 402 can substantially cover the periphery of the mesh 400. In some implementations, the non-breathable layer 402 is formed by wrapping a non-breathable adhesive strip (e.g., tape or other film) in one or more layers around the mesh 400. The non-breathable layer 402 may also be used to attach the conduits to the meshes 208A-208B (FIGS. 2A-2B) at either end.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows an example of a temperature sensor 500 for a vehicle seat. The temperature sensor 500 can be generated for one or more implemented embodiments, including, but not limited to, the vehicle seat 100 of FIG. 1 and one or more other types of seats. The temperature sensor 500 here includes columns 502-510, each corresponding to a separate type of seat or seat configuration. More specifically, the seat cushion and seat extension for each seat type are shown in columns 502-510, with the seat cushion 502A and seat extension 502B shown in column 502 for illustrative purposes. In particular, column 502 corresponds to a seat where the seat extension is currently in the closed position and the seat does not have an active ventilation system (i.e., no fan inside the seat). Column 504 corresponds to a seat where the seat extension is currently in the closed position and the seat cushion has a fan, but no ventilation is provided for the seat extension. Column 506 corresponds to a seat where the seat extension is currently in the closed position, the seat cushion has a fan, and the seat extension has a separate fan. Finally, rows 508 and 510 correspond to this embodiment of the seat, where the same fan is used to ventilate the seat cushion and the seat extension: in row 508, the seat extension is in the closed position, and in row 510, the seat extension is in the extended position.

[0041] Temperature sensor 500 was created by placing different types of sheets or arranging the sheets in different configurations inside the thermal chamber. In particular, at the beginning of each sequence of rows 502-510, the chamber had an internal temperature of approximately 40° C., allowing the sheets to substantially reach thermal equilibrium with the air inside the thermal chamber.

[0042] Each of columns 502-510 includes a sequence of images acquired using the thermal scanner over a period of time, including a respective first image 512A and a respective last image 512B. Subsequent images may have been acquired approximately one minute or more after the previous image. The temperature in each image is represented by shading, as indicated by the temperature scale, here ranging from approximately 20°C to approximately 40°C. At the time corresponding to first image 512A, no heating was applied to the thermal chamber. For seat types that had at least one fan (i.e., seats corresponding to columns 504-510), the fan was turned on around the time of acquisition of first image 512A and continued to operate during the time each image was acquired.

[0043] The image in column 502 can be characterized as a baseline showing the temperature distribution in a seat without ventilation. The image in column 504 shows that the seat extension without ventilation remains significantly warmer than the ventilated seat cushion. The image in column 506 shows that the seat extension becomes somewhat cooler with a separate fan. However, such an approach may be associated with higher cost, increased complexity, increased noise, and increased vehicle mass. Also, the relatively limited space available within the seat extension may impose design constraints on the size and capacity of the fan mounted in the seat extension.

[0044] The images in columns 508 and 510 show that this embodiment can provide advantageous ventilation of the seat extension, which can be better than ventilation obtained using a separate fan in the seat extension. For example, the seat extension temperature in the last image 512B of column 508 and the seat extension temperature in the last image 512B of column 510 are both significantly cooler and more evenly distributed than the seat extension temperature in the last image 512B of column 506. Additionally, applying seat extension ventilation as described herein can reduce additional cost, complexity, noise, and mass that might otherwise be incurred.

[0045] Several implementations have been described. However, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the specification.

[0046] Additionally, the logic flow depicted in the figures does not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Additionally, other processes may be provided or processes may be deleted from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0047] While certain features of the described implementations have been shown as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the implementations. They have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation, and it should be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and / or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except in mutually exclusive combinations. The implementations described herein may include various combinations and / or subcombinations of the functions, components, and / or features of the different implementations described.

Claims

1. a seat cushion including a first mesh; a seat extension configured to move to a closed position and an extended position relative to the seat cushion, wherein the seat extension has a second mesh; a first conduit forming a first air channel between the first mesh and the second mesh in the closed and expanded positions; and a fan configured to draw air through the first mesh and the second mesh using the first conduit; A seat comprising:

2. The sheet of claim 1 , wherein the first mesh and the second mesh are made of a common mesh material.

3. 3. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the first conduit comprises a third mesh inside the non-breathable layer.

4. The sheet of claim 3 , wherein the first mesh, the second mesh, and the third mesh are made of a common mesh material.

5. the first mesh has a width facing the seat extension, and the first conduit is narrower than the width of the first mesh; and / or 5. The seat of claim 1, wherein the second mesh has a width facing the seat cushion, and the first conduit is narrower than the width of the second mesh.

6. further comprising an air duct within the seat cushion, the air duct being positioned between the first mesh and the fan; and / or 6. The seat of claim 1, wherein the fan is configured to draw at least about 226.535 liters of air per minute through the first mesh and the second mesh.

7. 7. The seat of claim 1, wherein the first conduit is configured to deform when the seat extension moves between the closed and extended positions.

8. 8. The seat of claim 7, wherein the seat is configured such that the seat cushion and the seat extension are separated by a first gap when the seat extension is in the extended position, and such that the seat cushion and the seat extension are separated by a second gap when the seat extension is in the closed position, the second gap being narrower than the first gap, and wherein the first conduit is configured to assume a folded position in the second gap in which at least a portion of the first conduit is folded in half.

9. 9. The seat of claim 8, further comprising a heating mat extending over the seat cushion and the seat extension, the heating mat configured to assume a folded position in the second gap in which a portion of the heating mat is folded in half.

10. 10. The seat of claim 9, wherein the seat cushion further comprises a first pad positioned outside the first mesh, the first pad not extending into the first gap and the second gap.

11. 11. The seat of claim 10, wherein the seat extension further comprises a second pad positioned outside the second mesh, the second pad not extending into the first gap and the second gap.

12. a third mesh located elsewhere than the first mesh and the second mesh; and a second conduit forming a second air channel between said first mesh and said third mesh, wherein said second conduit is stationary; The sheet of claim 1 , further comprising:

13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the seat cushion includes the third mesh and the second conduit.

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