Air flow for vent/cooled seating

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11142106-B2
Application number	US-201916721218-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 19, 2019
Priority date	Dec 19, 2019
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

A padding component for intelligent distribution of airflow in a vehicle seat, optimizing the sensation of airflow for the occupant. This includes a top layer, a bottom layer, and a fibrous layer interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The fibrous layer defines airflow channels having a first filament density and non-channel regions having a second filament density. Characteristically, the second filament density is greater than the first filament density such that air preferentially flow through the airflow channels.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A padding component for distributing airflow in a vehicle seat, the padding component comprising:
a top layer defining airflow exit openings at predefined locations;
a bottom layer; and
a fibrous layer interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, the fibrous layer defining airflow channels having a first filament density and non-channel regions having a second filament density, the second filament density being greater than the first filament density such that air preferentially flows through the airflow channels, wherein exiting air provide venting to a vehicle occupant.

2. The padding component of claim 1 wherein the bottom layer defines one or more inlet opening at predefined locations.

3. The padding component of claim 2 wherein the top layer defines at least one inlet opening allowing access ends of the airflow channels so that airflows therein.

4. The padding component of claim 3 wherein a flow distributor is positioned through the inlet opening, the flow distributor directing flowing air to the airflow channels.

5. The padding component of claim 3 wherein flow distributor includes a distributor head and tubular section, the tubular section receiving flowing air from blower or fan.

6. The padding component of claim 1 wherein filaments extend from the bottom layer to the top layer.

7. The padding component of claim 1 wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are knitted layers that can be different knit structures and densities respectively to allow specific locations for air inflow and air exit points as designed for specific system requirements.

8. The padding component of claim 7 wherein the knitted layers are selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton/polyester blends, cotton/spandex blends, wool, nylon, rayon, conductive, monofilaments, bi-components, multi-filament and combinations thereof.

9. The padding component of claim 1 wherein air flowing through the airflow channels is heated air, ambient air or cooled air.

10. The padding component of claim 1 wherein the second filament density is at least 5 times greater than the first filament density.

11. The padding component of claim 1 wherein the second filament density is at least 10 times greater than the first filament density.

12. The padding component of claim 1 wherein the top layer and/or the bottom layer is relatively impervious to airflow as compared to the airflow channels.

13. The padding component of claim 1 wherein the top layer includes regions that are impervious to airflow as compared to the airflow channels.

14. A vehicle seat comprising:
a seatback;
a seat bottom; and
a padding component integrated into one or both of the seatback or seat bottom, the padding component including:
a top layer defining airflow exit openings at predefined locations;
a bottom layer; and
a fibrous layer interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, the fibrous layer defining airflow channels having a first filament density and non-channel regions having a second filament density, the second filament density being greater than the first filament density such that air preferentially flows through the airflow channels, wherein exiting air provide venting to a vehicle occupant.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 14 wherein the top layer defines an inlet opening allowing access ends of the airflow channels so that airflows therein a plurality of exit openings that allow air to exit the airflow channels.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 15 wherein a flow distributor is positioned through the inlet opening, the flow distributor directing flowing air to the airflow channels, the flow distributor includes a distributor head and tubular section, the tubular section receiving flowing air from blower or fan.

17. The vehicle seat of claim 14 wherein filaments extends from the bottom layer to the top layer.

18. The vehicle seat of claim 14 wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are each independently knitted layers.

19. The vehicle seat of claim 14 wherein the top layer and/or the bottom layer is relatively impervious to airflow as compared to the airflow channels.

20. The vehicle seat of claim 14 further comprising a spacer including a bottom sublayer and a top sublayer, the top sublayer having one or more predetermined regions defining a plurality of openings that allow air to pass therethrough.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Powell Michael R
• Hanlon Samuel
• Ivanov Vyachislav
• Korycinski Thomas
• Townley Lisa

Classifications

• B60N2/5657 Primary

  blown towards the seat surface · CPC title

• B60N2/5642 Primary

  with circulation of air through a layer inside the seat · CPC title