Seat assembly and seatback

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11453320-B1
Application number	US-202117219072-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 31, 2021
Priority date	Mar 31, 2021
Publication date	Sep 27, 2022
Grant date	Sep 27, 2022

Abstract

A seat assembly may include a seatback frame, a primary carrier, an airflow duct, and a plurality of airflow outlets. The primary carrier may be connected to the seatback frame. The airflow duct may be defined at least partially by the primary carrier. The plurality of airflow outlets may extend through the primary carrier to an external surface and may be in fluid communication with the airflow duct.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat assembly, comprising:
a seatback frame;
a primary carrier connected to the seatback frame;
an airflow duct defined at least partially by the primary carrier; and
a plurality of cushion assemblies connected to portions of the primary carrier;
wherein the primary carrier includes a plurality of airflow outlets extending through the primary carrier to an external surface and in fluid communication with the airflow duct; and
the plurality of airflow outlets are disposed in the primary carrier around at least a portion of a perimeter of at least one of the plurality of cushion assemblies.

2. The seat assembly according to claim 1 , including a duct cover connected to the primary carrier, wherein the airflow duct is defined by the primary carrier and the duct cover.

3. The seat assembly according to claim 2 , wherein:
the primary carrier includes a first duct wall and a second duct wall protruding therefrom; and
the duct cover is connected to the first duct wall and the second duct wall such that the airflow duct is defined by the primary carrier, the first duct wall, the second duct wall, and the duct cover.

4. The seat assembly according to claim 3 , wherein at least some of the plurality of airflow outlets are disposed in a portion of the primary carrier extending from the first duct wall to the second duct wall.

5. The seat assembly according to claim 3 , wherein:
the duct cover defines a channel opening toward the primary carrier; and
the first duct wall and the second duct wall project into the channel and abut against the duct cover to substantially close the airflow duct.

6. The seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an exposed exterior surface of the primary carrier is partially covered by the plurality of cushion assemblies.

7. The seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of airflow outlets are disposed in a portion of the primary carrier aligned with a gap defined between two adjacent cushion assemblies of the plurality of cushion assemblies.

8. The seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of cushion assemblies includes a main cushion assembly, a first bolster cushion assembly, and a second bolster cushion assembly;
the first bolster cushion assembly and the second bolster cushion assembly are disposed on opposite sides of the main cushion assembly; and
the plurality of airflow outlets are disposed in (i) a first portion of the primary carrier aligned with a first gap defined between the main cushion assembly and the first bolster cushion assembly, and (ii) a second portion of the primary carrier aligned with a second gap defined between the main cushion assembly and the second bolster cushion assembly.

9. The seat assembly according to claim 1 , including:
a first air mover connected to the primary carrier and configured to provide a first airflow to the airflow outlets; and
a first thermoelectric device (TED) connected to the primary carrier and configured to heat and/or cool the first airflow from the first air mover.

10. The seat assembly according to claim 9 , including:
an intermediate layer connected to the primary carrier, the intermediate layer including a heater and/or configured to convey a second airflow;
a second air mover configured to provide the second airflow, the second air mover in fluid communication with the intermediate layer and connected to the primary carrier; and
a second TED configured to heat and/or cool the second airflow.

11. The seat assembly according to claim 10 , including a common exhaust duct in fluid communication with the first TED and the second TED, and configured to conduct exhaust air of the first TED and/or the second TED out of the seat assembly.

12. The seat assembly according to claim 10 , including:
a headrest connected to the primary carrier;
a third air mover connected to the primary carrier and configured to provide a third airflow to the headrest;
a third TED disposed within the headrest and configured to heat and/or cool the third airflow; and
a headrest outlet disposed in the headrest and configured to convey the third airflow out of the headrest.

13. The seat assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the headrest includes:
a headrest output duct connecting the third TED to the headrest outlet; and
a headrest exhaust duct connected to the third TED, the headrest exhaust duct extending out of the headrest and configured to convey waste air of the third TED out of the headrest.

14. The seat assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
a headrest connected to the primary carrier;
a duct cover connected to the primary carrier to substantially close the airflow duct;
a first air mover configured to provide a first airflow to the airflow outlets, the first air mover in fluid communication with the airflow duct and connected to the primary carrier;
a first thermoelectric device (TED) connected to the primary carrier and configured to heat and/or cool the first airflow;
an intermediate layer connected to the primary carrier, the intermediate layer including a heater and/or configured to convey a second airflow;
a second air mover configured to provide the second airflow, the second air mover in fluid communication with the intermediate layer and connected to the primary carrier;
a second TED connected to the primary carrier and configured to heat and/or cool the second airflow;
a third air mover connected to the primary carrier and configured to provide a third airflow to the headrest;
a third TED disposed within the headrest and configured to heat and/or cool the third airflow; and
a headrest outlet disposed in the headrest and configured to convey the third airflow out of the headrest.

15. A seat assembly, comprising:
a seatback frame;
a primary carrier connected to the seatback frame; and
an airflow duct defined at least partially by the primary carrier;
a plurality of cushion assemblies connected to portions of the primary carrier;
wherein the primary carrier includes a plurality of airflow outlets extending through the primary carrier to an external surface of the primary carrier and in fluid communication with the airflow duct;
the external surface of the primary carrier includes exposed portions that function as an external surface of the seat assembly and are not covered by the cushion assemblies or a trim cover; and
the plurality of airflow outlets are aligned with one or more of the exposed portions.

16. The seat assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the plurality of airflow outlets are disposed in the primary carrier around at least a portion of a perimeter of at least one of the plurality of cushion assemblies.

17. A seat assembly, comprising:
a seatback frame;
a primary carrier connected to the seatback frame;
an airflow duct defined at least partially by the primary carrier;
a primary back panel connected to the seatback frame; and
a floating panel connected to the primary back panel;
wherein the primary carrier includes a plurality of airflow outlets extending through the primary carrier to an external surface of the primary carrier and in fluid communication with the airflow duct; and
the floating panel is spaced apart from the primary back panel such that an air intake opening is defined between the primary back panel and the floating panel.

18. The seat assembly according to claim 17 , including a plurality of cushion assemblies connected to portions of the primary carrier.

19. The seat assembly according to claim 17 , wherein the

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Powell Michael R
• Puig-Pey Jeanette
• Ivanov Vyachislav
• Patterson Louella
• Mollica Anthony
• Duncan Brad
• Gam Wee
• Henn Karl W
• Severinski Paul
• Weaver Mark

Classifications

• B60N2/986

  Side-rests (B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/914 Primary

  Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape · CPC title

• B60N2/803

  fixed · CPC title

• B60N2/686

  Panel like structures · CPC title

• B60N2/665

  using inflatable bladders · CPC title