B-side distribution system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11613189-B2
Application number	US-202017610256-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2020
Priority date	Jun 28, 2019
Publication date	Mar 28, 2023
Grant date	Mar 28, 2023

Abstract

A distribution system for a vehicle seat The distribution system includes one or more plenums that each have a cap layer, a support layer, and an open space formed between the cap layer and the support layer. The support layer is a generally rigid material and the cap layer is a generally flexible material that is connected to the support layer. The open space includes one or more baffles that assist in directing fluid between a blower connected to the one or more plenums and one or more ventilation holes.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A distribution system comprising:
a plenum configured to connect a blower to a cushion of a vehicle seat, the plenum including: a cap layer, a support layer, and an open space formed between the cap layer and the support layer; the support layer is a generally rigid material and includes one or more ventilation holes and a blower connection feature for connecting the blower to the plenum, the cap layer is a generally flexible material that is connected to the support layer, the cap layer extends around a portion of the support layer,
wherein the open space includes one or more baffles that assist in directing fluid between the blower and the one or more ventilation holes.

2. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of baffles are arranged radially around the blower connection feature.

3. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more baffles comprise a plurality of baffles that are generally aligned in one or more generally linear rows that radially extend from the blower connection feature.

4. The distribution system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more ventilation holes are arranged along the one or more generally linear rows.

5. The distribution system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more generally linear rows are free of any ventilation holes.

6. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more baffles comprise a plurality of baffles, and some of the plurality of baffles are circular shaped and are disposed amongst one or more tear drop shaped baffles.

7. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more baffles comprise a plurality of baffles and some or all of the plurality of baffles have a size that is smaller than a size of the one or more ventilation holes.

8. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a plurality of ventilation holes, the plurality of ventilation holes are disposed generally symmetrically on the support layer about a center axis of the support layer and/or the plurality of ventilation holes are arranged along a periphery of the support layer.

9. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more baffles comprise a plurality of baffles and some of the plurality of baffles are two or more concentric circles.

10. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the cap layer is a fleece or fabric material, or the cap layer is made of polyester or polyethylene terephthalate.

11. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the cap layer is connected to the support layer by welding, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, or a combination thereof.

12. A vehicle seat comprising the distribution system according to claim 1 .

13. The distribution system according to claim 1 , wherein the cap layer has a connection wall and the support layer has a connection wall, and the connection wall of the cap layer is adjacent to or in contact with the connection wall of the support layer, wherein the connection wall of the cap layer is lip that extends away from a side wall of the cap layer.

14. The distribution system according to claim 13 , wherein the connection wall of the support layer is lip that extends away from a side wall of the cap layer.

15. The distribution system according to claim 14 , wherein the connection wall of the cap layer extends around a periphery of the cap layer and/or the connection wall of the support layer extends around a periphery of the support layer.

16. The distribution system according to claim 1 , wherein the plenum comprises a barrier layer between the support layer and the cap layer, the cap layer extends around a portion of the barrier layer.

17. The distribution system according to claim 16 , wherein the barrier layer has a connection wall, the cap layer has a connection wall, and the support layer has a connection wall, and the connection wall of the cap layer is in contact with the connection wall of the barrier layer.

18. The distribution system according to claim 17 , wherein the connection wall of the barrier layer is in contact with the connection wall of the support layer.

19. The distribution system according to claim 17 , wherein the connection wall of the barrier layer is lip that extends away from a side wall of the barrier layer and/or the connection wall of the cap layer is lip that extends away from a side wall of the cap layer and/or the connection wall of the support layer is lip that extends away from a side wall of the cap layer.

20. The distribution system according to claim 19 , wherein the connection wall of the barrier layer extends around a periphery of the barrier layer and/or the connection wall of the cap layer extends around a periphery of the cap layer and/or the connection wall of the support layer extends around a periphery of the support layer.

Assignees

• Gentherm Inc

Inventors

• Murgod Ajay
• Flores Gonzalez Ricardo Edmundo

Classifications

• B60N2/5657 Primary

  blown towards the seat surface · CPC title

• B60N2/5635

  coming from the passenger compartment · CPC title

• B60N2/5628 Primary

  coming from the vehicle ventilation system, e.g. air-conditioning system · CPC title

• A47C7/744

  with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps · CPC title

• B60N2/5642

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