Flexible plenum with rigidification features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021339661-A1
Application number	US-201917283595-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 26, 2019
Priority date	Dec 6, 2018
Publication date	Nov 4, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

An air distribution system that includes a plenum. The plenum has a top layer having one or more top layer corrugations; a bottom layer having one or more bottom layer corrugations; and an open space formed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are spaced apart and oppose one another, and when the plenum flexes, the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations.

First claim

1 ) An air distribution system comprising:
a plenum comprising:
a. a top layer having one or more top layer corrugations;
b. a bottom layer having one or more bottom layer corrugations; and
c. an open space formed between the top layer and the bottom layer;
wherein the one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are spaced apart and oppose one another, and when the plenum flexes, the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations.

2 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more top layer corrugations, the one or more bottom layer corrugations, or both are substantially U-shaped, triangular, trapezoidal, octagonal, pointed edge, rounded edge, have a flat surface, terminate at a point, or a combination thereof.

3 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more top layer corrugations, the one or more bottom layer corrugations, or both are flexible and allow the one or more plenums to curve around a cushion, a bolster, or both.

4 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more top layer corrugations, the one or more bottom layer corrugations, or both are more rigid than the top layer, the bottom layer, or both so that when the one or more plenums flex the top layer, the bottom layer, or both move the one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations into contact with each other.

5 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more top layer corrugations, the one or more bottom layer corrugations, or both maintain a substantial U-shape, triangle, trapezoid, octagon, pointed edge, rounded edge, or a combination thereof when the top layer, the bottom layer, or both flex.

6 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more top layer corrugations, the one or more bottom layer corrugations, or both are a suspension corrugation or a support corrugation that mate when the top layer, the bottom, layer, or both flex.

7 ) The air distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the top layer includes the suspension corrugation and the bottom layer includes the support corrugation, and during the flexing of the top layer, the bottom layer, or both, the suspension corrugation is movable along the support corrugation and the support corrugation maintains support as the top layer, the bottom layer, or both flex.

8 ) The air distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the suspension corrugation terminates at a point and the support corrugation has a planar surface.

9 ) The air distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the top layer includes the one or more support corrugations and the bottom layer includes the one or more suspension corrugations.

10 ) The air distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more support corrugations are planar, and the one or more support corrugations on the top layer and the one or more support corrugations on the bottom layer are mirror images of each other; and
wherein the one or more support corrugations on the top layer and the one or more support corrugations on the bottom layer come into contact with each other when the top layer, the bottom layer, or both flex.

11 ) The air distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more suspension corrugations terminate at a point and the one or more suspension corrugations on the top layer and the one or more suspension corrugations on the bottom layer are mirror images of each other; and
wherein the one or more suspension corrugations on the top layer and the one or more suspension corrugations on the bottom layer come into contact with each other when the top layer, the bottom layer, or both flex.

12 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein when the one or more corrugations of the top layer and the one or more corrugations of the bottom layer are in contact with each other, the one or more corrugations form a plurality of baffles; and
wherein the plurality of baffles form one or more channels inside the open space.

13 ) The air distribution system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of baffles have a shape that is straight, linear, free of curved portions, free of concave portions, free of sharp angles, or any combination thereof.

14 ) The air distribution system of claim 12 , wherein the top layer and the bottom layer each include a longitudinal axis and the bottom layer includes a connection recess and a terminal edge that are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis;
wherein the connection recess connects to a blower; and wherein the terminal edge is a farthest edge of the plenum from the connection recess.

15 ) The air distribution system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more channels, the plurality of baffles, the one or more corrugations of the top layer, and the one or more corrugations of the bottom layer have a beginning end substantially near the connection recess and a terminal end at the terminal edge; and
wherein the one or more channels, the plurality of baffles, the one or more corrugations of the top layer, and the one or more corrugations of the bottom layer are substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis.

16 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the top layer includes one or more ventilation holes that are located between the one or more corrugations of the top layer and within the one or more channels.

17 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one of more corrugations of the top layer and the one or more corrugations of the bottom layer maintain the open space between the one or more ventilation holes and the connection recess.

18 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more corrugations on the top layer and the one or more corrugations on the bottom layer stack or mate together.

19 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the plenum includes one or more peripheries and the top layer, the bottom layer, and a connection layer attach only at the one or more peripheries so that the open space is maintained between the top layer and the bottom layer.

20 ) The air distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more corrugations of the top layer contact the one or more corrugations of the bottom layer to maintain the open space.

Assignees

• Gentherm Inc

Inventors

• Pacilli Chad Vincent
• Kauffman Iii Wayne Swoyer

Classifications

• B60N2/5642 Primary

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

• B60N2/5664 Primary

  with unforced air circulation, i.e. not using a fan or the like · CPC title