Heat transfer system for a therapy device

Inventors: David Hale (Southfield, MI); Joshua Hallock (Warren, MI); Vyachislav Ivanov (West Bloomfield, MI); Samuel Blair (Troy, MI)

Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION

A61F7/0085 A61F7/0053 F25B21/04 A61F2007/0075

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12661256
App. No.: 18/087,850
Granted: Jun 23, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A system is provided with a thermoelectric device with a first heat transfer surface and a second heat transfer surface adapted for cooperation with a therapy device such that the first heat transfer surface is spaced apart from a contact surface of the therapy device to transfer heat to or from the contact surface. A fluid heat transfer system is in fluid communication with the thermoelectric device to transfer heat to or from the thermoelectric device.

Claims (36)

1 . A system comprising: a thermoelectric device with a first heat transfer surface and a second heat transfer surface adapted for cooperation with a therapy device such that the first heat transfer surface is spaced apart from a contact surface of the therapy device to transfer heat to or from the contact surface; a fluid reservoir mounted directly to the first heat transfer surface, wherein the fluid reservoir retains the fluid; and a fluid heat transfer system in fluid communication with the thermoelectric device to transfer heat to or from the thermoelectric device.

2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid heat transfer system is further defined as a first fluid heat transfer system in fluid communication with the first heat transfer surface to transfer heat to or from the contact surface of the therapy device.

3 . The system of claim 2 further comprising a second fluid heat transfer system in fluid communication with the second heat transfer surface to transfer heat to or from the second heat transfer surface.

4 . The system of claim 3 wherein the second fluid heat transfer system further comprises a heat exchanger to convey heat to or from the second heat transfer surface.

5 . The system of claim 4 further comprising conductive pipes in conductive contact with the heat exchanger and the second heat transfer surface.

6 . The system of claim 1 further comprising tubing in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the therapy device to space the thermoelectric device away from the therapy device.

7 . The system of claim 6 further comprising insulation disposed about the tubing.

8 . The system of claim 6 further comprising a bladder in fluid communication with the tubing, wherein the bladder comprises the contact surface.

9 . The system of claim 8 wherein the bladder is sized to be oriented within a seat assembly.

10 . A seat assembly comprising:

a seat bottom;

a seat back; and

the system of claim 9 .

11 . The system of claim 8 wherein the bladder is further defined as a sleeve.

12 . The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid heat transfer system further comprises a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the contact surface.

13 . The system of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric device further comprises a material with a high electrical conductivity, a low thermal conductivity, and a temperature difference across the material in response to an induced thermoelectric voltage across the material.

14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the material of the thermoelectric device further comprises a conductive silicone or graphite.

15 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a power source in electrical communication with the thermoelectric device to cool the first heat transfer surface.

16 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a power source in electrical communication with the thermoelectric device to heat the first heat transfer surface.

17 . The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid heat transfer system further comprises a thermally conductive liquid.

18 . The system of claim 1 including:

at least one heat exchanger;

a plurality of conductive pipes having first ends in conductive contact with the second heat transfer surface and having second ends in conductive contact with the at least one heat exchanger.

19 . A method comprising: mounting a reservoir directly to a first heat transfer surface of a thermoelectric device that has a second heat transfer surface opposite of the first heat transfer surface, wherein the fluid reservoir retains the fluid;

pumping the liquid along the first heat transfer surface; and

pumping the liquid through a therapy device with a contact surface, spaced apart from the thermoelectric device.

20 . The method of claim 19 including conductively contacting first ends of a plurality of conductive pipes with the second heat transfer surface and conductively contacting second ends of the plurality of conductive pipes to at least one heat exchanger.

21 . A system comprising:

a therapy device with a contact surface:

a thermoelectric device with a first heat transfer surface and a second heat transfer surface;

a fluid reservoir directly mounted to the first heat transfer surface, wherein the fluid reservoir retains the fluid;

tubing in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the therapy device to space the thermoelectric device away from the therapy device; and

a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the contact surface.

22 . The system of claim 21 including:

at least one heat exchanger;

a plurality of conductive pipes having first ends in conductive contact with the second heat transfer surface and having second ends in conductive contact with the at least one heat exchanger.