IP Library Granted Patent US 7,100,978
Granted Patent B2
US 7,100,978 · App. 11/033,329 · Granted Sep 5, 2006

Ventilated seat

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,100,978
App. No.
11/033,329
Granted
Sep 5, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ventilated vehicle seat includes a porous upper surface layer, a resinous film non-porous first layer, a non-porous second layer, and a spacer layer. The resinous film non-porous first layer is beneath the upper surface layer and includes ventilation holes. The spacer layer is between the non-porous layers for providing cushioning and for ensuring airflow in lateral, longitudinal and perpendicular directions, even when the seat is occupied. The spacer layer is fixed in position between the first layer and the second layer for preventing slipping of the spacer layer.

Claims (34)

1. A ventilated vehicle seat comprising:

a porous upper surface layer;

a resinous film non-porous first layer beneath the upper surface layer and including ventilation holes;

a non-porous second layer;

a spacer layer between the non-porous layers for providing cushioning and for ensuring airflow in lateral, longitudinal and perpendicular directions, even when the seat is occupied; and

a tacky layer between the spacer layer and one of the first layer and the second layer;

wherein the tacky layer restricts movement of the spacer layer relative to the one of the first layer and the second layer and wherein the spacer layer is fixed in position between the first layer and the second layer for preventing slipping of the spacer layer.

2. The ventilated seat of claim 1 , wherein the resinous film of the first layer surrounds each of the ventilation holes.

3. The ventilated seat of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a foam layer laminated to a continuous resin film layer.

4. The ventilated seat of claim 1 further comprising a tongue extending from the first layer and the second layer, the tongue comprising an opening providing access to the spacer layer.

5. The ventilated seat of claim 1 further comprising an air mover in fluid communication with the spacer layer and the ventilation holes of the first layer.

6. A ventilated vehicle seat comprising:

a porous upper surface layer;

a non-porous first layer beneath the upper surface layer and including ventilation holes;

a non-porous second layer including an opening;

a spacer layer that includes a plurality of semi-rigid threads between the non-porous layers for providing cushioning and for defining an airspace for ensuring airflow in lateral, longitudinal and perpendicular directions, even when the seat is occupied; and

a fan coupled to the airspace with a non-air permeable seal via the opening;

wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise a seat portion and a tongue portion extending from the seat portion; and

wherein the seat portion is adjacent a first side of the seat and the tongue portion extends from the seat portion to a second side of the seat.

7. The ventilated seat of claim 6 , wherein the spacer layer is fixed in position between the first layer and the second layer for restricting movement of the spacer layer relative to at least one of the first layer and the second layer.

8. The ventilated seat of claim 6 , wherein the second side of the seat is opposite the first side of the seat.

9. The ventilated seat of claim 6 , wherein the first layer comprises a resin film layer.

10. The ventilated seat of claim 9 , wherein the first layer comprises a foam layer laminated to the resin film layer.

11. A ventilated vehicle seat comprising:

a porous upper surface layer;

a resinous film non-porous first layer adjacent to the upper surface layer and including ventilation holes;

a non-porous second layer;

a spacer layer that includes a plurality of semi-rigid threads between the non-porous layers for providing cushioning and for defining an airspace for ensuring airflow in lateral, longitudinal and perpendicular directions, even when the seat is occupied;

wherein the first layer, the second layer and the spacer layer are confined within a bag including an opening in fluid communication with the airspace;

a fan surrounded by a sound absorbing material and being coupled to the airspace with a non-air permeable seal via the opening; and

a tacky layer between the spacer layer and one of the first layer and the second layer;

wherein the tacky layer restricts movement of the spacer layer relative to the one of the first layer and the second layer and wherein the spacer layer is fixed in position between the first layer and the second layer for preventing slipping of the spacer layer.

12. The ventilated seat of claim 11 further comprising a tongue supporting the fan.

13. The ventilated seat of claim 12 , wherein the tongue extends from the first layer and the second layer and wherein the fan is coupled to the tongue to permit the fan to be spaced apart from the first layer and the second layer.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2015
From: EKERN, DAVID F.; BEDRO, RONALD G.
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 035709/0049 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 26, 2015
From: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AG
To: GENTHERM GMBH
Reel/Frame 035807/0600 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2008
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
To: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, AG
Reel/Frame 021489/0955 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2005
From: EKERN, DAVID F.; BEDRO, RONALD G.
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 016531/0005 →