Automotive vehicle seating comfort system

1. A ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle seat having a ventilated component selected from a seat component and a backrest component, at least one of which provides a seat cushion and an air permeable trim surface at occupant contact areas, wherein the seat cushion comprises one or more passageways;

a spacer material located beneath the trim surface;

a heater layer located between the spacer material and the trim surface;

a fluid mover in fluid communication with the spacer material, wherein the fluid mover is a blower configured to push air through the trim surface to an occupant;

at least one duct for providing the fluid communication between the spacer material and the fluid mover; and

a deflector member adjoining the spacer material that diverts the flow of fluid into a plurality of sub-passageways, wherein the sub-passageways are formed in the seat cushion and extend away from the passageway.

2. The ventilated seat of claim 1 , wherein the one or more passageways are formed in the material of the seat cushion.

3. The ventilated seat of claim 2 , wherein the one or more passageways are formed as channels on the underside of the seat cushion.

4. The ventilated seat of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of sub-passageways are formed as through holes in the seat cushion.

5. The ventilated seat of claim 4 , wherein the seat cushion, the passageway, the sub-passageways, or combinations thereof include an air impermeable lining or coating.

6. The ventilated seat of claim 5 , wherein the heater layer comprises a flexible, substantially flat heating element that allows air to pass thru it.

7. The ventilated seat of claim 6 , wherein an adhesive is used in a laminate comprised of the heater layer and the spacer material.

8. The ventilated seat of claim 7 , wherein the spacer material comprises a foam material or a polymeric strand material.

9. The ventilated seat of claim 8 , further comprising:

a temperature sensor; and

a control unit programmed to:

i) instruct the heater layer to turn on while the blower remains on if a first temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor;

ii) instruct the blower to turn off while the heater layer remains on if a second temperature below the first temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor;

iii) instruct the heater layer to remain on until the first temperature or a third temperature above the first temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor; or iv) provide a combination of instructions i) to iii).

10. A ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle seat having a ventilated component selected from a seat component and a backrest component, at least one of which provides a seat cushion and an air permeable trim surface at occupant contact areas;

a spacer material located beneath the trim surface;

a heater layer located between the spacer material and the trim surface;

a fluid mover in fluid communication with the spacer material, wherein the fluid mover is a blower configured to push air through the trim surface to an occupant;

at least one duct for providing the fluid communication between the spacer material and the fluid mover, wherein the duct is at least partially provided by the seat cushion and defines a passageway through the cushion; and

a deflector member adjoining the spacer material that diverts the flow of fluid into a plurality of sub-passageways, wherein the sub-passageways are formed as channels in an occupant side of the seat cushion and extend away from the passageway.

11. The ventilated seat of claim 10 , wherein the seat cushion, the passageway, the sub-passageways, or combinations thereof include an air impermeable coating.

12. The ventilated seat of claim 11 , wherein the heater layer comprises a flexible, substantially flat heating element that allows air to pass thru it.

13. The ventilated seat of claim 12 , wherein an adhesive is used in a laminate comprised of the heater layer and the spacer material.

14. The ventilated seat of claim 13 , wherein the spacer material comprises a foam material.

15. The ventilated seat of claim 13 , wherein the spacer material comprises a polymeric strand material.

16. The ventilated seat of claim 15 , wherein the laminate is open at its sides.

17. The ventilated seat of claim 15 , further comprising:

a temperature sensor; and

a control unit programmed to:

i) instruct the heater layer to turn on while the blower remains on if a first temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor;

ii) instruct the blower to turn off while the heater layer remains on if a second temperature below the first temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor

iii) instruct the heater layer to remain on until the first temperature or a third temperature above the first temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor; or

iv) provide a combination of instructions i) to iii).

18. The ventilated seat of claim 17 , wherein the control unit is further programmed to:

i) instruct the blower to turn on while the heater layer remains on if a fourth temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor;

ii) instruct the heater layer to turn off while the blower remains on if a fifth temperature above the fourth temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor;

iii) instruct the blower to remain on until the fourth temperature or a sixth temperature below the fourth temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor; or

iv) provide a combination of instructions i) to iii).

19. The ventilated seat of claim 15 , wherein the laminate is an edge sealed bag.

20. The ventilated seat of claim 13 wherein the blower is connected to a mounting surface with a snap fit connection.