IP Library Granted Patent US 10,513,163
Granted Patent B2
US 10,513,163 · App. 16/057,891 · Granted Dec 24, 2019

Vehicle headrest thermal conditioner

Inventor: David Scott Thomas (Royal Oak, MI)
Assignee: Gentherm Inc.
B60H1/00478B60N2/5635B60N2/5657B60N2/5671B60N2/5678B60N2/5692B60N2/80B60N2002/899
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,513,163
App. No.
16/057,891
Granted
Dec 24, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A seat thermal conditioning device includes a seat portion having a vent configured to provide conditioned air to a seat occupant neck area. A thermoelectric module is arranged in the seat portion. The thermoelectric module is configured to both heat and cool an air supply to provide the conditioned air.

Claims (16)

1. A seat air moving device comprising:

a seat portion that includes a vent configured to provide air to a seat occupant neck area, the seat portion including an aesthetic cover that provides an occupant support surface; and

an air moving device configured to supply air, wherein the air moving device includes a housing that retains the aesthetic cover and provides the vent, the housing provides a passage including a fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, and the first fluid outlet corresponds to the vent located in the occupant support surface and configured to provide the air to the seat occupant neck area.

2. The seat air moving device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing provides a second fluid outlet, and the first fluid outlet provides the vent.

3. The seat air moving device according to claim 2 , wherein a thermoelectric module is arranged in the passage between the fluid inlet and the first and second fluid outlets and configured to condition the air.

4. The seat air moving device according to claim 2 , wherein the air moving device moves air from the fluid inlet through the thermoelectric module to the first and second fluid outlets.

5. The seat air moving device according to claim 3 , wherein the first fluid outlet provides conditioned air to the seat occupant neck area, and the second fluid outlet is located in an area remote from the occupant support surface and configured to direct a waste air from the thermoelectric module away from the seat occupant neck area.

6. The seat air moving device according to claim 3 , wherein the seat portion includes a core and a cushion member arranged about the core, the thermoelectric module is supported relative to the core, and an aesthetic cover wrapped about the core, the cushion member and the device.

7. A device for a climate controlled seat comprising:

a housing that provides a passage including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;

an air moving device located in the housing and configured to move fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet;

wherein the fluid outlet is configured to be located at an occupant support surface and configured to provide air to a seat occupant neck area, wherein the fluid outlet includes a vent slidably received within the housing and is configured to retain an aesthetic cover between the vent and the housing.

8. The air moving device according to claim 7 , wherein the passage is L-shaped, and the air moving device is arranged at one end of the passage.

9. The air moving device according to claim 8 , wherein the fluid outlet is a first fluid outlet, and comprising a thermoelectric module arranged in the passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and a second fluid outlet that is provided by laterally spaced apart exhaust vents that include dividers canted aftward and are configured to direct a waste air laterally and rearward away from the first fluid outlet.

10. The air moving device according to claim 8 , wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are fluidly connected by an elbow that is bent at an acute angle.

11. The air moving device according to claim 9 , wherein the housing is provided by first and second housing portions that separate the first and second fluid outlets from one another.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2022
From: THOMAS, DAVID SCOTT
To: GENTHERM INC.
Reel/Frame 061024/0094 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 28, 2019
From: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049627/0311 →