IP Library Granted Patent US 12,337,737
Granted Patent B2
US 12,337,737 · App. 18/492,848 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Vehicle seat air distribution device

Inventors: Madalina Onica (Northville, MI); Zoran Panic (Windsor, CA); Ajay Murgod (Novi, MI)
Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
B60N2/5642
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,337,737
App. No.
18/492,848
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An air distribution device that includes a seat plate. The seat plate includes one or more cushion engaging features. The one or more cushion engaging features are configured to engage one or more corresponding plate engaging features provided on a seat cushion of a vehicle seat.

Claims (25)

1. An air distribution device for a vehicle seat comprising a cushion, the air distribution device comprising:

a seat plate that is configured to face a B-side of the cushion of the vehicle seat, the seat plate comprising a first area and a second area that extends at least partially around the first area, an aperture defined in the first area, wherein an air mover is configured to be in fluid communication with the aperture, and the seat plate comprises an adhesive that is arranged around a perimeter of the seat plate in at the second area and which extends around the first area, the adhesive is configured to connect the seat plate to the B-side of the cushion;

wherein the air distribution device comprises a spacer layer or one or more standoffs that is/are attached to the seat plate in the first area with a second adhesive.

2. The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the first area is recessed relative to the second area.

3. The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), a resin, a hot melt, an epoxy, hot glue, a spray adhesive, polyurethane, tape, double-sided tape, or a combination thereof.

4. The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the air mover is arranged along a central longitudinal axis of the seat plate.

5. The air distribution device according to claim 4 , wherein the adhesive step comprises a cover layer that is removed before the seat plate is connected to the B-side of the cushion.

6. The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the second adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), a resin, a hot melt, an epoxy, hot glue, a spray adhesive, polyurethane, tape, double-sided tape, or a combination thereof.

7. The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the second area is spaced apart from the B-surface of the cushion.

8. The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the air distribution device comprises a snap ring for connecting the air mover to the aperture.

9. The air distribution device according to claim 8 , wherein the air mover is arranged in an upper half of the seat plate, the upper half being separated from a lower half by a horizontal axis.

10. The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the seat plate comprises a central longitudinal axis, and the seat plate is substantially symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis.

11. The air distribution device according to claim 10 , wherein the air mover is arranged in an upper half of the seat plate, the upper half being separated from a lower half by a horizontal axis.

12. The air distribution device according to claim 11 , wherein the central longitudinal axis passes through the air mover.

13. The air distribution device according to claim 12 , wherein the air mover is configured to direct air into the second area and the second area entirely surrounds a perimeter of the first area.

14. A method of assembling the air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises removing a cover layer from the adhesive and then pressing the seat plate against the B-side of the cushion so that the adhesive connects the seat plate to the cushion.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the method comprises attaching the air mover to the seat plate before the removing step.

16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the method comprises attaching the air mover to the seat plate after the removing step.

17. An air distribution device for a vehicle seat comprising a cushion, the air distribution device comprising:

a seat plate that is configured to face a B-side of the cushion of the vehicle seat, the seat plate comprising a first area and a second area that extends at least partially around the first area, the first area is recessed relative to the second area,

an aperture defined in the first area,

an air mover in fluid communication with the aperture in the first area,

an adhesive that is arranged at the second area for connecting the seat plate to the B-side of the cushion,

a spacer layer arranged within the first area,

wherein the adhesive comprises a cover layer that is removed before the seat plate is connected to the B-side of the cushion; the seat plate comprises a central longitudinal axis, the seat plate is substantially symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis; the air mover is arranged in an upper half of the seat plate, the upper half being separated from a lower half by a horizontal axis.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2026
From: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 075854/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2023
From: ONICA, MADALINA; PANIC, ZORAN; MURGOD, AJAY
To: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 065325/0821 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17770113
Provisional Application 62951305 · Dec 20, 2019
Related Publication 20240051444A1 · Feb 15, 2024
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