EP2059412A2

EP2059412A2 - Air-conditioned seat

Info

Publication number: EP2059412A2
Application number: EP07785985A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tomas Barkow; Heinz Etzmuss; Hans-Georg Kaiser; Bernd Wilhelm; Harald Vogel; Adrian Sievers; Reinhard Müller
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG; Sitech Sitztechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG; Sitech Sitztechnik GmbH
Priority date: 2006-07-27
Filing date: 2007-07-11
Publication date: 2009-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-11
Also published as: DE102006035541A1; WO2008011984A9; JP2009544513A; US8388057B2; EP2059412B1; WO2008011984A3; CN101522467B; US20090322124A1; WO2008011984A2; CN101522467A

Abstract

The invention relates to an air-conditioned seat comprising a seat area (22) and a backrest (20). The seat area and/or the backrest are cushioned with foam (1). A fan (4), particularly a radial fan, is provided for air-conditioning. Said fan (4) is effectively connected to an air distribution device (5) in the foam of the seat area and/or the backrest. The air distribution device (5) encompasses an air distribution structure (6) on the side facing away from the seat occupant (side B) as well as air ducts (7) extending towards the side facing the seat occupant (side A). The fan (4) is disposed within the foam on side B. The air is conveyed to side A by the air distribution structure (4) in the form of air conduits (8) that are introduced into the foam on side B and by the air ducts (7).

Description

description

Air-conditioned seat

The invention relates to an air-conditioned seat according to the preamble of claim 1

Such an air-conditioned seat is known from DE 202 19 733 U1 In this seat, an air, for example a radial air, below the seat - spaced from this - arranged over a passage area below the seat air is transported in a Luftverteileinnchtung in the seat cushion, the an air distribution structure on the underside of the seat, Luftfuhrungskanale and Luftaustrittsoffnungen on the top of the seat comprises

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to develop such an air-conditioned seat

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1 or those of claim 22

Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims

The invention is based on the idea of arranging both the air distributor device and the fan itself in the foam material. In this way, the radial airfoil can be arranged so as to be anti-vibration by being fixed in the upholstery foam. This also has the advantage that the components mentioned in the prior art, as passage areas and Fordergehause between the external radial fan and the seat cushion, can be saved

The radial air freshener arranged in the foam is in direct operative connection with an air distributor structure in the form of air trenches or air ducts introduced into the foam

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figure

1 shows a cross section through a seat or backrest cushion of a seat with inventively arranged radial air, FIG. 2 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 with a spacer fabric on the A side;

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 with a spacer fabric on the B side;

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 using a 2-zone foam;

Figure 5 shows the arrangement of Figure 1 using a Fixierungsschaums for

Fan glued on the foam;

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 using air trenches on the A side;

Figure 7 shows the arrangement of Figure 1 using Schnittschaumauflagen with

Recesses forming the air trenches on the A side;

FIG. 8 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 using air trenches on the A side and an arrangement such that the air is returned to the B side (backwashing);

FIG. 9 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 using flake composite foam in the air distribution device;

Figure 10 shows the arrangement of Figure 1 using sprayable harder material / rubber skin in the air trenches;

Figure 11 is an illustration of an air distribution structure having a circular air trench;

Figure 12 is a representation of a B-side of a backrest with integrated in the backrest foam fan and air distribution structure;

Figure 13 is an illustration of a star-shaped air distribution structure on the B side of a seat cushion;

Figure 14 is a view of Figure 1, with filing trenches are used as air ducts; Figure 15 is a view of Figure 14 with a perforated Abheftgraben;

FIG. 16 shows a first special shape for stabilizing an air trench;

FIG. 17 shows a second special design for stabilizing an air trench;

FIG. 18 shows a mounting solution "buttonhole solution" in a sectional representation (lower illustration) and a lower view (upper illustration) in a first embodiment;

Figure 19 is an assembly solution in a bottom view in a second embodiment;

FIG. 20 shows an assembly solution in a bottom view in a third embodiment;

Figure 21 is an assembly solution in a bottom view in a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 22 shows a first fastening solution of a fan in the cavity provided for this purpose in a plan view with resilient retaining elements;

Figure 23 shows the first mounting solution of a fan in the space provided for this purpose in a sectional view of a fan with resilient retaining elements;

Figure 24 shows a second mounting solution of a fan in the space provided in a plan view with rigid support members and Figure 25, the second mounting solution of a fan in the space provided in a sectional view with rigid support members.

FIG. 1 shows, on the basis of a cross-section, the construction of a backrest or a seat part 22, wherein the upholstery foam 1 is delimited by a fleece 2 on the side facing away from the seated person (which is referred to below as B-side). On the seated side (hereinafter referred to as A side), the foam is covered by a cover 3. For active ventilation, a radial fan 4 is provided, which is arranged vibration-damped in the foam itself and that on the B side. The seat surface or the backrest furthermore have an air distribution device 5, which here has an air distributor structure 6 and air ducts 7 arranged transversely thereto. The air distribution structure 6 consists of directly introduced into the foam air trenches 8 or Air channels that extend along the B side and not from a spacer fabric layer. Air is thus sucked by the radial fan 4 in the foam, then distributed over the seat cushion or backrest cushion by the air trenches 8 of the air distribution structure 6 and then transported via the air ducts 7 on the A side of the seat part (see arrow).

The inventively proposed seat can be equipped in principle without spacer knitted fabric and thus without a separate air-permeable layer. The air-conducting channels 7 and trenches 8 are integrated into the foam cushion.

But it is also possible to use spacer knitted fabric. These can then be arranged both on the A- and on the B-side of the backrest or the seat part 22. Figure 2 shows the arrangement of a spacer fabric 9 or the rubber hair between the foam 1 and the cover 3 on the A-side. Alternatively or additionally, the spacer fabric 9 or rubber hair can be arranged on the B side, namely within the air trenches 8 of the air distribution structure 6 (FIG. 3).

So that the air trenches 8 on the B side are not compressed when they are loaded by the seated person and impeded in their operation, the upholstery foam is formed from a 2-zone foam 10 (see FIG. 4). The A side is formed with a softer foam, while the B side is formed of a harder foam, thus stabilizing the air trenches 8. The zone boundary 11 between the lower harder foam and the upper softer foam extends above the air trenches 8. In this way, the radial fan 4 is stabilized and protected against stress.

FIG. 5 also shows that such a stabilization or fixation of the radial fan 4 is also achieved by a separate foam zone or foam layer 12 which is applied, preferably glued, to the upholstery foam in the vicinity of the fan. This separate foam thus holds the fan.

An air distribution structure with air trenches can also be introduced in the A side of the upholstery foam in addition to the B side (FIG. 6). There are next to the air ducts 7 on the A-side adjoining air trenches 13 introduced into the foam 1, for example by milling. The air can then be delivered to larger distribution areas on the A side Such larger air outlet areas on the A-side or air trenches 13 on the A-side can also be formed by separate cut foam pads 14. These are prepared with corresponding cuts or recesses 15 of the later air trenches 13 or distributor structures and arranged between the foam and the cover on the A side (FIG. 7).

If these air trenches 13 are formed on the A-side so that they are in operative connection with two air ducts 7, an air-guiding device 5 with back-flushing can also be achieved. Air flows out of the fan through an air trench 8 on the B side, through a first air duct 7, then through an air trench 13 on the A side and back through a second air duct 7 which ends directly on the B side (FIG ).

FIGS. 9 and 10 show further possibilities of stabilizing the air trenches 8.

According to the variant according to FIG. 9, the inside of the air trenches 8 is formed with a composite flock foam 16, which stabilizes as a harder material.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 10, in which the inside of the air trench 8 is strengthened against stress with the aid of a sprayable, harder material. This adhesive 17 may be a rubber skin.

Finally, FIGS. 16 and 17 show further possibilities for stabilizing the air trenches 8 and / or 13. The stabilization of the shape of the air trenches 8 and / or 13 by optimizing the load distribution or the force distribution on the air trench 8 and / or 13 is thereby a special shapes 26, 27 of the air trenches 8 and / or 13 achieved.

According to FIG. 16, in a first special shaping 26, oblique walls are formed, which are formed with an arcuate termination in the direction of the seated end (A-side).

According to FIG. 17, 27 parabolic walls are executed in a second special shaping, wherein the closed region of the parabola is again designed in the direction of the seated end (A-side). A load on the air trenches 8 and / or 13 results in this shaping 26, 27 to a smaller change in the cross section of the air trenches 8 and / or 13, so that the desired, predefined flow conditions are maintained substantially.

Furthermore, in both cases, the danger of pushing through or slipping through in the area of the air trenches 8 and / or 13 is reduced, since these have a higher stability.

It may be advantageous to create a suction effect via the air distribution structure 6, as shown with the aid of FIG. 11. This structure has an overall circular shape and allows a circulating flow. Air is blown by the arranged on one side fan 4 in the manifold structure and is returned to the Einblaspunkt again, in which case the suction effect arises. Along the ring distributor structure, the air ducts 7, which extend essentially transversely to it, are arranged to the A-side in order to transport the air to the A-side.

FIG. 12 shows another example of an air distributor structure 6 -in this case in a backrest foam. There are two radial fans 4 and two air distribution structures 6 per backrest 20. The air flows on the left side via a main Hauptverteilerarm 18 and two side arms 19 along the B side of the backrest 20 and via this in the transverse air ducts 7. On the right side, a pattern with two main distribution arms 21 is shown.

With the help of the proposed air distribution structure 6 and the air trenches 8 on the B side of a foam cushion, it is possible to design any distribution pattern that also accommodates the comfort requirements of the sitter at the individual body sites. For example, it may make sense to cool the kidney parts less strongly or other parts of the body more selectively. Such a pattern is shown in FIG. In the B-side of a seat cushion or seat part 22 star-shaped diverging air trenches 8 are introduced into the foam material. These are supplied by a radial fan 4, which is arranged at an end point of an air trench 8. Two air trenches 8 can be pulled out into the leg areas.

As just described, are used to transport the air air ducts 7, which extend from the B to the A side. For this transport and the Abheftgräben 23 can be used, which is for locking the cover or the reference lug 24 in Foam cushion available. Such an embodiment is shown with the aid of FIG. In a further development of this embodiment, the reference lugs 25 may be perforated or perforated themselves and thus also extend transversely through an air trench 8 at the B side. This has the advantage that an air trench 8 can extend below a filing trench 23, which increases the variability of the patterns in the air distribution structures.

Finally, the invention includes a sucking fan 4, which is attached to the foam or arranged in the foam. In this way, with the help of the introduced into the cushion air distribution structure 6 and the air ducts 7, a cooling effect at the seated or a moisture removal (not shown).

Figures 18 to 25 show a simple installation and alternative additional mounting solutions of the fan 4 in the foam, especially in the separately provided for the fan 4 foam zone 12, embedded in the previous description of the fan 4 according to the possible embodiment described for Figure 5 and is fixed. On the basis of the sectional view (bottom view) and a bottom view (top view) of Figure 18, the mounting solution "buttonhole solution" of a first embodiment will be explained first.

According to the lower illustration, the fan 4 must be introduced into the cavity 31 of the foam, in particular the separately provided fixing layer, which is designed in particular as a foam zone 12.

However, the underside (B side) of a seat or backrest is already provided with the fleece 2 during the production process. For assembly purposes, the nonwoven fabric 2 according to the first embodiment of FIG. 18 is provided with cutouts 28 in the manner of a buttonhole - "buttonhole solution" - extending from a mounting opening 30, the "buttonhole", orthogonal to the mounting axis of the fan 4.

The length of the incisions 28 depends on the flexibility of the fleece 2 used.

After installation, the fleece 2 covers the fan 4 in overlaps 35, so that this results in additional support for the fan 4 Preferably, the cavity 31 in the foam zone 12 has already been produced according to the contour of the fan 4, so that the fan 4 actually only needs to be "threaded" or "buttoned" during assembly by the fleece 2.

FIG. 19 shows, analogously to the upper illustration of FIG. 18, a similar solution in a second embodiment, whereby cutouts 32 are made instead of corresponding cuts. This second, also shown in a bottom view second embodiment lends itself to less flexible nonwoven materials. As shown, other overlap areas 35 result.

Furthermore, FIGS. 20 and 21 each show, in a bottom view, a third and fourth embodiment in which incisions 28 or recesses 32 in the fleece 2 are dispensed with and the overlapping regions 35 between fleece 2 and fan 4 are formed by the "buttonhole" 30 Thus, the mounting opening through the web 2 is no longer round, but according to Figure 20 oval or slightly different from a round shape according to Figure 21 is formed.

This solution results in the overlapping 35 shown in Figure 20 or 21, whereby a fan 4 is held in addition to the measures described by the web 2 in the cavity 31 and its installation is particularly easy to carry out.

In order to ensure a further fixation of the fan 4 in the foam 1 or according to the described embodiments in a foam zone 12 - a separate fixation layer - Figures 22 and 23 show a first attachment solution with resilient support members 36 which in Figure 22 in a plan view of a Fan and are shown in Figure 23 in a side view of the fan.

After the described assembly of the fan 4 and "threading" or "buttoning" of the fan 4 in the space provided for 31, the resilient holding element in a kind of barb fixation of the fan reaches 4. Prerequisite is, of course, the foam zone 12 of their dimensions and their Contour ago to the fan 4 has already been adapted in advance, so that the resilient holding elements 36 are pressed down accordingly during assembly to the fan 4 and, as soon as the fan 4 has taken its desired position, resiliently supported on the foam zone 12. The situation is similar with a second fastening solution according to FIG. 24 and according to FIG. 25, which in turn represents a plan view of a fan 4 or a section through a fan 4. These are not resilient retaining elements 36, but to rigid support members 37, which actually barb-like in the foam zone 12, which is not shown in Figures 22 - 25, hook, which is clear according to Figure 25, that also several holding elements 37 can be arranged. Of course, the possible multiple arrangement also applies to the resilient holding elements 36 according to FIGS. 22, 23.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(Cushion) foam

fleece

reference

(Radial) -fan

Air distribution device

Air distribution structure

Air ducts

Ditch (on B side)

spacer

2-zone foam

Zone boundary separate fixation layer for fans [foam zone]

Ditch on A-side

Cut foam pad

recess

Flake composite foam

Spray adhesive / rubber skin

Hauptverteilerarm

sidearm

rest

distributor

Seat or seat part

Abheftgraben

Reference flag Perforated reference flag First shaping Second shaping

Fleece cutout - cuts -

contour

Mounting hole "buttonhole"

cavity Fleece cutout - cut-outs - fleece cut-out - oval - fleece cutout - almost round - overlapping, overlapping areas resilient holding elements rigid holding elements

Claims

claims

1. Air-conditioned seat with a seat surface (22) and a backrest (20), wherein the seat surface (22) and / or the backrest (20) with foam (1) are upholstered, and with a fan (4), which with a Air distribution device (5) in the foam (1) of the seat and / or the back is in operative connection, wherein the air distribution device (5) an air distribution structure (6) on the side facing away from the seat side (B side) and air ducts (7) for Seated facing side (A-side) comprises, characterized in that the fan (4), in particular a radial fan, in the foam (1) itself is arranged on the B side and the air through the air distribution structure (6) in the form of the B-side is transported in the foam introduced air trenches (8) and through the air ducts (7) to the A-side.

2. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan (4) is arranged fixed in the foam (1).

3. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the A side between the foam (1) and a seat surrounding the seat to the outside (3) an air-permeable material is arranged.

4. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the B side between the foam (1) and a layer surrounding the foam, in particular a non-woven layer, an air-permeable material is arranged.

5. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the air-permeable material is a spacer knitted fabric (9) or rubber hair or a regulated foam.

6. Air-conditioned seat according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the foam padding comprises various foam zones.

7. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the fan (4) is embedded in a separate foam zone (12) which fixes the fan (4).

8. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a foam of harder consistency extending at least along the B-side facing air distribution structure for their stabilization.

9. Air-conditioned seat according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, at the end of the air ducts (7) extending transversely through the foam are in turn arranged transversely extending air trenches (13) to the A side.

10. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 9, characterized in that the zone comprising the air trenches is formed by a separate cut foam pad (14), said pad corresponding recesses (15) which are in operative connection with the opening air ducts (7).

11. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the air trenches (13) are connected on the A side in such a way with corresponding air ducts (7), that air from the fan (4) to the A side, then by a Air trench (13) along the A-side and from there back to the B-side for backwashing is transported.

12. Air-conditioned seat according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the inside of the air distribution device (5) is stabilized by a Flockenverbundschaum (16).

13. Air-conditioned seat according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the inside of the air distribution device (5) by a sprayed harder material, in particular rubber skin or spray adhesive (17) is stabilized.

14. Air-conditioned seat according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that one or more air ducts (7) are formed by a Abheftgraben (23) through which a reference lug (24) for the purpose of locking the cover (3) on the upholstery foam (1 ) runs.

15. An air-conditioned seat according to claim 14, characterized in that the reference lug (25) extends along the Abheftgrabens (23) and through an extending transversely to the Abheftgraben air trench (8) on the B side and locked on the B side and that the reference lug (25) has at least one perforation in the area of the air trench to ensure air flow through the air trench.

16. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 15, characterized in that the reference lug (25) consists of a mesh fabric.

17. Air-conditioned seat according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the air distribution device (5) comprises an annular channel structure which allows a circulating flow.

18. Air-conditioned seat according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the air distribution structure (5) is formed substantially star-shaped.

19. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 1 or 1 and 9, characterized in that the air trenches (8) on the B side and / or the air trenches (13) on the A side of the air distribution structure (6) can be stabilized by a special, first or second shaping (26, 27).

20. Air-conditioned seat according to 1, characterized in that the upholstery foam 1 of the backrest and / or the seat part on the side facing away from the seated side (B-side) is bounded by a non-woven 2, which has a mounting opening (30) with a cavity (31), the installation location of the fan (4) forms overlapping areas (35), wherein the flexibility of the mounting hole (30) for installation of the fan (4) for larger overlapping areas (35) by fleece cutouts with notches (28) or recesses ( 32) or with smaller overlapping areas (35) by fleece cutouts (33, 34) can be produced with special shapes.

21. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 2 or 7, characterized in that the fan in the foam (1) or in a separate fixing layer (12) (foam zone) by at least one fan arranged on the resilient or rigid retaining element (36, 37) is fixable.

22. An air-conditioned seat having a seat surface and a backrest, wherein the seat surface and / or the backrest are upholstered with foam, and with a fan which is in operative connection with an air distribution device in the foam of the seat surface and / or the backrest, wherein the air distribution device an air distribution structure on the side facing away from the sitting person (B side) and air ducts to the seat side facing (A side), characterized in that the fan acts suction and the air is transported from the A side to the B side.

23. Air-conditioned seat according to claim 22, characterized by at least one of the features according to claim 2 to 21.