GB2429404A - Vehicle seat cushion with air plenum - Google Patents

Vehicle seat cushion with air plenum Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2429404A
GB2429404A GB0616110A GB0616110A GB2429404A GB 2429404 A GB2429404 A GB 2429404A GB 0616110 A GB0616110 A GB 0616110A GB 0616110 A GB0616110 A GB 0616110A GB 2429404 A GB2429404 A GB 2429404A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
air plenum
air
plenum member
seat assembly
seat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0616110A
Other versions
GB2429404B (en
GB0616110D0 (en
Inventor
Matthew Zuzga
Philip W Leistra
Robert G Karbowski
Samuel R Hanlon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lear Corp
Original Assignee
Lear Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lear Corp filed Critical Lear Corp
Publication of GB0616110D0 publication Critical patent/GB0616110D0/en
Publication of GB2429404A publication Critical patent/GB2429404A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2429404B publication Critical patent/GB2429404B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/56Heating or ventilating devices
    • B60N2/5607Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection
    • B60N2/5621Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/56Heating or ventilating devices
    • B60N2/5607Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection
    • B60N2/5621Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air
    • B60N2/5657Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air blown towards the seat surface

Abstract

A seat assembly (10) includes a seat cushion (20) having a recess (24), and an air plenum member (16) disposed in the recess (24) for routing air through at least a portion of the seat cushion (20). The air plenum member (16) has a first portion (36) that comprises foam, and a second portion (38) that is attached to the first portion (36) and that comprises a polyolefin sheet. The seat assembly (10) further includes a cover layer (22) coveting the air plenum member (16) and the seat cushion (20). The second portion may be polypropylene fibres or a film. Air may be forced up through the plenum via a fan (41 fig 3). An air plenum may be fitted to the seat backrest (14).

Description

SEAT ASSEMBLY HAVING AN AIR PLENUM MEMBER
The invention relates to a seat assembly having an air plenum member, and to a method of making such a seat assembly.
A seat assembly may be provided with an air distribution system for routing air through the seat assembly. For example, one known seat assembly includes an air plenum positioned in a foam seat cushion. The air plenum has a top polyester scrim layer adhesively attached to a bottom foam base. The scrim layer includes a polyester mesh attached to a polyester film, and adhesive material for attaching the scrim layer to the foam base. The scrim layer further has multiple apertures for allowing air to pass through the scrim layer.
It is however desirable to provide an improved and/or alternative arrangement which addresses problems with prior arrangements and/or more generally which offers improvements or an alternative.
According to the present invention there is therefore provided a seat assembly, and a method of making a seat assembly, as described in the accompanying claims.
In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a seat assembly for use with a motor vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a recess, and an air plenum member disposed in the recess for routing air through at least a portion of the seat cushion. The air plenum member has a first portion that comprises foam, and a second portion that is attached to the first portion and that comprises a polyolefin sheet. The seat assembly further includes a cover layer covering the air plenum member and the seat cushion.
In another embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a recess, and an air plenum member disposed in the recess for routing air through at least a portion of the seat cushion. The air plenum member has a first portion that comprises foam, and a second portion that comprises a plastic sheet heat staked to the first portion such that the second portion is fused with the first portion, thereby forming a seal along at least a portion of a junction of the first and second portions. The seat assembly further includes a cover layer covering the air plenum member and the seat cushion.
Further under an embodiment of the invention, a method of making a seat assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning together first and second portions of an air plenum member, the first portion comprising foam and the second portion comprising a plastic sheet; heat bonding the second portion to the first portion such that a seal is formed along at least a portion of a junction of the first and second portions; positioning the air plenum member in a recess of a seat cushion; and positioning a cover layer over the air plenum member and the seat cushion. Moreover, the air plenum member is configured to route air through at least a portion of the seat cushion.
While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
The present invention will now therefore be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a seat assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom; FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seat bottom showing a support member, a seat cushion having a recess, an air plenum member that is disposable in the recess, and a trim cover for covering the seat cushion and air plenum member; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the seat bottom taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the air plenum member; and FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-section view of the air plenum member.
Figure 1 shows a seat assembly 10 according to the invention for use with a motor vehicle. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat bottom 12 and a seat back 14 pivotally connected to the seat bottom 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the seat bottom 12 and seat back 14 are each provided with an air plenum member 16.
Alternatively, the seat assembly 10 may be provided with a single air plenum member 16 positioned in either the seat bottom 12 or seat back 14.
Referring to Figures 1-4, a detailed description of the seat bottom 12 will now be provided, with the understanding that the seat back 14 may have the same or similar construction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the seat bottom 12 includes a support member 18, such as a seat pan andlor seat frame, a seat cushion 20 supported by the support member 18 and configured to receive the air plenum member 16, and a cover layer or trim cover 22 covering the air plenum member 16, support member 18 and seat cushion 20.
The seat cushion 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as foam, and includes a recess 24 formed therein for receiving the air plenum member 16. While the recess 24 maya have any suitable configuration that corresponds to the configuration of the air plenum member 16, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the recess 24 includes multiple trenches or channels 26. The seat cushion 18 may further include a duct or passage 28 through which air may pass. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the passage 28 extends from the recess 24 to a lower surface 30 of the seat cushion 20.
The air plenum member 16 is disposed in the recess 24 and is configured to route air through at least a portion of the seat cushion 20. For example, the air plenum member 16 may route temperature conditioned air and/or ambient air toward or away from the cover layer 22. As such, the air plenum member 16 may function as an air distribution device or an air collection device.
The air plenum member 16 may have any suitable configuration for routing air through the seat cushion 20. For example, the air plenum member 16 may have one or more legs or branches 32 that define one or more passages or channels 34 for directing air through the seat cushion 20. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air plenum member 16 of the seat bottom 12 has a generally H-shaped configuration having multiple branches 32 extending from a main body 35. As other examples, the air plenum member 16 may have a generally U-shaped or X-shaped configuration.
Referring to Figures 2-4, the air plenum member 16 includes a foam first portion 36, such as a base or bottom portion, and a second portion 38, such as a cover or top portion, that comprises a flexible plastic sheet attached to the first portion 36 to form an air plenum or chamber. The first portion 36 may comprise any suitable foam, such as polyurethane foam or an expanded plastic, and the second portion 38 may comprise any suitable plastic sheet, such as a non-expanded polyolefin plastic sheet. In one embodiment, the second portion 38 comprises a plastic film, such as a polypropylene film having a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 inches (2.54 to 10.16 mm). In another embodiment, the second portion 38 comprises a nonwoven plastic layer, such as a polypropylene nonwoven scrim layer having a thickness in the range of 0.005 to 0.01 inches (0. 127 to 0.254mm). The second portion 38 also includes multiple apertures 39 for allowing air to pass through the second portion 38, which may be otherwise air- impermeable.
While the second portion 38 may be attached to the first portion 36 in any suitable manner, such as with an adhesive, in one embodiment, the second portion 38 is heat staked or heat bonded to the first portion 36. For example, the second portion 38 may be vibration welded, sonic welded, or otherwise heat fused to a connection area, such as flange 40, of the first portion 36. Such an attachment means may provide a durable airtight seal along the entire junction, or at least a portion thereof, between the portions 36 and 38.
As mentioned above, the air plenum member 16 may be configured to route temperature conditioned air and/or ambient air toward or away from the trim cover 22.
For example, referring to Figure 3, the air plenum member 16 may be in fluid communication with a fan 41 that provides temperature conditioned air and/or cabin air to the air plenum member 16. More specifically, the fan 41 may provide temperature conditioned air and/or cabin air through the passage 28 and to the air plenum member 16, which may then route the air to the trim cover 22 such that the air may pass through the trim cover 22 and to a seat occupant. In this way, the fan 41 may function as a positive pressure source that is coupled to the air plenum member 16.
The fan 41 may be provided as part of the seat assembly 10, or the fan 41 may be a separate component that is mounted to the vehicle proximate to or remotely from the seat assembly 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, for example, the fan 41 is mounted to the support member 18 of the seat bottom 12.
Temperature conditioned air may be provided by a heating and/or cooling element 42, such as a Peltier element or other thermoelectric device, that is mounted to the seat assembly 10, such as to the support member 18, or to the vehicle. As another example, temperature conditioned air may be provided by a vehicle heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system (HVAC system, not shown) that is coupled to the air plenum member 16 by a duct (not shown).
In addition, or as an alternative, the fan 41 may be configured to draw cabin air through the trim cover 22 and into the air plenum member 16. More specifically, the fan 41 may function as a negative pressure source that is coupled to the air plenum member 16 via the passage 28. When activated, the fan 41 may draw cabin air through the trim cover 22, into the air plenum 16, and then through the passage 28.
The trim cover 22 may be made of any suitable material that is sufficiently permeable to allow air to pass therethrough. For example, the trim cover 22 may comprise an appearance or contact layer 44 made of air-permeable fabric, perforated GJoJ.
vinyl, and/or perforated leather. The trim cover 22 may also be provided with or without a permeable padding layer 46, such as a permeable foam layer.
Furthermore, a heating element 48 may be integrated into the trim cover 22 if desired. For example, the heating element 48 may be bonded to an underside of the padding layer 46, or sandwiched between the contact layer 44 and padding layer 46. As another example, the heating element 48 may be provided as a separate component that is positioned between the trim cover 22 and air plenum member 16.
The seat bottom 12 may also include one or more additional layers (not shown) positioned between the air plenum member 16 and the trim cover 22. For example, the seat bottom 12 may include an additional permeable padding layer, such as a foam layer (not shown), and/or a sensor mat (not shown) for detecting the presence of a seat occupant.
Referring to Figures 2-5, a method of making the seat bottom 12 of the seat assembly 10 will now be described, with the understanding that the seat back 14 may be made in the same or similar manner. The method involves forming the portions 36 and 38 of the air plenum member 16 in any suitable manner. For example, the first portion 36 may be formed of air-impermeable, sufficiently rigid foam that is molded into a desired shape, and the second portion 38 may be die cut from a roll of flexible plastic material, such as a roll of non-woven polypropylene fibers, polypropylene film, or polyethylene film.
Next, the portions 36 and 38 may be positioned together and attached together such that the second portion 38 overlaps edges of the first portion 36. The portions 36 and 38 may be attached together in any suitable manner to provide a sufficient seal between the portions 36 and 38. In one embodiment, the method involves heat staking the second portion 38 to the first portion 36 such that the portions 36 and 38 fuse together and form a seal along a junction of the portions 36 and 38. Referring to Figure 5, for example, the portions 36 and 38 may be vibration welded, sonic welded, or otherwise heat fused together using an attachment apparatus, such as welding apparatus 49. Such an attachment means provides a highly durable connection between the portions 36 and 38, and may also provide an air-tight seal along the entire junction of the portions 36 and 38.
The second portion 38 may also be trimmed if desired to reduce or eliminate any overhang of the second portion 38 relative to the first portion 36. As another example, the second portion 38 may be configured to extend between adjacent branches 32 of the air plenum member 16.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the air plenum member 16 may then be positioned in the recess 24 of the seat cushion 20 such that an opening 50, which may be an inlet or an outlet of the air plenum member 16, depending on the direction of airflow, is in fluid communication with the passage 28. The air plenum member 16 may also be attached to the seat cushion 20 if desired. For example, the air plenum member 16 may be adhesively bonded to the seat cushion 20.
The seat cushion 20 may be mounted on the support member 18 before or after the air plenum member 16 is positioned in the recess 24. Furthermore, the fan 41, heating and/or cooling element 42 and associated ducts, if included, may be mounted to the support member 18 at any suitable time. The method next involves positioning the trim cover 22 over the air plenum member 16, support member 18, and seat cushion 20.
The use of polypropylene in the second portion 38 of the air plenum member 16 may provide several advantages. For example, polypropylene resists shrinkage at high temperatures. In addition, polypropylene is highly stable and resists hydrolysis.
Polypropylene may also be readily heat bonded to the first portion 36.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. A seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion having a recess; an air plenum member disposed in the recess for routing air through at least a portion of the seat cushion, the air plenum member including a first portion that comprises foam, and a second portion that is attached to the first portion and that comprises a polyolefin sheet; and a cover layer covering the air plenum member and the seat cushion.
2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the polyolefin sheet comprises polypropylene.
3. The seat assembly of claim I wherein the polyolefin sheet comprises polypropylene fibers.
4. The seat assembly of claim I wherein the polyolefin sheet comprises a polypropylene film.
5. The seat assembly of any preceding claim wherein the first portion is a bottom portion of the air plenum member, and the second portion is a top portion of the air plenum member.
6. The seat assembly of any preceding claim wherein the second portion is heat staked to the first portion such that a seal is formed along at least a portion ofajunction of the first and second portions.
7. The seat assembly of any preceding claim wherein the second portion has multiple apertures for passing air through the second portion.
8. The seat assembly of any preceding claim wherein the foam of the first portion is air-impermeable.
9. A seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion having a recess; an air plenum member disposed in the recess for routing air through at least a portion of the seat cushion, the air plenum member including a first portion that comprises foam, and a second portion that comprises a plastic sheet heat staked to the first portion such that the second portion is fused with the first portion, thereby forming a seal along at least a portion of a junction of the first and second portions; and a cover layer covering the air plenum member and the seat cushion.
10. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the second portion comprises polypropylene.
11. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the second portion comprises polypropylene fibers.
12. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the second portion comprises a polypropylene film.
13. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the second portion comprises polyethylene.
14. The seat assembly of any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the first portion is a bottom portion of the air plenum member, and the second portion is a top portion of the air plenum member.
15. A method of making a seat assembly, the method comprising: positioning together first and second portions of an air plenum member, the first portion comprising foam and the second portion comprising a plastic sheet; heat bonding the second portion to the first portion such that a seal is formed along at least a portion of a junction of the first and second portions; positioning the air plenum member in a recess of a seat cushion; and positioning a cover layer over the air plenum member and the seat cushion; wherein the air plenum member is configured to route air through at least a portion of the seat cushion.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second portion comprises polypropylene.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second portion comprises polypropylene fibers.
18. The seat assembly of claim 15 wherein the second portion comprises a polypropylene film.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the second portion comprises polyethylene.
20. The method of any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the first portion is a bottom portion of the air plenum member, and the second portion is a top portion of the air plenum member.
21. A seat assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to 5.
22. A method of making a seat assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures Ito 5.
GB0616110A 2005-08-22 2006-08-14 Seat assembly having an air plenum member Expired - Fee Related GB2429404B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/161,898 US20070040421A1 (en) 2005-08-22 2005-08-22 Seat assembly having an air plenum member

Publications (3)

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GB0616110D0 GB0616110D0 (en) 2006-09-20
GB2429404A true GB2429404A (en) 2007-02-28
GB2429404B GB2429404B (en) 2008-08-27

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GB0616110A Expired - Fee Related GB2429404B (en) 2005-08-22 2006-08-14 Seat assembly having an air plenum member

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US (1) US20070040421A1 (en)
DE (1) DE102006023129B4 (en)
GB (1) GB2429404B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2429404B (en) 2008-08-27
GB0616110D0 (en) 2006-09-20
DE102006023129A1 (en) 2007-03-01
DE102006023129B4 (en) 2009-09-03
US20070040421A1 (en) 2007-02-22

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