JP2007504035A - Automotive seat ventilation module - Google Patents

Abstract

  A module comprising a housing (4) and an air channel (6) for generating an air flow through the housing (4) through the housing (4). The seat air duct allows air to flow through at least one seat (12). The impeller (14) generates an air flow between the seat air duct (8) and the air channel (6). A second air channel (46) is provided for generating a second air flow through the housing (4). The mixer baffle (48) mixes the first air stream and the second air stream at various mixing ratios.

Description

  The present invention relates to air conditioning in a vehicle cabin, and more particularly to heating and ventilation of a vehicle seat.

  Nowadays, automobiles are equipped with heating and ventilation devices that are designed to inject warm air into the passenger compartment when the outside air temperature is low and, conversely, to introduce fresh air to cool the passenger compartment. Yes. Many of these devices are also equipped with an air conditioning circuit that can effectively lower the temperature inside the vehicle, especially in summer.

  In addition, it is desirable to heat or vent the vehicle seats in order to provide high comfort to the driver and passengers. Several devices are known which meet such requirements (US Pat. No. 6,478,369; US Pat. No. 5,921,100; US Pat. No. 6,059,018).

  One of these publications describes a seat ventilator that allows air to be blown through a breathable sheet fabric. However, comfort cannot be noticeably improved because the airflow cannot be reversed.

  The second publication describes a seat ventilator that draws air through a breathable fabric in the seat. This device is effective only in summer. Moreover, the air cannot be reversed.

  The third publication describes a seat that ventilates by circulating air in the seat, but does not have a hole for exhausting air. This device is not very effective and takes a long time to feel warm or cool.

  Yet another publication describes a system for heating a seat with a heating layer. This device is effective in winter. However, the feeling received from this device is not desirable.

  Therefore, there is a demand for heating, ventilation, or air conditioning equipment with further expanded functions. Regardless of the temperature of the passenger compartment air conditioner and ventilator, it is necessary to reverse the temperature-adjustable air. The device must be modular so that it is inexpensive and can be provided for each seat as required.

In accordance with this object, the present invention proposes a ventilation module having the following characteristics in an automobile seat.
That is, this module
A housing;
At least one air channel for circulating an air flow through the housing;
A seat air channel for circulating air through at least one seat;
Heating means provided in the air channel;
It is comprised from the air impeller which produces the air flow which circulates between a seat air channel and an air channel.

The module is at least
A second air channel for circulating a second air flow through the housing;
Moving between a first position that closes the first air channel and a second position that closes the second air channel to mix the first and second air streams in various ratios. It is advantageous to have a mixer baffle that can be used.

  In this way, the temperature of the airflow across the seat is adjusted independently of the temperature of the passenger compartment heating and ventilator. This air stream may be heated, for example, by a heating means such as a heating electrical resistor.

  In the preferred embodiment, the impeller has the ability to blow or suck air through the seat. This may be performed, for example, by reversing the direction of rotation of the impeller.

  In another embodiment, the impeller is provided in a duct having first and second ends, wherein the first baffle is disposed at the first end and the second baffle is disposed at the second end. ing. The first and second baffles are designed so that the ends of the first and second ducts are connected to a seat air channel or an air channel.

  These features make it possible to send an air flow through the breathable fabric to the sheet. Or, conversely, air can be drawn through the seat in the most effective manner.

  In one particular embodiment, the second air channel is connected to a vehicle ventilation, heating or air conditioning unit via an air introduction duct.

  In particular, this air introduction duct is preferably connected to the vehicle ventilation, heating or air conditioner at the evaporator outlet in the housing. In this way, when cold air is taken in and the outside air temperature is high, the sheet can be efficiently cooled.

  In yet another embodiment, the air intake is connected to the vehicle's ventilation, heating or air conditioning unit mixing chamber. In this way, temperature-controlled air can be taken in.

  The sheet may include a discharge channel that blows air through the sheet. According to another embodiment, a baffle is provided at the inlet or outlet to close the inlet channel or outlet channel during normal operation of the module.

  There is no means for cooling the air in the passenger compartment when the vehicle stops. Therefore, in the vehicle illuminated by the sun, the surface temperature inside the vehicle rises and the air inside the vehicle is “heated to the surface temperature inside the vehicle”. That is, the air temperature in the passenger compartment increases due to the surface temperature in the passenger compartment.

  According to the module of the type described above, it is possible to exhaust air from the vehicle seat, and thus “cool the seat from the room surface temperature” during the starting operation of the module.

  The module can be mounted on the floor of the vehicle, and the flexible air duct connects the seat air channel with at least one seat.

  In another embodiment, the module is installed directly under the vehicle seat cushion.

  Finally, the module may be placed in the central console of the vehicle, with the left seat duct connected to the left seat and the right seat duct connected to the right seat.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the module comprises a control electronics board located in the channel or in the second air channel.

  In another embodiment, a control electronic circuit board is disposed in the air intake duct to control the module. The electronic circuit preferably includes leak detection calculation means.

  Modules can also be connected to a group of sheets, for example, a front row sheet group.

  In order to allow the air to pass therethrough, minute vents are provided in both the cushion and back pad portions of the seat fabric in a well-known manner.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a vehicle seat ventilation module 2 according to the invention.

  The module comprises a housing 4 in which an air channel 6 and a seat channel 8 are arranged. The seat air channel 8 is connected to the seat 12 via a seat air duct 10.

  The seat duct 10 is, for example, telescopic or flexible so that the position of the seat 12 can be changed with respect to the ventilation module 2 when it is desired to adjust the height of the seat. Also good.

  The impeller 14 is disposed in the housing 4. When the impeller rotates in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow 18, as shown by the arrow 16, air is sucked through the air channel 6. Air will be blown through the seat air channel 8 toward the pockets 22 made in the seat cushion, as indicated by the arrow 20. As indicated by the arrow 23, the cloth member of the sheet is perforated or air permeable with minute holes so that air can pass therethrough.

  The seat 12 also includes a pocket 24 made in the seat back that is connected to the pocket 22 by a duct (not shown) through which air can pass.

  The fabric of the seat back is perforated or breathable so as to allow air to pass therethrough.

  The duct filter 26 is disposed at the inlet of the seat air channel 6 in order to keep dust floating in the sucked air. A heating device, for example an electrical resistor, in particular a resistor with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), is arranged after the air filter. The electrical resistor can warm the air sent into the pockets 22 and 24.

  The direction of rotation of the impeller 14 may be reversed as indicated by the arrow 30. In this case, instead of sucking air through the air channel 6, air is sucked through the cushion of the seat 12 and the fabric of the seat back, as indicated by the dashed arrow 32.

  Air drawn through the sheet fabric is sent to the housing through the seat air duct 10 as indicated by arrow 34 and then blown out of the housing as indicated by arrow 36.

  The seat ventilation module 2 of FIG. 1 may be operated in various modes. In summer, air can be drawn through the fabric of the sheet to cool the sheet. On the other hand, it is also possible to suck in air and blow it out through the fabric into the passenger compartment.

  On the other hand, in the winter season, for example, when it is desired to warm the seat, the module is operated only in the blowing mode. The air is aspirated as indicated by arrow 16 and then warmed by passing through electrical resistor 28 before being sent to the cushion of seat 12 and the seat back.

  The PTC electrical resistor 28 can be operated in the on / off mode. In a more sophisticated embodiment, the power may be variable so that it can be set to various levels depending on the desired temperature. It is also noteworthy that this module operates completely independently of the main ventilator, heating or air conditioner of the car.

  This module can be activated when the vehicle is not equipped with an air conditioner.

  As another example, this module may be added to have a startup phase called “cooling from room surface temperature”. Cooling from the room surface temperature is useful for exhausting hot air that has accumulated in the sheet 12.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet 12 includes a discharge channel 200 having one end opened in the pocket 22 and the other end opened outside the sheet 12. Communication between the pocket 22 and the outside of the seat 12 is controlled by a discharge baffle 202 that opens and closes the discharge channel 200.

  In an embodiment, an inlet channel 204 and an inlet baffle 206 are provided to supply the air necessary to cool the room surface temperature to the temperature of the impeller 14.

  Cooling from the room surface temperature is achieved by opening the inlet baffle 206 and the exhaust baffle 202. The impeller 14 is configured to circulate the air 208. The air 208 enters the pocket 22 and, as a result, allows the hot air 210 that has accumulated in the pocket 22 to be exhausted 210 through the exhaust channel 200.

  In this way, it is possible to discharge a considerable amount of heat stored in the sheet 12 before the module operates as described above. The air 208 may be air taken from downstream of the heating means 28, circulating air taken from under the seat, or air taken upstream of the heating means 28.

  During normal operation of the module, the discharge baffle 202 and the inlet baffle 206 are both closed. Therefore, such a module can avoid blowing heat toward the passenger at the time of start-up due to the heat held by the seat.

  In another embodiment, only the exhaust channel 200 is used and the inlet channel 204 is composed of the air channel 6. Cooling from the room surface temperature is performed before the heating means 28 is used.

  In the example described here, the cooling from the room surface temperature is performed for the pocket 22, but may be performed for the pocket 24 or both as required.

  A longitudinal section and a transverse section of a second embodiment of the seat ventilation device according to the invention are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The difference from the previous example shown in FIG. 1 is that it comprises a second air channel 46 parallel to the first air channel 6.

  Unlike channel 6, channel 46 does not include an electrical resistor for heating, but may include a dust filter if desired.

  The mixer baffle 48 attached to the shaft 47 can completely close the first air channel 6 or the second air channel 46 as shown in FIG. If the second air channel is completely closed, all air will be circulated through the first air channel. The reverse is also true.

  The mixer baffle 48 can be intermediate between the aforementioned extreme positions to change the proportion of air passing through the first and second channels. In this way, the temperature of the air blown into the seat is desired to be air warmed by the electric resistor 28 (channel 6) and air having an atmospheric temperature taken into the vehicle interior from the second channel 46. It becomes possible to adjust by mixing by the ratio of these.

  The ventilation module comprises an electric motor 50 having a vertically arranged shaft. This motor drives an impeller 52 provided in a spiral 54 and air through a seat channel 8 connected to one or more seats 12 via a seat duct (not shown). Can be infused.

  In this embodiment, unlike the previous embodiment, the rotation direction of the impeller 52 cannot be reversed. Thus, this module ventilates the seat by blowing cold air through the fabric of the seat.

  The electrical resistor 28 is turned off or heated in a heating mode where the air warmed by the electrical resistor is mixed with the cold air taken in through the second inlet channel 46 in various ratios. You can drive.

  4 and 5 show a third embodiment of the ventilation module according to the invention. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the first air channel 6 including the dust filter 26, the resistor 28 having a positive electric resistance coefficient, and the second air channel 46 are included. .

  The mixer baffle 48 attached to the shaft 47 can mix the air flows coming from the first and second air channels in various ratios as described above.

  In this embodiment, the impeller 14 is installed in a duct having a first open end 60 and a second open end 62. A first baffle 64 attached to the shaft 66 is disposed opposite the first open end 60, while a second baffle 68 attached to the shaft 70 is the second baffle 68 of the duct 58. It is arranged facing the open end 62.

  The baffle 64 may be in a first position indicated by a solid line in FIG. In this position, the baffle 64 is provided at the open end 60 of the duct 58 which communicates with the outside of the housing 4, in particular by the mixer baffle 48 opening the second air channel.

  The baffle 64 may take a second position indicated by a broken line in FIG. At this time, the first open end of the duct 58 is in communication with the seat air channel and communicates via the seat air duct 10 with one or more seat 12 cushions and pockets located in the seat back. It will be.

  Similarly, the second baffle 68 is in a position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 where the second open end 62 of the duct 48 communicates with the seat air channel 8 as indicated by arrows 74 and 76, and The second open end 62 of the duct 48 can be moved between a second position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, which communicates with the outside of the housing via the second air channel 46. ing.

  Note that baffles 64 and 68 are not located between the two positions described above.

  In the position shown in FIG. 4, air is drawn through the fabric of the sheet by the impeller 14 as indicated by arrows 74 and 76 and blown out of the ventilation module via the channel 46 as indicated by arrow 72.

  On the other hand, at the position shown in FIG. 5, air is sucked from the passenger compartment through the air channel 46 as indicated by an arrow 78 and blown into the seat 12 as indicated by an arrow 80. As described above, the direction of the air flow can be reversed by changing the rotation direction of the impeller 14 by the action of the first and second baffles.

  In this manner, the ventilation module may be operated in the suction mode or the blowout mode. Obviously, it is not necessary to warm the air blown into the cabin when operating in the suction mode. This is because the first air channel 6 is closed.

  The PTC resistor will be de-energized. On the other hand, in the blowing position, the ventilation module may be operated in two ways. The mixer baffle 48 may be in a closed position to blow as cool air as possible into the vehicle seat, as shown in the practice of FIG. This is an operation mode used in summer.

  In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the module operates from the indoor surface temperature, operating for the same as the exhaust channel 200, the cooling channel 204 from the indoor surface temperature, the exhaust baffle 202 and FIG. The cooling baffle 206 may be provided and a cooling function from the indoor surface temperature degree may be provided.

  In other embodiments, only the exhaust channel is used and the inlet channel 204 is comprised of the air channel 6 or the second inlet channel 46. Cooling from the indoor surface temperature is performed before the heating means 28 is used.

  6 and 7 show a side view and a front view, respectively, of the seat 12 ventilated by the ventilation module of the present invention.

  6 and 7, it is possible to recognize the value of the shape and properties of the cushion pocket 22 and the diffusion pocket 24 accommodated in the seat back. The pockets 22 and 24 are seats directly attached to the vehicle floor 80 via two flexible ducts 10 that allow the seat to move up and down to align the seat with the driver and passenger physique. Connected to ventilation module 2.

  FIG. 8 schematically shows a modified embodiment of the ventilation module according to the invention. In this variant, the external channel 46 is connected to the vehicle ventilation, heating or air conditioning equipment 84 via an inlet duct.

  This device, shown schematically in FIG. 8, includes an impeller 86 that circulates an air flow through the device. The evaporator 90 crosses this air flow. The heating radiator 92 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 90.

  The mixer baffle 94 allows the cold air coming directly from the evaporator 90 and the warm air that has passed through the radiator 92 to be mixed in various ratios. The cold and warm streams are mixed again in the mixing chamber 96.

  A duct 82, shown as a solid line, is connected to the housing 88 of the heating device at a position between the evaporator 90 and the radiator 92. Thus, the duct 82 is capable of taking in cold air that is drawn in by the impeller of the ventilator 2 and blown into the pockets of the seat 12 as described above.

  The cold air stream taken from downstream of the evaporator 90 may be mixed with the warm air stream created by the heating resistor 28 in various ratios as described above. The mechanical adjustment device 98 enables the position of the mixer baffle 48 to be adjusted.

  In another embodiment, the ventilation module 2 is shown in broken lines in FIG. It is connected to a ventilation, heating, or air conditioner 84 via a duct 102 that opens to the mixing chamber 96. In this way, air will be introduced at a regulated temperature instead of being taken in cold.

  FIG. 9 shows a modified embodiment of the module of FIG. This module comprises two heating resistors 28, one for each sheet. In this example, the power of the resistor is 300W. This resistor is not variable and is designed to operate in an on / off mode.

  As indicated by arrow 104, the air flowing through the filter 26 is diverted into the left and right rooms. As in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the pipe 82 is connected to the ventilation and heating / air conditioner 84 immediately downstream of the evaporator 90 to take in cold air.

  The cold / hot air intake pipe 82 is divided into two parts so that it can be supplied to the left part and the right part of the ventilation module. The module is adjustable via a mechanical adjustment device 112, separate from the right mixer baffle 108, which is adjustable via a mechanical adjustment device shown as a rectangle in FIG. It consists of a left mixer baffle 110, also shown as a rectangle.

  The module impeller 114 comprises a right wheel or propeller 116 and a left wheel or propeller 118. In this way, the module can ventilate the left and right seats separately while adjusting each part independently.

  In another variant embodiment shown in FIG. 13, an electronic circuit board 220 is incorporated in the second air channel 46. The electronic circuit board 220 is capable of managing the position of the mixer baffle 48, controlling the heating means 28, and changing the speed of the impeller.

  The electronic circuit board 220 may incorporate means for controlling the adjusting devices 108 and 110.

  The board is electrically connected to the seat and receives control signals from the seat ventilation module. The substrate 220 includes a sensor capable of calculating the air pressure in the air channel 46. Since the circuit board 220 is in the air channel, it is cooled with air, while the board is located close to the controlling element, thus reducing technical problems with the connector.

  The substrate 20 incorporates a computer. During operation, the computer receives impeller operating information, such as rotational speed, supply voltage, and current, among others. This information makes it possible to detect air channel leakage or poor connection.

  The computer may determine a theoretical equivalent speed of the impeller depending on the desired output. By comparing this speed with the effective rotation speed of the impeller, it is possible to detect leakage or poor connection. Actually, the allowable value is set to a difference from the theoretical rotational speed, ± 500 per minute.

  Similarly, the motor current can be determined to detect leakage or poor connection. Since the power supplied to the motor is proportional to the theoretical output, the current consumption can be monitored by setting the allowable value to ± 0.5 A.

  In this way, if the allowable value exceeds the value represented by the rotational speed or supply current value, the computer will detect leaks or poor connections so that maintenance personnel can perform maintenance accordingly. , To send a message.

  The substrate 220 may be provided in the air channel 6 as shown in FIG. 12, or in the air inlet duct 82 as shown in FIG.

  This module is installed in the central console and is connected to each seat by a deformable duct.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a ventilation module according to the present invention including a single air duct. FIG. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the ventilation module containing two air ducts. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation module of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III. It is a schematic diagram of the ventilation module which enables the backflow of air. It is a schematic diagram of the ventilation module which enables the backflow of air. It is a side view of the vehicle seat containing an air diffusion pocket. It is a front view of a vehicle seat including an air diffusion pocket. It is a schematic diagram of the ventilation module connected to the ventilation of a vehicle, heating, or an air conditioner. It is a schematic diagram of the ventilation module connected to the ventilation of a vehicle, heating, or an air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the module shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the module shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the module shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the module shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a partial cross section of a modified example of the module shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2 Seat ventilation module
4 Housing
6 Air channel
8 Seat air channel
10 Seat air duct
12 seats
14 Impeller
16, 18, 20, 23, 30, 32, 34, 36 Arrow
22, 24 pockets
26 Duct filter
28 Electrical resistor
30, 32, 34, 36 arrows
46 Second Air Channel
47 axes
48 Mixer baffle
50 electric motor
52 Impeller
54 Swirl
58 Duct
60 First open end
62 Second open end
64 First baffle
66 axes
68 Second baffle
70 axes
72, 74, 76, 78, 80 arrows
82 Inlet duct (pipe)
84 Ventilation, heating or air conditioning
86 Impeller
88 housing
90 Evaporator
92 Heating radiator
94 Mixer baffle
96 mixing room
98 Adjustment device
102 Duct
104 arrow
106 Right mixer baffle
108 Adjustment device
110 Left mixer baffle
112 Adjustment device
12 Control unit
114 impeller
116 Right wheel (propeller)
118 Left wheel (propeller)
200 discharge channels
202 Discharge baffle
204 entrance channel
206 Entrance baffle
208 air
210 Air exhaust
220 electronic circuit board

Claims (22)

A ventilation module for a seat, in particular an automobile seat,
The housing (4),
At least one air channel (6) provided in the housing for circulating an air flow in the housing (4);
A seat air channel (8) for circulating air through at least one seat (12);
A heating device (28) in the air channel;
An impeller (14) for circulating an air flow between the seat air channel (8) and the air channel (6),
Ventilation module characterized by comprising. A second air channel (46) for circulating a second air flow in the housing (4);
Move between a first position that closes the first air channel and a second position that closes the second air channel to mix the first and second airflows in various ratios Mixer baffle (48), capable of
2. The module according to claim 1, comprising:   Module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the impeller (14) is capable of blowing or sucking an air flow through the seat (12). The impeller (14) is provided in a duct (58) having first and second ends (60, 62);
The first baffle (64) is disposed at the first end of the duct (58), the second baffle (68) is disposed at the second end,
The first and second baffles are disposed at first and second ends of a duct (58) communicating with the seat air channel (8) or the air channel (6, 46). The module according to claim 1 or 2.   The second air channel (46) is connected to a vehicle ventilation or air conditioning facility (84) via an air inlet duct (82). Modules.   The air inlet duct (82) is connected to the vehicle ventilation or air conditioning equipment (84) at the outlet of the evaporator (90) built in the vehicle ventilation or air conditioning equipment (84). The module according to claim 5.   6. Module according to claim 5, characterized in that the air inlet duct (82) is connected to the vehicle ventilation or to the mixing chamber of the air conditioning facility (84).   Module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet has a discharge channel (200).   9. Module according to claim 8, characterized in that the seat comprises a discharge baffle (202) for closing the discharge channel (200).   Module according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the seat has an air inlet channel (204).   11. Module according to claim 10, characterized in that the seat comprises an air inlet baffle (206) provided for closing the air inlet channel (204).   In the start-up aspect of the module, the impeller (14) is connected to the inlet channel (204), whereby air is circulated in the sheet and is discharged from the sheet via the discharge channel (200), 12. Module according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the discharge channel (200) is closed by a discharge baffle (202) when operating normally.   13. Module according to claim 12, characterized in that the air blown into the seat (12) is recirculated air or air taken from downstream or upstream of the heating device (28).   A ventilation module installed on the floor of a vehicle, characterized in that the deformable duct (10) is connected to the seat air channel (8) and at least one seat (12). The module according to any one of ˜13.   14. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is mounted directly under the cushion of the vehicle seat (12).   2. A ventilation module installed in a central console of a vehicle, characterized in that it is connected to the left seat via a left seat duct and to the right seat via a right seat duct. The module according to any one of ˜13.   A ventilation module that is divided into a right part and a left part to ventilate the right and left sheets separately, and the right part and the left part constitute independent adjustment means (108, 112), respectively. The module according to claim 1, wherein the module is a module.   18. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating means (28) is an electrical resistor having a positive temperature coefficient.   19. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electronic circuit board (220) arranged in the air channel (6) for controlling the module.   19. Module according to any of claims 2 to 18, characterized in that it comprises an electronic circuit board (220) arranged in the second air channel (46) for controlling the module.   19. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an electronic circuit board (220) arranged in the air inlet duct (82) for controlling the module.   The module according to any of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the electronic circuit board (220) comprises calculation means for detecting leakage.

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