Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/56—Heating or ventilating devices
  • B60N2/5607—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection
  • B60N2/5621—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air
  • B60N2/5642—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air with circulation of air through a layer inside the seat
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
  • B60N2/38—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles specially constructed for use on tractors or like off-road vehicles
  • B60N2/40—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles specially constructed for use on tractors or like off-road vehicles saddle type
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/56—Heating or ventilating devices
  • B60N2/5607—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection
  • B60N2/5621—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/56—Heating or ventilating devices
  • B60N2/5607—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection
  • B60N2/5621—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air
  • B60N2/565—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air sucked from the seat surface
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/56—Heating or ventilating devices
  • B60N2/5607—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection
  • B60N2/5621—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air
  • B60N2/5657—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by convection by air blown towards the seat surface
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
  • B62J1/00—Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
  • B62J1/08—Frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars; Seat pillars
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
  • B62J1/00—Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
  • B62J1/12—Box-shaped seats; Bench-type seats, e.g. dual or twin seats
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
  • B62J1/00—Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
  • B62J1/28—Other additional equipment, e.g. back-rests for children
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
  • B62J17/00—Weather guards for riders; Fairings or stream-lining parts not otherwise provided for
  • B62J17/10—Ventilation or air guiding devices forming part of fairings
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
  • B62J33/00—Arrangements for warming riders specially adapted for cycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
  • B62J50/00—Arrangements specially adapted for use on cycles not provided for in main groups B62J1/00 - B62J45/00
  • B62J50/30—Means for ventilation within devices provided on the cycle, e.g. ventilation means in a battery container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
  • B62J50/00—Arrangements specially adapted for use on cycles not provided for in main groups B62J1/00 - B62J45/00
  • B62J50/20—Information-providing devices
  • B62J50/21—Information-providing devices intended to provide information to rider or passenger
  • B62J50/22—Information-providing devices intended to provide information to rider or passenger electronic, e.g. displays
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K11/00—Motorcycles, engine-assisted cycles or motor scooters with one or two wheels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K23/00—Rider-operated controls specially adapted for cycles, i.e. means for initiating control operations, e.g. levers, grips
  • B62K23/02—Rider-operated controls specially adapted for cycles, i.e. means for initiating control operations, e.g. levers, grips hand actuated

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a seat for a vehicle and, more particularly, to a heated and cooled seat.
• the present disclosure provides an improved heating and cooling configuration for a vehicle seat or seats. While the system is suitable for various types of automotive vehicles, the configuration set forth herein provides a configuration particularly suitable for motorcycles and open air vehicles.
• a seat assembly for a vehicle having a longitudinal axis includes a seat pan, a cover support adjacent to the seat pan, a seat cover comprising an upper surface and a first longitudinally extending side surface and a second longitudinally extending side surface and a heating and cooling module disposed at least partially within the cover support.
• the seat assembly further comprises an inlet air duct in communication with the heating and cooling module. The first air inlet communicates air from a first port in the seat cover to the heating and cooling module.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cool side of the vehicle
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the heated side of the vehicle
• Fig. 3 A is a left side view of a seat according to the present disclosure.
• Fig. 3B is a right side view of the seat of Fig. 3 A;
• Fig. 4 is a bottom view of a seat pan
• Fig. 5A is a block diagrammatic view of a heating and cooling module
• FIG. 5B is a block diagrammatic view of a second example of the heating and cooling module without an inlet air duct;
• FIG. 5C is a block diagrammatic view of a second example of the heating and cooling module without an outlet air duct;
• Fig. 6 is a side view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• Fig. 7A is a top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• Fig. 7B is a first alternate top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• Fig. 7C is a second alternate top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• Fig. 7D is a third alternate top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• Fig. 7E is a fourth alternate top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module
• Fig. 7F is a fifth alternate top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module
• Fig. 7G is a sixth alternate top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• Fig. 7H is a seventh alternate top view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the seat pan having a passenger heating and cooling module and a driver heating and cooling module;
• FIGs. 9A-9F are block diagrammatic views of a heating and cooling module having different positions for inlet air ducts and outlet air ducts;
• Fig. 1 OA is a side view of a two-part seat having heating and cooling modules in a seat back and a seat base;
• Fig. 10B is a diagrammatic view of the side-by-side vehicle having two seats corresponding to Fig. 10A;
• Fig. 11 is a block diagrammatic view of control system of a vehicle
• Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a screen interface
• Fig. 13 A is a diagrammatic view of a first switching apparatus for controlling the seat
• Fig. 13B is a diagrammatic view of a first alternate switching apparatus for controlling the seat.
• Fig. 13C is a diagrammatic view of a second alternate of the switching apparatus having two three position switches for controlling heating and cooling of the seat.
• the 10 in this example is a two-wheeled vehicle.
• the two-wheeled vehicle 10 illustrated is a touring style motorcycle.
• the present example is also applicable to other types of vehicles including snowmobiles, scooters, utility vehicles, off-road vehicles and side-by-side vehicles that accommodate passengers in a one of many seating positions
• the vehicle 10 includes a frame 12 that is used to support the vehicle components including wheels 14 and 16.
• Wheel 14 is a front wheel which is coupled to the handlebars 18 for by way of a first fork for steering.
• the rear wheel 16 is a coupled to a powertrain assembly 20 that is used to provide the rotational force to the rear wheel 16, in this example.
• the powertrain assembly 20 includes an engine 22 and transmission 24.
• the powertrain assembly 20 may also include an exhaust pipe 26 that removes waste exhaust from the engine 22. The waste exhaust is at a relatively high temperature compared to the ambient temperatures through which vehicles typically travel.
• the exhaust pipe 26 extends from the engine 22, as is best illustrated in Figure 2, the right side of the vehicle, in this example, is referred to as the heated side of the vehicle.
• the exhaust configuration may include exhaust pipes on both sides and/or under the engine 22.
• a display panel 28 may be used to provide various information to the driver of the vehicle.
• the display panel 28 may include a touch screen that provides various user interface for various functions.
• the display panel 28 in relation to a seating configuration is described in further detail below.
• the vehicle 10 also has a longitudinal axis 30 that extends in the direction of forward trav el of the vehicle 10 that extends from the front wheel 14 to the rear wheel 16.
• the frame 12 may also be used to support a seat assembly 40.
• the seat assembly 40 can include a driver seating position 42 and a passenger seating position 44.
• the driver seating position 42 and the passenger seating position 44 are part of a unitary construction of the seat assembly 40 in which the passenger seating position 44 is higher (relative to the road during driving) than the driver seating position.
• the driver position 42 and the passenger position 44 may be separated into two separate seats. Alternately, there may be only a single driver seat.
• Figure 3A shows a side view of the seat assembly 40.
• Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the seat cover 46 that has a first longitudinally extending side 48 corresponding to a first longitudinally extending side of the seat assembly 40.
• the first side 48 extends in a generally in a vertical plane of the vehicles and generally perpendicular to the road plane when the vehicle is in an upright position.
• An inlet port. 50 is disposed within the first longitudinally extending side 48 of the cover 46.
• the port 50 may provide an opening so that air may be drawn into a heating and cooling system as will be described in further detail below.
• the port 50 may have a covering that is formed of a hydrophobic mesh material 51 to reduce an amount of water entering the port 50.
• a second longitudinally extending side 52 on the opposite side of the seat from the first longitudinally extending side 48 may have a port 54.
• the port 54 may be blank or filled in if no seat air exhaust is required on that side of the vehicle.
• the port 54 may be used for exhausting air from the seat assembly 40.
• a cover support 56 such as a cushion is formed from a foam material.
• the cover support 56 is used for supporting a driver and a passenger and may be used for housing the heating and cooling module as described below.
• a seat pan 60 is shaped to support the cover support 56 and the cover 46, The seat pan 60 is used for mounting the seat assembly to the frame 12.
• the seat pan 60 includes bezel openings 62. Bezel openings 62 may be included on one or both sides of the seat pan 60.
• the bezel opening 62 may be used for a switch control bezel. If switch controls are not used in the seat assembly 40, then the bezel opening 62 may be eliminated or filled with a blank panel.
• the seat pan 60 may also include a service opening 64 tilled by a removable service panel 66.
• the location of the sendee opening 64 is sized to allow a service technician to remove and replace the entire heating and cooling module or components of the heating and cooling module.
• These components may include a fan, a heat exchanger or ducts as will be described below.
• the seat pan 60 may also include an air inlet ports 68A, 68B and air outlet ports 68C, 68D.
• the air inlet port 68 A and air outlet port 68C of the seat pan 60 correspond to the driver position 42.
• the air inlet port 68B and the air outlet port 68D correspond to the passenger position 44.
• the heating and cooling module 70 includes a fan 72 that is in communication with an air inlet such as an inlet air duct 74 and an air outlet such as an outlet air duct 76.
• the air inlet and air outlet may have a discrete duct, or may be a passage in the seat pan or seat support or cushion.
• the fan 72 is coupled to a heat exchanger 78.
• the heat exchanger 78 is in thermal communication with one or more heating elements 80.
• the heat exchanger 78 can remove heat from the heating elements 80 and remove the w3 ⁇ 4ste heat through the air travelling through the inlet air duct 74, the fan 72 and the outlet air duct 76.
• the system may also operate in a thermally reversed manner in which the heat contained within the air of the inlet air duct 74 may be removed using the heat exchanger 78 so that that the heating elements 80 is cooled.
• the heating module 70 may use liquid or thin film technology.
• the heating elements 80 may be formed from a thermally conductive material such as graphene or carbon nanotubes.
• the heating elements 80 may be located between the cover support 56 and the cover 46 described above in Figure 3A and 3B. Foam or other material may be disposed between the cover and the heating elements 80 to hide the feel or look of the heating element.
• the heating element 80 may be a flexible material to conform to the shape of the seat assembly 40 and seat cover 46, or both during operation and during inactive times.
• FIG. 5B the inlet air duct of Figure 5A has been removed.
• the fan 72 may be placed directly adjacent to the inlet port 50 of the seat cover 46 without a corresponding inlet air duct.
• the heat exchanger 78 and the fan 72 may be separated in any example including those with both inlet and outlet air ducts.
• FIG 5C the outlet air duct of Figure 5 A has been removed.
• the fan 72 may be placed directly adjacent to outlet port in the seat cover or seat pan for exhausting air.
• a driver heating and cooling module 70' is illustrated in the driver position 42, while a passenger heating and cooling module 70" is illustrated in the passenger position 44.
• Each of the heating and cooling modules 70' and 70" may be configured in a similar manner to that set forth above with respect to the heating and cooling module 70 illustrated in Figures 5A-C.
• the heating and cooling modules 70' and 70" may operate in a similar way and may be independently controlled.
• Discrete switches or a controller area network (CAN) may be used for controlling the heating and cooling modules 70' and 70".
• CAN controller area network
• the inlet air duct 74 and the outlet air duct 76 illustrated in Figures 5A-C, may be configured in different shapes for the heating and cooling modules 70' and 70".
• the same reference numerals are used as in Figures 5A-C except the use of a prime for the driver position and a double prime for the passenger position.
• a driver heating and cooling module 70' is illustrated having the inlet air duct 74' extends in a lateral direction and may align with the port 68A in the seat pan 60 and port 50 in the seat cover illustrated in Figure 3A.
• the port 50 may be located on the cool side of the vehicle 10 on the opposite side as the exhaust pipe 26. This allows cooler air to he drawn in from the action caused by the fan 72'.
• the outlet air duct 76' is coupled to the seat pan 60. That is, the outlet air duct 76' may be coupled to exhaust air out of outlet port 68C in the seat pan 60.
• the heating and cooling module 70' may "float" within the cover support 56 or may be fixably mounted to the seat pan 60.
• the cover support 56 may define the duct without a duct separate structure. That is, a tunnel or opening trough the foam of the cover support may define the air inlet and air outlet for all examples in Figs. 7A-7H
• the passenger heating and cooling module 70" has an inlet air duct 74" aligned with the port 68B and an outlet air duct 76" aligned with the outlet port 68D.
• inlet air duct 74" aligned with the port 68B
• outlet air duct 76" aligned with the outlet port 68D.
• inlet and outlet ports may be configured.
• the heating and cooling module 70B has a heat exchanger 78B.
• the inlet duct 74B provides inlet air to the heat exchanger 78B
• the outlet duct 76B removes air from the heat exchanger 78B.
• a fan 72B moves the air through the inlet duct 74B and the outlet duct 76B.
• the inlet duct 74B and the outlet duct 76B are longitudinally disposed.
• the inlet duct 74B and the outlet duct 76B are in the middle of the seat pan 60.
• the longitudinal axis of the seat corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the inlet duct 74B and the outlet duct 76B.
• the inlet duct 74B may align with a port in the cover (like so in Fig. 3A) expect in the appropriate position.
• the inlet duct 74C is positioned in a similar manner to that set forth in Figure 7B.
• the outlet duct 76C is positioned toward a lateral side relative to the seat pan 60.
• the outlet duct 76C may align with the port in the seat cover.
• a fan 72C may be disposed in the outlet duct 76C to pull air through the heating and cooling module 70C, through the inlet duct 74C and past the heat exchanger 78C.
• the inlet duct 74C is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the seat pan 60.
• the outlet air duct 76C may be perpendicular to or at a slight angle to the perpendicular of the inlet duct 74C.
• the outlet duct 76C may be disposed on t e hot side of the vehicle.
• the inlet duct may be formed from two inlet ducts 74D and 74D' disposed through the seat pan 60.
• the inlet to the seat ducts are disposed on each lateral side or half of the seat pan 60.
• the inlet ducts 74D and 74D' are disposed at about a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis of the seat pan 60. Although about a 45° is formed with the longitudinal axis and the inlet ducts 74D, 74D', various angles may be set forth.
• the single outlet duct shown above may be replaced by a pair of outlet ducts 76D and 76D ⁇
• Each outlet duct 76D, 76D' has a corresponding fan 72D and 72D'.
• the fans 72D and 72D' pull air through the inlet ducts 74D, 74D' through the heating and cooling module 70D and across a heat exchange 78D.
• a pair of heat exchangers may also be used rather than a single heat exchanger. If a pair of heat exchangers are used, they may disposed in each of the outlet ducts 76D, 76D' .
• the ducts 76D, 76D' may be defined by the seat support rather than being a separate structure.
• a pair of inlet ducts 74E and 74E' are configured in a similar manner to that set forth in Figure 7D.
• the outlet duct 76E is a singular outlet duct configured in a similar manner to that set forth in Figure 7B. That is, the outlet duct 76E is disposed in a longitudinal manner extending from the heat exchanger 78E.
• a fan 72E is disposed in the outlet duct 78E.
• the outlet duct 76E may exhaust air beneath the seat pan 60.
• a longitudinally disposed inlet duct 74F having a fan 72F disposed therein may draw air into the inlet duct 74F and provide outlet air through the outlet duct 76F and 76F' .
• the heat exchanger 78F may be in fluid communication with the inlet duct 74F and the outlet ducts 76F and 76F' .
• the outlet ducts 76F and 76F' are disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the seat pan 60.
• a flared portion 77F is provided at the heat exchanger end of the inlet duct 74F to widen out the inlet duct connector to the heat exchanger 78F.
• the inlet duct is formed from a pair of inlet ducts 74G, 74G' in a similar manner to that set forth in Figure 7E.
• the inlet ducts 74G, 74G' are in communication with the heat exchanger 78G.
• the outlet duct 76G extends from the heat exchanger 78G and forms a t-shape having a longitudinally extending portion 76G' that may coincide with the longitudinal axis of the seat pan 60.
• the portion 76G' includes the fan 72G.
• the portions 76G" and 76G'" extend perpendicularly from the base portion 76G' and extend to each side of the seat pan 60.
• the outlet duct 76G, 76G" and 76G' may be formed from a separate structure or within the seat cover support.
• the inlet duct 74H may be formed of a longitudinally extending portion 74H' that is generally conical in the longitudinal direction so that the wider portion is toward the front of the seat pan 60.
• the longitudinally extending portion 74H' includes two angularly disposed portions 74H" and 74H'" that extend to an angular direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the seat base 60 and extend to either side of the seat pan 60.
• a flat portion 74H"" may connect the inlet duct 74" and the inlet duct 74'".
• the duct portions 74H', 74H" and 74H' " may be formed within the seat cover support. Ports in the seat cover may align with the portions 74H" and 74H' " .
• the outlet duct 76H may be formed with a fan 72H therein.
• the duct 76H may be formed in a similar manner to that set forth in Figure 7B. That is, the outlet duct 76H may be coincident with the longitudinal axis of the seat pan 60.
• the heating and cooling module 70 and the ducts 74, 76 associated therewith illustrated in Figure 5A-C may be disposed in various positions within the seat assembly 40.
• the heating and cooling module 70 may be located in the driver or passenger position.
• the configuration of the inlet air duct 74 and the outlet air duct 76 may be located in various positions (or even eliminated) depending upon the configuration of the vehicle and the heating characteristics of the vehicle.
• Figure 9A corresponds to a configuration having the inlet air duct 74 extending in a lateral position such as that illustrated in Figure 6.
• the lateral position as mentioned above, may be on the cooled side of the vehicle.
• the outlet air duct 76 may be directed in a vertically downward direction relative to the vehicle 10.
• outlet air duct 76 is disposed in a lateral direction on the opposite side of the seat.
• the outlet air duct 76 in a motorcycle type vehicle, may be directed to the heated si de of th e v ehi ci e 10.
• the inlet air duct 74 and the outlet air duct 76 are directed beneath the seat assembly 40.
• the inlet air duct 74 and the outlet air duct 76 may be separated by the structure of the seat pan 60 or vehicle 10 so that outlet air is not drawn into the inlet air duct 74.
• heating and cooling module 70 may have the inlet air duct
• the vehicle 10 may include a fender 90 having the inlet air duct 74 coupled thereto.
• the air within the fender 90 is relatively cool and thus the inlet air duct 74 draws in cooler air than may be around the vehicle engine.
• the outlet ai duct 76 is directed beneath the seat.
• FIG. 9F a top view of a vehicle seat assembly 40 is set forth having the driver heating and cooling module 70' and the passenger heating and cooling module 70".
• the inlet air ducts 74', 74" are receiving air through the cooled side of the vehicle.
• the outlet air ducts 76', 76" are directed rearward and exhaust air through the rear portion of the seat.
• the rear portion of the seat may be the back side of the seat cover of at the rear portion of the seat pan.
• a seat 1010 is illustrated having a seat base 1012 and a seat back 1014.
• a heating and cooling module 1016 is located in the seat base 1012.
• a heating and cooling module 1018 is located in the seat back 1014.
• the configuration set forth in in Figure 10A may be for a single passenger vehicle or may be for a side-by-side vehicle, as described below in Fig. 10B.
• Base heating and cooling module 1016 may include air ducts 1030 and 1032.
• Pleating and cooling module 1018 may include air ducts 1034 and 1036.
• the air ducts 1030 and 1032 may be either inlet air ducts or outlet air ducts.
• inlet and outlet may be desired from different positions within the vehicle.
• air duct 1032 may be directed to the side of the seat base 1012. Exhaust air may be directed through the air duct 1030.
• air duct 1030 may also be an inlet air duct and air duct 1032 may represent an outlet air duct directed to the bottom of the seat base 1012.
• air ducts 1034 and 1036 may be inlet or outlet air ducts.
• Air duct 1034 may be directed to draw air from the rear of the seat back 1014.
• Outlet air may be directed through the side of the vehicle through the air duct 1036.
• inlet air may be drawn in through a side directed air duct 1036 and exhausted through air duct 1034.
• the air ducts 1032, 1032', 1034 and 1034' are directed to the space 1040 between the seats 1010 and 1010' . This may be especially desirable for muddy or dirty conditions. That is, the air ducts 1032 and 1032' are directed to the space 1040 between the seat base 1012 and the seat base 1012'.
• the air ducts 1034 and 1034' for inlet air to the heating and cooling modules 1018 and 1018' are directed to the space 1040 between the seat backs 1014 and 1014' .
• the air ducts 1030 and 1030' may be directed beneath the seats and, in particular, beneath the seat bases 1012, 1012', respectively.
• the air ducts 1036 and 1036' may be directed to the rear or below the seats.
• a control module 1110 is illustrated relative to various components of the vehicle.
• the control module 1110 may be in communication with various components such as turn signals 11 14, a horn 1116 and a headlight 11 18.
• the control module 1110 may also be in communication with a diagnostic port 11 12 used for diagnostics of various components such as the engine.
• the control module 1 1 0 may also control various engine functions.
• An alarm module 1 120 may also be in communication with the control module 1 1 10 to prevent theft of the vehicle.
• the functions performed by the control module 1110 may be performed by one or several microprocessors.
• a display 1 130 may be in communication with the control module 1 1 10 for displaying various types of information or providing various controls. If the display 1 130 is a touch screen, a user interface 1 132 may be implemented as touch screen buttons displayed on the user interface 1132. The user interface 1 132 may also be comprised of a plurality of discrete buttons located directly adjacent to the display 1 30. The user interface 1 132 may be used for inputting various key signals for performing various functions such as activating the heated and cooled seats and providing settings therefor.
• the control module 1 10 may be in communication with the driver heating and cooling module 70' and the passenger heating and cooling module 70". Of course, the passenger heating and cooling module may be controlled through a seat- mounted bezel and is described in more detail below.
• a controller area network 1140 may be used to intercommunicate between various components such as the display 130, the control module 1 110 and the heating and cooling modules 70', 70".
• the display 1130 of Figure 11 is illustrated in further detail.
• the display 1130 is a touch screen display that provides the user interface 1132.
• the user interface 1132 is used to provide signals from the touch screen for activating the heated and cooled seats for both the driver seat and passenger seat.
• the passenger seat control may be eliminated as the passenger seat may be controlled by a separate switch.
• a slide bar 1210 is used for providing an input for higher or lower activation of the heated and cooled seat.
• the passenger seat slide bar 1212 is also configured in a similar manner. The activation of the heated seats is performed using the user interface button 1214 for the driver seat or 1216 in the case of the passenger seat.
• Activation of the cooled seat is activated using the user interface button 1218 for the driver seat and 1220 for the passenger seat.
• the signals from the user interface buttons 1214-1220 and the slide bar 1210 and 1212 may be communicated through the controller area network 1140 of Figure 11.
• a bezel 1310 is illustrated for housing discrete switches that may be used for either the passenger seat heating and cooling control or the driver seat heating and cooling control.
• a bezel opening 62 may be provided in the seat for one or both of the bezels 1310 for control of the driver and passenger seat. Both the driver seat and passenger seat may be independently controlled through the implementation of different bezels.
• Figure 13A includes a hot button 1312, a cold button 1314 and an off button 1316 that are pressed to activate the hot, cold or turn off the heated and cooled seats.
• a slide dial bar 1318 may be split within a track 1320 to control the intensity of the heat or the cooling.
• a rocker switch 1330 may be implemented having a neutral position for "off.” Depressing the hot side 1332 activates the heating aspect of the seat while depressing the cold side 1334 rotates the rocker switch 1330 to activate the cooling aspect of the seat.
• a slide bar 1318 and track 1320 similar to that of 13 A may be used to control the intensity of the heating or cooling as described above.
• the bezel 1310 may include two three position switches 1350, 1360.
• the switches 1350, 1360 may be toggle switches that have a neutral or middle position (untoggled), an up depressed position and a down depressed position.
• the switch 1350 in this example includes an upward depressed position 1352 that activates heating of the seat, a neutral position 1354 for off and a downward depressed position 1350 that activates cooling of the seat.
• the switch 1360 includes an upward depressed position 1362 that activates high for heating or cooling depending on the position of the first switch 1350, a neutral position 1364 that activates a medium level of heating and cooling and a downward depressed position 1366 that activates a low level of heating and cooling.
• the positions could control different features and intensities.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
• Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
• Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

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• 2018
  • 2018-08-21 US US16/106,081 patent/US11034270B2/en active Active
  • 2018-08-24 EP EP18765337.3A patent/EP3672832B1/en active Active
  • 2018-08-24 CN CN201880054821.XA patent/CN111344221B/zh active Active
  • 2018-08-24 WO PCT/US2018/047978 patent/WO2019040889A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2018-08-24 JP JP2020510095A patent/JP6955625B2/ja active Active

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