WO2022208300A1

WO2022208300A1 - Temperature controlled seats

Info

Publication number: WO2022208300A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/052819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kranthi Kiran Vistakula; Shiva KUMBAR; Naveen Kumar BOGA
Original assignee: Dhama Innovations PVT. Ltd.
Priority date: 2021-03-27
Filing date: 2022-03-28
Publication date: 2022-10-06

Abstract

A temperature-controlled seat 200 is disclosed that is based on a plurality of cool/heat blocks 300 embedded in back portion 210 and seat portion 220 of the seat 200. The cool/heat blocks 300 work based on thermoelectric modules 304 provided therein to provide cooling and heating based on polarity of voltage applied to the thermoelectric modules 304. The cool/heat blocks 300 are of modular construction configured to be coupled to female frames moulded or glued to foams of the seat 200. Each of the cool/heat blocks 300 includes a coin 302, a thermoelectric module 304, a heat sink 306 and a fan 310 to dissipate heat from the heat sink 310.

Description

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED SEATS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of seats. In particular, the present disclosure relates to seats, such as seats for passenger vehicle, commercial vehicles, sofa seats, etc., that are temperature-controlled.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Drivers of vehicles, such as commercial vehicles, are required to drive for long hours, during which they need to remain in comfortable position to be alert all the time. While driving, the back and shoulder muscles are put to work leading to faster metabolism than in an idle state, which results in generating more heat. The generated metabolic heat needs to be removed, which is a complicated process involving heat diffusion, heat convection by fluid flow like blood and urine. Heat transfer within biological tissue is mainly by blood perfusion, i.e. the flow of blood permeation through tissues: skin, muscle, fat, bone, and organs from arteries to capillaries and veins. Thus, the blood flow helps in spreading the cooling effect throughout the body.

[0004] However, since the occupant of the vehicle is seated continuously for a long time, blood flow is reduced resulting in inefficient dissipation of the heat. This leads to sweating of the occupant at the buttocks and the back, and the occupant may even develop heat rashes on account of long hours that the drivers are required to remain seated. It may also lead to other health issues like piles and impotence.

[0005] The problem is further made worse as majority of commercial vehicles, at least in India, are without any air conditioner in the driver cabin. A move by Government of India to make cabin heating and cooling mandatory was dropped under pressure from vehicle manufacturers, who feared increase in cost of vehicles, as a result, 90% of commercial vehicle driver cabins in India are non-air conditioned. Two wheelers in any case cannot be provided with air-conditioning.

[0006] Even though the air-conditioning system of the driver cabin/vehicle, if provided, are designed to have enough capacity to provide comfort for transient periods, when cooling down, and condition the entire cabin to a comfortable range of temperature and humidity regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle, they fail to control the temperature of the seat. This is so because the seat is continuously warmed by the body heat of the occupant and is relatively slow to cooled down due to lack of ventilation. Similarly, during winter, the seat stays cold till the heater warms up the air.

[0007] Efforts have been made in the art to overcome these drawbacks by providing improved ventilation, such as by providing fans and ventilation passages in the seat foams. However, such arrangements are not very efficient requiring higher consumption of electricity and not very effective in improving temperature perception of the user.

[0008] Energy efficiency becomes even more important in case of electric vehicles, which have limited stored electric power and operational range of the vehicle is dependent on efficient utilization of the stored electric power. A substantial consumption in cooling/heating of the driver cabin/vehicle, such as by air-conditioning and/or providing ventilation to the seats, adversely affects the range of the vehicle, besides also affecting lifespan of the batteries on account of increased number of charge and discharge cycles.

[0009] There is therefore a requirement of improved vehicle seats having heating and cooling arrangement for the occupant to remain comfortable and overcome the above stated drawbacks of conventional methods to improve occupants’ comfort level.

[0010] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. [0011] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0012] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0013] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0014] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A general object of the present disclosure is to overcome above mentioned drawbacks of the conventional methods to improve comfort level of occupants of seats.

[0016] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat that provides comfort to the occupant both during summers and winters.

[0017] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat cover that provides comfort to the occupant both during summers and winters,

[0018] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling and heating arrangement for the seat that reduces power consumption. [0019] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling and heating arrangement for the seat that is modular.

[0020] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling and heating arrangement for the seat that can be implemented at the manufacturing stage of the seat or implemented on existing seats without any major modifications.

SUMMARY

[0021] Aspects of the present disclosure relate toan improved seat that overcome limitations of known methods of improving comfort level of seat occupants. In particular, the present disclosure provides a seat that incorporates integrated cooling and heating arrangement to provide a localized heating and cooling to keep the occupant comfortable by forming a microclimate around the occupant, as against general heating and cooling of the ambient, such as a cabin/vehicle, in case of the vehicle seats. The localized heating and coolingresults in reduced energy consumption since the system only needs to cool the person instead of the entire cabin space and cabin thermal mass. It can also provide accelerated comfort for the occupant during the cooling down periods of the environment, such as cooling down of a vehicle/cabin. In another aspect, the system allows cooling and heating to be limited to the occupant of the seat, thereby saving energy by preventing conditioning of areas that are not occupied.

[0022] In an aspect, heating and cooling in the proposed seat is based on a plurality of cool/ heat blocks that are embedded in any one or both of a seat portion and a back portion of the seat to provide localized heating and cooling, depending on requirement. Each of the plurality of cool and heat blocks includes a thermoelectric module, a thermally conducting coin shaped cool and heat component (referred to as coin), a heat sink and a fan to help efficient transfer of heat to/from the heat sink.

[0023] The components that constitute the cool and heat block are accommodated in a male frame that is configured to be detachably coupled to a female frame. The female frame can be embedded in seat foams, such as during moulding of the foam or later during retro fitment of the cool/heat blocks. The female frame can be configured to suite different types of seats, but the male frame and other components mounted thereon can remain same irrespective of application. This makes the cool/heat block modular in construction and provides ease of repair and replacement. [0024] In an embodiment, the male frame and the female frame may be provided with snapfit features. However, fitting by hardware, such as screws is well within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] In an embodiment, the coin can be made of a conducting material, such as but not limited to Aluminium. The coin and the thermoelectric module may be fixed together by a thermal glue to provide good conductivity between the two.

[0026] In an embodiment, the heat sink may also be made of a conducting material and may be fixed to the thermoelectric module by a thermal glue such that the thermoelectric module is sandwiched between the heat sinkand the coin.

[0027] In an embodiment, each of the coins can be individually covered by a piece of fabric. In an alternate embodiment, the coins may be covered by the upholstery fabric of the seat portion and the back portion. In another embodiment, the cool/heat blocks may be positioned such that the respective coins are below an outer surface of the respective seat portion. This can avoid any inconvenience to the occupant due to presence of the coins.

[0028] As known in the art, a thermoelectric module, when subjected to an electric voltage across two surfaces of the thermoelectric module, transfers heat from one surface to the other depending on polarity of the applied voltage. Therefore, any one surface of a single thermoelectric module can provide cooling or heating effect by reversing the polarity of the applied voltage. Accordingly, when the applied polarity results in the surface of the thermoelectric module that is fixed with a coin getting cool, the corresponding coin transfer heat from the occupant of the seat to the thermoelectric module, which is further transferred by the thermoelectric module to the heat sink, resulting in heating up of the heat sink. The corresponding fan provides an air current to dissipate heat from the heat sink. Similarly, when the polarity of the applied voltage is reversed, heat is transferred from the heat sink to the coin to heat the occupant.

[0029] In an embodiment, the cool/heat blocks can be coupled to a control circuit that is configured to control the polarity of voltage applied to the thermoelectric modules, and the current to the thermoelectric modules and the fan. There can also be a switch module that enables the occupant to operation of the cool/heat blocks, such as switching the cool/heat function ON and OFF, as well as amount of heating/cooling. In an embodiment, each seat can have independent control circuit and switch module so that heating/cooling operation may be made operational selectively based on occupancy, thereby saving on electric consumption. [0030] In an embodiment, the seat portion and the back portion of the temperature- controlled seat can further include a thin sheet of conducting material positioned over the coins of the set of cool/heat blocks provided in the seat portion and the back portion. This can help in the cooling/heating effect of the respective set of cool/heat blocks to be felt by the occupant over a larger surface area and improve his perception of cooling/heating. The thin sheet can be made of a conducting material such as but not limited to copper and graphite. The thin sheet can be positioned below the upholstery fabric of the seat portion and the back portion.

[0031] In an alternate embodiment of the thermoelectric cool/heat blocks, each of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat block may be accommodated in a duct configured to fit the fan at one end of the duct. The heat sink may be configured such that, when the fan is operational, an airflow from the fan passes through a plurality of parallelly disposed fins. [0032] The foam may include an air intake channel having at least one end opening to outside of the foam, and a plurality of air outlet channels branching off from theair intake channel. The air outlet channels can have opening to the outside of the foam.

[0033] The ducts accommodating the thermoelectric cool/heat block may be placed in the plurality of air outlet channels to receive air from air intake channel.

[0034] In application, the seat can be any of a passenger vehicle seat, a commercial vehicle seat, a sofa seat and a office chair seat.

[0035] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIGs. 1A and IB illustrate exemplary images of a back portion and a seat portion respectively of a vehicle seat showing lack of cooling of seat surfaces on which a passenger rests.

[0038] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary views of a back portion and a seat portion respectively of a proposed temperature-controlled vehicle seat showing a plurality of cool/heat blocks embedded therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0039] FIG. 2C illustratesan exemplary front view of the disclosed temperature- controlled vehicle seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a cool/heat block, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary exploded view of a cool/heat block, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary view of a female frame embedded in foam of the back potion and the seat portion of the temperature-controlled vehicle seat and configured to hold the cool/heat block, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary frontand rear views respectively of a seat foamshowing a plurality of cavities and the female frame embedded therein, in accordance with the second embodiment.

[0044] FIGs. 4C and 4D illustrate exemplary front and rear views respectively of a seat foam showing cool/heat blocks fitted to the female frames, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a conducting plate provided over the cool/heat blocks, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate exemplary thermal images of seats of FIGs. 4C and 5 respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 7A and 7B illustrate exemplary thermal images of back and bottom of an occupant of temperature-controlled seats of FIGs. 4C and 5 respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary schematic arrangement of an alternate configuration of the cool/heat block that can be accommodated within an air channel in foam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary view of a heat sink with fins configured for use with the cool/heat block of FIG. 8A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate a front view and a back view respectively, of a foam for a passenger seat configured with airflow channels and fitment of the cool/heat block of FIG. 8A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary view of a back attachment for a passenger seat cor providing cooling/heating to the back of user of the seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0052] FIGs. 11A to 11F illustrate steps involved in positioning cool/heat blocks in a two-wheeler seat with a graphite sheet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary view of a finished two -wheeler seat fitted with cool/heat blocks, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary thermal image of the two -wheeler seat fitted of FIG 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0056] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0057] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0058] Embodiments explained herein relate to a temperature-controlled seat that overcomes the problem faced by occupants with conventional arrangements to provide heating and cooling. Specifically, the conventional methods do not take care of seat’s resistance to natural removal of heat generated by the back, shoulder and thigh muscles that are put to work, such as during driving, and therefore generate more heat due to faster metabolism than in an idle state. While other body parts lose heat by help of air current, lack of natural heat removal from back, gluteal region and the thighs by convection and evaporation due to their being in continuous contact with the seat. Results in sweating at back, neck and thigh portions of the occupant. [0059] It is to be appreciated that while various embodiments have been illustrated and explained herein with reference to vehicle seats, the concepts disclosed herein can be applied to any seat, such as a passenger vehicle seat, a commercial vehicle seat or a sofa seat etc., without any limitation whatsoever, and all such applications are well within the scope of the present application.

[0060] FIGs. 1A and IB illustrate exemplary images of a back portion 110 and a seat portion 120 respectively of a vehicle seat showing lack of cooling of seat surfaces on which a passenger rests. As can be seen the temperature in the region that are in contact with the occupant is much higher than the surrounding temperature. The problem is further aggravated as user’s back and thigh region has higher weight in overall body comfort and therefore has more effect on overall comfort of the occupant. These areas are also subjected to more pressure thereby inducing higher irritation as compared to other regions.

[0061] In an aspect, the present disclosure overcomes the above stated problem by a localized heating and cooling to keep the occupant comfortable by forming a microclimate around the occupant. This can also be more energy efficient since the system only needs to cool the person instead of the entire cabin space and cabin thermal mass. It can also provide accelerated comfort for the passenger during the cooling down periods of the vehicle/cabin. Additionally, the system adapts to the number of passengers in the vehicle and does not purposely condition areas that are not occupied.

[0062] In an aspect, the proposed seat is based on a plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks (also referred to as cool/heat blocks and the terms used interchangeably hereinafter) fixed within a foam of any or both of seat portion and a back portion of the seat. Each of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks includes a thermoelectric peltier module ((also referred to as thermoelectric peltier module and the terms used interchangeably hereinafter); a heat sink fixed to one side of the thermoelectric peltier module; a fan to blow air over the heat sink to facilitate heat transfer to/ from the heat sink; anda cool and heat component fixed to the other surface of the thermoelectric peltier module. The plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks are fixed within the foam such that the cool and heat components of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks form a microclimate around an occupant providing a localized heating and cooling to keep the occupant comfortable.

[0063] In an embodiment, the seat may include a flexible sheet of a conducting material that is placed over the the cool and heat components of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks to transfer the cooling and heating to a larger area of the seat that is in contact with the occupant. [0064] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet may be made of graphite or copper.

[0065] In an embodiment, the thermoelectric cool/heat blocks may be accommodated in a male frame that is configured to be detachably coupled to a female frame., wherein the female frame is embedded in the foam.

[0066] In an embodiment, the female frame may be embedded in the foam during moulding of the foam or later during retro fitment of the cool/heat blocks.

[0067] In an embodiment, the female frame may be configured to suite the seat, and further configured for coupling the male frame that remains a common component.

[0068] In an embodiment, the male frame and the female frame may include snap fit features.

[0069] In an embodiment, the cool and heat component may be made of a good conductor of heat, such as but not limited to aluminium.

[0070] In an embodiment, the cool and heat component and the heat sink may be fixed to the thermoelectric peltier module by a thermal glue to provide good conductivity therebetween.

[0071] In an embodiment, the cool/heat blocks are positioned in the foam such that the respective cool and heat components are below an outer surface of the foam to avoid any inconvenience to the occupant. Gap between the cool and heat components and the outer surface of the foam may be 3 -30mm.

[0072] In an embodiment, the gap between the cool and heat components and the outer surface of the foam may be filled with pieces of foam after the flexible sheet has been fixed to the cool and heat components and the outer surface of the foam.

[0073] In an embodiment, the seat may include a control circuit configured to control polarity of voltage applied to the thermoelectric modules, the current to the thermoelectric modules and the fan.

[0074] In an alternate embodiment, each of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat block may be accommodated in a duct configured to fit the fan at one end of the duct. The heat sink may be configured such that, when the fan is operational, an airflow from the fan passes through a plurality of parallelly disposed fins.

[0075] In an embodiment, the foam may include an air intake channel having at least one end opening to outside of the foam, and a plurality of air outlet channels, which may branch off from theair intake channel. The air outlet channels may have opening to the outside of the foam. [0076] In an embodiment, the ducts accommodating the thermoelectric cool/heat block may be placed in the plurality of air outlet channels to receive air from air intake channel. [0077] Referring now to FIGs. 2A to 3C, where various features of the proposed temperature-controlled vehicle seat are disclosed, the temperature controlled vehicle seat 200 can include a plurality of cool/heat blocks, such as cool/heat blocks 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 etc. (collectively and individually referred to as cool/heat block(s) 300), embedded in the back portion 210 and the seat portion 220 of the vehicle seat 200. In an aspect, each of the plurality of cool/ heat blocks 300 provides localized heating and cooling, depending on requirement to create a microclimate around the occupant and provide a perception of cooling and heating to the occupant.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 3B, each of the plurality of cool and heat blocks 300 includes a thermoelectric module 304, a thermally conducting coin shaped cool and heat component 302 (also referred to as coin 302 and both the terms used interchangeably hereinafter), a heat sink306 and a fan 310 to transfer heat to or from, as the case may be, the heat sink 306. The heat sink 306 can include fins 308 for efficient cooling/heating. There can be a cabin box 312 to hold the fan 310. A hot air pipe (not shown here) may also be provided to direct the hot/cold air from the cabin box 312 in a desired direction.

[0079] The thermoelectric module 304, the coin 302, the heat sink 306 and the fan 310 can befixed to a male frame 320 that is configured to be detachably coupled to a female frame 350 (refer to FIG. 3C). The female frame 350 can be embedded in seat foams, such as during moulding of the foam or later during retro fitment of the cool/heat blocks 300. The female frame 350 can include a plurality of holes 352 to ensure proper bonding of the female frame 350 with the respective foam. The female frame 350 can be configured to suite different types of seats, but the male frame 320 and other components mounted thereon can remain same irrespective of application, thereby making the cool/heat block 300 modular. [0080] In an embodiment, the male frame 320 and the female frame 350 may be provided with snapfit features, such as snap features 322 and 354 on the male frame 320 and the female frame 350, shown in FIGs. 3B and 3C respectively. However, fitting by hardware, such as screws is well within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] In an embodiment, the coins 302 and the heat sinks 306 can be made of a conducting material, such as but not limited to Aluminium, and can be fixed to the thermoelectric module 304 on opposite surfaces of the thermoelectric module 304 by a thermal glue to provide good conductivity between them. As shown in FIG. 3B, the thermoelectric module 304 is sandwiched between the heat sink304 and the coin 302. [0082] In an embodiment, the heat sink 306 can be configured to be fixed to the corresponding male frame 320 and the thermoelectric module 304 and the coin 302 can be glued, one after the other, to the heat sink 306 such that the thermoelectric module 304 is sandwiched between the heat sink 304 and the coin 302.

[0083] In an embodiment, the cool/heat blocks 300 can be coupled to a control circuit (not shown here) that is configured to control the polarity of voltage applied to the thermoelectric modules 304, and the current to the thermoelectric modules 304 and the fan 310. There can also be a switch module (not shown here) that enables the occupant to operation of the cool/heat blocks 300, such as switching the cool/heat function ON and OFF, as well as amount of heating/cooling. In an embodiment, each seat 200 can have independent control circuit and switch module so that heating/cooling operation may be made operational selectively based on occupancy, thereby saving on electric consumption.

[0084] Referring to FIGs. 4A to 4D, the cool/heat blocks can be configured in respective foams, such as foam 402, of the back portion 210 and the seat portion 220 of the seat 200 in cavities provided therein. For this, the female frame 350 can be embedded at the designated places in the respective foams 402 at the time of moulding of the foam, which can also cater to the cavities. Alternatively, during retro fitment in an existing seat, the respective foams can be cut to create cavities and provide recesses for the female frame 350, which can be glued in the recesses. Thereafter, the cool/heat blocks 300 can be snap fitted or screwed to the female frames 350, as shown in FIGs. 4C and 4D.

[0085] In an embodiment, each of the coins 302 can be individually covered by a piece of fabric. In an alternate embodiment, the coins 302 may be covered by the upholstery fabric of the seat portion 220 and the back portion 210. In another embodiment, the cool/heat blocks 300 may be positioned such that the respective coins 302 are below an outer surface of the respective portion of the seat 200.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 5, the seat portion 220 and the back portion 210 of the temperature-controlled vehicle seat 200 can further include a thin sheet 500 of conducting material positioned over the coins 302 of the set of cool/heat blocks 300 provided in the seat portion 220 and the back portion 210. This can help in the cooling/heating effect of the respective set of cool/heat blocks 300 to be felt by the occupant over a larger surface area and improve his perception of cooling/heating. The thin sheet 500 can be made of a conducting material, such as but not limited to copper and graphite. The thin sheet 500 can be positioned below the upholstery fabric of the seat portion and the back portion. [0087] FIG. 6A illustrates exemplary thermal image of seats of FIG. 4C showing the cooling effect of the coins in the region of the individual coins. FIG. 6B illustrates exemplary thermal image of seats of FIG. 5 showing the cooling effect of the cool/heat blocks in the region of the thin plate 500, which covers a larger surface. FIG. 7A and 7B illustrate exemplary thermal images of back and bottom of an occupant of temperature-controlled seats of FIGs. 4C and 5 respectively, sowing a corresponding effect on the occupant.

[0088] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary schematic arrangement of an alternative configuration of the cool/heat blocks. As shown therein, the alternative cool/heat blocks 800 includes a duct 802 that is configured for flow of air for cooling /heating of a heat sink 806. One end of the duct 802 can be configured to accommodate a fan 804. When the fan 804 is operated, air flows through the duct 802 such that it flows through fins provided on the heat sink 806. As can be seen, a plurality of parallel fins extend from one surface of the heat sink 804 that extend along a longitudinal direction of the duct 802, in which longitudinal direction air from the fan 804 flows. A thermoelectric module 808 is fixed to the heat sink 806 on an opposite surface of the heat sink 806. A cool and heat component (coin) may be fixed with a thermal glue to opposite side of the thermoelectric module 808.

[0089] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the heat sink 806 having a plurality of parallelly disposed fins 810. Depending on requirement, size of the heat sink 806 as well as height of the fins 810 may vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the fins 810 may have a height of 9mm to 22mm.

[0090] FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate exemplary images respectively showing back side and front side a foam for embedding the cool/heat blocks 800 of FIG. 8A. The foam 900 includes channels located on the back side. The channels comprising an air intake channel 902 and a plurality of air outlet channels 904 that branch off from the air intake channel 902. The plurality of air outlet channels 904 may be at right angle to the air intake channel 902 and may connect to the air intake channel 902 at their inner ends. The outer ends of the plurality of air outlet channels 904 may open to outside to allow air to flow out. Any one end or both the ends of the air intake channel 902 may open to the outside for air to flow in. Each air outlet channels 904 includes a fan placement position 908 close to respective point of joining the air intake channel 902. There can be a plurality of TEC placement openings 906, each located in one of the air outlet channel 904 such that when the cool/heat blocks 800 is placed in the air outlet channels 904, the heat sinks 906 are located adjacent the TEC placement openings 906 for a coin coupled to the corresponding heat sinks 906 to be located aligned with the corresponding TEC placement opening 906. Also provided is a hole 910 for routing cable from the cool/heat blocks 800.

[0091] As can be seen, the exemplary illustration of FIGs. 9 A and 9B show a foam having four air outlet channels 904 located on each side of the air intake channel 902 and each air intake channel includes one TEC placement opening 906, thus having provision for fitting a total of 8 cool/heat blocks 800 and equal number of coins to cover a wide area of the seat. However, it is possible to configure the foam to have any desired number of cool/heat blocks 800 depending on requirement. Irrespective of the numbers of cool/heat blocks 800, air enters the system from top and bottom vents, i.e., openings of the air intake channel 902 and gets rejected out of the system from the side vents, i.e. the openings of the air outlet channels 904 carrying the heat pumped by the thermoelectric cool/heat blocks 800. The cooling point locations get cold/hot to provide favourableconditions to the occupant.

[0092] In an aspect, the foam 900 can be used for any of a seat portion and a back portion of a seat. Alternatively, the foam can also be used for fabricating a seat cover to be placed over back or seat portion of an existing seat to provide heating /cooling to the occupant. FIG. 10 shows an exemplary application as a back seat cover 1000 placed over the back portion of a seat. The seat cover can have its power source and an analogue controller with two-way switch for cool/hot mode selection and regulator to adjust temperature range of the the cool/heat blocks 800.

[0093] FIGs. 11A to 11F illustrate steps involved in positioning cool/heat blocks in a two-wheeler seat with a graphite sheet, wherein the coin is located at a depth in the foam. As shown in FIGs. 11A and 11B, foam 1100 of the seat includes two cutouts, such as cutouts 1102-1 and 1102-2 (collectively referred hereinafter as cutout 1102) for locating thermoelectric cool/heat blocks, such as cool/heat blocks 1104-1 and 1104-2 (collectively referred hereinafter as cool/heat block 1104). As shown in FIG. 11C, the cool/heat blocks 1104 may be positioned such that the coins are located below a top surface of the foam 1100. This prevents direct contact of the coin with the occupant. The gap between the top surface and the coin can be filled by pieces of foam, and cooling/heating effect from the coin to the occupant can be transferred by placing a flexible sheet of a conducting material, such as copper or graphite, such as a graphite sheet 1108, shown in FIG. 11D.

[0094] FIG. 11E shows the graphite sheet 1108 glued to the coins and bent in such a shape to cover the top contact area of the foam 110, as shown therein.With this, the graphite sheet 1108 on coin, depending on overall thickness of the seat, can be3mm to 30mm below the top surface of the foam 1100. The gap between the top surface of the foam 1100 and the graphite sheet 1108, which is in contact with the coin can be filled by a foam piece 1110, as shown in FIG. 11F. The foam 1100 can thereafter be upholstered by a seat cover to have the completed two-wheeler seat 1200, shown in FIG. 12.

[0095] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary thermal image of the two -wheeler seat fitted of FIG. 12 with the cool/heat blocks. As can be seen the cooling effect of the cool/heat blocks is experienced over a large region, even though the coin itself is not in direct contact with outer surface of the seat the thin plate 500, which covers a larger surface, which is possible on account of the flexible graphite sheet.

[0096] It is to be appreciated that manner of placing the cool/heat blocks in the foam such that the coin is below the top surface of the foam, as shown in FIGs. 11A to 11F and explained in the earlier paragraph with reference to a two-wheeler seat, the concept can be applied to any seat, such as a passenger vehicle seat, a commercial vehicle seat or a sofa seat etc., without any limitation whatsoever, and all such applications are well within the scope of the present application.

[0097] Thus, the present disclosure provides a cost effective and energy efficient solution to the problem of discomfort to the occupants of vehicle seats during long journeys. Specifically, the proposed temperature-controlled seat overcomes drawbacks of conventional methods of heating and cooling which do not efficiently heat and cool buttocks and the backof the occupant due to lack of air circulation.

[0098] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0099] The present disclosure overcome drawbacks of the conventional methods to improve comfort level of occupants of seats.

[00100] The present disclosure provides a seat that provides comfort to the occupant both during summers and winters.

[00101] The present disclosure provides a seat cover that provides comfort to the occupant both during summers and winters, [00102] The present disclosure provides a cooling and heating arrangement for the seat that reduces power consumption.

[00103] The present disclosure provides a cooling and heating arrangement for the seat that is modular. [00104] The present disclosure provides a cooling and heating arrangement for seat that can be implemented at the manufacturing stage of the seat or implemented on existing seats without any major modifications.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A seat comprising: a plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks fixed within a foam of any or both of seat portion and a back portion of the seat, each of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks comprising: a thermoelectric peltier module; a heat sink fixed to one side of the thermoelectric peltier module; a fan to blow air over the heat sink to facilitate heat transfer to/ from the heat sink; and a cool and heat component fixed to the other surface of the thermoelectric peltier module; wherein the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks are fixed within the foam such that the cool and heat components of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks form a microclimate around an occupant providing a localized heating and cooling to keep the occupant comfortable.

2. The seat as claimed in claim 1, comprising a flexible sheet of a conducting material that is placed over the the cool and heat components of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blocks to transfer the cooling and heating to a larger area of the seat that is in contact with the occupant.

3. The seat as claimed in claim2, wherein the flexible sheet is made of graphite or copper.

4. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric cool/heat blocks are accommodated in a male frame that is configured to be detachably coupled to a female frame., wherein the female frame is embedded in the foam.

5. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the female frame is embedded in the foam during moulding of the foam or later during retro fitment of the cool/heat blocks.

6. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the female frame is configured to suite the seat, and further configured to for coupling the male frame that remains a common component.

7. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the male frame and the female frame includesnapfit features.

8. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cool and heat component is made of aluminium.

9. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cool and heat component and the heat sinkare fixed to the thermoelectric peltier moduleby a thermal glue to provide good conductivity therebetween.

10. The seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cool/heat blocks are positioned in the foam such that the respective cool and heat components are below an outer surface of the foam to avoid any inconvenience to the occupant.

11. The seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein a gap between the cool and heat components and the outer surface of the foam is filled with pieces of foam after the flexible sheet has been fixed to the cool and heat components and the outer surface of the foam.

12. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the seat includes a control circuit configured to control polarity of voltage applied to the thermoelectric modules, the current to the thermoelectric modules and the fan.

13. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of thermoelectric cool/heat blockis accommodated in a duct configured to fit the fan at one end of the duct, and wherein the heat sink is configured such that, when the fan is operational, an airflow from the fan passes through a plurality of parallelly disposed fins.

14. The seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein the foam includes an air intake channel having at least one end opening to outside of the foam, and a plurality of air outlet channels branching off from the air intake channel and having opening to theoutside of the foam.

15. The seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the ducts accommodating the thermoelectric cool/heat blockare placed in the plurality of air outlet channels to receive air from air intake channel.

16. The seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the seat is any of a passenger vehicle seat, a commercial vehicle seat, a sofa seat and a office chair seat.