초록 ▼

A climate controlled seat assembly includes an outer frame and one or more layers of fabric. A panel member attached to the opposite side of the frame defines an inner space located between the panel member and the fabric. One or more channels attached to or formed, in part, by the panel member are

A climate controlled seat assembly includes an outer frame and one or more layers of fabric. A panel member attached to the opposite side of the frame defines an inner space located between the panel member and the fabric. One or more channels attached to or formed, in part, by the panel member are in fluid communication with an opening in the panel member and a plurality of orifices located on the channels. Air from a fluid module or other device enters the channels and is discharged through the orifices in the direction of the fabric. The air passes through the fabric and reaches an occupant situated on the seating assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A climate controlled seat assembly comprising: an outer frame positioned at least in part along an outer perimeter of a backrest portion or a seat bottom portion of the seat assembly, said outer frame having a front side and a rear side; at least one layer of a fabric at leas

What is claimed is: 1. A climate controlled seat assembly comprising: an outer frame positioned at least in part along an outer perimeter of a backrest portion or a seat bottom portion of the seat assembly, said outer frame having a front side and a rear side; at least one layer of a fabric at least partially spanning across at least a portion of the outer frame, generally along the front side of the outer frame; and a panel member comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the panel member generally positioned along the rear side of the outer frame, the panel member comprising: a substantially air tight seal with the outer frame, the panel member and the fabric defining an interior cavity therebetween; wherein the seat assembly is cushion-less, so that the interior cavity extends throughout an entire depth between the panel member and the fabric; at least one opening extending from the first surface to the second surface of the panel member; and at least one channel positioned along the first surface of the panel member and generally away from the at least one layer of fabric, the channel defining a passageway, the passageway being in fluid communication with the opening and comprising a plurality of orifices in communication with the interior cavity; wherein fluid delivered into the passageway from the opening is generally distributed within the interior cavity through the plurality of orifices and through fabric toward a seated occupant. 2. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the passageway is defined between the channel and the panel member. 3. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel and the panel member form a unitary piece. 4. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid module that is in fluid communication with the passageway. 5. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the fluid module is positioned along the second side of the panel member. 6. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the fluid module includes a thermoelectric device. 7. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises a mesh structure. 8. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel member comprises a plastic. 9. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer frame defines a backrest portion. 10. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat assembly comprises an office chair. 11. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat assembly comprises a medical chair. 12. A climate controlled seat assembly comprising: a frame member having a first side and a second side, the frame member comprising at least one opening extending from the first side to the second side; a cushion member generally positioned along the first side of the frame member, the cushion member having a front surface, a rear surface and a central body extending between the front and rear surfaces, at least a portion of the central body configured to be generally air permeable; and at least one channel positioned adjacent to the first side of the frame member and comprising a plurality of orifices, the channel and frame member defining a passageway that is in fluid communication with the opening and the plurality of orifices; wherein the channel is located along the rear surface of the cushion member and generally away from the front surface of the cushion member; wherein the at least one channel is formed directly into the rear surface of the cushion member and does not extend to the front surface of the cushion member; and wherein air delivered into the passageway is distributed through the plurality of orifices and through at least a portion of the cushion member toward a seated occupant. 13. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 12, further comprising a fluid module that is in fluid communication with the passageway. 14. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 13, wherein the fluid module is positioned along the second side of the frame member. 15. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 13, wherein the fluid module includes a thermoelectric device. 16. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 12, further comprising a covering material placed adjacent to an outer surface of at least a portion of the cushion member. 17. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 16, wherein the covering material comprises a fabric material. 18. The climate controlled seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the cushion member comprises, at least in part, a foam material. 19. A climate controlled seat comprising: a cushion having first and second sides, the first side of said cushion generally facing a seated occupant, and the second side of said cushion generally opposite of said first side; a fluid distribution member comprising an inlet, a plurality of outlet orifices and an interior passageway located between the inlet and the outlet orifices; and a covering material positioned along the first side of the cushion; wherein the fluid distribution member is positioned along the second side of the cushion and generally does not extend to the first side of the cushion; and wherein fluid delivered from the inlet and into the interior passageway of the fluid distribution member is generally distributed through the plurality of orifices and through at least a portion of the cushion and covering material toward a seated occupant. 20. The climate controlled seat of claim 19, wherein the cushion comprises a fluid permeable portion through which fluid exiting the fluid distribution member may pass. 21. The climate controlled seat of claim 19, wherein the cushion comprises at least one conduit extending from the second side to the first side of the cushion, such that fluid exiting the plurality of orifices of the fluid distribution member can be selectively directed through the conduit of the cushion and through the covering material toward a seated occupant. 22. The climate controlled seat of claim 19, wherein the fluid distribution member is attached to the second side of the cushion. 23. The climate controlled seat of claim 19, wherein the fluid distribution member is formed within the second side of the cushion. 24. The climate controlled seat of claim 19, wherein the fluid distribution member is attached to a rear panel and is not attached to the cushion.