초록

There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A seating system, comprising: a seat having a seat cushion and a seat backrest cushion, at least one of which is part of a ventilated component, each of the ventilated components having an air-permeable trim surface at an occupant contact area of the seat; an insert located b

What is claimed is: 1. A seating system, comprising: a seat having a seat cushion and a seat backrest cushion, at least one of which is part of a ventilated component, each of the ventilated components having an air-permeable trim surface at an occupant contact area of the seat; an insert located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including the following: i. a forward layer including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface; ii. a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least one opening; iii. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the insert; and iv. an air mover disposed on an outside of the insert, attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material; wherein the seat cushion or seat backrest cushion includes a through-hole that receives the air mover upon assembly of the insert to the ventilated component. 2. The seating system according to claim 1, wherein the air mover also includes a controller combined into a single housing. 3. The seating system according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending annular flange wall of the air mover is connected to the rearward layer with an adhesive. 4. The seating system according to claim 3, wherein the seating system includes thermoelectric elements to provide heating, cooling or both via the insert. 5. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the forward layer includes a heater. 6. The seating system as in claim 5 wherein the heater comprises positive temperature coefficient materials. 7. The seating system as in claim 6 wherein the heater comprises a substrate layer comprised of a polymeric film. 8. The seating system as in claim 5 wherein the heater comprises a carbon material. 9. The seating system as in claim 5 wherein the heater comprises a polymer resistive heater. 10. The seating system as in claim 9 wherein the heater includes one or more openings for allowing air to flow therethrough. 11. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the forward layer, the rearward layer, or both comprises a fleece, mesh or gauze material. 12. The seating system as in claim 11 wherein the forward layer and the rearward layer are sealed about a periphery forming a sealed peripheral edge. 13. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to push air through the air-permeable trim surface. 14. The seating system as in claim 1 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to pull air through the air-permeable trim surface. 15. A seating system, comprising: a seat having a seat cushion and a seat backrest cushion, at least one of which is a ventilated component, each of the ventilated components having an air-permeable trim surface at an occupant contact area of the seat; an insert located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including the following: i. a forward layer including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface; ii. a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least one opening; iii. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the insert; iv. an air mover disposed on an outside of the insert, attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material; and v. a heater layer wherein the seat cushion or seat backrest cushion includes a through-hole that receives the air mover upon assembly of the insert to the ventilated component. 16. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the heater layer comprises positive temperature coefficient materials. 17. The seating system as in claim 16 wherein the heater layer comprises a substrate layer comprised of a polymeric film. 18. The seating system as in claim 17 wherein the polymeric film includes one or more openings for allowing air to flow therethrough. 19. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the heater layer comprises a carbon material. 20. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the heater layer comprises a polymer resistive heater. 21. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the heater includes one or more openings for allowing air to flow therethrough. 22. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the forward layer, the rearward layer, or both comprises a fleece, mesh, or gauze material. 23. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the heater layer is attached to the forward layer with an adhesive, fasteners, mechanical interlocks, radio frequency welding, vibration welding, heat staking, or combinations thereof. 24. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the forward layer and the rearward layer are sealed about a periphery forming a sealed peripheral edge. 25. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to push air through the air-permeable trim surface. 26. The seating system as in claim 15 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to pull air through the air-permeable trim surface. 27. A seating system, comprising: a seat having a seat cushion and a seat backrest cushion, at least one of which is a ventilated component, each of the ventilated components having a trim cover including an air-permeable surface at an occupant contact area of the seat and a heater layer; an insert located beneath the trim surface of each ventilated component, the insert including the following: i. a forward layer including a heater a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the air-permeable trim surface; ii. a rearward layer comprising a first material and including at least one opening; iii. a spacer material sandwiched between the forward layer and the rearward layer, creating an open space within the insert; iv. an air mover disposed on an outside of the insert, attached to an inner surface of the rearward layer at the at least one opening with an outwardly extending annular flange wall, and in fluid communication with the spacer material; and wherein the seat cushion or seat backrest cushion includes a through-hole that receives the air mover upon assembly of the insert to the ventilated component. 28. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the heater layer comprises positive temperature coefficient materials. 29. The seating system as in claim 28 wherein the heater layer comprises a substrate layer comprised of a polymeric film. 30. The seating system as in claim 29 wherein the polymeric film includes one or more openings for allowing air to flow therethrough. 31. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the heater layer comprises a carbon material. 32. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the heater layer comprises a polymer resistive heater. 33. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the heater layer includes one or more openings for allowing air to flow therethrough. 34. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the forward layer, the rearward layer, or both comprises a fleece, mesh or gauze material. 35. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the forward layer and the rearward layer are sealed about a periphery forming a sealed peripheral edge. 36. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to push air through the air-permeable trim surface. 37. The seating system as in claim 27 wherein the air mover is a fan that is adapted to pull air through the air-permeable trim surface.