IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0474759
(2009-05-29)
|
등록번호 |
US-8136874
(2012-03-20)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Negrini, Milton Jose
- Major, Gregory A.
- Hill, William R.
- Hrnjak, Pega
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- GM Global Technology Operations LLC
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
8 |
초록
▼
A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independ
A fluid-based or fluidic climate control system for a seat includes first and second portions positionable adjacent to first and second surfaces of the seat and a fluid control module (FCM) for circulating fluid in a closed-loop within the portions. The FCM delivers fluid to the portions at independently-controllable temperatures. An interface may be used to control the temperatures. The FCM may include a heat exchanger module (HEM) having a fan connected to an energy storage device (ESD). The FCM may include a miniature vapor compressor for circulating the fluid. A method of cooling a seat includes positioning first and second portions of the system adjacent to different surfaces of the seat, and using the FCM to circulate fluid within a closed-loop passage of the portions while independently controlling the temperature of the fluid, and thus the portions, using a user interface.
대표청구항
▼
1. A portable climate control system for use with a seat, the system comprising: a first portion that is removably positionable over a first surface of the seat to thereby cover the first surface;a second portion that is removably positionable over a second surface of the seat to thereby cover the s
1. A portable climate control system for use with a seat, the system comprising: a first portion that is removably positionable over a first surface of the seat to thereby cover the first surface;a second portion that is removably positionable over a second surface of the seat to thereby cover the second surface, wherein each of the portions contains respective coils; anda fluid control module (FCM) in fluid communication with the coils of each of the first and second portions to thereby define a closed-loop fluid passage between the FCM and the first and second portions, wherein the FCM circulates a supply of refrigerant only within the closed-loop fluid passage and includes a plurality of valves which selectively deliver the refrigerant to the first and second portions at independently-controllable temperatures;wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the FCM are removably connected to the seat to allow portability of the system between different seats. 2. The system of claim 1, including a user interface in electrical communication with the FCM, and having a pair of temperature input devices each controlling a temperature of a corresponding one of the first and the second portions. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage device (ESD), wherein the FCM includes a heat exchanger module (HEM) having an electric fan that is electrically connected to the ESD. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the FCM includes a miniature vapor compressor that compresses and circulates the refrigerant through the closed-loop fluid passage. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the FCM is positioned adjacent to a base of the seat and admits a flow of air through the FCM and into a space beneath the seat. 6. A portable climate control system for use with a vehicle seat, the system comprising: a back portion covering a back cushion of the vehicle seat;a seat portion covering a seat cushion of the vehicle seat; anda fluid control module (FCM) circulating a supply of refrigerant within a closed-loop fluid passage within the seat portion and the back portion, the FCM including a vapor compressor, a thermal expansion valve, a four-way valve, and a heat exchanger;wherein the FCM selectively circulates the refrigerant: to the back portion at a first temperature through a four-way valve of the FCM to heat the back portion, through coils of the back portion, through a thermal expansion valve of the FCM, to coils of the seat portion at a second temperature to cool the seat portion, and back to the four-way valve;to the coils of the seat portion at the first temperature through the four-way valve to heat the seat portion, through the thermal expansion valve, to the coils of the back portion at the second temperature to cool the back portion, and back to the four-way valve;through the four-way valve, the heat exchanger, and the thermal expansion valve to the coils of the seat and back portions and back to the four-way valve to simultaneously cool the seat and back portions; andthrough the four-way valve, to the coils of each of the seat and back portions, through the thermal expansion valve and heat exchanger, and back to the four-way valve to simultaneously heat the seat and back portions;wherein each of the first and second temperatures are independently-controllable and the system is removably connected to the vehicle seat to allow portability of the system between different vehicles. 7. The system of claim 6, including a user interface that is electrically connected to the FCM, and having a pair of temperature input devices each controlling a temperature of a corresponding one of the back and seat portions. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the user interface mounts to a surface of the vehicle seat and is in wireless communication with the FCM. 9. The system of claim 6, further comprising an energy storage device (ESD), wherein the FCM includes a heat exchanger module (HEM) having an electric fan that is electrically connected to the ESD. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the ESD is one of a 12-volt auxiliary power system of the vehicle and a power pack separate from the auxiliary system. 11. A method of cooling a seat comprising: positioning a first portion of a climate control system over and adjacent to a first external surface of the seat;positioning a second portion of the climate control system over and adjacent to a second external surface of the seat, wherein each of the first and second portions includes coils;connecting a fluid control module (FCM) in fluid communication with the coils of each of the first and second portions to thereby form a closed-loop fluid passage between the FCM and the coils of the first and second portions, wherein the FCM includes a vapor compressor and a plurality of valves;circulating a refrigerant only within the closed-loop fluid passage of the first portion and the second portion, including compressing the refrigerant using the vapor compressor and actuating the valves; andindependently controlling the temperature of the first and the second portions using a user interface. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein positioning a first portion and a second portion of a climate control system over and adjacent to a first external surface and a second external surface of the seat includes temporarily connecting a back portion and seat portion of the system to a respective back cushion and seat cushion of a vehicle seat. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the valves include a four-way valve, a thermal expansion valve, and a heat exchanger, and wherein circulating the refrigerant includes selectively circulating the refrigerant: to coils of the seat portion through the four-way valve and to the thermal expansion valve, through the thermal expansion valve to the coils of the back portion, through the coils of the back portion, and back to the four-way valve to thereby heat the seat portion and cool the back portion;to coils of the back portion through the four-way valve and to the thermal expansion valve, through the thermal expansion valve to the coils of the seat portion, through the coils of the seat portion, and back to the four-way valve to thereby cool the seat portion and heat the back portion;through the four-way valve, the heat exchanger, and the thermal expansion valve in series and into the coils of each of the seat and back portions to cool the seat and back portions; andthrough the four-way valve to the coils of the seat and back portions, though the coils of the seat and back portion, and then back to the heat exchanger to simultaneously heat the seat and back portions. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein independently controlling the temperature of the first and the second portions using a user interface includes using a first control input device of the interface to set a temperature of the first portion to a warm temperature, and using a second control input device of the user interface to set a temperature of the second portion to a cool temperature.
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