Patent ID: 7837270
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A ventilated vehicle seat comprising: a seat surface layer having an air-impermeable section arranged adjacent to a seat occupant in a normal seated position, at least a portion of the air-impermeable section provided for contact with the seat occupant in the normal seated position, the seat surface layer having at least one air portal provided in a section of the seat surface layer different than the air-impermeable section of the seat surface layer; a seat portion positioned beneath the seat surface layer, the seat portion having at least one air portal provided in a surface thereof, the at least one air portal communicating with an air channel provided in the seat portion; and an air-conducting layer comprising an air-permeable material, the air-conducting layer positioned between the seat surface layer and the seat portion and provided in communication with the at least one air portal in the seat portion and with the at least one air portal in the seat surface layer, the air-conducting layer having a section substantially coextensive with the air-impermeable section of the seat surface layer; wherein air is directed through the air channel and air portal of the seat portion, and substantially entirely throughout the section of the air-conducting layer substantially coextensive with the air-impermeable section of the seat surface layer to provide a wide-area airflow through the air-conducting layer beneath the air-impermeable section of the seat surface layer adjacent to the seat occupant to facilitate conductive heat transfer among the airflow, the seat surface layer and the seat occupant without direct contact between the airflow and the seat occupant.