Abstract:
An air-conditioning system for a seat includes a cushion having a cover and two air-conditioned zones proximate a surface facing a seat occupant, and an elongated depression between the zones, the depression having a floor which is recessed with respect to the zones and into which the cover is at least partially drawn into in the direction of the depression floor, the air-conditioned zones being at least partially distanced from the depression. The zones and the depression are connected by a plurality of air-permeable channels, the channels being located between the air-conditioned zones essentially on or above the depression floor. The depression, in the transverse direction, is at least partially air-permeable, despite the cover.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to an air-conditioning mechanism for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In air-conditioned vehicle seats or other seating accommodations having air-circulating layers in the region of seat and/or backrest contact surfaces, the problem often arises in the case of stitched seat covers that the regions of a seat or backrest surface separated from one another by stitchings are unevenly air-conditioned, since the flow connection through the cover stitching furrow is insufficient. 
   In the current state of the art, implementation of cover stitching furrows through a ventilation layer of a knitted spacer fabric is not feasible, either visually or in terms of air-circulation technology. Neither 90° angles nor smooth cushion edges can be formed using known spacer media, so that furrows and cover edges that are made using spacer media do not have a neat appearance. A generally common procedure is to place spacer fabric only in furrow-free regions of the seat and ventilate seat-region surfaces separated from one another by stitching furrows separately from one another in each instance, for example by miniblowers. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,737 discloses an air-conditionable vehicle seat which has a ventilation layer, through which air is able to flow, located under a cushion part, as well as an air-permeable upper cushion layer located over this ventilation layer. The cushion is covered with a cushion cover and provided with stitching, along which the cushion cover is connected by fastening means with the upper cushion layer. The ventilation layer extends all the way into the side pieces of the cushion so that the side pieces of the cushion subdivided by stitchings of the seat surface can likewise be supplied with air by the blower for the seat surface for ventilation of the seat. At the same time, in order to obtain a sufficient supply of air for the side pieces, the ventilation layer in the region of the stitchings has a thickness that is almost unchanged. 
   A vehicle seat of the type mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,737, which has a cushion cover with stitchings, is additionally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,675. Here a cushion cover and an upper cushion layer are fastened along the stitchings by fastening means, also bridging the ventilation layer at a lower cushion part. In both of the cases mentioned, a plurality of blowers is used for ventilation of all seat regions. 
   In addition, an air-conditionable vehicle seat is disclosed in WO 03/101,777 A1. In this case, an air-circulating layer with additional vertical channels is provided, in order also to supply the air-circulating layer with sufficient air-conditioned air through stitched regions of the cover material. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an air-conditioned seat with at least one cushion layer subdivided by stitchings or the like, in which a uniform and sufficient supply of air to all air-circulating layers located under a cover material is ensured by as simple as possible construction. In particular, the flow connection through the cover stitching furrows is such that a single ventilation device is sufficient for the ventilation of all seat regions. 
   In one embodiment, an air conditioning mechanism for a vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat has at least one cushion with at least one cover and at least two air conditioned zones on a surface facing an occupant, and at least one depression between the zones. The depression has a floor level that is recessed with respect to the air conditioned zones, into which the cover is at least partially drawn in the direction of the floor of the depression. The air conditioned zones and the at least one depression are connected together by an air-permeable connecting mechanism and, the depression, in the transverse direction, is at least partially air-permeable despite the cover. In one example, at least the portion of the cover drawn into the depression is porous, reticulated, perforated, punched or slit. The connecting mechanism can be located between the air conditioned zones essentially on or above the floor level of the at least one depression. 
   In another aspect, an air-conditioning mechanism for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, provides that at least two air-conditioned zones of a seat and at least one depression located between the air-conditioned zones are connected together permeable to air by at least one connecting mechanism and that the at least one depression in the transverse direction, despite the cover, is at least partially passable by air. In addition, it is advantageous when the at least one connecting mechanism is located between the air-conditioned zones and the at least one depression, essentially on or above the floor level. 
   In the present context, air-conditioned zones are regions of a seat in which at least one air-circulating layer is located below a cover material. Such air-circulating layers and air-distribution layers may for example be spacer or distance layers that for example have knitted spacer fabric. Within these layers an air stream may be generated, for example, by a connected blower, which can act to temper the corresponding seat surface region and/or to carry away moisture diffusing into the seat and the air-circulating layer. 
   In a seat according to the present invention, a largely uniform supply of the air-circulating layers of various air-conditioned regions of the seat with air-conditioned air can be obtained without the depressions lying between them, which for example may be provided with stitchings, resulting in buildup or obstructions in air circulation. In this way, a cover furrow is produced which also ensures air circulation through the furrows into the next cover field. 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, an elongated depression is formed in a cushion core. On both sides of this depression, at an upper side of the cushion core, there is in each instance located an air-distribution layer for the formation of an air-conditioned zone. A connecting mechanism between the air-conditioned zones and the depression is formed by a channel, 1 to 3 cm wide and about 3 to 8 cm long, molded in the cushion core of the seat. It is provided that a plurality of such channels is in each instance formed in the cushion core transverse to the direction of the course of the depression. The floor level of the connecting channels according to the invention may then be located above, below or at the same level as the floor level of the elongated depression. The depth of the connecting channel need only be sufficient to ensure an air-flow connection of an air-circulating layer of an air-conditioned seat zone to an air-circulating layer of an adjacent air-conditioned seat zone. In addition, the connecting channels run outside the regions in which the fastening or anchoring points of the cover anchoring are found. 
   The cover may be anchored by at least one auxiliary mechanism, for example by so-called anchor lugs. In each instance, these anchor lugs are connected at an upper edge with the cover edges drawn into the depression and any cover underlayment present and at a lower edge have devices for anchoring in the direction of the floor level of the depression and for fastening of the anchor lugs in the region of the floor level of the depression. According to one aspect of the invention, these anchor lugs are obtained by punching or for example by selection of an air-permeable textile or nonwoven as lug material in such a way that they present no noticeable flow barrier. In this way, an air stream between the air-distribution layers, which are in each instance located on different sides of the furrow on the upper side of the cushion core, is possible through the channels. In a cover anchoring without anchor lugs, for example by anchoring of the cover material itself, care must likewise be taken to see that the material lying in the region of the connecting channel, for example the cover material, is air-permeable or is made at least partially air-permeable. 
   The air-distribution layers, which for example have knitted spacer fabric, may in each instance, on both sides of the depression or the furrow, reach directly to the depression in the cushion core. However, since known spacer materials harden the edges produced at the furrow and do not permit a free design of the geometric shape of the edge profile, this procedure is not advantageous. Support of the depression edges by material additionally introduced into the edge regions, in particular in the shape of a bead, is advantageous. An additional molded part, for example a square profile, which can be made of sectional foam, preferably is used for support and/or formation of the edge of a depression. Such an additional molded part can be mechanically fastened, for example by cementing or laminating, to the cushion inserts, which also support the air-distribution layers. This ensures simple assembly in the seat structure. An alternative variant is connection of the molded part, for example the profile strip, to the cushion core. Direct molding in the cushion mold foam core is not possible, since removal of such a foam part from the tool is not possible. 
   Cover furrows according to the invention may be designed according to customers&#39; specifications in their height profile and in their haptic properties. These properties are determined by the molded part placed on the cushion insert or on the cushion core. The entire arrangement is relatively simple to make. The steps for installation in the seat are simple and can be performed quickly. The passage of air between the air-conditioned zones of the seat separated by cover furrows, in particular when a plurality of connecting channels according to the invention are provided, is good enough that a single ventilation device, such as a blower located under the seat, suffices to ventilate all regions of the seat. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in grater detail in the accompanying figures and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic sectional representation of the structure of a seat arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic top view of the seat arrangement of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view and block diagrammatic view of a vehicle seat incorporating an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components. While the present invention is described as an air-conditioning system for use within a vehicle seat, it may be adapted and applied to various systems including other vehicle or non-vehicle systems requiring an air-conditioned surface. In this regard, in the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for several constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples only and are not meant to be limiting. 
   The schematic sectional view of  FIG. 1  illustrates the structure of an air-conditioning system for a vehicle seat  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. A blower  12  delivers air into a distribution layer  14  through which air is able to flow. The distribution layer  14  has the task of distributing the air stream  16  through the entire cushion surface and an air-conditioned zone  50 ,  52  of the cushion surface, which may be in contact with the passenger; it has for example a spacer fabric uniformly permeable to air in all directions. In the region of the contact surfaces, the air passes through the air-permeable cover superstructure, which is comprised of an air-permeable seat cover  18 , the air-permeable cover underlayment  20  and a textile support  22  of a spacer layer. The textile support  22  and the distribution layer  14  in each instance form a structural unit for a cushion region  50 ,  52 . The structural unit is mounted as an insert on the cushion core  24 , and in trough-like recesses in the cushion core. The air stream provides for carrying away moisture in the microclimate between passenger and seat  10 . In the regions strongly blocked by the passenger, back-ventilation of the contact surface results in sufficient air conditioning, moist air diffusing into the seat being carried away from the contact surface by a transverse flow of air in the distribution layer  14 . 
   The cover stitching furrow  26  divides the air-distribution layer  14  as well as the cushion surface into two or more regions  50 ,  52 , which in known vehicle seats do not have sufficient flow connection. 
   A cover furrow  26  is produced by an elongated depression  27  in the cushion core  24  running along a straight or curved line, into which the cover  18  is anchored together with the underlayment  20 . Anchoring along this line is effected via an anchor lug  28 , which is sewn to the cover parts. The anchor lug  28  is fastened by a hook  29  to a wire  30 , which is expanded into the cushion core  24  and runs on the floor of the depression  27 . Optionally, clamps, which hold the anchor profile in place at individual points in the course of the depression, may alternatively be set into the cushion core  24 . The anchor lug band  28  is air-permeable; it usually is made of an air-impermeable textile or nonwoven. The air-distribution layer  14  lying on the surface of the cushion core  24  is interrupted in the region of the depression  27 . The depression  27  thus separates two air-conditioned zones  50 ,  52  of the seat surface from one another. 
   The present invention provides an airflow connection between the air-conditioned zones  50 ,  52  and the depression  27  through the cover stitching furrow  26 . The connection is produced by channels  32 , about 1 to 3 cm wide and about 3 to 8 cm long, formed in the cushion core  24 . The channels  32  are depressions in the cushion core  24  running transverse to the direction of the depression  27 , which are located outside the regions in which the anchor points  34  of the cover anchoring are found. The anchor lug  28  is formed by punching or optionally by selection of an air-permeable textile as anchor material in such a way that it presents no appreciable flow obstruction. In the region of the channels  32 , air is therefore able to flow back and forth virtually unhindered between the air-conditioned zones  50 ,  52 . 
   Since known spacer materials are not suitable for the molding of edges, the air-distribution layers  14  in the example shown do not reach as far as the edges of the depression  27 . Instead, the edges at the depression  27  are supported by an additional molded part, in the example shown by a square profile  36 , which can be sectional foam. The course and shape of the cover stitching furrow  26  may thus be designed in any way desired. 
   The profile  36  can be mechanically fastened to the cushion insert made of the textile support  22  and the spacer layer  14 , for example by cementing or laminating. Simple assembly in construction of the vehicle seat  10  is thereby ensured. An alternative variant provides cementing of the profile strip  36  onto the cushion core  24 . However, direct molding in the foam core of the cushion mold may not be possible, since removal of such a foam part from the tool may not be possible. 
   The spacer material  14  is completely immersed in the cushion core  24  in the manner described. Alternatively, the spacer material itself may also form the edges (not represented), which as mentioned, however, is not advantageous in the case of known spacer materials. 
   The schematic representation of  FIG. 2  shows a top view of the seat structure of  FIG. 1 . There the arrangements of the cover stitching furrow  28  and of the depression  27  in the cushion core  24 , as well as the channels  32  running transverse to the latter, can be clearly seen. The channels  32  permit a virtually unhindered stream of air from one air-conditioned seat region  50  to another air-conditioned region  52 , separated from the first by the cover furrow  26 . The anchor lug  28 , by means of which the cover material in the region of the furrow  26  is drawn into the depression  27 , is fastened at anchor points  34  in the region of the floor level of the depression  27 ; these anchor points  34  lie between the connecting channels  32  in the depression  27  in the cushion core  24 . 
   The height profile and shape of the depressions  27  may be largely freely designed according to customers&#39; specifications, since these properties of the profile strip  36  are determined by the profile strip  36  attached to the cushion insert and the latter may be variously shaped as desired. 
   Not only the transverse furrows of the cover shown, but longitudinal furrows may alternatively be made in the way described. The separation of central parts and side regions of the cushion may likewise be used in the manner described for ventilation, so that complete areal ventilation of the seat contact region becomes possible. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective and block diagrammatic view of a vehicle seat  10  incorporating an air conditioning system  55  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The air conditioning system  55  is electrically coupled to a controller  53  including a power source  54  by way of a connector. In this example, electrical power is transferred to the air conditioning system  55  to activate the fan/blower to convey air to the zones  50 ,  52  on either side of the furrow  26 . Because of the inventive seat arrangement, only a single fan/blower is required under one of the sections  50 ,  52 . Of course, another air conditioning system could also be incorporated into the backrest to similarly condition that portion of the seat as well. As shown, the system is contained within the seat cover as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1  and  2  and is beneath and near the upper surface to provide efficient transfer of air to or from the upper surface. 
   While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to the apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.