Abstract:
A mounting apparatus ( 30 ) for mounting a fan arrangement ( 40 ) on a seat ( 100 ), for example a vehicle seat, features a cylindrical sleeve or installation element ( 10 ) which secures within the seat, and a fan housing ( 50 ) for the fan arrangement or module ( 40 ), which slides into, and latches within, the cylindrical sleeve ( 10 ). The fan housing ( 50 ) has a tubular housing part ( 54 ) having a first housing part end ( 51 ) and a second housing part end ( 52 ) located axially opposite it. The fan module ( 40 ) includes a centrally located fan ( 80,81 ) supported by a plurality of radial struts ( 86 ), at least one of which serves as a channel ( 89 ) for power supply connecting wires ( 92 ). Wire pass-through openings ( 26, 64, 64 ′) are configured to permit a partial rotation of the fan module ( 40 ) during installation into the cylindrical sleeve ( 10 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a section 371 of International Application PCT/EP2013/062450, filed 2013 Jun. 14, and further claims priority from German application 20 2012 103 921.4, filed 2012 Oct. 12. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a mounting apparatus for mounting a fan arrangement on a seat, for example a seat of a car, truck or airplane. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When installing seats, upholsterers or vehicle fitters work in part in rough fashion with hammers, in order to pull the seat covering onto the seat. With seats that have a built-in fan for ventilating the seat, damage to the fan can therefore occur. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An object of the invention is therefore to make available a novel mounting apparatus for mounting a fan arrangement on a seat. 
         [0005]    This object is achieved by a mounting apparatus having a generally cylindrical installation sleeve element which secures within the seat, and a concentrically smaller cylindrical fan arrangement which slides into, and latches within, the installation element. Protective grills or grids are provided at each axial end of the apparatus to protect against insertion of fingers or other body parts into the path of blades of the fan. Spring elements are provided to maintain the fan securely within the sleeve. 
         [0006]    Further details and advantageous refinements of the invention are evident from the exemplifying embodiments, in no way to be understood as a limitation of the invention, that are described below and depicted in the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional depiction of an installation element having a fan arrangement arranged thereon; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional depiction of the installation element of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional depiction of a first exemplifying embodiment of a fan housing of the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional depiction of a second exemplifying embodiment of a fan housing of the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1  before installation; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  schematically depicts a vehicle seat having installation elements according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a section through the vehicle seat of  FIG. 6  with the installation element according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a section in accordance with  FIG. 7  with layers (coverings); 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a section in accordance with  FIG. 8  after installation of the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a section through the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an air guidance part of the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the air guidance part of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a section through the installation element and the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1 , inverted with respect to the  FIG. 9  configuration; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  shows a portion of the connection between the air guidance part and the fan housing of the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a mounting apparatus  30  having an installation element  10  and a fan housing  50 . Fan housing  50  is part of a fan arrangement  40  having a fan  81  that is arranged in the installation element. Fan  81  has an electric motor  80  and fan blades  82 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows installation element  10 . This has a tubular installation part (also called a “sleeve”)  14  having a first end  11  and a second end  12  located opposite it. A protective grid  18 , which enables the transport of air through tubular installation part  14 , is provided at first end  11 . At least one outwardly projecting flange  20 , which has on side  22  facing toward second end  12  an abutment surface  22 , is preferably provided at the first end on the outer side. Flange  20  is implemented, by way of example, to be larger on the right side than on the left side, and flange  20  can run around the entire periphery of tubular installation part  14  or only around parts thereof. In other words, the radial extent of flange  20  is preferably smaller in a first angular region than in a second angular region; more preferably, no flange is provided in at least one third angular region. Mounting elements  24 , which are preferably implemented as hook-shaped elements  24 , are provided on the outer side of tubular installation part  14 . 
         [0023]    The outside diameter of tubular installation part  14  is preferably in the range from 4 to 10 cm, more preferably in the range from 6 to 8 cm. 
         [0024]    Tubular installation part  14  preferably has at least one spring element  28  for a latching connection, more preferably at least two spring elements  28 . 
         [0025]    A cutout  26  is provided at second end  12  in order to enable the passage of wires in this region. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a fan housing  50  that can be mounted in installation element  10  of  FIG. 1 . Fan housing  50  has a first end  51  and a second end  52  located opposite it. A protective grid  56  that enables the transport of air through tubular housing part  54  is provided at second end  52 . At least one stop  57  is provided in order to limit movement of an air guidance part  84  (see  FIG. 13 ) in an axial direction. A plurality of radially protruding connecting parts (transverse pegs)  60  are arranged on the outer side of tubular housing part  54 . An outwardly projecting collar  58 , which enables the fan housing to be grasped and turned by hand, is preferably provided at the second end. The radially outer contour  59  of collar  58  is preferably of undulating configuration. 
         [0027]    Arranged on tubular housing part  54  are latching elements  66  that can deflect radially outward upon insertion of a tubular part  84  (see  FIG. 5 ) from first side  51 . 
         [0028]    An aperture  64 , which serves to guide wires  92  of motor  80  (see  FIG. 10 ) outward through tubular housing part  54 , is provided in tubular housing part  54 . Aperture  64  is connected to an elongated opening  62  that extends from first end  51  of tubular housing part  54  toward second end  52 . In other words, elongated opening  62  has, at its end facing toward second end  52  of tubular housing part  54 , an enlargement  64  in a circumferential direction. 
         [0029]    Elongated opening  62  preferably extends over at least half the axial extent between first end  51  and second end  52  of tubular housing part  62 . 
         [0030]    A cutout  68  having a predetermined shape is provided in tubular housing part  54 , cutout  68  preferably being open toward first side  51 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a variant of fan housing  50  in which a cutout  64 ′, such as a window, is provided in tubular housing part  54 . A portion of protective grid  56  is visible through cutout  64 ′. Cutout  64 ′ serves to enable the passage of wires  92  (see  FIG. 10 ) through tubular housing part  54 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows fan arrangement  40 , with fan housing  50  and electric motor  80 , prior to installation. A tubular air guidance part  84  is connected via struts  86 ,  86 ′ to a flange (motor carrier)  88 . Struts  86  allow air to be transported through tubular air guidance part  84 . At least one strut  86 ′ preferably has a channel  89  in order to guide wires  92  (see  FIG. 10 ) from motor  80  to air guidance part  84 . Electric motor  80  is mounted on flange  88 , and electric motor  80  drives fan blades  82  in air guidance part  84 . Inner side  85  of tubular air guidance part  84  is preferably shaped in accordance with aerodynamic considerations. A radially protruding indexing element  90  of predetermined shape, which preferably has a shape complementary to cutout  68  of fan housing  50 , is provided on the outer side of tubular air guidance part  84 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  schematically depicts a seat  100  that can be used, for example, for vehicles (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, boats) or also for office chairs. Seat  100  has a seat surface (seat shell)  101  and a backrest (back shell)  103 . A headrest  105  is provided in the upper region of backrest  103 . 
         [0034]    For increased comfort, lateral bolsters  102  are preferably provided on seat surface  101 , and lateral bolsters  104  on backrest  103 , in order to offer lateral retention. On the right side, an opening  108  is provided in backrest  103  and an opening  110  is provided in seat surface  101 . Corresponding openings  108 ,  110 , into each of which an installation element  10 ′,  10 ″ is inserted, are provided on the left side. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a section through installation element  10 ′ that is pressed into opening  108 . Seat  100  has a base layer  112  that either is itself dimensionally stable or is stabilized by means of a metal framework. A foam layer (foam support) or a rubberized hair layer can be used, for example, as a material for base layer  112 . Such materials are already fairly hard or stiff. The seat side is labeled  114 , and the back side  116 . Installation element  10  has been pressed into aperture  108  from seat side  114 . Hook-shaped elements  24  act in this context as barbs. They allow inward pressing toward back side  116  but prevent installation element  10  from slipping out toward seat side  114 . The pushing in of installation element  10  is preferably limited by flange  20  as soon as flange  22  abuts against base layer  112 . 
         [0036]    After insertion into vehicle seat  100 , installation element  10  is preferably secured both against axial shifting (in both directions) and against rotation in opening  108 . 
         [0037]    With simple seats  100 , seat side  114  of  FIG. 7  can be used directly. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows a seat  100  that, in order to increase comfort, has been covered with further layers  121 ,  122 , and  123  after the installation of installation element  10 . 
         [0039]    Layer  121  is a knitted spacer fabric, i.e. is intended to produce a spacing between base layer  112  and installation  10  and to make seat  10  softer. 
         [0040]    Layer  122  is on layer  121  and is made, for example, of foam, in particular recycled foam. 
         [0041]    A perforated leather covering is used, for example, as outermost layer  123 . 
         [0042]    Layers  121 ,  122 , and  123  are preferably air-permeable, for example as a result of perforations. 
         [0043]    When covering seats  100 , seat manufacturers in some cases work roughly with rubber hammers so that the coverings can be stretched on with no creases. In such cases, protective grid  18  must be of correspondingly stable design. 
         [0044]    Because back side  116  of the seat is still accessible once front side  114  of seat  100  has been covered, fan arrangement  40  can be installed after seat  100  has been upholstered. This additionally reduces the risk of damage to fan arrangement  40 , and also allows later access to fan arrangement  40 , for example for repair purposes. In addition, chemicals such as spray adhesives or impregnation agents can be applied onto seat  100  before fan arrangement  40  is installed in installation element  10 . This is a great advantage over previous fans, with which installation had to be accomplished before seat  100  was covered; and with previous fans each fan then needed, for example, to be covered over with a cardboard lid. 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  shows vehicle seat  100  after the installation of fan arrangement  40  in installation element  10 . 
         [0046]    Fan arrangement  40  is slid from back side  116  into installation element  10  and latched to it. For this, preferably transverse pegs  60  of fan housing  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) are latched into spring elements  28  of installation element  10  by rotating the fan arrangement  40  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0047]    Since installation element  10  can no longer be held from seat side  114 , because of layers  121 ,  122 ,  123 , it is advantageous if installation element  10  is arranged or secured in cutout  108  axially non-displaceably and also non-rotatably. It is thereby easily possible to insert fan arrangement  40  into the installation element with one hand and mount it by rotation. 
         [0048]    After the installation of fan arrangement  40 , a lining  124  can optionally be applied on back side  116 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows fan arrangement  40  in which air guidance part  84  with electric motor  80  is mounted in fan housing  50 . Inner side  85  of air guidance part  84  is preferably embodied in both axial end regions as a Venturi channel, i.e. it widens toward each axial end into regions  85 ′,  85 ″. An arrow  87  indicates the preferred flow direction of the air. Electric motor  80 , which comprises a schematically indicated stator  96  and a rotor  97  as well as a schematically indicated bearing arrangement  95 , is mounted on flange  88 . Fan blades  82  are connected to rotor  97 . Schematically indicated wires  92  extend from stator  96 , or from a circuit board  99  associated with stator  96 , via a wire holding apparatus  94  and via a strut  96  to the outside. 
         [0050]    In an alternative embodiment, fan housing  50  can be connected to flange  88  directly via struts  86 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows air guidance part  84  from the side. A channel (or an elongated recess)  98  is provided on the outer side of air guidance part  84 . Channel  98  proceeds in an axial direction and preferably extends over at least two-thirds of the axial extent AE of air guidance part  84 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of air guidance part  84  with electric motor  80 , viewed from the flange  88  side. Wires  92  (see  FIG. 10 ) can thus be guided via wire holding apparatus  94  and via channel  89  in strut  86 ′ to channel  98 , and can extend there, for example, in an axial direction (see  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 13 ). 
       Installing Motor  80  in Fan Housing  50   
       [0053]      FIG. 13  shows a corresponding run of wires  92 , the non-visible part of wires  92  being depicted with a dashed line. Wires  92  proceed from motor  80  via wire holder  94 , via channel  89  in strut  86 ′, to air guidance part  84 , then turn into channel  98 , run through the latter—from that half of fan housing  50  which faces toward first end  51  to that half of fan housing  50  which faces toward second end  52 , preferably in a substantially axial direction (or slightly obliquely)—then turn downward (as depicted in  FIG. 13 ), proceed through window  64 ′ (see  FIG. 4 ) of fan housing  50 , and then through cutout  26  of installation element  10  to the outer side of installation element  10 . 
         [0054]    Wires  92  of motor  80  must be passed or threaded or pulled through cutout (window)  64 ′ (see  FIG. 4 ) before air guidance part  84  is mounted in fan housing  50 . It is thereby possible to ensure that after being threaded through, wires  92  can no longer be pulled out of cutout  64 ′ by pulling on the outer ends of wires  92 , which simplifies installation and decreases the risk of error. Fans are often held by the wires during installation. 
         [0055]    With the variant according to  FIG. 3 , upon insertion of air guidance part  84  into fan housing  50 , wires  92  can simultaneously be introduced through elongated opening  62  into cutout  64 . Threading through the cutout  64 ′ (see  FIG. 4 ) can thereby be eliminated, and cutout  64  can be made smaller than cutout  64 ′. Wires  92  are held by the enlargement of cutout  64  in a circumferential direction. In addition, a barb (not depicted) can be provided in order to allow wires  92  to be introduced through the elongated opening ( 62 ) but prevent wires  92  from slipping out. 
         [0056]    Air guidance part  84  is then introduced into fan housing  50 , axial movement being limited by the at least one stop  57  as soon as air guidance part  84  abuts against the at least one stop  57 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 14  shows a portion of fan arrangement  40  with latching elements  66  of fan housing  50  which secure air guidance part  84  in an axial (and optionally also radial) direction. Latching elements  66  preferably have a contact surface  67  that is oblique with respect to the axial end surface (contact countersurface)  84 ′ of air guidance part  84 . The angle between axial end surface  84 ′ and contact surface  67  is therefore greater than 0°. The result is that latching element  66  deflects toward the center only until air guidance part  84  is pushed completely inward axially, thus taking any play out of the connection between air guidance part  84  and fan housing  50 . The axial extent of oblique contact surface  67  does not need to be large, and can be, for example, 0.2 mm. 
         [0058]    Contact surface  67  is preferably not perpendicular to the rotation axis of fan  81 , in order to reduce the play at end surfaces  84 ′ of air guidance part  84  which are perpendicular to the rotation axis of fan  81 . 
         [0059]    Many variants and modifications are of course possible in the context of the present invention. 
         [0060]    For example, the arrangement with transverse pegs  60  on fan housing  50  and spring elements  28  on installation element  28  can also be embodied the other way around, so that transverse pegs  60  are arranged on the inner side of installation element  28  and the latching elements are arranged on fan housing  50 , for example at the corresponding locations as in the exemplifying embodiment above. Latching of fan housing  50  in installation element  28  is possible in this manner as well. 
         [0061]    The description and the drawings show a mounting apparatus  30  for mounting a fan arrangement  40  on a seat  100 , which mounting apparatus  30  comprises an installation element  10  and a fan housing  50  for fan arrangement  40 , fan housing  50  comprising a tubular housing part  54  having a first housing part end  51  and a second housing part end  52  located opposite it, a protective grid  56  being provided at second housing part end  52 , said grid being implemented to enable the transport of air through tubular housing part  54 , and installation element  10  comprising a tubular installation part  14  having a first installation part end  11  and a second installation part end  12  located opposite it, a protective grid  18  being provided at first installation part end  11 , said grid being implemented to enable the transport of air through tubular installation part  14 ; at least one outwardly projecting flange  20 , which is implemented to form, upon installation of installation element  10  with a surface  22  facing toward second installation part end  12 , a stop relative to an element of seat  100 , being provided at first installation part end  11  on the outer side of tubular installation part  14 ; and installation element  10  being embodied in such a way that after installation thereof on a seat  100 , introduction of tubular housing part  54  of fan housing  40  into tubular housing part  54  from second installation part end  12  is possible. 
         [0062]    Preferably the installation element comprises at least one mounting element  24 ,  22  that is implemented to secure installation element  10  axially in an aperture of seat  100 . 
         [0063]    Preferably the at least one mounting element  24 ,  22  is implemented to secure installation element  10  against rotation in an aperture of seat  100 . 
         [0064]    Preferably the at least one mounting element  24 ,  22  comprises a hook-shaped element  24  that is implemented to enable introduction of installation element  10  into the aperture of seat  100  in a direction from first installation part end  11  toward second installation part end  12 , but to counteract a movement in the opposite direction. 
         [0065]    Preferably the radial extent of flange  20  is smaller in a first angular region than in a second angular region, preferably no flange being provided in at least one third angular region. 
         [0066]    Preferably installation element  10  is provided for mounting a fan arrangement  40  having connecting wires  92 , a first cutout  26  being provided at second installation part end  12  in order to enable connecting wires  92  to be arranged in said first cutout  26  upon mounting of fan arrangement  40 . 
         [0067]    Preferably the installation element is implemented to enable, for installation of fan arrangement  40 , a rotary movement of fan housing  50  relative to installation element  10 , first cutout  26  being sufficiently large that in the context of the rotary movement, a rotary movement of the connecting wires inside first cutout  26  is possible. 
         [0068]    Preferably fan housing  50  comprises radially outwardly projecting connecting parts  60 ; tubular installation part  14  comprises spring elements  28  for a latching connection in order to bring about, together with the radially protruding connecting parts, a latching connection between installation element  10  and fan arrangement  40  upon mounting of fan housing  50 . 
         [0069]    Preferably fan housing  50  comprises at second housing part end  52  an outwardly projecting collar  58  in order to enable fan housing  50  to be grasped and turned by hand. Radially outer contour  59  of collar  58  is preferably of undulating configuration. 
         [0070]    Preferably fan housing  50  is implemented to receive a fan  81  having connecting wires  92 ; and fan housing  50  comprises a second aperture  64 ,  64 ′ that is implemented to enable passage of connecting wires  92  through second aperture  64 ,  64 ′. 
         [0071]    Preferably second aperture  64 ,  64 ′ is arranged at least in part on that half of tubular housing part  54  which faces toward second housing part end  52 . 
         [0072]    Preferably second aperture  64 ,  64 ′ of fan housing  50  is implemented to prevent connecting wires  92  from slipping out of second aperture  64 ,  64 ′ toward first housing part end  51 . 
         [0073]    Preferably fan housing  50  comprises an elongated opening  62  that extends from first housing part end  51  of tubular housing part  54  toward second housing part end  52  in order to enable wires to be laid into elongated opening  62  from first housing part end  51 . The length of elongated opening  62  is preferably greater than half the axial extent of tubular housing part  54 . 
         [0074]    Preferably elongated opening  62  is connected, at its end facing toward second housing part end  52  of tubular housing part  54 , to second aperture  64 , second aperture  64  comprising, with respect to elongated opening  62 , an enlargement  64  in a circumferential direction in order to prevent wires from slipping out of elongated opening  62 . 
         [0075]    Preferably the fan housing is implemented to enable introduction of a tubular air guidance part  84  into tubular housing part  54 . 
         [0076]    Preferably fan housing  50  comprises, on tubular housing part  54 , latching elements  66  that are implemented to enable axial securing of tubular air guidance part  84  in tubular housing part  54 . Latching elements  66  preferably have a contact surface  67  that is implemented to interact with a contact countersurface  84 ′ of tubular air guidance part  84  in such a way that contact surface  67  and contact countersurface  84 ′ are not parallel to one another, in order to reduce play between fan housing  50  and air guidance part  84 . 
         [0077]    Preferably fan housing  50  is connected to a tubular air guidance part  84  that is arranged at least in part in tubular housing part  54 . 
         [0078]    Preferably tubular air guidance part  84  comprises struts  86 ,  86 ′ on which an electric motor  80  having connecting wires  92  is mounted. At least one strut  86 ′ preferably comprises a first channel  89  for guidance of connecting wires  92  in first channel  89 . 
         [0079]    Preferably a mounting apparatus having a second aperture has an air guidance part  84  that comprises at the outer periphery a second channel  98 , and connecting wires  92  extend from electric motor  80  through second channel  98  to second aperture  64  and through the latter to the outer side of tubular housing part  54 , in order to enable electrical contacting of electric motor  80 . Second channel  98  preferably extends over at least 50% of the axial extent of the air guidance part. 
         [0080]    Preferably fan housing  50  is connected, preferably releasably connected, to the installation element. Connecting wires  92  preferably extend through second channel  98 , through second aperture  64 , and through first cutout  26 . 
         [0081]    Preferably the mounting apparatus is connected to a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat is preferably connected to a vehicle.