Abstract:
This invention relates to a ventilation means, particularly for ventilating surfaces close to or in contact with persons, having at least one air-ducting means which comprises at least a barrier layer, a covering layer and, therebetween, a distribution layer, at least one barrier layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing away from the user, and at least one covering layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing toward a person.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application claims the benefit of the priority of the filing date of the German application, DE 10 2008 017 965.5 filed 8 Apr. 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to ventilation means particularly for ventilating surfaces close to or in contact with persons, having at least one air-ducting means which comprises at least a barrier layer, a covering layer and, therebetween, a distribution layer, at least one barrier layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing away from the user, and at least one covering layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing toward a person. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter of this invention includes a ventilation means according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
     Seat ventilation means in which air is blown through a seat cover by means of a ventilator are known. 
     It is desirable to develop improved or alternative technical solutions that offer advantages particularly in respect of their production costs, their ability to create a pleasant climate and/or their energy consumption. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Against this background, a technical idea incorporating the features of claim  1  is proposed. Further advantageous embodiments are evident from the other claims and the following description. 
     From a number of conceivable solutions, such as moisture-absorbing materials, a permanently operating ventilator, replacement of conducting layers by fans directly beneath the surface of the cover, etc., a solution has been found here with which, surprisingly, the difference in air and vapor permeability shown by the materials used suffices to create a significant climate improvement even when the fan is switched off. 
     The ventilation means according to the invention permits efficient ventilation while the fan is running. At the same time, it prevents moisture from collecting on a surface to be ventilated and/or on the skin of a user when the fan is not running. 
     Accordingly, pursuant to a first aspect of the present invention, there is contemplated a Ventilation means, particularly for ventilating surfaces close to or in contact with persons, having at least one air-ducting means which comprises at least a barrier layer, a covering layer and, therebetween, a distribution layer, at least one barrier layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing away from the user, and at least one covering layer being arranged on a side of said distribution layer facing toward a person, characterized in that at least one covering layer is at least partially air-permeable and at least partially vapor-permeable, and that the barrier layer is configured at least partially in such manner as to inhibit the passage of air and/or vapor. 
     The invention of the first aspect may be further characterized by one or any combination of the features described herein, such as the vapor-permeable portion of the covering layer ( 126 ) makes up at least 10% of the covering layer&#39;s surface area and/or of the surface to be ventilated, preferably at least 30%, more preferably 50%, even more preferably 70%, and most preferably 90%; the covering layer ( 126 ) has at least one portion in which the air permeability is less than 50 l/(dm 2 ×min), more preferably 10 l/(dm 2 ×min), and the vapor permeability has an s D  value smaller than 1,500 m, preferably smaller than 10 m, more preferably smaller than 0.5 m; the entire surface area of the vapor-permeable portions of the covering layer ( 126 ) is greater than the entire surface area of the air-permeable portions of the covering layer ( 126 ), preferably at least 10% greater, more preferably 50%, even more preferably 100%, most preferably 300% or more; the covering layer ( 126 ) includes a non-woven fabric, preferably containing polyester microfibers and/or polyamide fibers, preferably in a percentage mixing ratio of 10 to 90:60 to 10; a Seat ( 1110 ), characterized in that it has at least one ventilation means ( 120 ) according to one any of the above; a vehicle ( 1000 ), characterized in that it is equipped with at least one ventilation means ( 120 ) and/or at least one seat ( 1110 ) according any of the above. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Details of the invention are explained in the following. These explanations are intended to elucidate the invention. However, they are only of exemplary nature. The scope of the invention naturally allows for one or more of the described features to be omitted, modified or augmented. And it goes without saying that the features of different embodiments can be combined with each other. What is crucial is that the idea behind the invention is essentially implemented. If a feature is to be at least partially fulfilled, this includes complete or substantial fulfillment of the feature. “Essentially” as used here means particularly that implementation permits the desired usefulness to be achieved to a recognizable extent. This can mean, in particular, that a specific feature is fulfilled to an extent of at least 50%, 90%, 95% or 99%. 
       Reference will be made hereinafter to: 
         FIG. 1  A vehicle with a ventilation means, partially in longitudinal section 
         FIG. 2  An exploded view of a first embodiment of a ventilation means 
         FIG. 3  An exploded view of a second embodiment of a ventilation means 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a vehicle  1000 . The vehicle can be, for example, an airplane, a rail vehicle, a ship, or, as here, a motor vehicle. 
     The vehicle  1000  has at least one interior fitting  1100 . The interior fitting  1100  preferably has at least one cover  500  and/or at least one cushion  400 . In case of doubt, interior fittings are defined as all those components with which a user of the passenger compartment can come into contact, such as a surface of a vehicle steering device  1120 , a surface of a dashboard  1130 , a surface of an armrest  1140 , a surface of a door-trim panel  1150 , a surface of a seat pad  1160 , a surface of an electric blanket  1170 , a surface of a roof lining  1180  or, as here, a surface of a seat  1110 . 
     The interior fitting  1100  preferably includes at least one climate-conditioning system  100  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). This serves, for example, for the temperature control or air conditioning of user-contact surfaces in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The climate-conditioning system  100  has at least one temperature-control means  110 , at least one ventilation means  120  and/or at least one moisture-regulating means  130 . The term “temperature-control means” refers to any means that can be used to selectively alter the temperature of its surroundings, e.g. all devices having at least one electrical heating resistor, a flat textile heating element, a heat pump, a Peltier element and/or an air-movement means such as a fan. The term “ventilation means” refers to any means that can be used to selectively alter the air composition or the airflows in a given surface or spatial area by way of air exchange, e.g. an on-board air-conditioning system, at least partially air-permeable spacer media, knitted spacer fabrics and/or an air-conditioning insert. The term “moisture-regulating means” refers to a means for regulating the humidity of its surroundings, especially the temperature-control means already mentioned or moisture-absorbing substances such as activated carbon fibers, or polymeric superabsorbers. 
     A ventilation means as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  has one or more air inlets  121 , one or more air-ducting means  122  and one or more air outlets  123 ,  123 ′. 
     At least one air-ducting means  122  preferably has one or more distribution layers  124 , one or more barrier layers  125  and one or more covering layers  126 ,  126 ′. 
     The term “barrier layer”  125  refers particularly to a layer of which at least a portion inhibits or prevents the passage of air, water and/or water vapor. The term refers particularly to layers with a water vapor transmission resistance of more than 35 (m 2 Pa)/W. 
     The s D  value, i.e. the product of the material-specific diffusion resistance coefficient μ and layer thickness d, may also be used here as a measure of diffusion. In this context, especially according to DIN 4108-3, layers are considered to be diffusion permeable if their s D  value is ≦0.5 m, diffusion impermeable if their s D  value is ≧1,500 m and diffusion-inhibiting if their s D  value is between 0.5 m und 1,500 m. At least one barrier layer  125  preferably includes at least one portion in which its vapor permeability or its s D  value is greater than 0.5 m, better 10 m, better 1,000 m, better 1,500 m and more. The s D  value may also be variable, and depend, for example, on the amount of moisture present on the barrier layer  125 . In is then to advantage if the s D  value is higher when there is more moisture present. 
     The barrier layer  125  is preferably only slightly or not at all air-permeable. By that is meant, in particular, an air permeability of less than 100 l/(dm 2 ×min), better 10 l/(dm 2 ×min), better still 5 l/(dm 2 ×min). These values are relative to a test pressure of 100 Pa. 
     One or more barrier layers  125  are preferably arranged in such manner relative to one or more distribution layers  124  as to shield at least sections of the particular distribution layer  124  from its surroundings. The barrier layer preferably covers the whole of that surface of the distribution layer  124  that faces away from a passenger, and projects a little way beyond it at one or more edges. This prevents air and pressure losses. At least one barrier layer  125  is made at least partially of film or of a layer of plastic, polymer or other material of low permeability, such as metal foils. It may also be made of a foamed, preferably closed-cell material, such as the foam of a seat cushion. The barrier layer  125  is preferably configured as a single layer of homogeneous material. 
     The barrier layer  125  may have one or more air-passage openings  127  so that, for example, a fan can be connected thereto. These air-passage openings  127  can serve as air inlets  121  into the air-ducting means  122  if a fan connected thereto is required to blow air to the user. They can also serve as air outlets  123  if air is drawn away from the user by a fan. 
     One or more distribution layers  124  preferably have a spacer means which maintains a space, at least section-wise, between one or more covering layers  126  and at least one barrier layer  125 . Suitable spacer means for this purpose include, for example, knitted spacer fabrics and/or adjacently arranged spirals with plastic and/or glass fiber components. 
     The term “covering layer”  126  refers particularly to a layer that at least partially covers the ventilation means on the user side. It refers especially to a layer of which at least a portion is poorly permeable or impermeable at least to air. The values may be defined in the same way as for the barrier layer. 
     One or more covering layers  126  are preferably arranged in such manner relative to one or more distribution layers  124  as to shield at least sections of the distribution layer  124  from its surroundings. The covering layer preferably covers the whole of that surface of the distribution layer  124  that faces toward a passenger, and projects a little way beyond it. This prevents air and pressure losses. 
     At least one covering layer  126  is preferably made at least partially of film or of a layer of plastic, polymer or other material of low air or vapor permeability, such as metal foils. It may also be made of a foamed, closed-cell material, such as the foam of a seat cushion. Alternatively, or in addition, the covering layer may be made at least partially of a material which, at least section-wise, is highly permeable to vapor, water and/or air. The covering layer  126  may be configured as a single layer of homogeneous material, but preferably it comprises two different layers with different permeabilities to air and/or water or vapor. 
     The covering layer  126  may have one or more air-passage openings  127 ′ so that, for example, a fan can be connected thereto. These air-passage openings  127 ′ can serve as air inlets  121  into the air-ducting means  122  if a fan connected thereto is required to blow air to the user. They can also serve as air outlets  123  if air is drawn away from the user by a fan. 
     At least one covering layer  126  allows the passage of water vapor and/or water at least partially and/or section-wise. At least one covering layer  126  preferably includes at least portions in which the air permeability is greater than 10 l/(dm 2 ×min), better 50 l/(dm 2 ×min), better at least 100 l/(dm 2 ×min). The covering layer  126  also preferably includes at least one portion in which its vapor permeability or its s D  value is smaller than 1,500 m, better smaller than 10 m, better 1 m, better 0.5 m. By this is meant, in particular, a water vapor transmission resistance of less than 35 (m 2 Pa)/W. It is to advantage for at least sections, but preferably the entire surface, of at least one covering layer  126  to be vapor-permeable. The breathability or water-vapor transmission resistance R et  is preferably ≦35 (m 2 Pa)/W, preferably ≦20 (m 2 Pa)/W, preferably ≦5 (m 2 Pa)/W, preferably ≦3 (m 2 Pa)/W. 
     The s D  value may also be variable, and depend, for example, on the amount of moisture present on the covering layer  126 . In is then to advantage if the s D  value is higher when there is more moisture present. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the air-passage openings  127 ′ may be window-like apertures in the covering layer  126 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , however, they may also be formed by micro-perforations and/or by stitches or gaps between the threads or fibers of a textile. 
     Examples of suitable textiles include those with a square-meter weight of 133 g/m 2  or less. A textile of such kind is preferably a non-woven fabric and/or preferably a textile comprising a plurality of fiber types, for example polyethylene (PET) and polyamide (PA 6). The proportion of PET fibers is preferably greater than that of PA 6 fibers. The proportion of PET fibers is preferably at least 60%, better 70% and more. The proportion of PA 6 fibers is preferably between 15 and 45%. The covering layer  126  is preferably made at least partially of a material that absorbs moisture only slightly or not at all. 
     The air-ducting means  122  is preferably configured as a modular system in which at least one barrier layer  125 , one distribution layer  124  and one covering layer  126  form a connected assembly. This assembly may also be combined with an electric heating element, preferably a flat electric heating element, a fan and/or a heater blower to form a climate-control insertion module. The air-ducting means preferably has only two or three layers, which, for their part, are made of a homogeneous, single-layer material. 
     The covering layer  126  and the barrier layer  125  preferably project at least partially beyond one or more edges of the distribution layer  124  and are connected there with each other, for example by bonding, welding or sewing. Provisions may be made for this connection not to encompass the entire edge of the air-ducting means  122  but to leave air-passage openings  127  so that air can be blown into the distribution layer  124  and withdrawn therefrom from the side. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a “snorkel”  129  in this area, as shown in  FIG. 3 , so that the air-ducting means  122  can be connected at a point spaced away from a surface to be ventilated. This can serve, for example, for drawing in cold air from the floor area of the seat. 
     It is expedient if the interior of the air-ducting means  122  interconnects with the air surrounding the surface to be ventilated, or the seat  1110 , even when the fan is switched off. This enables moisture that diffuses through the covering layer  126  into the interior of the air-ducting means  122  to exit at air-passage openings  127  spaced away from the surface to be ventilated. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           100  Climate-conditioning system 
           110  Temperature-control means 
           120  Ventilation Means 
           121  Air inlets 
           122  Air-ducting means 
           123 ,  123 ′ Air outlet 
           124  Distribution layer 
           125  Barrier layer 
           126 ,  126 ′ Covering layer 
           127  Air-passage opening 
           129  “Snorkel” 
           130  Moisture-regulating means 
           400  Cushion 
           500  Cover 
           1000  Vehicle 
           1110  Seat 
           1100  Interior fitting 
           1120  Vehicle steering device 
           1130  Dashboard 
           1140  Armrest 
           1150  Door-trim panel 
           1160  Seat pad 
           1170  Electric blanket 
           1180  Roof lining