Abstract:
A seat frame for a vehicle seat comprises an upholstered seat, cushion, a seat frame, an upholstery support structure attached thereto and a fan housing with a radial fan. The fan housing has an axial inlet and a radial outlet for the passage of air. The fan housing is supported in the seat frame by means of a holder- which includes at: least one frame-shaped receptacle adapted to receive the radial, outlet of the fan housing and at least one locking element for connecting itself to the tan housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a seat, frame for a vehicle seat having an upholstered seat cushion, a seat frame structure, an upholstery support structure attached thereto and having a radial fan with a fan housing, the fan housing having an axial inlet and a radial outlet opening for passage of air. The fan housing is supported on the seat frame by means of a dimensionally rigid holder. 
         [0002]    In addition to heating devices, vehicle seats are increasingly equipped with ventilation devices. In the past, such ventilation devices that, serve the climate control of a seat were reserved for luxury vehicles for cost reasons. However, as the demand for comfort in economy-class vehicles and compact cars increased, climate-controlled seats have been offered as optional features in these vehicles as well. 
         [0003]    Such climate control devices include one or more fans that are in flow connection with the ventilation channels in the upholstery of the seat, and/or with the air distribution layer located underneath the upholstery fabric. With these devices, both the seat areas and the backrests and even the headrests can be climate-controlled. 
         [0004]    A main component of the climate control device is a fan that produces the required air flow. 
         [0005]    One of the considerations when using such fans is to ensure that they supply and extract air to and from certain areas of the seating* and rest areas according to the design requirements, that they be arranged in areas of the seat where appropriate space is available, and that they allow for a quick and simple installation and removal. 
         [0006]    Known from DE 10 2006 004 465 A1 is an insert for a climate-controlled vehicle seat comprising a three-dimensional air distribution layer that is covered on its upper side with an air-permeable top layer. The top layer at the bottom side of the air distribution layer includes an air inlet but is otherwise airtight. Connected to the air islet is a ring-shaped component in which a fan is suspended. The ring-shaped component exhibits a de-coupling configuration to prevent the -transmission of vibrations generated by the fan to the seat. 
         [0007]    WO 2005/037601 A2 describes a vehicle seat that has a fan unit (fan blade housing) attached to its carrying structure, namely to the bottom side of the seat, using a mounting arrangement. The air emitted by the fan unit is provided to the seat area via an air guide unit. The air guide unit comprises a rectangular zones that is assigned to the seat area and a channel-shaped zone that forms a connection between the fan and the seat area zone. 
         [0008]    DE 102 55 638 A1 describes a climate control unit for a vehicle seat with a fan unit that, is attached to the seat springs of the seat using a plate with a U-shaped cross-section. For this purpose, several seat springs are clamped between the base area of the housing of the fan unit and the U-shaped plate. The fan housing has a pipe socket permeniently molded to it that is connected to an air guide channel in the cushion element and thus blows the air into the channels of the cushion element. 
         [0009]    DE 199 27 232 A1 concerns a climate control device for a vehicle seat with a central fan unit located underneath the seat frame. The housing of this fan unit is connected to two solid pipes, where one pipe glides air to a channel in the seat cushion of the seat area and the other pipe to a channel in the cushion of the backrest. With this embodiment, the housing of the fan unit is also adapted to the special requirements of the climate-controlled seat. 
         [0010]    DE 198 47 384 C1, DE 199 20 062 A1 and DE 102 07 490 C1 describe vehicle seats t where the fan is inserted into an air channel cushion of the seat or in the cavity of a backrest. 
         [0011]    EP 1 008 486 B1 discloses to a backrest, for vehicle seats, where a mechanical lumbar support for adapting to the spinal curvature of the user of the seat is attached to the frame of the backrest. The fan for the active ventilation of the backrest cushion is centrally attached to the lumbar support in the cushion area and moves together with the lumbar support, during its adjustment, 
         [0012]    DE 10 2010 005 728 A1 describes a seat configuration for a component of a backrest or a seat cushion of a vehicle seat. The seat configuration can be supplemented with a fan in modular fashion. The fan module is mounted in a corresponding opening of a frame element of the seat. A separate holder may be used as an alternative. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a seat frame for a vehicle seat with a radial fan for the ventilation of the seat that is characterised fay a simple and largely universally useable configuration that minimizes the manufacturing costs by reducing the variety of parts and materials to be used, 
         [0014]    A further object of the present invention is to facilitate the use of slightly balanced or unbalanced commercially available fans in such a manner that vehicle occupants do not experience significant vibrations that can be caused by commercially available fans. 
         [0015]    These objectives are achieved by a seat frame for a vehicle seat of the type described hereinabove wherein the housing of the radial fan has axial inlet and radial outlet openings and is supported in the seat frame by means of a dimensionally rigid holder. According to the invention of this holder has at least one frame-shaped receptacle into which the radial housing opening of the fan is inserted, and at least one locking element that is connectable with the fan housing. 
         [0016]    A significant advantage of this invention is that the radial fan with the fan housing which can be commercially mass-produced, can be inserted into the frame-shaped receptacle of the holder without structural changes to its radial, housing opening. As mentioned above,the holder also includes at least one locking element that connects to the housing of the radial fan. The unit, consisting of a radial fan and a fan housing, is thus supported only by the frame-shaped receptacle and by the one or more locking elements. No other means of attachment are required. Advantageously, the frame-shaped receptacle is used as an attachment component in order to connect a corresponding air guide channel thereto, which either supplies the air emitted by the radial fan to the seat area or to the backrest area or extracts the air drawn in by the radial fan from the seat area or backrest. 
         [0017]    Such a unit, consisting of a holder and a pre-assembled fan unit comprising the radial fan and the fan housing, can be easily installed at various places at the seat frame. 
         [0018]    In one preferred embodiment,the holder has a so-called called “base portion”. The portion of the fan housing: that is located opposite to the axial housing inlet opening is placed flat against this base portion of the holder. It is thus associated with this base portion as the reference area. 
         [0019]    In addition to the one or more locking elements, at least, one positioning element can be located on the holder and interact with a corresponding positioning element in the fan housing of the radial fan in a manner that secures the fan housing in position on the holder. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the one or more positioning elements located on the holder is/are formed in the manner of a pin that engages in a corresponding recess or opening in the housing of the radial fan. 
         [0021]    The frame-shaped receptacle for the radial opening of the fan housing is preferably formed as an attachment component for an air guide channel, as mentioned above. Hers, a flexible nose can be 
         [0022]    outside of the attachment component as an air guide channel that supplies the air from the radial fan to the seat area. By using such a flexible hose, the unit consisting of holder and, inserted in it, the radial fan with the fan housing can foe attached at areas of the seat frame that are available as free spaces in the seat frame and are not needed for other essential features of the seat. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, a dimensionally stable or rigid channel can be connected to the attachment component of the holder as the air guide channel that redirects the air flow to or from the radial fan, preferably by about 90°. At its other end, the channel is provided with an end channel that widens the channel cross-section and is associated with a seat cushion. The end channel supplies the air in an appropriately adjusted manner from the radial fan across a larger region of the seat area or removes air from this region. 
         [0024]    It is also possible to provide an end channel at the attachment component which serves as the air guide channel that widens the attachment component and distributes the air flow to or from the radial, fan at several openings in the upholstery support structure or the seat frame. These openings can be associated with different areas of the seat in order to ventilate these areas or to extract air from them. 
         [0025]    Advantageously, the end channel is bowl-shaped and forms a channel together with the frame structure or the upholstery support structure on which it rests. 
         [0026]    In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a carrier plate is molded to the holder that receives the radial fan housing and can be used as the receptacle for one or more sensor elements of the seat. For example, a seat occupancy sensor can be placed on this carrier plate. The carrier plate can also be used to receive electrical connection and attachment components or electronic components for the seat. 
         [0027]    At least one connection element is preferably provided to connect the holder to the upholstery support structure. 
         [0028]    Such connection elements may be provided also to connect the holder to the structure of the seat frame. 
         [0029]    For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the underside of a seat area of a vehicle seat with a frame configuration and a fan arrangement. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the fan arrangement of  FIG. 1  with the associated holder, 
           [0032]      FIG. 3A  Is a perspective top view of a further embodiment of the fan arrangement with the holder of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective bottom view of the arrangement of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rear of a backrest with a further embodiment of a fan arrangement. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a cushion carrying structure as installed in the backrest of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0036]      FIGS. 6A to 6B  are throes perspective views of the fan arrangement of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a fan arrangement that is similar to embodiments of the fan arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  with an additional carrier plate. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are top and bottom views of a backrest seat frame with a fan arrangement separated from the frame configuration. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 9A to 9C  are perspective views of a part of a seat area with a view of its bottom side, partially in exploded view. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will, now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9C  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals, 
         [0041]    The seat area of a vehicle seat, which is shown in  FIG. 1  in a view of the bottom side, comprises a seat frame in which the upholstery support structure  3 , that is formed essentially of bent wires  2 , is suspended. A seat cushion mold  4  that forms the seat area is supported by the seat frame  1  and the seat cushion, support structure  3 , 
         [0042]    As shown schematically in  FIG. 2 , a fan arrangement  5  is attached to the seat area arrangement of  FIG. 1 . This fan arrangement  5  includes a holder  6  and a radial fan  7 , which is installed in a fan housing  8 . The radial fan  7  with the fan housing  8  is a common, ordinary radial fan, which has a radial housing opening  9 , as well as an axial housing opening  10  on the upper side of the housing  11  which extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the radial fan  7 . In contrast, the opposite lower side of the housing  12  is closed. 
         [0043]    The fan housing  8  has two mounting holes  13 , which typically serve the purpose of screwing such commercially available radial fans to a base. These mounting holes  13  extend perpendicular to the two housing sides  11  and  12 . 
         [0044]    The holder  6 f as shown in  FIG. 2  is separated from the fan housing  8  of the radial fan  7 , comprises a base portion  14 , a frame-shaped receptacle  15  on its one side and two locking elements  16  on the side opposite the frame-shaped receptacle  15 . The area secured by the frame-shaped receptacle  15  runs perpendicular to the base portion  14  and is thus oriented such that the radial housing opening  9  of the fan housing  8  is inserted into the frame-shaped receptacle  15  when the fan housing rests on the base portion  14  of the holder  6  with the bottom side of its housing (the side opposite the axial inlet opening). 
         [0045]    Length and positioning of the locking elements  15 , which may be spring-loaded arms  17  with locking protrusions  18  f are designed such that the locking protrusions  18  rest on the upper housing side  11  of the fan housing  8  when the fan housing  8  rests on the base area  14 . In this manner, the radial fan  7  is held together with the fan housing  8  without additional fasteners that would need to be secured by means of tools, even though a commercially available radial fan with fan housing is used for this fan arrangement. 
         [0046]    In addition, a positioning element in the shape of a pin-like protrusion or peg  19  is located at the base portion  14  of the holder  6 , and with its position on the base portion  14  is assigned to the one fastening hole  13  of the fan housing  8 . By the fact that this pin-like protrusion  19  is inserted into the fastening hole  13  of the fan housing  8 , the fan housing is additionally secured against moving on the base portion  14 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a detailed view of a holder  6  with a fan housing  8  inserted therein. In contrast to the  FIG. 2 , the holder  6  includes only a single locking element  16 . Furthermore, the base portion  14  is composed of rod-shaped area parts  20 , which together span an area on which the bottom housing side  12  of the fan housing  8  rests. The area parts  20  are positioned such that two ends, each having a pin-shaped protrusion (not shown), are assigned to the fastening holes  13  of the fan housing  8 , while another area element  20  carries a locking element  16  at its end, as described in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  also show that a dimensionally stable channel  21  follows the frame-shaped receptacle  15  of the holder  6  and transitions at its end into an end channel  22  that widens the cross-section of channel  21 . 
         [0049]    While in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  the channel.  21  is designed such that it redirects the air flow from or to the fan housing  8  by about 90°, other angles can be provided as well. The respective angle depends on the type of seat cushion structure, in particular from that point where the air flow is supplied to the seat cushion or is extracted from the seat cushion. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  shows the fan arrangement, as presented in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , installed in the seat. To mount the fan arrangement, connection elements  23  are arranged at the fan housing  8 , and/or at the channel  21  and/or at the end channel  22 , with  FIG. 3A  showing only one of the connection elements, which is clamped onto the wires  2  of the cushion carrying structure  3 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 1 , a total of eight connection elements  23  are used that are clamped to four wires  2  of the cushion carrying structure  3 . The fan housing  8  with the holder  6  and the channel  22  hangs freely from the area component  20  and extends into a free space  24  in the front area of the seat&#39;s frame configuration  1 . 
         [0051]    As can be seen additionally in  FIG. 1 , the end channel  22  runs with its longest dimension in the direction of the width of the seat area. The end channel  22  is limited by a surrounding strip  25 , which inserts into a corresponding—not shown in detail—recess in the seat&#39;s cushion mold  4 . The edge area of the recess is covered by a covering part  26  which rests against the bottom side of the seat cushion mold  4 . 
         [0052]    While  FIGS. 1 to 3  show a holder  6  with a dimensionally stable channel attached to the frame-shaped receptacle  15 ,  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 A to  6 C show an embodiment, in which the frame-shaped receptacle, also designated with the reference  15 , is connected to a flexible hose  27  in order to supply the air from the radial fan, of which only the fan housing  8  is shown, to defined areas of the seat area or the backrest, as in the example shown, or is extracted from there. 
         [0053]    Where components are presented in the individual embodiments that correspond in their function and/or effect to those of another embodiment, the same reference characters are used -without these components being described anew based on each exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the explanations for one embodiment are transferable analogously to the respective other embodiments. 
         [0054]    For the flexible hose  27 , a larger frame-shaped receptacle  15  is formed at the holder  6  as shown, in  FIGS. 4 to 6  in order to fasten the flexible hose  27  thereon. Using adhesive strips or dots, clips, arresters, plug-type connectors or weld /joints—ail not visible in the Figures—the hose  27  can be attached to the frame-shaped retainer at the holder  6 . According to the presentation in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the frame  15  also has a cross-sectional opening such that the radial housing opening  9  of the fan housing  8  can be inserted; other than that, the frame  15  is closed. The hose  27 , preferably a foil hose made from the group of plastics such as PE, PTFE, PUR, has at its other end a hose opening  28 , which is limited by a stable flange ring  29 . This stable flange ring  29  is made of plastic such as polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA; PA6; PAS6.6). In a further embodiment, the stable flange ring  29  is additionally provided with a sealing material. It is also possible to manufacture the flange ring  29  from a flexible plastic material, such as TPE or EPDM. In a further embodiment, it is possible to manufacture the stable flange ring  29  from a composite of TPE or EPDM and PP or PA or PA6 or PAS.6. The hose  27  is connected to the flange ring  29  using methods such as gluing, clamping, pressing, welding or arresting. The manner of connection is not apparent from the Figures. 
         [0055]    The fan arrangement of as shown in detail in  FIGS. 6A to 6C , offers great freedom in its positioning within the seat frame. Due to the flexible hose  27 , which can be adapted in its length and shape to the respective requirements of the seat configuration and the constrictive characteristics of the seat configuration, the fan arrangement can be arranged at any desired location of the frame configuration, or the cushion carrying structure by means of the holder, into which a typical radial fan must only be clamped into the fan housing, and the air can be supplied to the desired areas of the seat cushion structure by attaching the hose  27  at that location using the flange rings  29 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show as a preferred example a backrest ( FIG. 4 ) with a cushion carrying structure (shown in  FIG. 5  separated from the backrest). The holder  6  with, the fan is connected in a corner area to the cushion carrying structure  5  using at least one corresponding connection element  23  like those shown, for example, in  FIG. 6B . From this corner area, the air is guided to about the middle of the backrest via hose  27 . By positioning the fan housing  8  with the radial fan  7  in this place, the relevant area of the backrest is not affected by the massive structure of the fan arrangement. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a fan arrangement that corresponds to those of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  in their basic configuration. In addition, contrary to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a carrier plate  30  that can be used as a component with a sensory function is molded on the holder  6 , or the end channel  22 , which is part of the holder  6 . In  FIG. 8B , the carrier plate  30  with the sensory function component is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat. It is also conceivable that the carrier plate with the respective sensory function component is oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle seat. In  FIG. 8B , a seat occupation sensor  31  is located on this carrier plate  30  as a preferred example, which comprises three sensory fields  32 , for example. If such an arrangement is positioned between the cushion carrying structure and a side of the cushion core that faces away from the occupant., as shown in  FIG. 1 , this carrier plate  30  extends into the rear seat area, i.e., into the area where the backrest joins. In this manner, the holder  6  is not only used to hold the fan  7  with the fan housing  8 , but also serves at the same time as a carrier for a sensory function component, such as seat occupancy sensors  31 , for example. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  shows a further embodiment, that uses a holder  6  with a flexible hose  27  attached to the frame-shaped receptacle  15 . Contrary to the embodiments of  FIGS. 6A to 6C , the hose  27  has two hose openings  28 , each featuring a flange ring  29 . The arrangement of the hose openings  28  can be one above the other (vertically) as is shown in  FIG. 7 . Other arrangements of the hose openings are conceivable as well, such as a horizontal, arrangement or one offset, by an angle. Ultimately, the position or arrangement of the hose openings  28  is dependent on the respective circumstances and the available assembly room of the seat frame. The hose  27  is attached at the respective openings  34  In the cushion carrying structure  3  using the flange rings  20 ; these openings  34  in the cushion carrying structure  3  in turn are assigned to openings (not shown in detail) in the frame configuration  1  and seat cushion mold  4 . 
         [0058]    The holder  6 , in which the fan housing  8  is held by clamping, is attached to parts of the frame configuration  1  using fasteners  33 . 
         [0059]    Preferably, the holder  6 , hut also the channel  21 , as well as the end channel  22 , are made of a rigid material, such as plastic, metal, or a composite material. However, it can also he made of a semi-flexible material, e.g., a PUR molding, or of a flexible material such as TFE, EPBM. Particularly preferred are materials from the group of polymers, such as PA; PA6; PAS6.6; PF; PP made with fiberglass content, preferably manufactured as injection-molded parts. 
         [0060]    Finally,  FIGS. 3A to 9C  show a seat area part with view of its underside, which exhibits a further embodiment of the fan arrangement. Again, components that are comparable with components of other embodiments or which correspond to them are designated with the same reference character. 
         [0061]    Compared to the previously described embodiments, especially compared to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the holder  6  with its frame-shaped receptacle  15  is arranged directly at the end channel  22 . The spring-loaded arms  17  with the locking protrusions  18  at their ends engage in the radial side walls of the fan housing, when the radial housing opening  9  of the fan housing  3  is inserted into the frame-shaped receptacle  15 . The two opposing spring-loaded arms  17  of the holder  6  then rest on the upper and lower housing side  11 ,  12  of the fan housing  8 , however, in an area of the fan housing  8  in which the axial housing opening  1 . 0  is not obstructed. 
         [0062]    The end channel  22  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 9A to 9C  is designed as an elongated, flat part in the shape of a half-bowl and about semicircular in its cross-section. The length of this end channel  22  is selected such that it covers several openings  34  in the frame structure  1  or the upholstery support structure  3 . Corresponding openings  34  ressist also in the seat cushion mold  4 , as can be recognised in  FIG. 9B . The end channel  22  in turn has edge connection elements  23 , which are designed as brackets, with which the end channel  22  and thus also the holder  6  attached to it can be clamped to an edge of the frame structure  1  together with the radial fan  7  inserted in said holder. 
         [0063]    A ring seal  35  can be provided between the end channel  22  and seat frame  1 . 
         [0064]    There has thus been shown and described a novel seat frame for a vehicle seat which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other vises and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.