FR3032922A1 - SEAT ELEMENT TRIM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A THERMAL DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat element lining for a motor vehicle, provided with at least one thermal device (1) between a padding (3) and a cap (5), in which the thermal device comprises: at least one coil Peltier elements (12) electrically connected in series by first sections (14) cap-side (5) and by second sections (16) side padding (3); and at least one first layer (22) made of three-dimensional fabric on the quilting side, the second sections being inserted in this first layer.

Description

B13877 - 3768 1.EN 1 SEAT COMPONENT SEAT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A THERMAL DEVICE Area This description relates generally to motor vehicle seats and, more particularly, to the thermal devices (heating or cooling) fitted to such seats. The present description relates more particularly to the thermal layers interposed between the quilting and the cap of a seat element lining. DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Motor vehicle seat cushions are more and more often equipped with thermal elements intended to improve the comfort of the occupant. A large number of heating and cooling systems based on different principles (heating resistors, Peltier elements, fans, heat transfer fluids, etc.) are sometimes known to be combined.

Systems based on Peltier (effect) elements have the advantage of being reversible electrical devices, that is, capable of operating as both a heating element and a cooling element. Of particular interest here are thermal devices whose thermal elements are Peltier elements.

US 5,924,766 discloses a thermal device for a motor vehicle seat in which Peltier elements are inserted in an air circulation circuit, placed at the rear of the seat lining. Channels pass through the padding to reach the inner face of the cap that is pierced to allow air to escape. The air circulation is forced by a fan. Summary It would be desirable to improve the performance of the thermal devices fitted to motor vehicle seats. Thus, one embodiment provides a thermal device for a motor vehicle seat that overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of conventional thermal devices. One embodiment aims to avoid the need to make orifices in the cap of the seat member. One embodiment aims at a solution more particularly adapted to Peltier effect type thermal generation elements. One embodiment aims to homogenize the temperature at the surface of the seat member. Thus, one embodiment provides a motor vehicle seat element liner, provided with at least one thermal device between a padding and a cap, wherein the thermal device comprises: at least one coil of connected Peltier elements electrically in series by first sections on the cap side and second sections on the padding side; and at least one first three-dimensional textile layer on the quilting side, the second sections being inserted in this first layer. According to one embodiment, the lining comprises at least one barrier layer, thermally insulating, between the first layer and the first sections of the coil.

According to one embodiment, the lining comprises at least a second three-dimensional textile layer between the first sections and the cap. According to one embodiment, the lining comprises at least one thermal diffusion layer, preferably aluminum or copper, between the second layer and the cap. According to one embodiment, the thickness of the second layer is between about 0.5 and about 2 centimeters. According to one embodiment, the thickness of the first layer is approximately equal to the half-length of the second sections of the coil. According to one embodiment, the thickness of the first layer is between about 1 and about 5 centimeters. One embodiment also provides a motor vehicle seat member. According to one embodiment, the seat element further comprises at least one fan and ducts organizing a flow of air tangentially in the first layer or in the first and second layers.

According to one embodiment, the air flow is in the same direction in the first layer and in the second layer. According to one embodiment, the air flow directions in the first layer and in the second layer are reversed. One embodiment also provides a motor vehicle seat, comprising at least one seat element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments in a non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation; a Peltier thermal device; FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a lining, equipped with a thermal device, for a seat element for a motor vehicle; Figure 3 is a top view of an intermediate layer of the liner of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a lining equipped with a thermal device for a motor vehicle seat element; Figure 5 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a liner equipped with a thermal device also illustrating a mode of air flow in the liner; FIG. 6 represents a fan variant adapted to the embodiment of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of a gasket equipped with a thermal device also illustrating another mode of air circulation in the gasket. Detailed Description For the sake of clarity, only the elements useful for understanding the embodiments to be described have been shown and will be detailed. In particular, the embodiment of the seat elements (frame, padding and cap) has not been detailed, the described embodiments being compatible with the usual embodiments of seat elements equipped with thermal elements. In addition, the devices for connecting the thermal elements to one or more energy sources or control devices have also not been detailed, the described embodiments being, again, compatible with the usual embodiments. It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the various embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

3032922 B13877 - 3768 1.EN 5 In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "forward", "backward", "up", "down", "left" , "right", etc., or relative, such as "above", "below", "top", "bottom", etc., or with qualifiers for orientation, such as "horizontal" , "vertical", etc., reference is made to the orientation of the figures or a seat in a normal position of use. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "approximately", "substantially", and "of the order of" mean within 10%, preferably within 5%. Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a Peltier device. This device alternates active parts 122 'of a first type (in practice into a P-type semiconductor material) and active parts 126' of a second type (in practice 15 into an N type semiconductor material). ), separated by insulating portions 124 '. Conductive sections 14 'and 16' connect the respective ends (upper and lower) of the active parts 122 'and 126' by alternating the high and low connections. Thus, in the upper part, first 20 sections 14 'connect, from left to right in the orientation of the figure, an active portion 126' of the second type to the active portion 122 'of the first type adjacent while in the lower part second sections 16 'connect an active portion 122' of the first type to the active portion 126 'of the second adjacent type. Diffusion plates 13 'and 19', electrically isolated, are respectively reported on the upper and lower faces. By applying a voltage across the coil thus produced, the upper face constitutes the hot wall, respectively cold, while the lower face constitutes the cold wall, respectively hot. Figure 2 is a sectional and partial view of an embodiment of a lining of a seat element for a motor vehicle. The seat element can be a seat, a backrest, a headrest or an armrest. On the other hand, the structure of the thermally fitted lining may occupy all or part of the seat element (e.g., central medallion, side braces, etc.). . According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a thermal device 1 is interposed between a padding 3, for example made of foam, of the lining and a cap 5, external, of this lining. The back of the padding 3 rests, in a usual manner, on an armature (not shown) of the seat element. The cap 5 is, for example, made of a covering material 52 of skin, leather, woven or non-woven fabric type, etc. of thin thickness (less than one centimeter and preferably 1 to 5 mm). Optionally, the cap 5 also comprises a foam 54 on the rear face of a thickness generally varying between 5 and 15 mm. The thermal device 1 is based on Peltier effect thermal generation elements 12 electrically connected in series, by conducting sections 14 and 16, to a source of electrical energy 7. Conductive sections 14 and 16 serve as dissipators thermal. The ends of the series association are connected (links 72 and 74) to the electrical power source 7. The techniques for producing heating plies from Peltier elements are well known. In the embodiments targeted by the present description, a multi-stranded cable formed of electrically conductive and non-insulated metal wires, most often based on a copper or aluminum alloy, is arranged to alternate first diffusion sections 14 or restitution (heating or cooling) in the upper part of the thermal device (cap part) and the second sections 16 of capture or evacuation, capturing or discharging the heat side padding 3. At the interfaces between the first diffusion sections 14 and the second sections of collection or evacuation 16, the ends of the sections are electrically connected to the active parts 122 and 126 of Peltier effect elements, separated from each other at each element by an insulator 124. According to the sense in the cable, the first 14 (diffusion) sections 14 are heated or cooled and, at the same time, Conversely, the second sections 16 capture heat or evacuate it. In practice, the first sections 14 are formed of 5 son of an electric cable electrically connected (for example, glued or welded), at more or less regular intervals, at first ends (upper) of first active parts 122 and second active parts 126 of the Peltier elements 26. The second sections 16, preferably constituted by sections of the same cable (and therefore wires), connect between them second ends (lower) of the second (126) and first (122) active parts, staggered relative to the first sections 14. Thus, the first end (upper here) of each first active portion 122 is connected, by a first section 14, to a first end (upper) of a second active portion 126 adjacent in a first direction (for example to the left in the orientation of FIG. 2) while its second end (here below) is connected by a second section 16, at a second end (lower) of a second active portion 126 adjacent in the second direction (to the right in the orientation of Figure 2) of the serpentine thus produced. This connection is reproduced all along the coil. The first sections 14 are approximately horizontal (in the orientation of the figures) or tangential to the filling being spread under the cover 5, while the second sections 16 are approximately vertical (in the direction of orientation of the figures) or perpendicular. to the plane in which the surface of the lining is inscribed. Preferably, each second section 16 forms a loop sinking into the padding so as to increase the heat exchange area. A difficulty in producing heating plies with such Peltier effect thermal generation elements is that the exchanges are not optimal. In particular, the second sections 16 are usually inserted directly into orifices provided in the padding 3, which is not ideal for heat exchange. Capped side 5, the temperature is not homogeneous because of the localized nature of the first sections 14.

The other solutions, for example that provided by the aforementioned US 5,924,766, force a flow of air but require piercing the cap. According to the embodiments shown, provision is made to insert, between the padding 3 and the cap 5, at least one first three-dimensional textile layer 22 (3D fabric). This first layer 22 has a thickness chosen according to the desired driving height for the second sections 16. For example, the thickness of the first layer 22 is between about 1 cm and about 5 cm.

The use of a first layer 22 has several advantages. On the one hand, this first layer 22 is perforated horizontally (approximately parallel to the cap). It therefore allows a horizontal air flow (or tangential to the seat element) to promote the dissipation or capture by the second sections 16. Moreover and optionally, by choosing the 3D textile (including the size of its mesh) appropriately according to the sizes of the Peltier elements and the diameter of the cable, one can avoid having to pre-drill vertically this first layer 22 to insert the loops of the second sections 16. As the first layer 22 is also perforated vertically, it is preferably provided, in the upper part, a barrier layer 24 thermally insulating, for separating the first layer 22 of the first sections 14. The barrier layer 24 is pierced locally, either in advance, or by the operator during assembly, at the places where the elements 12 and the second sections 16 must be inserted vertically in the first layer 22. The case ech the seat member or the seat is equipped with one or more fans (not shown in FIG. 2) and ducts organizing an air flow tangentially in the first layer 22. FIG. 3 is a view from above of the lining at the level of the first sections 14. This figure corresponds to the structure during assembly of the cable equipped with the Peltier elements 12. For ease of understanding, the barrier layer 24 is not visible However, it is present between the first sections 14 and the first layer 22. To facilitate exchanges, the cable strands are separated by the operator during assembly, which also amounts to reducing the thickness represented by The first sections 14. In FIG. 2, the dimensions of the meshes of the 3D textile have been exaggerated to show that the Peltier elements 12 (and the corresponding loops of the second sections 16 are not visible). in Figure 3) are introduced from above the first layer 22 into a mesh. In practice, the meshes of the 3D textile are deformable, which facilitates assembly. Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a lining equipped with a thermal device.

Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2, there is provided a second layer 26, perforated (allowing air to pass), preferably in 3D textile, between the first sections 14 and the cap 5. The presence of this second layer 26, optional, allows to homogenize the temperature at the cap 5 and 25 thus improves the sensation for the occupant of the seat. The thickness of the second layer 26 is, for example, between about 0.5 cm and about 2 cm. FIG. 4 illustrates another possible difference with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 2, which is the absence of a barrier layer 24. This barrier layer, which remains preferable, can, thanks to the possible air flow over the first sections 14 by the presence of the second layer 26, be avoided. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a gasket equipped with a thermal device 30 also illustrating a mode of airflow in the gasket. The difference with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 4 resides in the cap 5, which here only consists of a thickness 52 (for example a layer of leather) directly deposited on the second layer 26 of the thermal device 1. The thermal device 1 is similar to that of FIG. 4, with FIG. 5 simply illustrating other thicknesses of the first layer 22 and the second layer 26 to show that these thicknesses can vary. In the example of FIG. 5, the first layer 22 has a thickness approximately equal to the height of the loops formed by the second sections 16. In the example of FIG. 5, it is intended to force the flow of air in directions In the first layer 22 and the second layer 26, for example, a blower 9 blows air which is guided to an edge of the liner over the entire thickness of the thermal device. At the other end, the air is exhausted outside the seat trim. In this example, assume a tangential fan 9 and a common air supply port 92 to the first layer 22 and the second layer 26. Figure 6 shows in perspective another example of a fan 9 'adapted to the air flow of Figure 5. This is a centrifugal fan. An outlet mouth 94 of the fan 9 'is connected to a common duct leading the air in front (section) of the first layer 22 and the second layer 26. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a lining equipped with a thermal device 30 illustrating another mode of air circulation in the lining. With respect to the embodiment of FIG. 5, a barrier layer 24 is interposed between a cap 5, here comprising a foam 54 on the rear face and the first layer 22. Furthermore, a thermal diffusion layer 28 is provided, for example in copper or aluminum. The second layer 26 electrically isolates the strands of the first sections 14 of the diffusion layer 28 which would otherwise cause a short circuit between two first neighboring sections 14. Such a diffusion layer 28 may also be provided in the other embodiments, provided to be electrically insulating or to be associated with an electrically insulating thickness to avoid short-circuiting first sections 14. FIG. 7 also illustrates a method of organizing air circulation in the first layer 22 and in the second layer 26. According to this example, a return air flow is arranged between the second layer 26 and the first layer 22. The air flows in a first direction in the second layer 26 and in the reverse direction in the first layer 22. The representation of FIG. 7 is very diagrammatic, the ducts organizing the circulation of air being in practice at the edges of the garnish. An advantage of the embodiment of Figure 7 is that the temperature of the air flowing in the first layer 22 from the second layer 26 is compatible with the desired effect in the first layer 22. If 20 first sections 14 are the cold source, the second sections 16 must evacuate heat. The air circulating in the second layer 26, cooled by the first sections 14 facilitates, by being reinjected into the first layer 22, the evacuation of the calories of this first layer 22.

The choice of the first and second spacer layers 22 and 26 between the padding 3 and the Peltier dissipation elements 12 and optionally between these elements 12 and the cap 5 depends, among other things, on the desired mesh size and the rigidity.

The organization of the air flow out of the lining, that is to say the supply and the evacuation of the air, generally by conduits under the lining, most often placed under the seat , depends on the rest of the seat structure and available spaces for these air supply. Preferably, the edges of the thermal device, therefore the first layer 22 and the second layer 26 are closed so as to direct the flow of air from and to the desired inputs-outputs. Moreover, the lines of the coil formed of sections 14 and 16 and elements 12 may have any directions, for example vertical or oblique, and a seat member may comprise one or more coils. An advantage of the embodiments that have been described is that it is now possible to improve thermal diffusion in a seat liner.

The mounting of the thermal device is further facilitated. In particular, it may be preassembled (for example first layer 22, optional barrier layer 24, Peltier element cable 12, optional second layer 26, optional diffusion layer 28) and be placed in one piece between the padding and the padding. cap. Various embodiments and combinable variants have been described. Various variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, in all the embodiments described above, the foam 54 is optional and the second layer 26 may or may not be provided. It is the same for the barrier layer 24 and the thermally conductive layer 28. Furthermore, the choice of the 3D textile to make the first layer 22 and, optionally, the second layer 26, among the available products depends, among other things, on the desired thickness, desired mesh size, desired flexibility and nature (woven or non-woven, natural or synthetic fiber, etc.) desired. However, care should be taken to choose a 3D textile that is suitable for the desired air circulation properties. For all embodiments, a person skilled in the art may choose a 3D textile adapted to allow air to pass through spaces formed by said textile. For all embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to choose a 3D textile adapted to allow the air to pass as a function of the spaces formed by said textile. For all embodiments, the skilled person may choose different openwork 3D textiles.

In addition, if a 3D textile is preferable for the second layer 26, there may be another type of material circulating air at least horizontally. Finally, the practical implementation of the described embodiments is within the abilities of those skilled in the art from the functional indications given above, whether for the choice of constituent materials of thermal diffusion pellets (copper, aluminum, etc.) or constituent materials of Peltier cells.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Seat element lining for a motor vehicle, provided with at least one thermal device (1) between a padding (3) and a cap (5), in which the thermal device comprises: at least one peltier elements coil ( 12) electrically connected in series by first sections (14) side cap (5) and second sections (16) side padding (3); and at least one first three-dimensional textile layer (22) on the quilting side, the second sections being inserted into this first layer. 2. Gasket according to claim 1, comprising at least one barrier layer (24), thermally insulating, between the first layer (22) and the first sections (14) of the coil. 3. Gasket according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least a second layer (26) of textile three-dimensional between the first sections (14) and the cap (5). 4. Gasket according to claim 3, further comprising at least one layer (28) of thermal diffusion, preferably aluminum or copper, between the second layer (26) and the cap (5). 5. A gasket according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the thickness of the second layer (26) is between about 0.5 and about 2 centimeters. 6. A gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickness of the first layer (22) is approximately equal to the half-length of the second sections (16) of the coil. The liner of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thickness of the first layer (22) is between about 1 and about 5 centimeters. 8. Seat element for a motor vehicle comprising a gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A seat element according to claim 8, further comprising at least one fan (9, 9 ') and ducts 30B which arrange air circulation tangentially in the first layer (22) or in the first (22) and second (26) layers. The seat member of claim 9, wherein the air flow is in the same direction in the first layer (22) and the second layer (26). The seat member of claim 9, wherein the air flow directions in the first layer (22) and in the second layer (26) are reversed. 12. Seat for a motor vehicle, comprising at least 10 a seat element according to any one of claims 8 to 11.