JP2009524461A - Automotive seat cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention includes a layered cushion arrangement (36) covered by a cushion cover (38) and including an air-inducing cushion layer (32), wherein air is introduced into it via at least one air inlet (40). The invention relates to a cushion for a motor vehicle seat in which air enters and further air is released from the air-guiding cushion layer through at least one air outlet (46) after penetration. At least one air outlet opening (20) disposed in the cushion cover (38) is assigned to the at least one air outlet (46).

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat cushion of the type indicated in the preceding paragraph of claim 1.

  This type of cushion is described, for example, in Patent Document 1, where the cushion layer configuration includes a foam layer that rests on the cushion support, an air induction cushion layer disposed thereon, and in turn on it. It includes a moisture permeable top layer in the form of a deployed open pore foam. To ventilate the seat, a fan is placed in the lower foam layer and the airflow of the fan passes through the air induction cushion layer via the air inlet. While passing through the air-inducing cushion layer, the relatively cool and dry airflow passes through the cushion cover covering the cushion layer structure and below it through the upper layer composed of open pore foam. Absorb body moisture that can pass through the area of the induction cushion layer from the seated occupant. After passing through the air induction cushion layer, the airflow carrying body moisture exits via the air induction layer or the air outlets at the front and rear ends of the cushion itself. For this purpose, an opening is provided between the cushion cover and the lower foam layer.

  Thus, in this example, the airflow generated by the fan must cover a relatively long distance in the air induction cushion layer until it exits either the front or rear end of the cushion. At least one fan that ensures and / or supports the circulation of the airflow through the air induction cushion layer must therefore be provided in the region of the lower foam layer.

German Patent Invention No. 199 20 062 C2 Specification

  The present invention therefore aims to provide a cushion for an automobile seat of the kind described at the outset, which is able to generate an improved air flow in the air-inducing cushion layer.

  This object is achieved according to the invention by a cushion having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements due to advantageous and significant developments of the invention are described in the other claims.

  In the case of the cushion according to the invention, at least one air outlet opening is arranged directly in the cushion cover. That is, since the at least one air outlet opening will be positioned in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle occupant's body, the passing airflow can exit the air induction cushion layer at a significantly earlier point. A preferred position for disposing at least one air outlet opening of the cushion cover is, for example, the front center region of the seat cushion seat area, the upper center area of the back cushion area, or the upper and side end surfaces of the cushion. It is the corner area of the side cheek of the cushion in between. Experience has shown that these positions are not covered by the seat occupant, allowing a constant circulation of air. In the seat occupant region, the airflow flowing into the air induction cushion layer can absorb body moisture that passes through the cushion cover toward the air induction cushion layer, and further absorbs it, and is disposed in the cushion cover. It can be carried away in a relatively short distance via the air outlet opening. Overall, a very strong circulation of the air in the air induction cushion layer causes body moisture to flow out via the air outlet opening of the cushion cover and then fresh air to flow in via the air inlet. Provided by air saturated to the proper extent.

  Furthermore, it has proved particularly advantageous to arrange at least one air outlet opening in the front central region of the seat cushion seating area. This region, usually located between the thighs or knees of the seat occupant, has the advantage that it is very rarely covered by the seat occupant. Therefore, the circulation of air in the air induction cushion layer is ensured particularly reliably.

  In a further refinement of the invention, it has also proved advantageous to arrange in the side cheek area of both the seat cushion and the back cushion. This is because experience has shown that this area of the air outlet opening that is covered by the seat occupant, in particular the corner area between the front upper surface and the end surface of the cushion, is not dangerous.

  When a back cushion is to be deployed, it has been shown to be advantageous to arrange at least one air outlet opening in the upper central region of the back cushion area of the back cushion. The area above the shoulder is likewise not normally covered by the seat occupant, so that air circulation in the air guiding cushion layer is again ensured here.

  When a plurality of through openings are provided in the cushion cover, generally an arrangement of air outlet openings that can be inserted without disturbing the overall appearance of the seat cover is provided.

  In another refinement of the invention, it has been shown that an upper layer disposed between the air induction cushion layer and the cushion cover is advantageous. Since the upper layer has an open pore or a moisture-permeable structure, body moisture from the seat occupant can pass through the cushion cover and the upper layer in the direction of the air induction cushion layer, where the body moisture is air It is absorbed by the relatively dry and cool airflow circulating in the induction cushion layer and further carried out of the cushion. It is also possible to easily integrate, for example, a row of resistive sheet heaters in the upper layer. Furthermore, for example, a stiff air-inducing cushion layer made from “spacer knit” or from rubberized hair is mitigated by the upper layer. The upper layer is made of a material that is at least partially permeable to air or moisture permeable, or it has a corresponding passage opening, so that the body-mixed air is expelled from the air induction cushion layer.

  In another refinement of the invention, it has been shown to be advantageous to arrange the air inlet below the air outlet. Since the chimney effect is obtained by this method, for example, the fresh air flowing in on the lower side of the cushion is placed on the air outlet just because it is heated by body moisture after passing through the air induction cushion layer. Flowing in the direction of. As provided by the present invention, the chimney effect can be realized particularly easily when the flow path in the air induction cushion layer is shortened. As a result, it is possible to vent the seat without using an additional fan. However, even if an additional fan is used, an airflow that circulates immediately is always ensured.

  Finally, it has been shown to be advantageous to arrange the air inlet with respect to the air outlet. This provides an airflow through the air induction cushion layer to absorb body moisture from the seat occupant, even if fresh air cannot be directly passed from the air inlet to the air outlet.

  Other advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures.

  1a and 1b respectively show a schematic top view and a schematic side view of a seat cushion essentially comprising a seating area 10 arranged in the center and two side cheeks 12 extending on both sides thereof. In this case, the seat surface range 10 and the side cheek 12 are separated from each other via the basting portion 14. The other basting portion 16 partitions the rear seat surface area 18 from the seat surface area 10. The front central end region of the seating area 10 is provided with a plurality of air outlet openings 20 of the air guiding cushion layer 32, which will be described in further detail below with respect to FIG.

  As can also be seen from FIG. 1 b, another air outlet opening 20, preferably designed as a through opening, is provided in the corner area 26 between the upper or front upper surface 22 of the side cheek 12 and the outer end face 24. Can be deployed. In the exemplary embodiment of this example, the air outlet opening 20 also extends substantially the entire length of the corner area 26.

  FIG. 2 shows the structure of the cushion in a schematic sectional view about the line II-II in FIG. 1a. The upper surface of the seat cushion support 28 supported by a seat frame (not shown) supports a lower cushion layer 30 that can be composed of, for example, an air-impermeable foam or an air-permeable rubberized hair mixture. . The seat cushion support 28 is preferably constructed of plastic or metal. An air induction cushion layer 32, which is designed as a spacer knit in the exemplary embodiment of this example, is disposed on the lower cushion layer 30. The air-inducing cushion layer 32 is covered here with an upper layer 34 composed of an open-pored “mesh” foam. In addition, a number of seat heaters (not visible here) can be arranged in the upper layer 34. Overall, the lower cushion layer 30, the air guide cushion layer 32, and the upper layer 34 form a layered cushion arrangement 36 that is covered, for example, with a leather or textile cushion cover 38.

  An air inlet 40 is provided with a plurality of air inlet passages 42 disposed in the lower cushion layer 30 for supplying fresh air to the air induction cushion layer 32 via them for venting the seat. The

  The air inlet opening 44 is provided in the seat cushion support 28 at a point overlapping the air inlet passage 42 in the lower cushion layer 30. Air passing through the air induction cushion layer 32 via the air inlet passage 42 can flow out of the cushion layer via an air outlet 46 composed of a plurality of air outlet passages 48 disposed in the upper layer 34. . In this case, the air outlet passage 48 opens at the air outlet opening 20 in the cushion cover 38.

The seat ventilation function is as follows:
Relatively cold and dry air flows from the region below the seat cushion support 28 into the air induction cushion layer 32 via the air inlet opening 44 and the air inlet passage 42. The body humidity of the vehicle occupant flowing through the cushion cover 38 and the moisture permeable open pore upper layer 34 to the air induction cushion layer 32 is absorbed by relatively dry and cool air. This technique increases both the humidity and temperature of the region of the air induction cushion layer 32 that is located directly below the seat occupant. Air that is now heated, moistened, and that is about to flow upwards due to basic physical laws, is directed by the air outlet passage 48 toward the higher air outlet 46. The damp, relatively warm air then exits the seat cushion via the air outlet passage 48 and the air outlet opening 20 on the upper surface 22 of the cushion and seat area 10 respectively. In other words, in the case of the cushion according to the present invention, for example, according to experience, relatively cold air found in a region near the floor in the passenger compartment of an automobile is partly due to body moisture from the passenger of the seat, and the air induction cushion layer A “chimney effect” is used which is heated in 32 areas and is sucked up by warm and humid air which tends to escape in the direction of the air outlet 46 which is located at a high position. This provides sufficient circulation to ensure that body moisture discharged by the seat occupant can be carried away without a fan. When the cushion cover 38 is formed from leather, the leather is provided with a through hole that facilitates the flow of body moisture into the upper layer 34 and the air induction cushion layer 32. In contrast, if the cushion cover 38 is formed from a textile, such a through hole is usually not necessary.

  The chimney effect described above is not only due to the fact that the air outlet 46 is above the air inlet 40, but also depends on the length that the airflow must flow through the air induction cushion layer 32. The length must be relatively short. For this reason, the air outlet 40 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the body so that the air outlet opening 20 is not normally covered by the occupant of the seat. The air outlet opening 20 is therefore arranged, for example, in the front central area of the seat area 10-between the thighs and knees of the seat occupant-or in the corner area between the upper surface 22 of the side cheek 12 and the outer end surface 24. The This ensures that the airflow flows through the entire area of the air guiding cushion layer 32 under the seat occupant, but the airflow exits relatively close to the seat occupant. In other words, the residence time of the air flow in the air induction cushion layer 32 is reduced or minimized as compared with the conventional techniques known so far. This results in a relatively strong airflow in the air induction cushion layer 32 and hence a very good carry-out of body moisture.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the air inlet passage 42 of the air inlet 40 is arranged so as to be shifted from the air outlet passage 48 of the air outlet 46. This is intended to avoid direct flow of air from the air inlet 40 to the air outlet 46.

  As an alternative to the air outlet passage 48, the upper layer 34 is formed at least in the area of the air outlet 40 from a material that is highly air permeable or moisture permeable. In this case, the moist and warm air then does not go through the air outlet passage 48, but rather exits the air induction cushion layer 32, for example, via an open pore foam. If appropriate, the air outlet opening 20 can also be formed from a correspondingly sized cushion cover 38 made of textile. However, the flow of air through the air induction cushion layer 32 under the seat occupant is always ensured. Obviously, if appropriate, the lower cushion layer 30 can also be designed as an air induction cushion layer.

  Finally, FIG. 3 shows an automotive seat back cushion, whose cushion is designed substantially the same as a seat cushion. The back cushion of this example also includes a backrest region 10 surrounded by both side cheeks 12. The headrest 50 can be seen on the upper side of the back cushion.

  In addition, a plurality of air outlet openings 20 of the air outlets 46 are provided in the upper central region of the backrest area 10 whose openings correspond to those of FIG. In the lower region of the backrest area 10, an air inlet 40 (simply indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3), which likewise comprises a plurality of air inlet openings 44 designed substantially according to FIG. 2, is visible on the rear face of the backrest cushion. It is done. The relatively dry, cool, fresh air flows into the area of the air inlet 40 to the air induction cushion layer 32 and then absorbs body moisture over its passage to the air outlet 46, correspondingly heated, and finally air The chimney effect of exiting the back cushion again via the outlet opening 20 is thus ensured also in this exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, it is clear that they are located in the region above the shoulder of the seat occupant so that the air outlet openings 20 are not normally covered by the seat occupant.

A schematic plan view of a seat cushion for an automobile seat, in which a plurality of air outlet openings are arranged in a central front region of a seat cushion seat surface range, and an air flow is escaped from the seat cushion via the air outlet openings. Show. A seat cushion for an automobile seat, in which a plurality of air outlet openings are arranged in a corner region between the front upper surface and the side end face of the seat cushion, and the airflow escapes from the seat cushion via the air outlet openings. The schematic side view of is shown. An air induction cushion layer is provided, in which air can enter through a plurality of air inlet openings and then exit through a plurality of air outlet openings, along line II-II in FIG. A schematic sectional view is shown. Fig. 3 shows a schematic front view of a back cushion having a plurality of air outlet openings in the upper central region of the backrest area.

Claims (11)

Covered with a cushion cover (38) and including an air induction cushion layer (32), air enters the air induction cushion layer (32) via at least one air inlet (40), and the air enters the air For a motor vehicle seat with a layered cushion arrangement (36), after passing through the induction cushion layer, can exit via at least one air outlet (46) assigned to at least one air outlet opening (20) The cushion of
Cushion, characterized in that at least one air outlet opening (20) is arranged in the cushion cover (38).   Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one air outlet opening (20) is arranged in the front center region of the seat cushion seating area (10).   Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one air outlet opening (20) is arranged in the region of the side cheek (12) of the cushion.   The at least one air outlet opening (20) is arranged in a corner area (26) between a front upper surface (22) and an end surface (24) of the cushion. cushion.   Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one air outlet opening (20) is arranged in the upper central region of the back cushion range (10) of the back cushion.   The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion cover (38) has a plurality of through openings as air outlet openings (20).   An upper layer (34) is provided between the air induction cushion layer (32) and the cushion cover (38), through which air passes from the air induction cushion layer (32) to the air outlet opening. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion passes through (20).   An air outlet passage (48) is provided in the upper layer (34), through which air passes from the air induction cushion layer (32) to the air outlet opening (20). The cushion according to claim 7.   8. The upper layer (34) between the air induction cushion layer (32) and the air outlet opening (20) is formed from a highly air permeable material. cushion.   Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the air inlet (40) is arranged below the air outlet (46).   Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the air inlet (40) is offset from the air outlet (46).

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