# US 10,479,239 B2 · Vehicle seat and seat element comprising an ergonomic ventilation system

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- Number: US 10,479,239 B2
- Document ID: US10479239B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/828,315
- Filed: 2017-11-30
- Published: 2018-05-31
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2016-11-30
- Assignees: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
- Applicants: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
- Inventors: Mathieu Boquet; Florent Longatte; Didier Duriez; Laurent Chabert; Sandeep Bhor; Izajmahamad Desai; Stephane Ly
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479239B2

## CPC

- B60N 2/56: Heating or ventilating devices
- B60H 1/00564: {of air ducts}
- B60N 2/565: {sucked from the seat surface}
- B60N 2/5657: {blown towards the seat surface}
- B60N 2/7017: {characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES

## Abstract

A seat element includes a supporting structure, padding resting on the supporting structure and configured to serve as a support for a user, and a ventilation system having at least one fan and at least one duct placing the padding and the fan in communication. The duct is formed of a flexible material which preferably comprises a foam of polyolefin and/or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and/or acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seat element comprising a supporting structure, padding resting on the supporting structure and configured to serve as a support for a user, and a ventilation system comprising at least one fan to generate an air flow and at least one duct placing the padding and the fan in communication, wherein the duct is formed of a flexible material and extends from a proximal end at the fan to a distal end, the duct having a plurality of orifices forming fluid inlets or outlets between the proximal end and the distal end,
wherein a cross-sectional area of the duct decreases from the proximal end to the distal end according to the number of orifices and their respective positions and cross-sectional dimensions so that the air flow has a uniform speed along the duct.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A seat element according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises a foam of polyolefin and/or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and/or acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR) and/or a non-woven thermoformed material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A seat element according to claim 1, wherein the duct has a “U” or “C” shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A seat element according to claim 1, wherein the duct comprises attachment means for securing the fan.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A seat element according to claim 1, comprising a protective member which surrounds the fan and is formed of a flexible material, the duct and the protective member being formed as one piece.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A seat element according to claim 5, wherein the flexible material of the protective member is the same material as the flexible material of the duct.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A seat element according to claim 1, forming a seating part.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A seat element according to claim 1, forming a backrest.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A seat comprising at least one seat element according to claim 1.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

Method A method for manufacturing a seat element according to claim 1, comprising at least the following steps:
positioning the duct in a mold, and
injecting a material into the mold so as to form the padding around the duct.

### Claim 11

A seat element, comprising:
a supporting structure;
padding over the supporting structure to support a user;
a duct formed of a flexible material and extending between first and second ends;
a fan at the first end of the duct, the fan being configured to generate an air flow in the duct; and
a plurality of orifices formed along the duct that place an interior of the duct in communication with the padding, the orifices being spaced apart between the ends of the duct,
wherein the duct has a cross-sectional area that decreases from the first end of the duct to the second end of the duct such that the air flow has a uniform speed between the first and second ends of the duct.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A seat element according to claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of the duct decreases according to the number of orifices, respective positions of the orifices, and respective cross-sectional dimensions of the orifices.