# US 10,479,241 B2 · Automotive seatback air vent > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,241 B2 - Document ID: US10479241B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/704,948 - Filed: 2017-09-14 - Published: 2019-03-14 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-14 - Assignees: NIO USA, Inc. - Applicants: NIO USA, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew S. Filipkowski; Colin J. Stevens - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479241B2 ## CPC - B60N 2/5621: {by air} - B60H 1/00271: {HVAC devices specially adapted for particular vehicle parts or components and being connected to the vehicle HVAC unit} - B60H 1/00285: {for vehicle seats} - B60H 1/242: {located in the front area} - B60H 1/244: {located in the rear area} - B60N 2/01: Arrangement of seats relative to one another - B60N 2/06: slidable (B60N2/12 {, B60N2/2209} take precedence) - B60N 2/0747: {the opening of the cross section being oriented in a direction different from the vertical, e.g. transversal} - B60N 2/22: the back-rest being adjustable {(B60N2/2878 takes precedence)} - B60N 2/2222: {the back-rest having two or more parts} - B60N 2/5628: {coming from the vehicle ventilation system, e.g. air-conditioning system} - B60N 2/58: Seat coverings - B60N 2/68: Seat frames - 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 fixed frame supports a movable seat structure. The movable seat structure is configured to move relative to the fixed frame. An air duct supported by the fixed frame supplies an air vent positioned on a rearward side of the fixed frame with air. Movement of the movable seat structure relative to the fixed frame has no effect on the position or orientation of the air vent. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle, comprising: a seat comprising a fixed frame and a movable structure, the fixed frame comprising a bottom frame element and a back frame element and the movable structure comprising a bottom support and a back support, the fixed frame supporting the movable structure for movement relative to the fixed frame; and an air duct fixedly connected to the fixed frame, the air duct terminating in an air vent positioned on a rearward side of the seat at a height between a bottom of the fixed frame and a top of the fixed frame, wherein movement of the movable structure relative to the fixed frame has no effect on a position of the air vent relative to the fixed frame; wherein the back support is movable independently of the bottom support; and wherein the bottom support is movable in forward and backward directions independently of the back support. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises a center console adjacent the seat, and the air duct extends through the center console. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the seat is mounted to a riser, and the air duct extends underneath the riser. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the seat further comprises a cover that at least partially surrounds the fixed frame, and the air vent is disposed within the cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bottom support comprises a front edge distal from the back support and a rear edge proximate the back support, and further wherein when the bottom support moves forward independently of the back support, a distance between the rear edge and the back support increases. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a plurality of air vents is positioned on the seat, and each of the plurality of air vents is in fluid communication with the air duct. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the air duct originates at an HVAC module. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seats, each of the plurality of seats comprising at least one air vent positioned on a rearward side of the seat at a height between a bottom of the fixed frame and a top of the fixed frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the air duct is in fluid communication with the at least one air vent positioned on the rearward side of each of the plurality of seats. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a pair of slots on the back frame element of the fixed frame, wherein a pair of pins on the back support of the movable structure engage the pair of slots to allow the back support to move, independently of the bottom support, between a reclined position and an upright position relative to the back frame element. ### Claim 11 A vehicle seat comprising: a fixed frame comprising a bottom frame element and a back frame element; a movable structure comprising a bottom support and a back support and supported by at least one of the bottom frame element and the back frame element, the movable structure configured to move relative to the fixed frame, wherein the back support is movable independently of the bottom support and the bottom support is movable in forward and backward directions independently of the back support; an outer cover at least partially surrounding the fixed frame; an air duct extending between the outer cover and the fixed frame, and at least one air vent positioned in the outer cover at a height between a bottom of the fixed frame and a top of the fixed frame, the at least one air vent in fluid communication with the air duct; wherein the fixed frame is fixedly secured to a vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle seat of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of air vents positioned in the outer cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the air duct originates at an HVAC module of the vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle seat of claim 13, wherein the bottom support comprises a front edge distal from the back support and a rear edge proximate the back support, and further wherein when the bottom support moves forward independently of the back support, a distance between the rear edge and the back support increases. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the air duct is in fluid communication with at least one air vent that is not positioned in the outer cover. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the air duct is secured to the back frame element with at least one of a mechanical fastener, an adhesive, and a tie. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the bottom frame element is fixedly secured to a riser of a vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a pair of slots on the back frame element of the fixed frame, wherein a pair of pins on the back support of the movable structure engage the pair of slots to allow the back support to move, independently of the bottom support, between a reclined position and an upright position relative to the back frame element. ### Claim 19 A vehicle comprising: a first seat row comprising at least one seat, the seat comprising a fixed frame, a movable seat structure, and an outer cover, wherein the movable structure comprises a bottom support and a back support, the bottom support configured to move in forward and backward directions relative to the fixed frame and independently of the back support, the back support configured to move independently of the bottom support, and further wherein the fixed frame is fixedly secured to a vehicle frame member, the movable seat structure having a first height and the fixed frame having a second height equal to at least one half of the first height; a second seat row positioned behind the first seat row; an air duct extending between the fixed frame and the outer cover; and an air vent located within the outer cover, the air vent in fluid communication with the air duct and positioned to direct air toward the second seat row. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the bottom support comprises a front edge distal from the back support and a rear edge proximate the back support, and further wherein when the bottom support moves forward independently of the back support, a distance between the rear edge and the back support increases.