# US 11,077,776 B2 · Vehicle seat and seat element equipped with a ventilation and thermal control system

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- Number: US 11,077,776 B2
- Document ID: US11077776B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/240,243
- Filed: 2019-01-04
- Published: 2019-07-11
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2018-01-05
- Assignees: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
- Applicants: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
- Inventors: Florent Longatte; Mathieu Cluet; Didier Duriez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077776B2

## CPC

- B60N 2/565: {sucked from the seat surface}
- B60N 2/5678: {characterised by electrical systems}
- B60N 2/5692: {Refrigerating means}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A seat element having a cover and padding configured to serve as support for a user, and having a ventilation and thermal control system that includes a thermoelectric module, a blower, and a conduit delimiting a passage for air connecting the blower and the thermoelectric module. The ventilation and thermal control system is configured for passing a flow of air coming from the cover towards the blower, and the thermoelectric module is configured for cooling and/or heating the airflow.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seat element comprising a cover and padding configured to serve as support for a user and a ventilation and thermal control system, the cover representing a surface of the seat element which is in contact with the user, where the ventilation and thermal control system comprises at least one thermoelectric module, a blower, and a conduit delimiting a passage for air connecting the blower and the thermoelectric module,
wherein the ventilation and thermal control system is configured for passing a flow of air coming from the cover towards the blower, the air passing the blower being directed towards a side of the seat element opposite the cover, and where the thermoelectric module is configured for cooling and/or heating the airflow,
wherein the seat element comprises at least one heat exchanger able to improve heat exchange between the thermoelectric module and the airflow,
wherein an upper surface of the thermoelectric module is in contact with the padding, and a lower surface of the thermoelectric module is in contact with the heat exchanger, and
wherein the air drawn from the cover is used to cool the heat exchanger and thereby cool the lower surface of the thermoelectric module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric module is suited at least for heating the airflow.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric module is suited at least for cooling the airflow.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric module is configured for operating selectively according to two modes of operation: a heating mode where the thermoelectric module heats the airflow and a cooling mode where the thermoelectric module cools the airflow.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed in the conduit and the thermoelectric module is disposed between the heat exchanger and the padding.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed in the padding connected with the orifices of the conduit, and the thermoelectric module is disposed between the heat exchanger and the cover.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a housing receiving the thermoelectric module.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation and thermal control system comprises two thermoelectric modules and two heat exchangers where each of the two thermoelectric modules is respectively in contact with one of the heat exchangers.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1 forming a seat bottom.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1 forming a seat back.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation and thermal control system is configured for passing the flow of air through the cover towards the blower.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The seat element according to claim 1, wherein said passage is in fluidic communication with the surface of the seat element.

### Claim 13

A seat for vehicle comprising a seat element, the seat element comprising a cover and padding configured to serve as support for a user and a ventilation and thermal control system, the cover representing a surface of the seat element which is in contact with the user, where the ventilation and thermal control system comprises at least one thermoelectric module, a blower, and a conduit delimiting a passage for air connecting the blower and the thermoelectric module, wherein the ventilation and thermal control system is configured for passing a flow of air coming from the cover towards the blower, the air passing the blower being directed towards a side of the seat element opposite the cover, and where the thermoelectric module is configured for cooling and/or heating the airflow,
wherein the seat element comprises at least one heat exchanger able to improve heat exchange between the thermoelectric module and the airflow,
wherein an upper surface of the thermoelectric module is in contact with the padding, and a lower surface of the thermoelectric module is in contact with the heat exchanger, and
wherein the air drawn from the cover is used to cool the heat exchanger and thereby cool the lower surface of the thermoelectric module.