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US 12,017,568 B2Granted
Flexible plenum with rigidification features
AssigneeGentherm Incorporated
InventorsChad Vincent Pacilli, Wayne Swoyer Kauffman, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air distribution system that includes a plenum. The plenum has a top layer having one or more top layer corrugations; a bottom layer having one or more bottom layer corrugations; and an open space formed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are spaced apart and oppose one another, and when the plenum flexes, the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations.
Claims20
An air distribution system comprising:
- a plenum comprising:
- a. a top layer having one or more top layer corrugations;
- b. a bottom layer having one or more bottom layer corrugations;
- and
- c. an open space formed between the top layer and the bottom layer;
- wherein the one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are spaced apart and oppose one another, and when the plenum flexes, the one or more top layer corrugations are configured to contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations to form one or more baffles that define one or more channels within the open space;
- wherein the top layer and the bottom layer each include a respective longitudinal axis, and the bottom layer includes a connection recess and a terminal edge that are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the bottom layer, the connection recess is configured to connect a blower to the plenum, and the terminal edge is a farthest edge of the plenum from the connection recess;
- and
- wherein the top layer includes one or more ventilation holes that are located between the one or more top layer corrugations and within the one or more channels.
6 more elements
An air distribution system comprising:
- a plenum comprising:
- a. a top layer having one or more top layer corrugations;
- b. a bottom layer having one or more bottom layer corrugations;
- and
- c. an open space formed between the top layer and the bottom layer;
- wherein the one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are spaced apart and oppose one another, and when the plenum flexes, the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations,
- wherein the plenum is configured for connection to a rear side of a cushion of a vehicle seat,
- wherein the top layer includes one or more ventilation holes, and the plenum comprises a connection recess for connecting an air mover to the plenum, and
- wherein one or more channels are formed in the plenum after the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations, the one or more channels are configured to facilitate an air flow generated by the air mover from the connection recess to the one or more ventilation holes.
6 more elements
An air distribution system comprising:
- a plenum comprising:
- a. a top layer having one or more top layer corrugations;
- b. a bottom layer having one or more bottom layer corrugations;
- and
- c. an open space formed between the top layer and the bottom layer;
- wherein the one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are spaced apart and oppose one another, and when the plenum flexes, the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations to form one or more baffles that define one or more channels within the open space;
- wherein the top layer includes one or more ventilation holes, and the plenum comprises a connection recess for connecting an air mover to the plenum;
- wherein one or more channels are formed in the plenum after the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations, the one or more channels are configured to facilitate an air flow generated by the air mover from the connection recess to the one or more ventilation holes;
- wherein the one or more top layer corrugations are a suspension corrugation and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are a support corrugation, the suspension corrugation terminates at a point and the support configuration has a planar surface;
- wherein the suspension corrugation on the top layer comes into contact with the planar surface of the support corrugation when the top layer, the bottom layer, or both flex.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.