Modular comfort assembly for occupant support
AssigneeIGB Automotive Ltd.
InventorsPeter Knoll, Benson Brady, Michael Bevan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular comfort assembly is disclosed. The modular comfort assembly is adapted for installation within an occupant support. The occupant support includes a surface, which has a recess therein. The modular comfort assembly includes a ventilation diffuser allowing for flow of air through the diffuser. The diffuser has an outer edge sized to extend over and cover a perimeter of the recess. The modular comfort assembly also has a heating element adapted for placement on a surface of the diffuser.
Claims21
A modular comfort assembly adapted for installation within an occupant support having a surface including a recess therein, the comfort assembly comprising:
- a ventilation diffuser allowing for flow of air through said diffuser, and having an outer edge sized to extend over and cover a perimeter of the recess;
- and
- a heating element adapted for placement on a surface of the diffuser.
A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support having a surface including a recess therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a ventilation diffuser having an outer edge sized to extend over and cover a perimeter of said recess;
- mounting said diffuser onto the surface of said occupant support such that said diffuser seals the perimeter of said recess;
- and
- mounting a heating element on a surface of said diffuser.
A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support having a surface including a recess therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a three-dimensional diffuser bag including:
- a top perforated surface having a non-perforated portion adapted to extend over the perimeter of said recess;
- a bottom surface adapted to lay in said recess;
- and
- a sidewall extending between the top and bottom surfaces;
- disposing an air permeable spacer material within said diffuser bag;
- and
- mounting said three-dimensional diffuser bag in said recess.
A method for controlling the temperature in a vehicle occupant support including heating means operatively providing heat and air moving means operatively providing cooling air flow, the method comprising the steps of:
- simultaneously operating said heating means and said air moving means to provide a desired occupant support temperature without temperature shock to an occupant.
A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support having a surface including a recess therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a sub-assembly comprising a ventilation diffuser having an outer edge sized to extend over and cover a perimeter of said recess, and a heating element adjacent a surface of said diffuser;
- and
- mounting said sub-assembly in said recess such that said diffuser outer edge seals the perimeter of said recess.
A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support having a surface including a recess therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a sub-assembly comprising a three-dimensional diffuser bag including a top perforated surface having a non-perforated portion adapted to extend over the perimeter of said recess, a bottom surface adapted to lay in said recess, and a sidewall extending between the top and bottom surfaces;
- and a heating element adjacent a surface of said diffuser bag;
- disposing an air permeable spacer material within said diffuser bag;
- and
- mounting said sub-assembly in said recess.
A method of forming an occupant support comprising the steps of:
- providing a mold having a cavity therein;
- disposing a modular comfort sub-assembly therein said cavity;
- and
- injecting foam into said cavity to form a foam bun with an integral modular comfort sub-assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.