# US 2019/0168647 A1 · Air channel thermocomfort foam pad

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- Number: US 2019/0168647 A1
- Document ID: US20190168647A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/832,577
- Filed: 2017-12-05
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line; Alan George Dry; Spencer Robert Hoernke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168647A1

## CPC

- B60N 2/5657: {blown towards the seat surface}
- B60N 2/5642: {with circulation of air through a layer inside the seat}
- B60N 2/7017: {characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for}
- B60N 2/7094: {Upholstery springs}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A seat cushion assembly includes a first foam pad defining at least one air cooling column disposed therethrough. A topper pad is disposed over the first foam pad and the at least one air cooling column. A second foam pad is disposed below the first foam pad. The second foam pad and the first foam pad define a flow channel in fluid communication with the at least one air cooling column. An air mover moves air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seat cushion assembly comprising:
a first foam pad defining at least one air cooling column disposed therethrough;
a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad and the at least one air cooling column;
a second foam pad disposed below the first foam pad, the second foam pad and the first foam pad defining a flow channel in fluid communication with the at least one air cooling column; and
an air mover moving air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one air cooling column directs air turbulently upward toward the topper pad.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein air flowing through the flow channel flows in a substantially laminar flow pattern.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one air cooling column draws heat from the topper pad.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the topper pad is substantially porous.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
a recessed periphery disposed about the at least one air cooling column, proximate the topper pad.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
attachment features disposed below the second foam pad that are configured to secure the second foam pad to an underlying seating suspension assembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the air mover comprises a blower that forces air from the air intake of the flow channel to the air exhaust of the flow channel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the flow channel is configured to expel heat from the at least one air cooling column and expel the heat out of the air exhaust.

### Claim 10

A seat cushion assembly comprising:
a first foam pad defining air cooling columns disposed therethrough;
a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad;
a second foam pad disposed below the first foam pad, wherein the first and second foam pads define a flow channel in fluid communication with and linking the air cooling columns; and
an air mover moving air through the flow channel.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 10, further comprising:
a recessed periphery disposed about the at least one air cooling column, proximate the topper pad.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one air cooling column draws heat from the topper pad.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 10, wherein the topper pad includes an open matrix through which air can flow.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 10, further comprising:
attachment features disposed below the second foam pad that are configured to secure the second foam pad to an underlying seating suspension assembly.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 10, wherein the air mover comprises a blower that forces air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The seat cushion assembly of claim 10, wherein the flow channel is configured to expel heat from the at least one air cooling column and expel the heat out of the air exhaust.

### Claim 17

A method of making a cushion assembly, the method comprising:
forming a first foam pad;
forming a plurality of cooling air columns through the first foam pad;
terminating the plurality of cooling air columns at a topper pad;
operably coupling a second foam pad with the first foam pad to define a flow channel between the first foam pad and the second foam pad, the flow channel being in fluid communication with the cooling air columns; and
operably coupling an air mover to the flow channel to move air within the cooling air columns.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
forming the flow channel to include a vertical portion and a lateral portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
blowing air through the flow channel from the air mover to an air exhaust.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
forming a recessed periphery about the plurality of cooling air columns, proximate the topper pad.