Air channel foam pad with thermally conductive tape
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Alan George Dry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle seat cushion assembly includes a first foam pad defining a ventilating column disposed therethrough, a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad, and a second foam pad disposed adjacent the first foam pad. The second foam pad and the first foam pad define a flow channel in fluid communication with the ventilating column. A thermally conductive tape includes a thermoelectric device disposed between the first foam pad and the topper pad. The thermoelectric device is disposed near an end of the ventilating column. An air mover moves air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel.
Claims20
A vehicle seat cushion assembly comprising:
- a first foam pad defining a ventilating column disposed therethrough;
- a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad;
- a second foam pad disposed adjacent the first foam pad, the second foam pad and the first foam pad defining a flow channel in fluid communication with the ventilating column;
- a thermally conductive tape including a thermoelectric device disposed between the first foam pad and the topper pad, wherein the thermoelectric device is disposed near an end of the ventilating column;
- and
- an air mover moving air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel, wherein the flow channel extends beneath the thermally conductive tape to deliver air to the ventilating column and the bottom of the thermoelectric device to cool or heat the thermoelectric device.
A seating assembly comprising:
- a seat, wherein the seat comprises:
- first and second foam pads;
- a gallery disposed between the first and second foam pads and defined by a first gallery portion in the first foam pad and a second gallery portion in the second foam pad;
- a ventilating column disposed through the first and second foam pads;
- a thermoelectric device disposed in a housing in a recess in the ventilating column;
- and
- an air mover moving air through the gallery, along a second surface of the thermoelectric device, and out of the ventilating column.
A method of making a cushion assembly, the method comprising:
- forming a first foam pad;
- forming a plurality of unobstructed ventilating air columns through the first foam pad;
- forming a second foam pad;
- forming the plurality of unobstructed ventilating air columns through the second foam pad;
- operably coupling the second foam pad with the first foam pad to define flow channels between the first foam pad and the second foam pad, the flow channels being in fluid communication with the unobstructed ventilating air columns;
- placing thermoelectric devices proximate a first surface of the first foam pad and at least a portion of the plurality of unobstructed ventilating air columns;
- and
- coupling an air mover to the flow channels to move air to the thermoelectric devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.