Flexible heater and method of integration
AssigneeGentherm Incorporated
InventorShane Kyle Greenwood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A climate controlled system comprising: a movable member disposed in a recess of a cushion and forming part of an occupant support surface with the cushion; a heater overlaying the cushion and the movable member, the heater including: a flexible substrate, a heating element, and an adhesive layer, wherein the flexible substrate includes adhesive on opposing longitudinal edge regions and the adhesive directly or indirectly connects the heater to the cushion; and wherein the adhesive layer anchors the heater as the flexible substrate stretches or moves with the movable member as the movable member moves.
Claims21
1) A system for a vehicle seat comprising a cushion, the system comprising:
- a movable member configured to be disposed behind the cushion of the vehicle seat and configured to move and apply a force on an occupant supported by the cushion of the vehicle seat, the movable member comprises a pneumatic cushion, an inflatable cushion, a massage device, a mechanical device, a lumbar device, or a combination thereof;
- a heater overlaying the cushion and attached to the cushion with a fastener, the heater including:
- a flexible substrate, and
- a heating element,
- wherein the vehicle seat comprises a trim cover, the heater is disposed between the cushion and the trim cover, and the flexible substrate stretches or moves between the cushion towards the trim cover as the movable member moves.
2)-15) (canceled)
28) A system for a vehicle seat comprising a cushion, the system comprising:
- a movable member configured to be disposed proximal to the cushion and to move and apply a force on an occupant supported by the cushion of the vehicle seat, the movable member comprises a pneumatic cushion, an inflatable cushion, a massage device, a mechanical device, a lumbar device, or a combination thereof,
- a heater including:
- a flexible substrate, and a heating element;
- a ventilation device that includes a bag structure and an air mover configured to generate an air flow that passes through the bag structure;
- wherein the flexible substrate stretches or moves with the movable member as the movable member moves;
- and
- wherein the heater, the cushion, or both include one or more through holes for an air flow generated by the air mover to pass through.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.