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Apparatus and method for adjusting an airflow of an air supply device for a vehicle seat

Apparatus and method for adjusting an airflow of an air supply device for a vehicle seat description/claims

This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2005/012468, filed Nov. 22, 2005, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2004 057 641.6, filed Nov. 30, 2004, the entire disclosures of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for adjusting an airflow of an air supply device for a vehicle seat, such as a vehicle seat of a convertible.

Various air supply devices which can be integrated in a vehicle seat of a cabriolet, and with the aid of or by which a defined airflow can be provided for the vehicle occupants, are known from the prior art.

For example, German Utility Model DE 92 01 474 U1 discloses an air supply device for a vehicle, in which at least one air outflow opening is provided in the upper region of a vehicle seat, via which the head, shoulder and neck region of the seat occupant can be acted upon by a defined airflow. An airflow of this type is intended to reduce the undesirable drafts which flow at the rear into the open passenger compartment when driving with the top of the vehicle open. To this end, the air supply device is charged with air which is trapped by designated inflow cross sections during driving and is conveyed to the air outflow opening by lines and ducts by generation of a dynamic pressure or with the assistance of a fan.

Furthermore, German Laid-Open Specification DE 102 26 008 A1 discloses an air supply device for a seat of a convertible, in which improved comfort for the seat occupants during driving with the top open is provided by the airflow flowing out of an air outlet opening which is adjustable by a control device as a function of automatically or individually adjustable parameter values in such a manner that the seat occupants find the outflowing airflow to be pleasant. To this end, a heating element is provided within the air supply device and can preheat the air taken in from the surroundings to a specific temperature. Furthermore, the throughput of air flowing out (i.e., the strength of the airflow) is adjusted by means of the control device via a fan.

When there is strong insolation, strong heating of the neck and shoulder region of the seat occupant cannot be avoided. In many cases, the airflow which arises only to a small extent on account of the aerodynamically greatly improved vehicle contours and flows into the rear of the passenger compartment is no longer capable of sufficiently cooling the neck or shoulder region.

The apparatuses and methods known from the prior art serve merely to preheat the artificially produced airflow to a determined temperature.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method with the aid of which cooling of the neck and shoulder region of a seat occupant can be brought about in a simple manner.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an air supply device and a method according to the invention in which, at an outside temperature which is greater than a predetermined limit temperature, and/or, when there is insolation in the passenger compartment that goes beyond a certain duration or intensity, a heating element provided within an air supply device which uses the method and, in particular, is integrated in a vehicle seat of a convertible, is deactivated, and therefore the airflow can only flow out at the outside temperature prevailing in each case.

This artificially produced airflow is intended to support the backward flow of air into the passenger compartment such that the neck and shoulder region of the seat occupant can, to a certain extent, be cooled comfortably by additionally controlled blowing with air.

The heating element is controlled by a control device which is capable of detecting the outside temperature and/or insolation via sensors.

The limit temperature to be taken into consideration by the control device is determined, for example, as a function of the vehicle speed prevailing in each case and/or the intensity of the insolation.

Furthermore, it is provided that the limit temperature can be adjusted manually or individually by the seat occupant.

The limit temperature defined by the system may be around 25° C., for example.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at an outside temperature which is greater than a predetermined limit temperature, and/or during continued insolation, the heating element is deactivated, and therefore the airflow flows out at the outside temperature prevailing in each case.

Furthermore, according to another exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention, the strength of the airflow can be additionally adjusted, individually or automatically, as a function of the vehicle speed prevailing in each case.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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