| Apparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seat -> Monitor Keywords |
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Apparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seatApparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060087160, Apparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to climate control. More specifically, this invention relates to climate control of a cushion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Temperature modified air for environmental control of living or working space is typically provided to relatively extensive areas, such as entire buildings, selected offices, or suites of rooms within a building. In the case of vehicles, such as automobiles, the entire vehicle is typically cooled or heated as a unit. There are many situations, however, in which more selective or restrictive air temperature modification is desirable. For example, it is often desirable to provide an individualized climate control for an occupant seat so that substantially instantaneous heating or cooling can be achieved. For example, an automotive vehicle exposed to the summer weather, where the vehicle has been parked in an unshaded area for a long period of time, can cause the vehicle seat to be very hot and uncomfortable for the occupant for some time after entering and using the vehicle, even with normal air conditioning. Furthermore, even with normal air-conditioning, on a hot day, the seat occupant's back and other pressure points may remain sweaty while seated. In the winter time, it is highly desirable to have the ability to quickly warm the seat of the occupant to facilitate the occupant's comfort, especially where the normal vehicle heater is unlikely to warm the vehicle's interior as quickly. [0005] For such reasons, there have long been various types of individualized climate control systems for vehicle seats. Such climate control systems typically include a distribution system comprising a combination of channels and passages formed in the cushion of the seat. Climate conditioned air is supplied to these channels and passages by a climate control device. The climate conditioned air flows through the channels and passages to cool or heat the space adjacent the surface of the vehicle seat. [0006] There are, however, problems that have been experienced with existing climate control systems for seats. For example, some climate control systems are not easily integratable into existing seat construction methods. Such systems require a significantly greater number of parts as compared to existing automotive seats, and often require complex mechanical parts. In the past, this has resulted in increased costs for individualized occupant cooling in automobiles. The current techniques are also problematic because they may limit the ability for vehicle designers to provide modern seating embodiments and stylistic designs. For example, many modern seats include an adjustable lumbar support device. Typically, such a device is disposed within a backrest of a seat and is configured to incrementally adjust the contour of the backrest to provide variable lumbar support. The location and movement of the backrest provides significant engineering obstacles for the climate control system. In response, current climate control systems simply avoid or duct around the lumbar support device and the portions of the backrest that move. This results in a more complicated design and increased costs. [0007] Another problem that has been experienced with existing climate control systems for seats involves the connection between the channels and passages formed in the cushion of the seat and the climate control device which supplies conditioned air to these channels and passages. Specifically, the connection may create a region of rigidity in the seat cushion degrading the feel and comfort of the seat. [0008] Thus there is a need for an improved climate control apparatus for a climate control system for seats. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention comprises a conduit for placing a climate control device in fluid communication with a fluid passage in a cushion (e.g., a cushion of an automotive seat). The conduit comprises a flexible body, a first port and a second port. The first port is at a first end of the body and is configured to couple with an outlet port of the climate control device. The second port is at a second end of the body. The second port is configured to couple with a rear side of the cushion. [0010] Another aspect of the present invention comprises a climate controlled seat assembly. The assembly includes a seat cushion having an outer surface comprising a front side for supporting an occupant in a sitting position and a rear side. The rear side and the front side generally face in opposite directions. A base member is positioned on the rear side of the seat cushion. The assembly also includes an adjustable support device capable of moving a portion of the seat cushion between at least a first position in which the first portion of the seat cushion is located a first distance from the base member and a second position in which the portion of the seat cushion is located a second distance from the base member. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A passage extends through the seat cushion. The passage communicates with an opening on the rear side of the portion of the seat cushion. A conduit extends from the passage and through at least a portion of the adjustable support device. [0011] Another aspect of the present invention comprises a climate controlled seat assembly that includes a seat cushion having a front side, a rear side and an outer surface comprising a support surface for supporting an occupant in a sitting position. The support surface is located generally on the front side of the seat cushion. The seat assembly includes an adjustable support device capable of moving a lumbar portion the cushion between at least a first position, in which the lumbar portion of the support surface protrudes a first distance towards the occupant, and a second position, in which the lumbar portion protrudes a second distance towards the occupant. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A fluid system is provided for delivering or expelling air. The assembly further comprises an air passage that extends through at least part of the lumbar portion of the cushion. A flexible conduit is in fluid communication with the air passage and has a first end coupled to the lumbar portion and a second end coupled to a component of the fluid system that is substantially stationary with respect to the lumbar portion of the cushion. [0012] Another aspect of the present invention comprises a climate controlled seat assembly that includes a seat cushion having an outer surface comprising a front side for supporting an occupant in a sitting position and a rear side wherein the rear side and the front side generally face opposite directions. A passage extends through the seat cushion and communicates with an opening on the rear side of the cushion. A fluid system delivers or expels air to or from the passage. The assembly also includes means for providing a flexible fluid connection between the fluid system and the first passage. [0013] In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, a climate controlled cushion is provided that comprises an outer surface. The outer surface has a first side for supporting at least a portion of an occupant and a second side. The second side and the first side generally face in opposite directions. A passage extends through at least part of the cushion and communicates with an opening on the second side of the seat cushion. A fluid system either delivers or expelling air to the passage via a conduit that couples the fluid system with the passage. The conduit is expandable in length. [0014] A further aspect of the present invention involves a method of assembling a climate controlled seat assembly. The method involves providing a cushion having an opening accessible from at least one side of the cushion with the cushion being attached to a frame. A flexible conduit is attached to the cushion so as to place the conduit in fluidic communication with the opening. The method further involves coupling the conduit to a fluid flow generation device and attaching the fluid flow generation device to the frame. [0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of preferred embodiments which follow, when considered together with the attached drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly; [0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 1 with a portion of the seat assembly removed; [0018] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2. [0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 1 with a covering of the seat assembly removed; [0020] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 1; [0021] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 with an adjustable lumbar support device and climate control apparatus removed; Continue reading about Apparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seat... Full patent description for Apparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus for providing fluid through a vehicle seat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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