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Conditioning system for cooling and heating surfaces, particularly automobile seatsConditioning system for cooling and heating surfaces, particularly automobile seats description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070035162, Conditioning system for cooling and heating surfaces, particularly automobile seats. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a temperature control system, which can be used for the rapid cooling and possibly also heating of surfaces--in particular of car seats. In addition, the invention relates to a seat and/or rest element, in particular with leather covering, and to a complete car seat, respectively fitted with such a temperature control system. Finally, the invention also relates to a temperature control mat for such a temperature control system and to a temperature control method for cooling and possibly heating a seat and/or rest element. [0002] It is known not only to heat but also to cool seats--in particular car seats. Cooling is necessary if car seats heat up under strong solar irradiation to high temperatures, which can lead to serious burns of the skin. This problem arises in particular in the case of dark leather seats. In general, the driver must wait until the seat has cooled down to a temperature comfortable for sitting, whether by means of the car's air-conditioning system or by means of natural ventilation. Therefore, a fundamental concern is to lower the surface temperature of seats to a comfortable level in a short time. [0003] It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,950 to provide between the seat covering and the cushion core a fiber-like insert which is enclosed by a film. The part of the film which faces the seat covering has openings for the passage of air. Air is then sucked through the seat covering and the insert by means of a fan, in order to cool the seat. [0004] It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,179 B1 to arrange a meandering system of hoselines or pipelines through which water flows in a flat cushion underneath the seat covering, in order to heat or cool the seat area according to requirements. The temperature of the water in the lines is controlled by means of a complex heat exchanger system, which is connected for example to the vehicle's heating and air-conditioning system. [0005] A system of a similar construction is also described in DE 44 32 497 A1. In this case, the pipeline system for the cooling liquid is arranged in a temperature control mat between two layers of air-permeable material, in order that condensed water possibly occurring on the lines can dry. The temperature control mat may serve as a seat support or be an integral component of the vehicle seat. [0006] Because of the relatively rigid nature of the hoses or pipes, the system of lines undesirably presses through the seat covering and adversely affects the feel of the seat. If the system of lines is arranged further in the interior of the seat to remedy this disadvantage, however, a significant reduction in efficiency occurs because of the poor heat transfer associated with the greater distance from the temperature-controlling surface. [0007] It is disadvantageous, furthermore, that, in the case of the previously described systems, no moisture resulting for example from the perspiration of a person sitting on the surface is removed. This may have the consequence on hot days of clothing becoming soaked with perspiration. [0008] Instead of a liquid, a gas may also be used for controlling the temperature of the seat. Such a system is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,430. In this case, temperature-controlled air is directed from the rear side into the seat and backrest cushion. The seat covering is air-permeable, so that the air can leave the seat again on the front side. [0009] A similar system is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,810 B1. There, the temperature-controlled air is directed into air chambers lying under the seat covering. Individual chambers are merely inflated and serve exclusively for increasing the comfort of the underlying structure of the seat. Other chambers are perforated on their side facing the seat covering and serve for controlling the temperature of the seat, in that the temperature-controlled air is forced to the outside through the perforation of the air-chamber wall and further through the seat covering, which is likewise perforated. [0010] Although no lines press through the seat covering in the case of the two systems last described, the removal of moisture is not ideal in these cases either, although a certain drying is reliably achieved by the air stream emerging from the seat. However, the person sitting on the seat closes the pores in the seat, so that at these points the transporting of moisture and exchange of air is virtually completely blocked. Moreover, the air emerging from the open pores flows past the person, which is felt to be uncomfortable and may be harmful to health, in particular in the lumbar region. [0011] In addition, perforated seat coverings, in particular made of leather, have a tendency to become clogged with dust and dirt particles and are also not desired for design reasons. A further disadvantage is that the systems described only begin to work when the car is started, i.e. the driver initially sits down on a hot seat, before the cooling of the seat begins. [0012] It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a solution for cooling heated-up surfaces--in particular of car seats with leather coverings--to a comfortable temperature in a very short time, and at the same time for ensuring efficient transporting away of moisture, in particular perspiration, through the seat covering. At the same time, sitting comfort and surface appearance are to be maintained. [0013] This object is achieved by a temperature control system or temperature control mat and a method for controlling the temperature of a seat and/or rest element with the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are specified in claims dependent on these independent claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] The temperature control mat according to the invention is, on the one hand, air-permeable and, on the other hand, comprises a fluid chamber system, through which a temperature control fluid is directed. For this purpose, two or more layers of liquid-impermeable plastic are connected to each other, for example welded or adhesively bonded, in such a way that the fluid chamber system is formed in the space between the layers of plastic. A number of fluid chamber systems that are separated from one another may also possibly be formed between the layers of plastic. [0015] A fluid chamber system formed between the layers of plastic comprises one or more fluid chambers for receiving the temperature control fluid and one or more fluid inlets and outlets in connection with the fluid chambers for supplying and removing the temperature control fluid to and from the fluid chamber system. The maximum volume of the fluid chamber system in one embodiment may be 0.3 l/m.sup.2 to 3 l/m.sup.2. Some or all of the fluid chambers of the fluid chamber system are in flow connection with one another, so that the temperature control fluid can flow from the fluid inlet or the fluid inlets through the interconnected fluid chambers of the fluid chamber system to the fluid outlet or the fluid outlets. The connecting zones between the fluid chambers are referred to hereafter as "fluid passages". [0016] The air permeability of the temperature control mat is based on openings arranged in a distributed manner passing through the temperature control mat. These openings pass through the layers of plastic forming the fluid chamber system in such a way that the fluid chamber system forms a closed system. [0017] To ensure the transporting of moisture through the seat covering, the temperature control mat is combined with an open spacer structure. Any two-dimensional, open structure which on the one hand permits a through-flow of gas to dissipate water vapor passing through the seat covering and on the other hand is adequately flexible and nevertheless stable under pressure, so that it does not collapse even under the weight of a person imparting a load to it, can be used as the spacer structure. The spacer structure may be securely connected to the temperature control mat, for example sewn or preferably adhesively bonded, so that the temperature control mat including the spacer structure can be easily handled and integrated into a seat. The spacer structure preferably lies between the temperature control mat and the seat cushion, so that the sequence of the layer structure is as follows: seat covering, temperature control mat, spacer structure, seat cushion, and any additional layers lying inbetween. [0018] This arrangement is particularly effective, because the temperature control mat lies directly underneath the seat covering. This produces great heat conduction and short diffusion paths for water vapor. The perspiration moisture passing through the seat covering then passes through the openings in the temperature control mat and into the open spacer structure and can be diffused away from there. The transporting away of the moisture is preferably assisted by an air stream, which is directed through the spacer structure parallel to the surface of the seat covering, in order to remove the transmitted moisture actively. The temperature control mat on one side of the spacer structure and the seat cushion, usually consisting of closed-cell foam, on the other side of the spacer structure in this case define an air-directing duct for the air directed through the spacer structure. [0019] It goes without saying that it is also possible to provide the spacer structure on the other side of the temperature control mat, that is between the seat covering and the temperature control mat. In this case, the effectiveness of the temperature control mat is greatly reduced, however, because of the distance from the seat covering, and the through-openings in the temperature control mat are no longer important for allowing perspiration moisture through the temperature control mat. Rather, the openings can then be used for directing an air stream from the rear side through the openings of the temperature control mat into the spacer structure. [0020] If such a temperature control mat combined with a spacer structure is placed in a seat and/or backrest element between the outer seat covering and the actual cushion material, the temperature of the seat covering can be influenced very rapidly and cooled down to body temperature within about 60 seconds. The cooling down of a leather seat covering from about 85.degree. C. to a comfortable body temperature of 37.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. can be achieved for example in one minute. For this purpose, the temperature control fluid flows through the fluid chambers of the fluid chamber system until the desired seat surface temperature is reached. Preferably used as the temperature control fluid is an environmentally compatible liquid, for example water, possibly mixed with an anti-freezing agent, such as glycol or salt solution for example, and an anti-rotting agent and other additives. The use of liquid offers the advantage over a gas of greater heat capacity along with good heat transfer properties, whereby the temperature control of the seat covering is particularly effective. [0021] On account of this effectiveness, the seat covering can be brought to the desired temperature in a very short time, even before a person sits down on it. For example, the temperature control can be switched on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked. Activation by remote control or a timer circuit is likewise possible. In particular, it is not necessary to start the vehicle in order to make the power required for the temperature control of the seat covering available. The temperature control liquid does not necessarily have to be cooled down to cool the seat covering, but may be pumped from a storage tank which is located at a relatively cool place, for example in the region of the vehicle floor, so that the temperature control liquid is at most at ambient temperature. This storage tank preferably has an insulating casing. The supply of liquid contained in it may be additionally cooled, for example during driving or possibly also when the engine is switched off, if the vehicle battery produces sufficient power. A Peltier element comes into consideration for example as the cooling element. [0022] According to the same principle, the seat covering can be heated up. For this purpose, a heated fluid, such as water for example, flows through the fluid chamber system. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is heated by a heating element to a temperature of approximately 40.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. Continue reading about Conditioning system for cooling and heating surfaces, particularly automobile seats... 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