Air distribution system for a vehicle seat

Abstract

An air distribution system ( 20 ) for distributing air through a vehicle component such as a vehicle seat pad ( 6 ). The system ( 20 ) includes an air distribution layer ( 4 ) defining a base area and a first layer ( 2 ) arranged on the air distribution layer ( 4 ). The first layer ( 2 ) projects beyond the base area along at least a portion of an edge thereof to form a flange ( 25 ). A side of the flange ( 25 ) facing towards the air distribution layer ( 4 ) includes an adhesion area ( 5 ). During assembly, the adhesion area ( 5 ) engages the seat pad ( 6 ) along a pad elevation ( 41 ) surrounding a portion of the recess ( 35 ) formed in the seat pad ( 6 ) to fix the air distribution system ( 20 ) within the seat pad ( 6 ).

1 . An air distribution system for distributing air through a vehicle component, the system comprising an air distribution layer defining a base area and a first layer arranged on the air distribution layer, the first layer projecting beyond the base area along at least a portion of an edge thereof to form a flange, wherein a side of the flange facing towards the air distribution layer includes an adhesion area.  
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the vehicle component is a vehicle seat comprising at least one pad including a recess formed therein and adapted to accommodate the air distribution layer, and wherein the air distribution layer is arranged between a cover and the pad, and wherein the recess, at least along its edges, corresponds in depth to the thickness of the air distribution layer such that a top surface of the air distribution layer is substantially coplanar with a pad elevation surrounding said recess.  
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said flange adhesion area is fixed to said pad elevation by adhesion or material interlocking.  
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said recess substantially corresponds in size to said air distribution layer base area.  
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein the air distribution layer comprises two segments and said at least one pad includes two recesses formed therein, each substantially equal in size to a corresponding segment of said air distribution layer.  
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein the pad comprises at least two pad zones separated from each other by a depression, at least one pad zone including a recess formed therein and substantially corresponding in size to the air distribution layer base area and extending at least to one edge of the pad zone where it is bounded by a pad elevation.  
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 6  wherein said flange adhesion area is fixed to said pad elevation by adhesion or material interlocking.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the air distribution layer comprises at least two segments distanced from one another in the same plane along the first layer.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 1  comprising an areal heating element arranged between the air distribution layer and the first layer.  
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 8  comprising an areal heating element arranged between at least one of said segments and the first layer.  
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10  comprising at least one electrical conductor connecting the at least two segments of the air distribution layer.  
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11  wherein said electrical conductor is arranged at an angle with respect to a shortest path between said segments and meanders about its principal direction to accommodate flexion in a region between said segments.  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said flange extends along at least half of an edge length of said base area.  
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said adhesion area comprises a self-adhesive or knotted surface.  
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said first layer comprises said adhesion area and layers of pad material.  
   
   
       16 . A vehicle seat comprising: 
 at least one pad having a recess formed therein; and    an air distribution system comprising an air distribution layer secured to a first layer, the air distribution layer defining a base area substantially corresponding in size to said recess, and the first layer projecting beyond the base area along at least a portion of an edge thereof to form a flange, wherein a side of the flange facing towards the pad includes an adhesion area.    
   
   
       17 . A seat according to  claim 16  wherein the air distribution system comprises an areal heating element arranged between said air distribution layer and said first layer.  
   
   
       18 . A seat according to  claim 16  wherein the adhesion area comprises a self-adhesive or a knotted surface for engaging the pad along a pad elevation surrounding a portion of said recess.  
   
   
       19 . A seat according to  claim 17  wherein the air distribution layer comprises at least two segments spaced apart from each other along the first layer, and wherein the air distribution system comprises an electrical conductor connecting the at least two segments.  
   
   
       20 . A method of assembling a ventilated vehicle seat comprising: 
 providing at least one seat pad having recess formed therein;    providing an air distribution system comprising an air distribution layer secured to a first layer, the air distribution layer defining a base area substantially corresponding in size to said recess, and the first layer projecting beyond the base area along at least a portion of an edge thereof to form a flange, wherein a side of the flange facing towards the pad includes an adhesion area; and    thereafter, positioning said air distribution system within said recess and engaging said flange adhesion area to the pad along a pad elevation surrounding a portion of said recess to fix said air distribution system within said seat pad.