Vehicle seat with thermal elements

Abstract

A climate controlled seat assembly comprises a seat cushion having an outer surface with a support portion for supporting an occupant. A supply passage extends through the seat cushion. A distribution system comprises at least one distribution passage configured to distribute air along the support surface of the seat cushion and the distribution system communicates with the supply passage. A fluid system is in communication with the supply passage and is configured to move air between the distribution system and the supply passage. A seat covering is positioned over the support portion of the outer surface of the seat cushion. A heat source is positioned between the seat covering and an inlet to the supply passage.

1 . A climate controlled seat assembly, comprising: 
 a seat cushion having an outer surface;    a supply passage extending through the seat cushion, the supply passage comprising an inlet;    a distribution system comprising at least one distribution passage configured to distribute air along the support surface of the seat cushion, the distribution system communicating with the supply passage;    a fluid system connected to the inlet of the supply passage and configured to move air between the distribution system and the supply passage;    a seat covering positioned over the outer surface of the seat cushion; and    a heat source positioned between the seat covering and the inlet to the supply passage.    
   
   
       2 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a resistive heater.  
   
   
       3 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is positioned generally between the seat covering and the at least one distribution passage of the distribution system.  
   
   
       4 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is positioned generally along the at least one distribution passage of the distribution system.  
   
   
       5 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a channel-shaped insert, which is positioned within a corresponding recess formed in the seat cushion, the insert forming, at least in part, the at least one distribution passage of the distribution system.  
   
   
       6 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 5 , wherein the heat source is coupled to the insert.  
   
   
       7 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 5 , further comprising a covering layer that is positioned generally over the insert and under the seat covering.  
   
   
       8 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the heat source is positioned within the covering layer.  
   
   
       9 . A climate controlled seat assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid system includes a thermoelectric device configured to thermally condition the fluid supplied to the distribution system.  
   
   
       10 . A method for thermally conditioning a space adjacent a seat assembly that includes a seat cushion that defines a support surface and seat covering that covers the support surface of the seat cushion, comprising: 
 activating a fluid supply system;    directing the air from the fluid supply system to a space adjacent the seat assembly through a distribution system formed at least partially in the seat cushion; and    activating a heating element positioned within the seat assembly between the seat covering and the fluid supply device.    
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein activating a heating element further comprises activating a resistive heater.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising generating heat within a space generally beneath the seat covering of the seat assembly.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising generating heat within a space generally beneath the seat covering of the seat assembly and generally above the seat cushion of the seat assembly.  
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising heating the air as it flows through the distribution system.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising thermally conditioning the air within the fluid supply system.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising activating the heating element for an initial heating period and then providing heated air from the fluid supply system to the distribution system after the initial heating period.  
   
   
       17 . A method of assembling a climate controlled seat assembly, comprising: 
 providing a seat cushion having a support surface for supporting an occupant and a distribution system for distributing air along the support surface of the seat cushion;    positioning a heating unit on the seat cushion;    covering at least a portion of the heating unit with a seat covering; and    securing the seat covering to the seat cushion.    
   
   
       18 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein positioning a heating unit over at least a portion of the support surface comprises positioning an insert within one or more channels formed in the seat cushion.  
   
   
       19 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising positioning an insert within one or more channels formed in the seat cushion.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein positioning a heating unit within the seat cushion comprising positioning the heating unit within distribution passages of the distribution system.  
   
   
       21 - 30 . (canceled)