Vehicle seat with cushioning layer

Abstract

The present invention comprises a seat for a vehicle having at least one temperature conditioned component. The temperature conditioned component comprises a cushion, a trim surface, an insert located beneath the trim surface and a cushioning layer. The cushioning layer comprises one or more pouches with a filler material, and preferably a liquid filler material, that distributes the downward pressure of the occupant across a larger area of the seat. This distribution of downward pressure reduces or eliminates pressure points in the seat. The seat may also include an air mover assembly that facilitates the heating, cooling or ventilation function of the seat by blowing air to or drawing air from the seat.

1 . A temperature conditioned seat, comprising: 
 a seat having at least one temperature conditioned component having a cushion and a trim surface;    an insert located beneath the trim surface of each temperature conditioned component, the insert including a cushioning layer located between the cushion and the trim layer; and    a temperature conditioning device.    
   
   
       2 . The seat of  claim 1  wherein the cushioning layer comprises at least pouch containing a filler material.  
   
   
       3 . The seat of  claim 2  wherein the filler material is a liquid.  
   
   
       4 . The seat of  claim 3  wherein the liquid comprises a freezing point suppression agent.  
   
   
       5 . The seat of  claim 4  wherein the temperature conditioned component is a non-ventilating component.  
   
   
       6 . The seat of  claim 5  wherein the temperature conditioning device comprises a heater.  
   
   
       7 . The seat of  claim 6  wherein the heater is located between the cushion and cushioning layer.  
   
   
       8 . The seat of  claim 4  wherein the temperature conditioned component comprises a ventilating component.  
   
   
       9 . The seat of  claim 8  wherein the ventilating component comprises an air mover.  
   
   
       10 . The seat of  claim 9  wherein the temperature conditioning device comprises a source of cooled air.  
   
   
       11 . The seat of  claim 10  wherein the source of cooled air comprises a vehicle HVAC system, an absorption refrigeration system, a thermoelectric device and combination thereof.  
   
   
       12 . A vehicle seat, comprising: 
 a seating component comprising a cushion and a trim surface;    a cushioning layer located between the cushion and the trim surface, comprising: 
 a plurality of edge sealed pouches containing a filler material attached to a base layer; and  
 a heater located underneath the pouches and attached to the base layer.  
   
   
   
       13 . The vehicle seat of  claim 12  wherein the filler material is liquid with a viscosity of about 1 cP.  
   
   
       14 . The vehicle seat of  claim 13  wherein the base layer comprises a foam or a film.  
   
   
       15 . The vehicle seat of  claim 14  wherein the pouches are attached to the substrate using one or more of mechanical fasteners, two-sided tape, adhesive, sewing, IR welding, RF welding or ultrasonic welding.  
   
   
       16 . The vehicle seat of  claim 15  further comprising a ventilating insert.  
   
   
       17 . The vehicle seat of  claim 16  wherein the cushioning layer and the insert are an integrated component.  
   
   
       18 . The vehicle seat of  claim 17  further comprising a temperature conditioning device and an air mover assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The vehicle seat of  claim 18  wherein the temperature conditioning device comprises a thermoelectric device.  
   
   
       20 . The vehicle seat of  claim 19  wherein the air mover assembly blows air through the ventilating insert to an occupant of the seat.