Method for ventilating a seat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ventilated seat having an insert with a seat portion, and having a flow control layer with first and second ports, a spacer having an inlay and a main portion, and a first fluid barrier where the inlay is substantially isolated from the main portion by a fluid-tight boundary. The present invention also relates to a ventilated seat having an insert with a seat portion and having a first flow control layer with at least one port, a first and a second spacer, and a fluid barrier comprising at least one port. The present invention also relates to a ventilated seat with an insert having a seat portion and having a flow control layer with a port and a plurality of flow holes in the seat portion, a spacer, a fluid barrier and at least one conduit with a plurality of flow holes located adjacent to the seat portion of the flow control layer. The seat also may include a fan in fluid communication with the spacer and a fluid conditioning device. The present invention also relates to methods of ventilating a seat. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device (TED) and conditioning air with the TED to provide heating or cooling and communicating that conditioned air through an insert with either pushing or pulling the condition air through the insert.

1 - 57 . (canceled) 
   
   
       58 . A method of cooling or heating a cushion with a ventilation system, comprising the steps of:
 placing a edge sealed insert over the cushion and below a surface of an air-permeable cushion cover, wherein the edge sealed insert including holes defined for fluid flow;   bonding the edge sealed insert with an adhesive to the cushion;   automatically operating the ventilation system upon detection of the presence of a user by an occupant detection sensor;   drawing ambient air through an annular inlet into a fan;   directing the drawn air past a TED and into the insert;   automatically regulating both the amount of power directed to the TED and the operating speed of the fan through a control system; and   providing cooling or heating at a rate that ranges from greater than about 5° C./min.   
   
   
       59 . The method according to  claim 58 , further includes the step of directing air through a spacer disposed in the edge sealed insert. 
   
   
       60 . The method according to  claim 58 , further includes providing a temperature sensor that is employed, after activating the ventilation system, in communication with a control system for automatically operating the ventilation system. 
   
   
       61 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein the ventilation system and all of functional components of the cushion are assembled at a remote assembly site, and thereafter transport the cushion to an automotive assembly line, where the cushion is merely mounted to a body in white and connected to a vehicle electrical system. 
   
   
       62 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein an additional foam spacer layer is provided and the step of locating the additional foam spacer layer between the edge sealed insert and the air-permeable cushion cover.