Enhanced climate seat with asymmetric thermal management system and method

Abstract

A thermally conditioned seat includes a seat portion constructed from a first material which includes a seat support structure that has a central support region and adjacent side bolsters laterally spaced apart from one another a width. A recess is provided in the central support region and includes an aperture. A porous material is arranged in the recess against the first material. A second material is arranged against the first material and the porous material. A cover includes an air permeable layer and an aesthetic layer that provides an exterior seating surface. The air permeable layer is arranged against the second material and the aesthetic layer has perforations. A blower is associated with the seat portion and is in fluid communication with the aperture. The blower is configured to supply a fluid through the aperture to the porous material through the recess. The fluid is configured to pass from the porous material to the air permeable layer and out the perforations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermally conditioned seat comprising:
 a seat portion constructed from a first material includes a seat support structure having a central support region and adjacent side bolsters laterally spaced apart from one another a width, and a recess is provided in the central support region and includes an aperture;   a porous material is arranged in the recess against the first material;   a second material arranged against the first material and the porous material;   a cover includes an air permeable layer and an aesthetic layer that provides an exterior seating surface, the air permeable layer is arranged against the second material, and the aesthetic layer has perforations;   a blower is associated with the seat portion and is in fluid communication with the aperture, the blower configured to supply a fluid through the aperture to the porous material through the recess, the fluid configured to pass from the porous material to the air permeable layer and out the perforations.   
     
     
         2 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the first material is polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         3 . The seat according to  claim 2 , wherein the seat portion is one of a seat bottom or a seat back. 
     
     
         4 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the width is a first lateral width, and the porous material has a second lateral width that is less than 75% of the first lateral width. 
     
     
         5 . The seat according to  claim 4 , wherein the second lateral width is 35-65% of the first lateral width. 
     
     
         6 . The seat according to  claim 2 , wherein the porous material is a breathable spacer material. 
     
     
         7 . The seat according to  claim 6 , wherein the second material is fleece. 
     
     
         8 . The seat according to  claim 7 , comprising heating elements supported on the fleece on a side opposite the porous material. 
     
     
         9 . The seat according to  claim 6 , wherein the air permeable layer and the aesthetic layer are joined to one another at stitched seams. 
     
     
         10 . The seat according to  claim 1 , comprising a thermoelectric device arranged between the blower and the recess, the thermoelectric device configured to cool the fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the second material is impermeable and has an opening, the fluid is configured to pass from the porous material through the opening to the air permeable layer and out the perforations.