Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001]
The present subject matter relates to a heating or cooling mechanism, more particularly, a seat heating or cooling structure to efficiently heat or cool the seat. This present subject matter is a patent of addition to a subject matter disclosed in the patent application number 202041003445. The present subject matter offers 5 improvement over the subject matter as claimed in the aforementioned patent application.
BACKGROUND
[002]
The purpose of a vehicle is to provide a quicker means of transportation. 10 However, the comfort of a rider is of prime importance while providing this quicker means of transportation. The rider feels at utmost comfort when he can drive the vehicle while seated comfortably. However, the present seat structures do not provide comfort to the rider while being seated during running condition of the vehicle. Hence, a seat structure which provides comfort to the rider is required. 15
BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS
[003]
The present invention is described with reference to figures, block diagrams and flow charts. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled, three-wheeled and four wheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference features and components. Further, the inventive features of the 20 invention are outlined in the appended claims.
[004]
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a heating or cooling system for a seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[005]
Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart depicting the seat assembly being cooled by the heating or cooling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present 25 subject matter.
[006]
Figure 3a illustrates a left-side perspective view of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[007]
Figure 3b illustrates an exploded view of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 30
3
[008]
Figure 3c illustrates a perspective view of a seat foam inside the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[009]
Figure 3d illustrates a routing of the seat heating or cooling system in the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[010]
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a one or more heating or cooling devices 5 of the heating or cooling system in the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[011]
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a thermal conductive sheet on the one or more heating or cooling devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 10
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[012]
One of the major aspects of providing comfort to the rider is to provide a proper seating structure. The seating structure for example in a vehicle must be capable providing comfort and also should be able to customize as per the rider’s requirements. 15
[013]
One of the major problems for the rider is to have a seating structure customized as per the climatic conditions. For example, when the weather is too hot, the vehicle seat also becomes hot after prolonged exposure to the sun. Similarly, during cold weather conditions, the seat becomes extremely cold and the rider becomes incapable to sit on such a seat and drive the vehicle. Hence, a customized 20 seat which can adapt to the changing weather conditions and provide a comfortable seat for the rider is required.
[014]
In order to resolve the problems of an ergonomically customized seating structure, a seat assembly with a heating or cooling device comprising a plurality of thermoelectric heat sink devices also known as Peltier devices are used. The heating 25 or cooling device have a main side and a waste side. The main side of the heating or cooling device is the side which comes in contact with the rider and the waste side is the side which ats as a heat sink. Thus, the heating or cooling device conventionally transfers heat from the main side to the waste side and vice vera depending upon the weather conditions. 30
4
[015]
However, the use of just the heating or cooling device to provide an ergonomic seat structure is not feasible because the heating or cooling device is a hard rigid metallic structure and whenever the rider comes into contact with the main side of the heating or cooling device, he feels a poking sensation on his behind while being seated on the seat. Hence, the heating or cooling device though provides a 5 weather-controlled seat, but it still causes a lot of discomfort to the user while sitting. Hence, a better seat structure to avoid discomfort to the rider is required.
[016]
In order to resolve the discomfort caused to the rider due to the heating or cooling device, a thermal conductive sheet is arranged along with the heating or cooling device inside the seating structure. The thermal conductive sheet distributes 10 the heat generated by the heating or cooling device to a seat surface. This thermal conductive sheet provides efficient heat distribution from the heating or cooling device to the rider seating surface. However, the arrangement of the thermal conductive sheet in the conventional designs does not provide efficient distribution of heat or cold across the seating structure. 15
[017]
Additionally, an improper shape and dimension of the thermal conductive sheet causes localized cooling or heating. This localized cooling or heating will concentrate only on certain region of the seating structure and therefore lead to temperature imbalance across the entire seat structure. For example, in a vehicle this not only causes discomfort to the rider during seating condition, but during a running 20 condition of the vehicle, this temperature imbalance distracts the rider and may lead to accidents. Hence, an improved design of the thermal conductive sheet is required to avoid localized heating or cooling.
[018]
Furthermore, in the conventional designs, the thermal conductive sheet is not located at an optimal location which enables the transfer of a heating or cooling 25 effect from the heating or cooling device to the entire seating structure. Due to this, either too much or too little of the heating or cooling effect is transferred to the seat from the heating or cooling device which leads to non-efficient performance of the ergonomic seating structure. Hence an improved location for the thermal conductive sheet is required for effective transfer of the heating or cooling effect across the seat 30 structure.
5
[019]
Additionally, in some conventional designs multiple thermal conductive sheets are used in layers. In some conventional designs, the heating or cooling device is placed on the bottom of the seating structure. The thermal conductive sheet is attached to the main side of the heating or cooling device and takes the heat from the heating or cooling device to the rider seating surface. This causes the thermal 5 conductive sheet to take the heating or cooling effect to a greater distance and follow a high transmission path to reach the rider being seated on the seat. As the heat has to travel a greater distance, there is loss in the heating or cooling effect. Hence, an optimal location for the thermal conductive sheet is required to reduce high transmission path of the heating or cooling effect. 10
[020]
In some conventional designs, the thermal conductive sheet is placed in contact with the heating or cooling device. The heating or cooling device is either mounted from the bottom portion of the seating structure or inside a channel in a seat foam of the seating structure. In order for the thermal conductive sheet to be in contact with the heating or cooling device, the thermal conductive sheet needs to be 15 moulded inside the seat foam and extend to the rider seating surface. This is a difficult assembly as the thermal conductive sheet is required to be kept stable as a liquid foam is poured. Further, some of the particles of the foam also get inside the thermal conductive sheet and damage the thermal conductive sheet in terms of its thermal conduction properties. Once the foam solidifies, this result in improper 20 inflation of the foam which in turn reduces the seat comfort. Hence, an optimum mounting mechanism of the thermal conductive sheet is required to avoid the difficulty of manufacturing and assembly of the thermal conductive sheet. Furthermore, the moulding of the thermal conductive sheet incurs additional cost and thereby increases the overall cost of the vehicle. 25
[021]
In some existing designs, the thermal conductive sheet is placed between a seat top cover and a seat cushion of the seating structure. In some other existing designs, the thermal conductive sheet is placed inside the seat cushion and is placed on the top of the seat foam. This arrangement gives to rise to uneven disposition of the thermal conductive sheet on the top of the seat foam which thereby forms creases 30 and bends. This not only reduces the effective dissipation of the heating and cooling
6
effect across the seating structure but also affects the aesthetic appeal of the seat
structure.
[022]
In a related art, the heating or cooling device is positioned having a main and a waste side, with the waste side coupled to a heat exchanger and the main side coupled to a flexible thermal conductive sheet. The thermal conductive sheet extends 5 to the top surface of the seat and is placed directly in connection with a seat top layer or can be placed such that the seat foam comes between the seat top layer and the thermal conductive sheet. However, this arrangement does not capture the important aspects of location of the thermal conductive sheet on the seat surface and its shape and size details. These details are crucial to maximize the heat distribution and cause 10 minimum discomfort to the rider.
[023]
In another related art, the thermal conductive sheet thermally distributes the heating or cooling effect generated by the heating or cooling device. The heating or cooling device is located inside the seat foam. The arrangement however does not capture the exact the shape and size of the thermal conductive sheet and the optimal 15 location and mounting arrangement of the thermal conductive sheet so that effective heating or cooling can be achieved on the rider’s seat surface.
[024]
In another related art, the heating or cooling device is located at a predefined distance below the seat top surface and the thermal conductive sheet brings the heating or cooling effect to the seating surface. The thermal conductive 20 sheet is embedded inside the seat foam and comes to the seat top surface conducting the heating or cooling effect through the seat foam. However, in this arrangement as the thermal conductive sheet brings the heating or cooling effect from a middle portion of the seat to a top portion of the seat, there is reduction in heating or cooling efficiency due to the long transmission path of the heating or cooling effect to reach 25 to the top of the thermal conductive sheet. Further, there are conductions losses as the thermal conductive sheet is in direct contact with the seat foam throughout the conduction path.
[025]
Additionally, the assembly process of the above-mentioned arrangement is cumbersome as it requires the thermal conductive sheet has to be moulded inside 30 the seat foam. Furthermore, this arrangement does not capture the important aspects
7
of
optimal location of disposition of the thermal conductive sheet on the seating structure. Hence, a design and location of the thermal conductive sheet on the seating structure is required to achieve uniform heating or cooling effect dissipation across the seating structure.
[026]
In another related art, a seat climate control system with a seat body having 5 a thermoelectric module is disposed within the interior cavity of the seat foam facilitating heat transfer upon receiving electrical energy. The thermal conductive sheet is coupled to the module to take the heat from the module to the seat surface. However, this arrangement further does not disclose the optimal location for disposition of the thermal conductive sheet and also the effective dimensions of the 10 thermal conductive sheet for efficient heating and cooling effect of the seating structure.
[027]
In another related art, an improved heating or cooling system for the vehicle seat for motorcycles consisting of a seat base, a seat cushion, a seat cover and a heating or cooling module disposed inside the seat cushion. The seat cushion 15 also consists of an inlet duct coupled with the heating or cooling module which supplies air from a port in the seat cover. The heating or cooling module consists of heating element & a thermal conductive material like graphene, a heat exchanger, a fan and is coupled to an inlet duct on one end and outlet duct on the other end. However, this arrangement further does not disclose the optimal location for 20 disposition of the thermal conductive sheet and also the effective dimensions of the thermal conductive sheet for efficient heating or cooling performance of the seating structure.
[028]
Hence, it is an object of the present invention to overcome all the above stated and other related problems existing in the prior arts, with respect to optimal 25 localization and optimal dimensions for effective distribution of heating or cooling effect across a seat structure in a vehicle as well as other problems of known art.
[029]
It is further an object of the present invention to reduce discomfort to the rider in cold or hot weather conditions and thus improve drivability of the vehicle.
[030]
It is further an object of the present invention to minimize sweating and 30 dry moisture between seat and body of the rider.
8
[031]
It is further an object of the present invention to provide proper heat distribution to the rider’s seating surface.
[032]
It is further an object of the present invention to provide ease of assembly of the thermal conductive sheet with a heating or cooling device inside the seat structure. 5
[033]
It is further an object of the present invention to resolve the aesthetic issues associated with the placement of the thermal conductive sheet and also to provide a low-cost solution for optimal mounting and localization of the thermal conductive sheet.
[034]
The present subject matter provides an optimal location at a H-point of a 10 thermal conductive sheet in a seat assembly. The thermal conductive sheet being in a shape conforming with the shape of the seat assembly. A portion of the thermal conductive sheet is attached on to a top layer of a heating or cooling device by an attachment means and other portions of the thermal conductive sheet is attached on to the seat assembly through the aforementioned attachment means in order to 15 provide efficient heating or cooling effect across the seat assembly without any wastage of material or wastage of circulated heating or cooling effect.
[035]
As per an aspect of the present invention, a seat assembly comprising a seat top surface, a seat foam is disposed between the seat top surface and a seat bottom surface. A one or more heating or cooling devices is disposed in a cutout 20 portion of the seat foam such that a top layer of the one or more heating or cooling devices is disposed towards the seat top surface. A thermal conductive sheet is disposed on a top layer of the one or more heating or cooling devices and attached through an attachment means. A centre of the thermal conductive sheet is configured at a predefined distance from a front portion of the seat foam and the conductive 25 sheet has a predetermined length and is located equidistantly from a bottom portion of a user.
[036]
As per another embodiment, the thermal conductive sheet is in direct contact with the top layer of the one or more heating or cooling devices. In one embodiment, the thermal conductive sheet is made of graphene. The attachment 30 means for attaching the thermal conductive sheet with the one or more heating
9
devices is adhesives. The thermal conductive sheet is located at a H
-point of the seat assembly.
[037]
As per another embodiment, a portion of the thermal conductive sheet is attached to the top layer of the one or more heating or cooling devices and the remaining portion of the thermal conductive sheet is disposed directly on the seat 5 top surface. A front surface of the thermal conductive sheet is directly disposed on the bottom portion of the seat top surface. The shape of the thermal conductive sheet is in conformity with the shape of the seat assembly.
[038]
As per another embodiment, the predetermined length of the thermal conductive sheet is in a longitudinal direction and is in the range of 100-200 mm. 10 The predefined distance between the centre of the thermal conductive sheet with the front portion of the seat foam in not more than 160 mm.
[039]
As per another embodiment, the seat assembly comprises a mode selector switch and a level selector switch on either left side or right side of the seat assembly and being connected to a seat controller through a wire routing. The wire routing is 15 grooved into the seat foam and the seat bottom surface. The one or more heating or cooling devices are further routed and electrically connected to the seat controller through a plurality of routings.
[040]
In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the H-point location does not cause discomfort to the ischium bones of the user and 20 the ischium bones do not come in direct contact with the hard metallic surface of the one or more heating or cooling devices and thereby provides a comfortable seating condition for the user.
[041]
In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the predetermined length being in the specified range accommodate and conform 25 with the shape and profile of the seat assembly which prevents the wastage of materials and also cause effective heating and cooling effect across the shape and structure of the seat assembly.
[042]
In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the use of adhesives as attachment means eliminates any complicated design changes 30
10
for attaching the thermal conductive sheet with the one or more heating or cooling
devices and also reduces cost of the seat assembly.
[043]
In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the routing connections is the shortest communication path, which provides minimal signal losses between the seat controller and the one or more heating or cooling 5 devices. Further, the seat controller is not too far from the one or more heating or cooling devices to receive the signal but still remain unaffected from major temperature fluctuations in the one or more heating or cooling devices.
[044]
The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely 10 illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. 15
[045]
The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary 20 skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[046]
Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or 25 numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation 30 and/or modification.
11
[047]
The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[048]
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a heating or cooling system for a seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A heating or cooling system (100) is configured to be assembled on a seat assembly 5 (300) (as shown in Figure 3a). The heating or cooling system (100) comprising a power unit (110). The power unit (110) is a power energy module such as a battery which is configured to supply power for the functioning of the heating or cooling system (100). The power unit (100) supplies power to a seat controller (112). The seat controller (112) is an electronic control unit which is configured to receive a 10 plurality of signals and also compute the plurality of signals to give a command to the heating or cooling system (100) to efficiently heat or cool the seat assembly (100).
[049]
The plurality of signals being a user input (108) and a controller signal (114). The user input (108) is received by the sea controller (112) from a switch unit 15 (102). The switch unit (102) comprises of manually operated electrical or electronics switches through which a user can give inputs for a desired heating or cooling effect. The switch unit (102) comprising a mode selector switch (104) and a level selector switch (106). The mode selector switch (104) is configured to aid the user to select the desired mode of operation. If the user wants the seat assembly (300) (as shown 20 in Figure 3a) to be heated, then he can select a hot mode by operating the mode selector switch (1047). Similarly, if the user wants the seat assembly (300) (as shown in Figure 3a) to be cooled, then he can select a cool mode by operating the mode selector switch (104).
[050]
The level selector switch (106) is configured to control the level of heating 25 or cooling effect desired by the user. The user can select a high level, a medium level and a low level of heating or cooing effect depending upon the weather conditions or depending upon the requirement of the user.
[051]
When the user input (108) is provided to the seat controller (112), the seat controller (112) computes the user input (108) and generates the controller signal 30 (114) to be given to a one or more heating or cooling devices (116). The one or more
12
heating or cooling device
s (116) is a thermoelectric heat sink. The one or more heating or cooling devices (116) causes transfer of heat from a main side (216) to a waste side (218) (as shown in figure 2). The one or more heating or cooling devices (116) is situated on a left side and a right side of the seat assembly (300) (as shown in Figure 3d). The one or more heating or cooling devices (116) being situated on 5 the left side is known as a left heating or cooling device (116a) and the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) being situated on the right side is known as a right heating or cooling device (116b). Depending upon the controller signal (114), the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) accordingly provides the desired heating or cooling effect across the seat assembly (300) (as shown in figure 3a). 10
[052]
Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart depicting the seat assembly being cooled by the heating or cooling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A method (200) for heating or cooling the seat assembly (300) (as shown in figure 3a) comprises numerous steps. The user provides the user input (108) by selecting the preferred modes from the mode selector switch (104) and the 15 level selector switch (106) as shown in step (202). Upon receiving the user input (108), the seat controller (112) sends a command signal to the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) as shown in step (204). The one or more heating or cooling devices (116) thereafter starts getting heated or cooled and reaches a desired temperature as per the user input (108) provided by the user as shown in step (206). 20
[053]
At the main side (216), the heat is conducted by a thermal conductive sheet (308) (as shown in figure 3b) from the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) as shown in step (212). The thermal conductive sheet (308) distributes the heat from the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) to a seat top surface (302) (as shown in figure 3b) as depicted in step (214). Simultaneously, at the waste side (218), the 25 heat is transferred away from the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) through a heat sink as shown in step (208). The heat sink is provided in the waste side (218). Thereafter, a fan which is located in the waste side (218) expels the excess heat to the environment as shown in step (210). Thus, this method efficiently controls the temperature of the seat assembly (300) (as shown in figure 3a) as per the desired 30 requirements of the user.
13
[054]
Figure 3a illustrates a left-side perspective view of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The seat assembly (300) comprising a seat top surface (302) and a seat bottom surface (304). The seat top surface (02) being made of rexin and the seat bottom surface (304) being made of plastic. The seat bottom surface (304) being configured to have grooves and 5 depressions customized to support the heating or cooling system (100) and also comprises of plurality of mounting means for mounting the seat assembly (300) on a surface.
[055]
The seat assembly (300) comprising the mode selector switch (104) and the level selector switch (106) provides ease of access of the mode selector switch 10 (104) and the level selector switch (106) to the user. The mode selector switch (104) and the level selector switch (106) are located in either left side or right side of the seat assembly (300) in one embodiment. The user is enabled to access the mode selector switch (104) and the level selector switch (106) during any weather conditions and the mode selector switch (104) and the level selector switch (106) 15 being clearly visible to the user for easy access and control.
[056]
Figure 3b illustrates an exploded view of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The seat assembly (300) comprising the seat top surface (302), a seat foam (306) and the seat bottom surface (304). The seat foam (306) is disposed between the seat top surface (302) and the 20 seat bottom surface (304). The one or more heating or cooling devices (116) are disposed in a cut out portion (309a, 309b). The cut-out portion (309a, 309b) is disposed on the left side and the right side of the seat foam (306). The thermal conductive sheet (308) is disposed on the top of the one or more heating or cooling devices (116). 25
[057]
One surface of the thermal conductive sheet (308) is assembled onto the seat foam (306) and the other surface of the thermal conductive sheet (308) is disposed towards the seat top surface (302). In one embodiment, the thermal conductive sheet (308) being made of graphene. The shape of the thermal conductive sheet (308) is in conformity with the shape of the seat assembly (300) in order to 30 prevent wastage of material used in the thermal conductive sheet (308) and also to
14
provide uniform distribution of heating and cooling effect to only a seated portion
of the seat assembly (300). A front surface of the thermal conductive sheet (308) is directly disposed on a bottom portion of the seat top surface (302) to provide efficient circulation of heating or cooling effect on the seat assembly (300).
[058]
The thermal conductive sheet (308) is placed just below the user on the 5 seat foam (306), such that the heating or cooling effect is directly passed on to the rider. In one embodiment, the thermal conductive sheet (308) is incorporated in a pillion seat for example in a vehicle.
[059]
Figure 3c illustrates a perspective view of a seat foam inside the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The seat 10 foam (306) comprises of the cut-out portions (309a, 309b) for fitting of the one or more heating or cooling devices (116). A portion of a top surface (312) of the seat foam (306) comprises a portion of the thermal conductive sheet (308) being attached to it. A rear surface of the thermal conductive sheet (308) is attached on to the top surface (312) of the seat foam (306). A bottom surface (310) of the seat foam (306) 15 comprises of depressions and guides for proper fitting of the heating or cooling system inside the seat assembly (300).
[060]
Figure 3d illustrates a routing of the heating or cooling system in the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The left heating or cooling device (116a) being attached on the left side of the seat bottom 20 surface (304). The right heating or cooling device (116a) being attached on the right side of the seat bottom surface (304). The left and right heating or cooling devices (116a, 116b) being connected to the seat controller (112) through a plurality of routings (314, 316) on the left and right side of the seat bottom surface (304) respectively. This arrangement of the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) 25 with the seat controller (112) is the shortest communication path, which provides minimal signal losses between the seat controller (112) and the one or more heating or cooling devices (116). The seat controller (112) being not too far from the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) to receive the signal but still remain unaffected from major temperature fluctuations. 30
15
[061]
A wire routing (318) is disposed on one side of the seat bottom surface (304) connecting the seat controller (112) with the switch unit (102). The wire routing (318) directly connects the switch unit (102) which minimizes loss of signal and provides efficient communication between the seat controller and the switch unit (102). 5
[062]
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a one or more heating or cooling devices of the heating or cooling system in the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The one or more heating or cooling devices (116) comprising a top layer (400) and a surrounding support structure (402) which fixedly accommodates the top layer (400) of the one or more heating or 10 cooling devices (116) in a cavity (404). The thermal conductive sheet (308) is directly attached on the top layer (400) of the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) through attaching mechanisms. A certain portion of the thermal conductive sheet (308) is attached on to the top layer (400) of the one or more heating or cooling devices (116). This arrangement ensures that the thermal conductive sheet (308) is 15 directly in contact with the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) and thereby prevents heat loss and also provides a shortest transmission path of the heating or cooling effect to reach the user seat from the one or more heating or cooling devices (116).
[063]
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a thermal conductive sheet on one or 20 more heating or cooling devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The thermal conductive sheet (308) is attached on the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) through an attachment means (500). The attachment means (500) being adhesives in one embodiment. The use of adhesives eliminates any complicated design changes for attaching the thermal conductive sheet (308) 25 with the one or more heating or cooling devices (116). Further, the use of adhesives also reduces the part count and also reduces the cost of assembling the thermal conductive sheet (308) on the one or more heating or cooling devices (116).
[064]
The thermal conductive sheet (308) being made of a predetermined length (L2) to conform with the shape of the seat assembly (300). The predetermined length 30 (L2) being in the range of 100-200 mm to accommodate and conform with the shape
16
and profile of the seat assembly (300) which prevents the wastage of materials and
also cause effective heating and cooling effect across the shape and structure of the seat assembly (300). The thermal conductive sheet (308) made with the predetermined length (L2) further prevents over distribution of the heating or cooling effect to the surrounding area and only provides effective heating or cooling effect 5 to the seated area of the user.
[065]
The thermal conductive sheet (308) made with the predetermined length (L2) is optimized such that the attachment of the thermal conductive sheet (308) with the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) lasts longer. A bigger surface area of the thermal conductive sheet (308) allows displacement of the thermal conductive 10 sheet (308) to larger loads from the user and can be effectively used in the seat assembly (300) with a larger surface area. However, a smaller dimension of the thermal conductive sheet (308) does not serve the purpose of providing effective heating or cooling effect as desired by the user.
[066]
The thermal conductive sheet (308) is situated at a H-point of the seat 15 assembly (300). The H-point (or hip-point) is a theoretical, relative location of an occupant's hip which specifically relates to a pivot point between a torso and an upper leg portions of a human body. The H-point is a location where the user’s bottom is not in contact with the one or more heating or cooling devices (116). This location does not cause discomfort to the ischium bones of the user and the ischium 20 bones do not come in direct contact with the hard metallic surface of the one or more heating or cooling devices (116) and thereby provides a comfortable seating condition for the user. The H-point is located at a predefined distance (L1) from the centre of the thermal conductive sheet (308) to a front portion (502) of the seat foam (306). The predefined distance (L1) being not greater than 160 mm in one 25 embodiment.
[067]
While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 30
17
Reference Numerals:
100 heating or cooling system
102 switch unit
104 mode selector switch 5
106 level selector switch
108 user input
110 power unit
112 seat controller
114 controller signal 10
116 one or more heating or cooling devices
116a left heating or cooling device
116b right heating or cooling 15 device
300 seat assembly
302 seat top surface
304 seat bottom surface
306 seat foam 20
308 thermal conductive sheet
309a, 309b cut out portions
310 seat foam bottom portion 25
312 seat foam top portion
314, 316 plurality of routings
318 wire routing
400 top layer of one or more heating or cooling devices 30
402 surrounding support structure
404 cavity
500 attachment means
502 front portion of seat 35 foam
40 , Claims:We Claim:
1.
A seat assembly (300) comprising:
a seat top surface (302);
a seat bottom surface (304);
a seat foam (306); 5
one or more heating or cooling devices (116); and
a thermal conductive sheet (308)
wherein
said seat foam (306) being disposed between said seat top surface (302) and said seat bottom surface (304); 10
said one or more heating or cooling devices (116) being disposed in a cut out portion (309a, 309b) in said seat foam (306), such that a top layer (400) of said one or more heating or cooling devices (116) being disposed towards said seat top surface (302);
said thermal conductive sheet (308) being disposed on said 15 one or more heating or cooling devices (116);
said thermal conductive sheet (308) being directly connected with said top layer (400) of said one or more heating or cooling devices (116) through an attachment means (500);
a centre of said thermal conductive sheet (308) being 20 configured to be at a predefined distance (L1) from a front portion (502) of said seat foam (306);
said thermal conductive sheet (308) being of a predetermined length (L2) and said thermal conductive sheet (308) being located equidistantly from a bottom portion of a user. 25
2.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermal conductive sheet (308) being in direct contact with said top layer (400) of said one or more heating or cooling devices (116).
3.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermal conductive sheet (308) being graphene. 30
19
4.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an attachment means (500) for attaching said thermal conductive sheet (308) with said one or more heating or cooling devices (116) being adhesives.
5.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermal conductive sheet (308) being located at a H-point of said seat assembly 5 (300).
6.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of said thermal conductive sheet (308) being attached to said top layer (400) of said one or more heating or cooling devices (116) and remaining portion of said thermal conductive sheet (308) being directly disposed on said seat top 10 surface (302).
7.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a front surface of said thermal conductive sheet (308) being disposed directly on a bottom portion of said seat top surface (302).
8.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein shape of said 15 thermal conductive sheet (308) being in conformity with shape of said seat assembly (300).
9.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined length (L2) of said thermal conductive sheet (308) being in a longitudinal direction. 20
10.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined length (L2) of said thermal conductive sheet (308) being in range of 100-200 mm.
11.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predefined distance (L1) from said centre of said thermal conductive sheet (308) to said 25 front portion (502) of said seat foam (306) being not more than 160 mm.
12.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat assembly (300) comprising a mode selector switch (104) and a level selector switch (106).
20
13.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mode selectorswitch (104) and said level selector switch (106) being disposed at either aleft side or a right-side portion of said seat assembly (300).
14.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mode selectorswitch (104) and said level selector switch (106) being connected to a seat5 controller (112) through a wire routing (314).
15.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wire routing(314)being grooved into said seat foam (306) and said seat bottom surface(304).
16.
The seat assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more10 heating or cooling devices (116) being routed and electrically connected tosaid seat controller (112) through a plurality of routings (310, 312).