WO2012042302A1

WO2012042302A1 - Air conditioning assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2012042302A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/054420
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sheji Moshwane
Original assignee: Anphotact Technology Enterprise Cc
Priority date: 2010-09-30
Filing date: 2010-09-30
Publication date: 2012-04-05

Abstract

An air conditioning assembly (10) is provided comprising a body (12) having a top sheet (14) and a bottom sheet (16), with cushioning elements (18) being provided between the top and bottom sheets. The cushioning elements are arranged to define an air distribution passage (20), the top sheet having zones of porosity (22) proximate the air distribution passage. The assembly (10) further comprises an air generating apparatus (24) fitted to the body (12) and being in fluid communication with the air distribution passage (20) so as to convey air into the air distribution passage (20) and ultimately out through the zones of porosity (22). In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly comprises a heating coil (26) within the cushioning elements (18) and adjacent the zones of porosity so as to heat the body. In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly (10) comprises a controller (28) connected to the air generating apparatus (24) and to the heating coil (26), thereby enabling a user to control the air generating apparatus and the heating coil.

Description

AIR CONDITIONING ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an air conditioning assembly that can be releasably fitted to items such as chairs, and in particular car seats, and to mattresses, in order to provide either a cooling or heating effect to occupant/user of the item fitted with the assembly.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

As every motorist knows, during the hot summer months and after several hours under direct sunlight, the inside of a vehicle becomes unbearable and the seats are burning hot. There is evidence that shows most of the traffic accidents occur during the hot summer months. Studies also show that the human body will easily feel tired when in an unbearable environment, especially in vehicles with no air-conditioning system.

Nowadays, however, most vehicles are fitted with air conditioning systems that an occupant may manipulate to provide either a cooling or heating effect within the interior of the vehicle. However, this often tends to be inefficient, in that the entire interior of the vehicle is cooled or heated, even when there is just one occupant. Some of the more luxurious vehicles have seats with integral heating and/or cooling arrangements, but these tend to be relatively expensive. In addition, studies show that using a vehicle's air conditioning system can substantially lower the vehicle's kilometers per liter performance as well as cause flu and migraines/headaches. It is thus an aim of the present invention to provide an air conditioning assembly that can be releasably fitted to items such as car seats and mattresses, in order to provide either a cooling or heating effect in an efficient and convenient manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an air conditioning assembly comprising: a body having a top sheet and a bottom sheet, with cushioning elements being provided between the top and bottom sheets, the cushioning elements being arranged to define an air distribution passage, the top sheet having zones of porosity proximate the air distribution passage; and air generating apparatus fitted to the body and being in fluid communication with the air distribution passage so as to convey air into the air distribution passage and ultimately out through the zones of porosity.

In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly comprises heating means in the form of a heating coil within the cushioning elements and adjacent the zones of porosity so as to heat the body.

In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly comprises a controller connected to the air generating apparatus and to the heating coil, thereby enabling a user to control the air generating apparatus and the heating coil.

In an embodiment, the air generating apparatus comprises a blower unit fitted with at least one fan for blowing and/or sucking air into the air distribution passage, the controller enabling the user to select a required speed at which the blower unit blows.

In an embodiment, the controller enables a user to control the temperature and/or length of time that the heating coil is activated, thereby enabling the user to control the heating function of the assembly. In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly comprises a power lead terminating in a power plug which can be fitted to an external power source to power the controller and thus the air generating apparatus and the heating coil.

Alternatively, the air conditioning assembly comprises an internal power source to power the controller and thus the air generating apparatus and the heating coil. ln an embodiment, the portions of the top sheet between and around the zones of porosity are not porous, thereby forcing the air to exit via the zones of porosity.

In an embodiment, the body is elongate, with the air distribution passage accordingly also being elongate.

In an embodiment, there are at least two elongate air distribution passages, each elongate air distribution passage being covered by mesh material defining the zones of porosity.

In an embodiment, the heating coil is wound between and on either side of the at least two elongate air distribution passages.

In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly comprises securing straps to enable the air conditioning assembly to be fitted to an item, the item being selected from a group comprising a vehicle seat, a mattress, a cushion and a baby chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of an air conditioning assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the air conditioning assembly in use fitted to a vehicle seat;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly taken along line 3-3 in

Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a detailed view of a controller component of the assembly, the controller being connected to an air generating apparatus component and to a heating coil component of the assembly; and

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the air conditioning assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, an air conditioning assembly 10 for use in conjunction with a vehicle seat 1 1 , comprises a body 12 having a top sheet 14 and a bottom sheet 16, the top and bottom sheets 14, 16 being best shown in Figure 3. Cushioning elements 18, typically automotive compliant foam, are provided between the top and bottom sheets 14, 16, the cushioning elements 18 being arranged to define air distribution passages 20. The top sheet 14 includes zones of porosity 22 proximate the air distribution passages 20.

The cushioning elements 18 need not take the automotive compliant foam, but any other suitable cushioning material may be used, such as latex, memory foam and the like.

The body 12 is typically elongate, with the air distribution passages 20 accordingly also being elongate. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two elongate air distribution passages 20, each elongate air distribution passage 20 being covered by mesh material defining the zones of porosity 22. In use, therefore, and with particular reference to the vehicle seat embodiment, this enables air to flow from the user's lower thigh area and all the way up to the lumber support and upper back area.

In other embodiments, however, the air distribution passages may extend horizontally across the body, or may take the form of a V-shape.

The air conditioning assembly 10 further comprises an air generating apparatus 24 fitted to the lower end of the body 12. The air generating apparatus 24 is in fluid communication with the air distribution passages 20 so as to convey air into the air distribution passage 20 and ultimately out through the zones of porosity 22, as indicated by arrows 25.

In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly 10 comprises heating means in the form of a heating coil 26 within the cushioning elements 18 and adjacent the zones of porosity 22 so as to heat the body 12. The heating coil is wound between and on either side of the two elongate air distribution passages 20. Clearly, the heating means is not limited to heating coils, with there being numerous other ways of achieving the required heating function, such as carbon heating pads, or an infrared heating system.

The air conditioning assembly 10 comprises a controller 28 connected to the air generating apparatus 24 and to the heating coil 26, thereby enabling a user to control the air generating apparatus 24 and the heating coil 26.

In an embodiment, the air generating apparatus 24 comprises a motorized blower unit 30 fitted with a pair of fans 31 for blowing and/or sucking air into the air distribution passages 20. The controller 28 thus enables the user to select a required speed at which the blower unit blows. In particular, the controller 28 comprises an ON/OFF toggle switch 32, which is also arranged to enable the user to selected one of 2 fan speeds. Advantageously, the power consumption of the fan blower unit 30 is low, and thus it can be left on for short periods when the vehicle is not running.

Alternatively, the air generating apparatus 24 may comprise other devices to provide a cooling effect, such as bladeless fans, or a proprietary Peltier effect assembly.

The controller 28 further enables a user to control the temperature and/or length of time that the heating coil 26 is activated, thereby enabling the user to control the heating function of the assembly. In particular, the controller 28 comprises a rotary switch 34 to facilitate the controlling of the heating coil 26.

In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly 10 comprises a power lead 36 that terminates in a power plug 38 which can be fitted to an external power source, such as the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket, to power the controller 28 and thus the air generating apparatus 24 and to the heating coil 26.

Although the controller 28 is shown as forming part of the blower unit 30 itself, it may also be integrated into the power plug 38 itself for easier accessibility. In yet another version, it is envisaged that the cooling and heating controls 32, 34 may be integrated in a small compact plastic (or suitable material) housing and mounted inline with the power source/cigarette plug wire 36. Alternatively, although not shown, the air conditioning assembly 10 may comprise an internal power source, such as a rechargeable battery, to power the controller 28 and thus the air generating apparatus 24 and to the heating coil 26. In an embodiment, the portions of the top sheet 14 between and around the zones of porosity 22 are not porous, and are typically made from a high quality vinyl. This therefore forces the air to exit via the zones of porosity 22, which is typically made from air-mesh material. The combination of vinyl and air-mesh fabric therefore provides optimum heat distribution and air-flow generation. However, it must be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the use of vinyl and air-mesh fabrics. For example, any other sufficiently porous material or heat resistant material may be used instead of the air-mesh material and vinyl, respectively.

In an embodiment, the air conditioning assembly 10 comprises securing straps 40 to enable the air conditioning assembly 10 to be fitted to the vehicle seat 1 1 .

The air conditioning assembly 10 may also be used in conjunction with other items, such as a mattress, a cushion, a baby chair, sofas, bed cushions, office chairs, carpets, clothing etc. The mattress version will now be briefly described with reference to Figure 5. The air conditioning assembly 60 for a mattress 61 comprises top and bottom sheets 62, 64, and cushioning elements that define air distribution passages 66, as described above. The top sheet 62 includes zones of porosity 68 proximate the air distribution passages 66 to enable air to escape out of the mattress 61 . Although not shown, the air conditioning assembly 60 comprises a heating coil within the cushioning elements and adjacent the zones of porosity 68 so as to heat the assembly 60, as described above. Air generating apparatus 70 comprising fans is provided to blow air into the air distribution passages 66 for exit via the zones of porosity 68. The air conditioning assembly 60 is also fitted with controllers 72, 74 that are connected to the air generating apparatus 70 and to the heating coil, respectively, thereby enabling a user to control the air generating apparatus 70 and the heating coil, as described above.

It is envisaged that the air conditioning assembly of the present invention may include more sophisticated functions. These include the use of an LCD, TFT or touch display screen either integrally fitted into the blower unit or separately attachable thereto. This display screen may display temperature readings, and may also provide programmable functions to allow a user to set an activation/deactivation timer according to his/her desired settings at programmed/allocated times.

The air conditioning assembly of the present invention is thus a user-friendly and versatile device, with built-in cooling and heating capabilities. It is specifically designed to provide efficient, comfort-enhancing climatic functions for the user/motorist by generating cooling airflow when it is hot, to help refresh the user, and generate a heated seat surface during cold weather conditions, to help keep the user warm. The present invention works particularly well to eliminate a sweaty back and bottom while commuting around town or during long trips. The cooling function may also be used as therapy for lower back pain. In addition, a vehicle fitted with the present invention may lower their fuel consumption by using the vehicle's air- conditioner less often. Advantageously, the internal arrangement of the assembly is such that none of the components/parts/accessories can be felt when the weight of the user presses on the surface, but yet the user will almost immediately start feeling cool or warm, as soon as the desired temperature setting has been selected. The electrical coil heater is robustly designed with safety in mind, and therefore accidental liquid spills on the apparatus will not cause an electrical shock. All used materials strictly comply with the highest automotive standards and are fire retardant to further ensure uncompromising safety for passengers.

Claims

1 . An air conditioning assembly comprising: a body having a top sheet and a bottom sheet, with cushioning elements being provided between the top and bottom sheets, the cushioning elements being arranged to define an air distribution passage, the top sheet having zones of porosity proximate the air distribution passage; and air generating apparatus fitted to the body and being in fluid communication with the air distribution passage so as to convey air into the air distribution passage and ultimately out through the zones of porosity.

The air conditioning assembly of claim 1 , further comprising heating means within the cushioning elements and adjacent the zones of porosity so as to heat the body.

The air conditioning assembly of claim 2, further comprising a controller connected to the air generating apparatus and to the heating means, thereby enabling a user to control the air generating apparatus and the heating means.

The air conditioning assembly of claim 3, wherein the air generating apparatus comprises a blower unit fitted with at least one fan for blowing and/or sucking air into the air distribution passage, the controller enabling the user to select a required speed at which the blower unit blows.

The air conditioning assembly of claim 3, wherein the controller enables a user to control the temperature and/or length of time that the heating means is activated, thereby enabling the user to control the heating function of the assembly.

6. The air conditioning assembly of claim 3, further comprising a power lead terminating in a power plug which can be fitted to an external power source to power the controller and thus the air generating apparatus and the heating means.

7. The air conditioning assembly of claim 3, further comprising an internal power source to power the controller and thus the air generating apparatus and the heating means.

8. The air conditioning assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portions of the top sheet between and around the zones of porosity are not porous, thereby forcing the air to exit via the zones of porosity.

9. The air conditioning assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is elongate, with the air distribution passage accordingly also being elongate.

10. The air conditioning assembly of claim 9, wherein there are at least two elongate air distribution passages, each elongate air distribution passage being covered by mesh material defining the zones of porosity.

1 1 . The air conditioning assembly of claim 10, wherein the heating means is wound between and on either side of the at least two elongate air distribution passages.

12. The air conditioning assembly of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising securing straps to enable the air conditioning assembly to be fitted to an item, the item being selected from a group comprising a vehicle seat, a mattress, a cushion and a baby chair.