An occupant support system includes a vehicle seat and an electronics system for the vehicle seat. The electronics system includes a sensor system configured to obtain sensor data and a computer coupled to the sensor system to process the sensor data and perform a predetermined action using the sensor data.

Features for a vapor compression system configured to cool and/or heat (i.e. thermally condition) two or more distinct climate controlled vehicle interior components via a common thermal bus are disclosed. Some embodiments employ a single compressor. Some embodiments employ multiple compressors and/or thermal buses, each servicing components located within respective interior thermal zones of a vehicle, for example a front row seat zone, second and/or third row seat zones, and/or an overhead zone and/or a trunk zone.

An embodiment relates to a heat transfer device including a heat generating device configured to generate heat having predetermined intensity by a user, a cover in contact with a body of the user while covering the heat generating device, and a heat transfer medium provided between the heat generating device and the cover to transfer the heat generated by the heat generating device, wherein the heat transfer medium is a structure that is formed by entangling a single wire having a predetermined length and has a predetermined width and a predetermined height, and is a structure that is compressed in an axial direction when being in contact with the body of the user and thus has a Poisson's ratio of 0.5 or higher. Thus, a structural change in the heat generating device is not required and only a material in contact with the heat generating device is changed, so that generated heat may more rapidly reach the body of the user.

Systems, assemblies and circuits are provided for combined heating and occupancy for vehicle seats wherein a plurality of conductors are arranged in a parallel circuit configuration with respect to each other and are attached to a seat mat. Each of the conductors is configured to generate heat in response to receiving an electrical current. Each of the conductors is configured to generate an electrical field in response to receiving an electrical signal and with the electrical field being recognizable for determining presence of an occupant on the seat. At least one bypass conductor is connected between two of the conductors to preserve heating and/or occupancy detection capabilities of the circuit in the event of breakage in any one or more of the conductors.

A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion, and at least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion having a passage. The assembly further includes a flow control layer coupled to the cushion having the passage with the flow control layer defining a first support area having a first plurality of slits and a second support area, adjacent to the first support area, having a second plurality of slits. Each slit defines a width that is moveable between a restricted position and a free-flowing position. The width of the first slits can move to the free-flowing position while the width of the second slits remains in the restricted position when the first support area receives a first load for flowing air through the first slits and the passage.

A distribution system for a vehicle seat. The distribution system includes one or more plenums that each have a cap layer, a support layer, and an open space formed between the cap layer and the support layer. The support layer is a generally rigid material and the cap layer is a generally flexible material that is connected to the support layer. The open space includes one or more baffles that assist in directing fluid between a blower connected to the one or more plenums and one or more ventilation holes.

An electronic control unit for a heating device of a vehicle seat that includes: a printed circuit board on which one or more heat sources are arranged; a printed circuit board temperature sensor which is thermally coupled to at least one of the one or more heat sources on the printed circuit board; and at least one heating wire temperature sensor configured to be thermally coupled to a heating wire of the heating device; and a data processing device configured to determine a temperature of the heating wire based on temperature measured values of the printed circuit board temperature sensor and of the at least one heating wire temperature sensor.

A heating and cooling device is disclosed comprising at least one integral low voltage heating and cooling source and an efficient flexible heat distribution means having a thermal conductivity of from 375 to 4000 W/mK for distributing the heat and cool across a surface. Further aspects include thermal interface compounds to provide full thermal contact as well as the use of a phase change material to provide a long lasting heating and/or cooling effect without the use of external electrical input. Preferred applications include automotive and furniture seating heating and cooling, along with outdoor garments having distributed heating and cooling effects.

It is provided a seat pad having excellent comfort in seating with improved air permeability and cushion durability in a seat pad of the vehicle seat. The seat pad includes an air permeable member having a ventilation n function with an outside. The seat pad is integrally foam molded using a foamed resin material in a state where the air permeable member is introduced. The seat pad has a surface of the air permeable member projecting with respect to a surface of the seat pad located at a closest position to the air permeable member.

A seating assembly includes a seatback having a frame and a cushion assembly. A cushion carrier includes a lower member defining a frame receiving cavity. A first set of ribs extend across the frame receiving cavity in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the lower member. The first set of ribs extend between the lower member and a lower brace of the frame. A second set of ribs are parallel with the first set of ribs. The second set of ribs are longer than the first set of ribs.