US20060279113A1

US20060279113A1 - Cooled air motorcycle seat system

Info

Publication number: US20060279113A1
Application number: US11/045,036
Authority: US
Inventors: Rick Pautz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2005-06-08
Publication date: 2006-12-14

Abstract

This cooled motorcycle seat system has provisions for directing cool air onto operators seating area to enhance seat comfort. This is electrical based without Freon that generates cooled air and subsequently forces the cooled air through and onto the motorcycle seating surface. The system draws outside air past a thermoelectric ceramic disc. This device both cools and heats the air depending on current flow direction. The cooled portion of the air is ducted through the seat into a porous media and onto the seat cover with perforated (punched) holes to allow cool air to escape. Similarly the heated by product air is exhausted downward away from operator. Only cooled air is used for this system due to inherent warm weather usage of a motorcycle. The device is controlled by a simple on/off switch which draws current from the electrical system and is mounted for easy access

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to motorcycle seats.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A motorcycle defined as a two wheeled motor driven devise typically has a padded seat mounted on the top of the vehicles frame. This allows the rider a seating position used to control the cycle. The padded seats have been constructed out of soft stretchable PVC (vinyl), leather or similar media. The style of seat for which the cover material is sewn varies along with the design of the cycle. This cooled seat however does have design constraints that require thickness and construction materials making it unique among other constructions. Warm weather is normally associated with motorcycle riding, therefore the seating surfaces can become warm or hot to the touch. This is especially true for seats directly with sun load when parked.
A typical dark to black colored motorcycle seat absorbs sun load and transfers this heat to the rider when first sitting down on vehicle. Likewise, body temperature also transfers into the seat since no air circulation occurs due to the restriction of any air flow within that area. This motorcycle seat design draws ambient air into a thermo cooling device where the air is conditioned to be significantly cooler. The cooled air is forced through the seat ducting into a fiberous media that disperses the cooled air onto the seating surface. This air is then evacuated through small holes (perforations) in the seat cover. This allows for the conditioned air to pass directly onto the seating surface to contact the rider for enhanced comfort. Function is used for occupant cooling during long rides where added comfort is desired.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention is a new and improved motorcycle seating system for enhanced rider comfort. It draws in ambient air which is cooled and then dispersed along the seating surface to significantly reduce heat either by sun load or occupant interaction. The cooled air is gently forced along the seat surface by a integral fan that also exhausts the heated air byproduct away from the seating surface. The warm air byproduct is exhausted along the bottom of the seat away from the occupant and next to the frame of the cycle. This exhaust air is not the byproduct of any chemical reaction. Explaining the cooling function accomplished by the thermoelectric device, is an electrical reaction that requires no combustion, Freon or any other chemical interaction to occur. Therefore the cooled and heated air are merely products of a electrically charged ceramic disc. This reaction is well know among portable coolers, drink holders and automotive seat applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear orthographic view of a generic two person motorcycle seat design showing the perforated cover material location for the front primary rider and location of the air intake grille. Illustrated with holes for conditioned air flow through perforated (punched out holes) in cover material. Seat is shown separate from remaining motorcycle.
FIG. 2 is a frontal orthographic view of the same generic motorcycle seat design showing air flow direction. Note arrows depict air flow direction.
FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the cooled seat showing internal design along with mating items normally found on a motorcycle such as rear portion of fuel tank and rear fender for reference purposes.
FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 in which a left side perspective view of the cooled seat showing internal design along with same mating items normally found on a motorcycle such as rear portion of fuel tank and rear fender for reference purposes.
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the cooled seat showing the exposed mechanism and air distribution system. Electrical feed is included for reference since the system is powered by battery supplied current from main electrical system. The round thermoelectric device is shown as an integral fan for forced air distribution through the adjoining dust work. Detail within thermo-electric unit is not necessary since it is a separate device that provides cooling function.
FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the cooled seat showing the perforation (open holes) cover material for the primary rider. The holes in the perforated material are generally 2-4 mm in diameter to allow for unrestricted airflow. Perforated material must be placed over entire porous material to allow unrestricted airflow up onto seating surface.
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view showing a generic seat design with the air intake grille in place. This is the location which draws in ambient air for the condition air system.
FIG. 8 is a reference graphic depiction of the thermoelectric device used in this invention as the cooling, exhaust and fan forced air movement device. This item is only for reference of capability and has separate patents. This device is for a cooling function and air flow only.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referencing FIG. 1-2, are front and rear orthographic views of the motorcycle seat for the air flow direction with system operational in cool mode. Ambient air 70 intake, enters system to be conditioned through grill 13. Resultant cooled air 60 is forced out through the perforated cover 11 while the heated by product air 65 is exhausted under seat grill 21-22 (shown on FIG. 3-4-5) and away from rider. Note that graphic generic seat in FIG. 1-2 is free standing and away from overall complete motorcycle.
Referring to FIG. 3-4, in side views, this seat 10 system according to this invention is disposed in a graphically represented motorcycle environment. This represents a reference side view with the rearward portion of the fuel tank 30 forward of the seat 10 and the rear wheel fender 38 under the rear portion of the same seat 10 to achieve proper positioning and reference points.
As seen best in side views on FIG. 3-4. The internal construction of the seat 10 details the design configuration. FIG. 3 includes the electrical feed line 15 into connector 14 from the switch 16 and battery 18 or an available circuit breaker within the fairing of touring models with proper ground 19. Power line 17 connects battery 18 to switch 16. The electric feed of approx 4-6 amps required to run the thermo-electric device 26 is controlled by a simple toggle switch 16 rated for this current draw. Switch 16 mounting and location can be defined with cycle architecture. Switch 16 allows current to flow along line 15, directly into thermoelectric device 26.
Upon energizing the thermo device 26, the unit begins to develop both cool 60 and heat air 65 as drawn into the device from outside 70 through grill 13 and duct 25. The cooled air 60, is forced into duct 28 held in place with flexible coupling 27 and 29. This flexible coupling 27 and 29 allow for flexing/movement when passenger rear seat 12 is utilized. The movement allows for passenger weight to be applied and still maintain a level of comfort. The conditioned air 60 then moves into distribution chamber duct 33 which adjoins the porous material 34. The porous material is held in place by solid platform 20. This platform 20 only allows air flow upward. The porous material 34 allows for air flow while still maintaining its shape and softness for seat comfort. Porous material 34 is similar to filter media and has been referred to as “Mueller Foam” for automotive applications. The cooled air 60 is forced up through the perforated cover stock 11 to evacuate. This process is similar in concept the byproduct heated air 65 going in the opposite direction. As the unit develops cooled air 60, it also develops equalizing heated air 65. This heated by product air 65 is not necessary for a cooled seat function and therefore is exhausted through grills 21-22 as waste air.
Note that this system could also provide heated air for the seat by reversing the current flow. However motorcycling is often considered a warm weather function thereby not normally utilizing the heated seat option. Simply reversing the current flow would reverse the cool side of the thermo-electric ceramic disk by making it turn hot and subsequently exhausting the cooled air. The heated air would then be forced up into the porous material of the seat surface.
It is imperative that both cool air 60 and heat air 65 have unrestricted flow for optimum performance. Therefore the exhaust or byproduct heated air 65 will be forced by the same fan in thermo device 26 to be sent through ducts 23-24 and evacuated from the system through grills 21-22.
FIG. 5 details the internal design of the cooled seat as shown from a bottom perspective view. Again ambient air is drawn through grill 13 into duct 25 by thermo device 26. This device 26 conditions air with cooled air being forced into duct 28 passing couplings 27 and 29 into distribution chamber 33. The porous foam 34 in FIG. 3-4 is held in this chamber 33 and supported on platform 20, allows the conditioned air only to pass up through and out the perforated cover 11 (FIG. 6). Exhaust heated air 65 is forced through the opposite side of the thermoelectric device into ducts 23-24 and out through grills 21-22.
FIG. 6 shows the top perspective view of the cooled seat 10. The periphery or outside of the seat 10 includes non-perforated sewn cover material. Perforated (punched out holes) cover 11 is sewn into the overall cover. Raised passenger area of rear seat 12 is also of the non-perforated material. Note that the seat cover could be made entirely of perforated material. While perforation 11 is mandatory only above the porous material 34 to allow the cooled air 60 to reach rider surface, it may be added to entire seat or portions if so desired.
FIG. 7 shows the rear view of seat in which intake grill 13 is placed on rear of seat 10. Non-perforated cover material is highlighted at rear view.
FIG. 8 is used as reference for a generic thermoelectric device 26 that would fit this application. It has been used on automotive applications and has a strong fan to easily move air through system. No detail for this device 26 is necessary since the internal workings have a separate patent that is not related to this motorcycle cooled seat design. Mere functionality and performance are its attributes.

Claims

1. The unique design of this cooled motorcycle seat is based on the specific application of its use on a narrow, compact tandem seat that is not identified in larger generic automotive type seats. Buss et al, Rauh et al and Kunkel et al describe larger single occupant enclosed environment seats different than a tandem motorcycle seat. This patent is to establish the design parameters for a tandem motorcycle seat rather than the automobile type of seat.

2. Claimed invention for a uniquely configured motorcycle seat Design. The ducting and air flow configuration being specific for motorcycle seating exposed to outside environment.

3. To accommodate the internal workings of a cooled air flow device design of the seat itself and not the thermoelectric device which already exists.