1-51. (canceled)
52. A ventilated seat, comprising:
an air permeable trim layer;
at least one of a seat component or a backrest component comprising a shaped foam body located below the trim layer and having an upper surface and a lower surface;
an insert having at least a seat portion comprising;
a first flow control layer comprising at least one ventilation hole;
a fluid barrier layer;
a port in the first flow control layer or the fluid barrier layer; and
an open space located between the first control layer and the fluid barrier layer;
a spacer layer that is disposed between the trim layer and the insert;
a fan in fluid communication with the insert for moving air within the shaped foam body and across at least one of the open space and the spacer layer; and
a thermoelectric device in fluid communication with the fan.
53. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the spacer layer comprises a reticulated foam, a polymeric strand material, a grooved material or a helical material.
54. The ventilated seat of claim 2, further comprising a layer of adhesive in contact with the spacer layer, wherein the adhesive is used for securing the spacer layer in position.
55. The ventilated seat of claim 3, wherein the insert is a sealed edge insert.
56. The ventilated seat of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is a source of temperature conditioned air.
57. The ventilated seat of claim 5, further comprising a control unit for controlling at least one of the fan, and the thermoelectric device.
58. The ventilated seat of claim 1, further comprising:
a duct extending through the shaped foam body between the upper and the lower surfaces, wherein the duct being generally centrally located in the shaped foam body;
a fluid distribution ducting network defined in the shaped foam body, wherein the fluid distribution ducting network radially extends outward from the duct;
wherein the fan is in fluid communication with the insert through the duct and through the fluid distribution ducting network; and
the thermoelectric device is in fluid communication with the fan as a source of temperature conditioned air.
59. The ventilation seat of claim 7, wherein:
(i) the ventilation seat further comprises a spacer layer including a foam layer that is disposed between the trim layer and the insert;
(ii) the ventilation device further comprises a heater layer that is integrated onto the insert, is part of the trim cover, or is located between the trim layer and the insert;
(iii) the insert further comprises a layer of adhesive in contact with the foam layer, wherein the adhesive is used for securing the foam layer in position;
(iv) the fan blows or draws the temperature conditioned air from the thermoelectric device to the open space;
(v) the open space provides a mixing region where ambient air is combined with the temperature conditioned air;
(vi) the ambient air or the temperature conditioned air is blown or drawn by the fan through the duct; or
(vii) any combination thereof.
60. A ventilated seat for a vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle seat having a ventilated component selected from a seat component and a backrest component, at least one of which provides a seat cushion and an air permeable trim surface;
an insert located beneath the trim surface of the ventilated component, the insert including:
a first spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough; and
a flow control layer being generally located between the first spacer material and the trim surface, the flow control layer having at least one hole for enabling fluid flow through the trim surface; and
an air mover assembly including:
a blower adapted for moving air through the insert, the blower being fixedly secured to a frame member,
wherein the air mover assembly substantially adjoins the insert, and
wherein the seat cushion includes an opening extending therethrough for at least assisting in providing fluid communication between the blower and the insert.
61. The ventilated seat of claim 9, wherein the air mover assembly further includes a thermoelectric unit, a PTC heater, or both, in communication with the blower for moving air through the spacer layer.
62. The ventilated seat of claim 9, wherein:
(i) the ventilated seat further comprises a tubular member that is in communication with the blower, the tubular member having a first portion having and arcuate profile and a second portion substantially parallel with a side edge of the seat cushion;
(ii) the spacer layer further includes a second spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough, the second spacer material being generally located between the impermeable barrier layer and the trim surface; or
(iii) both (i) and (ii).
63. A method for ventilating a seat comprising the steps of:
providing:
an air permeable trim layer;
at least one of a seat component or a backrest component comprising a shaped foam body located below the trim layer and having an upper surface and a lower surface;
an insert having at least a seat portion comprising;
a first flow control layer comprising at least one ventilation hole;
a fluid barrier layer;
a port in the first flow control layer or the fluid barrier layer; and
an open space located between the first control layer and the fluid barrier layer;
a spacer layer that is disposed between the trim layer and the insert;
a fan in fluid communication with the insert;
a thermoelectric device in fluid communication with the fan, the thermoelectric device being a source of temperature conditioned air;
wherein the spacer layer comprises a reticulated foam, a polymeric strand material, a grooved material or a helical material, the insert is a sealed edge insert
securing the spacer layer in position with a layer of adhesive in contact with the spacer layer;
moving air within the shaped foam body and across at least one of the open space and the spacer layer.
64. A method for ventilating a seat comprising the steps of:
providing:
a vehicle seat having a ventilated component selected from a seat component and a backrest component, at least one of which provides a seat cushion and an air permeable trim surface;
an insert located beneath the trim surface of the ventilated component, the insert including:
a first spacer material that is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough; and
a flow control layer being generally located between the first spacer material and the trim surface, the flow control layer having at least one hole for enabling fluid flow through the trim surface; and
an air mover assembly including a blower, the air mover assembly substantially adjoining the insert, and
wherein the seat cushion includes an opening extending therethrough for at least assisting in providing fluid communication between the blower and the insert;
fixedly securing the blower to a frame member; and
moving air through the insert by way of the air mover.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A liquid crystal display having a plurality of pixel regions arranged in a matrix, the liquid crystal display comprising:
a first substrate and a second substrate processed for vertical alignment;
a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules aligning in a direction generally perpendicular to a principal surface of the first substrate when no substantial electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer;
a regulating structure including a bending portion provided on at least one of the first and second substrates for regulating orientation of the liquid crystal layer such that the liquid crystal molecules are aligned obliquely when a voltage is applied so that the orientation will include a plurality of directions;
a pixel electrode in each of the pixel regions;
a first capacitor electrode in each of the pixel regions, the first capacitor electrode having a main body and an extending portion extending outwardly from one side of the main body;
a second capacitor electrode in each of the pixel regions, the second capacitor electrode having a main body of the second capacitor electrode and an extending portion extending outwardly from one side of the main body of the second capacitor electrode, the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode being formed at a location corresponding to a triangular area of the pixel region defined by the bending portion of the regulating structure and an edge of the pixel electrode adjacent to the bending portion of the regulating structure, wherein the angle included between the regulating structure and the edge of the pixel electrode is less than 90 degrees, and the main body of the second capacitor extends outwardly from the triangular area in a first direction and the extending portion of the second capacitor extends in a second direction not parallel to the first direction;
an interconnecting portion defining an interconnecting portion area in each of the pixel regions, the interconnecting portion electrically coupling the second capacitor electrode and the pixel electrode such that the second capacitor electrode and the pixel electrode together functions as a counter electrode to the first capacitor electrode; and
a plurality of spacers for maintaining a cell gap between the first and second substrates, the plurality of spacers being disposed in a disposed spacer region corresponding to the triangular area of the pixel region and mitigating dark-state light leakage, the disposed spacer region is within the triangular area, and
wherein the disposed spacer region is different from the interconnecting portion area.
2. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first substrate further comprises a common electrode.
3. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein a darker region of the pixel region in a light transmissive state includes the disposed spacer region.
4. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disposed spacer region is an acute triangular area enclosed by the regulating structure and the edge of the pixel electrode.
5. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interconnecting portion area is within a region defined by the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode and the main body of the second capacitor electrode adjacent to the extending portion.
6. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of parallel gate lines formed on the second substrate, and a plurality of parallel data lines perpendicular to the gate lines, wherein each of the pixel regions is defined by two adjacent gate lines and two adjacent data lines.
7. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first capacitor electrode and the gate lines are formed from a first metal layer, and the second capacitor electrode and the data lines are formed from a second metal layer.
8. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode substantially has a triangular contour.
9. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode substantially has a trapezoid contour.
10. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode has at least one edge situated at an angle of 135 degrees to the main body of the second capacitor electrode.
11. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode includes at least one branch.
12. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode includes two branches each situated at an angle of 135 degrees to the main body of the second capacitor electrode.
13. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the regulating structure comprises an array of protrusions provided on the first substrate and an array of slits provided on the pixel electrodes, wherein the protrusions are arranged substantially in a zigzag pattern and in parallel to one another, and the slits and the protrusions are arranged alternately.
14. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 13, wherein the protrusions have a plurality of branches.
15. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 13, wherein the slits have a plurality of indentations.
16. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in each of the pixel regions, one of the protrusions has a bending portion, and the extending portion of the second capacitor electrode is substantially formed between the bending portion and a data line adjacent to the bending portion.
17. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the regulating structure comprises an array of first slits provided on the first substrate and an array of second slits provided on the pixel electrodes, wherein the first slits are arranged substantially in a zigzag pattern and in parallel to one another, and the first slits and the second slits are arranged alternately.
18. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein the spacers and the interconnecting portion are arranged in a line along the main body of the second capacitor electrode.
19. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein the disposed spacer region is closer to a most extended part of the extending portion than the interconnecting portion is to the most extended part of the extending portion.
20. A liquid crystal display having a plurality of pixel regions arranged in a matrix, the liquid crystal display comprising:
a first substrate and a second substrate;
a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate;
a plurality of gate lines and data lines formed on the second substrate, wherein each of the pixel regions is defined by two adjacent gate lines and two adjacent data lines;
an array of first regulating structures provided on the first substrate;
a pixel electrode on the second substrate, the pixel electrode including an array of second regulating structures wherein the first regulating structures and the second regulating structures are arranged alternately, and each of the pixel regions is divided into a plurality of regions by the first regulating structures and the second regulating structures;
a first capacitor electrode in each of the pixel regions for forming a storage capacitor unit together with the pixel electrode, wherein, in each of the pixel regions, one of the first regulating structures includes a bending portion; and
a plurality of spacers for maintaining a cell gap between the first and second substrates, wherein the spacers are disposed at a disposed spacer region, wherein the disposed spacer region is within a triangular area to mitigate dark-state light leakage, the triangular area being defined by the bending portion of the first regulating structure and the data line adjacent to the bending portion of the first regulating structure.
21. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first substrate further comprises a common electrode.
22. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first regulating structures are an array of protrusions structures provided on the common electrode and the second regulating structures are an array of slits arranged substantially in a zigzag pattern.
23. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 20, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, and the first and second substrates are processed for vertical alignment such that the direction of the liquid crystal molecules is generally perpendicular to the surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate.
24. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 20, wherein the liquid crystal layer is formed from a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy.
25. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 20, wherein the data lines are parallel to each other and the pixel electrodes are disposed in the pixel regions.
26. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gate lines are perpendicular to the data lines.
27. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 25, further comprising:
a second capacitor electrode in each of the pixel regions; and
an interconnecting portion defining an interconnecting portion area in each of the pixel regions, the interconnecting portion electrically coupling the second capacitor electrode and the pixel electrode such that the second capacitor electrode and the pixel electrode together function as a counter electrode to the first capacitor electrode, and
wherein the disposed spacer region is different from the interconnecting portion area.
28. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 27, wherein the interconnecting portion area is within the region defined by an extending portion of the second capacitor electrode and a main body of the second capacitor electrode adjacent to the extending portion.
29. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first capacitor electrode and the gate lines are formed from a first metal layer, and the second capacitor electrode and the data lines are formed from a second metal layer.
30. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first regulating structures are an array of protrusions being arranged substantially in a zigzag pattern.
31. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 30, wherein the protrusions have a plurality of branches.
32. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 30, wherein the second regulating structures are an array of slits have a plurality of indentations.
33. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first capacitor electrode having a main body extending in a first direction and an extending portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction, the extending portion of the first capacitor electrode substantially has a triangular contour and the extending portion of the first capacitor electrode is substantially formed within the triangular area.
34. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 33, wherein the extending portion of the first capacitor electrode substantially has a trapezoid contour.
35. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 33, wherein the extending portion of the first capacitor electrode has at least one edge situated at an angle of 135 degrees to the main body of the first capacitor electrode.
36. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 33, wherein the extending portion of the first capacitor electrode includes at least one branch.
37. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 33, wherein the extending portion of the first capacitor electrode includes two branches each situated at an angle of 135 degrees to a main body of the second capacitor electrode.
38. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 33, wherein the angle included between the first direction and the second direction is 135 degrees.
39. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 33, wherein the second direction is parallel to the first regulating structure adjacent to the extending portion of the first capacitor electrode.