Conductive heater having sensing capabilities
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a) at least one of a heating layer including a heater and a sensing layer including a sensor;
b) a power connection portion configured to receive power provided to the device and a portion configured to sense contact with the device, wherein at least one of the power connection portion and the sensing portion is connected to at least one of the heating layer and the sensing layer;
c) a first transistor located between (i) at least one of the heating layer and the sensing layer and (ii) a ground, the first transistor having an on state and an off state;
d) a second transistor located between (i) a power source and (ii) at least one of the heating layer and the sensing layer, the second transistor having an on state and an off state;
wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within a same plane; and
wherein, when in the on state, the first transistor and the second transistor allow power to pass through the heating layer to turn on the heater and, when in the off state, the first transistor and the second transistor prevent power from passing through the heating layer and the sensing layer from the power source so that a signal is passed through the sensing layer to detect a presence of an occupant;
a first resistor having a first end connected between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second end connected to an output; and
a sensing controller configured to provide the signal when the first transistor and the second transistor are in the off state, wherein the sensing controller provides the signal through the first resistor from the first end to the output such that the signal does not pass through the heater.
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Abstract
A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat.
197 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a) at least one of a heating layer including a heater and a sensing layer including a sensor; b) a power connection portion configured to receive power provided to the device and a portion configured to sense contact with the device, wherein at least one of the power connection portion and the sensing portion is connected to at least one of the heating layer and the sensing layer; c) a first transistor located between (i) at least one of the heating layer and the sensing layer and (ii) a ground, the first transistor having an on state and an off state; d) a second transistor located between (i) a power source and (ii) at least one of the heating layer and the sensing layer, the second transistor having an on state and an off state; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within a same plane; and wherein, when in the on state, the first transistor and the second transistor allow power to pass through the heating layer to turn on the heater and, when in the off state, the first transistor and the second transistor prevent power from passing through the heating layer and the sensing layer from the power source so that a signal is passed through the sensing layer to detect a presence of an occupant; a first resistor having a first end connected between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second end connected to an output; and a sensing controller configured to provide the signal when the first transistor and the second transistor are in the off state, wherein the sensing controller provides the signal through the first resistor from the first end to the output such that the signal does not pass through the heater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15)
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11. A method comprising:
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a) installing a combination heater and sensor into a component of an automobile; b) providing power to the combination heater and sensor so that a heating layer of the combination heater and sensor produces heat; c) providing Rap an input signal to the combination heater and sensor through a resistor so that a sensing layer of the combination heater and sensor produces an output signal for determining at least one of presence of an occupant and contact between the occupant and the component of the automobile; d) monitoring the output signal for at least one of an occupant, lack of an occupant, and lack of contact between the component and the occupant; e) turning a first transistor and a second transistor off during step (c); and f) turning the first transistor and the second transistor on during step (b), wherein the resistor has a first end connected between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second end connect to an output, wherein the input signal is provided to the first end of the resistor such that the signal does not pass through the heater, and wherein the output signal is generated at the output. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 16, 17)
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Specification