Device for heating a component in a vehicle

• US 20030000942A1
• Filed: 07/24/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Ab (Kongsberg Automotive ASA)
• Original Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Ab (Kongsberg Automotive ASA)
• Inventors: Holmberg, Lennart, Westh, Gustav
• Application Number:
  US10/182,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20030000942A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/544
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/748 for heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance

Abstract

The invention constitutes a device for heating a component (3) in a vehicle environment comprising a heating element (2) and means for feeding current (I) through the heating element (2). The invention is characterized in that the heating element (2) is constructed in the form of a heating wire which in turn comprises a number of strands (16) arranged together, of which a predetermined number of strands (16) comprises an individual electrical insulation (17). Using the invention an enhanced device for beating of a vehicle seat is acquired, with which help the risk of the so called “hot-spot” problem may be eliminated.

Claims

1. Device for heating a component (3) in a vehicle environment comprising a heating element (2) and means for feeding current (I) through the heating element (2), characterized in that the heating element (2) is constructed in the form of a heating wire which in turn comprises a number of strands (16) arranged together, of which a predetermined number of strands (16) comprises an individual electrical insulation (17), and that the insulated strands (16) are electrically parallel connected and connected in their respective end parts to said means for feeding current (I).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said electrical insulation (17) consists of an electrically insulating layer.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the number of strands (16) in the heating wire (2) comprising an individual insulation (17) is chosen depending on demands concerning the maximum allowed temperature increase of said seat (3) in consequence of a possible interruption of one of more strands (16).

4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the strands (16) that are included in the heating wire (2) comprise an individual electrical insulation (17).

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said strands (16) are electrically parallel connected.

6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of strands (16) is essentially of the magnitude 15-150.

7. Heating element (2) for heating of a seat (3) by feeding current (I) through the heating element (2) depending on a predetermined desired value (T_b), Characterized in that the heating element (2) is constructed in the form of a heating wire which in turn comprises a number of strands (16) arranged together, of which a predetermined number comprises an individual electrical insulation (17), and that the insulated strands (16) are electrically parallel connected and connected in their respective end parts to said means for feeding current (I).

8. Heating element according to claim 7, characterized in that the number of strands (16) is essentially of the magnitude 15-150.