Combined sensor and heating element

• US 20030141983A1
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SARL
• Inventors: Schmiz, Marc, Schockmel, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,906,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/687
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/029 Heaters specially adapted for seat warmers
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs

Abstract

A combined sensor and heating element comprising a sensor mat with several pressure-sensitive areas which are interconnected by means of flexible connection strips, in addition to an electrical heat conductor. According to the invention, the heat conductor is placed directly on the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

Claims

1. Combined sensor and heating element, comprising a sensor mat having several active regions interconnected by flexible connection strips, and a heat conductor, characterized in that the heat conductor is directly applied onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

2. Combined sensor and heating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat conductor is covered by a protective layer.

3. Combined sensor and heating element according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective layer comprises a plastic foil.

4. Combined sensor and heating element according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective layer comprises a bonded fabrics layer.

5. Combined sensor and heating element according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the protective layer is laminated onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

6. Combined sensor and heating element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heat conductor is glued onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

7. Combined sensor and heating element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heat conductor is printed onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

8. Combined sensor and heating element according to claim 7, characterized in that the heat conductor comprises a semiconductor ink.

9. Combined sensor and heating element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat conductor comprises a high-resistivity material with a positive temperature coefficient.

10. Combined sensor and heating element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electric connections of the sensor mat and electric connections of the heat conductor are arranged at a common terminal lug of the combined sensor and heating element.

11. Combined sensor and heating element according to claim 10, characterized in that the sensor mat and the heat conductor can be connected to a combined evaluation and supply circuit.

12. Vehicle seat comprising a combined sensor and heating element according to one of claims 1 to 11.