HEATED SEAT FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20130207422A1
• Filed: 01/31/2013
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Potton, Brittany, Cox, John D.
• Application Number:
  US13/755,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20130207422A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/180.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance

Abstract

A heated seat for a vehicle that includes a heat element including at least one wire arranged in a predetermined pattern to substantially cover a cushion of the seat. The at least one wire includes a plurality of portions of varying resistance, wherein the plurality of portions of varying resistance are arranged in a configuration that corresponds a pressure distribution exerted on the cushion by an occupant of the seat.

Claims

1. A heated seat for a vehicle, comprising:

a cushion; and

a heating element disposed within said cushion, said heating element including at least one wire that includes a plurality of portions of varying resistance, said plurality of portions being arranged in a predetermined configuration that corresponds to a pressure distribution asserted on the seat by an occupant.

2. The heated seat of claim 1, wherein said portions of varying resistance include at least a first zone having a first resistance and a second zone having a second resistance.

3. The heated seat of claim 2, wherein said first resistance is greater than said second resistance.

4. The heated seat of claim 3, wherein said second portions are arranged in said predetermined configuration to correspond to regions of highest pressure in said pressure distribution.

5. The heated seat of claim 1, wherein said pressure distribution is U-shaped.

6. The heated seat of claim 1, wherein said wire is arranged in a serpentine pattern.

7. The heated seat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wires each having a plurality of portions of varying resistance, and the plurality of portions for each wire collectively being arranged in the configuration that corresponds to the pressure distribution asserted on the seat by the occupant.

8. The heated seat of claim 7, wherein the plurality of wires are arranged in a linear pattern.

9. The heated seat of claim 1, further comprising a second heat element disposed in a seat back cushion of the seat, the second heating element including a second wire that includes another plurality of portions of varying resistance, the another plurality of portions being arranged in another configuration that corresponds to a pressure distribution asserted on the seat back cushion by the occupant.

10. A heated seat comprising a heat element including at least one wire arranged in a predetermined pattern to substantially cover a cushion of the seat, the at least one wire including a plurality of portions of varying resistance, the plurality of portions of varying resistance being arranged in a configuration that corresponds to a pressure distribution exerted on the cushion by an occupant of the seat.

11. The heated seat of claim 10, wherein the wire is arranged in a serpentine pattern.

12. The heated seat of claim 10, wherein the wire is arranged in zig-zag pattern.

13. The heated seat of claim 10, wherein the portions of varying resistance are arranged in a U-shaped configuration.

14. The heated seat of claim 10, wherein the portions of varying resistance are provided by portions of the wire having different resistivities.

15. The heated seat of claim 10, wherein the portions of varying resistance of the wire include low-resistance portions and high-resistance portions.

16. The heated seat of claim 15, wherein the low-resistance portions are arranged to correspond to regions of the seat where high pressures are exerted by the occupant.

17. The heated seat of claim 15, wherein the high-resistance portions are arranged to correspond to regions of the seat where low pressures are exerted by the occupant.