DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE RESPONSE TIME OF A TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20140180493A1
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WET Automotive Systems Limited (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Csonti, Sergiu, Iqbal, Syed Rafat
• Granted Patent: US 9,678,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/299
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor

Abstract

A system comprising: (a) a temperature controlled device; (b) a primary energy source; (c) an electronic device, an electro-mechanical device, or both comprising: (i) a secondary energy source; (ii) a switching device; (iii) a measuring device; and (iv) optionally a controller; wherein the temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is turned on; wherein the measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source when the temperature controlled device achieves the predetermined condition; and wherein the predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a. a temperature controlled device;

b. a primary energy source;

c. an electronic device, an electro-mechanical device, or both comprising;

i. a secondary energy source;

ii. a switching device;

iii. a measuring device; and

iv. optionally a controller;

wherein the temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is turned on;

wherein the measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source when the temperature controlled device achieves the predetermined condition; and

wherein the predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device when connected to the primary energy source is connected to the controller and the controller regulates a temperature of the temperature controlled device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device has positive temperature coefficient characteristics and self-regulates when connected to the primary energy source.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary energy source is a constant current source, a constant power source, an amplified energy source, or a combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is about 70 percent or more, of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is achieved in about 45 seconds or less.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device is a cooling device that is a thermoelectric device that is in communication with a blower or is a blower.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined condition is about 105 percent or more of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device is a non-positive temperature coefficient heating device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary energy source is regulated using pulse width modulation.

11. A method comprising:

a. applying a secondary energy source to a temperature controlled device in a system;

b. monitoring one or more conditions of the temperature controlled device;

c. disconnecting the temperature controlled device from the secondary energy source when the one or more of the conditions achieves a predetermined value;

d. connecting the temperature controlled device to a primary energy source so that the temperature controlled device continues to control temperature;

wherein temperature controlled device are disconnected from the secondary energy source after about 60 seconds or less; and

wherein the temperature controlled device is a self-regulating heating device;

the temperature controlled device is connected to a controller that regulates the temperature of the temperature controlled device;

or a combination of both so that when the temperature controlled device is connected to the primary energy source the temperature controlled device maintains a pre-set temperature, a user selected temperature, or both.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more conditions of the temperature controlled device are time, resistance, temperature, or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the secondary energy source is a constant current source, a constant power source, an amplified energy source, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature controlled device is a cooling device and the cooling device is a thermoelectric device, a fan, or both.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature controlled device has positive temperature coefficient characteristics.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the system includes a switch that switches the temperature controlled device between the secondary energy source and the primary energy source.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more conditions is about 70 percent or more of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more conditions is about 105 percent or more of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more conditions is achieved in about 45 seconds or less.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more conditions is achieved in about 20 seconds or less.