CIRCUIT INTEGRITY DETECTION SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE INTEGRITY OF A SENSING WIRE IN ELECTRICALLY HEATED TEXTILES

• US 20150008934A1
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Kohn, Gabriel
• Granted Patent: US 9,519,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/511
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 15/007 Testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/16 using resistive elements resistive elements per se H01C, H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/00 Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/00 Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2829 Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2221/00 Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof covered by H01L21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0272 For heating of fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/019 Heaters using heating elements having a negative temperature coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/02 Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles

Abstract

A circuit integrity detection system for use in detecting the integrity of sensing wire in a heating pad wherein the integrity of the sensing wire is checking the inputs from a first and second A/D converter connected to opposite ends of the sensing wire.

Claims

1. An electrically heated textile comprising:

a heating element in communication with an NTC material, wherein a first signal is generated through the heating element at a first frequency;

a sensing wire for detecting a hotspot created by the heating element;

a first A/D converter connected to a first end of the sensing wire;

a second A/D converter connected to a second end of the sensing wire; and

a signal detector for detecting the signal from the first and second A/D converters.

2. The electrically heated textile as set forth in claim 1 further including:

a layer having a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) positioned between the heating element and the sensing wire.

3. The electrically heated textile as set forth in claim 2 where the NTC layer is positioned about the heating element, and the sensing wire is wrapped around the NTC layer.

4. The electrically heated textile as set forth in claim 2, wherein when the signal from the first A/D converter equals the signal from the second A/D converter, and the voltage in the first A/D convert is less than x volts, there is no breaks in the sensing wire and no hot spots in the heating element.

5. The electrically heated textile as set forth in claim 2, wherein when the signal from the first A/D converter equal the signal from the second A/D converter, and the voltage in the first A/D convert is greater then x volts, there is no breaks in the sensing wire and a hot spot in the heating element.

6. The electrically heated textile as set forth in claim 2, wherein when the signal from the first A/D converter equal the signal from the second A/D converter, and the voltage in the first A/D convert is less then x volts, there can be a break in the sensing wire and no hot spots in the heating element.

7. The electrically heated textile as set forth in claim 2, wherein when the signal from the first A/D converter does not equal the signal from the second A/D converter there is a break in the sensing wire and a hot spot in heating element.

8. A method for detecting the integrity of a sensing wire in an electrically heated textile having a heating element, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensing wire to monitor the electrically heated textile for hot spots;

providing a first A/D converter connected to a first end of the sensing wire;

providing a second A/D converter connected to a second end of the sensing wire; and

monitoring the inputs from the first A/D converter and the second A/D converter.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein during the step of monitoring the inputs from the first A/D converter and the second A/D converter the signal from the first A/D converter equals the signal from the second A/D converter, and the voltage in the first A/D convert is less than x volts, then there is no breaks in the sensing wire and no hot spots in the heating element.

10. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein during the step of monitoring the inputs from the first A/D converter and the second A/D converter it the signal from the first A/D converter equal the signal from the second A/D converter, and the voltage in the first A/D convert is greater then x volts, then there is no breaks in the sensing wire and a hot spot in the heating element.

11. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein during the step of monitoring the inputs from the first A/D converter and the second A/D converter the signal from the first A/D converter equal the signal from the second A/D converter, and the voltage in the first A/D convert is less then x volts, then there can be a break in the sensing wire and no hot spots in the heating element.

12. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein during the step of monitoring the inputs from the first A/D converter and the second A/D converter the signal from the first A/D converter does not equal the signal from the second A/D converter there is a break in the sensing wire and a hot spot in heating element.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising deactivating the heating element.