SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY IN A VEHICLE

• US 20190315370A1
• Filed: 06/26/2019
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Richmond, Zachary J., Rubino, Evangelia, Seidler, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 11,021,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00478 Air-conditioning devices using the Peltier effect for air-conditioning in general F24F5/0042; for refrigeration F25B21/02; electric devices exhibiting the Peltier effect H10N10/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00742 by detection of the vehicle occupants' presence; by detection of conditions relating to the body of occupants, e.g. using radiant heat detectors
• 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 2/0022 for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0023 for detection of driver fatigue
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0034 in, under or on the seat cover
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/56 Heating or ventilating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0827 due to sleepiness
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/06 Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/17 characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/854 comprising only metals H10N10/852, H10N10/853 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/855 comprising compounds containing boron, carbon, oxygen or nitrogen

Abstract

A system configured to generate electricity based upon a temperature difference between a vehicle occupant and a portion of a vehicle interior is described herein. The system includes a thermoelectric device containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes incorporated into an interior surface of the vehicle. The thermoelectric device has a first side in contact with the vehicle occupant and a second side opposite the first side in contact with the portion of the vehicle interior. The thermoelectric device is configured to supply electrical power to an electrical system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system configured to generate electricity based upon a temperature difference between a vehicle occupant and a portion of a vehicle interior, comprising:

a thermoelectric device containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes incorporated into an interior surface of the vehicle, said thermoelectric device having a first side in contact with the vehicle occupant and a second side opposite the first side in contact with the portion of the vehicle interior, wherein the thermoelectric device is configured to supply electrical power to an electrical system of the vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is incorporated into a cloth material forming the interior surface of the vehicle and wherein the interior surface of the vehicle is selected from a list consisting of:

a seat, an arm rest, a head rest, and a seat belt.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is incorporated into conductive film material forming the interior surface of the vehicle and wherein the interior surface of the vehicle is selected from a list consisting of:

a seat, an arm rest, a head rest, a steering wheel, a door panel, a door handle, and a control button.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical system is configured to provide the electrical power to the thermoelectric device, thereby heating the portion of the vehicle interior.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical system is configured to provide the electrical power to the thermoelectric device having a reversed polarity, thereby cooling the portion of the vehicle interior.