Combined sensor and heating element

• US 6,906,293 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoang, Tu
• Application Number:
  US10/276,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20030141983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,513 Days
• Field of Search: 219/200, 219/201, 219/212, 219/217, 219/482, 219/490, 219/494, 219/505, 219/520, 219/528, 219/546, 219/548, 219/549, 338/25, 338/26, 338/212, 374/152, 200/85.A
• US Class Current: 219/494
• 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 arid heating element includes a sensor mat having several active regions interconnected by flexible connection strips. The flexible connection strips each include two carrier foils laminated together having contact arrangements arranged in the active regions at the inside of the carrier foils. Each flexible connection strips further include a heat conductor directly applied to an outer side of one of the carrier foils.

Claims

1. A combined sensor and heating element, comprising a sensor mat having several active regions interconnected by flexible connection strips, wherein the flexible connection strips comprise two carrier foils laminated together and wherein contact arrangements are arranged in the active regions at the inside of the carrier foils, said heating element further includes a heat conductor, said heat conductor being directly applied onto one outer side of one of the carrier foils of the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

2. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is covered by a protective layer.

3. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer comprises a plastic foil.

4. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer comprises a bonded fabrics layer.

5. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 2, wherein the protective layer is laminated onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

6. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is glued onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

7. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is printed onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

8. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 7, wherein the heat conductor comprises a semiconductor ink.

9. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductor comprises a high-resistivity material with a positive temperature coefficient.

10. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 1, wherein 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. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 10, wherein the sensor mat and the heat conductor is connectable to a combined evaluation and supply circuit.

12. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 1, wherein said combined sensor and heating elements are integrated within a vehicle seat.

13. A combined sensor and heating element, comprising a sensor mat having several active regions interconnected by flexible connection strips, said heating element further includes a heat conductor, said heat conductor being directly applied onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

14. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 13, wherein the heat conductor is covered by a protective layer.

15. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer comprises a plastic foil.

16. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 14, wherein the protective layer comprises a bonded fabrics layer.

17. The combined sensor and heating element according to 14, wherein the protective layer is laminated onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

18. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 13, wherein the heat conductor is glued onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

19. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 13, wherein the heat conductor is printed onto the flexible connection strips of the sensor mat.

20. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 19, wherein the heat conductor comprises a semiconductor ink.

21. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 13, wherein the heat conductor comprises a high-resistivity material with a positive temperature coefficient.

22. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 13, wherein 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.

23. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 22, wherein the sensor mat and the heat conductor can be connected is connectable to a combined evaluation and supply circuit.

24. The combined sensor and heating element according to claim 13, wherein said combined sensor and heating elements are integrated within a vehicle seat.