Device and method for heating of a seat

• US 6,914,217 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Ab (Kongsberg Automotive ASA)
• Original Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Ab (Kongsberg Automotive ASA)
• Inventors: Fristedt, Tommy
• Primary Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US10/332,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20040011778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 219/217, 219/494, 219528-529, 219/549, 219/202, 219/530, 219/540, 297/180.12, 374/208
• US Class Current: 219/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1931 to control the temperature of one space
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0238 For seats
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/029 Heaters specially adapted for seat warmers
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles

Abstract

The invention is a device for heating a seat (3) comprising a heating element (2) connected to a control unit (1) which is arranged to feed a current (I) through the heating element (2), a detector unit (6) in connection to the heating element (2) connected to the control unit (1) with current (I) being fed when the measured temperature value falls below a predetermined desired value (T_B). The invention is characterized in that the detector unit (6) comprises at least one first temperature sensor (7) on or in the vicinity of the heating element (2) with at least one further temperature sensor (8) at a predetermined distance from the heating element (2). By means of the invention a more even heating of the seat is obtained with an increased comfort for a person sitting in the seat.

Claims

1. A device for heating a seat comprising:

a heating element;

a control unit adapted to feed a current through said heating element; and

a detector unit including at least a first temperature sensor juxtaposed with said heating element within a first predetermined distance from said heating element, and at least one additional temperature sensor disposed a second predetermined distance from said heating element, said second predetermined distance being greater than said first predetermined distance,

whereby said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor are connected so that they provide a combined temperature value which is fed to said control unit, said current being fed through said heating element when said combined temperature value falls below a predetermined desired temperature value.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor are coupled in series.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor are coupled in parallel.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor are of the NTC type.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor are of the PTC type.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor have the same resistance and are working towards the same desired value.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor have different resistances and are working towards the same desired value.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor have the same resistance and are working towards different desired values.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor have essentially the same thermic mass.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor have different thermic masses.

11. The device according to claim 1, whereby a connection between said first temperature sensor and said at least one additional temperature sensor to provide information to said control unit.

12. A method for heating a seat comprising:

providing a seat including a heating element connected to a control unit which is arranged to feed a current through said heating element;

detecting a first temperature by means of a first sensor disposed adjacent to said heating element within first predetermined distance of said heating element, and detecting a second temperature by means of a second sensor disposed a second predetermined distance from said heating element, said second predetermined distance being greater then said first predetermined distance, said first and second temperature sensors being connected so that they provide a common combined signal which defines a combined temperature value in the interval between said first and second temperatures depending on the positions of said temperature sensors; and

,

controlling said combined temperature by feeding said current through said heating element when said combined temperature falls below a predetermined desired temperature.