Control system for operating automotive vehicle components

• US 7,781,704 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fernandez, Lucas, Majarov, Konstantin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ralis; Stephen J
• Application Number:
  US11/842,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20070278209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 219/202, 219/204, 219/497, 219/490, 219/492, 219/494, 219/507
• US Class Current: 219/497
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5678 characterised by electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0236 for vehicles
• 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

There is disclosed a control system for operating automotive vehicle components. The control system typically includes at least a control module programmed with instructions for controlling a heater, a ventilator or both.

Claims

1. A controller for controlling one or more components of an automotive vehicle comprising;

at least one control module in signaling communication with an energy source, a sensor, an air mower, a power stage and a switch wherein the energy source provides power to a heater as dictated by the power stage, the sensor senses a temperature associated with the heater and the switch turns the heater on and off and wherein the control module includes;

i. programming for comparing representative values originating from the sensor to a set of n set point values (V₁ . . . V_n) wherein the representative values are representative of temperatures (T_s) sensed by the temperature sensor, the n set-point values are representative of n predetermined temperatures (T₁ . . . T_n) and n is a whole number greater than 1, wherein n is at least 3

ii. programming for allowing n different amounts of energy (E₁ . . . E_n) to be applied to the heater depending upon the representative value, such different amount be applied during an initial heat up time period of the heater once the heater is turned on; and

iii. programming for providing remedial measures if a relatively high temperature or a relatively low temperature is detected wherein the remedial measures include programming for turning the air mover on in the event that the temperature sensor senses a temperature in excess of a predetermined upper limit temperature and programming for turning the heater on in the event that the temperature sensor senses a temperature below a predetermined lower limit temperature;

wherein the different amounts of energy respectively correspond to the predetermined temperatures such that higher predetermined temperatures correspond to lower amounts of energy and wherein the heater is selected from a seat heater or a steering wheel heater of the automotive vehicle.

2. A controller as in claim 1 wherein the programming for comparing the representative values and the amount of energy being applied to the heater with programmed data includes establishing a first fault curve and a second fault curve wherein the first fault curve is modeled as having temperature sensor values that change slower than expected and the second fault curve is modeled as having temperature sensor values that change faster than expected.

3. A controller as in claim 1 wherein the switch includes a light emitting diode (LED) and wherein the control module is programmed to provide substantially constant energy to the LED such that the light emitted by the LED is substantially constant during operation thereof.

4. A controller as in claim 1 wherein the control module is programmed with a start-up feature, which is designed to have the power supply provide energy to the heater for a predetermined time upon sensing of a temperature below a particular threshold level at initial start up.

5. A controller as in claim 1 wherein the controller includes a stuck button feature, which only allows the heater or ventilator to be activated when the on/off switch is a button and the button returns to its normal non-depressed position after that button has been depressed.