Device and method for improving the response time of a temperature control device

• US 9,678,517 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gentherm Canada Limited
• Inventors: Iqbal, Syed Rafat, Csonti, Sergiu
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Azad, MD
• Application Number:
  US14/104,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20140180493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 700299
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor

Abstract

A system comprising a temperature controlled device, a primary energy source, and either or both of an electronic device and an electro-mechanical device. One or both of the electronic device and an electro-mechanical device include a secondary energy source, a switching device, a measuring device, and optionally a controller. The temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is turned on. The measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source when the temperature controlled device achieves the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a) a temperature controlled device that is a heating device that provides heating and/or a cooling device that provides cooling;

b) a primary energy source supplying primary energy to the temperature controlled device;

c) an electronic device, an electro-mechanical device, or both comprising;

i) a secondary energy source connected to the primary energy source, the secondary energy source supplying secondary energy to the temperature controlled device;

ii) a switching device;

iii) a measuring device; and

iv) a controller;

wherein the secondary energy source includes a power booster and a converter that amplifies a voltage output from the primary energy source, the secondary energy comprises the amplified voltage of the primary energy;

wherein the temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is initially turned on so that the secondary energy is supplied to the temperature controlled device;

wherein after the measuring device measures a predetermined condition of the temperature controlled device, the switching device disconnects the secondary energy source from the primary energy source so that only the primary energy is supplied to the temperature controlled device;

wherein when the secondary energy source is connected to the first energy source so that the secondary energy is supplied to the temperature controlled device, a temperature of the heating device is increased or a temperature of the cooling device is decreased;

wherein after the predetermined condition of the temperature controlled device is measured and the switching device disconnects the secondary energy source from the primary energy source so that only the primary energy is supplied to the temperature controlled device, the temperature of the heating device or the temperature of the cooling device is maintained at a pre-set temperature, a user selected temperature, or both with the primary energy; and

wherein the predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device when connected to the primary energy source is connected to the controller and the controller regulates a temperature of the temperature controlled device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device has positive temperature coefficient characteristics and self-regulates when connected to the primary energy source.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary energy source is a constant current source, and

wherein the temperature controlled device is a part of an automobile seat.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is about 70 percent or more, of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is achieved in about 45 seconds or less.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device is a cooling device that is a thermoelectric device that is in communication with a blower or is a blower.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined condition is about 105 percent or more of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device is a non-positive temperature coefficient heating device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary energy source is regulated using pulse width modulation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled device is both the heating device that provides heating and the cooling device that provides cooling.

12. A method comprising:

a) applying secondary energy from a secondary energy source to a temperature controlled device in a system, the temperature controlled device is a heating device that provides heating and/or a cooling device that provides cooling;

b) monitoring one or more conditions of the temperature controlled device;

c) disconnecting the temperature controlled device from the secondary energy source when the one or more of the conditions achieves a predetermined value;

d) connecting the temperature controlled device to a primary energy source so that power from the primary energy source is supplied to the temperature controlled device so that the temperature controlled device continues to control temperature;

wherein temperature controlled device is disconnected from the secondary energy source in about 60 seconds or less;

wherein the temperature controlled device is a self-regulating heating device;

the temperature controlled device is connected to a controller that regulates the temperature of the temperature controlled device;

or a combination of both so that when the temperature controlled device is connected to the primary energy source the temperature controlled device maintains a pre-set temperature, a user selected temperature, or both;

wherein the secondary energy source includes a power booster and a converter that boosts the power output from the primary energy source by amplifying voltage of the power so that a temperature of the heating device is increased when the secondary energy source is connected to the first energy source, or a temperature of the cooling device is decreased when the secondary energy source is connected to the primary energy source, the secondary energy comprises the boosted power;

wherein after a measuring device measures a predetermined condition of the temperature controlled device, a switching device disconnects the secondary energy source from the primary energy source so that only the power from the primary energy source is supplied to the temperature controlled device; and

wherein the temperature controlled device is a part of an automobile seat.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more conditions of the temperature controlled device are time, resistance, temperature, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the secondary energy source is a constant current source, a constant power source, an amplified energy source, or a combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature controlled device is a cooling device and the cooling device is a thermoelectric device, a fan, or both.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature controlled device has positive temperature coefficient characteristics.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the system includes a switch that switches the temperature controlled device between the secondary energy source and the primary energy source.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more conditions is about 70 percent or more of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more conditions is about 105 percent or more of a maximum temperature of the temperature controlled device.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more conditions is achieved in about 45 seconds or less, or the one or more conditions is achieved in about 20 seconds or less.