Apparatus and method for heating a steering wheel

• US 20010030182A1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Ashtiani, Mansour, Haag, Ronald Helmut
• Granted Patent: US 6,512,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/204
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/065 Steering wheels with heating and ventilating means heating and ventilation of steering wheel when connected to vehicle HVAC B60H1/00292
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/007 using multiple electrically connected resistive elements or resistive zones
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/011 Heaters using laterally extending conductive material as connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2087 Rim grips and covers

Abstract

A preformed heating element for use in a steering wheel including a heating element, embedded into a rubber or polyurethane material and preformed with manufacturing methods such as vacuum forming, resin impregnating, injection molding, and pultrusion progressive die.

Claims

1. A preformed heating member, comprising:

a conductive member for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat; and

a flexible member having resilient qualities, said conductive member being embedded into said flexible member, said flexible member having an opening, said flexible member being configured and dimensioned to allow said flexible member to be placed over a steering wheel of a vehicle.

2. The preformed heating element as in

claim 1

, wherein said conductive member is a carbon fiber textile material.

3. The preformed heating element as in

claim 1

, wherein said molded member is a thermoplastic silicon member.

4. The preformed heating element as in

claim 1

, wherein said preformed element is formed from a liquid injection molding process.

5. A method for heating a steering wheel, comprising:

applying a preformed heating element to a steering wheel core, said preformed heating element having a heating element encapsulated therein; and

applying a decorative cover to said preformed heating element.

6. The method as in

claim 5

, wherein said decorative cover is leather.

7. The method as in

claim 5

, wherein a thermister is embedded into said preformed heating element.

8. A preformed heating member, comprising:

a flexible member having resilient qualities, said flexible member having an opening along the length of said flexible member;

a spoke opening being configured to accommodate a spoke of a steering wheel; and

a heating element disposed within said flexible member.

9. The preformed heating member as in

claim 8

, wherein said flexible member is manufactured using a vacuum-bagging process.

10. The preformed heating member as in

claim 9

, wherein said flexible member is manufactured out of a silicon rubber.

11. The preformed heating member as in

claim 9

, wherein said flexible member is manufactured out of a thermally conductive silicon rubber.

12. The preformed heating member as in

claim 9

, wherein said heating element is a flexible wire mesh.

13. The preformed heating member as in

claim 10

, further comprising a control device for controlling the heat of said preformed heating member.

14. The preformed heating member as in

claim 9

, wherein said flexible member is configured to have a plurality of finger forms corresponding to a plurality of finger forms on said steering wheel.

15. The preformed heating member as in

claim 9

, wherein said flexible member is configured to a tab locator portion corresponding to a tab locator portion on said steering wheel.

16. The preformed heating member as in

claim 8

, wherein said flexible member is manufactured using a liquid injection molding process.

17. The preformed heating member as in

claim 8

, wherein said flexible member is manufactured using a resin transfer molding process.

18. The preformed heating member as in

claim 8

, wherein said flexible member is manufactured out of a resin injection molding nylon.

19. A method for molding a preformed heating element having a smooth exterior surface, comprising:

adhering a first layer of silicon rubber to a steering wheel mold;

adhering an adhesive tape to said first layer of silicon rubber steering wheel mold, said adhesive tape having a heating element disposed on one side;

adhering a second layer of silicon rubber to said adhesive tape;

vacuum-bagging said adhesive tape and said first and second layers of silicon rubber;

heating said adhesive tape and said first and second layers of silicon rubber until said adhesive tape and said first and second layers of silicon rubber form about said steering wheel mold; and

curing said adhesive tape and said first and second layers of silicon rubber.

20. The method as in

claim 19

, wherein said silicon rubber is thermally conductive.

21. The method as in

claim 19

, wherein said heating element is a single wire lead.

22. A preformed heating member, comprising:

a flexible member having an inner surface and an outer surface, said flexible member having resilient qualities, said outer surface providing a smooth surface for a decorative material to be applied;

an opening along the length of said flexible member;

a spoke opening being configured to accommodate a spoke of a steering wheel; and

a heating element disposed within said flexible member.

23. The preformed heating member as in

claim 22

, wherein said decorative material is leather.

24. The preformed heating member as in

claim 22

, wherein said preformed heating element has a thickness of 1 mm.