Textile or non-textile sheet and/or fabric with electrical function

• US 9,717,115 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2013
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chen, Sherry (Li), Li, William Wei, Huber, Stefan, Rauh, Han-georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Ross, Dana
• Assistant Examiner(s): ISKRA, JOSEPH W
• Application Number:
  US13/919,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20130334202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 219212, 219494, 219500, 219541
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0071 using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0077 Details of power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0086 with a thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0097 Blankets with active heating or cooling sources warming mats A61F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2227 Electric heaters incorporated in vehicle trim components, e.g. panels or linings
• 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: B60N 3/044 of removable mats B60N3/046, B60N3/048 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/046 characterised by the fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/03 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/20 Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater H05B3/62, H05B3/68, H05B3/78, H05B3/84 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flat-shaped article with an electrical function for placement in a functional tone. Provision is made that, even after having been placed, the flat-shaped article can again be removed without being destroyed from the functional zone.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

i. a flat-shaped article comprising;

a. a heating device; and

b. electrical contact surfaces;

ii. an attachment device located in a functional zone, the attachment device comprising electrical contact surfaces for applying electrical current to the flat-shaped article, the attachment device also securing the flat-shaped article to the functional zone;

wherein the attachment device includes a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion cantilevering from the vertical portion, the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device are located on the horizontal portion,

wherein the flat-shaped article is configured to be placed in the functional zone by positioning the flat-shaped article such that the electrical contact surfaces of the flat-shaped article face away from the functional zone and towards a user, the flat-shaped article is configured to be placed below the horizontal portion of the attachment device such that the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device contact the electrical contact surfaces of the flat-shaped article from above so that the electrical current from an energy source in the functional zone is supplied to the heating device on the flat-shaped article, and after placement of the flat-shaped article in the functional zone, the flat-shaped article is configured to be removed from the functional zone without destroying the flat-shaped article, and

wherein the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device face towards the functional zone and away from the user so that the functional zone is free of any current carrying surfaces exposed to the user.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flat-shaped article comprises a thermostat.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the assembly comprises guidance devices for positioning the flat-shaped article in the functional zone.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein part of the flat-shaped article on which the electrical contact surfaces are located is situated at a slant relative to a remainder of the flat-shaped article, and the attachment device is situated on a portion of the functional zone that is slanted relative to a remainder of the functional zone.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the functional zone is located in a vehicle and the flat-shaped article is a floor mat.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flat-shaped article comprises a sensor device to detect presence of the user.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein upon the sensor device detecting the presence of the user, the heating device is turned ON, and upon the sensor device detecting an absence of the user the heating device is turned OFF.

8. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the guidance devices comprise magnets.

9. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the guidance devices comprise a magnet located between the electrical contact surfaces of the flat-shaped article, and a corresponding magnet located in the functional zone.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heating device comprises at least one of:

a heat pump, a Peltier element, and a fan.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrical contact surfaces of the flat-shaped article are located on a corner of the flat-shaped article.

12. An assembly comprising:

i. a floor mat comprising;

a. a heating device;

b. electrical contact surfaces;

c. a first guidance device that is a magnet located between the electrical contact surfaces of the floor mat;

ii. an attachment device located in a functional zone, the attachment device comprising;

a. electrical contact surfaces;

b. a second guidance device that is a magnet;

c. a generally vertical portion projecting from the functional zone; and

d. a generally horizontal portion that cantilevers from an upper portion of the vertical portion, the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device are located on the horizontal portion;

wherein the functional zone includes a floor of a vehicle,

wherein the attachment device is adapted to secure the floor mat to the floor of the vehicle and also apply electrical energy from an energy source in the functional zone to the floor mat,

wherein when the floor mat is secured to the floor of the vehicle, the electrical contact surfaces of the floor mat face away from the floor of the vehicle and the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device are spaced apart from the floor of the vehicle and face towards the floor,

wherein the floor mat is configured to be slid below the horizontal portion of the attachment device so that the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device contact the electrical contact surfaces of the floor mat from above,

wherein the magnet of the first guidance device cooperates with the magnet of the second guidance device to adjust and position the floor mat in the functional zone when the floor mat is initially brought close to the functional zone, and

wherein part of the floor mat on which the electrical contact surfaces are located is situated at a slant relative to a remainder of the floor mat, and part of the floor of the vehicle on which the attachment device is located is situated at a slant relative to a remainder of the floor.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the floor mat comprises a thermostat.

14. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the heating device comprises at least one of a heat pump, a Peltier element, and a fan.

15. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein when the floor mat is placed in the functional zone, the electrical contact surfaces of the floor mat face a user, and the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device face away from the user.

16. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein an underside of the floor mat comprises rubber.

17. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device and the electrical contact surfaces of the floor mat are pressed against each other by contact pressure,

wherein the contact pressure is achieved by a mechanical spring, a magnet, or a clamping lever.

18. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the electrical contact surfaces of the attachment device that are located on the horizontal portion face towards the floor of the vehicle and away from a user in the functional zone.