Abstract:
Described herein is a composite panel that includes a first layer made from an electrically non-conductive material. The composite panel also includes a resistance heater printed onto the first layer. Further, the composite panel includes a second layer adjacent the resistance heater, the resistance heater being positioned between the first layer and the second layer. The second layer is made from an electrically non-conductive material.
Abstract:
Described herein is a composite panel that includes a first layer made from an electrically non-conductive material. The composite panel also includes a resistance heater printed onto the first layer and a capacitive sensor applied onto the first layer. The capacitive sensor is operably coupled with the resistance heater. The composite panel additionally includes a second layer adjacent the resistance heater and the capacitive sensor. The resistance heater and the capacitive sensor are positioned between the first layer and the second layer. Furthermore, the second layer is made from an electrically non-conductive material. The resistance heater is configured to generate heat at least partially in response to input sensed by the capacitive sensor.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.
Abstract:
An occupancy sensor has three layers. The bottom layer contains two electrodes, and a resistive element between the electrodes. The middle layer is a spacer. The top layer is a third electrode, divided into two parts. When a person sits on the sensor, both parts of the third layer contact the resistive element. This causes current to flow through all of the electrodes. Accordingly, occupancy can be detected by measuring current flow through the electrodes. The device additionally provides heating via the resistive element. The sensor can be arranged in a vehicle seat.
Abstract:
A vehicle seat having a first temperature control unit and a second temperature control unit. Each control unit has power-input terminals for receiving power from a vehicle electrical power system and power-output terminals. The first control unit has a logic part for comparing received temperature selection and temperature measurement values along with a first pulse generator connected to a first output terminal of the logic part and a second pulse generator connected to a second output terminal of the logic part as well as a first switch unit coupled to the first pulse generator. The second temperature control unit includes a second switch unit coupled to the second pulse generator. First and second heating elements are coupled to the temperate control units. An occupant switch is coupled to the first temperate control unit. A first temperature sensor monitors the thermal output of the first heating element.
Abstract:
A carbon fiber plate heating element and a method for producing the same are provided. The carbon fiber plate heating element includes a core wire positioned at a substantial center and an electrode body that includes a plurality of electrode fine lines twisted around the core wire. A stitching portion fixes the electrode body to a main panel at regular intervals. The method includes arranging a core wire at the substantial center; twisting a plurality of electrode fine lines around the core wire to form an electrode body; and fixing the electrode body to a main panel by stitching the electrode body at regular intervals.
Abstract:
A seat heater includes first heat-generating elements embedded in a seat so as to correspond to first sites of a seat occupant, second heat-generating elements embedded in the seat so as to correspond to second sites of the seat occupant, and a controller for executing a fluctuation control in which a first set temperature of the first heat-generating elements and a second set temperature of the second heat-generating elements are increased or decreased in each of a plurality of predetermined time periods. The controller sets the first set temperature to be higher than the second set temperature in one of the time periods and sets the second set temperature to be higher than the first set temperature in another of the time periods.
Abstract:
An electrical seat heater of a vehicle has a heating resistor which is connected to a seat ground cable has a temperature-dependent sensor resistor in the vehicle seat. A control unit is outside the vehicle seat is connected to a control unit ground remotely from the vehicle seat. The voltage measurement for determining the temperature is carried out with the seat heater briefly disconnected from the supply voltage. The heating resistor is connected to the supply voltage via a series circuit including the sensor resistor and a further resistor or to the supply voltage via a power path. The control unit measures the voltage drop at the sensor resistor by a measuring signal cable. The control unit measures the potential difference between the seat ground cable and the control unit ground, which is used to correct the seat temperature.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an occupancy detection device for detecting an occupancy of a seat of a motor vehicle. The occupancy detection device comprises an electric resonant circuit which includes a first and a second inductance and at least one sensor element; means for charging the resonant circuit with an alternating voltage; means for determining at least one electrical parameter in the resonant circuit (2), wherein the electric resonant circuit experiences a change due to a change of the surroundings of the sensor element, so that with reference to the determined electrical parameter an occupancy of the seat can be detected; and a first and a second terminal, via which a heater control can be connected with the occupancy detection device, in order to be able to simultaneously operate the sensor element as heater. The first and the second terminal are arranged such that a direct current provided at these terminals by the heater control is supplied to the sensor element via the first and the second inductance.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an electrical conductor (25) which is composed at least partially of an electrically conductive material.According to the invention, at least part of the electrical conductor (25) is provided with a protective layer (11) whose specific electrical conductivity is lower, at least locally, than that of the electrically conductive material of the conductor (25).