Reference unit for objects and device for tempering surfaces, vehicle seats and vehicle interiors

Abstract

Reference unit (2) for locating an object in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising - at least one cover layer (4) which provides an external surface (12) and has an initial thermal conductivity, - at least one inner layer (6) which is directly adjacent to the at least one cover layer (4) and has a higher second thermal conductivity than the at least one cover layer (4), - wherein the at least one inner layer (6) or at least one of the inner layers (6) is cast and / or sprayed onto the at least one cover layer (4) or onto at least one of the cover layers (4) and - wherein the material of at least one inner layer (6) is mixed and / or cross-linked with a filler (8) which filler (8) has a third thermal conductivity that is at least slightly greater than that of the inner layer (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a reference unit for objects according to the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for temperature-controlling surfaces.

[0002] To ensure a certain level of comfort for users of, for example, a vehicle seat, an armrest, a component of another vehicle interior, or a similar or comparable fixture, these objects are usually equipped with a surface covering. If a surface of the object or the surface covering is to be temperature-controlled, the surface covering can be thermally connected to a temperature control element. This temperature control element can provide heat and / or cold energy to warm and / or cool the surface of the object. For aesthetic and / or comfort reasons, the surface covering of the object can include or have a covering material such as leather, textile, or foil, which can simultaneously form or possess a surface of the object to be temperature-controlled.In particular, to ensure the comfort of the respective users of the object, the reference unit may also be provided with an additional layer on the surface of the covering material facing away from the surface to be tempered, which may be in thermal contact with a tempering element.

[0003] Such an additional layer could, for example, be a foam material. Experience has shown that significant losses occur when thermal energy generated by a heating element is transferred through the foam material to a given surface. Due to these thermal losses, a high energy demand is required to heat surfaces appropriately. Furthermore, these thermal losses are accompanied by a certain inertia when an object is subjected to heat and / or cold energy, which is undesirable in practice.

[0004] Due to the low thermal conductivity, the transfer of heat and / or cold energy provided by a temperature control device to the covering material or to the surface of the covering material to be tempered is impaired, which can result in a lack of comfort for a respective user of the object.

[0005] Alternatively, arrangements of reference units are also known which include a loose additional layer on the cover material. Here too, the loose additional layer can be in thermal contact with a temperature control element, but this also results in the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0006] Document EP 0 639 442 A1 discloses a method for manufacturing layered articles and products. The method comprises the steps of injecting a molten thermoplastic polymer composition into a mold containing a pre-formed film, allowing the thermoplastic composition to solidify, and removing the solidified article. Furthermore, a pre-formed contoured laminate insert is placed into a female mold shaped according to the outer cover of the insert, and a thermoplastic polymer composition is injected into the mold, the polymer coming into contact with and fusing to the thermoplastic layer.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2015 006 924 A1 discloses upholstery for a vehicle seating system. This upholstery comprises at least one cushioning element made of foam and arranged on a seat heating device of the seating system. The foam contains particles that have a higher thermal conductivity than the foam itself.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a reference unit for objects and a device for surface temperature control, each of which offers at least partial improvement with regard to the aforementioned disadvantages. Specifically, the invention aims to provide a reference unit for objects and a device for surface temperature control, each of which allows optimized heat and / or cold transfer to the surface of an object or reference unit to be temperature controlled. Furthermore, the invention aims to increase user comfort of the object or temperature control device equipped with the respective reference unit, while keeping manufacturing costs low.

[0009] The above problem is solved by a reference unit for objects and by a temperature control device, which comprise the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention relates to a reference unit for covering an object in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The object in question could be, for example, a vehicle seat, an armrest, a component of a vehicle interior, or the like. The reference unit comprises at least one outer layer, which provides an external surface and has a first thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the reference unit has at least one inner layer, which is directly adjacent to the at least one outer layer. The at least one inner layer has a second thermal conductivity that is higher than that of the at least one outer layer. The reference unit can comprise one or more inner layers and one or more outer layers.It is provided that at least one inner layer or at least one of the inner layers is cast and / or injection-molded onto at least one cover layer or at least one of the cover layers. Thermal conductivity, in this context, refers in particular to a property of the respective material used, here the material of the layers, which is suitable for characterizing heat transfer.

[0011] By casting and / or injection molding the at least one inner layer onto the at least one cover layer, the thermal resistance between the at least one inner layer and the at least one cover layer can be reduced. Tests have shown that the composite according to the invention, consisting of the at least one inner layer and the at least one cover layer, exhibits a thermal conductivity that is approximately 30% higher compared to reference units in which individual layers are stacked on top of each other.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the reference unit according to the invention, the at least one inner layer can be at least partially formed by an elastomer or an elastomeric compound. Preferably, the material of the at least one inner layer or the elastomer is a silicone compound. Preferably, the silicone compound is in a liquid or viscous state for casting and / or injection molding onto the cover layer, in order, for example, to be able to fill cavities in the cover layer in a suitable manner and to facilitate easier handling. After casting and / or injection molding, the silicone compound can, for example, dry, harden, or at least assume a less liquid or a more viscous state, either spontaneously or by being heated. In addition to the use of an elastomer orHowever, in addition to a silicone compound, other materials are also conceivable for at least partially forming the at least one inner layer. If several inner layers are planned, these layers can also be made of several different materials.

[0013] Furthermore, the material of the at least one inner layer, which preferably consists of the aforementioned silicone compound, is mixed with a filler and / or cross-linked to improve, in particular, the thermal conductivity of the at least one inner layer. The filler has a thermal conductivity that is at least slightly higher than that of the material or silicone compound of the at least one inner layer. Such a material for the at least one inner layer, resulting from cross-linking with the filler, can, in practice, be characterized by high thermal conductivity as well as high heat resistance and elasticity. Preferably, the filler consists of particles of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). Aluminum oxide is characterized, in particular, by high thermal conductivity and also by a high melting point.Besides aluminium oxide as a filler for the material of at least one inner layer, the use of other materials is of course also conceivable.

[0014] Another preferred embodiment of the at least one inner layer further provides for at least partially reversible elastic deformability of the material of the at least one inner layer, so that no permanent deformations remain on the at least one inner layer, particularly as a result of or after a load being placed on the reference unit, for example, by a user of the object. The aforementioned silicone compound is again very well suited as a material for the at least one inner layer to provide such elastic deformability.

[0015] Particularly suitable materials for the at least one covering layer have proven to be textiles, films, and / or leather. The outer surface of the at least one covering layer can form at least a portion of the surface of the reference unit or object to be heated. In particular, the surface of the reference unit or the at least one covering layer to be heated can be the surface of an object in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, or more specifically, the surface of a vehicle seat and / or an armrest and / or a component of a vehicle interior. When using such objects, a user establishes surface contact with at least a portion of the surface of the reference unit or the at least one covering layer to be heated.

[0016] Especially when the at least one cover layer is made of leather, uncomfortable surface temperatures can occur for the user, particularly during the colder months, on the outer and / or inner surface of the at least one cover layer. To provide heat and / or cold energy, especially for the outer or inner surface of the at least one cover layer, at least one temperature control element can be thermally coupled to the at least one inner layer. This also allows for thermal coupling of the at least one cover layer to the at least one temperature control element via the at least one inner layer. Through a previously described configuration of the composite consisting of the at least one cover layer and the at least one inner layer, thermal energy can be transferred from the aforementioned at least one temperature control element to the outer or inner surface.The surface of the covering layer to be tempered can be improved. This can also increase the comfort for a user of the object, as faster tempering of the surface to be tempered is possible.

[0017] A further component of the present invention relates to a surface temperature control device. The surface temperature control device comprises a reference unit according to one of the previously described embodiments. Thus, the surface temperature control device can have at least one outer layer and at least one inner layer. In particular, the at least one outer layer provides an outer surface and has a first thermal conductivity, while the at least one inner layer is directly adjacent to the at least one outer layer and has a higher second thermal conductivity than the at least one outer layer. The surface temperature control device comprises at least one temperature control element for providing heat and / or cold energy for temperature control of the outer surface of the outer layer.In this case, at least one temperature control element is directly adjacent to at least one inner layer.

[0018] As already mentioned, in connection with the device according to the invention for temperature control of surfaces, at least a partial or partial formation of the at least one inner layer of the reference unit by an elastomer or a silicone compound is also suitable. Besides the use of an elastomer or a silicone compound, other materials are also conceivable for at least a partial or partial formation of the at least one inner layer. The material of the at least one inner layer, which preferably consists of the aforementioned silicone compound, can be mixed with or cross-linked with a filler. The filler can preferably have a third thermal conductivity that is at least slightly higher than that of the material or the silicone compound of the at least one inner layer. Preferably, the filler consists of particles of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃).In addition to using aluminium oxide as a filler for at least one inner layer of the temperature control device, other materials can of course also be used.

[0019] Furthermore, the at least one inner layer of the reference unit of the temperature control device can also exhibit at least partially reversible elastic deformability, so that no permanent deformations remain on the at least one inner layer, particularly as a result of or after a load, for example, caused by a user. Textile, foil, and / or leather materials have proven particularly suitable for the at least one cover layer. The outer surface of the at least one cover layer can form at least a portion of the surface to be temperature controlled. The surface to be temperature controlled can be, in particular, the surface of an object in a passenger compartment, or the surface of a vehicle seat and / or an armrest and / or a component of a vehicle interior.The at least one temperature control element for providing heat and / or cold energy can be thermally and directly coupled to the at least one inner layer.

[0020] Another component of the present invention relates to a vehicle seat equipped with a previously described reference unit. The present invention also includes a vehicle seat comprising a previously mentioned device for temperature control of surfaces.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to vehicle interiors which are equipped with a previously described reference unit and / or with a previously described device for temperature control of surfaces.

[0022] Furthermore, a method for producing a reference unit for an object such as a vehicle seat, an armrest, a component of a vehicle interior, or the like is described, comprising the following steps: - Providing a covering layer that forms an external surface and possesses initial thermal conductivity, - Arranging at least one inner layer, which has a second thermal conductivity, on one side of the cover layer, which side is opposite the outer surface, characterized in that the at least one inner layer is cast and / or injection molded onto the side of the cover layer, which is opposite the outer surface.

[0023] In a further manufacturing step, at least one temperature control element can be arranged directly next to the inner layer to provide heat and / or cold energy for the outer surface of the cover layer.

[0024] The following exemplary embodiments of the invention and its advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual relative sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged for better illustration. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a reference unit according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a vehicle seat comprising a temperature control device according to the invention.

[0025] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or similarly functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals necessary for describing the respective figure are shown in the individual figures. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the devices according to the invention can be configured and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a reference unit 2 according to the invention, which is particularly suitable for mounting and / or applying to an object. The reference unit 2 comprises a cover layer 4, which provides an outer surface 12. The cover layer 4 has a first thermal conductivity and is preferably made of a textile, a film, and / or (split) leather 4'. An inner layer 6 is arranged directly adjacent to the cover layer 4. Compared to the cover layer 4, the inner layer 6 has a higher second thermal conductivity. The inner layer 6 is cast and / or injection-molded onto the cover layer 4. By casting and / or injection-molding the inner layer 6 onto the cover layer 4, the thermal contact resistance between the inner layer 6 and the cover layer 4 can be reduced.

[0027] An elastomer can be used as the material for the inner layer 6. Materials that are at least partially reversibly elastically deformable are particularly suitable for the inner layer 6. Preferably, the inner layer 6 is formed from a silicone compound 6'. Furthermore, it is provided that the material of the inner layer 6, or the silicone compound 6' of the inner layer 6, is mixed or cross-linked with a filler 8. The filler 8 has a third thermal conductivity that is greater than the thermal conductivity of the material of the inner layer 6, or the silicone compound 6'. Such a filler 8 can, for example, be aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). Aluminum oxide is characterized in particular by a high thermal conductivity and also has a high melting point. Of course, it is also conceivable to design the inner layer 6 from a different material and with a different filler 8.If the cover layer 4 is made of split leather 4', the material of the inner layer 6, which contains thermally conductive filler 8, can preferably be poured onto the leather 4' and cross-linked.

[0028] The surface 12 of the cover layer 4 facing away from the inner layer 6 can simultaneously represent a surface 12' of the reference unit 2 or the cover layer 4 to be tempered. To provide heat and / or cold energy for the surface 12' of the reference unit 2 or the cover layer 4 to be tempered, a tempering element 10 can be thermally coupled to the inner layer 6. Suitable tempering elements include, for example, heating resistors or heating strands 10', which extend in a meandering pattern or in several parallel rows over a designated area. By casting and / or injection molding the inner layer 6 onto the cover layer 4, improved transfer of heat and / or cold energy from the tempering element 10 via the composite 16 consisting of the inner layer 6 and the cover layer 4, and thus to the surface 12' to be tempered, is enabled.This is illustrated by the arrows marked with the reference digits 14.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of a vehicle seat 20, which is equipped, by way of example, in a region 22a of the seat cushion 20a and in regions 22b' and 22b'' of the backrest 20b with a temperature control device 18 according to the invention. The respective temperature control device 18 comprises a cover unit 2, which has a cover layer 4, for example, made of a textile, foil, and / or leather material 4'. The cover layer 4 has a first thermal conductivity and provides an outer surface 12. The outer surface 12 of the cover layer 4 is also a surface 12' of the temperature control device 18 or of the vehicle seat 20 to be temperature-controlled, with which a user of the vehicle seat 18 is typically in surface contact.

[0030] An inner layer 6 of the reference unit 2 is arranged directly adjacent to the cover layer 4. This inner layer 6 has a higher secondary thermal conductivity than the cover layer 4. The inner layer 6 is cast and / or injection-molded onto the cover layer 4, which reduces the thermal resistance between the inner layer 6 and the cover layer 4. Materials that are at least partially reversibly elastically deformable have proven particularly useful for the inner layer 6. In this context, an elastomer, preferably in the form of a silicone compound 6', is also suitable as a material for the inner layer 6. Furthermore, the material of the inner layer 6, or the silicone compound 6' of the inner layer 6, is provided for with a filler 8, either mixed with or cross-linked with it. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) has proven particularly suitable as a filler 8 due to its high thermal conductivity.Compared to the thermal conductivity of the material of the inner layer 6 or the silicone compound 6', the filler 8 exhibits a higher third thermal conductivity. Of course, it is also conceivable to design the inner layer 6 from a different material and with a different filler 8.

[0031] To provide heat and / or cold energy for the surface 12' of the vehicle seat 20 or the cover layer 4 to be tempered, a tempering element 10 can be located directly adjacent to the inner layer 6. Heating resistors or heating wires 10' are also suitable as tempering elements 10, extending in a meandering pattern or in several parallel rows across the area of ​​regions 22a, 22b' and 22b''. Furthermore, the use of a tempering element 10 in the form of an air conditioning unit is also conceivable, which can likewise supply the surface 12' to be tempered with heat and / or cold energy.By casting and / or injection molding the inner layer 6 onto the cover layer 4, improved transfer of heat and / or cold energy from the temperature control element 8 to the inner layer 6 and the cover layer 4 is achieved, resulting in a comfortable and ideal temperature for the user of the surface 12' of the cover layer and thus of the vehicle seat 20. For controlling and / or regulating the temperature, the temperature control element 10 can be coupled to an exemplary control and / or regulating device 26.

[0032] Preferably, at least those areas of the vehicle seat 20 that are typically at least partially occupied by a user sitting on the vehicle seat 20 are equipped with a temperature control device 18. To maintain a uniform visual appearance, the remaining areas of the vehicle seat 20 can be designed similarly to the temperature control device 18. It is also conceivable to equip the entire vehicle seat 20 with a reference unit 2 according to the invention and to arrange temperature control elements 10 only in the areas (e.g., 22a, 22b', and 22b'') that a user typically touches. Optionally, the entire surface 24 of the vehicle seat 20 can also be provided with a cover layer 4, with inner layers 6 provided only in the areas (e.g., 22a, 22b', and 22b'') which are equipped with a temperature control element 10 for temperature control of the surfaces 12.However, the temperature control device 18, comprising a reference unit 2 and a temperature control element 10, can also extend over the entire surface 24 of the vehicle seat 20 facing a user.

[0033] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it is conceivable to a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes to the invention can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims. Reference symbol list 2 reference units 4 Cover layer 4' leather layer 6 inner layer 6' silicone compound 8 Filler 10 Temperature control element 10' heating resistors or heating wires 12 external surface 12' surface to be tempered 14 improved transfer of heat and / or cold energy 16 network 18 Temperature control equipment 20 vehicle seats 20a Seat cushion 20b Backrest 22a Area of ​​the seat cushion equipped with a temperature control device 22b' Area of ​​the backrest equipped with a temperature control device 22b'' Area of ​​the backrest equipped with a temperature control device 24 Surface of the vehicle seat 26 Control and / or regulating device

Claims

[1] Reference unit (2) for relating to an object in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising - at least one cover layer (4) which provides an external surface (12) and has an initial thermal conductivity, - at least one inner layer (6) which is directly adjacent to the at least one cover layer (4) and has a higher second thermal conductivity than the at least one cover layer (4), - wherein the at least one inner layer (6) or at least one of the inner layers (6) is cast and / or sprayed onto the at least one cover layer (4) or onto at least one of the cover layers (4) and - wherein the material of at least one inner layer (6) is mixed and / or cross-linked with a filler (8) which filler (8) has a third thermal conductivity that is at least slightly greater than that of the inner layer (6). [2] Reference unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inner layer (6) is at least partially formed by an elastomer. [3] Reference unit (2) according to claim 2, wherein the elastomer is a silicone compound (6'). [4] Reference unit (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filler (8) is aluminium oxide (Al2O3). [5] Reference unit (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material of the at least one inner layer (6) is at least partially reversibly elastically deformable. [6] Reference unit (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one cover layer (4) is a layer of a textile, film and / or leather material (4'). [7] Reference unit (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer surface (12) of the at least one cover layer (4) forms at least a partial area of ​​a surface (12') to be tempered. [8] Reference unit (2) according to claim 7, wherein the surface (12') to be tempered is a surface of a vehicle seat (20) and / or an armrest and / or a component of a vehicle interior. [9] Reference unit (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one temperature control element (10) is thermally coupled to the at least one inner layer (6) for the provision of heat and / or cold energy for a surface (12') to be tempered of the at least one cover layer (4). [10] Device for temperature control (18) of surfaces (12), comprising - a reference unit (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, - and at least one temperature control element (10), wherein the at least one temperature control element (10) is provided for the provision of heat and / or cold energy for temperature control of the outer surface (12) of the cover layer (4), which at least one temperature control element (10) is directly adjacent to the at least one inner layer (6). [11] Vehicle seat (20) comprising a reference unit (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and / or a device for temperature control (18) of surfaces (12) according to claim 10. [12] Vehicle interior, comprising a device for temperature control (18) of surfaces (12), which includes a reference unit (2) for reference to an object in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising - at least one cover layer (4) which provides an external surface (12) and has an initial thermal conductivity, - at least one inner layer (6) which is directly adjacent to the at least one cover layer (4) and has a higher second thermal conductivity than the at least one cover layer (4), - wherein the at least one inner layer (6) or at least one of the inner layers (6) is cast and / or sprayed onto the at least one cover layer (4) or onto at least one of the cover layers (4), - and wherein the material of the at least one inner layer (6) is mixed and / or cross-linked with a filler (8) which filler (8) has a third thermal conductivity at least slightly greater than that of the inner layer (6), and comprises at least one temperature control element (10), wherein the at least one temperature control element (10) is provided for the supply of heat and / or cold energy for temperature control of the outer surface (12) of the cover layer (4), and which at least one temperature control element (10) is directly adjacent to the at least one inner layer (6). [13] Vehicle interior according to claim 12, comprising a device for temperature control (18) of surfaces (12) with a reference unit (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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