Heating structure, particularly for vehicle interiors

Abstract

A heating structure (1) intended in particular for installation inside a vehicle passenger compartment, this structure being in particular a radiant panel, the heating structure (1) comprising at least one resistive layer (4) arranged to produce heat when an electric current passes through this layer, an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes (6, 8) arranged to be in electrical contact with the resistive layer (4) so ​​as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer (4), at least a section of at least one of the electrodes of the electrode array comprising graphene. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Heating structure, in particular for a vehicle interior

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating device, in particular for a vehicle. The vehicle may be of the land, sea or air type.

[0002] Heating panels are known which comprise a plurality of electrodes configured to deliver heat by Joule effect by supplying electric current to a conductive coating. For example, reference may be made to document US2016 / 0059669.

[0003] A radiant panel is a device generally comprising an electrical circuit configured to deliver heat by Joule effect by supplying resistive conductive elements with an electric current via electrically conductive parts. According to existing literature, the conductive coating may be, for example, a layer of paint comprising carbon particles and / or metal particles.

[0004] There is a need for a relatively compact heating device with improved flexibility and electrical conductivity.

[0005] The invention thus relates to a heating structure comprising: • at least one resistive layer arranged to produce heat when this layer is traversed by an electric current, • an electrode network comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged to be in electrical contact with the resistive layer so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer, at least one section of at least one of the electrodes of the electrode network comprising graphene.

[0006] In the present description, a section of an electrode extends over a portion of the length of said electrode.

[0007] Graphene is an allotrope of carbon that is electrically and thermally conductive.

[0008] The invention advantageously makes it possible to ensure good electrical conductivity of the electrodes while allowing great flexibility of the heating structure.

[0009] The heating structure according to the invention has a flexibility allowing it to be placed on any surface, in particular on surfaces of the passenger compartment of a vehicle such as a door or a roof of the passenger compartment.

[0010] Furthermore, the carbon in graphene is a non-harmful component that does not require end-of-life reprocessing.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode array comprises a plurality of parent electrodes and a plurality of contact electrodes supplied with electrical current by the parent electrodes.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode array comprises a plurality of parent electrodes and a plurality of contact electrodes supplied with electric current by the parent electrodes, at least one section, preferably all sections, of at least one of the parent electrodes comprising graphene and / or at least one section, preferably all sections, of at least one of the contact electrodes comprising graphene.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode array comprises at least two parent electrodes, said parent electrodes being in electrical contact with the resistive layer so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer.

[0014] Contact electrodes are also called “child” electrodes.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the contact electrodes are, at least for some of them, in particular for all the contact electrodes of the electrode network, parallel to each other.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode array comprises parent electrodes arranged to conduct electric current from an electrical source to the contact electrodes, several contact electrodes connecting to a single parent electrode.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the parent electrodes is rectilinear over at least part of its length, and the contact electrodes which are associated with this parent electrode are connected, for example perpendicularly, to this parent electrode.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the parent electrodes may have different shapes, in particular curved with rounded edges.

[0019] The parent electrodes may or may not be parallel to each other.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode array comprises at least two parent electrodes which are parallel to each other over at least part of their length, and their associated contact electrodes are arranged between these two parent electrodes and are alternated with an inter-distance which decreases in relation to the decrease in the voltage present between the pairs of electrodes so as to maintain the electrical power between the pairs of contact electrodes substantially uniform.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes and the resistive layer are carried on a substrate made of a flexible material capable of taking a predetermined shape by deformation, this substrate being in particular also extensible.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes are deposited on the substrate by printing, screen printing or luminization of several materials.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer is deposited on the substrate by printing, screen printing or lamination of several materials.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer is present on one face of the substrate.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate is of the textile type, woven or knitted, or of the non-woven type.

[0026] This nonwoven may comprise a mixture of polypropylene fibers and / or polyester fibers. Other fibers may be used, for example natural fibers.

[0027] The threads forming the substrate may or may not be extensible.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate may be a flexible plastic sheet or a foam such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate has a surface area of ​​at least 10 cm2, or at least 50 cm2, or at least 500 cm2.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one section of at least one of the electrodes of the electrode array comprises graphene. Preferably, all sections of at least one of the electrodes of the electrode array comprise graphene. In other words, at least one of the electrodes of the electrode array comprises graphene over its entire length.

[0031] In a first embodiment, at least one section of at least one of the parent electrodes comprises graphene and at least one section of at least one of the contact electrodes comprises graphene.

[0032] In a second embodiment, at least one section of at least one parent electrode comprises graphene and the contact electrodes do not comprise graphene.

[0033] In a third embodiment, at least one section of at least one contact electrode comprises graphene and the parent electrodes do not comprise graphene.

[0034] In one aspect according to the first and / or second embodiment, all sections of at least one of the parent electrodes comprise graphene. In other words, at least one of the parent electrodes comprises graphene over its entire length.

[0035] In one aspect according to the first and / or third embodiment, all sections of at least one of the contact electrodes comprise graphene. In other words, at least one of the contact electrodes comprises graphene over its entire length.

[0036] In one aspect according to the first and / or second embodiment of the invention, all of the parent electrodes comprise at least one section comprising graphene. In other words, all parent electrodes include at least one section comprising graphene.

[0037] Alternatively, at least one parent electrode does not comprise graphene and at least one parent electrode comprises graphene. In particular, only one of the parent electrodes does not comprise graphene. In other words, all of the parent electrodes except one of said parent electrodes comprise graphene.

[0038] In one aspect according to the first and / or third embodiment of the invention, all of the contact electrodes comprise at least one section comprising graphene. In other words, all of the contact electrodes comprise at least one section comprising graphene.

[0039] Alternatively, at least one contact electrode does not comprise graphene and at least one contact electrode comprises graphene. In particular, only one of the contact electrodes does not comprise graphene. In other words, all of the contact electrodes except one of said contact electrodes comprise graphene.

[0040] In one aspect according to the first and / or second embodiment, only one of the parent electrodes comprises at least one section comprising graphene.

[0041] In one aspect according to the first and / or third embodiment, only one of the contact electrodes comprises at least one section comprising graphene.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the electrodes comprises at least in part a conductive material, in particular metallic such as ink loaded with conductive particles, in particular silver or copper particles.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes are partly metallic adhesive tapes, for example made of copper.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer is a continuous layer.

[0045] Alternatively, the resistive layer comprises a plurality of discrete resistive elements forming this layer.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, these discrete resistive elements form repetitive patterns.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure has a panel shape.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure is flexible, namely it can be shaped to take a predetermined shape.

[0049] In one aspect according to the invention, the heating structure comprises a decoration visible from the interior of the passenger compartment, this decoration being for example a covering of the passenger compartment, such as for example a fabric, a leather or an aesthetic covering.

[0050] The heating structure according to the invention thus makes it possible to carry out, in addition to the heating and lighting functions, a decorative function, for example with a zone in

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[0061] leather or fabric predetermined, visible from the passenger compartment. According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure comprises a capacitive layer, this capacitive layer being arranged between the decoration and the heating structure. The capacitive layer is configured to allow a user to control the heat emitted by the heating structure by touching said capacitive layer. According to one aspect of the invention, the thickness of the parent electrodes is substantially constant. According to one aspect of the invention, the thicknesses of the parent electrodes are variable. According to one aspect of the invention, the thickness of the contact electrodes is substantially constant. According to one aspect of the invention, the thicknesses of the contact electrodes are variable. The invention also relates to a vehicle interior component, comprising a heating structure as mentioned above. According to one aspect of the invention, the component is chosen from one of the following habitable components: - a component designed to be integrated into a vehicle door, - a component designed to be integrated into a dashboard, - a component for dressing a foot cellar, - a component of a roof or passenger compartment roof trim, - an armrest trim component, - a component of a glove box, - a pillar cladding component. According to one aspect of the invention, the passenger compartment component which comprises the heating structure is independent of a seat of the vehicle. According to one aspect of the invention, the passenger compartment component which comprises the heating structure is arranged to heat by thermal radiation or by thermal conduction or thermal contact, and not by heating by heat carried by air in forced movement within the passenger compartment. In particular, the heating structure is not crossed by any air flow intended to cool or heat the passenger compartment. Preferably, the heating and lighting device is separate from the air movement system such as a heating-air conditioning-ventilation unit, sometimes called HVAC, of ​​the vehicle. The invention also relates to a method for producing a heating structure, in particular intended to be installed inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising: • at least one resistive layer arranged to produce heat when an electric current flows through this layer, • an electrode network comprising a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with the resistive layer so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer, at least one section of at least one of the electrodes comprising graphene.

[0062] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below for information purposes in relation to drawings in which:

[0063] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below for information purposes in relation to drawings in which:

[0064] [Fig. 1][Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a heating structure according to the invention,

[0065] [Fig.2][Fig.2] is a schematic representation of components including the heating structure of the invention,

[0066] [Fig.3][Fig.3] is a schematic representation of another heating structure according to the invention,

[0067] [Fig.4][Fig.4] is a schematic representation of another heating structure included in the heating device according to the invention,

[0068] [Fig.5][Fig.5] is a schematic representation of another heating structure included in the heating device according to the invention,

[0069] [Fig.l] represents a radiant panel 1, forming a heating structure of a heating device within the meaning of the invention, arranged to be installed inside a passenger compartment 3 of a vehicle.

[0070] The radiant panel 1 comprises a resistive layer 4 arranged to produce a thermal release when this layer 4 is crossed by an electric current.

[0071] The resistive layer 4 is for example an acrylic paint loaded with conductive or semi-conductive particles. The conductive filler is for example in the form of carbon and graphite flakes.

[0072] This panel 1 further comprises an electrode network 5 comprising a plurality of contact electrodes 6 arranged to be in electrical contact with the resistive layer 4 to cause electric current to flow through this resistive layer 4.

[0073] These contact electrodes 6 are arranged with an inter-distance D1, D2 ... Di between successive electrodes, inter-distance which is variable.

[0074] These contact electrodes 6 are rectilinear and parallel to each other in the example described.

[0075] The electrode array 5 comprises parent electrodes 8 arranged to conduct of the electric current, one of these parent electrodes 8 being connected from an electric source 9 for example of positive electric polarity, to the contact electrodes 6. The other parent electrode 8 is connected to the other polarity, being for example connected to a ground.

[0076] The electric current thus passes into a parent electrode 8, which distributes it into the contact electrodes 6. The current then flows into the resistive layer 4 before being collected by the contact electrodes 6 connected to the other parent electrode 8.

[0077] Several contact electrodes 6 are connected to the same parent electrode 8.

[0078] The parent electrodes 8 are rectilinear over part of their length, or even their entire length, and the contact electrodes 6 which are associated with these parent electrodes 8 are connected here substantially perpendicularly to this associated parent electrode 8.

[0079] Here the electrode network 5 comprises two parent electrodes 8 which are parallel to each other, and their associated contact electrodes 6 are arranged between these two parent electrodes 8 and are alternated with an inter-distance D1, D2,... Di which decreases in relation to the decrease in the voltage Ul, U2... Ui present between the pairs of contact electrodes 6 so as to maintain the electrical power between the pairs of contact electrodes 6 substantially uniform.

[0080] The contact electrodes 6 arranged between the two parent electrodes 8, these contact electrodes being part of the same group 14 of contact electrodes, have a plurality of inter-distance values ​​D1, D2 ... Di. In the example described, we have D1>D2>D3> D4, and U1>U2>U3> U4 for the voltages between the contact electrodes 6.

[0081] The resistive layer 4 is a layer deposited on a substrate 16, in particular by screen printing, this resistive layer 4 extending in particular between the two parent electrodes 8 associated with the group of contact electrodes 6.

[0082] The contact electrodes 6 and the parent electrodes 8 are made of a conductive material, in particular a material comprising graphene. In a first embodiment, at least one section of at least one of the parent electrodes 8 comprises graphene and at least one section of at least one of the contact electrodes 6 comprises graphene. For example, all the sections of at least one of the parent electrodes 8 and / or all the sections of at least one of the contact electrodes 6 comprise graphene. In other words, at least one of the parent electrodes 8 and / or contact electrodes 6 comprise graphene over their entire length. All of the parent electrodes 8 may comprise at least one section comprising graphene, or alternatively at least one parent electrode 8 does not comprise graphene and at least one parent electrode 8 comprises graphene. In the same way, the set of contact electrodes 6 may comprise at least a section comprising graphene, or alternatively at least one contact electrode 6 does not comprise graphene and at least one contact electrode 6 comprises graphene. It is also possible that only one of the parent electrodes 8 comprises at least one section comprising graphene, and / or only one of the contact electrodes 6 comprises at least one section comprising graphene.

[0083] In a second embodiment, at least one section, preferably all of the sections, of at least one parent electrode 8 comprises graphene and the contact electrodes 6 do not comprise graphene.

[0084] In a third embodiment, at least one section, preferably all of the sections, of at least one contact electrode 6 comprises graphene and the parent electrodes 8 do not comprise graphene.

[0085] The contact electrodes 6 and the parent electrodes 8 may also comprise at least in part a metallic material such as ink loaded with conductive particles, in particular silver or copper particles.

[0086] In the example described, the resistive layer 4 associated with the group of contact electrodes 6 is a substantially rectangular continuous layer. Other shapes are of course conceivable.

[0087] The contact electrodes 6 of the same group 14 have the same length. Alternatively, the contact electrodes 6 may be of different lengths.

[0088] In an example not illustrated, several pairs of parent electrodes 8 can be provided, and there are then several groups 14 of contact electrodes 6.

[0089] A component of a motor vehicle interior 19, in particular a component to be integrated into a door of the vehicle, is provided with a radiant panel 1. Several components can be reviewed in the interior.

[0090] The component 19 may comprise a decorative layer applied to the radiant panel. The decorative layer may, for example, be impermeable to air, being, for example, leather.

[0091] The parent electrodes 8 may, if desired, have more complex shapes, for example with one or more rounded elbows connecting rectilinear portions.

[0092] In the example described, all the inter-distance Ui values ​​of a group 15 are different. Alternatively, it is possible that some inter-distance values ​​of the same group are identical, and not all different.

[0093] The substrate may be a sheet or a canvas for example.

[0094] The contact electrodes 6 and their associated parent electrodes 8 are arranged in the manner of nested combs.

[0095] In a variant, the heating structure is used in a passenger compartment component, being a passenger armrest, this structure being able to warm the arm of a passenger by thermal contact.

[0096] In the example described, the substrate 16 is extensible. In particular, the elements of the heating structure form an extensible assembly, namely the substrate 16, the resistive layer 4 and the contact electrodes 6 are extensible and flexible.

[0097] The contact electrodes 6 are formed by entangled wires, in particular woven or knitted, on a substrate 16 respectively woven or knitted.

[0098] The conductive wires forming the contact electrodes 6 are in contact with the resistive layer 4.

[0099] In another example of the invention, the substrate is a nonwoven. This nonwoven may comprise a mixture of polypropylene fibers and / or polyester fibers. Other fibers may be used, for example natural fibers.

[0100] Alternatively, the substrate 16 is a fabric, in particular with extensible yarns, or a knitted structure.

[0101] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate may be a flexible plastic sheet or a foam such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0102] [Fig. 3] shows a heating structure 30 intended in particular to be installed inside a vehicle passenger compartment, this structure being a radiant panel, the heating structure comprising a set of tangled wires of which certain wires 31 form parent electrodes 32, also called Busbar in English, and other tangled wires 33 form contact electrodes 34.

[0103] The substrate 35 on which the parent electrodes 32 and the contact electrodes 34 are formed is here a knitted structure 35 which incorporates wires used as contact electrodes and the resistive layer 36 is placed on the surface. The resistive ink is assembled for example on the textile by lamination, screen printing or hot stamping and transfer.

[0104] The substrate 35 comprises at least one of the following wires: non-stretchable wires for the substrate, non-stretchable conductive wires for electrodes, single-strand or multi-strand copper wires, a copper conductive wire and non-conductive wires for reasons of mechanical strength or ease of manufacture.

[0105] The heating structure 30 comprises an electrical distribution circuit 39 comprising parent electrodes 32 which transport the current from the connectors to the contact electrodes 34 which are in contact, for example, with a resistive layer.

[0106] The contact electrodes 34 and parent electrodes 32 are for example made of copper wires.

[0107] When the substrate 35 is knitted, the stretchable characteristic can be obtained either by the arrangement of the knitted structure, namely by the knitting technique, or by the intrinsic stretchable character of the yarns used for knitting.

[0108] In particular, if the potential elongation of the conductive yarn is different from that of the main fibers of the knit, the end of each conductor must remain free to move inside or outside the knitting.

[0109] Consider A as the number of contact electrodes 34 connecting to one of the parent electrodes 32 and B as the number of wires used for each contact electrode 34, the parent electrodes 32 thus have AxB knitted wires. The knitted wires of the parent electrodes 32 are knitted to also form connection elements.

[0110] In order to have a continuous manufacturing process of the knitted or woven structure, it is possible to connect both sides of the contact electrodes 34 to the parent electrodes 32 and then electrically neutralize a portion of these contact electrodes from the parent electrode by cutting the wires of the contact electrodes 34 by stamping them, as shown by the areas 41 in [Fig. 4], or by integrating an electrical insulator in an area 42 illustrated in [Fig. 5], at the location where the electrical connection is to be interrupted. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate woven substrates 45.

[0111] It is possible to have a connector at the end of each contact electrode 34, or an external parent electrode connecting all the contact electrodes 34 together.

[0112] The wires used for the parent electrodes 32 are of larger diameter than the wires used to form the contact electrodes 34, or heating wires.

[0113] In the case of using heating wires, it is not obligatory to have a resistive layer, for example a resistive ink layer.

[0114] If several contact electrodes 34 are connected together to one of the parent electrodes 32, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the connection between the parent electrode 32 and the contact electrodes 34 can be achieved by integrating the parent electrode 32 into the weaving weft and the contact electrodes 34 into the weaving warp or vice versa. By means of an alternating passage on both sides of the woven structure, the connection between electrodes is secured.

Claims

Claims

1. Heating structure (1, 30) intended in particular to be installed inside a passenger compartment of a vehicle, this structure being in particular a radiant panel, the heating structure (1, 30) comprising at least one resistive layer (4, 36) arranged to produce heat when this layer is traversed by an electric current, an electrode network comprising a plurality of electrodes (6, 8, 32, 34) arranged to be in electrical contact with the resistive layer (4, 36) so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer (4, 36), at least one section of at least one of the electrodes of the electrode network comprising graphene.

2. Heating structure (1, 30) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that all the sections of at least one of the electrodes (6, 8, 32, 34) of the electrode network comprise graphene.

3. Heating structure (1, 30) according to one of the preceding claims, the electrode array comprising a plurality of parent electrodes (8, 32) and a plurality of contact electrodes (6, 34) supplied with electric current by the parent electrodes, characterized in that at least one section, preferably all sections, of at least one of the parent electrodes (8, 32) comprises graphene and / or at least one section, preferably all sections, of at least one of the contact electrodes (6, 34) comprises graphene.

4. Heating structure (1, 30) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that all of the parent electrodes (8, 32) comprise at least one section comprising graphene.

5. Heating structure (1, 30) according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that all of the contact electrodes (6, 34) comprise at least one section comprising graphene.

6. Heating structure (1, 30) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one parent electrode (8, 32) does not comprise graphene and at least one parent electrode (8, 32) comprises graphene.

7. Heating structure (1, 30) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one contact electrode (6, 34) does not comprise graphene and at least one contact electrode (6, 34) comprises graphene.

8. Heating structure (1, 30) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one section, preferably all of the sections, of at least at least one parent electrode (8, 32) comprises graphene and the contact electrodes (6, 34) do not comprise graphene.

9. Heating structure (1, 30) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one section, preferably all sections, of at least one contact electrode (6, 34) comprises graphene and the parent electrodes (8, 32) do not comprise graphene.

10. Method for producing a heating structure (1, 30), in particular intended to be installed inside a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising: • at least one resistive layer (4, 36) arranged to produce heat when this layer is traversed by an electric current, • an array of electrodes (6, 8, 32, 34) in electrical contact with the resistive layer (4, 36) so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer (4, 36), at least one section of at least one of the electrodes comprising graphene.

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