Vehicle Heating Element With Parallel Temperature Detection Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating elements for user-touchable vehicle surfaces, such as seats and steering wheels, face challenges in providing reproducible surface temperature measurements due to the selective temperature detection of NTC sensors, which can be obscured by their shape and fail to account for temperature hotspots.
Innovation Solution
A heating element design featuring a separate temperature detection conductor that runs parallel and at a distance from the heating conductor, made of a material with a higher temperature coefficient, such as nickel, to ensure accurate and averaged temperature sensing over a larger area, avoiding the influence of hotspots and ensuring correct measurement even in case of conductor breaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an NTC sensor is used for temperature detection, then the temperature can be detected at a specific point, but the measurement is affected by hotspots and does not represent the average surface temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature detection function is segmented into multiple independent measurement points along the heating element. Instead of using a single NTC sensor, the patent employs multiple temperature detection conductors distributed at different locations, each measuring temperature at its specific position. This segmentation allows the system to capture temperature variations across the heating element and calculate an average temperature, thereby eliminating the influence of localized hotspots and improving measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is placed close to the heating conductor, then it can detect the heating element temperature, but it is influenced by hotspots and local temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning temperature detection conductors at specific locations along the heating element where they can measure representative temperatures. Each detection conductor is placed to monitor the temperature characteristics of its local zone, and the combined data from multiple locations provides a comprehensive view of the overall temperature distribution, effectively neutralizing the harmful effect of hotspots through spatial distribution of measurement points.
3Device complexity
If a single temperature detection point is used, then the device complexity is low, but the temperature regulation is not sensitive enough
Solution Approach 1:
The heating conductor itself serves multiple functions: it acts as both the heating element and part of the temperature detection system. The temperature detection conductors are integrated into the same carrier material structure as the heating conductor, allowing the system to perform both heating and temperature monitoring functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality approach enables sensitive temperature regulation without significantly increasing device complexity, as the detection system shares the same structural platform as the heating system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for better regulation and sensitive control of surface temperature, reducing the impact of heating element hotspots and providing accurate temperature readings, enhancing user comfort and safety by averaging temperature measurements over a larger area.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature detection conductor (7) is made of a material with a higher temperature coefficient than the heating conductor (6)... which changes its electrical resistance as a function of its temperature
Implementation Method 2
heating conductor (6), which runs in particular in a wavy or meandering shape... made of a material with a higher temperature coefficient
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating element for user-touchable surfaces, in particular a surface in a vehicle interior, wherein the heating element comprises at least one carrier material on which at least one heating conductor, which in particular has a wave-like or meandering shape, and at least one temperature sensing element are arranged. The at least one temperature sensing element is designed as at least one temperature sensing conductor separate from the heating conductor, which changes its electrical resistance depending on its temperature, wherein the temperature sensing conductor essentially follows the path of the heating conductor at a distance, parallel to, and at least partially parallel to, the heating conductor.