Vehicle Trim Heating With Continuous Carbon Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of vehicle trim elements with integrated heating elements is complex and costly, especially when multiple heating elements need to be placed in different zones, as existing methods require shaping a resistive circuit, which complicates the process and increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
A trim element featuring a discrete continuous carbon heating element extending from one edge to another, connected by electrodes, which can be simply applied to the support layer without prior shaping, reducing production costs and simplifying the integration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resistive circuit is used as a heating element and shaped by cutting or printing to form a circuit pattern, then the heating element can be integrated into the trim element, but the production process becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the circuit pattern formation step from the heating element production process. Instead of shaping the heating element into a complex resistive circuit pattern, the invention uses a continuous carbon strip that is simply placed onto the support layer, eliminating the need for cutting or printing operations to create circuit patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is segmented into a discrete continuous carbon strip that can be independently produced and then applied to the trim element. This segmentation allows the heating element to be manufactured separately as a simple linear component rather than as an integrated complex circuit pattern.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a resistive circuit is shaped by cutting or printing to form a particular pattern, then the heating element can provide targeted heating zones, but production costs increase due to the shaping steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon strip is prepared in advance as a continuous linear element with predetermined electrical connectivity. The electrodes are attached to the ends of the carbon strip before the strip is applied to the support layer, allowing for easy configuration of multiple heating zones without requiring complex shaping operations during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves different heating zones by selectively placing or removing portions of the continuous carbon strip along its length, rather than shaping the entire element at once. This allows different sections of the trim element to have different heating characteristics while using a simple, cost-effective manufacturing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heating elements are placed in different zones of the support layer, then passenger comfort is improved, but the production process becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating elements are merged into a single continuous carbon strip with electrodes attached at intervals. This unified structure allows multiple heating zones to be created by simply connecting different sections of the carbon strip to power sources, eliminating the need to separately shape and position multiple independent heating elements.
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 approach allows for a cost-effective and straightforward production of heated trim elements, enabling multiple heating zones to be easily integrated into vehicle trim elements, enhancing passenger comfort without the need for complex shaping or high costs.
Implementation Method 1
The heating element comprises at least one discrete continuous carbon element, consisting of a carbon material extending continuously in an uninterrupted way from a first edge to a second edge
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle trim element (1) comprises at least one support layer (2), comprising an inner face (6) and an outer face (8), and at least one heating element (4) extending over a part of the inner face (6) or over a part of the outer face (8) of the support layer (2). The heating element (4) comprises at least one discrete continuous carbon element (10) consisting of a carbon material extending continuously in an uninterrupted way from a first edge (12) to a second edge (14), and a connecting device electrically connected with the carbon element (10), said connecting device being suitable for being electrically connected to a source of current.