Variable Pitch Heating Element for Vehicle Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical heating elements for vehicle seats, which provide a 'hot point' heating effect, are costly to manufacture due to complex construction and high material expenses.
Innovation Solution
An electrical heating element comprising a core string wrapped with an electrically conductive wire, where the wire is wound with a smaller pitch in the first sections compared to the second sections, resulting in greater power dissipation per unit length in the first sections, creating a 'hot point' effect while simplifying and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If additional conductors are arranged in parallel in first sections to create hot point heating effect, then heating temperature distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the pitch of the wire winding along the core string. In first sections, the wire is wound with a smaller pitch (greater number of windings per unit length), while in second sections, the pitch is larger. This creates localized differences in resistance per unit length, generating hot points where higher temperature is needed, without requiring additional conductors or complex parallel arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the wire winding (pitch) along the core string to achieve different heating characteristics. By adjusting the pitch from small in first sections to large in second sections, the resistance per unit length varies accordingly, creating the desired temperature distribution with a single continuous wire, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
2Temperature
If additional conductors are arranged in parallel in first sections to create hot point heating effect, then heating temperature distribution is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the pitch of the wire winding along the core string. In first sections, the wire is wound with a smaller pitch (greater number of windings per unit length), while in second sections, the pitch is larger. This creates localized differences in resistance per unit length, generating hot points where higher temperature is needed, without requiring additional conductors or complex parallel arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the wire winding (pitch) along the core string to achieve different heating characteristics. By adjusting the pitch from small in first sections to large in second sections, the resistance per unit length varies accordingly, creating the desired temperature distribution with a single continuous wire, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
3Power
If wire is wrapped with smaller pitch in first sections, then power dissipation per unit length increases creating hot point effect, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the wire winding (pitch) along the core string to achieve different heating characteristics. By adjusting the pitch from small in first sections to large in second sections, the resistance per unit length varies accordingly, creating the desired temperature distribution with a single continuous wire, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
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
The solution achieves a 'hot point' heating effect with reduced manufacturing complexity and cost, maintaining efficient temperature distribution and power consumption similar to prior art, but at lower production expenses.
Implementation Method 1
a heating current in the wire will result in a power dissipation per unit length measured in the direction of the core string which is greater in the first sections than in the second sections
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical heating element (1) comprises a core string (2) and an electrically conductive wire (4), which is wrapped about the core string (2), follows the core string (2) and is electrically insulated with respect to the core string (2). A path (10) defined by the core string (2) includes a sequence of alternating first (11) and second (12) sections, wherein the wire (4) is wrapped in a pitch which, in the first sections (11), is generally smaller than in the second sections (12). The electrical heating element (1) can be used, e.g., in a heatable seat assembly.