An armrest for an interior equipment part of a motor vehicle includes a decor layer, a support element, a cushion element disposed at least in sections between the support element and the decor layer, and a heating element disposed at least in sections on the decor layer. Furthermore, the armrest includes a sensor element that includes an electrode and a counter electrode. The sensor element is electrically connected to a control unit, wherein the sensor element is designed to send an electric sensor signal to the control unit when the distance between the electrode and the counter electrode changes at least in regions, and the control unit is designed to switch the heating element off and/or on as a function of the sensor signal.

A vehicle seating assembly comprises a body with a center portion and four corner portions and a seating surface. A supporting layer is disposed below the body. A thermal transfer node is disposed in the body. The thermal transfer node includes a heat sink and a thermoelectric device. The heat sink is located between the seating surface and the thermoelectric device. The heat sink and the thermoelectric device are configured to draw heat away from the heating surface. A fluid moves proximate the thermal transfer node and into the supporting layer to draw heat away from the thermal transfer node. A phase change material is disposed between the seating surface and the heat sink.

A heating and cooling device is disclosed comprising at least one integral low voltage heating and cooling source and an efficient flexible heat distribution means having a thermal conductivity of from 375 to 4000 W/mK for distributing the heat and cool across a surface. Further aspects include thermal interface compounds to provide full thermal contact as well as the use of a phase change material to provide a long lasting heating and/or cooling effect without the use of external electrical input. Preferred applications include automotive and furniture seating heating and cooling, along with outdoor garments having distributed heating and cooling effects. Additional aspects include a thermal pad wrap and a thermally conductive liquid system for heat/cool distribution.

A thermoelectric module has a base and first and second thermoelectric elements set in the base and electrically isolated by the base. A bottom layer is coupled to a bottom surface of the base, a bottom surface of the first thermoelectric element, and a bottom surface of the second thermoelectric element to electrically connect the first and second thermoelectric elements. The base is used to protect the thermoelectric elements. Multiple thermoelectric modules may be mounted to and connected by conductors on a flexible circuit panel to create a flexible thermoelectric circuit assembly for cooling, heating and/or power generating applications.

An automobile seat and an automobile are provided. The automobile seat comprises a seat cushion and a backrest, and at least one of the seat cushion and the backrest is provided with a temperature adjusting system comprising a temperature adjusting device and a fan (300). In the automobile seat, the traditional heating pad and ventilation device are replaced by providing, in a temperature adjusting system, a fan (300) and a temperature adjusting device formed by serially-connected devices wherein a convertible cooling module (100) and a heating module (200) are connected, thereby achieving the integrated design of ventilation heating and cooling, avoiding the interference between the two sets of devices, thus reduces manufacturing and processing costs.

A method of controlling a temperature altering element within a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: presenting a vehicle including a seating assembly including a temperature altering element, a controller in communication with the temperature altering element, the controller including a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forth rules governing the activation of the temperature altering element as a function of data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditions, and a user interface configured to allow the temperature altering element to be manually activated or deactivated; occupying the seating assembly with a first occupant; collecting data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions while the first occupant is occupying the seating assembly; determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model, whether the collected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as to activate the temperature altering element; and activating the temperature altering element.

A seat thermal conditioning device includes a seat portion having a vent configured to provide conditioned air to a seat occupant neck area. A thermoelectric module is arranged in the seat portion. The thermoelectric module is configured to both heat and cool an air supply to provide the conditioned air.

An airflow sensing seat comprises a seat body (1), an airbag (2), a sensing assembly (3), and a micro control unit (4). The airbag (2) is provided in the seat body (1). A deformable support structure (21) is provided in the airbag (2). The support structure (21) is used to maintain an appropriate amount of gas in the airbag (2). A transmission mechanism (5) is provided between the airbag (2) and the sensing assembly (3). The transmission mechanism (5) is used to transmit gas disturbance in the airbag (2) to the sensing assembly (3). The sensing assembly (3) is used to generate a corresponding analog electrical signal according to the gas disturbance. The sensing assembly (3) is electrically connected to the micro control unit (4). The sensing assembly (3) transmits the analog electrical signal to the micro control unit (4). The micro control unit (4) is used to perform analysis and computation on the analog electrical signal so as to acquire a biological signal of a user. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting a smart seat. The airflow sensing seat and an adjustment method therefor obviate the need to embed other electronic pressure sensing assemblies in the seat body, thereby avoiding damage to an electronic pressure sensing assembly due to frequent pressing thereon. In addition, the airbag does not need to be inflated during testing, thereby reducing costs.

A temperature management system for an occupant supporting device comprising an air-circulating circuit is provided, the air-circulating circuit comprising: an air distributing device; a main power device for circulating the air in the air-circulating circuit; and a temperature adjusting device for adjusting the temperature of the air in the air-circulating circuit, wherein an airflow, which has been temperature adjusted by the temperature adjusting device, out of the main power device comprises at least a first portion which flows into the air distributing device and a second portion which returns back to the main power device after circulating within the air-circulating circuit, and wherein the airflow which returns back to the main power device will be adjusted by the temperature adjusting device and circulated in the air-circulating circuit again. A seat cushion and a seat backrest comprising the temperature management system, and an occupant supporting device comprising the seat cushion and the seat backrest are also provided. The occupant supporting device can be a seat or a bed.

A multifunctional switch system for an autonomous vehicle may include a plurality of docking stations in the interior of the autonomous vehicle, sets an operation mode of a mobile operation device for each of positions of the plurality of docking stations, and operates in an operation mode corresponding to the position of the docking station as the mobile operation device is docked to the docking station to enable a driver in the autonomous vehicle to conveniently operate various convenience devices regardless of the driver's location, and an operating method thereof.