An infrared warmer device may include a touch sensor unit including a detecting wire mounted adjacent to a heating layer; a temperature sensor unit mounted adjacent to the heating layer; a cover covering the heating layer, an electrode unit, the touch sensor unit, and a temperature sensor unit; and a control unit controlling an amount of electric power supplied through the electrode unit such that a temperature detected by the temperature sensor unit reaches a target temperature, and changing the target temperature to a safe temperature when a touch of a body is detected through the touch sensor unit.

A target thermal sensation setter sets target thermal sensations for a finite number of parts into which the occupant is virtually divided. A cabin temperature controller individually controls a cabin air-conditioning unit and an auxiliary heater so that the thermal sensations of the respective parts of the occupant estimated by an occupant thermal sensation estimator fall within a range of the target thermal sensations.

A heater apparatus includes a heat generating unit, an outer surface, a temperature sensor and a detection unit. A first control portion of an electronic control unit controls temperature of the heat generating unit in such a way that it stops or reduces electric power supply to the heat generating unit, when it determines that an object has been brought into contact with a first region of the outer surface. A second control portion of the electronic control unit controls the temperature of the heat generating unit depending on a detected temperature of the temperature sensor. A third control portion of the electronic control unit controls the temperature of the heat generating unit in such a way that it stops or reduces the electric power supply to the heat generating unit, when it determines that the object has been brought into contact with a second region of the outer surface.

A heating device for a vehicle seat, that includes at least one heating surface that is at least in sections permeable to heat radiation; and at least one heat generator arranged at least partially behind the at least one heating surface. The at least one heat generator is configured to generate the heat radiation and to emit the generated heat radiation in a direction of at least one heating surface. The at least one heating surface has a plurality of emission zones that are spaced apart from one another, for emitting the heat radiation.

A method of regulating thermal comfort of an occupant of a vehicle cabin uses a radiant heating tile powered via an energy storage device to generate thermal energy. The method also includes detecting the occupant's position via a position sensor and detecting the occupant's surface temperature and detecting a temperature of the tile via at least one temperature sensor. The method additionally includes determining, via an electronic controller, a rate of change of occupant's surface temperature and a difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature relative to a predetermined temperature set-point. The method further includes regulating, via the electronic controller, a power input from the energy storage device to the tile in response to the determined rate of change of the surface temperature and the determined difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature to thereby regulate the occupant's surface temperature.

An adaptive radiant heating system regulates a climate inside a motor vehicle cabin having a seat for a vehicle occupant. The system includes radiant heating tiles arranged proximate the seat and powered by an energy storage device. The system also includes a first sensor for detecting a position of the occupant and generating a first signal indicative thereof. The system additionally includes a second sensor for detecting a temperature within the cabin and generating a second signal indicative thereof. The system furthermore includes an electronic controller in operative communication with the tiles and the first and second sensors, and configured to regulate the climate proximate the seat via selective control of the tiles. The controller is configured to receive the first and second signals and activate at least one of the tiles in response to the first and second signals, to thereby regulate the climate proximate the seat.

A method of regulating thermal comfort of an occupant of a vehicle cabin uses a radiant heating tile powered via an energy storage device to generate thermal energy. The method also includes detecting the occupant's position via a position sensor and detecting the occupant's surface temperature and detecting a temperature of the tile via at least one temperature sensor. The method additionally includes determining, via an electronic controller, a rate of change of occupant's surface temperature and a difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature relative to a predetermined temperature set-point. The method further includes regulating, via the electronic controller, a power input from the energy storage device to the tile in response to the determined rate of change of the surface temperature and the determined difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature to thereby regulate the occupant's surface temperature.

An adaptive radiant heating system regulates a climate inside a motor vehicle cabin having a seat for a vehicle occupant. The system includes radiant heating tiles arranged proximate the seat and powered by an energy storage device. The system also includes a first sensor for detecting a position of the occupant and generating a first signal indicative thereof. The system additionally includes a second sensor for detecting a temperature within the cabin and generating a second signal indicative thereof. The system furthermore includes an electronic controller in operative communication with the tiles and the first and second sensors, and configured to regulate the climate proximate the seat via selective control of the tiles. The controller is configured to receive the first and second signals and activate at least one of the tiles in response to the first and second signals, to thereby regulate the climate proximate the seat.

A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating zone, a first radiant heating feature on a first side of the radiant heating zone and a second radiant heating feature on a second side of the radiant heating zone opposite the first side. A method of radiant heating is also disclosed.

A radiation heater for a vehicle includes a plurality of heating layers spaced apart from each other by a predetermined division pattern on a substrate made of an insulating material, and a pair of electrodes attached to each heating layer. In addition, the pair of electrodes include a center electrode attached to a central portion of the heating layer, and a peripheral electrode attached to a portion of the heating layer adjacent to an edge thereof. The plurality of heating layers are made of a carbon-family material or carbon-based material, and the center electrode and the peripheral electrode are also made of a carbon-family material or carbon-based material.