Multiple vehicle heating systems are disclosed providing a multilayered heating fabric to provide thermal radiation to vehicle occupants. In one embodiment, a heating system comprises a plurality of electrical bus bars and a heating fabric. The plurality of electrical bus bars connect to a battery within a vehicle to receive electrical power. The heating fabric comprises a conductive layer, and a non-conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises a plurality of non-uniform conductive fibers disbursed within a binder. The non-uniform conductive fibers are in electrical communication with at least two of the plurality of electrical bus bars. The non-uniform conductive fibers are adapted to convert electrical power to thermal radiation. The non-conductive layer insulates the conductive layer from the vehicle.

An electric heating member, in particular for automotive application, includes an electrically conductive, flat-shaped textile member of uniform thickness and a layer of flexible, polymeric plastic material that is adhesively bonded to a surface of the textile member. The electrically conductive textile member is formed by at least two electrically conductive textile member parts that are arranged side by side and are electrically separated. At least one of the at least two textile member parts is electrically connected to electric terminals that are connectable to an electric heater power supply unit. The electric heating member is particularly intended to be used for heating a vehicle steering wheel.

A trim element includes at least one support layer having an inner face and an outer face and at least one functional layer made from a carbon material extending over at least part of the inner face or over at least part of the outer face of the support layer. At least part of the functional layer defines at least one heating element formed by a pattern that includes at least one conductive area made from carbon material and at least one nonconductive area formed by a through opening in the functional layer, the conductive area being supplied by a current source electrically connected to the conductive area.

The objective of the present invention is to decrease air temperature reduction along an indoor-side surface of a vehicle opening part caused by heat transfer from outside air. A heating device for a vehicle is provided with a heat generating part (2) which is installed on a vehicle component provided along an edge of a vehicle opening part, and which increases, via heat generation, the temperature of low temperature air along an indoor-side surface of the vehicle opening part caused by heat transfer from outside air. The heat generating part (2) may be disposed along an opening part installed with a vehicle window (52), and the heat generating part (2) may include an electric heater that uses electric power as a heat source.

A heat generator using a Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) composite material includes: an outer electrode part; an inner electrode part which faces the outer electrode part and is spaced apart from the outer electrode part at a predetermined distance; a connection part which connects the outer electrode part with the inner electrode part; and a bracket part which is disposed in the outer electrode part and the inner electrode part including the connection part to shield the outer electrode part, the inner electrode part and the connection part from each other. A surface of the connection part does not face directly the outer electrode part and the inner electrode part. The outer electrode part and the inner electrode part include electrodes having polarities different from each other.

An electric heating device, in particular for automotive application, includes a dielectric, planar, flexible carrier, at least one electrically resistive conductor line fixedly attached onto a surface of the flexible carrier and, at least for each end of the conductor line, an electrically conductive terminal line. The terminal lines abut and are electrically connected to a respective end of the conductor line, wherein the terminal lines have a width (w.sub.T) that is narrower than a width (w.sub.R) of the conductor line. At least one electrically conductive shunt member is attached to at least one out of at least a portion of at least one of the terminal lines and a portion of the at least one conductor line for at least partially electrically shunting the respective portion.

A heater device includes a heat generating part that generates heat by energization, and a detection unit. The detection unit detects whether or not a distance between an object around the heat generating part and the heat generating part is equal to or less than a first detection distance with a first detection sensitivity, and whether or not the distance between the object around the heat generating part and the heat generating part is equal to or less than a second detection distance shorter than the first detection distance with a second detection sensitivity that is less sensitive than the first detection sensitivity.

A radiant heating device for producing radiant heat in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a heating surface for emitting heat radiation, a heating element for providing heating power, a first temperature sensor for detecting a first temperature in a specific spot and for providing a corresponding first temperature indication, and a second temperature sensor for detecting a second temperature on the surface and for providing a corresponding second temperature indication. In order to detect a local over-heating of the heating surface, a difference between the two temperature indications is determined. In the event of a defect, a protective operating mode is then selected.

A thermoelectric module includes a first thermoelectric material, a second thermoelectric material spaced apart from the first thermoelectric material, and a stretching element selectively connected between the first thermoelectric material and the second thermoelectric material, wherein the stretching element is stretchable.

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.