Surface temperature-controlling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface temperature-controlling device, in particular for use in vehicles, comprising a first air-distributing layer which has multiple air inlets extending through the first air-distributing layer and multiple air outlets extending through the first air-distributing layer, and a second air-distributing layer which fluidically connects air inlets and air outlets of the first air-distributing layer, wherein the air inlets are designed to introduce pre-heated or pre-cooled air into the second air-distributing layer, and the air outlets are designed to discharge air out of the second air-distributing layer.

Claims

1. A surface temperature-controlling device in an armrest, comprising: a first air-distributing layer located in the armrest and comprising: air outlets arranged in two or more rows along a longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends of the first air-distributing layer, and extending through a thickness of the first air-distributing layer in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis; and air inlets arranged in one or more rows along the longitudinal axis and extending through the thickness of the first air-distributing layer in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, one of the one or more rows of air inlets being disposed between two of the two or more rows of air outlets, and the air inlets being staggered to the air outlets such that adjacent rows form a zig-zag pattern arranged along the longitudinal axis; a second air-distributing layer that fluidically connects the air inlets and the air outlets, and air flows that run transversely to the air inlets and/or the air outlets are created inside the second air-distributing layer; and a flow generator from which pre-heated or pre-cooled air is provided to the air inlets and to which the pre-heated or pre-cooled air is provided from the air outlets; wherein each of the air inlets supply the pre-heated or pre-cooled air to multiple of the air outlets between which the air inlets are arranged; wherein each of the air inlets provide the pre-heated or pre-cooled air to the multiple air outlets and the multiple air outlets are evenly spaced apart and evenly distributed around one of the air inlets from which the multiple air outlets are provided the pre-heated or pre-cooled air; wherein each of the air outlets are provided the pre-heated or pre-cooled air from multiple of the air inlets and the multiple air inlets are evenly spaced apart and evenly distributed around one of the air outlets to which the multiple air inlets provide the pre-heated or pre-cooled air; wherein the air inlets introduce the pre-heated or pre-cooled air into the second air-distributing layer and the air outlets discharge the pre-heated or pre-cooled air from the second air-distributing layer; and wherein the first air-distributing layer and the second air-distributing layer are integrated in a flow circuit, wherein the pre-heated or pre-cooled air circulates within the flow circuit so that the pre-heated or pre-cooled air is used repeatedly.

2. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 1, wherein the air inlets are connected to one another via first bypass lines within the first air-distributing layer and the air outlets are connected to one another via second bypass lines within the first air-distributing layer.

3. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 1, wherein exchange of the pre-heated or pre-cooled air between the air inlets and the air outlets only occurs in the second air-distributing layer.

4. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 1, wherein the air outlets are arranged in two or more rows along a transverse axis extending between opposing ends of the first air-distributing layer, and the air inlets are arranged in one or more rows along the transverse axis.

5. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 1, wherein the first air-distributing layer has a surface facing the second air-distributing layer, which comprises air inlet openings and air outlet openings.

6. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 4, wherein the air inlets are equally spaced along the longitudinal axis of the first air-distributing layer and the air outlets are equally spaced along the longitudinal axis of the first air-distributing layer.

7. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 6, wherein four of the air inlets provide the pre-heated or pre-cooled air to each of the air outlets and four of the air outlets are provided the pre-heated or pre-cooled air from each of the air inlets.

8. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 5, wherein a cross section of several or all of the air inlets and/or the air outlets and/or several or all of the air inlet openings and/or the air outlet openings have different sizes and/or different shapes.

9. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 8, wherein a number of the air inlets differs from a number of the air outlets.

10. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 9, wherein the first air-distributing layer and/or the second air-distributing layer comprises flow constrictions that influence air flow and cause a change in pressure.

11. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 10, wherein one or more of the air inlets, the air outlets, the air inlet openings, and/or the air outlet openings are disposed outward from one or more of the air inlets, the air outlets, the air inlet openings, and/or the air outlet openings; and wherein the one or more air inlets, air outlets, air inlet openings, and/or air outlet openings that are outwardly disposed have a smaller distance from one another and/or have a different size, relative to the one or more air inlets, air outlets, air inlet openings, and/or air outlet openings that are inwardly disposed.

12. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 11, wherein several or all of the air inlets are fluidically connected to one another on a side of the first air-distributing layer facing away from the second air-distributing layer and/or several or all of the air outlets are fluidically connected to one another on the side of the first air-distributing layer facing away from the second air-distributing layer.

13. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 12, wherein an air-permeable material is arranged in or over the air inlet openings and/or the air outlet openings.

14. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 13, wherein the first air-distributing layer and/or the second air-distributing layer are formed from an air-permeable material or have an air-permeable material in some areas.

15. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 13, wherein the first air-distributing layer is formed from a hard shell material, the hard shell material defining the air inlets and the air outlets.

16. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 13, wherein a separating layer is arranged between the first air-distributing layer and the second air-distributing layer, the separating layer having a higher rigidity than the first air-distributing layer and/or the second air-distributing layer.

17. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 16, wherein an electric heating device is arranged between the second air-distributing layer and a material layer supporting a surface to be temperature-controlled, or the electric heating device is integrated into the material layer supporting the surface to be temperature-controlled.

18. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 1, further comprising a first thermoelectric device and a second thermoelectric device downstream of the flow generator and upstream of the first air-distributing layer.

19. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 1, further comprising a first thermoelectric device disposed downstream of the flow generator and upstream of the first air-distributing layer; and a second thermoelectric device disposed downstream of the second air-distributing layer and upstream of the flow generator; and wherein the first and second thermoelectric devices pre-heat or pre-cool the pre-heated or pre-cooled air.

20. The surface temperature-controlling device according to claim 19, further comprising a condensation removal device that removes condensation from the pre-heated or pre-cooled air circulating in the flow circuit; wherein the condensation removal device is located downstream of the second thermoelectric device and upstream of the flow generator.

Description

(1) Below, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows parts of a rest according to the invention in a perspective view;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an air distribution body of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a plan view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further air distribution body of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a plan view;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a further air distribution body of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a plan view;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a schematic representation;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a heating device of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a plan view;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the heating device shown in FIG. 6 with an air-distributing layer in a plan view;

(9) FIG. 8 shows the parts of the surface temperature-controlling device shown in FIG. 7 with a further air-distributing layer in a plan view;

(10) FIG. 9 shows the parts of the surface temperature-controlling device shown in FIG. 8 with air inlet ports and air outlet ports in a plan view;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a rest according to the invention, which comprises the parts of the surface temperature-controlling device shown in FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a temperature control system of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a schematic representation;

(13) FIG. 12 shows an alternative temperature control system of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a schematic representation;

(14) FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a schematic representation; and

(15) FIG. 14 shows an air-distributing layer of a surface temperature-controlling device according to the invention in a plan view.

(16) FIG. 1 shows a rest 100 designed as an armrest, which is installed in the interior of a vehicle. The rest 100 comprises a surface temperature-controlling device 10, which is partially shown. The surface temperature-controlling device 10 is used to temperature-control a surface of the rest, not shown.

(17) The surface temperature-controlling device 10 has a temperature control system 48, wherein the temperature control system 48 pre-heats or pre-cools air and makes the pre-heated or pre-cooled air available to the air-distributing layer 14 shown. The air-distributing layer 14 has multiple air inlets 18 extending through the air-distributing layer 14 and multiple air outlets 22 extending through the air-distributing layer 14. The air-distributing layer 14 has a surface 12 facing the surface of the rest, not shown, which comprises a plurality of air inlet openings 16 and air outlet openings 20. The air inlet openings 16 are components of the respective air inlets 18. The air outlet openings 20 are components of the respective air outlets 22.

(18) A further, not shown, air-distributing layer 34 is arranged above the air-distributing layer 14 and fluidically connects the air inlets 18 and the air outlets 22 of the air-distributing layer 14 to one another. Pre-heated or pre-cooled air can thus be introduced into the air-distributing layer 34 through the air inlets 18 and discharged again from the air-distributing layer 34 through the air outlets 22.

(19) FIG. 2 shows an air distribution body 24, which comprises a first air-distributing layer 14. The air distribution body 24 is formed from a hard shell material, namely from plastic. The air distribution body 24 forms each of the air inlets 18 and/or air outlets 22 as air ports. In the area of the surface 12, the air inlets 18 and the air outlets 22 have corresponding air inlet openings 16a-16n and air outlet openings 20a-20n. The air inlet openings 16a-16n and the air outlet openings 20a-20n are distributed in a substantially uniform manner. A group of air outlet openings 20a-20n is assigned to each of the air inlet openings 16a-16n, the air outlet openings 20a-20n being arranged in a group evenly spaced apart from each other and evenly distributed around the air inlet opening 16a-16n, which is assigned to the group of air outlet openings 20a-20n. The air outlet openings 20a, 20b, 20h, 20i are evenly arranged around the air inlet opening 16a and spaced at an equal distance from the same.

(20) Furthermore, a group of air inlet openings 16a-16n is assigned to each of the air outlet openings 20a-20n, wherein the air inlet openings 16a-16n are arranged in a group that is evenly spaced from and evenly distributed around the air outlet opening 20a-20n, which is assigned to the group of air inlet openings 16a-16n. The air inlet openings 16b, 16c, 16i, 16j, for example, are evenly arranged around the air inlet opening 20j and are at an equal distance from the same.

(21) FIG. 3 also shows an air distribution body 24 which comprises a plurality of air inlets 18 and a plurality of air outlets 22 which have corresponding air inlet openings 16 or air outlet openings 20 in the area of the surface 12.

(22) To adapt the back pressure and the air flow, the air inlets 18 and the air outlets 22 are arranged in four rows that run essentially parallel to one another. The lower three rows each have an identical number of air inlets 18 and/or air outlets 22. The upper row has approximately twice the number of air inlets 18 or air outlets 22. Thus, the in-row distance between the openings in the lower three rows is greater than the in-row distance between the openings in the top row.

(23) In addition, the air inlet openings 16 and air outlet openings 20 have different sizes or more specifically different diameters. The diameter changes along the respective row arrangement with the diameter decreasing in the present case from left to right. This configuration allows the precise setting of an intended surface temperature or heat flow distribution.

(24) FIG. 4 shows that the air inlets 18 and air outlets 22 are assigned to the rows 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, which run essentially parallel to one another. The rows 26a, 26b comprise the air inlets 18. The rows 28a, 28b comprise the air outlets 22. The arrows between the rows 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b show that air flows transversely to the air inlets 18 and the air outlets 22 within the air-distributing layer 34 adjoining the surface 12. The air inlets 18 and the air outlets 22 of the respective rows 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b are fluidically connected to corresponding air inlet ports or air outlet ports on the underside of the air distribution body 24, via which air is made available to the air inlets 18, and air is discharged from the air outlets 22.

(25) FIG. 5 shows a surface temperature-controlling device 10 with a first distribution layer 14, which has multiple air inlets 18a, 18b extending through the air-distributing layer 14 and multiple air outlets 22a, 22b extending through the first air-distributing layer 14. Furthermore, the surface temperature-controlling device 10 comprises a second air-distributing layer 34, which fluidically connects the air inlets 18a, 18b and the air outlets 22a, 22b of the first air-distributing layer 14.

(26) The air inlets 18a, 18b introduce the pre-heated or pre-cooled air into the second air-distributing layer 34, with the air outlets 22a, 22b discharging air from the second air-distributing layer 34.

(27) The pre-heated or pre-cooled air is made available to the air inlets 18a, 18b via the air inlet ports 30a, 30b. The air discharged through the air outlets 22a, 22b is transported away through the air outlet ports 32a, 32b.

(28) A separating layer 36 is arranged between the first air-distributing layer 14 and the second air-distributing layer 34 and has a higher rigidity than the air-distributing layers 14, 34. The separating layer 36 has corresponding air passages in the area of the air inlets 18a, 18b and air outlets 22a, 22b.

(29) The surface temperature-controlling device 10 comprises a material layer 40 made of silicone, which supports the surface 38 to be temperature-controlled. The surface 38 to be temperature-controlled is coupled to the second air-distributing layer 34 in a heat-transferring manner. The surface 38 of the surface temperature-controlling device 10 is covered with a rest cover 102, with the rest cover 102 of the rest 100 comprising the resting surface 104.

(30) An electric heating device 42 is integrated in the material layer 40, which is designed as a film heating system and via which the heating power of the surface temperature-controlling device 10 is increased even further.

(31) FIG. 6 shows a corresponding electric heating device 42, which is designed as a film heating system. The heating device 42 has flat heating tracks which can be supplied with current via the connecting cables 44a, 44b. The heating tracks form a heating circuit. They are bent several times, and some have a meandering structure.

(32) The heating device 42 is integrated in a transparent material layer 40.

(33) FIG. 7 shows the transparent material layer 40 and the heating device 42 in combination with an air-distributing layer 34. In the course of the proportion of the surface temperature-controlling device 10, the air-distributing layer 34 is glued to the material layer 40, which comprises the heating device 42.

(34) FIG. 8 shows a further step in the manufacturing process of the surface temperature-controlling device 10. A further air-distributing layer 14 has now been applied to the air-distributing layer 34 and has a multiplicity of air inlets 18 and air outlets 22. The air-distributing layer 34 shown in FIG. 7 is air-permeable so that the air-distributing layer 34 fluidically connects the air inlets 18 and the air outlets 22 of the air-distributing layer 14.

(35) FIG. 9 shows air inlet ports 30a, 30b and air outlet ports 32a, 32b, via which pre-heated or pre-cooled air can be made available to the air inlets 18, and air can be removed from the air outlets 22. A flow resistance 46 is shown by way of example, via which the air flow within the air inlet ports 30a, 30b or the air outlet ports 32a, 32b can be influenced.

(36) FIG. 10 shows a rest 100 which comprises a surface temperature-controlling device 10. The surface temperature-controlling device 10 of the rest 100 corresponds to the surface temperature-controlling device 10, the configuration of which was shown in FIG. 6-FIG. 9. The rest 100 accordingly comprises a rest cover 102 with a temperature-adjustable resting surface 104.

(37) FIG. 11 shows a temperature control system 48 of a surface temperature-controlling device 10 according to the invention. The temperature control system 48 is used for heating or cooling air before it is introduced into the air inlets 18 of the air-distributing layer 14.

(38) The temperature control system 48 has a service air flow 66 and an exhaust air flow 64.

(39) The service air flow 66 is generated by a flow generator 58, which draws in air from the environment 108. The flow generator 58 is designed as a fan. Furthermore, the temperature control system 48 has a plurality of thermoelectric devices 50a, 50b, each of which has a service side 52a, 52b and an exhaust air side 54a, 54b. With regard to the service air flow 66, the thermoelectric devices 50a, 50b are connected in series so that the air to be temperature-controlled first flows through the temperature-control area of the thermoelectric device 50a and then through the temperature-controlled area of the thermoelectric device 50b before the air temperature-controlled in this way is brought to the air-distributing layers 14, 34.

(40) The exhaust air flow 64 is generated by the flow generator 68, which is also designed as a fan. The flow generator 68 draws in air from the environment 108. The exhaust air flow is divided upstream of the thermoelectric devices 50a, 50b so that the thermoelectric devices 50a, 50b are connected in parallel with respect to the exhaust air flow 64. The exhaust air flow 64 removes waste heat from the thermoelectric devices 50a, 50b. The exhaust air is finally brought to an exhaust air outlet 70.

(41) FIG. 12 shows an alternative temperature control system 48 in which the first air-distributing layer 14 and the second air-distributing layer 34 are integrated in a flow circuit 62. The air circulation within the flow circuit 62 is generated by the flow generator 58, which is designed as a fan. Arranged in front of the flow generator 58 is a condensation removal device 56 which extracts moisture from the circulating air with a non-woven fabric. Furthermore, the temperature control system 48 comprises two thermoelectric devices 50a, 50b, the service sides 52a, 52b of which are also integrated in the flow circuit 62. The exhaust air sides 54a, 54b are connected in a heat-transferring manner to a heat exchanger 60 through which a flow of liquid 64 is guided in order to remove waste heat.

(42) Seals 106a, 106b are provided in the transition to the rest 100 so that an unintentional escape of air from the flow circuit 62 is prevented.

(43) FIG. 13 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a surface temperature-controlling device 10, which likewise has a first air-distributing layer 14 and a second air-distributing layer 34. The second air-distributing layer 34 is designed as spacer fabric so that the second air-distributing layer 34 fluidically connects the air inlets 18a, 18b and the air outlets 22a, 22b of the first air-distributing layer 14 to one another.

(44) The pre-heated or pre-cooled air is supplied to the air inlets 18a, 18b via the air inlet ports 30a, 30b. The air discharged through the air outlets 22a, 22b is discharged via the air outlet ports 32a, 32b.

(45) FIG. 14 shows an air-distributing layer 14 with three groups 72a-72c of air inlets and two groups 74a, 74b of air outlets. The air inlets of the groups 72a, 72b are located outside and are arranged in an L-shape. The groups 74a, 74b each have a number of air outlets. Group 72c has a series of air inlets. The air inlets and air outlets of groups 74a, 74b, 72c run substantially parallel to one another.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(46) 10 Surface temperature-controlling device 12 Surface 14 First air-distributing layer 16, 16a-16n Air inlet openings 18, 18a, 18b Air inlets 20, 20a-20n Air outlet openings 22, 22a, 22b Air outlets 24 Air distribution body 26a, 26b Rows of air inlets 28a, 28b Rows of air outlets 30a, 30b Air inlet ports 32a, 32b Air outlet ports 34 Second air-distributing layer 36 Separating layer 38 Surface to be temperature controlled 40 Material layer 42 Heating device 44a, 44b Connection cable 46 Flow resistance 48 Temperature control system 50a, 50b Thermoelectric devices 52a, 52b Use sides 54a, 54b Exhaust air sides 56 Condensation removal device 58 Flow generator 60 Heat exchanger 62 Flow circuit 64 Exhaust air flow or liquid flow 66 Service air flow 68 Flow generator 70 Exhaust air outlet 72a-72c Groups of air inlets 74a, 74b Groups of air outlets 100 Rest 102 Rest cover 104 Rest surface 106a, 106b Seats 108 Environment