DEVICE FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF CERTAIN AREAS AND FOR RECOGNIZING OCCUPATION THEREOF BY PERSONS AND/OR OBJECTS, AND SEATING AND/OR RECLINING APPARATUS INCLUDING SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

A device (1) for temperature control and for recognizing an occupation of certain areas by a person and/or an object are disclosed. The device includes at least one electrically conductive heating line (23) that is designed for releasing heat energy, and at least one electrode (3, 5) adjoining the at least one electrically conductive heating line (23), the longitudinal axis of the electrode extending, at least in sections, along the at least one heating line. The at least one electrode (3, 5) is mechanically coupled to the at least one heating line (23), and is designed as a component of a capacitive sensor system, by means of which a presence of persons and/or objects within a certain area is determinable.

Claims

1. A device comprising at least one electrically conductive heating line that is designed for releasing heat energy, and at least one electrode adjoining the at least one electrically conductive heating line a longitudinal axis of the at least one electrode extending, at least in sections, along the at least one electrically conductive heating line, wherein the at least one electrode is mechanically coupled to the at least one electrically conductive heating line, and is designed as a component of a capacitive sensor system by means of which a presence of persons and/or objects within a certain area is determinable so that the device controls temperature of the certain areas and recognizes occupation thereof by persons, objects, or both.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode has a lower electrical conductivity than the at least one electrically conductive heating line.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical conductive heating line is made of metal.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one electrically conductive heating line is made of copper or a copper alloy.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrically conductive heating line is a plurality of heating lines and a flexible strain relief element, the plurality of heating lines being positioned in a circle around the flexible strain relief element.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible strain relief element is an electrode.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode made of an electrically conductive plastic, and/or an electrically conductive layer is applied to the at least one electrode.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode is designed as a jacket or a component of the jacket, within which the at least one electrically conductive heating line is accommodated.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the jacket includes an exterior extrusion that is designed as a nonconductor, and includes an interior extrusion that is designed as the at least one electrode.

10. The device according to claim 1, comprising a control unit, the control unit being connected to the at least one electrode, so that with the assistance of the at least one electrode, information concerning the presence of persons and/or objects within the certain area is transmittable to the control unit, and the control unit being coupled to the at least one electrically conductive heating line such a way that the control unit selectively controlling a release of heat energy or preventing the release of heat via the at least one heating line, taking the information into account.

11. The device according to claim 1, comprising at least one work instrument that is coupled to a control unit, the work instrument being selectively activatable or deactivatable via the control unit, taking information into account.

12. The device according to claim 10, comprising at least one display unit that is connected to the control unit, and via which the information concerning the presence of persons and/or objects within the certain area is visually displayable.

13. A seating and/or reclining apparatus, comprising a device according to claim, wherein the at least one electrode and the at least one electrically conductive heating line are positioned in a cushion structure of the seating and/or reclining apparatus; and the capacitive sensor system has a counter electrode, that is positioned beneath the at least one electrode, which is brought into operative connection with the at least one electrode in order to determine the presence of persons and/or objects on the seating and/or reclining apparatus.

Description

[0031] Exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages are explained in greater detail below with reference to the appended figures. The proportions of the individual elements with respect to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual proportions, since some shapes are simplified, and other shapes are illustrated in enlarged form in relation to other elements for better clarity.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of a seating apparatus according to the invention, together with one embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of one embodiment of a device according to the invention; and

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of another embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0035] Identical reference numerals are used for similar or functionally equivalent elements of the invention. In addition, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals that are necessary for describing the particular figure are illustrated in the individual figures. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention may be configured, and do not constitute a definitive limitation.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of a seating apparatus 10 according to the invention, together with one embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is designed for controlling the temperature of the seating apparatus 10 and for recognizing occupation thereof by persons and/or objects.

[0037] The device 1 includes a heating element 14 that is embedded in a meandering manner in a seating surface 12 of the seating apparatus 10. Conceivable embodiments for the heating element 14, which is designed as a heating litz wire 15, are shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, in each case in cross section. The temperature of the seating apparatus 10 may be controlled via the heating element 14. In addition, an occupation of the seating apparatus 10 may be recognized via or with the assistance of the heating element 14.

[0038] For this purpose, the heating element 14 or the heating litz wire 15 is connected to a control unit, as illustrated in FIG. 1 with reference to reference numeral 16. A user may specify a certain desired power for the heating element 14 via the control unit 16.

[0039] The heating element 14, as described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, includes at least one electrode 3 or 5, which is designed as a component of a capacitive sensor system; the control unit 16 may determine an occupation of the seating apparatus 10 with the assistance of the at least one electrode 3 or 5. Since the heating element 14 together with its at least one electrode 3 or 5 is positioned in the seating surface 12, the occupancy recognition takes place over the certain area 20 that is present in the surroundings of the seating surface 12. The heating element 14 is covered by a cushion structure and a seat cover, not illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present patent application. The at least one electrode 3 or 5 cooperates with a counter electrode, not illustrated, in order to determine the presence of persons and/or objects on the seating apparatus 10. The at least one electrode 3 or 5 and the counter electrode are components of a capacitive sensor system.

[0040] The control unit 16 is also able to distinguish between an occupation by an object and an occupation by a person, as a function of a signal that is received via the capacitive sensor system. Taking into account an occupation of the seating apparatus 10 by an object or by a person, the control unit 16 may then control the heating element 14 to release heat energy, or to prevent a release of heat energy by the heating element 14. If, for example, a pocket is placed in the certain area 20, the control unit 16 may prevent a release of heat energy by the heating element 14, whereas a release of heat energy by the heating element 14 may be initiated via the control unit 16 if the at least one electrode 3 or 5, designed as a component of the heating element 14 or of the device 1, determines a presence of a person in the certain area 20.

[0041] An airbag system 20 [sic; 22] which automatically opens in the event of a collision of a passenger vehicle, having the vehicle seat 10 and a steering wheel 36, is integrated into the steering wheel 36. If the control unit 16 does not determine an occupation of the seating apparatus 10, i.e., an occupation by a person, in the certain area 20, the control unit 16 prevents the airbag system 20 [sic; 22] from opening in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, not illustrated in the present patent application. However, if the control unit 16 determines an occupation of the seating apparatus 10, i.e., an occupation by a person, in the certain area 20, the control unit 16 allows the airbag system 20 [sic; 22] to open in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, not illustrated in the present patent application.

[0042] Furthermore, a plurality of such vehicle seats 10, each with the device 1, may be used as passenger seats in an aircraft. The control units 16 of the respective devices 1 may be connected to a shared controller which outputs and/or displays information concerning occupied passenger seats and unoccupied passenger seats, optionally in real time. In addition, only one shared control unit may be provided, which is connected to all devices 1 or heating elements 14 which are designed for occupancy recognition and temperature control of the passenger seats, and which outputs and/or displays information concerning occupied passenger seats and unoccupied passenger seats. If an occupation of all passenger seats during flight operation is necessary for safety reasons, the occupation in question may be determined with the assistance of the device 1.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of one embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. A control unit 16 is not illustrated in FIG. 2, but may be provided as a component for a device 1 according to FIG. 2.

[0044] The device 1 includes multiple electrically conductive heating lines 23, each having a circular cross section and being made of a copper alloy. A strain relief element 24 which likewise has a circular cross section is positioned between the heating lines 23. The heating lines 23 are positioned in a circle around the strain relief element 24, i.e., about the longitudinal axis of the strain relief element 24. If temperature control is desired, a release of heat energy via the heating lines 23 may be initiated by means of the control unit 16 (see FIG. 1).

[0045] The strain relief element 24 is made of a plastic that is at least slightly electrically conductive. Voltage may thus be applied to the strain relief element 24, wherein the strain relief element 24, as an electrode 3, cooperates with a counter electrode, not illustrated in FIG. 2, as a capacitive sensor in order to recognize a presence of persons or objects in a certain area 20, which may be provided in the surroundings of a seating surface 12, for example. Voltage may be applied to the heating lines 23 and the strain relief element 24, designed as an electrode 3, via a shared crimp.

[0046] The strain relief element 24, designed as an electrode, and the heating lines 23 are accommodated in a form-fit manner by a jacket 30 that is made up of an interior extrusion 25 and an exterior extrusion 28. The interior extrusion 25 has at least slight electrical conductivity, and is made of plastic. When a voltage is applied to the interior extrusion 25, the interior extrusion 25, as an electrode 5, may cooperate with a counter electrode, not illustrated in FIG. 2, as a capacitive sensor in order to recognize a presence of persons or objects in a certain area 20, which may be provided in the surroundings of a seating surface 12, for example.

[0047] The exterior extrusion of the jacket 30 is designed as a nonconductor 6 and thus has no, or essentially no, electrical conductivity. Unintentional contact with the heating lines 23 or the interior extrusion 25 is counteracted via the exterior extrusion 6 or via the jacket 30.

[0048] The heating lines 23 and the strain relief element 24 may be accommodated by the jacket 30 in a form-fit manner or with little play. If one or more of the heating lines 23 are damaged by mechanical stress, the occupancy recognition may be maintained by means of one or both of the electrodes 3 or 5.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of another embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 according to FIG. 3 also has a strain relief element 24, which is designed as an electrode 3 and made of electrically conductive plastic, and which acts [sic; cooperates] with a counter electrode as a capacitive sensor. The strain relief element 24 as well as the heating lines 23 are completely enclosed by a jacket 30 designed as a nonconductor 6. The electrical conductivity of the heating wires 23 is designed to be greater than the electrical conductivity of the strain relief element 24. The heating wires 23 are also made of copper or a copper alloy, while the jacket 30 and the strain relief element 24, designed as an electrode 3, are made of plastic. The heating wires 23 are mechanically coupled to the strain relief element 24 via the jacket 30.

[0050] The invention has been described with reference to one preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for those skilled in the art to make use of modifications or changes to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the claims set forth below.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0051] 1 device

[0052] 3 electrode

[0053] 5 electrode

[0054] 6 nonconductor

[0055] 10 seating apparatus

[0056] 12 seating surface

[0057] 14 heating element

[0058] 15 heating litz wire

[0059] 16 control unit

[0060] 18 connection

[0061] 20 certain area

[0062] 22 airbag system

[0063] 23 heating line

[0064] 24 strain relief element

[0065] 25 first extrusion

[0066] 28 second extrusion

[0067] 30 jacket

[0068] 36 steering wheel