US20090188259A1 - Integrated Thermoelectric Cooling Element and Positive Temperature Coefficient Heater - Google Patents

Integrated Thermoelectric Cooling Element and Positive Temperature Coefficient Heater Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090188259A1
US20090188259A1 US11/940,818 US94081807A US2009188259A1 US 20090188259 A1 US20090188259 A1 US 20090188259A1 US 94081807 A US94081807 A US 94081807A US 2009188259 A1 US2009188259 A1 US 2009188259A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
temperature coefficient
thermoelectric cooling
positive temperature
heating element
cooling element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/940,818
Inventor
Renato Colja
Jianlin Zhang
Corina Alionte
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schukra of North America Ltd
Original Assignee
Schukra of North America Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schukra of North America Ltd filed Critical Schukra of North America Ltd
Priority to US11/940,818 priority Critical patent/US20090188259A1/en
Assigned to SCHUKRA OF NORTH AMERICA, LTD. reassignment SCHUKRA OF NORTH AMERICA, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ZHANG, JIANLIN, ALIONTE, CORINA, COLJA, RENATO
Publication of US20090188259A1 publication Critical patent/US20090188259A1/en
Assigned to Schukra of North America Co. reassignment Schukra of North America Co. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SCHUKRA OF NORTH AMERICA LTD.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/40—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes
    • H05B3/42—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible
    • H05B3/48—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible heating conductor embedded in insulating material
    • H05B3/50—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible heating conductor embedded in insulating material heating conductor arranged in metal tubes, the radiating surface having heat-conducting fins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/56—Heating or ventilating devices
    • B60N2/5678—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by electrical systems
    • B60N2/5685—Resistance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/56—Heating or ventilating devices
    • B60N2/5678—Heating or ventilating devices characterised by electrical systems
    • B60N2/5692—Refrigerating means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C7/00—Non-adjustable resistors formed as one or more layers or coatings; Non-adjustable resistors made from powdered conducting material or powdered semi-conducting material with or without insulating material
    • H01C7/02—Non-adjustable resistors formed as one or more layers or coatings; Non-adjustable resistors made from powdered conducting material or powdered semi-conducting material with or without insulating material having positive temperature coefficient
    • H01C7/021—Non-adjustable resistors formed as one or more layers or coatings; Non-adjustable resistors made from powdered conducting material or powdered semi-conducting material with or without insulating material having positive temperature coefficient formed as one or more layers or coatings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2203/00—Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
    • H05B2203/02—Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a temperature regulation system, and more particularly to a solid state temperature regulation system.
  • thermoelectric cooling elements and positive temperature coefficient heating elements have been used apart from each other in temperature regulation devices (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,857,711, 5,138,851, 5,626,021, 5,653,741, 5,934,079, 6,263,530 and 6,486,452).
  • Thermoelectric cooling elements with two heat sinks have been used in combination with a heating layer to regulate the temperature in a seat cushion.
  • the heating layer is separate and apart from the thermoelectric cooling elements.
  • These prior art systems heat up slowly and can overheat.
  • the heating and cooling elements are separate from each other, there are duplicate parts which increase the overall size of the unit. Some current heating layers can overheat and may fail.
  • the present invention combines a thermoelectric cooling element and a positive temperature coefficient heating element into a single unit for a temperature regulation system with a simplified package. This unique combination results in a temperature regulation system that heats up quicker than current systems and has more heating power while eliminating a separate heating layer (pad) that are found in current systems.
  • the temperature coefficient heating element is self-regulating and will not overheat while providing more durability.
  • a temperature regulation system 19 has a thermoelectric cooling element 20 and a positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 .
  • a sandwiched heat sink 24 is attached to and situated between the thermoelectric cooling element 20 and the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 , and another heat sink 26 is preferably attached to the thermoelectric cooling element 20 on the side opposite to the sandwiched heat sink 24 .
  • the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 is attached to the heat sink 24 inside the thermoelectric cooling element housing (not shown), and closed cell foam 32 is used to insulate the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 .
  • the layers of the temperature regulation devices i.e., the thermoelectric cooling element 20 and the positive temperature coefficient heating element 24
  • solder i.e., epoxy or glue
  • grease or other thermal compound between the layers for good heat transfer.
  • the melting temperature of the solder should be higher than the operating temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 and should also be lower than the melting temperature of the solder used within the thermoelectric cooling element 20 (or between the thermoelectric cooling element and the sandwiched heat sink).
  • the temperature regulation system 19 includes blower (not shown) in operative communication with the thermoelectric cooling element 20 and the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 .
  • the blower provides air to an air distribution insert (not shown).
  • the entire temperature regulation system 19 package can be built into the cushions for a seat.

Abstract

An integrated thermoelectric cooling element and a positive temperature coefficient heating element are integrated into a single package. A heat sink is shared between the thermoelectric cooling element and the positive temperature coefficient.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates to a temperature regulation system, and more particularly to a solid state temperature regulation system.
  • 2. Related Art
  • Solid state heating and cooling elements, such as thermoelectric cooling elements and positive temperature coefficient heating elements, have been used apart from each other in temperature regulation devices (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,857,711, 5,138,851, 5,626,021, 5,653,741, 5,934,079, 6,263,530 and 6,486,452). Thermoelectric cooling elements with two heat sinks have been used in combination with a heating layer to regulate the temperature in a seat cushion. However, in such prior art temperature regulation systems, the heating layer is separate and apart from the thermoelectric cooling elements. These prior art systems heat up slowly and can overheat. Additionally, since the heating and cooling elements are separate from each other, there are duplicate parts which increase the overall size of the unit. Some current heating layers can overheat and may fail.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention combines a thermoelectric cooling element and a positive temperature coefficient heating element into a single unit for a temperature regulation system with a simplified package. This unique combination results in a temperature regulation system that heats up quicker than current systems and has more heating power while eliminating a separate heating layer (pad) that are found in current systems. The temperature coefficient heating element is self-regulating and will not overheat while providing more durability.
  • Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
  • As shown in the illustrations below, a temperature regulation system 19 has a thermoelectric cooling element 20 and a positive temperature coefficient heating element 22. A sandwiched heat sink 24 is attached to and situated between the thermoelectric cooling element 20 and the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22, and another heat sink 26 is preferably attached to the thermoelectric cooling element 20 on the side opposite to the sandwiched heat sink 24. In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 is attached to the heat sink 24 inside the thermoelectric cooling element housing (not shown), and closed cell foam 32 is used to insulate the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22.
  • The layers of the temperature regulation devices, i.e., the thermoelectric cooling element 20 and the positive temperature coefficient heating element 24, are bonded to each other using solder, epoxy or glue or are clamped together with grease or other thermal compound between the layers for good heat transfer. Generally, there should be good heat transfer characteristics for any material that is located between the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 and the first heat sink 24. When a solder (not shown) is the bonding element between the layers, the melting temperature of the solder should be higher than the operating temperature of the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22 and should also be lower than the melting temperature of the solder used within the thermoelectric cooling element 20 (or between the thermoelectric cooling element and the sandwiched heat sink).
  • The temperature regulation system 19 includes blower (not shown) in operative communication with the thermoelectric cooling element 20 and the positive temperature coefficient heating element 22. The blower provides air to an air distribution insert (not shown).
  • The entire temperature regulation system 19 package can be built into the cushions for a seat.
  • As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims (11)

1. A temperature regulation device, comprising
a thermoelectric cooling element;
a positive temperature coefficient heating element; and
a first heat sink attached to and situated between said thermoelectric cooling element and said positive temperature coefficient heating element.
2. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 1, further comprising a foam insulating said positive temperature coefficient heating element.
3. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 2, wherein said foam is comprised of a closed cell foam.
4. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 1, wherein said thermoelectric cooling element further comprises a housing and wherein said positive temperature coefficient heating element is attached to said heat sink within said housing.
5. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 1, further comprising a heat transfer layer between said positive temperature coefficient heating element and said first heat sink.
6. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 5, wherein said heat transfer layer is selected from the group consisting of a solder, an epoxy, a glue, a grease, a thermal compound, and any combination thereof.
7. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 1, further comprising a bonding element between said positive temperature coefficient heating element and said first heat sink, said bonding element being selected from the group consisting of a solder, an epoxy and a glue.
8. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second heat sink attached to said thermoelectric cooling element opposite said first heat sink.
9. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 1, further comprising a blower in operative communication with said thermoelectric cooling element and said positive temperature coefficient heating element.
10. The temperature regulation device set forth in claim 1, further comprising an air distribution fiber insert.
11. A temperature regulation system for a seat cushion, comprising
a thermoelectric cooling element;
a positive temperature coefficient heating element;
a first heat sink attached to and situated between said thermoelectric cooling element and said positive temperature coefficient heating element; and
a blower in operative communication with said thermoelectric cooling element and said positive temperature coefficient heating element.
US11/940,818 2006-11-22 2007-11-15 Integrated Thermoelectric Cooling Element and Positive Temperature Coefficient Heater Abandoned US20090188259A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/940,818 US20090188259A1 (en) 2006-11-22 2007-11-15 Integrated Thermoelectric Cooling Element and Positive Temperature Coefficient Heater

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US86702606P 2006-11-22 2006-11-22
US11/940,818 US20090188259A1 (en) 2006-11-22 2007-11-15 Integrated Thermoelectric Cooling Element and Positive Temperature Coefficient Heater

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090188259A1 true US20090188259A1 (en) 2009-07-30

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US11/940,818 Abandoned US20090188259A1 (en) 2006-11-22 2007-11-15 Integrated Thermoelectric Cooling Element and Positive Temperature Coefficient Heater

Country Status (3)

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US (1) US20090188259A1 (en)
CN (1) CN101304623A (en)
WO (1) WO2008061367A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180051553A1 (en) * 2016-08-18 2018-02-22 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flowline saturation pressure measurements
US10634396B2 (en) 2014-05-23 2020-04-28 Laird Thermal Systems, Inc. Thermoelectric heating/cooling devices including resistive heaters
US10689979B2 (en) 2016-06-16 2020-06-23 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flowline saturation pressure measurement

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101345849B1 (en) * 2011-11-22 2013-12-30 갑을오토텍(주) Air-conditioning seat
CN106773970B (en) * 2016-12-25 2019-02-22 中山市恒辉自动化科技有限公司 A kind of embedded system switching starting device

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4857711A (en) * 1988-08-16 1989-08-15 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Positive temperature coefficient heater
US5138851A (en) * 1990-12-14 1992-08-18 Golden Empire Trading Co., Inc. Active seat cooling system
US5626021A (en) * 1993-11-22 1997-05-06 Amerigon, Inc. Variable temperature seat climate control system
US5653741A (en) * 1995-08-22 1997-08-05 Grant; Edward F. Heating and cooling pad
US5934079A (en) * 1997-09-09 1999-08-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Base station heat management system
US6263530B1 (en) * 1996-09-24 2001-07-24 Steve Feher Selectively cooled or heated cushion and apparatus therefor
US6486452B2 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-11-26 Partick V. Loyd, Sr. Flexible heater assembly
US6839086B1 (en) * 1998-06-11 2005-01-04 Konica Corporation Camera including multiple lenses, a ranging means, and multiple image processors
US6893086B2 (en) * 2002-07-03 2005-05-17 W.E.T. Automotive Systems Ltd. Automotive vehicle seat insert
US20050253425A1 (en) * 2004-04-28 2005-11-17 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Rapid heating, cooling and massaging for car seats using integrated shape memory alloy actuators and thermoelectric devices
US20060168969A1 (en) * 2005-02-03 2006-08-03 Ligong Mei Compact high-performance thermoelectric device for air cooling applications
US20060175877A1 (en) * 2005-02-07 2006-08-10 L&P Property Management Company Heat, cool, and ventilate system for automotive applications

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6915641B2 (en) * 2003-01-14 2005-07-12 Mark R. Harvie Personal cooling and heating system

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4857711A (en) * 1988-08-16 1989-08-15 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Positive temperature coefficient heater
US5138851A (en) * 1990-12-14 1992-08-18 Golden Empire Trading Co., Inc. Active seat cooling system
US5626021A (en) * 1993-11-22 1997-05-06 Amerigon, Inc. Variable temperature seat climate control system
US5653741A (en) * 1995-08-22 1997-08-05 Grant; Edward F. Heating and cooling pad
US6263530B1 (en) * 1996-09-24 2001-07-24 Steve Feher Selectively cooled or heated cushion and apparatus therefor
US5934079A (en) * 1997-09-09 1999-08-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Base station heat management system
US6839086B1 (en) * 1998-06-11 2005-01-04 Konica Corporation Camera including multiple lenses, a ranging means, and multiple image processors
US6486452B2 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-11-26 Partick V. Loyd, Sr. Flexible heater assembly
US6893086B2 (en) * 2002-07-03 2005-05-17 W.E.T. Automotive Systems Ltd. Automotive vehicle seat insert
US20050253425A1 (en) * 2004-04-28 2005-11-17 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Rapid heating, cooling and massaging for car seats using integrated shape memory alloy actuators and thermoelectric devices
US20060168969A1 (en) * 2005-02-03 2006-08-03 Ligong Mei Compact high-performance thermoelectric device for air cooling applications
US20060175877A1 (en) * 2005-02-07 2006-08-10 L&P Property Management Company Heat, cool, and ventilate system for automotive applications

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10634396B2 (en) 2014-05-23 2020-04-28 Laird Thermal Systems, Inc. Thermoelectric heating/cooling devices including resistive heaters
US10689979B2 (en) 2016-06-16 2020-06-23 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flowline saturation pressure measurement
US11180990B2 (en) 2016-06-16 2021-11-23 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flowline saturation pressure measurement
US20180051553A1 (en) * 2016-08-18 2018-02-22 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flowline saturation pressure measurements
US10704379B2 (en) * 2016-08-18 2020-07-07 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flowline saturation pressure measurements
US11255183B2 (en) 2016-08-18 2022-02-22 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flowline saturation pressure measurements

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008061367A1 (en) 2008-05-29
CN101304623A (en) 2008-11-12

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AS Assignment

Owner name: SCHUKRA OF NORTH AMERICA, LTD., CANADA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:COLJA, RENATO;ZHANG, JIANLIN;ALIONTE, CORINA;REEL/FRAME:021415/0357;SIGNING DATES FROM 20080702 TO 20080818

AS Assignment

Owner name: SCHUKRA OF NORTH AMERICA CO., ONTARIO

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SCHUKRA OF NORTH AMERICA LTD.;REEL/FRAME:027553/0526

Effective date: 20110929

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION