U.S. patent application number 11/733693 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for apparatus for heating vehicle seat.
Invention is credited to Myoung Jun Lee.
Application Number | 20080251511 11/733693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39852779 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080251511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Myoung Jun |
October 16, 2008 |
APPARATUS FOR HEATING VEHICLE SEAT
Abstract
The present invention relates to an electric heating element.
The electric heating element includes a core support, an inner wire
wound around the core support, an intermediate dielectric layer
formed around the inner wire, an outer wire wound around the
intermediate dielectric layer, a connector connecting an end of the
inner wire to an end of the outer wire, and an outer sheath formed
around the outer wire, wherein the inner wire and outer wire are
arranged to have opposite phases according to a direction of a
current to attenuate magnetic fields generated from the inner wire
and outer wire when a power is applied to the to inner wire and
outer wire.
Inventors: |
Lee; Myoung Jun; (La Habra,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEE, HONG, DEGERMAN, KANG & SCHMADEKA
660 S. FIGUEROA STREET, Suite 2300
LOS ANGELES
CA
90017
US
|
Family ID: |
39852779 |
Appl. No.: |
11/733693 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 3/342 20130101;
H05B 2203/003 20130101; H05B 2203/017 20130101; H05B 2203/029
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/535 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/74 20060101
A47C007/74 |
Claims
1. An electric heating element comprising: a core support; an inner
wire wound around the core support; an intermediate dielectric
layer formed around the inner wire; an outer wire wound around the
intermediate dielectric layer; a connector connecting an end of the
inner wire to an end of the outer wire; and an outer sheath formed
around the outer wire, wherein the inner wire and outer wire are
arranged to have opposite phases according to a direction of a
current to attenuate electromagnetic fields generated from the
inner wire and outer wire when a power is applied to the to inner
wire and outer wire.
2. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the inner wire
is wound at a helical pitch of approximately 1 mm.
3. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the inner wire
is an enameled copper wire.
4. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the inner wire
has a diameter of approximately 0.23 mm.
5. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the outer wire
is wound at a helical pitch of approximately 1 mm.
6. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the outer wire
is an alloy wire.
7. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the outer wire
has a resistance value substantially equal to the electric heating
element.
8. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the core
support is a glass yarn.
9. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the
intermediate dielectric layer comprises a silicon resin.
10. The electric heating element of claim 1, wherein the power
applied to the inner wire and outer wire is between 12 V and 24
V.
11. An apparatus for heating a vehicle seat, the apparatus
comprising: an electric heating element mounted in the vehicle
seat, the electric heating element comprising a core support, an
inner wire wound around the core support, an intermediate
dielectric layer formed around the inner wire, an outer wire wound
around the intermediate dielectric layer, a connector connecting an
end of the inner wire to an end of the outer wire, and an outer
sheath formed around the outer wire; a power supply for
transferring power from the vehicle to the inner wire and outer
wire; and a switch installed on the power supply for regulating the
power transferred from the vehicle to the inner wire and outer
wire, wherein the inner wire and outer wire are arranged to have
opposite phases according to a direction of a current to attenuate
electromagnetic fields generated from the inner wire and outer wire
when the power is transferred to the inner wire and outer wire.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inner wire is wound at a
helical pitch of approximately 1 mm.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inner wire is an
enameled copper wire.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inner wire has a
diameter of approximately 0.23 mm.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the outer wire is wound at a
helical pitch of approximately 1 mm.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the outer wire is an alloy
wire.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the outer wire has a
resistance value substantially equal to the electric heating
element.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the core support is a glass
yarn.
19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the intermediate dielectric
layer comprises a silicon resin.
20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power transferred to the
inner wire and outer wire is between 12 V and 24 V.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a
vehicle seat, and more particularly, to an apparatus for heating a
vehicle seat capable of attenuating an electromagnetic field
generated from a heating element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A vehicle seat heating apparatus comprises a heating wire,
typically having a length between 5 and 8 meters and a resistance
between 3 and 5 ohms, installed in a seat cushion of the vehicle.
The heating wire is heated using power from the vehicle. When
current flows through an electric conductor, an electric field is
generated around the conductor. Accordingly, when a driver drives
the vehicle while using the heating apparatus for a certain amount
of time, the generated electric field will inevitably harm the body
of the driver.
[0003] Thus, a related art apparatus for attenuating the electric
field generated around the conductor to protect the driver has been
developed. In this apparatus, when current flows through
double-stranded twisted conductors, magnetic fields having opposite
phases are generated from the double-stranded twisted conductors,
and thereby the magnetic fields the phases of which are opposite
each other undergo destructive interference. Conventionally,
because a vacuum tube has a supply power ranging from 0.2 W to 2 W.
the mere twisting of two strands of heaters causes the magnetic
field generated in the vacuum tube to be suppressed for the most
part. However, a problem arises when power consumption increases to
a range from 10 W to 30 W because twisting the conductors alone is
not enough to attenuate the magnetic field.
[0004] When the heaters are driven by alternating current (AC)
power, the electric field and the magnetic field are generated at
the same time. In the case of using AC power, when a current of 1 A
at 100V flows through double-stranded twisted heaters, a magnetic
flux of 15 mG is detected from the twisted heaters. For heating
elements arranged in parallel, a magnetic flux of 30 mG is
detected. For heating elements comprising a spiral winding
structure, a magnetic flux of 8 mG is detected. Accordingly, these
detected results show that the magnetic field is not sufficiently
attenuated merely by the simple structure in which the heating
elements are twisted. Furthermore, it is difficult to install
heating conductors in the vehicle seat so that they have opposite
phases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for
heating a vehicle seat capable of attenuating an electromagnetic
field generated from a heating element.
[0006] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, the present invention is embodied in an electric heating
element comprising, a core support, an inner wire wound around the
core support, an intermediate dielectric layer formed around the
inner wire, an outer wire wound around the intermediate dielectric
layer, a connector connecting an end of the inner wire to an end of
the outer wire, and an outer sheath formed around the outer wire,
wherein the inner wire and outer wire are arranged to have opposite
phases according to a direction of a current to attenuate
electromagnetic fields generated from the inner wire and outer wire
when a power is applied to the to inner wire and outer wire.
[0007] In one aspect of the invention, the inner wire is wound at a
helical pitch of approximately 1 mm. Preferably the inner wire is
an enameled copper wire. Preferably, the inner wire has a diameter
of approximately 0.23 mm.
[0008] In another aspect of the invention, the outer wire is wound
at a helical pitch of approximately 1 mm. Preferably, the outer
wire is an alloy wire. Preferably, the outer wire has a resistance
value substantially equal to the electric heating element.
[0009] Preferably, the core support is a glass yarn. Preferably,
the intermediate dielectric layer comprises a silicon resin.
Preferably, the power applied to the inner wire and outer wire is
between 12 V and 24 V.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, an apparatus for heating a vehicle seat comprises an
electric heating element mounted in the vehicle seat, the electric
heating element comprising a core support, an inner wire wound
around the core support, an intermediate dielectric layer formed
around the inner wire, an outer wire wound around the intermediate
dielectric layer, a connector connecting an end of the inner wire
to an end of the outer wire, and an outer sheath formed around the
outer wire.
[0011] The apparatus further comprises a power supply for
transferring power from the vehicle to the inner wire and outer
wire, and a switch installed on the power supply for regulating the
power transferred from the vehicle to the inner wire and outer
wire, wherein the inner wire and outer wire are arranged to have
opposite phases according to a direction of a current to attenuate
electromagnetic fields generated from the inner wire and outer wire
when the power is transferred to the inner wire and outer wire.
[0012] In one aspect of the invention, the inner wire is wound at a
helical pitch of approximately 1 mm. Preferably, the inner wire is
an enameled copper wire. Preferably, the inner wire has a diameter
of approximately 0.23 mm.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the outer wire is wound
at a helical pitch of approximately 1 mm. Preferably, the outer
wire is an alloy wire. Preferably, the outer wire has a resistance
value substantially equal to the electric heating element.
[0014] Preferably, the core support is a glass yarn. Preferably,
the intermediate dielectric layer comprises a silicon resin.
Preferably, the power applied to the inner wire and outer wire is
between 12 V and 24 V.
[0015] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention. Features, elements, and aspects of
the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different
figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features,
elements, or aspects in accordance with one or more
embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for heating a vehicle seat
in a state of being used, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a driving circuit diagram of an apparatus
for heating a vehicle seat in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cutaway view of a heating
element used for an apparatus for heating a vehicle seat in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit diagram illustrating a
connection state of a power supply and a heating element in an
apparatus for heating a vehicle seat in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a
vehicle seat capable of attenuating an electromagnetic field
generated from a heating element.
[0022] Reference will now be made in greater detail to preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for heating a vehicle seat
in a state of being used, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 6 comprises at
least one vehicle seat 5 installed therein. Preferably, the at
least one vehicle seat 5 includes a vehicle seat heating apparatus
comprising heating elements 10.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a driving circuit diagram of an apparatus
for heating a vehicle seat in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a power supply 1 supplies
direct current (DC) power of a vehicle to heating elements 10
installed on at least one vehicle seat 5 (as shown in FIG. 1). The
DC power is preferably maintained at a DC voltage between 12V and
24V. The DC power supplied through the power supply 1 flows or is
interrupted according to a current on-off switch 2. High and low
heat settings are selected by a temperature selection switch 3. The
power supply 1 may be detachably coupled to the heating elements 10
via couplers 4. Preferably, the power supply 1 supplies the DC
power to the at least one vehicle seat 5 installed on the vehicle
6, wherein a heating element 10 of each seat drives current from
the power supply 1 by means of the discrete couplers 4.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cutaway view of a heating
element used for an apparatus for heating a vehicle seat in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4
illustrates a circuit diagram illustrating a connection state of a
power supply and a heating element in an apparatus for heating a
vehicle seat in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the DC power supplied from the power
supply 1 is applied to an inner wire 21 and an outer wire 22 of
each heating element 10 via a connector 23. Hence, the current
flowing through the inner wire 21 is generally out of phase with
the current flowing through the outer wire 22. Accordingly, the
magnetic fields emitted into the same space by currents having the
opposite phases, interact with each other to reduce the intensity
of each magnetic field.
[0027] Preferably, the inner wire 21 and the outer wire 22 are
densely wound with a turn pitch of approximately 1 mm. Therefore,
the magnetic fields leaked by the inner wire 21 and the outer wire
22 cause interference between congested magnetic waves so that the
magnetic fields are attenuated with high efficiency.
[0028] Preferably, the inner wire 21 is constructed by winding an
enameled copper wire having a diameter of approximately 0.23 mm
around a core support 11. Generally, turns of the conductor wound
at a dense pitch are displaced in a wound state, and are thereby in
contact with each other. In this state, when current is passed
through the contacting turns, a resistance value of each turn is
changed. Thus, the attenuation effect of the magnetic field becomes
low.
[0029] Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention, the inner wire 21 is loosely wound around the core
support 11 with a small turn diameter so that its turns are
displaced in a wound state, and thus are in contact with each other
in a displaced state. However, because the inner wire 21 preferably
comprises the enameled copper wire, the turns of the inner wire 21
are insulated from each other even though the turns contact each
other. Thus, a reduction in the actual conduction length of the
inner wire 21 is prevented.
[0030] Preferably, the outer wire 22 comprises an alloy wire, such
as a nichrome wire, for example. Accordingly, the outer wire 22 has
high tensile strength, and can be densely wound so as not to be
displaced by tensely applying the outer wire 22 to an intermediate
dielectric layer 12 having a diameter larger than the core support
11. Preferably, the outer wire 22, wound closely around the
intermediate dielectric layer 12 in a contacting state, is covered
by an outer dielectric layer 13. Thus, the outer wire 22 is firmly
fixed so as not to be displaced. Accordingly, even if the heating
apparatus of the present invention is pressed by the seats when in
use, and the heating elements thereof are subject to vibration and
friction due to a driving vibration of the vehicle, the outer wire
22 can maintain an initial electric resistance of the wound
state.
[0031] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a heating element has the following construction. The core support
11 comprises a glass yarn having a diameter of 1 mm. Moreover, the
inner wire 21 comprises a dielectric coating copper wire having a
diameter of 0.23 mm and is wound around the core support 11.
Preferably, a silicon resin is extruded on the inner wire 21 to
form an intermediate dielectric layer 12 having a diameter of 2.2
mm. An alloy wire, such as a nichrome wire, is selected to have a
length and diameter corresponding to a resistance value of the
heater and is wound around the intermediate dielectric layer 12
with a predetermined tension at a pitch of 0.8 mm to provide the
outer wire 22. Preferably, the outer wire 22 is covered with an
outer sheath. Moreover, one end of the inner wire 21 is connected
to one end of the outer wire 22.
[0032] Preferably, the heating element has a diameter of
approximately 3.4 mm. Preferably, an apparatus for heating a
vehicle seat including the heating element is installed in the
vehicle seat and is powered by a 12V DC power supply. Accordingly,
when the heating apparatus is driven, a magnetic field leak is
reduced by 98% and a magnetic flux density of 0.5 mG or less is
attained.
[0033] As can be seen from the foregoing, according to the present
invention, the DC heating apparatus for the vehicle seat comprises
an enameled copper wire and an alloy wire for adjusting the value
of resistance and are installed in the form of a double wire to be
used as a heating element while attenuating a magnetic field.
Thereby, the DC heating apparatus is easily manufactured, and
attenuates the magnetic field with high efficiency. Further, wound
conductors are densely arranged to subject a leaking magnetic field
to interference from magnetic wave radiation so that the leaking
magnetic field is reduced by 98%. Also, total magnetic flux density
is 0.5 mG or less. In addition, in spite of contact between the
turns of a densely wound copper wire, the actual conduction length
of the copper wire is not reduced.
[0034] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *