U.S. patent application number 16/589657 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-01 for system for controlling localized heating and cooling.
The applicant listed for this patent is GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. Invention is credited to Paul W. ALEXANDER, Nancy L. JOHNSON, Dorel M. SALA.
Application Number | 20210098679 16/589657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004376571 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210098679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SALA; Dorel M. ; et
al. |
April 1, 2021 |
System For Controlling Localized Heating And Cooling
Abstract
A thermal control system includes a component having a surface.
A plurality of thermal generating devices include a first
conductive plate, second and third conductive plates, a first
semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate
and the second conductive plate, and a second semiconductor device
arranged between the first conductive plate and the third
conductive plate. The first semiconductor device and the second
semiconductor device have different types of doping. First ones of
the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged with the
first conductive plate located adjacent to the surface of the
component. Second ones of the plurality of thermal generating
devices are arranged with the second and third conductive plates
located adjacent to the surface of the component. The first ones
and the second ones of plurality of thermal generating devices
perform heating and cooling of the surface, respectively.
Inventors: |
SALA; Dorel M.; (Troy,
MI) ; ALEXANDER; Paul W.; (Ypsilanti, MI) ;
JOHNSON; Nancy L.; (Northville, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004376571 |
Appl. No.: |
16/589657 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 35/02 20130101;
H01L 35/32 20130101; B62D 1/065 20130101; B60N 2/56 20130101; H01L
35/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 35/32 20060101
H01L035/32; H01L 35/02 20060101 H01L035/02; H01L 35/30 20060101
H01L035/30 |
Claims
1. A thermal control system, comprising: a component having a
surface; and a plurality of thermal generating devices including: a
first conductive plate; second and third conductive plates; a first
semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate
and the second conductive plate; and a second semiconductor device
arranged between the first conductive plate and the third
conductive plate, wherein the first semiconductor device and the
second semiconductor device have different types of doping, wherein
first ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are
arranged with the first conductive plate located adjacent to the
surface of the component, wherein second ones of the plurality of
thermal generating devices are arranged with the second and third
conductive plates located adjacent to the surface of the component,
and wherein the first ones and the second ones of the plurality of
thermal generating devices perform heating and cooling of the
surface, respectively.
2. The thermal control system of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of temperature sensors arranged adjacent to the surface
to sense a plurality of temperatures of the component; and a
controller configured to selectively operate the plurality of
thermal generating devices based on the plurality of
temperatures.
3. The thermal control system of claim 1, further comprising a
controller including a heating and cooling profile storing
temperature differences for the plurality of thermal generating
devices attached to the component based on locations of the
plurality of thermal generating devices, wherein the controller
controls power to the plurality of thermal generating devices based
on the heating and cooling profile.
4. The thermal control system of claim 1, wherein one of the first
ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices and the second
ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices is selectively
used to sense a plurality of temperatures.
5. The thermal control system of claim 4, further comprising a
controller configured to operate the plurality of thermal
generating devices based on the plurality of temperatures.
6. The thermal control system of claim 1, wherein a subset of the
plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged in a
column.
7. The thermal control system of claim 6, wherein each of the
plurality of thermal generating devices that are arranged within
the column are arranged parallel to one another.
8. The thermal control system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
thermal generating devices are arranged in a circular arrangement
within the at least one of a seat and a seat pad of a vehicle.
9. The thermal control system of claim 1, wherein the first ones
and the second ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices
are disposed between a first foam substrate and a second foam
substrate.
10. The thermal control system of claim 9, wherein the first foam
substrate defines a plurality of thermoconductive channels.
11. The thermal control system of claim 9, further comprising a
heat sink arranged along a surface of the second foam
substrate.
12. A thermal control system, comprising: a plurality of thermal
generating device holders, wherein each of the plurality of thermal
generating device holders includes; N surfaces where N is an
integer greater than one and N slots on each of the N surfaces,
respectively; a plurality of thermal generating devices including:
a first conductive plate; second and third conductive plates; a
first semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive
plate and the second conductive plate; and a second semiconductor
device arranged between the first conductive plate and the third
conductive plate, wherein the first semiconductor device and the
second semiconductor device have different types of doping, wherein
first ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are
arranged in first ones of the N slots with the first conductive
plate facing outwardly, wherein second ones of the plurality of
thermal generating devices are arranged in second ones of the N
slots with the second and third conductive plates facing outwardly,
and wherein the first ones and the second ones of plurality of
thermal generating devices perform heating and cooling of the
surface, respectively.
13. The thermal control system of claim 12, wherein the plurality
of thermal generating device holders defines a plurality of
cavities, respectively.
14. The thermal control system of claim 13, further comprising a
string passing through the plurality of cavities of the plurality
of thermal generating device holders.
15. The thermal control system of claim 14, wherein the string and
the plurality of thermal generating device holders are attached to
a vehicle component.
16. The thermal control system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle
component is selected from a group consisting of a seat and a
steering wheel.
17. The thermal control system of claim 13, wherein the first ones
and the second ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices
alternate around a periphery of at least one of the plurality of
thermal generating device holders.
18. The thermal control system of claim 12, wherein the plurality
of thermal generating device holders have a polygonal
cross-section.
19. A thermal control system, comprising: a vehicle component
selected from a group consisting of a seat, a seat pad and a
steering wheel, wherein the vehicle component includes a surface; a
plurality of thermal generating devices including: a first
conductive plate; second and third conductive plates; a first
semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate
and the second conductive plate; and a second semiconductor device
arranged between the first conductive plate and the third
conductive plate, wherein the first semiconductor device and the
second semiconductor device have different types of doping, wherein
first ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are
arranged with the first conductive plate located adjacent to the
surface of the component, wherein second ones of the plurality of
thermal generating devices are arranged with the second and third
conductive plates located adjacent to the surface of the component,
and wherein the first ones and the second ones of plurality of
thermal generating devices perform heating and cooling of the
surface, respectively; and a controller including a heating and
cooling profile defining temperature differences for the plurality
of thermal generating devices attached to the component based on
locations of the plurality of thermal generating devices, wherein
the controller controls power to the plurality of thermal
generating devices based on the heating and cooling profile.
20. The thermal control system of claim 19, wherein the first ones
of the plurality of thermal generating devices sense a plurality of
temperatures.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose
of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the
presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this
section, as well as aspects of the description that may not
otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither
expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present
disclosure.
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a thermal control system
including thermal devices to provide localized heating and/or
cooling of a seat pad, seat, steering wheel and/or other
component.
[0003] Vehicles typically include heating, ventilation and
air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to manage the thermal comfort of
vehicle occupants. Thermal devices have also been used within
seating pads and/or seats for additional occupant comfort. For
example, some vehicle seats include heating devices such as
resistive heaters and/or cooling devices such as fans.
SUMMARY
[0004] A thermal control system includes a component having a
surface. A plurality of thermal generating devices include a first
conductive plate, second and third conductive plates, a first
semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate
and the second conductive plate, and a second semiconductor device
arranged between the first conductive plate and the third
conductive plate. The first semiconductor device and the second
semiconductor device have different types of doping. First ones of
the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged with the
first conductive plate adjacent to the surface of the component.
Second ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are
arranged with the second and third conductive plates located
adjacent to the surface of the component. The first ones and the
second ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices perform
heating and cooling of the surface, respectively.
[0005] In other features, a plurality of temperature sensors are
arranged adjacent to the surface to sense a plurality of
temperatures of the component. A controller is configured to
selectively operate the plurality of thermal generating devices
based on the plurality of temperatures.
[0006] In other features, a controller stores a heating and cooling
profile defining temperature differences for the plurality of
thermal generating devices based on locations of the plurality of
thermal generating devices. The controller controls power to the
plurality of thermal generating devices based on the heating and
cooling profile.
[0007] In other features, the first ones of the plurality of
thermal generating devices are used to sense a plurality of
temperatures, respectively when the first ones of the plurality of
thermal generating devices are not heating. The second ones of the
plurality of thermal generating devices are used to sense a
plurality of temperatures, respectively when the second ones of the
plurality of thermal generating devices are not cooling.
[0008] In other features, a controller is configured to operate the
plurality of thermal generating devices based on the plurality of
temperatures. A subset of the plurality of thermal generating
devices is arranged in a column. Each of the plurality of thermal
generating devices that are arranged within the column are arranged
parallel to one another.
[0009] In other features, the plurality of thermal generating
devices are arranged in a circular arrangement within the at least
one of a seat and a seat pad of a vehicle.
[0010] In other features, the first ones and the second ones of the
plurality of thermal generating devices are disposed between a
first foam substrate and a second foam substrate. The first foam
substrate defines a plurality of thermoconductive channels. A heat
sink is arranged along a surface of the second foam substrate.
[0011] A thermal control system includes a plurality of thermal
generating device holders. Each of the plurality of thermal
generating device holders includes N surfaces where N is an integer
greater than one and N slots on each of the N surfaces,
respectively. A plurality of thermal generating devices includes a
first conductive plate, second and third conductive plates, a first
semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate
and the second conductive plate, and a second semiconductor device
arranged between the first conductive plate and the third
conductive plate. The first semiconductor device and the second
semiconductor device have different types of doping. First ones of
the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged in first
ones of the N slots with the first conductive plate facing
outwardly. Second ones of the plurality of thermal generating
devices are arranged in second ones of the N slots with the second
and third conductive plates facing outwardly. The first ones and
the second ones of plurality of thermal generating devices perform
heating and cooling of the surface, respectively.
[0012] In other features, the plurality of thermal generating
device holders defines a plurality of cavities, respectively. A
string passes through the plurality of cavities of the plurality of
thermal generating device holders. The string and the plurality of
thermal generating device holders are attached to a vehicle
component. The vehicle component is selected from a group
consisting of a seat and a steering wheel of a vehicle. The first
ones and the second ones of the plurality of thermal generating
devices alternate around a periphery of at least one of the
plurality of thermal generating device holders. The plurality of
thermal generating device holders have a polygonal
cross-section.
[0013] A thermal control system includes a vehicle component
selected from a group consisting of a seat, a seat pad and a
steering wheel. The vehicle component includes a surface. A
plurality of thermal generating devices includes a first conductive
plate, second and third conductive plates, a first semiconductor
device arranged between the first conductive plate and the second
conductive plate, and a second semiconductor device arranged
between the first conductive plate and the third conductive plate.
The first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device
have different types of doping. First ones of the plurality of
thermal generating devices are arranged with the first conductive
plate located adjacent to the surface of the component. Second ones
of the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged with
the second and third conductive plates located adjacent to the
surface of the component. The first ones and the second ones of
plurality of thermal generating devices perform heating and cooling
of the surface, respectively. A controller stores a heating and
cooling profile defining temperature differences for the plurality
of thermal generating devices attached to the component based on
locations of the plurality of thermal generating devices. The
controller controls power to the plurality of thermal generating
devices based on the heating and cooling profile.
[0014] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and
the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are
intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present disclosure will become more fully understood
from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a thermoelectric
cooler/heater device according to the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a isometric illustration of an example of a
thermal generating device including multiple thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices according to the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 2B is another isometric illustration of an example of a
thermal generating device including multiple thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices according to the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a seat pad including
multiple thermal generating devices according to the present
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view an example of multiple
thermal generating devices disposed in one or more foam substrates
according to the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of multiple thermal
generating devices disposed in a foam substrate according to the
present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 6 is another plan view of an example of multiple
thermal generating devices disposed in a foam substrate according
to the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 7 is another plan view of an example of multiple
thermal generating devices disposed in a foam substrate according
to the present disclosure;
[0024] FIGS. 8A and 8B are isometric illustrations of examples of
thermal generating device holders according to the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 9 is an isometric illustration of an example of thermal
generating device holders connected together using a string
according to the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of an example of a
seat including multiple thermal generating devices according to the
present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a schematic of an example system for providing
localized heating and cooling using one or more thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices according to the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of
providing localized heating and cooling using one or more
thermoelectric cooler/heater devices.
[0029] In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify
similar and/or identical elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The present disclosure is directed to systems for providing
localized heating and/or cooling to a surface of a component such
as a seat, seat pad, a steering wheel, etc. In one or more
implementations, the component may be located in a vehicle. The
component includes one or more thermal generating devices. The
thermal generating devices include multiple thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices that generate heating and/or cooling via
voltage differences applied to the thermoelectric cooler/heater
devices. For example, the thermoelectric cooler/heater devices can
provide thermoelectric heating or cooling according to the Peltier
effect as described in greater detail below.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an example thermoelectric cooler/heater
device 100. As shown, the thermoelectric cooler/heater devices
100-1, 100-2, 100-3, . . . (collectively thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices 100) include semiconductor devices 102, 104
having different types of doping. The semiconductor device 102 is
an n-doped semiconductor device, and the semiconductor device 104
is a p-doped semiconductor device. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A, the
semiconductor devices 102, 104 are connected to a first conductive
plate 106, a second conductive plate 108, and a third conductive
plate 110. A first ceramic structure 120 is disposed over and in
contact with the first conductive plate 106. A second ceramic
structure 122 is disposed over and in contact with the second and
third conductive plates 108, 110.
[0032] FIG. 2A illustrates an example thermal generating device 200
including multiple thermoelectric cooler/heater devices 100. For
example, the thermal generating device 200 includes a first
thermoelectric cooler/heater device 100-1 including semiconductor
devices 102, 104, a second thermoelectric cooler/heater device
100-2 including semiconductor devices 102, 104, and a third
thermoelectric cooler/heater device 100-3 including semiconductor
devices 102, 104.
[0033] The first conductive plate 106 is connected to one side of
the semiconductor device 102 and to one side of the semiconductor
device 104 of thermoelectric cooler/heater device 100-1. The second
conductive plate 108 is connected to the opposite side of the
semiconductor device 102 and to a corresponding side of the
semiconductor device 104. The third conductive plate 110 is
connected to the opposite side of the semiconductor device 104 and
to a corresponding side of the semiconductor device 102.
[0034] A voltage is applied to the thermal generating device 200
via electrodes 202, 204. The electrodes 202, 204 can be connected
to a power source, such as a battery, via electrical connections
206, 208. The electrical connections can be wire, traces, or the
like. Once the voltage is applied to thermal generating device 200,
heat transfers from one side of the thermal generating device 200
to the other due to current flow allowing one side to be relatively
cooler.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates an example seat pad 300. The seat pad 300
can be positioned over a seat 302, such as a vehicle seat. The seat
pad 300 includes multiple thermal generating devices 200 that
provide localized heating and/or cooling to one or more portions of
the seat pad 300. In one or more implementations, the seat pad 300
may be a foam pad having the thermal generating devices 200
integrated therein. The seat pad 300 also includes sensors 304 that
can detect environmental parameters proximate to the seat pad 300.
For example, the environmental parameters may include, but are not
limited to, temperature or humidity. In some examples, the
thermoelectric cells that are not activated can be used as
temperature sensors. For example, during cooling, the
thermoelectric cells that are used for heating are not activated
and can be used to generate a voltage proportional to a temperature
difference between the sides of the corresponding thermoelectric
cell (and vice versa during heating).
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an example cross-section of the seat pad
300. As shown, the seat pad 300 includes a first foam substrate 402
and a second foam substrate 404. The thermal generating devices 200
can be disposed between the foam substrates 402, 404. As shown, the
foam substrates 402, 404 include thermoconductive channels 406, 408
disposed therein. The thermoconductive channels 406, 408 are formed
from suitable thermoconductive materials that allow for the
transfer of heat or cold. For example, the thermoconductive
channels 406, 408 may be formed from metal foam. In another
example, the thermoconductive channels 406, 408 are holes defined
within the foam substrates 402, 404.
[0037] The thermal generating devices 200 are positioned between
the foam substrates 402, 404 such that the thermal generating
devices 200 are in contact with corresponding thermoconductive
channels 406, 408. The thermal generating devices 200 may be
disposed within a foam substrate 410 that maintains a thermal
generating device 200 in position with respect to other thermal
generating devices 200 within the foam substrate 410.
[0038] The seat pad 300 can also include a heat sink 412 disposed
along a bottom side (side opposite of the side in contact with the
thermal generating devices 200) of the foam substrate 404. The heat
sink 412 may be formed from a suitable thermos-conductive foam
materials. The heat sink 412 can absorb heat generated by the
thermal generating devices 200 and transfer the absorbed heat to a
fluid medium, such as air.
[0039] FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate plan views of example
arrangements of thermal generating devices 200 positioned within
the foam substrate 410. As shown in FIG. 5, the plan view 500
illustrates that the foam substrate 410 includes a first column 502
and a second column 504 of thermal generating devices 200. The
first column 502 includes thermal generating devices 200 having the
first ceramic structure 120 oriented along a top surface 506 of the
foam substrate 410. The second column 504 includes thermal
generating devices 200 having the second ceramic structure 122
oriented along the top surface 506 of the foam substrate 410.
[0040] The first ceramic structure 120 corresponds to the heating
side of the thermal generating device 200, and the second ceramic
structure 122 corresponds to the cooling side of the thermal
generating device 200. As shown in FIG. 5, each thermal generating
device 200 in the first column 502 is parallel to the other thermal
generating devices 200 in the first column 502, and each thermal
generating device 200 in the second column 504 is parallel to the
other thermal generating devices 200 in the second column 504.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a plan view 600 illustrating that the foam
substrate 410 includes a first column 602 and a second column 604
of thermal generating devices 200. The columns 602, 604 include
thermal generating devices 200 having alternating ceramic
structures 120, 122 oriented along a top surface 606 of the foam
substrate 410.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, each thermal generating device 200 in
the first column 602 is offset, or staggered, with respect to the
other thermal generating devices 200 in the first column 602, and
each thermal generating device 200 in the second column 604 is
offset, or staggered, with respect to the other thermal generating
devices 200 in the second column 604.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a plan view 700 illustrating that the foam
substrate 410 includes multiple thermal generating devices 200
arranged in a circular pattern. In an implementation, thermal
generating devices 200 having the first ceramic structure 120 are
arranged in a first circular arrangement 702, and thermal
generating devices 200 having the second ceramic structure 122 are
arranged in a second circular arrangement 704 within the first
circular arrangement 702. Additionally, thermal generating devices
200 having the first ceramic structure 120 are arranged in a third
circular arrangement 706 within the second circular arrangement
704.
[0044] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9 illustrate thermal generating device
holders 810, 812 each including thermoelectric cooler/heater
devices 800, 802, respectively. In some examples, the thermal
generating device holders 810, 812 may be formed from aluminum,
copper, or the like, although other materials may be used.
[0045] The thermal generating device holders 810, 812 include
central cavities 820, 822 extending through a middle portion of the
thermal generating device holders 810, 812, respectively. Each
lateral face 814, 816 of the thermal generating device holders 810,
812 includes one of the thermoelectric cooler/heater devices 800,
802, respectively. In some examples, the thermal generating device
holders 810, 812 have N lateral faces and N thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices 800-1, 800-2, . . . , and 800-N. For example
in FIG. 8A, N=6. In FIG. 8B, N=4. In some examples, the exposed
surfaces of the N thermoelectric cooler/heater devices 800-1,
800-2, . . . , and 800-N alternate around a periphery of the
thermal generating device holders 810, 812 to provide heating or
cooling. While hexagonal and rectangular shapes are shown, other
polygonal or non-polygonal shapes can be used. In some examples,
electrical connections (not shown) may be made inside the central
cavities 820, 822 or externally therefrom.
[0046] In FIG. 9, a thermal generating device 850 includes a
plurality of the thermal generating device holders 810 that are
connected together as shown using a string 860 such as yarn,
thread, or other material. In some examples, the thermal generating
device holders 810 are connected immediately adjacent to one
another. In other examples, spacers 850-1, 850-2, . . . may be used
between the thermal generating device holders 810. In some
examples, the spacers 850-1, 850-2, . . . are made of a flexible
material such as plastic, rubber or another material to increase
flexibility.
[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates an example seat 1000 that includes
thermal generating devices 850. In an implementation, the thermal
generating devices 850 are attached to the seat 1000. For example,
the thermal generating devices 850 are stitched or otherwise
attached to the seat 1000 during construction of the seat 1000.
[0048] It is understood that the thermal generating devices
described herein may also be used as thermoelectric generators. For
example, the thermoelectric devices can be used for energy
harvesting during times when the thermal generating devices are not
used to thermally adjust the seat and/or seat pad.
[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates an example control system 1100 for
controlling localized heating and/or cooling to a seat pad and/or a
seat. The control system 1100 includes a controller 1102, a power
source 1104, switches 1106-1 through 1106-M, thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices 100-1 through 100-M, and sensors 304-1
through 304-N, where M and N are integers equal to or greater than
1. The controller 1102 is connected to the switches 1106-1 through
1106-M via a bus 1108. The thermoelectric cooler/heater devices
100-1 through 100-M may be disposed within the seat pad and/or the
seat according to the implementations described above. The
controller 1102 implements a cooling and heating profile 1160 that
defines temperature differences between thermoelectric
heaters/coolers or groups of thermoelectric heaters/coolers. The
temperature differences can be set by a user and/or pre-stored. For
example only, the temperature differences may be used to provide
more heat in some locations such as edges of seat cushions and less
heat in other locations such as centers of seat cushions.
[0050] The controller 1102 may be preprogrammed with instructions
to generate control signals based on the received input. The
control signals can cause one or more switches 1106-1 through
1106-M to transition from an open state to a closed state to
connect corresponding thermoelectric cooler/heater devices 100-1
through 100-M to the power source 1104. In various implementations,
the controller 1102 can activate individual thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices 100-1 through 100-M or a subset of
thermoelectric cooler/heater devices 100-1 through 100-M based on
one or more input parameters.
[0051] The controller 1102 may access a look-up table to determine
whether to connect one or more thermoelectric cooler/heater devices
100-1 through 100-M to the power source 1104 via the one or more
switches 1106-1 through 1106-N based on the received input. In an
implementation, the look-up table can store the detected input
parameters (e.g., humidity, temperature, etc.) and corresponding
switch control signals as a key-value pair.
[0052] In another implementation, the controller 1102 can receive
input from an occupant via a user interface. For example, the input
from the occupant may represent a drive time corresponding to a
driving trip, an occupant-defined pattern preference, or the like.
Based on the input, the controller 1102 determines the
corresponding switch control signals via the look-up table.
[0053] Based on the control signals, a predefined number of
thermoelectric cooler/heater devices 100-1 through 100-M may
generate thermal energy to provide thermal comfort to the occupant
of the seat pad and/or seat. In an implementation, a predefined
subset (e.g., pattern) of thermoelectric cooler/heater devices
100-1 through 100-M may be connected to the power source 1104 to
generate thermal energy. For example, a subset of thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices 100-1 through 100-M that corresponding to a
specific area of the occupant's body (e.g., back, neck, etc.) may
be connected to the power source 1104 to generate thermal
energy.
[0054] FIG. 12 illustrates an example method 1200 for providing
localized heating and/or cooling to the seat pad and/or the seat.
The method 1200 begins at 1202. At 1204, an input indicative of
temperature and/or humidity is received at one or more sensors
304-1 through 304-M. At 1204, the controller 1102 determines
whether to activate the thermoelectric cooler/heater devices based
on the input. For example, the controller 1102 accesses the look-up
table and compares the received input to the look-up table keys to
generate a control signal for localized heating and/or cooling
within the seat pad and/or the seat based on the input. When the
received input corresponds to one or more look-up table keys, the
controller 1102 retrieves the corresponding values that are
indicative of the switches 1106-1 through 1106-M to activate.
[0055] If the controller 1102 determines that the thermoelectric
cooler/heater devices are not to be activated based on the received
input, the method 1200 returns to 1204. Otherwise, the controller
1102 generates control signals to activate the corresponding
switches based on the retrieved values at 1208. For example, the
controller 1102 generates and transmits the control signals 1102 to
the corresponding switches 1106-1 through 1106-M to cause one or
more predetermined switches 1106-1 through 1106-M to transition
from an open state to a closed state that connects one or more
thermoelectric cooler/heater devices 100-1 through 100-M to the
power source 1104.
[0056] At 1210, the controller 1102 determines whether input to
modify the heating/cooling has been received from the user
interface 1108. If input to modify the heating/cooling has been
received, the controller 1102 activates the switches corresponding
to the control signal to activate at least a subset of
thermoelectric cooler/heater devices at 1208. The method 1200 ends
at 1212.
[0057] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application,
or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented
in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes
particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be
so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a
study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may
be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering
the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of
the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any
one or more of those features described with respect to any
embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and/or combined
with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that
combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the
described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations
of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope
of this disclosure.
[0058] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for
example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor
substrates, etc.) are described using various terms, including
"connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top
of," "above," "below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly described
as being "direct," when a relationship between first and second
elements is described in the above disclosure, that relationship
can be a direct relationship where no other intervening elements
are present between the first and second elements, but can also be
an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are
present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and
second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B,
and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a
non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at
least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."
[0059] In the figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by
the arrowhead, generally demonstrates the flow of information (such
as data or instructions) that is of interest to the illustration.
For example, when element A and element B exchange a variety of
information but information transmitted from element A to element B
is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from element A
to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no
other information is transmitted from element B to element A.
Further, for information sent from element A to element B, element
B may send requests for, or receipt acknowledgements of, the
information to element A.
[0060] In this application, including the definitions below, the
term "module" or the term "controller" may be replaced with the
term "circuit." The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or
include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a
combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array
(FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable
hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a
combination of some or all of the above, such as in a
system-on-chip.
[0061] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In
some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless
interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the
Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The
functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be
distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface
circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing.
In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud)
module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client
module.
[0062] The term code, as used above, may include software,
firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines,
functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The term
shared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit
that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term
group processor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in
combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or
all code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor
circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on discrete dies,
multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a
single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor
circuit, or a combination of the above. The term shared memory
circuit encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all
code from multiple modules. The term group memory circuit
encompasses a memory circuit that, in combination with additional
memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules.
[0063] The term memory circuit is a subset of the term
computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as
used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or
electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a
carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium may therefore be
considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a
non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium are nonvolatile
memory circuits (such as a flash memory circuit, an erasable
programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory
circuit), volatile memory circuits (such as a static random access
memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic
storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard
disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a
Blu-ray Disc).
[0064] The apparatuses and methods described in this application
may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer
created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or
more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The
functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements
described above serve as software specifications, which can be
translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a
skilled technician or programmer.
[0065] The computer programs include processor-executable
instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory,
tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also
include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass
a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of
the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with
particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more
operating systems, user applications, background services,
background applications, etc.
[0066] The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to
be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language), XML
(extensible markup language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
(ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by
a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v)
source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time
compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using
syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift,
Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java.RTM., Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl,
OCaml, Javascript.RTM., HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th
revision), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext
Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash.RTM.,
Visual Basic.RTM., Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK, and Python.RTM..
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