There is disclosed a heated handle (e.g. a steering wheel) and a method for forming the handle. The handle typically includes a core, an outer cover layer and a heater, which is preferably disposed at least partially between the outer cover layer and the core. The heater typically includes one or mo
There is disclosed a heated handle (e.g. a steering wheel) and a method for forming the handle. The handle typically includes a core, an outer cover layer and a heater, which is preferably disposed at least partially between the outer cover layer and the core. The heater typically includes one or more of a conductor, a cushion and a separator.
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What is claimed is: 1. A steering wheel, comprising: a core formed of a substantially rigid member; an outer covering that at least partially covers the core; and a heater disposed at least partially between the core and the outer covering, the heater including: i) a cushion forming a first layer m
What is claimed is: 1. A steering wheel, comprising: a core formed of a substantially rigid member; an outer covering that at least partially covers the core; and a heater disposed at least partially between the core and the outer covering, the heater including: i) a cushion forming a first layer made of a first material that has an elongation characteristic permitting it to be elongated at least about 50% of its own length prior to failure; ii) a separator forming a second layer made of a second material different from the first material wherein the second material has an elongation characteristic permitting it to be elongated at least about 50% of its own length prior to failure; and iii) a conductor substantially entirely between the cushion and the separator, wherein the conductor is in a pattern configured for assisting the ability of the heater to elongate; wherein the heater can elongate about 15% of its own length prior to any significant damage; and wherein the cushion and the separator are laminated together and are substantially coextensive with each other. 2. A steering wheel as in claim 1, wherein the heater includes a plurality of protrusions corresponding to spokes of the handle. 3. A steering wheel as in claim 1, wherein the conductor is in a lay-wire configuration between the cushion and the separator and the cushion is formed of a compressed polyurethane foam material. 4. A steering wheel as in claim 3, wherein the conductor includes three distinct zones and at least one zone of the three zones extends substantially parallel to another zone of the three zones and the at least one zone is in the zig-zag configuration. 5. A steering wheel as in claim 3, wherein the conductor is at least partially formed of strands that are formed of a metal alloy of copper and between about 10% and about 10% nickel. 6. A steering wheel as in claim 5, wherein the conductor includes about 5 to about 7 strands and a diameter of each of the strands is between about 0.007 mm and about 0.011 mm. 7. A steering wheel as in claim 1, wherein the separator has a heat transfer coefficient between about 0.10 W/m2K and about 2. 0 W/m2K and the cushion has a heat transfer coefficient between about 0.005 and about 0.2 W/m2K. 8. A steering wheel as in claim 7, wherein the cushion is closer to the core than the separator and a portion of the conductor is folded over on itself and twisted at a connection of the heater. 9. A steering wheel as in claim 1 wherein the cushion is laminated to the separator with an adhesive. 10. A steering wheel as in claim 9 wherein the adhesive is provided as a monolayer adhesive film. 11. A heated handle as in claim 1 wherein the conductor is formed of a plurality of copper wire strands that are woven together. 12. A steering wheel for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a core of the steering wheel, the core being formed of a rigid member that is at least partially covered with a polymeric material, the core having a substantially circular configuration; an outer covering that covers a substantial portion of the core; a heater disposed substantially entirely between the core and the outer covering, the heater including: i) a cushion, the cushion being provided as a layer of polymeric material having at least one elastomer wherein the material for the cushion has an elongation characteristic permitting it to be elongated at least about 50% of its own length prior to failure; ii) a separator, the separator being provided as a fleece layer that is laminated to and substantially coextensive with the cushion, wherein the material for the cushion has an elongation characteristic permitting it to be elongated at least about 50% of its own length prior to failure; and iii) a conductor substantially entirely between the cushion and the separator, the conductor having at least two distinct zones extending parallel to each other in a zig-zag configuration; wherein the cushion is closer to the core than the separator and the heater can elongate about 15% of its own length prior to any significant damage. 13. A steering wheel as in claim 12, wherein the conductor includes three distinct zones extending substantially perpendicular to each other wherein the three zones form three separate circuits of a singular continuous conductive element and wherein a portion of the conductor is folded over on itself and twisted at a connection of the heater. 14. A steering wheel as in claim 12, wherein the heater includes a plurality of protrusions corresponding to spokes of the handle, the conductor is in a lay-wire configuration between the cushion and the separator and the cushion is formed of a compressed polyurethane foam material. 15. A steering wheel as in claim 12, wherein the conductor is at least partially formed of strands that are formed of a metal alloy of copper and between about 1% and about 10% nickel and the conductor includes about 5 to about 7 strands and a diameter of each of the strands is between about 0.007 mm and about 0.011 mm. 16. A steering wheel as in claim 12, wherein the separator has a heat transfer coefficient between about 0.10 W/m2K and about 2.0 W/m2K and the cushion has a heat transfer coefficient between about 0.005 and about 0.2 W/m2K wherein the cushion is closer to the core than the separator. 17. A steering wheel as in claim 12 wherein the cushion is laminated to the separator with a monolayer adhesive film. 18. A steering wheel for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a core formed of a rigid member that is at least partially covered with a polymeric material, the core having a substantially circular configuration; an outer covering that substantially entirely covers the core, the outer covering being formed of leather; a heater disposed substantially entirely between the core and the outer covering, the heater including: i) a cushion, the cushion being provided as a layer of polymeric material having at least one elastomer wherein the cushion is formed of compressed polyurethane, wherein the cushion has a heat transfer coefficient between about 0.005 and about 0.2 W/m2K and wherein the material for the cushion has an elongation characteristic permitting it to be elongated at least about 50% of its own length prior to failure; ii) a separator, the separator being provided as a fleece layer that is substantially coextensive with the cushion wherein the separator has a heat transfer coefficient between about 0.10 W/m2 K and about 2.0 W/m2K and wherein the material for the cushion has an elongation characteristic permitting it to be elongated at least about 50% of its own length prior to failure; and iii) a conductor substantially entirely between the cushion and the separator, the conductor being formed of one singular continuous conductive element wherein the conductor is formed of a plurality of copper wire strands that are woven together, the conductor is separated into three distinct zones, which form three separate circuits that extend parallel to each other in a zig-zag configuration and the strands are formed of a metal alloy of copper and between about 1% and about 10% nickel; wherein the cushion is closer to the core than the separator and the heater can elongate about 20% of its own length prior to any significant damage. 19. A steering wheel as in claim 18 wherein the cushion is laminated to the separator with an adhesive. 20. A steering wheel as in claim 19 wherein the adhesive is provided as a monolayer adhesive film. 21. A steering wheel as in claim 20 wherein the heater is adhered to the covering with two way tape.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (26)
Hauschulz Dana S. ; Hilton Daniel E., Apparatus and methods of making and using heater apparatus for heating an object having two-dimensional or three-dimens.
Reece Mildred D. (Rte. 2 ; Box 688 Lake Chelan WA 98816), Heated steering wheel with a plurality of radially extending wires for affording suitable heat conductivity.
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