Condensation and humidity sensors for thermoelectric devices
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F25D-021/00
F25B-021/02
F25B-049/00
출원번호
US-0364285
(2009-02-02)
등록번호
US-8256236
(2012-09-04)
발명자
/ 주소
Lofy, John
출원인 / 주소
Gentherm Incorporated
대리인 / 주소
Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
45인용 특허 :
98
초록▼
According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the
According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials. The separator gasket can be configured to transport liquids from the cold passage to the hot passage.
대표청구항▼
1. A climate controlled seating assembly comprising: a thermal module comprising: a housing defining an interior space of the thermal module;at least one inlet channel;at least one outlet channel;a thermoelectric device positioned upstream of the at least one outlet channel, said thermoelectric devi
1. A climate controlled seating assembly comprising: a thermal module comprising: a housing defining an interior space of the thermal module;at least one inlet channel;at least one outlet channel;a thermoelectric device positioned upstream of the at least one outlet channel, said thermoelectric device being configured to selectively heat or cool a fluid passing through an interior of the thermal module; anda fluid transfer device configured to transfer a fluid from the at least one inlet channel to the at least one outlet channel of the thermal module, past the thermoelectric device; anda sensor positioned within the interior space of the thermal module, said sensor configured to detect the presence of a liquid on or near said sensor;wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid within the interior space of the thermal module by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor; anda controller operatively connected to the thermoelectric device, the fluid transfer device and the sensor;wherein the controller is configured to at least partially reduce a voltage supplied to the thermoelectric device once the sensor detects a threshold level of condensate, while a speed of the fluid transfer device remains unchanged; andwherein a voltage supplied to the thermoelectric device is configured to remain at a lower level until a level of condensate detected by the sensor drops below the threshold level. 2. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least first and second conductive members, and wherein the sensor is configured to measure the electrical resistance or capacitance across said first and second conductive members. 3. The seating assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second conductive members are etched onto a substrate of the thermoelectric device. 4. The seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the substrate comprises at least one of polyimide, epoxy ceramic. 5. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned on the thermoelectric device. 6. The seating assembly of claim 5, wherein the sensor is positioned along a cooling side of the thermoelectric device. 7. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned along the at least one outlet channel, said outlet channel configured to receive a fluid cooled by the thermoelectric device. 8. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein a voltage to the thermoelectric device is configured to be reduced if the presence of a liquid is detected by the sensor. 9. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the seating assembly comprises a vehicle seat. 10. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the seating assembly comprises a climate-controlled bed. 11. A climate controlled seating assembly comprising: a seat bottom portion;a seat back portion; anda thermal module configured for placement within at least one of the seat bottom portion and the seat back portion, said thermal module comprising: an outer housing comprising an inlet and an outlet, said outer housing defining an interior space;a thermoelectric device configured to selectively heat or cool a fluid passing through the interior space of the thermal module; anda fluid transfer device configured to transfer a fluid from the inlet through or past the thermoelectric device and out the outlet; anda sensor positioned within the interior space of the thermal module, said sensor configured to detect the presence of a liquid on or near said sensor;wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor; anda controller operatively coupled to the thermal module and the sensor;wherein the controller is configured to at least partially reduce a voltage supplied to the thermoelectric device to a lower level when the sensor detects a threshold level of liquid; andwherein a voltage supplied to the thermoelectric device is configured to remain at the lower level until a level of liquid detected by the sensor drops below the threshold level. 12. The seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises at least first and second conductive members, and wherein the sensor is configured to measure the electrical resistance or capacitance across said first and second conductive members. 13. The seating assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first and second conductive members are etched onto a substrate of the thermoelectric device. 14. The seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the substrate comprises at least one of a polyimide and an epoxy ceramic. 15. The seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the sensor is positioned in, on or near the thermoelectric device. 16. The seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the sensor is positioned along a cooling side of the thermoelectric device. 17. The seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the sensor is positioned upstream of the thermoelectric device. 18. The seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the sensor is positioned downstream of the thermoelectric device. 19. The seating assembly of claim 11, wherein a voltage to the thermoelectric device is configured to be reduced if the presence of a liquid is detected by the sensor. 20. The seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the seating assembly comprises a vehicle seat. 21. The seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the seating assembly comprises a climate-controlled bed.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (98)
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Feher Steve (1909 Aleo Pl. Honolulu HI 96822), Selectively cooled or heated seat construction and apparatus for providing temperature conditioned fluid and method ther.
Jacobs Alphonse F. (4271 Longmoor Drive Burlington ; Ontario CAX L7L 5A4) Paxton James R. (162 Manse Road Scarborough ; Ontario CAX M1E 3V1), Temperature and humidity control system.
Hughes Richard Pierre,CAX ; Zapach Trevor George,CAX ; Song Seaho,CAX, Thermoelectric humidity pump and method for dehumidfying of an electronic apparatus.
Kerner James M. (779 Hillgrove Ct. Chico CA 95926) McCauley Patrick A. (24660 Tehema-Vina Rd. #1 Los Molinos CA 96055) McCulloch Larry E. (16 Glenshire La. Chico CA 95926) Tanner Michael R. (2114 Dur, Thermoelectric power module.
Gregory Christian T. (Alhambra CA) Noles David R. (Glendale CA) Gallup David F. (Garden Grove CA) Heller David H. (La Palma CA), Variable temperature seat.
Karunasiri Tissa R. (Van Nuys CA) Gallup David F. (Pasadena CA) Noles David R. (Glendale CA) Gregory Christian T. (Alhambra CA), Variable temperature seat climate control system.
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