Chair, Bed, Or Other Body-supporting Means Patents (Class 219/217)
  • Patent number: 10051898
    Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a garment includes: applying a first mask to a first side of a fabric substrate coated with a conductive material; applying a second mask—mirrored image of the first mask—to a second side of the fabric substrate opposite the first side; applying an etchant to the fabric substrate to remove conductive material outside of the first mask; arranging a conductive interface pad of a component carrier over an electrode defined by remaining conductive material on the fabric substrate, the component carrier including a flexible substrate and a rigid electrical component mounted to the flexible substrate, the conductive interface pad extending from a terminal of the rigid electrical component across a region of the flexible substrate; mechanically fastening the component carrier to the fabric substrate to form a garment insert including an electrical circuit; and incorporating the garment insert into the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: LOOMIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Madison Thea Maxey, Janett Martinez, Luis Francisco Rodriguez Alcalde, Ezgi Ucar
  • Patent number: 10045573
    Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a garment includes: applying a first mask to a first side of a fabric substrate coated with a conductive material; applying a second mask—mirrored image of the first mask—to a second side of the fabric substrate opposite the first side; applying an etchant to the fabric substrate to remove conductive material outside of the first mask; arranging a conductive interface pad of a component carrier over an electrode defined by remaining conductive material on the fabric substrate, the component carrier including a flexible substrate and a rigid electrical component mounted to the flexible substrate, the conductive interface pad extending from a terminal of the rigid electrical component across a region of the flexible substrate; mechanically fastening the component carrier to the fabric substrate to form a garment insert including an electrical circuit; and incorporating the garment insert into the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LOOMIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Madison Thea Maxey, Janett Martinez, Luis Francisco Rodriguez Alcalde, Ezgi Ucar
  • Patent number: 9820580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fittings and an interior conduit to providing a continuous air flow path from a vertical wall of the box spring to a horizontal surface of the box spring to selectively supply to an inflatable volume integrated into a top surface of the box spring. Fittings are provided on a vertical wall for connection to an external source of air. Another set of fittings are provided on a top surface of the box spring for connection to an inflatable bladder. A conduit inside the box spring is connected to an interior nozzle on each of the fittings to provide a continuous flow path from the fittings on the vertical to the fittings on the horizontal surface. The side wall fittings allow an external source of air to be supported or alternatively provide a stable connection for a conduit. With such a configuration, a mattress being supported by a box spring can be maneuvered under the influence of the inflatable bladder without affecting the external source of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LEVITATION SCIENCES LLC
    Inventor: William J. Scarleski
  • Patent number: 9782016
    Abstract: A bedding climate control apparatus that delivers, in a quiet manner, forced airflow from a fan/blower within a housing to selectively deliver tempered (heated via a thermal element) and untempered (room temperature) air through a flexible hose to bedding. The quiet manner is attained with acoustic foam in the path of incoming airflow to the fan/blower and by oversizing each of the components that create a pressure drop including the capacity of the fan/blower over what is needed to deliver a required amount of airflow. Temperature may be set remotely via a wireless remote control and via a Bluetooth enabled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Aramli
  • Patent number: 9713566
    Abstract: A heating and cooling mat assembly includes a mat having a bottom wall, a top wall and a perimeter wall. A conduit is positioned in the man and has fluid therein. A pump is in fluid communication with the conduit to pump the fluid through the conduit. A heat emitter is thermal communication with the liquid in the conduit. The heat emitter warms the liquid when the heat emitter is turned on. A cartridge is removably couplable to the mat. The cartridge includes a pair of first ports. The conduit is in fluid communication with a pair of second ports. Each of the first ports is removably coupled to one of the second ports to fluidly couple the conduit to the cartridge. The cartridge is fillable with a cold fluid so that the conduit is cooled when the pump is turned on and the cartridge is coupled to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Corey Lavigne
  • Patent number: 9657963
    Abstract: A heated seat comprising: a cushion with one or more trench areas; a heater comprising: a carrier with a periphery, the carrier further including: a first electrically functional layer that is made of a conductive material that substantially circumscribes at least a portion of the carrier; and a second electrically functional layer that is made of a resistive material; one or more electrical conductors attached to the first electrically functional layer; a trim layer that covers the cushion when the heater is placed over the cushion; and wherein the periphery includes a first side edge and a second side edge, and each side edge includes a cutout, and the cutouts are located adjacent to each other forming a neck portion; wherein the heater is attached to the cushion by placing an attachment device over the neck portion of the heater and securing one or both ends of the attachment device to the cushion so that the neck portion is pulled into the trench; wherein the neck portion is free of the second electricall
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GENTHERM CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Marinko Lazanja, Matthew Zuzga, Sergiu Csonti, Syed Iqbal, Igor Spasojevic, Tim Normand
  • Patent number: 9635947
    Abstract: An air permeable envelope has a gripper for securing the envelope to a seat. A mixture contained in the air permeable envelope can react exothermically upon exposure to air. A sealed bag that is relatively air impermeable, initially holds the air permeable envelope and mixture together with the gripper. Upon opening and unsealing the bag, the mixture is exposed to air in order to start an exothermic reaction. The envelope and the gripper are removed from the bag and the gripper is used to attach the envelope upon the seat to warm it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Steven Baureis
  • Patent number: 9578690
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Shaun Calvin Howick, Goran Bajic
  • Patent number: 9499968
    Abstract: The present invention provides toilets having an outlet trapway that is movable during a flushing cycle. A toilet bowl has an opening adjacent its lower end. A conduit links to the opening so as to be able to swivel between a first upwardly directed position which forms a trap for the toilet, and a second less upwardly directed position which can be reached during the flushing cycle to facilitate evacuation of the toilet bowl. An actuator moves the conduit between the first and second positions during the flushing cycle in response to a condition of a water supply for the toilet, preferably without using electrical power to achieve this trapway movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Sudip Mukerji
  • Patent number: 9452769
    Abstract: The infant stroller with air conditioner and heater includes a stroller with a seat and seat back that include a cooling member and a heating member. The seat and seat back may be further defined as a flexible membrane that contours to provide a comfortable seating posture. The cooling member may utilize a refrigeration cycle to circulate cooled water through tubing integrated into the seat and seat back. The heating member involves the use of a heating element that when energized releases heat. The heating element is integrated into the construction of the seat and the seat back. Both the heating member and the cooling member are connected to a control member positioned underneath the seat and seat back. The control member is ideally positioned in a storage compartment provided between the wheels of the infant stroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: George Williams, Yolanda Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9375547
    Abstract: A personal air filtration device and methods of using the same for providing a zone of filtered air proximate a breathing zone of a user are described. A blower provides an air flow to a head support which delivers the air flow to a zone proximate the users head. The air flow passes through a filter. The filter can be a point of delivery filter disposed about an air permeable surface of the head support. The delivered air flow can provide a laminar air flow defining a zone of filtered air about the user's breathing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: AUGUSTINE BIOMEDICAL AND DESIGN, LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Mark C. Albrecht, Randall C. Arnold, Ryan S. Augustine, Ryan Barrows, Andrew McGregor
  • Patent number: 9315133
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Shaun Calvin Howick, Goran Bajic
  • Patent number: 9265387
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electric incinerating toilet bowl and an incineration control method for the electric incinerating toilet bowl which can remove not only odor components but also smoke and soot generated when paper liners burn to thereby prevent the odor components and the smoke and soot from being exhausted. The incineration control method heats a smoke and soot removing filler layer to a smoke and soot removing temperature not lower than 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Dirac Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Takizawa, Yuko Takizawa, Mayu Saita, Keiko Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9204498
    Abstract: A cloth material of the invention includes a cloth material main body that includes a plurality of conductive wires that generate heat by conduction, and a conductive connecting member that is provided on a side portion of the cloth material main body and electrically connects the plurality of conductive wires together. End portions of the plurality of conductive wires are exposed from the side portion of the cloth material main body so as to be exposed portions. The connecting member electrically connects the plurality of conductive wires together by being welded in a state sandwiching the exposed portions and the side portion of the cloth material main body. Welded portions formed by the welding are arranged alternately with non-welded portions, lined up in a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masao Tada
  • Patent number: 9204495
    Abstract: The present invention concerns: A heating element comprising a heating unit, a heat transfer unit and a temperature sensor unit, the heating, unit comprising a first composition, the first composition comprising an epoxy-based or glass-based composition or a composition comprising a sol-gel solution in which up to about 90% of said solution is a conductive powder in a uniform stable dispersion and said solution conductive powder is a member selected from the group consisting of metals, ceramics, interceramics and semi-conductors and the temperature sensor comprising a second composition, the second composition comprising an epoxy-based or glass-based composition or a composition comprising a composition comprising a sol-gel solution in which up to about 90% of said solution is a conductive powder in a uniform stable dispersion and said solution conductive powder is a member selected from the group consisting of metals, ceramics, interceramics and semi-conductors, the heating unit and the temperature sensor un
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Olaf Soerensen, Juergen Seng, Christoph Schmitz, Francis Pinto
  • Patent number: 9165449
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ribble, Michelle McCleerey, Eric Agdeppa, Michael S. Hood
  • Patent number: 9095008
    Abstract: A heated blanket is presented that includes a heat mesh contained therein for uniform heating of the heated blanket. Also presented is a system for heating an article including the aforementioned heated blanket and an optional thermostat for measuring the temperature of an article to be heated. As the temperature of the article departs from a preset temperature range, the thermostat controls power to the heated blanket thereby either completing or interrupting the electrical supply to the heated blanket depending on whether the article must be cooled or warmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventors: Michael P. Seacord, Dennis J. Martinich
  • Patent number: 9012812
    Abstract: A seat heater (10) that is provided on a seat (1) including a seat cushion (2) and a seat back (3) includes a first heating element (12U) provided in an upper section (3Lu) of a backrest (3L) in the seat back (3) and a second heating element (12L) provided in a lower section (3Ll) of the backrest (3L) in the seat back (3). In addition, a heat generation density of the first heating element (12U) is lower than a heat generation density of the second heating element (12L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Anzai, Hiroki Nagayama, Hajime Oi
  • Publication number: 20150090704
    Abstract: A heated cover for use with an article of furniture comprises an exterior top layer and an exterior bottom layer that are fabricated from a conductive material. The heated cover also includes a plurality of heating pads positioned between the exterior top layer and the exterior bottom layer. Each of the plurality of heating pads comprises a heating element configured to convert electrical energy to thermal energy and a padding layer coupled between the heating element and the exterior bottom layer. The heated cover also includes a rechargeable electrical storage device coupled to the plurality of heating pads. The rechargeable electrical storage device is configured to provide electrical energy to the plurality of heating pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: ReAnna Gayle Smith, Kyle Matthew Smith
  • Patent number: 8926010
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat main body, a heating portion provided in the seat main body, a degree-of-contact measuring portion that measures a degree of contact between the seat main body and an occupant seated on the seat main body, and a control portion that controls an amount of heat output from the heating portion such that the amount of heat increases according to an increase in the degree of contact between the seat main body and the occupant, and decreases according to a decrease in the degree of contact between the seat main body and the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Akaike, Takahiro Harita
  • Patent number: 8884191
    Abstract: When a seat heater and a planar electric heater on a surface of an interior member are used in parallel, the seat heater and the planar electric heater cannot be heated sufficiently due to a limitation on an electric capacity of a vehicle, and in particular, in a vehicle having good engine efficiency, heating of an interior of a passenger compartment by air conditioning utilizing hot air generated by heat expelled from an engine is not sufficient, whereby there sometimes occurs a situation where occupants feel cold. A heating device 2 is provided in a side door panel 1 of a vehicle and a seat heater is made to be heated mainly at an initial stage of heating after an occupant gets in the vehicle, whereas the heating device 2 is made to be heated after a predetermined period of time elapses, whereby the body of the occupant can be warmed quickly and efficiently without making the occupant feel cold physically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogino, Noriyuki Yoneno, Hideaki Konishi, Naohito Asami, Satoshi Arima
  • Publication number: 20140326709
    Abstract: A sheet-type ohmic heating element (10) comprises a substrate sheet (12) having applied thereon a layer of PTC material (14) and a protective cover sheet (16) laid over the layer of PTC material. The protective cover sheet extends beyond the boundary of the layer of PTC material and is affixed to the substrate sheet circumferentially around the boundary of the layer of PTC material. The protective cover sheet and the layer of PTC material are arranged in non-adhesive contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Driss Chabach, Raphael Bennes, Céline Lemire, Julie Distel, Alain Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8822885
    Abstract: This invention is related to the conservation of energy. The energy sources are limited and energy usage can cause environmental problems. This invention introduces a method of heating which is small and effective. In this method instead of heating the whole house which expensive and at times uncomfortable a limited heated space under a table means covered with a cover means is introduced that allows a person to warm up his/her body. Also, heating a smaller space can be done quickly and uses a limited energy, which is thus more cost-effective. This unit is designed to fold to a smaller unit for easy storage. In this method, an adjustable table means holds an electrical heating means under a cover and allows the person to use that limited space as heating source. The heating means has its control means and thermostat in order to keep the temp in a desired level. The table is very versatile and allows its dimensions to be changed easily so that the user has the option of choosing a size that fits its need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Yousef Daneshvar
  • Publication number: 20140209594
    Abstract: A far infrared heat emitting device includes a pad for positioning over or around a body part of a user such as a waist, leg, arm, or back. The user may be a human or an animal such as a pet. The device can include straps to form a strap sized to fit around the waist of a human user. The strap includes a pad, a plurality of far infrared heat conducting elements, a charging inlet, a heating device, and a fastener for securing the strap to the human user. The device may be secured around the waist of the human user to provide relief from lower back pain. Alternatively, the device may be used in or on furniture. The device may produce an aura of negative ions. The device may minimize the presence of at least some electromagnetic frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Besner
  • Patent number: 8766142
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Shaun Calvin Howick, Goran Bajic
  • Publication number: 20140175078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric (30, 31) with at least one support (41, 41?), with at least two electrical function elements (70), and with at least one seam (40). It is provided that at least two of the electrical function elements (70) are in the form of strands and integrated in the seam (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Oliver Davignon, Gábor Panyi
  • Publication number: 20140138370
    Abstract: A panel heating element is described. The panel heating element has at least one substrate with a substrate surface, and an electrical heating layer for heating the substrate, which heating layer extends at least over a part of the substrate surface and is connected to at least two electrodes provided for connection to a voltage source such that a current path for a heating current is formed between the electrodes. The heating layer is electrically divided by separating zones each having at least one free zone end. The current path changes its direction of flow at the free zone ends. A transition zone adjoins the zone end of each separating zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Bastien Royer, Li-Ya Yeh, Susanne Lisinski, Marcel Klein, Dang Cuong Phan
  • Patent number: 8728354
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrically conducting polymer composition and method of making a composition including an organic polymer; and a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers, wherein a trip temperature of the composition does not change by an amount of greater than or equal to ±10° C. when the composition is cycled 100 times between room temperature and the trip temperature. Disclosed herein as well is an electrically conducting polymer composition including a first filler including at least one ceramic filler, at least one metallic filler, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing fillers and a second filler. The compositions of the present invention have a trip temperature that is lower than the HDT temperature of the composition and can have tunable trip temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Sumanda Bandyopadhyay, Vishwasrao Vasant Gawade, Soumyadeb Ghosh, Ramya Kumaraswamy, Franciscus Petrus Maria Mercx, Suchetana Shetty
  • Patent number: 8729430
    Abstract: A combined seat heater and capacitive occupancy sensor comprises a heater network and a capacitive sensing network. The heater network includes a heating element (10) connected between a first node (21) and a second node (22) to dissipate heat. The capacitive sensing network is connected to the heating element to apply an oscillating current thereto and to derive a capacitive load of the heating element from the voltage resulting on the heating element. The heater network comprises a common mode choke (16) connecting the first and the second node to a third (23) and a fourth (24) node, respectively. The capacitive sensing network further comprises means to sustain the oscillating current in or to drive the oscillating current into the heating element as well as a high-impedance amplifier (32) having an input node operatively connected to the heating element to probe the resulting voltage, and an output node (44) to provide an output signal indicative of the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Virnich, Aloyse Schoos
  • Patent number: 8728959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a textile digital band which is capable of providing a high-speed communication path with surrounding computing devices, through easy and convenient attachment thereof to a conventional garment, and a fabrication method thereof. For this purpose, disclosed herein is a textile digital band comprising a plurality of warps formed parallel to each other in the first direction, and a plurality of wefts formed parallel to each other in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the warp includes at least one digital yarn through which electrical currents can flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Gi Soo Chung, Dae Hoon Lee, Jae Sang An
  • Publication number: 20140131343
    Abstract: A heating device comprises a heater having a first surface and a second surface, with the second surface being generally opposite of the first surface. The heater is configured to receive an electrical current and convert it to heat. The heating device additionally includes at least one heat transfer assembly positioned along the first and/or second surface of the heater. In one embodiment, the heat transfer assembly includes a plurality of fins that generally define a plurality of fin spaces through which fluids may pass. In some arrangements, the heating device comprises an outer housing that at least partially surrounds the heater and one or more of the heat transfer assemblies. Heat generated by the heater is transferred to the fins of the heat transfer assembly. In addition, fluids passing through the fin spaces are selectively heated when electrical current is provided to the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: Ryan Walsh
  • Patent number: 8702164
    Abstract: A heated seat comprising: a cushion with one or more trench areas; a heater comprising: a carrier with a periphery, the carrier further including: a first electrically functional layer that is made of a conductive material that substantially circumscribes at least a portion of the carrier; and a second electrically functional layer that is made of a resistive material; one or more electrical conductors attached to the first electrically functional layer; a trim layer that covers the cushion when the heater is placed over the cushion; and wherein the periphery includes a first side edge and a second side edge, and each side edge includes a cutout, and the cutouts are located adjacent to each other forming a neck portion; wherein the heater is attached to the cushion by placing an attachment device over the neck portion of the heater and securing one or both ends of the attachment device to the cushion so that the neck portion is pulled into the trench; wherein the neck portion is free of the second electricall
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Marinko Lazanja, Matthew Zuzga, Sergiu Csonti, Syed Iqbal, Igor Spasojevic, Tim Normand
  • Publication number: 20140103021
    Abstract: A seat heater device initiates power supply upon operation of a switch by a seat occupant within a vehicle interior and includes a heater for warming installed in a seat within the vehicle interior and a control unit for controlling energization of the heater for warming. The control unit includes a low-voltage detecting means for detecting whether an input voltage is a regular drive voltage value of the control unit or a voltage value lower than a predetermined voltage value and a switching element that is turned on when the low-voltage detecting means detects the regular drive voltage value of the control unit and turned off when the low-voltage detecting means detects a voltage value lower than the predetermined voltage value. This configuration can avoid heat generation of the switching element even if a leakage occurs in an electronic circuit within the switch due to, for example, insulation failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Nishikawa, Masahiro Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 8692168
    Abstract: Infrared heating panels are provided with an electrically insulative substrate that carries one or more infrared heating elements. Each heating element includes an elongated first segment attached to a first surface of the substrate and an elongated second segment electrically connected in series with the first segment. At least the first segment is a strip of an electrically resistive material adapted to emit infrared radiation in response to a current. The second segment is attached to the second surface of the substrate opposite from and in a parallel arrangement with the first segment such that a first current flowing through the heating element flows through the first segment in a first direction relative to the substrate and flows through the second segment in a second direction opposite the first direction. Saunas, heating systems, and methods for reducing electromagnetic emissions in an infrared sauna are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: TyloHelo Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Benda, Tracy Felder
  • Patent number: 8669492
    Abstract: A passenger seat device includes a seat heater embedded in a seat and a detector electrode embedded underneath the seat heater. Electric power is supplied to the seat heater from an on-board battery through seat heater switches. Alternating voltage or current is supplied to the detector electrode. The detector electrode potential relative to the ground is lowered when the seat is occupied by a passenger. The changes in the potential of the detector electrode is detected by an occupant detector including a microcomputer. The detection is performed when the seat heater is brought to a floating state to suppress an amount of capacitance formed between the seat heater and the detector electrode. Thus, a sensitivity of the occupant detector is improved. The detector electrode may be eliminated, and the occupant conditions may be detected based on a potential of the seat heater to which alternating current or voltage is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ito, Tsutomu Kamizono, Shoichi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8624164
    Abstract: A blanket for warming patients during surgery and other medical procedures. The blanket includes one or more temperature sensors and a shut-off timer to prevent prolonged exposure of excessive heat to a patient. Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety feature that cuts power to a heating blanket after a certain period of time has elapsed, irrespective of the feedback provided by a temperature sensor concerning the blanket temperature. That period of time is longer than it takes for the blanket to reach its threshold temperature but shorter than it takes to cause thermal burn injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Augustine Temperature Management LLC
    Inventors: Rudolf A. Deibel, Scott A. Entenman, Keith J. Leland
  • Patent number: 8618451
    Abstract: A heater member for a chair, of which the dimension as measured in the width direction is not constant, includes a fabric of a weft knitting structure having a plurality of conductive threads woven into the fabric as a part of constituent yarn. Each of the conductive threads has substantially the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Kunisada
  • Publication number: 20130334196
    Abstract: A combined seat heater and capacitive occupancy sensor comprises a heater network including a heating element (11) and a capacitive sensing circuit connected to the heating element to sense a capacitive load. A first and a second interface are provided for connecting the heating element to a first and a second terminal of a power source, respectively. Each interface comprises electronically controlled switches (3, 5; 4, 6) arranged in series and defining an intermediate node (20; 21). An oscillator (8) is AC-coupled to the intermediate nodes to apply an oscillating voltage thereto. A current measuring means (9), AC-coupled between the oscillator and the heating element, keeps the AC-potential of the heating element at least substantially equal, in amplitude and phase, to the oscillating voltage on the intermediate nodes and to derive the capacitive load from a thus resulting current flowing into the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Thomas Meyers
  • Publication number: 20130327758
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating or controlling device and associated method for a motor vehicle for carrying out an operator-specific switching and/or regulating function, including: at least one operating or control element for carrying out several switching and/or regulating functions; at least one seat heater; means for generating and feeding a specific current signal into the seat heater in order to induce a specific voltage signal in the operator by means of the seat heater; detection means in order to detect the specific voltage signal upon contact with the operating element by the operator; evaluation means in order to assign a specific one of the several switching and/or regulating functions to the operating element or control element upon detection of the specific voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: PREH GMBH
    Inventor: Norbert Bauer
  • Publication number: 20130319991
    Abstract: The seat heater of the present invention comprises: a warming heater provided in a seat section of a seat; a warming heater provided in a back section; an overheating-prevention unit; and a heating unit that heats the overheating-prevention unit, the overheating-prevention unit being configured by a non-return type temperature switch. This configuration allows activating the non-return type overheating-prevention unit prior to reaching an unsafe event, and turns the warming heaters OFF reliably, whereby a seat heater with an aim of implementing both high output and safety can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Nishikawa, Norio Abe, Kazuaki Hioki, Yoshimitsu Fujiwara, Kazumi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8581156
    Abstract: An apparatus has a chassis has a chassis inner face and a chassis outer face, at least one heating part accommodated in the chassis, wherein at least a portion of the heating part faces the chassis inner face with an internal space therebetween, and a film having a first face and a second face bonded to at least a portion of the heating part facing the chassis inner face. The chassis outer face is located on a side opposite the chassis inner face portion and in contact with an external space and having a radiation film interposed therebetween. The film includes a convex part, a concave part, or a repeated pattern of convex and concave parts in the first face or the second face. At least one of the first face and the second face is in contact with the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Mamoru Yabe
  • Patent number: 8575518
    Abstract: A heating device comprises a heater having a first surface and a second surface, with the second surface being generally opposite of the first surface. The heater is configured to receive an electrical current and convert it to heat. The heating device additionally includes at least one heat transfer assembly positioned along the first and/or second surface of the heater. In one embodiment, the heat transfer assembly includes a plurality of fins that generally define a plurality of fin spaces through which fluids may pass. In some arrangements, the heating device comprises an outer housing that at least partially surrounds the heater and one or more of the heat transfer assemblies. Heat generated by the heater is transferred to the fins of the heat transfer assembly. In addition, fluids passing through the fin spaces are selectively heated when electrical current is provided to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: Ryan Walsh
  • Patent number: 8544942
    Abstract: A heated seat (302) comprising: a cushion with one or more trench (30) areas; a heater (300) comprising: a carrier (2) with a periphery, the carrier (2) further including: a first electrically functional layer (4) that is made of a conductive material that substantially circumscribes at least a portion of the carrier (2); and a second electrically functional layer (8) that is made of a resistive material; one or more electrical conductors {12} attached to the first electrically functional layer; a trim layer (40) that covers the cushion when the heater is placed over the cushion, and wherein the periphery includes a first side edge (18) and a second side edge (20), and each side edge includes a cutout (26), and the cutouts are located adjacent to each other—forming a neck portion (28); wherein the heater is attached to the cushion by placing an attachment device (32) over the neck portion (28) of the heater and securing one or both ends of the attachment, device (32) to the cushion so that the neck portion (2
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Marinko Lazanja, Matthew Zuzga, Sergiu Csonti, Syed Rafat Iqbal, Igor Spasojevic, Tim Normand
  • Patent number: 8519305
    Abstract: A polymer heating element includes an electrically insulating base substrate, at least a pair of electrodes made of a plurality of thin metal wires formed on the electrically insulating base substrate, a polymer resistor which is not in direct contact with the pair of electrodes and which has PTC characteristics, and conductive layers which are in contact with both the electrodes and the polymer resistor. The conductive layers include at least a resin component, a conductor component and an additive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keizo Nakajima, Akihiro Umeda, Takahito Ishii, Katsuhiko Uno, Hiroshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8507831
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Shaun Calvin Howick, Goran Bajic
  • Patent number: 8492680
    Abstract: A heating device for a seat exhibiting excellent durability, reliability, safety and enhanced workability in fixing work to a seat while reducing the cost and weight and ensuring comfortable feeling at seating without causing a strange feeling. The heating device for a seat comprises a heating matter (4) including a base substance (2) and a heating wire (3) arranged on the base substance, a temperature detection element (5) for detecting temperature of the heating matter, and a temperature control circuit (1) for controlling temperature of the heating matter based on the output from the temperature detection element, characterized in that the temperature detection element and the temperature control circuit are arranged at predetermined positions on the base substance. The temperature control circuit is insulation-covered together with a part of lead wires connected to the temperature control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kurabe Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiko Ohashi, Yasuhiro Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8493079
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided in combination with a seat heater and a capacitive occupant detection system. The seat heater comprises a seat heating element disposed in the vehicle seat while the capacitive occupant detection system comprises a measurement circuit and an electrode arrangement, which is also disposed in the vehicle seat. The electrode arrangement includes a sensing electrode and a shielding electrode. The measurement circuit is operatively connected to the sensing electrode and to the shielding electrode and configured to keep the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode at substantially the same electric potential during the capacitive measurement. Of the seat heating element, the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode, the seat heating element is closest to a seating region of the vehicle seat and the sensing electrode is arranged between the seat heating element and the shielding electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Andreas Petereit, Christoph Wendt, Claus-Christian Kedenburg
  • Publication number: 20130105459
    Abstract: A seat cover heating system is based on joining a layer of heating material (2) to the textile material of a seat cover (1) using a rolling process, preferably intended for motor vehicle seats. The two components, the heating material layer and the textile cover, form a single unit. Once the unit has been cut to the shaped required for the area to be heated, electrical connectors (6) are incorporated during the process including the sewing of the remaining constituent parts of the textile cover (1) so that the area to be heated functions correctly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DE GRUPO COPO. S.L.U.
    Inventor: Jose Maria Tomas Tapia
  • Patent number: 8418272
    Abstract: A linear heater is formed of an enamel wire composed of a heating wire and an enamel layer. The heating wire is made of a copper alloy containing silver, for example. The enamel layer is made of polyester imide (PEI), polyimide (PI) or polyamide imide (PAI), for example. The enamel layer is coated with an insulating coating layer. The insulating coating layer is made of fluororesin such as perfluoroalkoxy mixture (PFA), polyimide (PI), or polyamide imide (PAI). The linear heater is bonded to the lower surface of an upper toilet seat casing such that it is sandwiched between a metal foil and a metal foil made of aluminum, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Nishimura, Shigeru Shirai, Hideki Ohno, Yoshiharu Shimada, Tomoko Ishida, Yuji Yamamoto, Shinji Fujii, Yoshiko Kurimoto, Kazuya Kondoh, Masahiro Inoue, Toru Ueno
  • Patent number: 8403974
    Abstract: A medical warming system includes a plurality of heating elements respectively adapted to be disposed closed to various parts of a plurality of patients' bodies, a first group of sensors disposed at the proximity of the heating elements and configured for measuring the temperatures of the heating elements, a second group of sensors adapted to be disposed at the various parts of the patients' bodies and configured for measuring the temperatures of the various parts of the patients' bodies, and a controller being in communication with the first group and the second group of sensors. The controller is configured for receiving temperature data from the sensors and controlling the temperature of each heating element accordingly. Each heating element includes a conductive layer made from a nano-thickness material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Materials Enterprises Company Limited
    Inventors: Geng Li, Cho Yee Joey Chow, Chih Lin I, Edward S. Yang