Abstract: The automated local thermal management system (20) includes a plurality of heated clothing articles (22). A first control device (36) with a first microcontroller (52) having a first memory includes a plurality of output drivers (28) each electrically connected to a vehicle power source and to the heated clothing articles (22) for providing an output current to the heated clothing articles (22). The first control device (36) further includes a Bluetooth transceiver (54) to adjust settings and to monitor operation and a first RF transceiver (64). A second control device (74) with a second microcontroller (94) having a second memory includes a pair of buttons (96) and an accelerometer (112) and a thermistor (106) and a second RF transceiver (108) for wireless communication with said first RF transceiver (64).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for control of a direct current motor in one or several fan units, each comprising a fan, which method comprises: generation of a control signal from a first control unit which is external in relation to the said fan unit; transmission of the said control signal to the said fan unit; reception of the transmitted control signal in the said fan unit; interpretation of the said control signal in a second control unit which is arranged in association with the said fan unit; and generation, in the said second control unit, of a supply signal for the said direct current motor, on the basis of the control signal generated by the first control unit and received in the fan unit and on the basis of a supply voltage. According to the invention, the method comprises transmission of the control signal together with the supply voltage over a shared communication link, with the control signal being superposed on the supply voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for serial transmission of information between at least one transmitter (7, 9, 14, 15) and at least one receiver (7, 9, 14, 15), with the said information being transferred by means of voltage pulses (13). The invention comprises the following steps: making an association between the information that is to be transferred and the time (T) between two predetermined edge levels (U1, U2) of a voltage pulse; generation of a voltage pulse in the transmitter with a time difference between the flank levels (U1, U2) corresponding: to the information that is to be transferred; and transmission of the voltage pulse from the said transmitter to the said receiver. The invention also relates to a system for such transmission of information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for control of a direct current motor in one or several fan units, each comprising a fan, which method comprises: generation of a control signal from a first control unit which is external in relation to the said fan unit; transmission of the said control signal to the said fan unit; reception of the transmitted control signal in the said fan unit; interpretation of the said control signal in a second control unit which is arranged in association with the said fan unit; and generation, in the said second control unit, of a supply signal for the said direct current motor, on the basis of the control signal generated by the first control unit and received in the fan unit and on the basis of a supply voltage. According to the invention, the method comprises transmission of the control signal together with the supply voltage over a shared communication link, with the control signal being superposed on the supply voltage.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a heating device arranged in connection with the vehicle seat and connected to a control unit which includes a current-feeding apparatus for feeding a current to the heating device. The vehicle seat also includes a temperature sensor connected to the control unit for detecting the temperature at the heating device. The control unit is arranged to feed the current if the measured temperature falls below a pre-determined temperature value. An occupant sensor is also provided for detecting the presence of an occupant or an object in the vehicle seat. The occupant sensor is arranged as a single integral unit together with the heating device in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: The invention is a device for heating a seat (3) comprising a heating element (2) connected to a control unit (1) which is arranged to feed a current (I) through the heating element (2), a detector unit (6) in connection to the heating element (2) connected to the control unit (1) with current (I) being fed when the measured temperature value falls below a predetermined desired value (TB). The invention is characterized in that the detector unit (6) comprises at least one first temperature sensor (7) on or in the vicinity of the heating element (2) with at least one further temperature sensor (8) at a predetermined distance from the heating element (2). By means of the invention a more even heating of the seat is obtained with an increased comfort for a person sitting in the seat.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a seat such as a vehicle seat are disclosed. The apparatus includes an electrical heater disposed in the seat, a cooling unit such as a cooling element and a fan, a detector for detecting the temperature associated with the electrical heater, and a controller for controlling the electrical heater and the cooler based upon the detected temperature and upon the humidity algorithm comprising a predetermined set of calculations of the humidity of air at different temperatures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a seat such as a vehicle seat are disclosed. The apparatus includes an electrical heater disposed in the seat, a cooling unit such as a cooling element and a fan, a detector for detecting the temperature associated with the electrical heater, and a controller for controlling the electrical heater and the cooler based upon the detected temperature and upon the humidity algorithm comprising a predetermined set of calculations of the humidity of air at different temperatures.

Abstract: The invention is a device for heating a seat (3) comprising a heating element (2) connected to a control unit (1) which is arranged to feed a current (I) through the heating element (2), a detector unit (6) in connection to the heating element (2) connected to the control unit (1) with current (I) being fed when the measured temperature value falls below a predetermined desired value (TB). The invention is characterized in that the detector unit (6) comprises at least one first temperature sensor (7) on or in the vicinity of the heating element (2) with at least one further temperature sensor (8) at a predetermined distance from the heating element (2). By means of the invention a more even heating of the seat is obtained with an increased comfort for a person sitting in the seat.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for heating a vehicle seat including a heating element for heating the vehicle seat, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature created by the heating element, a control unit connected to the heating element and including a feed line for feeding a current to the heating element if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is below a predetermined desired temperature, a communicator for receiving information from an external source, an external operating unit separated from the control unit, at least one functioning unit connected to the external operating unit, the external operating unit including programmed logic for generating information based on the state of the functional unit and a programmed function transmitting the information, and a transmission channel for transmitting the information from the external operating unit to the control unit whereby the control unit can be operated by means of that information.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for heating a vehicle seat including a heating element for heating the vehicle seat, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature created by the heating element, a control unit connected to the heating element and including a feed line for feeding a current to the heating element if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is below a predetermined desired temperature, a communicator for receiving information from an external source, an external operating unit separated from the control unit, at least one functioning unit connected to the external operating unit, the external operating unit including programmed logic for generating information based on the state of the functional unit and a programmed function transmitting the information, and a transmission channel for transmitting the information from the external operating unit to the control unit whereby the control unit can be operated by means of that information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating a seat, comprising a heating element arranged in connection to the seat and connected to a control unit, which comprises current feeding organs for feeding a current (I) through the heating element in order to heat it, a temperature sensor connected to said control unit for detecting the temperature (T) at said heating element, with the control unit being arranged for feeding said current (I) if said measured temperature (T) falls below a predetermined set temperature value (TB). The invention is characterized in that the control unit comprises a communication unit for receiving information regarding said set temperature value (TB) from an external unit via a transmission channel for the transfer of said information. The invention also relates to a method for heating a seat. By means of the invention, an improved temperature control for a heatable seat is provided, particularly intended for motor vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating a seat comprising a heating element (2) connected to a control unit (1), which is arranged to feed a current (I) through the heating element (2) comprising the detection of the current temperature (T) in connection to the heating element (2) and the control of the temperature (T) by feeding said current (I) through the heating element (2) if said current temperature (T) falls below a predetermined desired temperature (T.sub.B). The invention is characterized in that it comprises determining an additional value (.increment.T.sub.B) of said desired temperature (T.sub.B) and adding said additional value (.increment.T.sub.B) to said predetermined desired temperature (T.sub.B) in connection with said control by means of the invention. An improved temperature control for a heatable seat is provided, in particular intended for motor vehicles.

Abstract: In known heat-emitting units (1) for car seats the unit (1) is heated to a set temperature and once this has been reached the temperature in the unit (1) oscillates around that set. This is a drawback since, after a certain amount of oscillation, the heat becomes too high and the setting must be altered. According to the invention the voltage supply is cut by means of a recording member (7), after a predetermined period of oscillation.