Portable heated seating
In accordance with principles described herein, portable heated seats, and methods and systems for using the same, are provided that overcome some (or all) of the problems commonly associated with existing seats. These portable heated seats are easily transportable, and are preferably provided with cushion material to compensate for various seating conditions that may otherwise be faced by a user. One or more heating elements, preferably made of flexible graphite felt, are also provided in each portable heated seat. The heat settings of the one or more heating elements are controlled by one or more on/off switches, open loop temperature regulators, pressure push switches, sensor switches, and/or fuse circuits. A backrest (similarly heated or not heated) may also be used in association with the portable heated seat. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.
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This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/670,327, filed Apr. 12, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/785,370, filed Mar. 24, 2006, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to seating, and more particularly, to portable heated seating.
BACKGROUNDCushioned seat pads are commonly used by individuals while attending sporting activities, concerts, or other venues where comfortable seating is not readily available. While known portable, cushioned seat pads are quite versatile, these seats are of limited value when used outdoors in very cold weather conditions. Most seat pads completely lack heating capability. Known seat cushions that do provide integrated heating are not capable of power efficient and environmentally robust portable heating. For example, such seat pads typically require an AC power outlet to supply heating, which undesirably limits the portability of the seat pads to locations in which an AC power outlet is available.
Further, existing heated seats, whether portable or otherwise, often experience one or more failures due to a break in the heating circuit. For example, in many applications, a wire filament or similar resistive heating element is used to provide the heat function to a seat. However, it is not uncommon in these applications for a single break or loss of connection in such a wire or similar element to result in a complete circuit failure (and thus, the elimination of the heating function). Moreover, repairs of such breaks or losses of connection are often not feasible due to the permanent manner of construction of the seats, or are undesirably costly.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved portable heated seating apparatus.
SUMMARYIn accordance with principles of the invention, portable heated seats and methods and systems for using the same are provided. According to various embodiments, these portable heated seats are easily transportable between different locations (e.g., using a handle or by simply gripping one or more portions thereof), and are provided with cushion material to compensate for harsh (e.g., hard) seating conditions that a user would otherwise face.
One or more heating elements are also provided in each portable heated seat, some or each of which can be made of a flexible graphite material, or a mix of carbon and silver paste (or ink). According to various embodiments, the heater material being used has a large surface area that facilitates electrical contacts. Moreover, according to various embodiments, the heater material is cut into a circuitous serpentine configuration. In this manner, it is possible to use a resistive material having lower resistivity than would otherwise be required, given that, for a desired total resistance level, the required resistivity is inversely proportional to the length of the heating element.
In accordance with principles of the invention, the heating function is enabled using one or more portable power sources, such as batteries. These power sources may be situated internal to the heated seat, or attached to the exterior. According to various embodiments, the heat settings of the one or more heating elements are controlled by one or more on/off switches, open loop temperature regulators, pressure push switches, sensor switches, and/or fuse circuits. A cutoff circuit may also be used to deactivate the heating function when the power level of the power source is determined to be below a certain threshold level. Moreover, a lighting element may also be used to indicate to a user when the heating function is being used.
According to various embodiments, a backrest (similarly heated or not heated) may be connected to the portable heated seat. The portable heated seats (and optional backrests) may be used in a variety of settings, and may be used to compensate for cold temperatures, as well as for therapeutic purposes, and in various other situations and settings.
Accordingly, a portable heated seating apparatus is disclosed, comprising a cushion material for providing seating support, and a heating element comprising silver carbon paste silk-screened upon a flexible substrate, the heating element positioned at or substantially near an outer surface of the cushion material for generating heat when electrical current is applied to the heating element.
A portable heated seating apparatus is also disclosed that comprises a cushion material for providing seating support, and a heating element comprising flexible graphite, the heating element positioned at or substantially near an outer surface of the cushion material for generating heat when electrical current is applied to the heating element.
A portable heated seating apparatus is also disclosed that comprises a heating element for generating heat from electrical current, a temperature controller operatively connected to the heating element to control activation of the heating element based on pulse width modulation, and a user-operated power selector adapted for selection of a power level. The temperature controller adjusts a pulse width duty cycle in correspondence with the selected power level to control a temperature level generated by the heating element.
Additionally, a portable heated seating apparatus is disclosed that comprises a cushion material for providing seating support, a substantially flat heating element positioned at or substantially near an upper surface of the cushion material for generating heat when electrical current is applied, a fabric cover material for covering the cushion material and providing a substantially smooth seating surface on an upper side and a gripping surface on an lower side; and at least one pocket comprised within the fabric cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSEmbodiments of the present invention will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIGS. 8A-C illustrate three duty cycles associated with the open loop temperature regulator shown in
FIGS. 12A-C depict a portable seating apparatus including a heated seat and backrest portions according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
The following describes portable heated seating apparatus and methods and systems for using the same. The details included herein are for the purpose of illustration only and should not be understood to limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain features that are well known in the art are not described in detail in order to avoid complication of the subject matter described herein.
A portable heated seat is provided that includes at least one heating element for bringing the surface temperature of the seat to a temperature or maintaining a temperature above the temperature of the ambient air. For example, as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, portable heated seat 100 illustrated in
Power source 104 of heated seat 100 shown in
As shown in
It is also contemplated that the exterior of power source 104 may be rigid and environmentally robust, such that power source 104 remains adequately protected when seating cover 106 is not designed to cover power source 104. In any event, seating cover 106 may be made of any suitable material, preferably a nylon or similar material that is well suited for protecting the internal components from rain, moisture, and the like. Additionally, according to various embodiments, cover 106 may be removable (e.g., using a zipper or buttons), and may be machine or hand washable. Moreover, the bottom of seating cover 106 may be provided with one more gripping elements (not shown) that may be used to prevent heated seat 100 from sliding when in use on a slippery surface (e.g., an aluminum bleacher seat).
Optional grip or handle 108 shown in
The heating elements (e.g., heating elements 102 and 202) that are used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are now explained in greater detail with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
After the paste is printed on a substrate, the heater is die cut into shape. The gaps between bars (as shown in
Unlike a conventional nichrome wire heater assembly, heaters made from silver/carbon paste silk-screened onto a surface and from graphite fabric are flat. This is particularly beneficial for use in a heated seat because it can be positioned comparatively closer to the outer seating surface of the apparatus without being noticeable or uncomfortable during use. That is, while a user may discern an arrangement of wires placed just below a conventional seating surface, the flat heater assembly 350 is unnoticeable by the user. As a result, the heater can be placed closer to the surface, without excessive padding between the heater and the external fabric coating. This allows the heater to work more efficiently, with less heat being absorbed by the padding. Further, it enables the device to heat more quickly. Additionally, because the traces are comparatively wider than a nichrome wire arrangement, the heater assembly provides a more even heat distribution. The wider traces also are less likely to break, because a small dent or nick on the trace will not necessarily break the electrical connection.
An exemplary calculation associated with the dimensions of heating element 302 is now described. In an embodiment using flexible graphite, the initial heat up power (Pi) may be 20 W, the resistivity (ρ) of the graphite felt being used along the transverse direction may be 0.0655 Ω-inch, the initial battery pack voltage (Vi) when the heated seat circuit is loaded may be 12 V, and that the thickness (T) of the heating element may be ⅛, or 0.125, inches. Of course, all of these dimensions may be varied. For example, the voltage may be 14, 15, or beyond 16 V, depending whether the source is a battery, a car adapter, or an AC adapter. Assuming these dimensions, however, the current (I) is equal to Pi/Vi=20/12=1.67A, and the total resistance of heating element 302 (R) is equal to Vi/I=7.19Ω. Using the equation R=(ρ*L)/(W*T), the length (L) to width (W) ratio of resistive element 302 may be computed as follows: L/W=(R*T)/ρ=(7.19Ω*0.125 in)/(0.0655 Ω-in )=13.7. According to various embodiments, if the width (W) of heating element 302 is 2.5 inches, heating element 302 is configured such that its length (L) is equal to 34.25 inches.
The particular dimensions and configuration of the heating element being used (e.g., heating element 102, 202, 302, 402, or 502) may be chosen (based, e.g., on calculations such as those described above) in any suitable manner such that specific desired heater resistance requirements are met. For example, for a heater made of silver and carbon tracing to sustain a battery life of several hours, batteries can be chosen to provide approximately 20 W of power, and the heater resistance can be selected to be in the range of 12 ohms, with a V initial of approximately 15.7V.
As shown, circuit 900 also includes a sensor switch 904 that is designed to sense whether the heated seat is in a position that is suitable for a user to sit thereon, and to deactivate circuit 900 when this is not the case. For example, assuming that on/off switch 604 is in the ON position, and that pressure switch 902 is either not present or pressure is somehow being exerted thereon, according to various embodiments, circuit 900 may nonetheless be deactivated when sensor 904 determines that the heated seat is being transported (and thus, is not currently being used). For example, sensor 904 may be configured to detect motion and/or angular (e.g., non-horizontal) positioning. It is noted that sensor 904 may operate using any suitable means of detection, including, for example, a level detector or a gyroscope.
Also included in circuit 900 shown in
It is noted that, although circuit 900 includes both on/off switch 604 and pressure activated switch 902, the invention is not limited in this manner. That is, according to at least some of the preferred embodiments, on/off switch 604 will not be present when pressure activated switch 902 is being used. Moreover, although not shown, according to various embodiments, a bypass switch or similar mechanism maybe used to bypass (disable) any or all of pressure switch 902, sensor switch 904, fuse circuit 906, on/off indicator 908, and cutoff circuit 910.
Another type of sensor switch that may be utilized according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a vibration switch. When the heated seat apparatus is in use, the surface of the seat will experience slight vibrations and movement continually while a person is seated on the apparatus. These slight vibrations and movements will trigger a sensor to send signals to an integrated circuit microcontroller. The signal will then reset a timer circuit. If the timer circuit has not been reset within, for example, 8 minutes, the microcontroller will switch off power to the heater, and accordingly, the application of heat to the apparatus. In this manner, the vibration sensor acts in conjunction with the microcontroller to provide power save functionality to automatically turn off the heater and conserve battery power when the apparatus is not in use.
In
According to various embodiments, a heated backrest is also provided. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12A-C, a portable seating unit 1200 may include a seat portion 1202 and a backrest portion 1204 connected to each other at a connection section 1206. It will be understood that seat portion 1202 may be substantially similar to the heated seats described above, and that backrest portion 1204 may be similar to seat portion 1202 with possible modifications including temperature range (e.g., to account for variations in sensitivity between the users legs and posterior and the user's back) and size (e.g., thickness). It will also be understood that seat and backrest portions 1202 and 1204 may be connected at connection section 1206 using any suitable means. As shown in FIGS. 12A-C, a handle 1208 may also be provided to aid a user in transporting seating unit 1200. Moreover, although not shown, a latch or other mechanism for keeping seat and backrest portions 1202 and 1204 in a closed position (as shown in
According to various embodiments, although not shown in FIGS. 12A-C, a separate heating element may be used for both seat and backrest portions 1202 and 1204. For example, as shown in
According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the heated seat includes an integrated circuit microprocessor that receives signals from a user interface panel and controls the application of power to the heater assembly for generating heat to the surface. In at least one embodiment, the user interface includes a switch or push button that enables a user to select three power levels, or heat settings. These power levels correspond to high, medium, and low power levels, which in turn affect the pulse-width modulator (PWM) to apply comparatively more heat or less heat (referring to
By incorporating capability for selecting between three distinct power levels, the user also is able to adjust how quickly the heated seat reaches a desired temperature range to provide comfort for the user. More specifically, if the user desires to be warmed as soon as possible, the user will selected the highest power setting until the user begins to sense the application of heat to the seating surface. In at least one embodiment, the highest heat seating can be used as an initial heat ramp until the user begins to feel comfortable. At that point, the user will then adjust the heat setting by selecting one of the two other high/low settings. Thus, by adjusting the power levels between higher and lower settings, a user is able to operate the heated seat so as to heat up more quickly than if only one or two power levels were provided.
In at least one embodiment, the microcontroller sends one or more signals to a panel printed circuit board assembly to trigger a display on the user interface. The main power switch or button may be a lighted switch/button to provide visual confirmation to the user that the heated seat is operating. Likewise, the power level switch/button may be lighted to provide a visual indication to the user concerning the power level at which the apparatus is operating. Alternatively, the switches/buttons trigger one or more LEDs that are separate from the switches/buttons themselves, to provide a visual indication of the selected power level. For an indication of power levels, multiple LEDs may be provided. In the at least one embodiment having three power levels, three LEDs will be illuminated when the highest power setting is selected, two LEDs will be illuminated when the medium power setting is selected, and a single LED is illuminated for the lowest power setting. The microcontroller receives a user's power level selection from the power level button as a signal from a circuit board associated with the user interface. Again, based on the user's power setting, a PWM circuit determines the appropriate duty cycle, and the microcontroller sends power to the heater in accordance with the selected duty cycle. The PWM circuitry can be in a separate microcontroller, such as that shown and described with reference to
Referring back to
Microcontroller 1600 additionally receives an electrical signal from a vibration input 1610. As described above, in at least one embodiment, a vibration sensor sends an electrical signal whenever the heated seat is powered on and a vibration is experienced, which temporarily moves a ball from atop the sensor. The microcontroller 1600 uses this electrical signal to reset a counter, which times out if no vibration is experienced within a predetermined amount of time. If the timeout circuit within microcontroller 1600 expires, it is determined that the heated seat is not in use, and it enters a powersave state, whereby the heater switch is turned off such that no power is supplied to the heater, and the LEDs 1614a-d are turned off to signal to the user that the heated seat is not providing heat.
Microcontroller 1600 also receives input from voltage divider 1616. This is used to detect when the battery source has reached a critically low battery level. The voltage divider provides an analog voltage signal that is based upon the battery voltage level Vref. This level is then supplied to an analog to digital converter input pin in the microcontroller 1600, which then converts the signal into a digital value. If the digital value falls below a threshold value stored in microcontroller memory, the firmware executes a routine to turn off the heater supply 1608 and to send a blinking signal to LED output 1612 to indicate to the user that the battery must be re-charged. In at least one embodiment, when the firmware enters this state, all three LEDs begin blinking. This circuitry prevents overdischarging, which may prematurely cause the battery to become permanently discharged.
In at least one embodiment, as shown in
In addition to providing heating to a seating surface, in at least one embodiment, the heated seat also provides heating for hands. The heated seat can provide integrated pockets that can hold items such as keys, tickets, an identification, etc. Since these pockets are within the heated seat itself, as shown in
In various embodiments, the heated seat is comprised of a foam material that provides both cushioning and support. The heater assembly as described above is then positioned directly atop the cushion material via an adhesive, so as to be as close to the seating surface as possible. As shown in
Continuing with
Lastly, as shown in
It will be understood that, although the invention is described with particular attention to portable heated seats for use with, for example, stadium seating, the invention is not limited in this manner. For example, heated seats (with or without heated backrests) may be used with golf cart seats, car seats, chairs, and the like. Moreover, the concepts described can be extended, for example, to couches or bedding, whether portable or otherwise. For example, the principles described herein may be used in connection with a sleeping bag unit 1500 as shown in
It will also be understood that the heated seat and/or heated backrest as described herein may be used in a variety of situations. For example, as explained above, a heated seat and/or heated backrest may be used to combat cold temperatures and otherwise uncomfortable seating at a sporting event, concert, and the like. In addition to these situations, it is noted that a heated seat and/or heated backrest may be used in a vehicle, home, or other location for therapeutic purposes (e.g., to relieve sore back discomfort, etc.).
Other embodiments, extensions, and modifications of the ideas presented above are comprehended and should be within the reach of one versed in the art upon reviewing the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention in its various aspects should not be limited by the examples presented above. The individual aspects of the present invention, and the entirety of the invention should be regarded so as to allow for such design modifications and future developments within the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A portable heated seating apparatus, comprising:
- cushion material for providing seating support; and
- a heating element comprising silver carbon paste silk-screened upon a flexible substrate, the heating element positioned at or substantially near an outer surface of the cushion material for generating heat when electrical current is applied to the heating element.
2. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a direct current power source located within the cushion material for supplying current to the heating element, wherein the cushion material includes an opening for removable insertion of the power source.
3. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one user-operated power selector electrically connected between the power source and the heating element and located at a surface of the seating apparatus and adapted for a user to selectively activate or deactivate the seating apparatus while remaining seated upon the cushion material.
4. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one carrying handle assembly affixed to the cushion material, wherein the at least one user-operated power selector is located on the handle assembly.
5. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cushion material includes an opening for removable insertion of the power source.
6. A portable heated seating apparatus, comprising:
- cushion material for providing seating support; and
- a heating element comprising flexible graphite, the heating element positioned at or substantially near an outer surface of the cushion material for generating heat when electrical current is applied to the heating element.
7. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a direct current power source located within the cushion material for supplying current to the heating element, wherein the cushion material includes an opening for removable insertion of the power source.
8. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 7, further comprising at least one user-operated power selector electrically connected between the power source and the heating element and located at a surface of the seating apparatus and adapted for a user to selectively activate or deactivate the seating apparatus while remaining seated upon the cushion material.
9. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one carrying handle assembly affixed to the cushion material, wherein the at least one user-operated power selector is located on the handle assembly.
10. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cushion material includes an opening for removable insertion of the power source.
11. A portable heated seating apparatus, comprising:
- cushion material for providing seating support;
- a substantially flat heating element positioned at or substantially near an upper surface of the cushion material for generating heat when electrical current is applied;
- a fabric cover material for covering the cushion material and providing a substantially smooth seating surface on an upper side and a gripping surface on an lower side; and
- at least one pocket comprised within the fabric cover.
12. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flat heating element is comprised of silver carbon paste silk screened upon a substrate.
13. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flat heating element is flexible graphite.
14. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flat heating element is flexible graphite fabric.
15. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one fastener is affixed to the fabric cover material to attach a carrying strap.
16. The portable heated seating apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fabric cover material includes a zipper fastener for enclosing at least one pocket.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 11, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2007
Applicant: Hyperion Innovations, Inc. (Bellevue, WA)
Inventors: Grigore Axinte (Kent, WA), Dragos Axinte (Bellevue, WA), John Lu (Renton, WA), Russell Borgmann (Bellevue, WA), Amanda Wu (Seattle, WA)
Application Number: 11/401,462
International Classification: A47C 31/00 (20060101);