Occupant armrest

An occupant armrest is configured for use in a vehicle. The occupant armrest includes a substrate, a cover, and a thermoelectric module. The substrate is configured to support an arm of an occupant of the vehicle. The cover is arranged around the substrate. The thermoelectric module is configured to provide at least one of heating and cooling the arm of the occupant.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to use of an occupant support, and particularly use of an occupant support in a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to use of an arm support in a vehicle while an occupant is using a vehicle seat.

SUMMARY

A vehicle includes a vehicle seat and an armrest. The vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat bottom is coupled to a floor of a vehicle to move relative to the floor. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom to extend upwardly away from the seat bottom and move relative to the seat bottom. The armrest is located proximate the seat bottom and seat back and configured to support an arm of the occupant.

According to the present disclosure, the armrest may or may not be included in the vehicle seat. In some embodiments, the armrest is coupled to the seat back for movement therewith. In another example, the armrest is attached or integrated into a center console or to a door of the vehicle.

In illustrative embodiments, the armrest may maximize comfort experienced by an occupant resting on the vehicle seat. The armrest enables the occupant to have personal climate control. The thermal armrest may generate heat or cooling based on the temperature sensed by the occupant while the armrest is in use.

In some embodiments, the thermal armrest may comprise one or more thermoelectric modules. Two or more thermoelectric modules may be connected and arranged either in series or in parallel with respect to one another. The two or more modules may be described as at least one thermoelectric module array.

In some embodiments, the one or more thermoelectric modules may be used in combination with a blower fan and heat sink. Other embodiments may include a single thermoelectric module, one or more fans, and one or more heat sinks. Two or more heat sinks may be connected and arranged either in series or in parallel with respect to one another, the two or more heat sinks described as at least one heat sink array.

In illustrative embodiments, one or more heat sinks are capable of being packaged within an armrest tunnel formed in an armrest. Embodiments may include carbon-based material, such as graphene sheets or strips. A plastic overlay in addition to fabric may be included in the armrest assembly. Various thermoelectric powering schemes may be used to achieve desired temperature uniformity across the heated or cooled surface of the armrest. A temperature control system includes a heating mode and switch for cool, off, and heat operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown inFIG. 1, the occupant armrest100comprises at least one thermoelectric unit136for providing heating and cooling to an arm of an occupant112supported on an armrest100in a vehicle. The thermoelectric unit136includes at least one thermoelectric module102. The at least one thermoelectric module102may comprise two or more thermoelectric modules102to form a thermoelectric module array104. Reference is hereby made to U.S. Application Publication No. 2016/0039321, filed Aug. 6, 2015 for disclosure relating to thermoelectric modules in accordance with the present disclosure, the application being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Thermoelectric modules102may include, for example, Peltier-effect elements.

Each thermoelectric unit136may comprise generally its own heat sink106. When more than one thermoelectric module102is provided, two or more heat sinks106may be provided. The at least one heat sink106may comprise two or more heat sinks106to form a heat sink array108. The thermoelectric modules102of thermoelectric module array104and the heat sinks106of heat sink array108may be connected to one another in series or in parallel, respectively. Similarly, thermoelectric modules102of thermoelectric module array104and the heat sinks106of heat sink array108may be arranged in series or in parallel with respect to the armrest tunnel130.

When occupant112rests in vehicle seat110, occupant112may have direct contact with armrest trim and cover material116. The occupant112may control the temperature of one or more surfaces of the occupant armrest100via temperature control switch124. The temperature control system122comprises a temperature control switch124to operate temperature control circuitry, in a wired or wireless manner, connected to the temperature control interface128with which the occupant112interacts. Temperature control interface128may be any type of display or touch screen for interaction with the occupant armrest control system122.

The thermoelectric module102operates by creating a difference in temperature by transferring heat between two electrical junctions. When current flows through the junctions of two conductors, heat is removed at one junction and cooling is achieved. The Peltier effect acts consistently with the position of control switch124in order to cool, heat, or otherwise be disengaged. The switch124is shown, for example, inFIG. 10as a manual toggle switch. However, switch124may be any type of switch, without regard to whether the switch is manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic.

The temperature control system122operates using a temperature sensor as an input. The input will be compared with the desired temperature, the desired temperature manually provided or automatically programmed by instructions as part of temperature control circuitry126. The temperature control circuitry126then provides an output to the control system122to operate to heat, cool, or remain disengaged in the off position.

In cooling mode, the control switch124is engaged to send power to the thermoelectric modules102. With reference toFIG. 1, the top sides of the thermoelectric modules102decrease in temperature due to the Peltier effect. The bottom side increases in temperature and disperses the temperature change through the heat sinks106. A fan144that may be integral to the thermoelectric module102blows across the heat sink to dissipate heat from the heat sink.

The cooling temperature from the top of the thermoelectric module102transfers to the conductive layer118, such as graphene, which spreads the temperature change across the armrest surface. The metallic or aluminum sheet114is cooled, thereby transferred the temperature difference to the surface that the cloth or leather armrest is directly in contact with.

In heating mode, the control switch124is engaged to send power to the thermoelectric modules102using reverse polarity of the cooling mode. With reference toFIG. 1, the top sides of the thermoelectric modules102decrease in temperature and disperse the temperature change through the heat sinks106.

The heat is transferred to the conductive layer118, such as graphene, which spreads the temperature across the armrest surface. The metallic or aluminum sheet114is heated, transferring the temperature difference to the surface that the cloth or leather armrest is directly in contact with. A thermistor is used to monitor and regulate the heat of the surface by turning the system off if the surface temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.

FIG. 2illustrates occupant armrest100comprising a cover or trim material116, an aluminum sheet114, a conductive layer118, at least one thermoelectric module102, at least one heat sink106, and an armrest substrate120connected to the armrest tunnel130. The cover or trim material116may be comprised of any suitable material, including cloth or leather. The aluminum sheet114may be comprised of any other metallic material. The conductive layer118may be comprised of any conductive material, including but not limited to, graphene, graphite, and copper, combinations thereof, or any other suitable alternative. The heat sink106may be one piece or many pieces, and may take any suitable form, including the form of fins or tubes.

The occupant armrest100is adapted for use with an occupant support110in a vehicle as suggested inFIG. 1. The occupant armrest100includes the substrate120, the cover116, and a thermoelectric unit136as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Reference is hereby made to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/787,161, filed Oct. 18, 2017 for disclosure relating to thermoelectric units in accordance with the present disclosure, the application being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

The substrate120is configured to support an arm of the occupant112of the vehicle as suggested inFIG. 1. The cover116is arranged about the substrate120. The thermoelectric unit136is located between the substrate120and the cover116and is configured to selectively heat and cool the arm of the occupant112with conductive heat transfer through the cover116. In some embodiments, the occupant armrest100further includes the temperature control system122. The substrate120includes a rigid frame140and a cushion142that extends about the rigid frame140in the illustrative embodiment as shown inFIG. 2.

The cover116may include upholstery such as cloth or leather, for example. The cover116may be perforated to allow moisture to vent through the cover116.

The thermoelectric unit136includes one or more thermoelectric modules102, a thermal-transfer layer114, a conductive layer118, the blower144, and the heat sink106as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5. The thermoelectric module102is configured to transfer selectively heat between a first side and a second side of the thermoelectric module102so that one of the first side and the second side is heated and the other of the first side and the second side is cooled relative to ambient conditions. The thermal-transfer layer114is located between the cover116and the thermoelectric module102to facilitate heat transfer between the arm of the occupant112and the thermoelectric module102. In other embodiments, any one or more of the thermal-transfer layer114, conductive layer118, blower144, and heat sink106may be omitted from the thermoelectric unit136.

The thermoelectric module102is located between the thermal-transfer layer114and the heat sink106in the illustrative embodiment as shown inFIG. 2. The conductive layer118may be located between the thermal-transfer layer114and the thermoelectric module102as shown inFIG. 2. The conductive layer118may be in direct contact with the cover116. The conductive layer comprises carbon based material in illustrative embodiments. In some embodiments, the conductive layer118comprises graphene. In some embodiments, the conductive layer118comprises graphite. The thermal-transfer layer114comprises metallic materials such as, for example, copper or aluminum.

The temperature control system122includes the controller126(sometimes called circuitry), the temperature control switch124, and a temperature sensor146as shown inFIG. 10. The controller126is configured to vary power to the thermoelectric module102. The temperature control switch124is configured to activate the controller126in some embodiments. The temperature sensor146is connected to the controller126and configured to sense a temperature of at least one of the arm of the occupant112and the thermoelectric unit136.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor146is coupled to the conductive layer118. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor146is coupled to the thermal-transfer layer114. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor146is coupled to the thermoelectric module102.

The control system122is configured to receive arm-temperature signals indicative of a temperature of the arm of the occupant112. The control system122is configured to compare the arm-temperature signals to preset signals indicative of a desired temperature. The control system122is configured to adjust power to the thermoelectric unit136based on a difference between the arm-temperature signals and the preset signals. In particular, the temperature sensor146may be configured to generate arm-temperature signals indicative of a temperature of the arm of the occupant112supported on the armrest100. The controller126is configured to compare the arm-temperature signals to preset signals indicative of a desired temperature and to adjust the power to the thermoelectric module102based on a difference between the arm-temperature signals and the preset signals. The controller126may be configured to receive user input to set the desired temperature.

The control system122is configured to receive signals indicative of the temperature of the thermoelectric unit136and to vary power to the thermoelectric unit136if the temperature of the thermoelectric unit136is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature. In particular, the temperature sensor146may be configured to generate temperature signals indicative of a temperature of the thermoelectric unit136. The controller126may be configured to compare the temperature signals with predetermined temperature signals indicative of a predetermined threshold temperature and to remove power to the thermoelectric unit136if the temperature of the thermoelectric unit is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature.

The switch124has an off position, a heat position, and a cool position in some embodiments. In the off position, electric current is blocked from being directed to the thermoelectric module102. In the heat position, electric current having a first polarity is directed to the thermoelectric module102. In the cool position, electric current having a second polarity different than the first polarity is directed to the thermoelectric module102.

The thermoelectric unit136provides to occupant112a cold sensation when thermoelectric unit136is in the cooling mode and a warming sensation when thermoelectric unit136is in the heating mode in response to an input. Input may be a user input and/or an automatic input. The thermoelectric unit136provides means for moving heat between thermoelectric unit136and occupant112without convective heat transfer. The thermoelectric unit136may include graphene strips, thermoelectric module102, heat sink, and a blower unit to exhaust heat generated when thermoelectric unit136is in the cooling mode. The thermoelectric module136is configured to generate heating or cooling for occupant112according to a polarity of an applied electric voltage. The blower is configured to couple to a side or underneath the heat sink.

The thermoelectric module102comprises a Peltier device in the illustrative example. The thermoelectric device102may be a solid state device. In some embodiments, thermoelectric device102may include P and N couples that are spaced further apart to increase a size of thermoelectric device102. As a result, the area of contact with thermally-conductive layers would increase. The thermoelectric device102has a generally square surface area as suggested inFIG. 1. The thermal-transfer layer114and conductive layer118spread heat flow over a wider area than thermoelectric module102to provide a large area of contact.

In some such embodiments, a thermal transfer block may be coupled with the thermoelectric module102. The thermal transfer block may comprise thermally-conductive material. In some embodiments, the thermal transfer block comprises aluminum alloy or any other suitable thermally-conductive material. In other embodiments, the thermal transfer block comprises other suitable thermally conductive material such as, for example, copper and carbon based materials. In some embodiments, the thermal transfer block is hourglass shaped.

A thermally conductive strip such as thermal-transfer layer114or conductive layer118may be thermally connected to thermal transfer block or thermoelectric module102. The thermally conductive strip may extend outwardly away from the thermoelectric module102to provide heating and cooling to a greater surface area than that of a heating and cooling surface area of thermoelectric module102. The thermally conductive strip may be flexible and configured to deform to form to a contour of the occupant112.

The thermally-conductive strip may include a first arm, a second arm, and an intermediate portion. The thermoelectric module102may be coupled to the intermediate portion. The first arm of the thermally conductive strip extends away from the thermoelectric module102in a first direction and the second arm extends away from the thermoelectric module102in a second direction.

The conductive layer118and/or thermal-transfer layer114may comprises a plurality of layers of graphene. In some embodiments, the conductive layer118may include an outer layer of polyethylene. In some embodiments, each layer of graphene is coated in polymeric material such as, for example, polyethylene. In other embodiments, the layers of graphene form a graphite strip.

In other embodiments, thermal-transfer layer114and/or conductive layer118may include one or more of copper sheets, copper woven material, thermally conductive polymers, carbon based conductive materials such as, for example, carbon fiber fabric or graphite fabrics, woven pyrolytic graphite mat, and graphene nanoplatelet sheets. In some embodiments, the thermal-transfer layer114and/or conductive layer118is formed to include apertures therein to allow moisture and air to pass through. In some embodiments, sides of the layers114,118are scalloped.

Thermally-conductive material for use with thermal-transfer layer114and conductive layer118has relatively high thermal conductivity properties and may be carbon based. One such example is graphene, for spreading temperature out over the cover. Graphene is an allotrope of carbon and it includes single sheets of graphite. To increase the lifetime of the graphene sheet, provide continuously support to keep high thermal conductivity, and to provide abrasion resistance, an additional thin plastic sheet layer may be added to the graphene to exhibit greater strength and resistance to ongoing stress and strain from occupant112getting in and out of the vehicle. Carbon-based materials promote heat transfer and heat distribution directly to an entire surface area of the conductive material, reducing the need to reinforce heat distribution. Heat may be transferred through the cover to the occupant112through a combination of conductive and radiative heat transfer to provide warming sensation to the occupant112.