Abstract:
The present invention relates to an electrical temperature control for controlling the temperature of surfaces. It is envisaged that the temperature control has at least one heat distribution device which covers at least parts of the surface to be temperature controlled.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the priority of the tiling dates of German Applications DE 10 2011 016 254.2, filed on Apr. 6, 2011; DE 10 2011 102 719.3, filed on May 20, 2011; DE 10 2011 121 147.4, filed on Dec. 15, 2011; DE 10 2011 122 134.8, filed on Dec. 23, 2011; and DE 10 2012 000 977.1, filed on Jan. 20, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Temperature controls, in particular electrical heating elements and heating conductors, are frequently subjected to high mechanical loads. At the same time, it must be possible to install them quickly and easily. 
         [0003]    For that reason, technical solutions are required that can meet either one or several of these requirements appropriately. 
       SUBJECT 
       [0004]    In view of this background, a technical concept with the features of: an electrical temperature control for controlling temperature of surfaces, wherein the electric temperature control has at least one heat distribution device which covers at least parts of a surface to be temperature controlled is proposed. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the further Claims and the subsequent description. The present teachings further include a method for producing a temperature control comprising the following steps: a) providing a flat carrier and/or a heat distribution device; b) at least partially arranging an adhesive substance on the flat carrier and/or the heat distribution device; c) arranging at least one heater resistor element on the flat carrier and/or the heat distribution device; d) covering the flat carrier and/or the heater resistor element with a further carrier and/or a heat distribution device; e) punching an outer contour of the temperature control. 
         [0005]    The invention simplifies particularly the installation of temperature control devices on devices with more complex surfaces. 
         [0006]    The invention is suited particularly for use with any curved or contoured surfaces, in particular automobile seats, steering wheels, seat cushions, trim finishes in passenger compartments, armchairs or office equipment, for example, battery heating, aircraft wings, tanks, lines for liquids, gas, and other fluids (e.g. foods, chemicals). 
       FIGURES 
       [0007]    The details of the invention are explained below. These explanations are intended to make it easier to understand the invention. They should only be regarded as examples, however, within the scope of the invention defined by the independent claims, it is obviously also possible to omit, change, or supplement individual or several of the features described. The features of different embodiments can obviously also be combined among one another. What is important is that the concept of the invention is essentially implemented. If one feature must be accomplished at least partially, then this includes moreover that this feature is accomplished completely or is essentially accomplished completely. In this context, “essentially” means in particular that the implementation permits that the desirable benefit is accomplished to an identifiable extent. This can particularly signify that a respective feature is accomplished to the extent of at least 50%, 90%, 95%, or 99%. Where a minimum amount is stated, then obviously also more than this minimum amount can be used. If the quantity of a component is stated to be at least one, then this includes particularly also embodiments with two, three or any other plurality of components. Anything that is described for an object can also be used for the major part or the entirety of all other similar objects. Unless stated otherwise, all intervals also include their end points. 
     
    
     
         [0008]    In the following, the Figures show: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  Is a partial cross-section of an automobile 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  Is a horizontal projection onto an electrical flat temperature control with a heater resistor element and a heat distribution device 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  Is a cross-section through a steering gear with a temperature control according to  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle  100 . This can involve, for example an aircraft, a railroad car, a ship, or like in this instance, an automobile. 
         [0013]    The vehicle  100  has at least one item  110  to be temperature controlled. This particularly involves any components that can be contacted by a user in the passenger compartment, such as a steering gear for vehicles, a steering wheel, an instrument panel, an armrest, door trim, a seat cushion, a thermal blanket, the inside roof lining, padding, a cover, or a seat. 
         [0014]    But this can also involve a battery, a fluid line, a mirror, a tank, a reservoir, or similar things. 
         [0015]    The item to be temperature controlled  110  will preferably have at least one temperature control  10 . A temperature control is defined as any unit that can be specifically used to change the temperature in its environment, e.g. any devices with at least one electrical heater resistor, a heat pump, a Peltier element and/or air moving means, such as a blower. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a temperature control  10 . Here, it is designed as a flat, flexible heating element. The temperature control  10  can be integrated as an insert in the padding of an interior trim item, such as a seat or a steering wheel. 
         [0017]    The temperature control  10  and/or the item to be temperature controlled  110  has at least one carrier  102 . This should preferably be flat and be at least partially made of textile, fabric, knitted fabric, woven material, nonwoven fabric, flexible thermoplastics, air-permeable material and/or punched or napped sheeting. A textile is a flat entity made of filaments or fibers. 
         [0018]    Preferably, at least one carrier  102  has a tape-like core section  103 . A plurality of blade sections  104  is arranged on the core section  103 . These are preferably formed as one piece with the core section. They can also be added subsequently, however. The blade sections  104  are preferably arranged in the same plane as the core section  103 , but they can also be arranged in a plane that runs parallel thereto, however. A stabilizing center ridge facilitates easy operation of the temperature control  10 . This moreover permits a heater resistor element  114  to be supported, even if same is curved. 
         [0019]    The blade sections  104  can all be arranged on the same side of the core section  103 . This permits easier assembly, since all blade sections  104  can be removed in the same direction. The core section  103  is preferably provided with blade sections  104  on both of its longitudinal edges, however. Preferably, several blade sections  104  are provided in at least one section A, B, C of the carrier  102  in an alternating configuration. This particularly means an asymmetric configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core section  103 . A configuration of the tips of the blade sections  104  and/or the attachment points of the blade sections  104  which is alternately offset is particularly suitable, for example. 
         [0020]    The core section  103  has at least one section  0 , E, in which at least one part of the blade sections  104  is configured opposite. 
         [0021]    An opposite configuration means in particular that the blade sections  104  are arranged symmetrical at least in sections on the core section  103  of the carrier  102 . Particularly suitable is a reciprocal symmetrical configuration of attachment points or tips  104  of blade sections, for example. This permits adequate cover in a steering wheel web area, for example. 
         [0022]    Preferably, at least one blade section  104  has a cutout  105 . This is preferably located in a central area of the blade section  104 . This permits the blade section  104  to be bent around a bend axis even if a core section  103  is bent around a further bend axis, without creasing. 
         [0023]    Preferably the carrier  102  consists at least partially of a material which has pores, mesh openings, perforations, or similar things. This accomplishes low weight, good thermal transmittance, and at the same time high tensile strength of the carrier  102 . Perforated sheeting or reticulated textile fabrics are particularly suitable. 
         [0024]    The carrier  102  is made preferably, at least in sections, of an electrically insulating material. This permits the use of non-insulated heater resistor elements and economical materials. 
         [0025]    The temperature control  10  in particular has at least one heater resistor element  114  that is arranged at, on and/or in the carrier  102 . Preferably, a multicore heater resistor element  114  is provided in the form of a heating section where the cores are preferably arranged reciprocally twisted and electrically parallel. At least one heater resistor element  114  is attached on carrier  102  partially or across the entire surface with an adhesive, for example. The heater resistor element  114  has an electrical resistance of between 100 Ω/m and 1000 Ω/m, better 100 and 800 Ω/m, better 300 and 500 Ω/m. The heater resistor element is preferably formed at least pro rata from a material with PTC characteristics. This will preferably involve stranded wire. If the heater resistor element forms a conductor loop or phase winding with an outgoing lead and a return wire which are short-circuited on their one end, then the heater resistor element will require a contact only on a single position of the steering wheel. 
         [0026]    The heater resistor element  114  is preferably arranged at least in sections along the central axis of the carrier  102 . This aims at using as little material as possible and to have minimum mechanical deformation. 
         [0027]    The heater resistor element  114  is preferably arranged meandering. Preferably it also extends at least in sections into the blade sections  104 . Preferably it is arranged so that the distance to the edge of the carrier  102  is constant. It therefore follows the outside contour of the carrier  102  at least in sections. This is useful with an alternating configuration of the blade sections  104 , for example. Here, it is possible that the meandering course of the heater resistor element  114  is harmonically congruent with the alternating configuration of the blade sections  104 . The heater resistor element  114  can also be arranged at least in sections such that it does not follow the outside contour of the carrier  102 . This can be useful with an alternating configuration of the blade sections  104 , for example, so that all blade sections  104  are covered with one heating section. 
         [0028]    It can be provided that at least two heater resistor elements  114  are arranged on the carrier  102 . This will achieve increased reliability, the supply of respectively one of the two edge sections of the temperature control element with one inherent heater resistor element  114  and a varying temperature control in different zones by means of individual adjustment of the heating capacity in a specific zone. 
         [0029]    It can be provided that at least two heater resistor elements  114  are arranged reciprocally parallel along the core section  103  of the carrier  102 . 
         [0030]    The temperature control  10  preferably has at least one flat heat distribution device  6 . For this purpose, particularly layers with metallic constituents, such as aluminum, foils or sheets are suitable. Preferably, one heat distribution device  6 ,  6 ′ each is arranged on the upper and the underside of the heater resistor element  114 , such as in the form of a heat conducting layer, such as from aluminum foil, in the thickness between 0.01 and 0.5 mm, for example, preferably from 0.1 to 0.2 mm. The distribution devices  6  protrude beyond the heater resistor element  114  and are attached to each other in projecting areas with an adhesive or an adhesive tape, for example. This results in an especially good heat transfer from the heater resistor element to the heat distribution devices  6 . 
         [0031]    Preferably at least one heat distribution device  6  has a tape-like core section  103 ′. A plurality of blade sections  104 ′ is arranged on the core section  103 ′. These are preferably formed as one piece with the core section  103 ′. They can also be adjoined subsequently, however. The blade sections  104 ′ are preferably arranged in the same plane as the core section  103 ′, but they can also be arranged in a plane that runs parallel thereto, however. This permits easy operation of the heating element by means of a stabilizing center ridge. 
         [0032]    The blade sections  104 ′ can all be arranged on the same side of the core section  103 ′. The core section  103 ′ is preferably provided with blade sections  104 ′ on both of its longitudinal edges, however. This permits improved heat distribution because of the smaller distance between the heater resistor element  114  and a tip of a blade section  104 ′. 
         [0033]    In other respects, the previous comments made with respect to the carrier are applicable analogously for the structure of the heat distribution device  6 ,  6 ′. 
         [0034]    The heat distribution device  6  is preferably made at least partially of a material which has good thermal conductance. Perforated sheeting or reticulated textile fabrics are particularly suitable: 
         [0035]    Preferably at least one heat distribution device  6  is connected to ground, in order to shield against electromagnetic fields and provide users additional protection in the event of electrical circuit faults. 
         [0036]    Preferably at least one heat distribution device  6  is arranged identical with the carrier  102  or congruent with it. All heat distribution devices  6  are preferably arranged reciprocally congruent. Advantageously, at least one textile carrier and at least one metallic heat distribution device with at least one embedded heating conductor in between form a sandwich, wherein the textile carrier is arranged closer to the surface to be temperature controlled than the heat distribution device, in order to achieve a cushioning effect. But it can also be provided, that the textile carrier points to the steering wheel core and the heat distribution device points to the surface of the steering wheel, to accomplish improved heat transfer to the steering wheel surface. To ensure high haptic comfort it is also possible to arrange a heat distribution device between two textile layers or two carriers  102 . 
         [0037]    It can be provided that one heat distribution device  6 ′ has at least one blade section  104 ′ where its distance from the central axis of the blade section  104 ′ is shorter than that of at least one second heat distribution device  6  which is arranged congruent with respect to its longitudinal axis. This permits material savings while at the same time having sufficient thermal exchange with areas at a distance from the heater resistor elements  114 . 
         [0038]    For logical reasons, the temperature control  10  has a temperature sensor which interrupts the current supply to at least part of the heater resistor elements  114  when the temperature exceeds 60° C., for example. The temperature sensor can be a thermostat, for example. In addition or as an alternative to the heater resistor element  114 , one or several Peltier elements can be provided which assist in cooling the heat distribution device  6 . 
         [0039]    The temperature control  10  preferably has at least one heat distribution device  6 , which encloses at least sections of heater resistor element  114  and at least in sections and does so at least partially. When looking at a cross-section, preferably at least 50% of the circumference of the heater resistor element  114  of the heat distribution device  6  is enclosed, preferably particularly 70%, preferably 90%. 
         [0040]    A heater resistor element  114  is arranged preferably between at least two heat distribution devices  6 ,  6 ′. Because of the large contact area, this results in a high heat transfer between the heater resistor element  114  and the heat distribution devices  6 ,  6 ′. Preferably at least one insulation is arranged between the heater resistor element  114  and at least one heat distribution device  6 . This can be provided as an insulation coating on the heater resistor element  114 , for example. Also at least one heat distribution device  6 ,  6 ′ can be coated with an insulation layer. Preferably, at least two heat distribution devices  6 ,  6 ′ are connected to each other with at least one bonding material that is arranged in between them. Double-sided adhesive tapes or spray adhesives are particularly suitable. 
         [0041]    It can also be provided that at least two heat distribution devices  6 ,  6 ′ are connected to each other non-positively and/or positively, at least in sections. This can have been done by means of embossing of knops and cutouts or by reciprocal compression. In such areas it can be advantageous if no adhesive is used, especially when high temperatures are present there. 
         [0042]    The temperature control  10  is preferably produced using the following steps:
       a) Provision of a flat carrier  102  and/or a heat distribution device  6 .   b) At least the partial arrangement of an adhesive substance on the carrier  102 / of the heat distribution device  6 .   c) Arranging at least one heater resistor element  114  on the carrier  102 .   d) Covering the heater resistor element  114  with a further carrier  102  and/or a heat distribution device  6 .   e) Punching of the outer contour of the temperature control  10 .       
 
         [0048]    But it is also possible to interchange the production steps and to install the heater resistor elements  114  on the carrier  102 , for example, the outer contour of which has already been trimmed. 
         [0049]    The temperature control  10  can now be arranged so that the surface to be heated is brought up to temperature as uniformly as possible. For this purpose it can be advantageous that the surface be contoured such that a heater resistor element  114 , a heat distribution device, a flat carrier or other components with a greater thickness can be flush-mounted into corresponding recesses  107  to achieve a uniform surface contour of a cover  50 , for example. Preferably the depth and width of such recesses  107  are sized a little bit larger than the respective thickness and width dimensions of the components to be flush-mounted. 
         [0050]    During heating or cooling, it is not necessary for the entire surface to be temperature controlled and to be covered with a heater resistor element  114  or cooling element. It is rather feasible to do the respective heating/cooling at suitable positions and to apply the heat fed into or taken out of the heat distribution device  6  uniformly onto the surface to be temperature controlled via the heat distribution device  6 . 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0000]    
       
           6 ,  6 ′ Heat distribution device 
           10  Temperature control 
           50  Cover 
           100  Vehicle 
           102  Carrier 
           103 ,  103 ′ Core section 
           104 ,  104 ′ Blade section 
           105  Cutout 
           107  Recess 
           110  Item to be temperature controlled 
           114  Heater resistor element