Patent Description:
In any mode of transportation today, be it through land, air or water, a commonality between all of them is that all occupants are seated on a seat while travelling. During long journeys, there are provisions for vehicle occupants to recline or lie down in some modes of transport. However, most automobiles, such provisions are either absent or impossible to implement. For instance, a motorcycle rider riding long distances do not have the provision for reclining. In another scenario, a taxi driver or a truck driver would have to sit throughout his working hours seated at the same place. Due to sitting for long hours, riders of such vehicles experience fatigue and pain in their muscles thereby, amounting to a very uncomfortable travel. <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> show examples of the prior art.

Existing solutions provide for increasing or decreasing temperature of the seat by means of manually operated switches. However, it is quite irritable to a rider to constantly switch ON and OFF switches while travelling long distances. Further, addition of such switches requires additional costs pertaining to tooling and installation. A rider might get distracted with the switches and fail to keep an eye on the road ahead that may cause accidents.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a system to control temperature of a seat in an automobile which can address at least the aforementioned problems and limitations.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to automatically control temperature of a seat in an automobile. The system comprises one or more sensors, one or more control units and a thermoelectric module. The one or more control units are configured to determine an optimum seat temperature value based on a plurality of parameters obtained from the one or more sensors. The optimum seat temperature value is a desired temperature to increase comfort for a seat occupant. The thermoelectric module is in communication with the control unit and is configured to adjust temperature of the seat wherein the one or more control units controls the thermoelectric module to reach the optimum seat temperature value thereby increasing comfort for the seat occupant.

In an embodiment, the one or more control units include a first control unit configured to determine the optimum seat temperature value and receive a battery state of charge value from one or more batteries; and a second control unit in communication with the first control unit, the second control unit receives the optimum seat temperature value from the first control unit and controls the thermoelectric module to reach the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the one or more control units are configured to control the thermoelectric module to cease operation in an event when a battery state of charge is lower than a minimum threshold battery state of charge and a battery rate of discharge is greater than a maximum battery rate of discharge.

In an embodiment, the first control unit is configured to receive the battery state of charge value from one or more batteries.

In an embodiment, the system includes a third control unit configured to receive the battery state of charge value from one or more batteries.

In an embodiment, the first control unit and the second control unit communicate over a Controller Area Network (CAN) or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN).

In an embodiment, the thermoelectric module includes a diagnosis unit configured to notify the seat occupant in an event when a fault is detected.

In an embodiment, the first control unit is provided in an instrument cluster of the automobile.

In an embodiment, the first control unit is disposed subjacent to the seat in the automobile.

According to the invention, the plurality of parameters comprises one or more riding parameters, one or more automobile parameters and one or more ambient parameters.

In an embodiment, the one or more control units are configured to control the thermoelectric module to increase the temperature of the seat in an event when the seat occupant has been occupying the seat for a duration greater than a predetermined riding threshold duration and an automobile speed is greater than an automobile threshold speed.

In an embodiment, the one or more control units are configured to control the thermoelectric module to increase the temperature of the seat in an event when at least one of a frequency of application of brakes is greater than a first threshold frequency of application of brakes and a frequency of switching between an application of brakes and an application of a throttle is greater than a second threshold frequency.

In an embodiment, the one or more control units are configured to control the thermoelectric module to decrease the temperature of the seat in an event when a time period after automobile starts is lower than a first time period threshold after automobile starts and an ambient temperature is greater than a maximum limit of seat temperature.

In an embodiment, the one or more control units are configured to control the thermoelectric module to increase the temperature of the seat in an event when a time period after automobile starts is lower than a first time period threshold after automobile starts and an ambient temperature is lower than a minimum limit of seat temperature.

In an embodiment, the one or more control units are configured to control the thermoelectric module to increase the temperature of the seat in an event when a speed of the automobile is changing consistently over a predetermined period of time.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method to control temperature of a seat in an automobile. The method includes the steps of receiving, by control units, a plurality of parameters from one or more sensors. Thereafter, the method includes the step of determining, by a the one or more control units, an optimum seat temperature value based on a plurality of parameters obtained from the one or more sensors. Thereafter, the method includes the step of adjusting, by a thermoelectric module, temperature of the seat to reach the optimum seat temperature value, thereby, increasing comfort for a seat occupant.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of notifying the seat occupant, by a diagnosis unit, in an event when the thermoelectric module has a fault. The diagnosis unit is provided in the thermoelectric module.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining if the seat occupant is occupying a seat for a duration greater than a predetermined riding threshold duration. Thereafter, the method includes the step of determining if speed of the automobile is greater than an automobile threshold speed. Thereafter, the method includes the step of increasing temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining if a frequency of application of brakes is greater than a first threshold frequency of application of brakes. Thereafter, the method includes the step of determining if a frequency of switching between application of brakes and application of throttle is greater than a second threshold frequency. Thereafter, the method includes the step of increasing temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value if the frequency of application of brakes is greater than the first threshold frequency and/or the frequency of switching between the application of brakes and the application of the throttle is greater than the second threshold frequency.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining if a time period after automobile starts is lower than a first time period threshold. Thereafter, the method includes the step of determining if ambient temperature is greater than a maximum limit of seat temperature. Thereafter, the method includes the step of decreasing temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining if a time period after automobile starts is lower than a first time period threshold. Thereafter, the method includes the step of determining if ambient temperature is lower than a minimum limit of seat temperature. Thereafter, the method includes the step of increasing temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining if an automobile speed is changing consistently over a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the method includes the step of increasing temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining if a battery state of charge is lower than a minimum threshold battery state of charge. Thereafter, the method includes determining if a battery rate of discharge is greater than a maximum battery rate of discharge. Thereafter, the method includes the step of ceasing operation of the thermoelectric module to preserve the charge of a battery.

Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.

<FIG> illustrates a system <NUM> to control temperature of a seat (not shown) in an automobile. The expression 'automobile' is used henceforth in the description for referring to any vehicle, wherein the vehicle can traverse through land, air, water, underwater or space, and can be propelled by any motive means known, without defeating the scope of the present invention. The system <NUM> includes sensors <NUM> disposed in the automobile. The sensors <NUM> are configured to sense primarily three different kinds of parameters i.e., riding parameters, automobile parameters and ambient parameters.

The automobile parameters include speed of the automobile, state of charge and rate of discharge of batteries <NUM> in the automobile. In an embodiment, the speed of the automobile is determined by a speed sensor disposed on a wheel of the automobile. In an embodiment, the state of charge and the rate of discharge of batteries <NUM> is determined by a battery management system (BMS) (not shown) provided in the batteries <NUM>.

The ambient parameters include ambient temperature and temperature at a rider and seat interface. In an embodiment, the ambient temperature is determined by a temperature sensor. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor may be placed inside an instrument cluster (not shown) of the automobile. In an embodiment, the temperature at the rider and seat interface is determined by a seat micro-climate sensor.

The riding parameters include riding time of the automobile during which a rider has been occupying the seat, frequency of application of brakes, frequency of switching between application of brakes and application of throttle and time period elapsed after the automobile has started.

The sensors <NUM> are configured to send the riding parameters, automobile parameters and ambient parameters to a first control unit <NUM>. The first control unit <NUM> is a part of one or more control units <NUM>. The first control unit <NUM> is configured to determine an optimum seat temperature value based on the plurality of parameters obtained from the sensors <NUM>. The optimum seat temperature value is a desired temperature that increases comfort for a seat occupant. In an embodiment, the first control unit <NUM> is further configured to receive a battery state of charge value form the batteries <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, a third control unit (not shown) is configured to receive the battery state of charge value from the batteries <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first control unit <NUM> is provided in the instrument cluster (not shown) of the automobile. In another embodiment, the first control unit <NUM> is disposed subjacent to the seat in the automobile.

The system <NUM> further includes a thermoelectric module <NUM>. The thermoelectric module <NUM> comprises a thermoelectric element that can increase or decrease temperature based on a change in applied voltage across a junction of the thermoelectric element based on a phenomenon known as Peltier Effect. In an embodiment, the thermoelectric module <NUM> further includes a diagnosis unit <NUM> configured to notify the seat occupant in an event when a fault is detected. The fault includes failure to reach the optimum seat temperature value due to overheating or overcooling. The fault also includes being entirely unable to be functional on application of a voltage level. In an embodiment, the seat occupant is notified of the fault through a display unit (not shown) in the instrument cluster. In an embodiment, the thermoelectric module <NUM> is disposed subjacent to the seat of the automobile. When temperature of the thermoelectric module <NUM> increases or decreases, the temperature is transferred to the seat as a result of thermal conduction. The thermoelectric module <NUM> is configured to reach optimum seat temperature value by being controlled by the control units <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a second control unit <NUM> is provided which is in communication with the first control unit <NUM>. The second control unit <NUM> receives the optimum seat temperature value from the first control unit <NUM> and controls the thermoelectric module <NUM> to reach the optimum seat temperature value. In an embodiment, the first control unit <NUM> and the second control unit <NUM> communicates over a Controller Area Network (CAN) or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN).

In an embodiment, the second control unit <NUM> is configured to control the thermoelectric module <NUM> to increase the temperature of the seat when the seat occupant has been occupying the seat for a duration greater than a predetermined riding threshold duration and an automobile speed is greater than an automobile threshold speed. As an example, the predetermined riding threshold duration is <NUM> hours, and the automobile threshold speed is <NUM> per hour. When the seat occupant has been seated in their seat for greater than <NUM> hours and the vehicle has exceeded the speed of <NUM> per hour, the seat occupant would be fatigued due to sitting at the same place for a significant duration and at a high speed, has experienced mechanical vibrations of the automobile all the while. Thus, the system <NUM> increases the temperature of the seat to provide comfort to muscles of the seat occupant.

In an embodiment, the second control unit <NUM> is configured to control the thermoelectric module <NUM> to increase the temperature of the seat when at least one of a frequency of application of brakes is greater than a threshold frequency of application of brakes and a frequency of switching between an application of brakes and application of throttle is greater than a threshold frequency. As an example, the threshold frequency of application of brakes is <NUM> times in <NUM> minutes and the threshold frequency of switching between an application of brakes and an application of throttle is <NUM> times in <NUM> minutes. When the rider applies brakes so frequently, the rider and the seat occupants in the vehicle are experiencing a very difficult and uncomfortable ride as they are being subjected to inertial forces every time the automobile is braked. Therefore, the system <NUM> increases the temperature of the seat to provide comfort to muscles of the seat occupant.

In an embodiment, the second control unit <NUM> is configured to control the thermoelectric module <NUM> to decrease the temperature of the seat when a time period after automobile has started is lower than a first time period threshold after automobile has started and an ambient temperature is greater than a maximum limit of seat temperature. As an example, the first time period threshold after automobile has started is <NUM> minutes and the maximum limit of seat temperature is <NUM>. Therefore, while the seat occupant occupies the seat in the first <NUM> minutes, they would be subjected to very high temperatures that can be quite uncomfortable. Therefore, the system <NUM> decreases the temperature of the seat to provide comfort to muscles of the seat occupant and prevent the muscles from inflammation due to high temperature.

In an embodiment, the second control unit <NUM> is configured to control the thermoelectric module <NUM> to increase the temperature of the seat when a time period after automobile has started is lower than a first time period threshold after automobile has started and an ambient temperature is lesser than a minimum limit of seat temperature. As an example, the first time period threshold after automobile has started is <NUM> minutes and the minimum limit of seat temperature is <NUM>. Therefore, while the seat occupant occupies the seat in the first <NUM> minutes, they would be subjected to very low temperatures that can be quite uncomfortable. Therefore, the system <NUM> increases the temperature of the seat to provide comfort to muscles of the seat occupant and prevent the muscles from getting numb due to low temperature.

In an embodiment, the second control unit <NUM> is configured to control the thermoelectric module <NUM> to increase the temperature of the seat when a speed of the automobile is changing consistently over a predetermined period of time. As an example, the speed of the automobile has changed by a range of <NUM> percentage over <NUM> minutes. This would indicate that the rider is facing several road anomalies such as bumps, potholes or diversions ahead of them or is stuck in traffic thereby, resulting in an uncomfortable riding experience. Therefore, the system <NUM> increases the temperature of the seat to provide comfort to muscles of the seat occupant.

In an embodiment, the control unit <NUM> is configured to control the thermoelectric module <NUM> to cease operation in an event when a battery state of charge is lower than a minimum threshold battery state of charge and a battery rate of discharge is greater than a maximum battery rate of discharge. The system <NUM> does so to conserve charge in the batteries <NUM> and prioritize other functions such as driving a power unit or essential, primary functions of the automobile.

<FIG> illustrate a method <NUM> to control temperature of a seat in an automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method <NUM> includes the steps of receiving 2A, by the control units <NUM>, a plurality of parameters from one or more sensors <NUM>. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 2B, by a the one or more control units <NUM>, an optimum seat temperature value based on a plurality of parameters obtained from the one or more sensors <NUM>. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of automatically adjusting 2C, by a thermoelectric module <NUM>, temperature of the seat to reach the optimum seat temperature value, thereby, increasing comfort for a seat occupant.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> includes the step of notifying the seat occupant, by a diagnosis unit <NUM>, in an event when the thermoelectric module <NUM> has a fault. The diagnosis unit <NUM> is provided in the thermoelectric module <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 3A if the seat occupant is occupying a seat for a duration greater than a predetermined riding threshold duration. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 3B if speed of the automobile is greater than an automobile threshold speed. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of increasing 3C temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 4A if a frequency of application of brakes is greater than a first threshold frequency of application of brakes. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 4B if a frequency of switching between an application of brakes and an application of throttle is greater than a second threshold frequency. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of increasing 4C temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value in case either of conditions enumerated in step 4A and step 4B are met.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 5A if a time period after automobile starts is lower than a first time period threshold. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 5B if ambient temperature is greater than a maximum limit of seat temperature. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of decreasing 5C temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 6A if a time period after automobile starts is lower than a first time period threshold. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 6B if ambient temperature is lower than a minimum limit of seat temperature. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of increasing 6C temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 7A if an automobile speed is changing consistently over a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes the step of increasing 7B temperature of the seat to the optimum seat temperature value.

In an embodiment, the method <NUM> includes the step of determining 8A if a battery state of charge is lower than a minimum threshold battery state of charge. Thereafter, the method <NUM> includes determining 8B if a battery rate of discharge is greater than a maximum battery rate of discharge. Thereafter, the method includes the step of ceasing 8C operation of the thermoelectric module <NUM> to preserve the charge of a battery <NUM>.

Advantageously, the present invention discloses a system to control temperature of a seat in an automobile. The system includes one or more sensors and one or more control units configured to determine an optimum seat temperature value automatically based on a plurality of parameters obtained from the one or more sensors and further configured to control the thermoelectric module to reach the optimum seat temperature value thereby increasing comfort for the seat occupant. The system reaches the optimum seat temperature without the necessity of mechanical switches that require manual actuation by the rider or seat occupant. Thus, the additional costs and tooling constraints associated with installing additional switches is entirely eliminated thereby, reducing costs of implementing the system. Further, since the system operates in a fire-and-forget principle wherein, no interference from the rider or seat occupant is required, the rider can stay focussed on the road ahead of them.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) to control temperature of a seat in an automobile, the system (<NUM>) comprising:
one or more sensors (<NUM>); and
one or more control units (<NUM>) configured to determine an optimum seat temperature value based on a plurality of parameters obtained from the one or more sensors (<NUM>), the optimum seat temperature value being a desired temperature to increase comfort for a seat occupant; and
a thermoelectric module (<NUM>) in communication with the control unit (<NUM>) configured to adjust temperature of the seat,
wherein,
the plurality of parameters comprising one or more riding parameters, one or more automobile parameters and one or more ambient parameters;
the one or more control units (<NUM>) controls the thermoelectric module (<NUM>) to reach the optimum seat temperature value thereby increasing comfort for the seat occupant based on determination of the plurality of parameters.