阅读说明：本技术 机动车辆的加热结构 (Heating structure of motor vehicle ) 是由 N.德维恩 S.阿希齐 于 2020-05-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种加热结构(1),特别用于安装在车辆的乘客舱内,该加热结构(1)包括至少一个电阻层,该电阻层布置成当电流通过该层(4)时释放热量,该面板还包括电极阵列(5),该电极阵列包括多个接触电极(6),该多个接触电极布置成与该电阻层电接触,以允许电流流过该电阻层。(The invention relates to a heating structure (1), in particular for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the heating structure (1) comprising at least one resistive layer arranged to release heat when an electric current is passed through the layer (4), the panel further comprising an electrode array (5) comprising a plurality of contact electrodes (6) arranged in electrical contact with the resistive layer to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer.)

1. A heating structure (1), in particular for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a radiant panel, said heating structure (1) comprising at least one resistive layer arranged to release heat when an electric current is passed through the layer (4), the structure further comprising an electrode array (5), said electrode array (5) comprising a plurality of contact electrodes (6), said plurality of contact electrodes (6) being arranged in electrical contact with said resistive layer so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer, wherein said resistive layer has, at least locally, a thickness that is larger than the thickness of at least some, in particular all, of said contact electrodes, so that said resistive layer at least partially covers these contact electrodes (6).

2. The heating structure of claim 1, wherein the contact electrodes (6) are formed on a substrate (16), the thickness of the contact electrodes being measured in a direction locally perpendicular to the substrate, and the thickness of the resistive layer being also measured in a direction locally perpendicular to the substrate.

3. The heating structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the contact electrodes (6) comprises a face opposite the substrate and the resistive layer at least partially, in particular completely, covers the face (18) opposite the substrate.

4. The heating structure of claim 3, wherein the thickness (d) of the resistive layer (4) covering the contact electrode is between 20% of the thickness (e) of the contact electrode and 100% or 50% of the thickness (e) of the contact electrode.

5. The heating structure of claim 4, wherein the electrode (6) has a cross-section with a substantially rectangular profile and the shape of the resistive layer in the area in contact with the electrode completely follows at least two vertical sides of the rectangular profile.

6. The heating structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrode array (5) comprises distribution electrodes (8), the distribution electrodes (8) being arranged to conduct electrical current from an electrical power source to the contact electrodes, several contact electrodes being connected to the same distribution electrode.

7. Heating structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resistive layer (4) is a layer deposited on the substrate, in particular by screen printing, which resistive layer extends in particular between two distribution electrodes associated with a set of contact electrodes.

8. A component (19) of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, in particular a component to be integrated in a door of the vehicle, comprising a heating structure, in particular a radiant panel according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A component forming an element of a glove box or door panel of a vehicle.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heating structure, in particular for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a radiant panel.

Background

Typically, the radiating panel comprises a plurality of electrodes designed to supply an electric current to the electrically conductive coating, so as to provide heat by the joule effect. Reference may be made, for example, to document US2016/0059669 describing such a radiating panel.

A radiating panel is a device that generally comprises an electric circuit designed to supply an electric current to a resistive conductor element, so as to provide heat by the joule effect. These resistive conductor elements may be wire elements or surface coatings. According to the prior art, the electrically conductive coating can be, for example, a lacquer layer containing carbon particles and/or metal particles. One of the problems currently found is the difficulty in obtaining uniform heating over the entire surface of the radiant panel, namely: so that the heating temperature is constant between different points on the surface of the radiation panel. This drawback is further complicated by geometrical constraints, since the radiant panels are intended to be arranged in different parts of the passenger compartment (headliners, doors, pillars, glove boxes, etc.).

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the invention to propose an improved radiant panel.

The invention is therefore a heating structure, in particular for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a radiant panel, comprising at least one resistive layer arranged to release heat when an electric current is passed through the layer, the panel further comprising an electrode array comprising a plurality of contact electrodes arranged in electrical contact with the resistive layer so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer, wherein at least some of the contact electrodes are arranged with a variable spacing between successive electrodes.

As is known, the thermal power generated by the joule effect depends on the supply voltage U and on the resistance R between the two electrodes (here the two contact electrodes) and follows the following law: p is U²and/R. The resistance R is proportional to the distance d between the two contact electrodes.

The applicant has found that the consumption of electricity per region of the resistive layer between two consecutive contact electrodes leads to a voltage drop along the distribution electrode and, therefore, to a voltage drop along the distribution electrodeAnd the voltage drop across the electrode pair. Since the potential difference of these areas is related to the power supplied by the area, and this power follows the power formula P ═ U²and/R, the heating power provided by the heating structure is getting smaller along the pair of contact electrodes. The invention makes it possible to counteract this phenomenon of heating non-uniformity and to provide uniform heating due to this mutual spacing between the contact electrodes, which spacing is adapted to reduce the electrical resistance between the two contact electrodes and thus has a dissipated power that is as uniform as desired.

To obtain such uniformity, the invention allows the use of the same resistive coating or resistive layer of the same thickness, in particular the same conductivity. This allows maintaining a simple manufacturing process of the heating structure.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least some of the contact electrodes, in particular all contact electrodes of the electrode array, are parallel to each other.

According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode array comprises a distribution electrode arranged to conduct electrical current from a power source to contact electrodes, several contact electrodes being connected to the same distribution electrode.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least one dispensing electrode is rectilinear over at least a portion of its length, and the contact electrode associated with the dispensing electrode is connected to the dispensing electrode, for example, perpendicularly to the dispensing electrode.

Naturally, the dispensing electrode may take different forms, in particular with a rounded curved form. The distribution electrodes may or may not be parallel to each other.

According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode array comprises at least two distribution electrodes parallel to each other over at least a portion of their length, the associated contact electrodes of the two distribution electrodes being arranged between the two distribution electrodes and being arranged alternately with a mutual spacing which decreases with decreasing voltage existing between the pairs of electrodes, so as to maintain a substantially uniform electrical power between the pairs of contact electrodes.

According to one aspect of the invention, the contact electrodes arranged between two distribution electrodes (which form part of the same set of contact electrodes) have only two spacing values or at least three or more spacing values.

According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer is a layer deposited on the substrate, in particular by screen printing, which resistive layer extends in particular between two distribution electrodes associated with the set of contact electrodes.

According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer comprises in particular carbon.

According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes are made of a conductive material, in particular a metal, such as an ink charged by conductive particles, in particular silver particles or copper particles. If desired, the electrodes are metallic adhesive strips, for example made of copper. Where applicable, these electrodes may also be fabricated by depositing material on a substrate.

According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer associated with the set of contact electrodes is a continuous layer or, as a variant, comprises a plurality of separate resistive elements forming the layer.

According to one aspect of the invention, the contact electrodes of the same group have the same length.

According to one aspect of the invention, a heating structure includes a substrate carrying a resistive layer and an electrode. For at least a few cm²The substrate preferably has a thickness of less than 1 cm.

The heating structure takes the form of, inter alia, one or more layers.

The invention also relates to a component of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, in particular a component integrated in a door of the vehicle, or in particular a component of an instrument panel, a footwell trim, a headliner, an armrest, comprising a heating structure, in particular a radiant panel as described above.

According to one aspect of the invention, the passenger compartment components including the heating structure (e.g., a radiation panel) are arranged to be heated by thermal radiation (radiation panel) or by thermal conduction or thermal contact (contact heating structure), rather than by convection heating, such as heat carried by moving air. In particular, no airflow passes through the heating structure to cool or heat the passenger compartment. Preferably, the panel is disconnected from the air circulation system.

If desired, the heating structure and the HVAC system of the vehicle may be controlled in a coordinated manner.

The component constitutes, for example, an element of a glove box or a door panel of a vehicle or an element of a roof of a vehicle.

The invention also relates to a heating structure having a resistive layer and electrodes for heating the resistive layer, designed to be integrated in a passenger compartment component comprising a decoration visible from inside the passenger compartment, for example a decorative element of the passenger compartment, such as a fabric, leather or an aesthetic covering.

The invention also relates to a heating structure, in particular for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a radiation panel, comprising at least one resistive layer arranged to release heat when an electric current is passed through the resistive layer, and an electrode array comprising a plurality of contact electrodes arranged in electrical contact with the resistive layer to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer, wherein at least some of the contact electrodes are arranged with a variable spacing (Di) between successive electrodes, wherein the thickness of the resistive layer is larger than the thickness of at least some of the contact electrodes, in particular of all of the contact electrodes, such that the resistive layer at least partially covers the contact electrodes.

The invention is particularly advantageous since any local resistance in the circuit formed by the electrodes and the resistive layer is a possible cause of hot spots that may result in power limitation, while the invention provides an improved bond between the contact electrodes and the resistive layer.

The invention thus allows optimizing the contact pattern between the electrically conductive contact electrode and the resistive layer of the radiating panel.

For reasons of production accuracy, in particular, the contact electrodes and the resistive layer are formed separately by depositing materials; advantageously, the contact electrode material is covered with a resistive layer material.

The invention allows to avoid irregular contacts which may lead to a lack of local electrical contact.

According to an aspect of the invention, contact electrodes are formed on the substrate, the thickness of the contact electrodes being measured in a direction locally perpendicular to the substrate, and the thickness of the resistive layer being measured also in a direction locally perpendicular to the substrate.

According to an aspect of the invention, each contact electrode comprises a face opposite the substrate, and the resistive layer at least partially, in particular completely, covers said face opposite the substrate.

According to one aspect of the invention, the thickness of the resistive layer covering the contact electrode is between 20% of the thickness of the contact electrode and 100% or 50% of the thickness of said contact electrode. For example, for an electrode thickness of 40 microns, the local thickness of the resistive layer covering the contact electrode is 8 microns.

According to one aspect of the invention, the electrode has a cross-section with a substantially rectangular profile, and the shape of the resistive layer in the area in contact with said electrode completely follows at least two vertical sides of the rectangular profile. For example, the resistive layer locally has a corner shape with a right angle.

According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure comprises a distribution electrode also forming a contact electrode. For example, in this case, the resistive layer covers only a part of the dispensing electrode, not the entire top side of the dispensing electrode. Thus, the resistive layer may be in contact with only one edge of the electrode, and not both longitudinal edges of the electrode.

Drawings

It should be understood that the arrangement of the features and configurations described above is in no way limiting. Further characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer from reading the detailed description given below and a number of exemplary embodiments given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a radiant panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a component comprising a radiant panel of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a radiant panel of the present invention; and is

Fig. 1 shows a radiant panel 1 forming a heating structure in the sense of the present invention, designed to be mounted in the passenger compartment 3 of a vehicle.

Detailed Description

The radiating panel 1 comprises a resistive layer 4 designed to release heat when an electric current is passed through the resistive layer 4.

The resistive layer 4 is, for example, an acrylic paint charged by conductive or semiconductive particles. Such conductive charges are present, for example, in the form of carbon or graphite flakes.

The panel 1 further comprises an electrode array 5, the electrode array 5 comprising a plurality of contact electrodes 6, the contact electrodes 6 being arranged in electrical contact with the resistive layer 4 for causing an electrical current to flow through the resistive layer 4.

These contact electrodes 6 are arranged with a variable mutual spacing D1, D2 … … Di between successive electrodes.

In the example described, the contact electrodes 6 are rectilinear and parallel to one another.

The electrode array 5 comprises distribution electrodes 8, the distribution electrodes 8 being arranged to conduct electrical current to the contact electrodes 6, wherein one of these distribution electrodes 8 is connected to a power supply 9, for example a power supply of positive electrical polarity. The other distribution electrode 8 is connected to the other polarity, for example to ground.

The current thus enters the distribution electrode 8, and the distribution electrode 8 distributes the current to the contact electrode 6. Then, before being collected by the contact electrode 6 connected to the other distribution electrode 8, a current flows in the resistive layer 4.

Several contact electrodes 6 are connected to the same distribution electrode 8.

The distribution electrodes 8 are rectilinear over a part of their length, even over their entire length, and the contact electrodes 6 associated with these distribution electrodes 8 are connected perpendicularly to the associated distribution electrode 8.

Here, the electrode array 5 comprises two mutually parallel distribution electrodes 8, the associated contact electrodes 6 of which are arranged between these two distribution electrodes 8 and are arranged alternately with a spacing D1, D1 … … Di which decreases with decreasing voltage U1, U2 … … Ui present between pairs of electrodes 6, in order to maintain a substantially uniform electrical power between the pairs of contact electrodes.

The contact electrodes 6 arranged between two distribution electrodes 8, which contact electrodes form part of the same set of contact electrodes 14, have a plurality of spacing values D1, D2 … … Di. In the example described, D1> D2> D3> D4, and U1> U2> U3> U4 are voltages between the electrodes 6.

The resistive layer 4 is a layer deposited on the substrate 16, in particular by screen printing, this resistive layer 4 extending in particular between two distribution electrodes 8 associated with a set of contact electrodes.

The electrodes 6 and 8 are made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal, for example a paint which is charged by electrically conductive particles, in particular silver or copper particles.

In the example described, the resistive layer 4 associated with the set of contact electrodes is a continuous, substantially rectangular layer. Other shapes are naturally also conceivable.

The contact electrodes 6 in the same group 14 have the same length. As a variant, the electrodes 6 may have different lengths.

In an example not shown, several halved distribution electrodes 8 may be provided, followed by several groups 14 of contact electrodes 6.

A passenger compartment component 19 of a motor vehicle, in particular a component to be integrated in a vehicle door, is provided with a radiation panel 1. Several components may be provided in the passenger compartment.

The component 19 may comprise a decorative layer applied to the radiation panel. The decorative layer can be impermeable to air, for example, and can be made of leather, for example.

If desired, the dispensing electrode 8 may have a more complex shape, for example, with one or more rounded corners connecting the rectilinear portions.

In the example depicted, all interval values Di of a group 14 are different. As a variant, some of the interval values in the same group may be the same, not all different.

The substrate may be, for example, a sheet or cloth.

The contact electrodes 6 and their associated dispensing electrodes 8 are arranged in a meshing comb fashion.

In one variation, the heating structure is used in a component of the passenger compartment, as a passenger armrest, where the structure can warm the passenger's arms through thermal contact.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section in the thickness direction of the above-described radiation panel 1.

The thickness of the resistive layer 4 is, at least locally, greater than the thickness of the contact electrodes 6, so that the resistive layer 4 completely covers these contact electrodes 6.

Contact electrodes 6 are formed on the substrate 16, the thickness of these contact electrodes 6 being measured in a direction locally perpendicular to said substrate 16, and the thickness of the resistive layer 4 being also measured in a direction locally perpendicular to the substrate 16.

Each contact electrode 6 comprises a face 18 opposite the substrate 16, and the resistive layer 4 completely covers this face 18 opposite the substrate.

The thickness d of the resistive layer 4 covering the contact electrode 6 is between 20% of the thickness e of the contact electrode 6 and 100% or 50% of this thickness of said contact electrode. For example, for a contact electrode thickness of 40 microns, the local thickness d of the resistive layer 4 covering the contact electrode 6 is 8 microns.

The electrode 6 has a cross-section with a substantially rectangular outline and the shape of the resistive layer 4 in the area in contact with said electrode completely follows at least two vertical sides of this rectangular outline. For example, the resistive layer 4 locally has a corner shape with a right angle.