Heating and cooling device for handles, especially of steering mechanisms

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9399480-B2
Application number	US-201314028720-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2013
Priority date	Sep 28, 2012
Publication date	Jul 26, 2016
Grant date	Jul 26, 2016

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for influencing at least one climatic parameter and more specifically the device is provided to influence a zone meant for handling.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for influencing at least one climatic parameter in a handle, the device comprising at least one ventilation device, the at least one ventilation device comprising:
i. at least one air supply device moving air;
ii. at least one air guidance device in fluid communication with the at least one air supply device, the at least one air guidance device guiding the air between the handle and the at least one air supply device; and
iii. at least one handle distributor in fluid communication with the at least one air guidance device, the at least one handle distributor comprises:
a. at least one inlet line through which the air enters the handle; and
b. at least one outlet line through which the air exits the handle,

wherein the at least one handle distributor collects, distributes and/or directs the air within or along the handle, the at least one handle distributor defines a channel having a gap extending between an outer periphery of a handle frame of the handle and an inner periphery of a jacket of the handle, the gap is supported by one or more spacer devices to keep open the gap, and
wherein the at least one inlet line is helically wrapped around at least a portion of the handle frame, and the at least one outlet line is helically wrapped around at least a portion of the handle frame.

2. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the device exhibits or is a heating, ventilation, or cooling device.

3. The device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the device is provided for heating or cooling a steering mechanism.

4. The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the device is provided for heating or cooling a steering mechanism.

5. A vehicle equipped with at least one device according to claim 4 .

6. A vehicle or a steering mechanism equipped with at least one device according to claim 1 .

7. The steering mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the steering mechanism includes:
i. a pivot pole that is an axis of the steering mechanism; and
ii. at least one spoke that connects the pivot pole to the handle;
wherein the device is located in a central portion of the steering mechanism.

8. The steering mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the handle includes a plurality of vent openings around the handle.

9. The steering mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the handle includes at least one solid handle section that is free of vent openings.

10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device includes a cooling device that is a peltier device.

11. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet line comprises five outlet lines.

12. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet line is concentrically located within the at least one inlet line.

13. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one inlet line and the at least one outlet line run counter to each other.

14. A device for heating, cooling, or ventilating a steering mechanism comprising a handle, the device comprising:
at least one ventilation device comprising:
i. at least one air supply device moving air; and
ii. at least one air guidance device in fluid communication with the at least one air supply device, the at least one air guidance device guiding the air between the handle and the at least one air supply device, the at least one air guidance device is in communication with at least one handle distributor located within the handle,
wherein the at least one handle distributor comprises;
a. at least one inlet line through which the air enters the at least one handle distributor; and
b. at least one outlet line through which the air exits the at least one handle distributor,

wherein the at least one handle distributor collects, distributes and/or directs the air within or along the handle,
wherein the at least one inlet line and the at least one outlet line are spatially separated by a separator device that is generally aligned along a central axis of the handle, or is helically wrapped around the handle, and
wherein either:
1. in a first Section of the handle, the at least one inlet line is helically wrapped around a handle frame and the at least one outlet line is helically wrapped around the handle frame, and in a second section of the handle, the at least one inlet line and the at least one outlet line run counter to each other, or
2. the at least one inlet line is helically wrapped around at least a portion of a handle frame, and the at least one outlet line is also helically wrapped around at least a portion of the handle frame.

15. A vehicle equipped with at least one device according to claim 14 .

16. The device according to claim 14 , wherein the device includes at least one filament rheostat for direct or indirect heating of the handle.

Assignees

• Wet Automotive Systems Ag
• Gentherm Gmbh

Inventors

• Zhang Jonathan (Yu)
• Zhang Fred (Fufei)
• Hu Melinda (Meijing)

Classifications

• Y10T74/20834

  Hand wheels · CPC title

• B60W40/02

  related to ambient conditions · CPC title

• B60H1/00292

  for steering wheels · CPC title

• B62D1/065 Primary

  Steering wheels with heating and ventilating means (heating and ventilation of steering wheel when connected to vehicle HVAC B60H1/00292) · CPC title

• B62D1/06 Primary

  Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers (B62D1/11 takes precedence) · CPC title