WO1996020492A1 - Device for connecting/disconnecting a current supply with an electrical circuit depending on the ambient temperature - Google Patents

Device for connecting/disconnecting a current supply with an electrical circuit depending on the ambient temperature Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996020492A1
WO1996020492A1 PCT/SE1995/001545 SE9501545W WO9620492A1 WO 1996020492 A1 WO1996020492 A1 WO 1996020492A1 SE 9501545 W SE9501545 W SE 9501545W WO 9620492 A1 WO9620492 A1 WO 9620492A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
fluid
variable
current supply
volume
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1995/001545
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Wilgot ÅHS
Original Assignee
Sem Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sem Ab filed Critical Sem Ab
Priority to AU43595/96A priority Critical patent/AU4359596A/en
Publication of WO1996020492A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996020492A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B1/00—Details of electric heating devices
    • H05B1/02—Automatic switching arrangements specially adapted to apparatus ; Control of heating devices
    • H05B1/0202—Switches
    • H05B1/0208—Switches actuated by the expansion or evaporation of a gas or liquid
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
    • H01H37/02—Details
    • H01H37/32—Thermally-sensitive members
    • H01H37/34—Means for transmitting heat thereto, e.g. capsule remote from contact member

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for connecting and disconnecting a current supply to an electric circuit dependent on the ambient temperature.
  • thermo switch In addition to a heating element, some type of regulation is required for heating electrically the seats of a vehicle, for example. This regulation is demanded from comfort as well as a safety point of view.
  • ordinary electromechanic thermo switches are used for attaining this regulation.
  • Another disadvantage is that the technical characteristics of the thermo switch do not give the desired effects in connection with disconnections too soon and the like.
  • electromechanic thermo switches namely the difficulty to make a thermo switch that is able to switch off currents of 10 A, for example. with a temperature difference which is small enough between the connections and disconnections, without increasing the cost too much.
  • a thermo switch is chosen with a difference between the connections and disconnections being as high as 10° C. resulting in a reduced comfort
  • a device for the regulation of a heating element for a seat in a car which device includes a temperature sensing switch with a fixed breaking temperature in series with an electric conducting element, e.g. a transistor or a thermistor, in which device a thermal mass is arranged between the electric conducting element and the switch, the mass receiving losses of energy from the electric conducting element, transporting the heat to the switch which is arranged to disconnect the supply on attaining the breaking temperature.
  • an electric conducting element e.g. a transistor or a thermistor
  • the object of the invention is to provide a device for connecting and disconnecting a current supply to an electric circuit dependent on the ambient temperature, the device specially having the following advantages:
  • Figure 1 indicates a principle outline of the device according to the invention
  • Figure 2 indicates an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3a. b. indicates the course of the connections and disconnections as a function of time at two different ambient temperatures.
  • FIG. 1 A principal outline of the invention is indicated in the figure 1. in which 1 represents a current source delivering current to an electric circuit 2. Between the current source 1 and the electric circuit 2 a conducting element 4 is arranged in a housing 3. the conducting element 4 being connected to a temperature sensing switch 5 with a certain breaking temperature T 0 A heat conducting material 6 is enclosed in the housing
  • the device operates in the following way
  • the current supply 1 With closed switch 5, conducts the current via the current conducting element 4, the current conducting element 4 is emitting heat to the temperature sensing switch 5.
  • the switch via the heat conducting mate ⁇ al 6, the switch disconnecting the current supply when the breaking temperature T 0 is attained
  • the ambient temperature which is supposed to be below the breaking temperature, has an effect on the temperature of the material 6, and when the material 6, and the switch 5 have cooled down below the breaking temperature the switch 5 is closed and the process is repeated
  • the figure 2 indicates schematically a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • a cable 8 from the current supply 1 (not shown) is connected directly to the cover 9 of the housing 3, for example by welding, preferably the housing being formed of electric conducting material
  • the cover 9 is arranged tightly on the bottom part of the housing 11 by means of an electrical insulating seal 10
  • the current conducting element 4 is arranged maintaining contact with the inside of the cover 9
  • the housing 3 is filled by oil UD to an appropriate level 12
  • the temperature sensing switch 5 could be a temperature dependent bimetal spring being mounted in contact with the bottom part 11 of the housing 3, by means of an electrical insulation 13
  • the contact connections 14 and 15 respectively, are arranged on the bimetal spring and on the inside of the bottom part of the housing 11 , respectively Outside the bottom part of the housing 11 , a cable 16 is connected to the elect ⁇ c circuit 2 (not shown) directly from the bottom part of the housing 3, correspondingly
  • the material enclosed in the housing oil for example, have the purpose to protect the contact connections 14 and 15 from sparking" with following migration etc
  • the oil is chosen such that it has the approp ⁇ ate thermal conductivity for the intended application
  • the oil can be replaced by gas
  • the housing 3 can have any adequate design.
  • the heat conducting material 6 can be volume variable by means of external or internal devices, such as pumps, communicating vessels or by introducing another material in the container.
  • the heat conducting material 6 can be made partly of a fluid, partly of another material, a volume varying material for example, as a gel with specific electrical or thermal characteristics. Also, the variation of the volume of the fluid can be done by introducing solid substances, hollow plastic balls, for example. These substances can have thermal characteristics for the accumulation of heat.
  • the variation of the relative volume of the fluid may take place by deformation of the surrounding housing.
  • the device according to the figure 2 indicates a condition where the temperature in the device is higher than the breaking temperature T 0 , i.e. the temperature sensing switch 5 is open and no current passes from the battery 1 to the electric circuit 2.
  • the electric circuit 2 consists of a heating element for the heating of a seat in a vehicle. As a whole, the heating element should be surrounded by a fixed or variable thermal insulation.
  • the device for connecting and disconnecting the heating element of a seat, the device is located such that the heat of the body from the person sitting on the chair does not have an effect on the temperature of the device.
  • the contacts 14, 15 are closed and current flows through the conducting element 4, the heat losses being emitted to the oil up to the breaking temperature T 0 of the temperature switch, thereafter the current is disconnected.
  • T 0 is selected to be 5° higher than the operation temperature.
  • the figures 3a, b indicate the process for the regulation of the connection and disconnection of the current supply 1 to the heating element 2 according to the embodiment.
  • the heating element is arranged to be closed as long as the breaking temperature is attained, after which the current is disconnected, and the device is cooled and the heating element is connected once again, this time for a shorter period. Thereafter, the process is repeated at short intervals.
  • the element will be connected for a corresponding shorter time, as indicated in the figure 3b.
  • the present invention relates to a device implementing this function in a less expensive way. It is evident that the device can be used for other purposes than these indicated above. Selecting the material of the heating elements and the connecting temperatures, the device can be used as a thermostat of different heating/cooling devices or, generally, to connect and disconnect an electric circuit dependent on the temperature and on the time, i.e. as an electric timer. Also, the device can be connected to an altering current supply and the currrent conducting element can be an electrical/electronical element giving energy losses usable in a heating conducting material.
  • thermo switches than bimetal switches

Abstract

A device for connecting and disconnecting a current supply (1) to an electric circuit (2) dependent on the ambient temperature. In a housing, the device includes a current conducting element (4), a temperature sensing switch (5) and a heat conducting material (6) being, at least partly, a fluid. When the switch (5) is closed the current conducting element (4) is emitting heat delivered to the temperature sensing switch (4) by the heat conducting material (6), the switch disconnecting the current attaining the breaking temperature. The operation is repeated as long as the ambient temperature is below the breaking temperature of the switch.

Description

Device for connecting/disconnecting a current supply with an electrical circuit depending on the ambient temperature
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for connecting and disconnecting a current supply to an electric circuit dependent on the ambient temperature.
STATE OF ART
In addition to a heating element, some type of regulation is required for heating electrically the seats of a vehicle, for exemple. This regulation is demanded from comfort as well as a safety point of view. Usually, ordinary electromechanic thermo switches are used for attaining this regulation. In that connection there is the disadvantage that such a thermo switch is arranged near the heating element in the seat, causing that it is perceptible through the covering. Another disadvantage is that the technical characteristics of the thermo switch do not give the desired effects in connection with disconnections too soon and the like. Besides, there is a technical problem with electromechanic thermo switches, namely the difficulty to make a thermo switch that is able to switch off currents of 10 A, for exemple. with a temperature difference which is small enough between the connections and disconnections, without increasing the cost too much. Often, to reduce the cost, a thermo switch is chosen with a difference between the connections and disconnections being as high as 10° C. resulting in a reduced comfort
From the Swedish patent application 9002285-6. a device for the regulation of a heating element for a seat in a car, for exemple. is known, which device includes a temperature sensing switch with a fixed breaking temperature in series with an electric conducting element, e.g. a transistor or a thermistor, in which device a thermal mass is arranged between the electric conducting element and the switch, the mass receiving losses of energy from the electric conducting element, transporting the heat to the switch which is arranged to disconnect the supply on attaining the breaking temperature.
It is difficult to modify this known device for different applications, and likewise, the device has the disadvantage that sparks can be established owing to the fact that the thermal mass does not provide a protection against electric contact between the parts.
For the present, more sophisticated electronic solutions are used. too. but these are considered as too expensive.
SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a device for connecting and disconnecting a current supply to an electric circuit dependent on the ambient temperature, the device specially having the following advantages:
- it protects against sparking,
- it is easy to modify for different applications.
- it can have a small temperature difference between switching on - switching off
- it can be placed at a distance from the current supply as well as the circuit to be regulated,
- it detects the ambient temperature.
- it is less expensive than previous known devices.
The characteristics of the invention are evident from the following claims
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 indicates a principle outline of the device according to the invention Figure 2 indicates an embodiment of the invention
Figure 3a. b. indicates the course of the connections and disconnections as a function of time at two different ambient temperatures.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
A principal outline of the invention is indicated in the figure 1. in which 1 represents a current source delivering current to an electric circuit 2. Between the current source 1 and the electric circuit 2 a conducting element 4 is arranged in a housing 3. the conducting element 4 being connected to a temperature sensing switch 5 with a certain breaking temperature T0 A heat conducting material 6 is enclosed in the housing
The device operates in the following way When the current supply 1 , with closed switch 5, conducts the current via the current conducting element 4, the current conducting element 4 is emitting heat to the temperature sensing switch 5. via the heat conducting mateπal 6, the switch disconnecting the current supply when the breaking temperature T0 is attained The ambient temperature, which is supposed to be below the breaking temperature, has an effect on the temperature of the material 6, and when the material 6, and the switch 5 have cooled down below the breaking temperature the switch 5 is closed and the process is repeated
The figure 2 indicates schematically a preferred embodiment of the invention A cable 8 from the current supply 1 (not shown) is connected directly to the cover 9 of the housing 3, for exemple by welding, preferably the housing being formed of electric conducting material The cover 9 is arranged tightly on the bottom part of the housing 11 by means of an electrical insulating seal 10 The current conducting element 4 is arranged maintaining contact with the inside of the cover 9 In the housing there is oil as the heat conducting material 6 The housing 3 is filled by oil UD to an appropriate level 12 For exemple the temperature sensing switch 5 could be a temperature dependent bimetal spring being mounted in contact with the bottom part 11 of the housing 3, by means of an electrical insulation 13 The contact connections 14 and 15 respectively, are arranged on the bimetal spring and on the inside of the bottom part of the housing 11 , respectively Outside the bottom part of the housing 11 , a cable 16 is connected to the electπc circuit 2 (not shown) directly from the bottom part of the housing 3, correspondingly
The material enclosed in the housing, oil for exemple, have the purpose to protect the contact connections 14 and 15 from sparking" with following migration etc The oil is chosen such that it has the appropπate thermal conductivity for the intended application The oil can be replaced by gas Of course, the housing 3 can have any adequate design.
The heat conducting material 6 can be volume variable by means of external or internal devices, such as pumps, communicating vessels or by introducing another material in the container. The heat conducting material 6 can be made partly of a fluid, partly of another material, a volume varying material for exemple, as a gel with specific electrical or thermal characteristics. Also, the variation of the volume of the fluid can be done by introducing solid substances, hollow plastic balls, for exemple. These substances can have thermal characteristics for the accumulation of heat.
The variation of the relative volume of the fluid may take place by deformation of the surrounding housing.
The device according to the figure 2 indicates a condition where the temperature in the device is higher than the breaking temperature T0, i.e. the temperature sensing switch 5 is open and no current passes from the battery 1 to the electric circuit 2. In the embodiment, the electric circuit 2 consists of a heating element for the heating of a seat in a vehicle. As a whole, the heating element should be surrounded by a fixed or variable thermal insulation.
According to the invention, for connecting and disconnecting the heating element of a seat, the device is located such that the heat of the body from the person sitting on the chair does not have an effect on the temperature of the device. We choose to connect the heating element at an ambient temperature below +18° C. The contacts 14, 15 are closed and current flows through the conducting element 4, the heat losses being emitted to the oil up to the breaking temperature T0 of the temperature switch, thereafter the current is disconnected. For example, according to the embodiment, T0 is selected to be 5° higher than the operation temperature.
When the element 4 does not heat the oil any more, the temperature adjacent to the oil, the temperature of the rest of the oil and the housing will lower the temperature at the contacts 14, 15 and a closure of the contacts is effected once again.The process is repeated and the duration and the character of the process are determined of the following parameters:
- the volume of the heat conducting material (fluid/ oil),
- the thermal conductivity of the heat conducting material (fluid/oil),
- the breaking temperature of the temperature sensing switch,
- the effect of the temperature sensing switch,
- the location of the temperature sensing switch,
- the selected material etc.
Those and other parameters that can be actuated are important for the device and can be varied easily in the manufacturing process.
The figures 3a, b indicate the process for the regulation of the connection and disconnection of the current supply 1 to the heating element 2 according to the embodiment.
If, according to the figure 3a, the temperature in the car is -10° C when sitting down in the car, the heating element is arranged to be closed as long as the breaking temperature is attained, after which the current is disconnected, and the device is cooled and the heating element is connected once again, this time for a shorter period. Thereafter, the process is repeated at short intervals.
For exemple, if the temperature is +5°C the element will be connected for a corresponding shorter time, as indicated in the figure 3b.
This course gives a good regulation of the seat heater and is known to be implemented by means of electronic components. This implies high costs and the present invention relates to a device implementing this function in a less expensive way. It is evident that the device can be used for other purposes than these indicated above. Selecting the material of the heating elements and the connecting temperatures, the device can be used as a thermostat of different heating/cooling devices or, generally, to connect and disconnect an electric circuit dependent on the temperature and on the time, i.e. as an electric timer. Also, the device can be connected to an altering current supply and the currrent conducting element can be an electrical/electronical element giving energy losses usable in a heating conducting material.
It is obvious that other types of thermo switches than bimetal switches can be used within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A device for connecting and disconnecting a current supply (1) to an electric circuit (2) dependent on the ambient temperature, which device includes a current conducting element (4) in a housing (3), a temperature sensing switch (5) with a predetermined breaking temperature T0 and a heat conducting material (6), the current conducting element (4) emitting heat when delivering current from the current supply (1) when the switch (5) is closed, said heat being conducted, via the heat conducting material (6), to the temperature sensing switch (5), which disconnects the current supply attaining the breaking temperature T0, characterized in that the heat conducting material (6), at least partly, consists of a fluid contained in the housing (3).
2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the fluid inside the housing is arranged to have a variable volume.
3. A device according to one of the claims 1-2, characterized in that it is arranged to be adapted for a certain application by introducing a varying quantity of fluid in the housing during the manufacturing process.
4. A device according to one of the claims 2-3, characterized in that the relative volume of the fluid is arranged to be variable by another volume varying material being arranged inside the housing.
5. A device according to one of the claims 2-4, characterized in that the relative volume of the fluid is arranged to be variable by deformation of the surrounding housing.
6. A device according to one of the claims 2-5, characterized in that the definite volume of the fluid is arranged to be variable by an exterior device, e.g. an adjustable apparatus for varying the fluid volume contained in the housing. 7. A device according to one of the claims 1-6, characterized in that the heat conducting material (6) is arranged in the housing such that it protects against sparking.
8. A device according to one of the claims 1-7, characterized in that two sides of the housing, isolated from each other, constitute terminal contacts for the current supply and the electric circuit, respectively.
9. A device according to one of the claims 1-8. characterized in that the fluid consists of an oil having an appropriate thermal conductivity.
10. A device according to one of the claims 1-8. characterized in that the fluid consists of a gas having an appropriate thermal conductivity.
11. A device according to one of the claims 1-10. characterized in that it is arranged in the non-close vicinity of the electric circuit.
12. A device according to one of the claims 1-11, characterized in that the electric circuit consists of a seat heater.
13. A device according to the claim 12. characterized in that the seat heater, as a whole, is surrounded by a fixed or variable thermal isolation.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 23 May 1996(23.05.96); original claims 1-13 replaced by amended claims 1-13 (2 pages)]
1 A device for connecting and disconnecting a current supply (1) to an electric circuit (2) which is to be regulated, for instance a seat heater, dependent on the ambient temperature, which device includes a current conducting element (4) in a housing (3), a temperature sensing switch (5) with a predetermined breaking temperature T0 and a heat conducting material (6), the current conducting element
(4) emitting heat when delivering current from the current supply (1) when the switch
(5) is closed, said heat being conducted, via the heat conducting material (6), to the temperature sensing switch (5), which disconnects the current supply attaining the breaking temperature T0, characterized in that the heat conducting material (6), at least partly, consists of a fluid contained in the housing (3).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid inside the housing is arranged to have a variable volume.
3. A device according to one of the claims 1-2, characterized in that it is arranged to be adapted for a certain application by introducing a varying quantity of fluid in the housing during the manufacturing process.
4. A device according to one of the claims 2-3, characterized in that the relative volume of the fluid is arranged to be variable by another volume varying material being arranged inside the housing.
5. A device according to one of the claims 2-4, characterized in that the relative volume of the fluid is arranged to be variable by deformation of the surrounding housing.
6. A device according to one of the claims 2-5, characterized in that the definite volume of the fluid is arranged to be variable by an exterior device, e.g. an adjustable apparatus for varying the fluid volume contained in the housing. 7 A device according to one of the claims 1-6, characterized in that the heat conducting material (6) is arranged in the housing such that it protects against sparking.
8. A device according to one of the claims 1-7, characterized in that two sides of the housing, isolated from each other, constitute terminal contacts for the current supply and the electric circuit, respectively.
9. A device according to one of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the fluid consists of an oil having an appropriate thermal conductivity.
10. A device according to one of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the fluid consists of a gas having an appropriate thermal conductivity.
11. A device according to one of the claims 1-10, characterized in that it is arranged in the non-close vicinity of the electric circuit
12. A device according to one of the claims 1-11, characterized in that the electric circuit consists of a seat heater.
3. A device according to the claim 12, characterized in that the seat heater, as a whole, is surrounded by a fixed or variable thermal isolation
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE ft)
PCT/SE1995/001545 1994-12-28 1995-12-19 Device for connecting/disconnecting a current supply with an electrical circuit depending on the ambient temperature WO1996020492A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU43595/96A AU4359596A (en) 1994-12-28 1995-12-19 Device for connecting/disconnecting a current supply with an electrical circuit depending on the ambient temperature

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9404545-7 1994-12-28
SE9404545A SE505800C2 (en) 1994-12-28 1994-12-28 Device for switching off and switching on a power source to an electrical circuit depending on the ambient temperature e.g. a seat heater

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996020492A1 true WO1996020492A1 (en) 1996-07-04

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ID=20396502

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1995/001545 WO1996020492A1 (en) 1994-12-28 1995-12-19 Device for connecting/disconnecting a current supply with an electrical circuit depending on the ambient temperature

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4359596A (en)
SE (1) SE505800C2 (en)
WO (1) WO1996020492A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1478084A (en) * 1921-02-11 1923-12-18 Stewart Warner Speedometer Thermostatic signal-operating device
US1822408A (en) * 1927-11-28 1931-09-08 King Louise Thermally-actuated circuit-controller
US2268229A (en) * 1939-12-12 1941-12-30 Gen Electric Overload protective means
WO1992000655A1 (en) * 1990-06-28 1992-01-09 Sem Ab A method and a device for switching on and off a circuit dependent on temperature

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1478084A (en) * 1921-02-11 1923-12-18 Stewart Warner Speedometer Thermostatic signal-operating device
US1822408A (en) * 1927-11-28 1931-09-08 King Louise Thermally-actuated circuit-controller
US2268229A (en) * 1939-12-12 1941-12-30 Gen Electric Overload protective means
WO1992000655A1 (en) * 1990-06-28 1992-01-09 Sem Ab A method and a device for switching on and off a circuit dependent on temperature

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9404545D0 (en) 1994-12-28
SE505800C2 (en) 1997-10-13
SE9404545L (en) 1996-06-29
AU4359596A (en) 1996-07-19

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