JPH019355Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an automobile steering wheel heater for heating and keeping the steering wheel surface warm.

Generally, when starting a car in winter, especially in cold regions, the steering wheel is cold, making it difficult for the driver to grip the steering wheel, which poses a danger to safe driving. There was a desire for a heater that could provide warmth safely and comfortably.

The characteristics required for an automobile steering wheel heater must satisfy the following items.

(1) A rapid heating effect is achieved within 5 to 10 minutes of idling, and the temperature is always comfortable regardless of the temperature.

(2) Shall not overheat abnormally or cause burns to the human body at an environmental temperature of -40℃ to 80℃.

(3) It should fit the curved surface of the handle and do not impair the grip when gripping it.

(4) Temperature control and operation should be easy.

(5) Must be durable.

The present invention was made in order to obtain a steering wheel heater for automobiles that satisfies the requirements for the various characteristics described above.The invention is made in order to obtain a steering wheel heater for an automobile that satisfies the requirements for the various characteristics described above. The sheets are stacked one on top of the other, a steering wheel cover is attached on top of the sheets, and a rotating sliding electrode device is installed between the steering wheel and the steering shaft, and connected to a power source through this to ensure quick heating and a comfortable temperature that is unaffected by air temperature. It does not cause abnormal overheating or burns to the human body, has a particularly good grip on the handle, eliminates the need for temperature adjustment, and has improved durability.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an organic heating element 1, in which 2 is a metal electrode conductor parallel to each other, 3 is an organic resistor having a positive temperature coefficient and a saturation temperature of 60°C or less, For example, 5 to 60% by weight of carbon or graphite is mixed and dispersed in polyolefin, polyethylene, or polypropylene, which are crystalline resins, and 4 is an insulating coating layer. These are constructed in a long shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the organic resistor 3 has a significantly positive temperature coefficient of resistance, so as the temperature rises, the resistance value increases, resulting in a characteristic curve shown in R. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to the electrode conductor 2, a large amount of current corresponding to the resistance at the initial temperature flows and generates heat, and when the temperature rises due to self-heating, the resistance increases and the heat generation decreases. The characteristic curve is shown in . From this,
When the temperature is low, there is a lot of energy generated from the organic heating element 1, and when the temperature is high, there is less energy generated, and the composition of the organic resistor 3, temperature, heat radiation state,
The saturation temperature is determined by the applied voltage, etc., and has the characteristic of not causing local overheating or abnormal overheating.
Further, the saturation temperature of the steering wheel heater for an automobile is preferably 40 to 60°C, preferably 45 to 55°C on the surface of the resistor 3.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the cord-shaped organic heating element 1, in which 2 is a parallel electrode conductor, 3 is an organic resistor with a circular or elliptical cross section, and 4 is an insulating coating layer. The characteristics are the same as those detailed in FIG. Although not shown in the figure, organic heating element 1
Alternatively, one electrode may be spirally wound around a heat-resistant core yarn, an organic heating element may be extruded, and the other electrode may be spirally wound.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, between the handle 6 and the handle cover 7, the organic heating element 1 having the structure shown in FIG. It is fitted into the formed groove 8. The heat-uniforming sheet 5 is made of aluminum or copper foil,
One or more layers having a thickness of 7 to 200 μm are stacked, and the stacking portions may be not only the outside of the organic heating element 1 but also the inside or both the inside and outside. The handle cover 7 prevents the grip from decreasing due to the attachment of the organic heating element 1 and the heat-uniforming sheet 5.
The mounting and fixing may be done by the conventional method of tightening with a string or by using a fastener.

In this way, by attaching the organic heating element 1 with a positive temperature coefficient and a saturation temperature of 60°C or less along the handle 6, and the heat-uniforming sheet 5 superimposed on it, and attaching the handle cover 7, the temperature can be adjusted. The optimum temperature (preferably 35±5℃) is reached during idling, regardless of the
It has a property of 60℃ or less, so it does not cause abnormal overheating or burns to the human body, and it matches the curved surface of the steering wheel for good grip.Furthermore, since no special temperature adjustment or operation is required, it is safe and comfortable to drive. is ensured. In Figure 4, the organic heating element 1 is the handle 6.
Although only one piece is installed in the circumferential direction, a plurality of pieces may be installed substantially parallel to each other.

Figure 5 shows the A-A' cross section of Figure 4.
The organic heating element 1 is fitted into the groove 8, and a heat-uniforming sheet 5 is attached thereon over almost the entire circumference of the handle 6 in the grip direction.

In other embodiments, the organic heating element may have the structure shown in FIG.
It is also possible to install the heat-uniforming sheet 5 by fitting it into the groove and attaching the heat-uniforming sheet 5 with a suitable insulating film, but considering that the working voltage is 10 to 30 V DC, there is no practical problem. Organic heating element 1
Heat dissipation can be improved by reducing the thickness of the

Note that the groove 8 may be omitted in some cases.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a rotating sliding electrode device 9. The device 9 consists of a disc-shaped electrode 13 fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 11 via an insulating ring 12, and a disc-shaped electrode 13 fixed to the vehicle body side 16 is attached to the surface of the disc-shaped electrode 13. sliding electrode 1
4 are in contact. The pole 14 is connected to the positive pole of the power source via a lead wire 15, and the disc-shaped electrode 13 is connected to the heating element 1 via a lead wire 10. Although the device 9 can be modified in various ways, it is always
10A or more is required. Therefore, the rotating and sliding electrodes of conventional handles cannot be used.

As detailed above, an organic heating element with a positive temperature coefficient is attached to the steering wheel, a steering wheel cover is attached to it via a heat-uniforming sheet, and the idling operation is prevented by connecting it to a power source via a rotating and sliding electrode. Although the temperature rises rapidly during operation, a constant and comfortable temperature is obtained regardless of the air temperature, enabling safe and comfortable driving, without abnormal overheating or burns to the human body, and in particular, improves the grip of the steering wheel. It also has the characteristics of easy handling and improved durability because it does not require temperature adjustment or complicated operations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are perspective views of an organic heating element used in an automobile steering wheel heater according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a characteristic diagram of the organic heating element, Fig. 4 is a partially cutaway front view of the same, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line A-A' in Fig. 4,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rotating sliding electrode device. 1... Organic heating element, 5... Soaking sheet, 6...
Handle, 7... Handle cover, 9... Rotating and sliding electrode device, 11... Steering shaft.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] An organic heating element 1 having a positive temperature coefficient and a heat-uniforming sheet 5 are stacked and positioned between a steering wheel 6 and a steering wheel cover 7, and a rotating and sliding electrode device 9 is further placed between the steering wheel 6 and the steering shaft 11. A steering wheel heater for an automobile, characterized in that the heating element 1 and a power source are connected through the heater.