Heating system and method of controlling a heating system

Abstract

A method of controlling an electric heating system for a motor vehicle seat, in which a target time (t soll ) for a heating duration is varied as a function of a difference between a measured outside temperature (T A ) and a measured inside temperature (T I ). A control device for a heating mechanism ( 20 ) is also provided having an outside temperature ( 10 ) and an inside temperature sensor or seat temperature sensor ( 12 ), and having a control circuit for preassigning and/or varying a target time (t soll ) for a heat duration, as a function of a difference between a measured outside temperature (T A ) and a measured inside or seat temperature (T I or T S ).

1 . A method of controlling a heating mechanism for a vehicle seat comprising: 
 receiving an outside temperature value (T A ) indicative of the ambient temperature outside the vehicle;    receiving an inside temperature value (T I ) indicative of the vehicle interior temperature;    determining a target time (t soll ) for a heat duration as a function of a difference between said outside and inside temperature values; and    operating said heating mechanism for said target time.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inside temperature is a measured temperature proximate a seat (T S ).  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the difference between the outside temperature (T A ) and the inside temperature (T I ) is derived from a determination of a sensory temperature (T E ) value.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the sensory temperature (T E ) is derived from the following relationship: 
         T   E   =f[T   A , ( T   A   −T   I )] 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating mechanism comprises at least two predetermined heating stages, each with a different target time (t soll ), each referenced to the same difference value between the inside and outside temperatures (T I , T A ).  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the heating mechanism comprises at least two predetermined heating stages, each with a different target time (t soll ), each referenced to the same difference value between the inside and outside temperatures (T I , T A ).  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the outside temperature (T A ) is acquired by way of a data bus ( 18 ).  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the outside temperature (T A ) is acquired by way of a data bus ( 18 ).  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inside temperature value (T I ) is acquired and determined by way of an inside temperature sensor ( 11 ).  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein said inside temperature sensor is a seat temperature sensor ( 12 ).  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the inside temperature sensor is an NTC sensor.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 5  comprising varying a preassigned target time (t soll ) for the heat duration according to the selected heating stage.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the target times (t soll ) for the heat durations are derived from a vehicle-specific or seat-specific diagram.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein a time sequence of at least two heating stages are provided.  
   
   
       15 . A control system for vehicle seat heating element ( 20 ) comprising: 
 an outside temperature input for receiving an outside temperature value (T A ) from an outside temperature sensor ( 10 );    an inside temperature input for receiving an inside temperature value (T I ) from an inside temperature sensor ( 12 );    a control circuit ( 14 ) programmed to vary a target time (t soll ) for a heating duration of the heating element ( 20 ) as a function of a difference between said outside and inside temperature values (T A , T I ).    
   
   
       16 . A control system according to  claim 15 , wherein the control circuit comprises at least two fixedly set heating stages, each with different target times (t soll-1 , t soll-2 ) and each referenced to a like difference between said inside and outside temperature values (T I , T A ).  
   
   
       17 . A control system according to  claim 15 , wherein the inside temperature sensor ( 12 ) is an NTC sensor.  
   
   
       18 . A control system according to  claim 16 , wherein the control circuit ( 14 ) varies a correction of a preassigned target time (t soll ) for the heating duration according to the stage selected.  
   
   
       19 . A control system according to  claim 15 , wherein the control circuit includes memory storing a time sequence of at least two heat stages.  
   
   
       20 . A vehicle seat system comprising: 
 a heating element ( 20 ) disposed in at least one cushion of the vehicle seat;    an outside temperature sensor ( 12 ) providing an outside temperature value (T A );    an inside temperature sensor ( 11 ) providing an inside temperature value (T I );    a control circuit ( 14 ) communicating within said inside and outside temperature sensors, said control circuit programmed to provide a target time (t soll ) for a heating duration of said heating element as a function of a difference between said outside and inside temperature values (T A , T I ).    
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein said inside temperature sensor is a seat temperature sensor ( 12 ) disposed within or proximate said vehicle seat.  
   
   
       22 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein said outside temperature sensor ( 10 ) is located remotely from said seat.  
   
   
       23 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of said inside or outside temperature values (T I , T A ) is communicated to said control circuit by way of a vehicle communication bus ( 18 ).