Heating and cooling device for handles, especially of steering mechanism

Abstract

A climate control device (15) for influencing at least one climatic parameter of a handle (5) of a steering device (2), has an air moving device (21) for providing a stream of air, a handle distributor (26) for distributing a stream of air within at least a part of the handle, an air guidance device (22) for guiding air between the air moving device and the distributor. The air moving device (21) can be or is mounted to an area remaining static in relation to an adjustment movement of the steering device (2). The handle distributor (26) can be or is mounted to an area moving in relation to the static area when the steering device (2) is subject to an adjustment movement. The climate control device (15) is provided with a connecting device (30) allowing the air moving device (21) and the handle distributor (26) to move in relation to each other.

1 . A climate control device for influencing at least one climatic parameter of a handle of a steering device comprising:
 a) a handle distributor for distributing a fluid stream within at least a part of the handle, the handle distributor is configured to receive the fluid stream from an air moving device;   b) a plurality of air guidance devices directing air between the air moving device and the handle distributor;   wherein the handle distributor is mounted to an area moving in relation to the static area, when the steering device is subject to an adjustment movement; and   wherein the climate control device is provided with a connecting device, allowing the air moving device and the handle distributor to move in relation to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The climate control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device allows a rotation of the handle device of at least 180° around a pivot pole of the steering device. 
     
     
         3 . The climate control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device is provided with a ring-like connector channel arranged concentrically in relation toward an axis of the pivot pole. 
     
     
         4 . The climate control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the climate control device includes at least two interfaces between the static portion and the moveable portion of the steering device, creating two fluid paths allowing an exchange of at least two fluid streams between a handle distributor and the connecting device, at least a first fluid stream being directed toward the handle distributor and at least a second fluid stream being directed away from the handle distributor. 
     
     
         5 . The climate control device according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one thermoelectric device is fluidly connected with the fluid stream and the handle distributor to heat the handle of the steering device in a heating mode and cool the handle of the steering device in a cooling mode; wherein the plurality of air guidance devices directs the fluid stream to and from the static portion of the steering device and the handle distributor through the connecting device without inhibiting the fluid stream when the moveable portion of the steering device rotates relative the static portion of the steering device. 
     
     
         6 . A handle, vehicle, or steering mechanism, equipped with at least one climate control device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The climate control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the steering device is a steering wheel. 
     
     
         8 . A climate control device comprising:
 a. one or more connecting devices located between and fluidly connecting a static component with a movable component, the connecting device including, the one or more connecting devices including:
 i. a static part and 
 ii. a movable part that are fluidly connected to the static part 
 iii. one or more channels from the static component of the steering device to the moveable component of the steering device that guide a fluid towards the moveable component of the steering device from the static component of the steering device; and 
 iv. one or more outlet channels from the movable component of the steering device to the static component of the steering device that guide the fluid towards the static component of the steering device from the movable component of the steering device; 
   
       wherein the one or more connecting devices are configured to be in fluid communication with one or more air movers, and
 wherein the movable part of the one or more connecting devices moves with the movable component so that each of the inlets have a static relationship with the movable component as the movable component is moved. 
 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The climate control device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the channels are discrete from one another and are not in fluid communication. 
     
     
         11 . The climate control device of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more connecting devices includes two discrete halves that are separated by a dividing wall. 
     
     
         12 . The climate control device of  claim 8 , wherein an air guidance device is connected to each of the one or more inlets and each of the one or more outlets for guiding air between the static component of the steering device and the movable component of the steering device. 
     
     
         13 . The climate control device of  claim 8 , wherein one or more seals are located between the static part and the movable part and the one or more seals form a fluid barrier and create a bearing surface of the movable part to move about the static part. 
     
     
         14 . The climate control device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting device includes one or more end walls and the end walls include one or more of the inlets or outlets. 
     
     
         15 . The climate control device of  claim 8 , wherein the static component is a steering column and the movable component is a steering wheel. 
     
     
         16 . The climate control device of  claim 5 , wherein first fluid path and the second fluid path are discrete from one another and are not in fluid communication. 
     
     
         17 . The climate control device of  claim 16 , wherein the connecting device includes two discrete halves that are separated by a dividing wall. 
     
     
         18 . The climate control device of  claim 17 , wherein one or more seals are located between the static part and the movable part and the one or more seals form a fluid barrier and create a bearing surface of the movable part to move about the static part. 
     
     
         19 . The climate control device of  claim 18 , wherein the connecting device includes one or more end walls and the end walls include one or more of the inlets or outlets. 
     
     
         20 . The climate control device of  claim 19 , wherein the static component is a steering column and the movable component is a steering wheel.