FR3064874A1 - RADIANT PANEL COMPRISING AN ORGAN THAT MODULATES THE HEATING POWER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiant panel (7) intended to be installed in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the radiant panel (7) comprising at least one network (10) of electrodes (11, 12) defining at least one pair of electrodes (11, 12) comprising a first electrode (11) and a second electrode (12) forming between them a dipole having a resistor (R), characterized in that the array (10) comprises at least one selective member (14) driving a power supply of at least one electrode (11, 12) of the network (10).

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,064,874 (to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number: 17 52689

COURBEVOIE © IntCI ⁸

H 05 B 3/20 (2017.01), B 60 H 1/00

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 30.03.17. © Applicant (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS (30) Priority: Simplified joint stock company - FR. @ Inventor (s): GUIGOU PASCAL, BARAT DIDIER and NEVEU DANIEL. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 05.10.18 Bulletin 18/40. (© List of documents cited in the report of preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents @ Holder (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS related: Joint stock company. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS.

(34) RADIANT PANEL COMPRISING A HEATING POWER MODULATING MEMBER.

FR 3 064 874 - A1 (3j) The invention relates to a radiant panel (7) intended to be installed in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the radiant panel (7) comprising at least one network (10) of electrodes (11, 12) defining at least one pair of electrodes (11, 12) comprising a first electrode (11) and a second electrode (12) forming between them a dipole having a resistance (R), characterized in that the network (10) comprises at least one selective member (14) controlling an electrical supply of at least one electrode (11,12) of the network (10).

i

The field of the present invention is that of radiant panels installed inside a passenger compartment of a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle.

Generally, a radiant panel includes a plurality of electrodes configured to deliver heat by the Joule effect by supplying a conductive coating with electric current. We can for example refer to document US 2016/0059669 which describes such a radiant panel.

A general problem posed in the field lies in the control of the heating power delivered by a radiant panel. In fact, the radiant panel commonly operates according to an “all or nothing” law, in which either the radiant panel is activated and provides maximum power, or the radiant panel is deactivated and provides zero power. This results in dissatisfaction and thermal discomfort felt by users of the motor vehicle. It also results, under certain conditions of use of said radiant panel, overconsumption of electricity, which is harmful.

One possible solution is to supply the panels with a variable electrical voltage to modulate the heating power. This solution is expensive because it requires specific equipment to vary the voltage, whether it is a linear variator equipped with a resistor or an electronic variator which reduces the voltage by chopping. In both cases, this variator generates losses which are not valued in the radiant panels and requires an additional volume to integrate the variator there.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a radiant panel, intended to equip a vehicle, allowing efficient heating and adapted to various circumstances, to improve the thermal comfort of a user of the motor vehicle.

The radiant panel according to the present invention is a radiant panel intended to be installed in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the radiant panel comprising at least one network of electrodes defining at least one pair of electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode forming between them a dipole having a resistance, characterized in that the network comprises at least one selective member configured to drive an electrical supply of at least one electrode of the network. The presence of such a selective member makes it possible to modulate the heating power delivered by the network of electrodes equipping the radiant panel. In fact, by controlling an electrical supply, it is meant that the at least one selective member controls activation and deactivation of at least one electrode of the network. Thus, such a radiant panel has a modular heating power according to the needs of a user.

The radiant panel includes any of the following features, which can be taken alone or in combination:

- The network includes several pairs of electrodes formed by: a first supply line in electrical contact with first electrodes arranged in a first comb and a second supply line, distinct from the first supply line, in electrical contact with second electrodes arranged in a second comb, and where the first electrodes of the first comb are interpenetrated with the second electrodes of the second comb. In other words, there is an alternation between a first electrode and a second electrode.

- The radiant panel comprises a support of rectangular shape having a short side and a long side, the first electrodes and the second electrodes being parallel to the short side.

- Each supply line is parallel with the long side of the support.

- Each first electrode of the first comb is equidistant from the second electrodes of the second comb so as to form dipoles all having equal resistance.

- The radiant panel includes a support covered with an electrically conductive coating in which the network of electrodes is integrated, in particular by screen printing.

- At least one selective device is installed between the first supply line and one of the first electrodes or between the second supply line and one of the second electrodes.

- The first electrodes are at a variable distance from the second electrodes so as to define dipoles having different resistances.

- The network includes several selective bodies.

- Each selective organ controls a single electrode.

- Each electrode is controlled by a selective organ which is exclusive to it.

- The selective device is a switch or a diode. Of course, if the network comprises several selective members, a part may be switches and another part of the diodes.

- The network includes a polarity reversal device. Thus, depending on the active or inactive state of the polarity reversing device, the diode or diodes fitted to the electrode network allow the electric current to pass or not through the electrode that it (s) pilot (s).

- The radiant panel includes several networks of electrodes.

- The selective organ equips a first electrode or a second electrode.

- An electronic control unit controls the operation of at least one of the selective organs or of the selective organ.

- The selective members being in plurality, the selective members are mounted in parallel between the first supply line and the second supply line that the network comprises.

The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a radiant panel as defined above. According to one embodiment, this motor vehicle further comprises a heating, ventilation and / or

0 air conditioning in which the control unit as defined above is located.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below by way of indication in relation to the drawings in which

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a

5 radiant panel according to the present invention and according to a first operating mode,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the radiant panel shown in FIG. 1, according to a second mode of operation,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the radiant panel shown in FIG. 1, according to a third mode of operation,

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the radiant panel according to a first mode of operation,

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the radiant panel shown in FIG. 4 according to a second mode of operation, and

- Figure 6 is a sectional view of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle equipped with a radiant panel according to the present invention.

It should first be noted that the figures show the invention in detail 10 for implementing the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary.

FIG. 1 shows a radiant panel 7 comprising a support 8 covered with an electrically conductive coating 9 and in which a network 10 of electrodes 11, 12 is integrated. Advantageously, the support 8 is in a rectangular shape having a small side 81 and a large side 82. Of course, depending on the requirements of integration of the radiant panel 7, the support 8 could take any other form, such as a square or a trapezoidal shape, or any other polygonal shape such as a rectangle, a rhombus etc.

The electrode network 10 of the radiant panel 7 is organized as follows: a first supply line 21 is in electrical contact with a first group

0 of electrodes, comprising electrodes 11, said first electrodes 11, and a second supply line 22 is in electrical contact with a second group of electrodes, comprising electrodes 12 distinct from the first electrodes and called second electrodes 12. Thus, the radiant panel 7 comprises a plurality of electrodes 11, 12 configured to provide heat, by the Joule effect. The electrodes 11, 12 are for example obtained by screen printing on the support 8.

Preferably, the first electrodes 11 extend along their length, that is to say according to their largest dimension, parallel to a transverse axis A1 which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A2 along which the first supply line 21 stretches. Likewise, the second electrodes 12 preferably extend along their length parallel to the transverse axis A1 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A2 along which the second supply line 22 extends. It should be noted that according to the embodiment, the transverse axis A1 is parallel to the short side 81 of the support 8, while the longitudinal axis A2 is parallel to the long side 82 of the support 8. In other words, the first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 are mutually parallel and parallel to the short side 81 of the support 8, while the first supply line 21 and the second supply line 22 are parallel to each other and to the large side 82 of the support 8.

The invention is not limited to the fact that the electrodes 11 and 12 are parallel to the short side 81. In fact, the electrodes can be arranged according to a pivoting of the assembly by 90 °, that is to say by having the electrodes 21 and 22 parallel to the short side 81 and the electrodes 11 and 12 parallel to the long side 82. Furthermore, if the panel has a trapezoidal shape, each of the electrodes 11 and 12 can have a variable length to adapt to the evolution of panel dimensions.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the first electrodes 11 are arranged perpendicular to the first supply line 21. In the same way, the second electrodes 12 are arranged perpendicular to the second supply line 22.

The first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 are arranged parallel to each other and are arranged in a comb. By comb arrangement, it is meant that the first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 are arranged alternately from one another. Thus, in the direction of the arrow F1 illustrated in FIG. 1, a first electrode 11 is followed by a second electrode 12 and conversely, a second electrode 12 is followed by a first electrode 11. In other words, a first electrode 11 is interposed between two second electrodes 12 and a second electrode 12 is interposed between two first electrodes 11. It is then possible to define a pair of electrodes 11, 12 formed by a first electrode 11 and a second electrode 12, or vice versa. Such a pair of electrodes 11, 12 comprises two electrodes adjacent to each other, that is to say a first electrode 11 and a second electrode 12 located closest to each other according to the longitudinal axis A2.

Preferably, the network 10 of electrodes 11, 12 comprises a plurality of pairs of first electrode 11 and second electrode 12. According to the example illustrated, the network 10 comprises eight couples each formed by a first electrode 11 followed by a second electrode 12 and eight couples each formed by a second electrode 12 followed by a first electrode 11. Thus, according to the example illustrated, the network 10 comprises sixteen pairs of electrodes 11, 12.

The distance D, measured along the long side 82 of the support 8 or along the longitudinal axis A2, separating a first electrode 11 and a second electrode 12, both of which are adjacent, forms an electrical dipole of resistance R. According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated , the distance D is constant between all of the electrodes 11, 12. It follows that all the pairs of electrodes 11, 12 constitute electrical dipoles all having the same resistance R. According to an alternative embodiment, the first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 are spaced apart by a distance D which varies from one pair to the other, so that the resistance R is different from one pair of electrodes 11, 12 to another pair of electrodes 11, 12.

The supply lines 21, 22 are in electrical relation with an electrical supply source which is capable of delivering an electric current of an intensity I which flows through the supply lines 21, 22, and of an applied voltage U between the first supply line 21 and the second supply line 22.

According to the present invention, the radiant panel 7, and more precisely the network 10 of electrodes 11, 12, comprises at least one selective member 14 allowing activation or deactivation of at least one electrode 11, 12. More precisely, the 'selective member 14 is a member which is able to let or not pass the electric current inside the electrode 11, 12 to which the selective member 14 is assigned. In other words, the selective member 14 is configured to either allow the passage of electric current or to prohibit such passage of electric current through the electrode or electrodes 11, 12 to which it is assigned.

The selective member 14 is, for example, a switch 14a or a diode 14b, as will be described later. Of course, the selective member 14 can correspond to any other element making it possible selectively to let the electric current pass or to block it in a particular branch of the electric circuit formed by the network 10 of electrodes 11,

12, such as a semiconductor component such as a transistor.

The selective member 14 is indifferently assigned to a first electrode 11 or to a second electrode 12. According to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the selective member 14 is assigned to at least one first electrode 11. According to a variant of embodiment, the selective member 14 is assigned to at least one second electrode 12.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the network 10 comprises a plurality of selective members 14. The selective members 14 are here three in number, but their number could be equal to the number of electrodes 11, 12 of the first group or of the second group, here, respectively, nine or eight. The number of selective members 14 could also be equal to the number of electrodes 11, 12 present on the network 10, ie seventeen, the invention not being limited to the number of selective members.

The selective members 14 comprise a switch 14a, of the electrical type, shown in the closed position in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in the open position in FIG. 3. This electrical switch 14a is supplied by a power source 13 to ensure its tilting between the closed position and the open position. The switch 14a, in the closed position, allows electrical current to pass between the supply line and the electrode 11, 12 between which it is installed. Here, the switch 14a is installed between the first supply line 21 and the first electrode 11 located in the middle of the radiant panel 7.

The other selective members 14 are diodes 14b which are shown in the on position in Figure 1 and which are shown in the non-on position in Figures 2 and

3. These diodes 14b switch from a passing position to a non-passing position depending on the direction of the current. To this end, the radiant panel 7 comprises a device for reversing polarity in the inactive state in FIG. 1 and in the active state in FIGS. 2 and 3. A diode 14b, in the on position, allows the passage of the electric current between the supply line and the electrode 11, 12 between which it is installed. Here, a first diode 14b is installed between the first supply line 21 and the first electrode 11 located at the first third of the radiant panel 7 and a second diode 14b is installed between the first supply line 21 and the first electrode 11 located in the second third of the radiant panel 7. According to an alternative embodiment, the diodes 14b switch from a passing position to a non-passing position as a function of the voltage applied to the terminals of each diode.

In FIG. 1, all the selective members 14 authorize a circulation of the electric current in all of the electrodes 11, 12. As a result, all of the dipoles formed by the electrodes 11, 12 are all electrically active so that the power delivered by the network 10, that is to say the heating power P, is maximum.

The network 10 comprising, according to this exemplary embodiment, sixteen pairs of electrodes 11, 12, or sixteen dipoles of resistance R, the heating power P is then given by the relation [1] below:

Pmax = 16 * U ² / R [1]

FIG. 2 illustrates a second mode of operation, in which the direction of the current has been reversed. The two diodes 14b are then in a non-passing position preventing the circulation of electric current in the electrodes 11 which they control. As a result, the dipoles located above and below the piloted electrode 11 are deactivated, that is to say four dipoles deactivated. Thus, the heating power P delivered by the network 10 is calculated for twelve dipoles of resistance R and is given by the relation [2] below:

P = 12 * U ² / R [2]

This heating power P for twelve active dipoles therefore represents 75% of the maximum heating power Pmax of the network 10.

Figure 3 illustrates a third mode of operation, in which the direction of the current is always reversed with respect to Figure 1, and the switch 14a is in an open position. The open position of the switch 14a prohibits the flow of electric current in the electrode 11 which it controls, thus making it possible to deactivate two more dipoles compared to the second operating mode illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, the assembly selective members 14, present according to this exemplary embodiment, prohibit the circulation of electric current in the electrodes 11, 12 which they control. It follows that all of the dipoles minus six dipoles are electrically active so that a power P delivered by the network 10 is given by the relation [3] below:

P = 10 * U ² / R [3]

This heating power P for ten active dipoles represents 62.5% of the maximum heating power Pmax.

Thus, the presence of the selective members 14 makes it possible to vary the heating power delivered by the network 10 of electrode 11, 12 in a progressive manner by activating a varied number of selective members. This results in an improvement in the comfort felt by a user who can modulate this heating power P according to his needs. In addition, it also results in an optimized electrical consumption according to the needs of users.

Furthermore, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment, according to which the network 10 is equipped with a single selective member 14. The selective member 14 is, for example, a switch 14a such as that described above and, is shown in the closed position in Figure 4 and in the open position in Figure 5.

In FIG. 4, the selective member 14 authorizes a circulation of the electric current in the first electrode 11 which is equipped with the selective member 14. As a result, all of the dipoles formed by the electrodes 11, 12 are electrically active so that a power P delivered by the network 10 is identical to the relation [1].

In FIG. 5, the selective member 14 prohibits a flow of electric current in the first electrode 11 which is equipped with the selective member 14. As a result, all of the dipoles minus two dipoles are electrically active so that 'a power P delivered by the network 10 is given by the relation [4] below:

P = 14 * U ² / R [4]

This heating power P for fourteen active dipoles represents 87.5% of the maximum heating power Pmax.

Whatever the variant chosen, it will be understood that all of the combinations relating to the number of selective members 14 and to the nature of the selective member 14 is possible.

It should be noted that the greater the number of selective members 14, the finer the modulation of the heating power.

Furthermore, the tilting of each selective member 14 allowing activation or deactivation of the piloted electrode 11, 12 is controlled by an electronic control unit 15. The electronic control unit 15 is, for example, dedicated exclusively to managing the operation of the radiant panel (s) 7. The electronic control unit 15 is for example connected to an adjustment means intended to be manipulated by a user in order to select in a graduated manner the heating power P delivered by a radiant panel 7 in particular, or by a part of the radiant panel 7, or by several radiant panels 7. According to a variant, the control unit 15 is not exclusively dedicated to managing the operation of the radiant panel or panels 7, but controls by plus radiant panels 7 of other elements, such as a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of integration of radiant panels 7 as described above in a passenger compartment 3 of a motor vehicle 1. The radiant panels 7 are distributed in the passenger compartment 3 to locally generate heat in the direction of the zones intended to be occupied by one or more users of the motor vehicle 1. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the radiant panels 7 are placed on different interior surfaces of the passenger compartment 3, such as the vehicle roof, the window posts , a lower part of the dashboard such as the cellar, or the seat backs 7. Of course, other interior surfaces could be fitted with radiant panels 7 depending on the configuration of the passenger compartment 3 and / or according to the needs of the users of vehicle 1, such as the vehicle floor or the walls of the

0 doors. By interior surfaces is meant surfaces facing the areas of the passenger compartment 3 occupied by the users.

In addition, the motor vehicle 1 is equipped with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 2 intended to modify the temperature of an air flow 5 intended to be sent to the passenger compartment 3 of the motor vehicle 1 The heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 2 also comprises a device 6 for heating the air flow 5 and a device 4 for cooling the air flow 5. Advantageously, the electronic control unit 15 is installed in a volute of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system 2.

Claims (10)

1. Radiant panel (7) intended to be installed in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle (1), the radiant panel (7) comprising at least one network (10) of electrodes (11, 12) defining at least one pair of electrodes (11, 12) comprising a first electrode (11) and a second electrode (12) forming between them a dipole having a resistance (R), characterized in that the network (10) comprises at least one selective member (14) configured to control an electrical supply of at least one electrode (11, 12) of the network (10). 2. Radiant panel (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the network (10) comprises several pairs of electrodes (11, 12) formed by: a first supply line (21) in electrical contact with first electrodes (11) arranged in a first comb and a second supply line (22), distinct from the first supply line (21), in electrical contact with second electrodes (12) arranged in a second comb, and where the first electrodes (11) of the first comb are interpenetrated with the second electrodes (12) of the second comb. 3. Radiant panel (7) according to claim 2, characterized in that each first electrode (11) of the first comb is equidistant (D) from the second electrodes (12) of the second comb so as to form dipoles all having resistance (R) equal. 4. Radiant panel (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a support (8) covered with an electrically conductive coating (9) in which the network (10) of electrodes (11 , 12) is integrated. 5. Radiant panel (7) according to any one of the preceding claims taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the at least one selective member (14) is installed between the first supply line (21) and one of the first electrodes (11) or between the second supply line (22) and one of the second electrodes (12). 6. Radiant panel (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selective member (14) is a switch (14a) or a diode (14b). 7. Radiant panel (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network (10) comprises a polarity reversal device. 8. Radiant panel (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several networks (10) of electrodes (11, 12). 9. Radiant panel (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic control unit (15) controls the operation of at least one of the selective members (14) or of the selective member ( 14). 10. Motor vehicle comprising a radiant panel (7) as defined in any one of the preceding claims and a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (2) in which the control unit (15) is located as defined in the preceding claim. 1/4 CM