Heated/cooled thermoelectric steering wheel

摘要

A steering wheel includes a central portion connected to the steering column for rotation about an axis, and a rim extending around the central portion. A steering wheel includes a passageway extending through portions of the steering wheel. A plurality of spaced apart rings are disposed on the rim, and a plurality of N-type and P-type thermoelectric (“TE”) elements are disposed on the rings. The thermoelectric elements may comprise Peltier devices in the form of relatively thin plate-like units having generally planar opposite surfaces, and rectangular perimeters. An electrical conductor interconnects the P-type and N-type elements in series. The steering wheel includes first and second thermal conductors thermally connected to inner and outer surfaces of the thermoelectric elements. An air circulation device moves air through the passageway to cool the rim of the steering wheel.

主权项

1. A steering wheel assembly, comprising:
a central portion configured to be connected to a steering column of a motor vehicle for rotation about an axis; a rim extending around the central portion, wherein the steering wheel includes a passageway extending through at least a portion of the rim, the rim defining an outer side portion facing away from the axis; a plurality of spaced apart rings of thermally conductive material disposed on the rim; a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements having inner and outer surfaces, wherein the N-type elements are disposed on at least one of the rings with the inner surface facing the rim; a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements having inner and outer surfaces, wherein the P-type elements are disposed on at least one of the rings with the inner surface facing the rim; a first thermal conductor thermally connected to the inner surfaces of the N-type and P-type elements and to the thermally conductive material of the at least one ring; a second thermal conductor thermally connected to the outer surfaces of the N-type and P-type elements; an electrical conductor interconnecting the P-type and N-type elements in series, such that an electrical current passing through the electrical conductor causes the N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements to conductively draw heat from the second thermal conductor to cool the second thermal conductor and conduct the heat to the rim; a powered air circulation device that moves air through the passageway to thereby cool the rim upon application of electrical power to the P-type and N-type elements.