Patent US4589593A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4589593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for controlling temperature of switch knob
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1985-05-17
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Granted: 1986-05-20
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Expires: 2005-05-17
Abstract
Abstract Comparison is made between an output from a temperature detecting element for detecting temperature of a control knob of a switch for controlling temperature, with a reference signal generated in association with a preset temperature of the control knob, and at least means for cooling or/and heating the control knob is driven on the basis of result of the comparison, whereby the control knob is held at preset temperature, so that the temperature of the control knob can be held at the preset temperature by a relatively simple control device.
Inventors
- 👤 Seiji Ishikawa
- 👤 Masanori Hirose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/02; H01H37/08; B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; H01H9/00; H01H9/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for controlling temperature of control knob of a switch for controlling temperature, comprising: a temperature detecting element for detecting temperature of said control knob; a reference signal generator for generating a reference signal in association with preset temperature of said control knob; a comparator for each comparing an output from said temperature detecting element with a reference signal from the reference signal generator; a driving circuit actuated in response to an output from said comparator; and at least cooling or/and heating means actuated in response to an output from said driving circuit, for holding said control knob at the preset temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for controlling temperature of control knob of a switch for controlling temperature, comprising: a temperature detecting element for detecting temperature of said control knob; a reference signal generator for generating a reference signal in association with preset temperature of said control knob; a comparator for each comparing an output from said temperature detecting element with a reference signal from the reference signal generator; a driving circuit actuated in response to an output from said comparator; and at least cooling or/and heating means actuated in response to an output from said driving circuit, for holding said control knob at the preset temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control knob is formed of a material having a high heat conductivity and are subjected at the surfaces thereof to a thin and highly durable surface treatment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 1, wherein said temperature detecting elememt is a thermistor disposed close to the rear surface of said control knob.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 1, wherein a hysteresis is provided in switching said comparator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heating means is a heater disposed close to the rear surface of said control knob.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cooling means is an electronic cooling deivce disposed close to the rear surface of said control knob.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control knob is knobs for presetting temperature of an air conditioner, including a control knob for elevating a preset temperature and a control knob for lowering a preset temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 7, wherein said control knob for elevating a preset temperature is held at a predetermined temperature higher than a normal temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 7, wherein said control knob for lowering a preset temperature is held at a predetermined temperature lower than a normal temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device for controlling temperature as set forth in claim 1, wherein shapes and/or way of disposition of said control knobs are ones different from one another in association with the preset temperatures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |