Heater control unit and vehicle seat heater

The heater control unit according to claim 1, when at least one of the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature equals or exceeds a threshold high temperature level, the time period for which the initial electric power is output is set to be shorter than a time period when the at least one of the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature falls below the threshold high temperature level.

The heater control unit according to claim 1, whereinna first predetermined outside air temperature and a second predetermined outside air temperature that is higher than the first predetermined outside air temperature are stored in the controller; anda first predetermined seat surface temperature and a second predetermined seat surface temperature that is higher than the first predetermined seat surface temperature are stored in the controller, andin the initial heating state, the controller outputs the initial electric power for a predetermined period of time in a low temperature range in which the measured outside air temperature is equal to or less than the first predetermined outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature is equal to or less than the first predetermined seat surface temperature,the controller sets the time period for which the initial electric power is output to zero in a high temperature range in which the measured outside air temperature is greater than the second predetermined outside air temperature or the measured seat surface temperature is greater than the second predetermined seat surface temperature, andthe controller sets the time for which the initial electric power is output shorter than the predetermined period of time and the time period for which the initial electric power is output shorter as at least one of the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature is higher when the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature are between the low temperature range and the high temperature range.

The heater control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the seat surface temperature reaches a predetermined temperature within the time period for which the initial electric power is output, the controller stops output of the initial electric power.

The heater control unit according to claim 1, wherein the output of the initial electric power includes two or more levels of electric power amounts, and the controller outputs the initial electric power during the predetermined time period in order from a higher electric power level to a lower electric power level.

The heater control unit according to claim 1, wherein the heater control unit is provided in a vehicle seat heater.

The heater control method according to claim 7, when at least one of the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature equals or exceeds a threshold high temperature level, the time period for which the initial electric power is output is set to be shorter than a time period when the at least one of the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature falls below the threshold high temperature level.

The heater control method according to claim 7, further comprising:nin the initial state, outputting the initial electric power for a predetermined period of time in a low temperature range in which the measured outside air temperature is equal to or less than a first predetermined outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature is equal to or less than a first predetermined seat surface temperature,setting the time period for which the initial electric power is output to zero in a high temperature range in which the measured outside air temperature is greater than a second predetermined outside air temperature or the measured seat surface temperature is greater than a second predetermined seat surface temperature, andmaking the time period for which the initial electric power is output shorter than the predetermined period of time and the time for which the initial electric power is output shorter as at least one of the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature is higher when the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature are between the low temperature range and the high temperature range.