Flexible heater device
US6884965B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2203/029
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The heating device includes a conductive layer which is positioned on an electrically insulative substrate. Preferably, the conductive layer is screen printed onto the substrate. The substrate is designed to limit elongation of the conductive layer, thereby improving the durability of the conductor and enabling the heating device to be used in flexible applications, such as automobile seats. The substrate can include at least one aperture passing therethough to further improve flexibility, fatigue resistance, and breathability of the heater. The conductive layer is configured to include a buss structure with a first buss ground inwardly adjacent from the periphery of the heating device and a first buss with serpentine paths extending from one edge of the heating device to another edge. The buss structure further includes a second buss with L-shaped portions positioned between the serpentine paths and the first buss ground. The second buss ground is located in a central location between the serpentine paths. A resistive or thermistor layer, preferably with a resistance which increases materially in response to increased temperature, is placed over the conductive layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.