Flexible heater device
First Claim
1. A heating device for producing heat when connected to an electrical power source, including:
- an electrically insulative substrate positioned beneath a flexible member;
a conductive layer screen printed on said substrate in a pattern thereby forming a buss structure, wherein said substrate is adapted to limit elongation of said conductive layer when said substrate is subjected to a flexing action so as to improve durability of the conductive layer; and
a resistive layer applied to said conductive layer, such that when an electrical power source is connected to said buss structure of the heating device, heat is generated.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A heating device for producing heat when connected to an electrical power source, including:
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an electrically insulative substrate positioned beneath a flexible member;
a conductive layer screen printed on said substrate in a pattern thereby forming a buss structure, wherein said substrate is adapted to limit elongation of said conductive layer when said substrate is subjected to a flexing action so as to improve durability of the conductive layer; and
a resistive layer applied to said conductive layer, such that when an electrical power source is connected to said buss structure of the heating device, heat is generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A heating device for producing heat when connected to an electrical power source, including:
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an electrically insulative substrate having at least one aperture extending therethrough;
a conductive layer screen printed on said substrate in a pattern thereby forming a buss structure; and
a resistive layer applied to said conductive layer, such that when an electrical power source is connected to said buss structure of the heating device, heat is generated. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A heating device for producing heat when connected to an electrical power source, including:
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a substrate;
a layer of resistive material;
a layer of conductive material forming a buss structure for providing electrical current to said layer of resistive material; and
said buss structure including a first buss ground which extends around a periphery of the heating device;
a first buss in electrical communication with said first buss ground, including at least two serpentine paths extending through an area bounded by said first buss ground;
a second buss ground positioned between said at least two serpentine paths; and
a second buss located between said first buss ground and said at least two serpentine paths. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of assembling a heating device for use in an automobile seat, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrically insulative substrate;
screen printing a conductive layer onto the substrate, the substrate being adapted to limit elongation of the conductive layer;
applying a resistive layer onto the conductive layer, the conductive layer and resistive layer being adapted to generate heat when subjected to an electrical power source;
applying at least one of a fabric material, an adhesive, and a flame retardant material to either side of the substrate; and
positioning the foregoing assembly between an outer seating material and an inner seating material. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification