Flexible heater device
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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
62 Claims
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1-31. -31. (canceled)
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32. A flexible seat heater for a vehicle, said heater comprising:
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a substrate having at least one open space extending therethrough;
a polymeric layer of material applied to said substrate in a pattern thereby forming a buss structure, wherein said substrate is adapted to limit elongation of said polymeric layer when said substrate is subjected to a flexing action so as to improve durability of the polymeric layer; and
an electrical power source connected to said buss structure so as to generate heat, said buss structure being adapted to regulate the heat. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A flexible seat heater for a vehicle, said heater comprising:
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a flexible substrate capable of being subjected to a flexing action thereby causing at least a portion of said substrate to bend and stretch without adversely affecting how said substrate performs and functions in the heater;
a polymeric layer of material applied to said substrate in a pattern thereby forming a buss structure, wherein said substrate is adapted to limit elongation of said polymeric layer when said substrate is subjected to a flexing action so as to improve durability of the polymeric layer; and
an electrical power source connected to said buss structure so as to generate heat, said buss structure being adapted to regulate the heat.
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Specification