Flexible heating element

• US 6,838,647 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2002
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nägele, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US10/155,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20020179595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 219205-207, 219/528, 219/529, 219/202, 219/548, 219/549, 219/545, 219/535, 219/209, 219/212, 745/52, 745/57, 745/58, 29620-621, 296/232, 296/234, 298/25
• US Class Current: 219/549
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/065 Steering wheels with heating and ventilating means heating and ventilation of steering wheel when connected to vehicle HVAC B60H1/00292
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/0278 Constructional features of the selector lever, e.g. grip parts, mounting or manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49099 Coating resistive material on a base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 including sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20864 Handles

Abstract

A surface-heating element for a curved surface and method of producing a heating element is provided. The heating element includes a continuous, planar conductor arranged along a longitudinal axis including a plurality of turns connected by regions being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. The conductor including end portions each having a terminal for receiving electrical current. The heating element also includes a film applied to one side of the conductor and configured to substantially follow an outer contour of the conductor. The film and the conductor form a continuous web generally centered about the longitudinal axis, and at least one turn connecting two generally transverse regions extends beyond the continuous web. The heating element may also include an adhesive layer on the other side of the heating element sealingly engaging the film.

Claims

1. A surface-heating element for a curved surface comprising:

a continuous, planar conductor arranged along a longitudinal axis including a plurality of turns connected by regions being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the conductor including end portions each having a terminal for receiving electrical current; and

a film applied to one side of said conductor and configured to substantially follow a contour of said conductor, said film and conductor forming a continuous web generally centered about said longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one turn connecting two generally transverse regions extends beyond said continuous web.

2. A surface heating element according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of turns, each connecting two generally transverse regions, extend beyond said continuous web and wherein, between adjacent turns extending beyond said continuous web, relief portions are formed in said film.

3. A surface-heating element according to claim 1 comprising an adhesive layer applied to another side of said planar conductor, said adhesive layer and said film sealingly engaging each other about said conductor.

4. A surface-heating element according to claim 3 wherein said adhesive layer comprises two-sided adhesive tape.

5. A surface-heating element according to claim 1 wherein said film is moisture resistant.

6. A surface-heating element according to claim 1 wherein, between at least one turn and said continuous web, an opening is formed in said film.

7. A surface-heating element according to claim 1 wherein at least one generally transverse region is formed at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis.

8. A surface heating element according to claim 1 wherein a majority of said turns include a web for supporting said conductor on a blank during fabrication.

9. A surface-heating element for a curved surface comprising;

a continuous, planar conductor arranged along a longitudinal axis including a plurality of turns connected by regions being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the conductor including end portions each having a terminal for receiving electrical current;

a moisture-resistant film sealing one side of said conductor and configured to substantially follow an outer contour of said conductor; and

an adhesive layer applied to another side of said conductor, said adhesive layer and said film sealingly engaging each other about said conductor, said film, conductor and adhesive layer forming a continuous web generally centered about said longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one turn connecting two generally transverse regions extends beyond said continuous web.

10. A surface heating element according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of turns, each connecting two generally transverse regions, extend beyond said continuous web and wherein, between adjacent turns extending beyond said continuous web, relief portions are formed in said film and said adhesive layer.

11. A surface-heating element according to claim 9 wherein, between at least one turn and said continuous web, an opening is formed in said film and said adhesive layer.

12. A surface-heating element for a curved surface comprising:

a continuous, planar conductor arranged along a longitudinal axis including a plurality of turns connected by regions being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the conductor including end portions each having a terminal for receiving electrical current;

a moisture-resistant film sealing one side of said conductor and configured to substantially follow an outer contour of said conductor; and

an adhesive layer applied to another side of said conductor, said adhesive layer and said film sealingly engaging each other about said conductor, said film, conductor and adhesive layer forming a continuous web generally centered about said longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one turn connecting two generally transverse regions extends beyond said continuous web, and

wherein said transverse regions vary in length and said continuous web is approximately equal in width to a shortest transverse region.

13. A method of producing a surface-heating element for a curved surface comprising;

providing a conductive foil blank;

forming a continuous conductor in said blank, said conductor being arranged along a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of turns connected by regions being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, at least one of said turns including a web connecting said conductor to said blank;

applying a film to one side of said conductor;

cutting said blank from said conductor; and

cutting said film to substantially follow an outer contour of said conductor and maintain a continuous web generally centered about said longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one turn connecting two generally transverse regions extends beyond said continuous web.

14. A method according to claim 13 comprising forming an opening in said film between at least one turn and said continuous web.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said generally transverse regions is arranged at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis.

16. A method of producing a surface-heating element for a curved surface comprising:

providing a conductive foil blank;

forming a continuous conductor in said blank, said conductor being arranged along a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of turns connected by regions being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, at least one of said turns including a web connecting said conductor to said blank;

applying a film to one side of said conductor;

applying an adhesive layer to another side of said conductor and contacting said film to sealingly engage said film about said conductor;

cutting said blank from said conductor; and

cutting said film and adhesive layer to substantially follow an outer contour of said conductor and maintain a continuous web generally centered about said longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one turn connecting two generally transverse regions extends beyond said continuous web.

17. A method according to claim 16 comprising forming an opening in said film and adhesive layer between at least one turn and said continuous web.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein forming a continuous conductor includes maintaining a web connecting each turn to said blank and forming a terminal at each end of said conductor.

19. A method according to claim 16 wherein at least one of said generally transverse regions is arranged at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis.