Areal electric conductor comprising a constriction

• US 6,872,882 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2002
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fritz, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III, William H.
• Application Number:
  US10/197,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20030010773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 174/94.R, 174/117.R, 174/117.F, 174/117.FF, 174/36, 174/126.1, 338/212, 219/488.19, 219/525, 219/538, 219/539, 219/541, 219/542, 219/548, 219/228, 219/229
• US Class Current: 174/36
• 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 3/342 heaters used in textiles

Abstract

An electrical conductor including an areal conductor having a constricted current path region along a length thereof is described, in which an accessory conductor bridges the constricted current path region along the length of the areal conductor such that a substantially uniform current density exists throughout the electrical conductor. In this way, current hot spots in the region of the current path constriction are avoided. The constricted current path region may be defined by two lengthwise edges of the areal conductor and the accessory conductor may include two circular or parabolic contours, each opposing and spaced apart from a respective edge of the areal conductor defining the constricted current path region.

Claims

1. An electrical conductor comprising a substantially planar areal conductor having a constricted current path region along a length thereof, and an accessory conductor bridging the constricted current path region along the length of the areal conductor such that a substantially uniform current density exists throughout the electrical conductor.

2. An electrical conductor according to claim 1 wherein the accessory conductor comprises a contoured edge opposing an edge defining the constricted current path region of the areal conductor.

3. An electrical conductor according to claim 2 wherein the contoured edge of the accessory conductor is circular or parabolic.

4. An electrical conductor according to claim 3 wherein the contoured edge of the accessory conductor, in the region of the current path constriction, is spaced outwardly from the edge defining the constricted current path region of the areal conductor.

5. An electrical conductor according to claim 2 wherein the contoured edge of the accessory conductor, in the region of the current path constriction, is spaced outwardly from the edge defining the constricted current path region of the areal conductor.

6. An electrical conductor according to claim 1 wherein the accessory conductor, in the region of the current path constriction, is spaced outwardly from at least one edge of the areal conductor.

7. An electrical conductor according to claim 1 wherein the areal conductor is a heating element.

8. An electrical conductor according to claim 7 wherein the accessory conductor is a heating element.

9. An electrical conductor comprising a generally flat areal conductor having a constricted currant path region along a length thereof between a first and second region each having a substantially equal current density, and an accessory conductor bridging the constricted current path region along the length of the areal conductor, the combined constricted current path region and accessory conductor having a current density substantially equal to the first and second regions.

10. An electrical conductor according to claim 9 wherein the constricted current path region is defined by an edge of the areal conductor and wherein the accessory conductor comprises a circular or parabolic contour opposing the edge of the areal conductor defining the constricted current path region.

11. An electrical conductor according to claim 10 wherein the contour of the accessory conductor is spaced outwardly from the edge of the areal conductor defining the constricted current path region.

12. An electrical conductor according to claim 9 wherein the constricted current path region is defined by two lengthwise edges of the areal conductor and wherein the accessory conductor comprises two circular or parabolic contours, each opposing a respective edge of the areal conductor defining the constricted current path region.

13. An electrical conductor according to claim 12 wherein each contour of the accessory conductor is spaced outwardly from the respective edge of the areal conductor defining the constricted current path region.

14. An electrical conductor according to claim 9 wherein the areal conductor and the accessory conductor comprise at least one of a metalized textile, a textile having carbon fibers, or a metalized film.

15. A conductor assembly comprising:

a generally planar areal conductor having a substantially uniform width along a length thereof and including a constricted region defined by a lengthwise edge of the areal conductor; and

an accessory conductor electrically coupled and attached to the areal conductor bridging the constricted region, the accessory conductor including a contoured edge spaced outwardly from and opposing the lengthwise edge of the areal conductor defining the constricted region, wherein the contoured edge is configured to provide a substantially uniform current density throughout the conductor assembly.

16. A conductor assembly according to claim 15 wherein the contoured edge is circular or parabolic in shape.

17. A conductor assembly according to claim 15 wherein two lengthwise edges of the areal conductor define the constricted region, and wherein the accessory conductor comprises two contoured edges each spaced apart from and opposing a respective edge of the areal conductor defining the constricted region.

18. A conductor assembly according to claim 15 wherein the areal conductor and the accessory conductor comprise at least one of a metalized textile, a textile having carbon fibers, or a metalized film.