Heater for an automotive vehicle and method of forming same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heated seat comprising;
- a seat with a cavity;
a heater overlaying the seat the heater including;
i) a polymeric film flexible carrier having;
1) a longitudinal axis;
2) a first lengthwise edge; and
3) a second lengthwise edge;
wherein the heater has a width that spans between the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge, andwherein each of the first lengthwise edge and he second lengthwise edge include a cutout that defines a narrower width region at a location corresponding with the cavity of the seat;
ii) a first conductive medium printed upon the carrier, wherein the first conductive medium includes;
1) a negative section having a plurality of first extensions; and
2) a positive section having a plurality of second extensions; and
iii) a second printed conductive medium on the carrier that includes a plurality of strips, each of the strips in overlapping relation with at least one of the plurality of first extensions and at least one of the plurality of second extensions, wherein the second printed conductive medium exhibits relatively high positive thermal coefficient characteristics;
iv) a first heating portion; and
v) a second heating portion;
wherein the second heating portion is longitudinally spaced apart and separated from the first heating portion by the narrower width region;
wherein the narrower width region of the carrier is free of the second screen printed conductive medium so that the narrower width portion is free of heating by the second screen printed conductive medium;
wherein the narrower width region includes a centralized through-hole opening, andwherein the first heating portion and the second portion are electrically connected by the first conductive medium extending along each side of the centralized through-hole opening.
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Abstract
There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A heated seat comprising;
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a seat with a cavity; a heater overlaying the seat the heater including; i) a polymeric film flexible carrier having; 1) a longitudinal axis; 2) a first lengthwise edge; and 3) a second lengthwise edge; wherein the heater has a width that spans between the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge, and wherein each of the first lengthwise edge and he second lengthwise edge include a cutout that defines a narrower width region at a location corresponding with the cavity of the seat; ii) a first conductive medium printed upon the carrier, wherein the first conductive medium includes; 1) a negative section having a plurality of first extensions; and 2) a positive section having a plurality of second extensions; and iii) a second printed conductive medium on the carrier that includes a plurality of strips, each of the strips in overlapping relation with at least one of the plurality of first extensions and at least one of the plurality of second extensions, wherein the second printed conductive medium exhibits relatively high positive thermal coefficient characteristics; iv) a first heating portion; and v) a second heating portion; wherein the second heating portion is longitudinally spaced apart and separated from the first heating portion by the narrower width region; wherein the narrower width region of the carrier is free of the second screen printed conductive medium so that the narrower width portion is free of heating by the second screen printed conductive medium; wherein the narrower width region includes a centralized through-hole opening, and wherein the first heating portion and the second portion are electrically connected by the first conductive medium extending along each side of the centralized through-hole opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A heated seat comprising:
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a seat with a cavity; a trim layer provided over the seat; and a heater located between the seat and the trim layer, the heater in including; ii) a polymeric film flexible carrier having; 1) a longitudinal axis; 2) a first lengthwise edge; and 3) a second lengthwise edge wherein the heater has a width that spans between the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge, and wherein each of the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge include a cutout that defines narrower width region at a location corresponding with the cavity of the seat; ii) a first conductive medium printed upon the carrier, wherein the first conductive medium includes; 1) a negative section having a first base portion and a plurality of first extensions extending from the first base portion; and 2) a positive section having a second base portion and a plurality of second extensions extending from the second base portion; and iii) a second printed conductive medium on the carrier that includes a plurality of strips, each of the strips in overlapping relation with at least one of the plurality of first extensions and at least one of the plurality of second extensions, wherein the second printed conductive medium exhibits relatively high positive thermal coefficient characteristics; vi) a first heating portion; and vii) a second heating portion; wherein the second heating portion is longitudinally spaced apart and separated from the first heating portion by the narrower width region; wherein the narrower width region of the carrier is free of the plurality of first extensions, the plurality of second extensions, and the second printed conductive medium so that the narrower width portions free of heating the second heating portion; wherein the narrower width region includes a centralized through-hole opening located between the cutout in the first lengthwise edge and the cutout in the second lengthwise edge, and wherein the first heating portion and the second portion are electrically connected by the first conductive medium extending along each side of the centralized through-hole opening. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
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17. The heated seat as in clam 14, further including one or more electrical connections attached to the base portion of the heater by a rivet;
wherein the one or more electrical connections are covered by a patch.
Specification