Heater for an automotive vehicle and method of forming same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An article of manufacture, comprising:
- a carrier of the article of manufacture, the carrier having a surface;
a heater overlaying the surface, the heater including;
i) a polymeric film flexible carrier having;
a longitudinal axis;
ii) a first conductive medium disposed upon the polymeric film flexible carrier wherein the first conductive medium includes;
1) a negative section having;
a. a first base portion andb. a plurality of first extensions extending from the first base portion; and
2) a positive section having;
a. a second base portion andb. a plurality of second extensions extending from the second base portion; and
wherein the plurality of first extensions have substantially a same shape and are substantially uniformly spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of second extensions have a same shape and are substantially uniformly spaced apart from each other;
iii) a second conductive medium disposed on the polymeric film flexible carrier in an overlapping relation with the plurality of first extensions and the plurality of second extensions;
wherein the second conductive medium is a plurality of resistive strips that are each in contact with one of the plurality of first extensions and one of the plurality of second extensions; and
wherein the plurality of resistive strips are sectioned and broken into pieces.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
225 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a carrier of the article of manufacture, the carrier having a surface; a heater overlaying the surface, the heater including; i) a polymeric film flexible carrier having; a longitudinal axis; ii) a first conductive medium disposed upon the polymeric film flexible carrier wherein the first conductive medium includes; 1) a negative section having; a. a first base portion and b. a plurality of first extensions extending from the first base portion; and 2) a positive section having; a. a second base portion and b. a plurality of second extensions extending from the second base portion; and wherein the plurality of first extensions have substantially a same shape and are substantially uniformly spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of second extensions have a same shape and are substantially uniformly spaced apart from each other; iii) a second conductive medium disposed on the polymeric film flexible carrier in an overlapping relation with the plurality of first extensions and the plurality of second extensions; wherein the second conductive medium is a plurality of resistive strips that are each in contact with one of the plurality of first extensions and one of the plurality of second extensions; and wherein the plurality of resistive strips are sectioned and broken into pieces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a carrier of the article of manufacture, the carrier having a surface; a heater overlaying the surface of the carrier, the heater including; ii) a polymeric film flexible carrier having; a. a longitudinal axis; b. a first lengthwise edge; c. a second lengthwise edge on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis, the second lengthwise edge opposing the first lengthwise edge; iii) a first conductive medium disposed upon the polymeric film flexible carrier wherein the first conductive medium includes; 1) a negative section having; a. a base portion and b. a plurality of first extensions extending from the base portion; and 2) a positive section having; a. a base portion and b. a plurality of second extensions extending from the base portion; iv) a second conductive medium disposed on the polymeric film flexible carrier in an overlapping relation with the plurality of first extensions and the plurality of second extensions; v) an insulating layer over the first conductive medium and the second conductive medium, the insulating layer being a film, a vinyl sheet, or a flexible sheet; and vi) a sensor; wherein the second conductive medium is a plurality of strips and the strips are sectioned and broken into pieces; and wherein the second conductive medium is a positive thermal coefficient material. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification