HEATER FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME

• US 20080179306A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm GmbH (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wet Automotive Systems AG (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bajic, Goran, Howick, Shaun Calvin
• Granted Patent: US 7,741,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/201
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5678 characterised by electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0238 For seats
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/004 using zigzag layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/005 using multiple resistive elements or resistive zones isolated from each other
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/006 using interdigitated electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/011 Heaters using laterally extending conductive material as connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/016 Heaters using particular connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/02 Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/026 Heaters specially adapted for floor heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/029 Heaters specially adapted for seat warmers
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/845 specially adapted for reflecting surfaces, e.g. bathroom - or rearview mirrors

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.

Claims

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 flexible carrier;

ii) a first conductive medium disposed 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 conductive medium that includes a plurality of strips, each of the strips in overlapping relation with one of the plurality of first extensions and one of the plurality of second extensions the plurality of strips also extending substantially parallel to the first and second extensions.

2. An article as in claim 1 wherein the carrier of the heater and the first conductive medium cooperatively define at least one contour, which bends about a contour of the article.

3. An article as in claim 2 wherein the carrier of the heater has an hour-glass shape.

4. An article as in claim 3 wherein the carrier of the heater has a centralized opening defined adjacent the at least one contour.

5. An article as in claim 1 wherein the heater includes a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection.

6. An article as in claim 5 wherein the only electrical connections of the heater are the first and second electrical connections.

7. An article as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of strips is substantially uniformly spaced apart from each other.

8. An article as in claim 1 wherein each strip of the plurality of strips has substantially the same shape.

9. An article as in claim 1 wherein each strip has a substantially continuous density throughout.

10. An article as in claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed of a material having a dielectric constant greater than 1.

11. An article as in claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed of a material having an elongation at failure greater than 15%.

12. An article as in claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed of a material having an elongation at failure greater than 50%.

13. -44. (canceled)