CH719594A1 - Method for installing a multilayer electrothermal structure. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of laying at least one flexible, substantially planar, multilayer electrothermal structure, forming a film having a front face intended to allow infrared rays to pass through and a rear face opposite the front face, the structure having a width and a length, i.e. a surface, the film comprising: at least one electrical input terminal (131); at least one electrical output terminal (132); a substrate for receiving a plurality of layers of the structure, the substrate comprising at least one polymeric substrate layer; at least one electrothermal layer comprising a resistive element having an input and an output; and at least one conductive layer for connecting: the input terminal (131) of the structure to the input of the resistive element; and the output terminal (132) of the structure at the output of the resistive element; the film being covered with a passivation comprising at least one polymeric passivation layer, the method comprises the steps consisting of: – Laying the film on an area to be covered, in the direction of length or width; – Discover in a targeted manner by mechanical or electromechanical means a part of the passivation to access the electrical input terminal (131) and the electrical output terminal (132); – Lay a connection strip comprising at least two conductive tracks, one to connect to the electrical input terminal (131) of the film and the other to connect to the electrical output terminal (132) of the film; – Connect the connection strip to a power source to power the film

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a method of laying heating films by ohmic resistance. More particularly, the invention relates to the installation of heating elements having a surface extending essentially in two dimensions in which the conductor is mounted on an insulating base and covered with an insulating material.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0002] To install a carbon-based heating film, the heating film should be unrolled, leaving a space between the lengths of film near the walls. It is then necessary to cut to the required dimensions on a mark mentioned on the film. A conductive copper strip is placed on each length of film. In certain cases, it is appropriate to perforate the copper strip, taking care not to perforate the carbon strip, then insert the terminal into the hole, crimp it and finally secure all the electrical connections on both sides, for example with adhesive.

[0003] The installation of heating film therefore remains very difficult to implement to the extent that, beyond the numerous manipulations, there remain great risks to the electrical safety of the installation.

[0004] According to the invention, a method of laying at least one multilayer, flexible, substantially planar electrothermal structure, forming a film having a front face intended to allow infrared rays to pass through and a rear face opposite the front face , the structure having a width and a length, i.e. a surface, the film comprising: at least one electrical input terminal; at least one electrical output terminal; a substrate for receiving a plurality of layers of the structure, the substrate comprising at least one polymeric substrate layer; at least one electrothermal layer comprising a resistive element having an input and an output; and at least one conductive layer for connecting: the input terminal of the structure to the input of the resistive element; and the output terminal of the structure at the output of the resistive element; the film being covered with a passivation comprising at least one polymeric passivation layer, the method comprises the steps consisting of: – Laying the film, on an area to be covered, in the direction of length or width; – Discover in a targeted manner by mechanical or electromechanical means a part of the passivation to access the electrical input terminal and the electrical output terminal; – Install a connection strip comprising at least two conductive tracks, one to connect to the electrical input terminal of the film and the other to connect to the electrical output terminal of the film; – Connect the connection strip to a power source to power the film.

[0005] In one embodiment, a plurality of films are placed adjacent to each other, each adjacent film being placed parallel to the film next to it, spacing each film by a distance of less than 5 centimeters, typically 1 centimeter, until covering said area to be covered, the method further comprising a step of: connecting the electrical input terminals of each film to each other and connecting the electrical output terminals of each film to each other by the strip of connection.

[0006] In one embodiment, it is appropriate to first place, on the area to be covered, a graduated support to position each film next to each other.

[0007] Preferably, the polymeric passivation layer should be removed by a laser process.

[0008] In another embodiment, it would be possible to remove the portion of the polymeric passivation layer by a thermal process such as a heat gun.

[0009] In one embodiment, the connection strip connects to the electrical input terminals and to the electrical output terminals by gluing.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connection strip is flexible and covered on each of its faces with a layer of PET or other insulating polymer, the conductive strip further comprises a first layer of PET or other polymer covered a superconductive ink layer comprising an ink based on at least 50% graphene, the conductive ink layer being covered with a layer of glue and a second layer of PET or other polymer, the layer of conductive ink being arranged in the form of two rectilinear strips arranged side by side without touching, the conductive strip being connectable at one of its longitudinal ends to a connector arranged to connect the conductive strip to an electrical network.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of several embodiments given solely by way of example, in no way limiting with reference to the schematic figures, in which: – Figure 1 shows a part comprising a heating film installed according to the present invention; – Figure 2 shows a graduated support placed on a floor to position each film; – Figure 3 shows a part comprising four heating films arranged side by side; – Figure 4A shows a top view of zone A illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3; – Figure 4 B shows a partial sectional view of a heating film and a device for making a laser cut in the film; and – Figure 5 shows the part of Figure 1 on which a sealing device is arranged on the connection strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, a part to be heated is covered with four heating films placed side by side.

[0013] The heating film is a multilayer electrothermal structure 100, flexible, substantially planar, forming a film 100 having a front face intended to allow infrared rays to pass through and a rear face opposite the front face, the structure having a width and a length, i.e. a surface, the film 100 comprising: at least one electrical input terminal 131 (see Figure 4A); at least one electrical output terminal 132 (see Figure 4A); a substrate for receiving a plurality of layers of the structure, the substrate comprising at least one polymeric substrate layer 110 (see Figure 4B); at least one electrothermal layer comprising a resistive element 149 having an input and an output; and at least one conductive layer 130 for connecting: the input terminal 131 of the structure to the input of the resistive element 149; and the output terminal 132 of the structure at the output of the resistive element 149; the film 100 being covered with a passivation comprising at least one polymeric passivation layer 120 (see Figure 4B).

[0014] In this example, as illustrated in Figure 2, it was first necessary to place a graduated support on the ground, parallel to the wall at a distance of 1 cm to position each film 100 next to each other.

[0015] This graduated support allows the strips of heating film to be positioned in the right place.

[0016] Then it was necessary to place the heating films, in four strips, on the graduated support, the strips being positioned parallel to each other. For simplified installation, the graduated support is slightly sticky, like a repositionable adhesive.

[0017] Each of the four strips of heating film is arranged respecting the exact location thanks to the markings on the graduated support.

The next step consists of unrolling the roll of heating film to the opposite end of the graduated support. This step is repeated 3 times to unwind the four strips of film.

[0019] In the example illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the heating film being in the form of a roll, the addition of adhesive tapes ensures that the films are held on the ground.

[0020] Then, as illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, it is necessary to remove part of the layer of plastic film (passivation) on the conductive layer at the locations indicated on the hot film using the device of laser stripping to remove the plastic layer.

The next step consists of installing a connection strip following the position indicated by the graduated support and the hot film. The connection strip is flexible and covered on each of its faces with a layer of PET or other insulating polymer, the connection strip 1 further comprises a first layer of PET or other polymer covered with a layer of conductive ink , or superconductive, comprising an ink based on at least 50% graphene, the layer of conductive ink being covered with a layer of glue and a second layer of PET or other polymer, the layer of conductive ink being arranged in the form of two rectilinear strips 2, 3 arranged side by side without touching, the connection strip 1 being connectable at one of its longitudinal ends to a connector 4 arranged to connect the connection strip to an electrical network. In one embodiment, instead of graphene, the connection strip may contain another conductive material, for example copper. The connection strip 1 is covered on one side with adhesive tape.

In this example, the strip is arranged to be positioned on the conductive tracks of the connector.

[0023] Once positioned, the strip is sandwiched by a cover of the connector, for example by clipping.

[0024] In the example illustrated, the connector is fixed on the support plate before receiving a cover ensuring the tightness of the electrical connection.

[0025] In this example, the strip is arranged to be connected at one of its ends to an electrical network and at the other end to an electrical appliance, the end connectable to the electrical network being connected in a secure connection box and waterproof.

The copper of the connection strip will come into contact with the copper, or other conductive material, of the hot film via the conductive glue.

[0027] Then it is necessary to connect the connection strip to a power outlet.

[0028] After carrying out electrical operation tests, an upper sealing strip should be placed above the graduated support and the connection strip.

This sealing strip covers the connection strip to ensure its electrical and watertightness.

Claims (9)

1. Method for laying at least one multilayer electrothermal structure (100), flexible, substantially planar, forming a film (100) having a front face intended to allow infrared rays to pass through and a rear face opposite the front face, the structure having a width and a length, i.e. a surface, the film (100) comprising: at least one electrical input terminal (131); at least one electrical output terminal (132); a substrate for receiving a plurality of layers of the structure, the substrate comprising at least one polymeric substrate layer (110); at least one electrothermal layer (140) comprising a resistive element (149) having an input and an output; And at least one conductive layer (130) to connect: the input terminal (131) of the structure at the input of the resistive element (149); And the output terminal (132) of the structure at the output of the resistive element (149); the film (100) being covered with a passivation comprising at least one polymeric passivation layer (120), the method comprises the steps consisting of: – Place the film (100) on an area to be covered, lengthwise or widthwise; – Discover in a targeted manner by mechanical or electromechanical means a part of the passivation to access the electrical input terminal (131) and the electrical output terminal (132); – Lay a connection strip comprising at least two conductive tracks, one to connect to the electrical input terminal (131) of the film and the other to connect to the electrical output terminal (132) of the film; – Connect the connection strip to a power source to power the film (100). 2. Laying method according to claim 1, in which a plurality of films are laid adjacent to each other, each adjacent film being laid parallel to the film next to it, spacing each film by a distance less than 5 centimeters, typically 1 centimeter, until covering said area to be covered, the method further comprising a step of: connecting the electrical input terminals of each film to each other and connecting the electrical output terminals of each film to each other by the connection strip. 3. Installation method according to claim 2, in which it is first necessary to place, on the area to be covered, a graduated support to position each film (100) next to each other. 4. Installation method according to one of the preceding claims, consisting of removing the passivation polymer layer (120) by a laser process. 5. Installation method according to one of the preceding claims, consisting of removing the passivation polymer layer (120) by a thermal process such as a heat gun. 6. Installation method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection strip connects to the electrical input terminals (131) and to the electrical output terminals (132) by gluing. 7. Installation method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection strip is flexible and covered on each of its faces with a layer of PET or other insulating polymer, the connection strip (1) further comprises a first layer of PET or other polymer covered with a layer of superconducting ink comprising an ink based on at least 50% graphene, the layer of conductive ink being covered with a layer of glue and a second layer of PET or other polymer, the conductive ink layer being arranged in the form of two rectilinear strips (2, 3) arranged side by side without touching, the connection strip (1) being connectable at one of its longitudinal ends to a connector (4) arranged to connect the connection strip to an electrical network. 8. Installation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the connection strip is flexible and covered on each of its faces with a layer of PET or other insulating polymer, the connection strip (1) further comprises a first layer of PET or other polymer covered with a conductive layer comprising a conductive material, for example copper, the conductive layer of the connection strip being covered with a layer of glue and a second layer of PET or other polymer, the conductive layer of the connection strip being arranged in the form of two rectilinear strips (2, 3) arranged side by side without touching, the connection strip (1) being connectable at one of its longitudinal ends to a connector (4) arranged to connect the connection strip to an electrical network. 9. Installation method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection strip (1) is covered on at least one side with an adhesive tape.