JP2001023802A - Positive temperature characteristic coefficient thermistor heating element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element which has a large heat value and high reliability. SOLUTION: A positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element comprises a plurality of linearly arranged unitary heat units and metal plates, each of which has nearly the same length as that of a plurality of the unitary heater units, arranged in the longitudinal direction and also serving as an input terminal. Each of the unitary heater units is formed with an electrode on its upper and lower principal planes and then are attached with an input terminal 3, and a radiator 2 which also serves as a heat slinger, on each of the upper and lower electrode-formed faces. A plurality of the unitary heater units are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and then the metal plates 5 are abutted against the upper and lower radiator-formed faces. Thereafter, the input terminals 3 of the unitary heater units and the metal plates 5 are electrically connected by connection terminals at parts, where the input terminals 3 and the metal plates are in contact with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element used for a constant temperature heating element or a hot air heater.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional PTC thermistor heating element will be described below.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a PTC thermistor heating element. In FIG. 7, 1 is a positive temperature coefficient thermistor element, 2 is a heat radiator, and 3 is an input terminal.

First, a plurality of PTC thermistor elements 1 having electrodes formed on both upper and lower main planes are arranged in a straight line, and a silicon resin adhesive (not shown) is applied to the electrode surfaces of the PTC thermistor elements 1. The heat radiation element 2 made of aluminum is overlapped on the upper and lower surfaces of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor element 1 such that the input terminal 3 side of the heat radiator 2 is in contact with the opposite side of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor element 1, and a resin adhesive is heated and cured to produce a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element. Was.

[0005] The input terminal 3 of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element
Is applied, a voltage is applied to the PTC thermistor element 1 and the PTC thermistor element 1 generates heat. The heat is transmitted to the heat radiator 2, and in this state, when air is sent from one side of the heat generator, warm air can be obtained from the opposite side.

[0006]

In order to increase the amount of heat generated by the PTC thermistor heating element, the number of the PTC thermistor elements 1 constituting the PTC thermistor heating element must be increased or the PTC thermistor heating element must be provided. It was stacked vertically in multiple layers.

However, when the number of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor elements 1 is increased to increase the amount of heat generated, a heat radiator 2 having a length corresponding thereto is required. In this case, as the length of the heat radiator 2 increases, a large mechanical stress is applied to the adhesive layer between the heat radiator 2 and the positive temperature coefficient thermistor element 1 due to repetition of thermal expansion and contraction, and the adhesive surface is separated. .

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a highly reliable positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element which can reduce the influence of thermal expansion and contraction differences and can obtain a large amount of heat generation. Things.

[0009]

In order to solve this problem, the present invention relates to a method of measuring the length of a radiator bonded to the upper and lower electrode surfaces of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor element with an adhesive, and the adhesive layer having a thermal expansion coefficient of the radiator. The unit heater unit has a size within a range capable of absorbing the shrinkage difference, and the unit heater units are linearly arranged. A metal plate having a length substantially equal to the length of the unit heater units arranged on the surface of the heat radiator. By making a structure in which the contact point and the place where the metal plate and the heat radiator are in contact are electrically connected by the connection terminal, the influence of the difference in thermal expansion and contraction is reduced, a large amount of heat is generated, and high reliability is obtained. Things are obtained.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of PTC thermistor elements having electrodes formed on upper and lower main planes are linearly arranged, and an input terminal and a radiator plate are provided on the upper and lower electrode surfaces. A unit heater unit to which a metal radiator that also serves as a unit is bonded, and a metal plate that also serves as an input terminal substantially equal in length to a plurality of the unit heater units arranged in the longitudinal direction,
A plurality of the unit heater units are arranged in the longitudinal direction, the metal plate is brought into contact with the upper and lower metal radiator surfaces, and the input terminal portion of the heater unit and a portion where the metal plate is in contact with each other are electrically connected by connection terminals. Even if a plurality of unit heater units are arranged in the longitudinal direction and this is electrically connected to a metal plate via a connection terminal to increase the heat generation amount,
The adhesive layer of the unit heater unit can absorb the mechanical stress due to the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the radiator and the positive temperature coefficient thermistor element, to obtain a large heat generation and highly reliable positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element. Can be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a connection terminal is provided at a portion where the metal plate contacts the input terminal portion of the unit heater unit, and the input terminal portion of the unit heater unit and the metal plate are electrically connected to each other. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to claim 1, wherein a connection terminal is provided on a metal plate to facilitate positioning when arranging a plurality of unit heater units, and to reduce the number of parts to increase productivity. You can get things.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to the first or second aspect, wherein the width of the metal plate is wider than the width of the unit heater unit.
By making the width of the metal plate wider than the width of the unit heater unit, when air is supplied from the side, the air can be effectively guided to the radiator of the unit heater unit, and a device having high thermal efficiency can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the unit heater unit, wherein a plurality of unit heater units are bent in the longitudinal direction and arranged, and the upper and lower radiator surfaces are brought into contact with bent metal plates also serving as input terminals. 2. The positive-characteristic thermistor heating element according to claim 1, wherein a portion where the input terminal portion of the unit and the metal plate are in contact with each other is electrically connected by connection terminals, whereby a non-linear hot air outlet is obtained. be able to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of unit heater units are arranged linearly or refracted in the longitudinal direction, and the input is substantially equal to the arranged length on one of the plurality of radiators. A metal plate also serving as a terminal is abutted, and an input terminal of the unit heater unit and a portion where the metal plate is in contact with each other are electrically connected with connection terminals, respectively, and the input terminal divided into the other radiator side. A positive terminal thermistor heating element having a three-terminal structure in which a metal plate that also serves as a contact is abutted, and a portion where the input terminal portion of the unit heater unit and the metal plate are in contact is electrically connected by connection terminals, respectively. By dividing the plate, it is possible to obtain a device that can switch and adjust the heat generation amount as needed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input terminal having a plurality of unit heater units arranged in the longitudinal direction, arranging them in a stack, and having an input terminal having a length substantially equal to that of the unit heater units arranged in plurality. A positive temperature coefficient thermistor heat source is provided in which a metal plate also serving as a heater is disposed between and above and below the stacked unit heater units, and a portion where the input terminal of the unit heater unit is in contact with the metal plate is electrically connected by a connection terminal. A body having a large heating value can be obtained by connecting the unit heater units in the longitudinal direction or the height direction. The length of the unit heater unit must be shorter than the length of the range in which the adhesive used can absorb the mechanical stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the radiator and the element.

Hereinafter, the PTC thermistor heating element of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a PTC thermistor heating element according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a connection terminal, and 5 denotes a metal plate provided with an input terminal 5a. Since 1 to 3 have the same functions as those of the conventional product, the same numbers are given and the description is simplified.

First, four PTC thermistor elements 1 mainly composed of barium titanate and having an operation start temperature of 200 ° C. and a length of 24 mm and a width of 15 mm are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a silicon-based resin adhesive is applied on the main plane. After application, the heat radiator 2 is overlapped so that the input terminal 3 is in contact with the opposite side of the thermistor element 1, and the adhesive is heated and cured at a temperature of 120 ° C. while applying a pressure of about 16 kg / cm ^2. , 400 W unit heater unit. The heat generation amount per one positive temperature coefficient thermistor element was 100 W.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, three unit heater units are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a metal plate 5 having a length substantially equal to that of the three unit heater units and having an input terminal 5a provided at the tip end. Is brought into contact with the surface of the heat radiator 2 of the unit heater unit, and a portion where the input terminal 3 and the metal plate 5 are in contact with each other is caulked at the connection terminal 4 to complete an electrically and mechanically joined 1200 W positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element. I let it. In this configuration, when a voltage is applied to the input terminal 5 a provided on the metal plate 5, each unit heater unit generates heat, and the heat is transmitted to the radiator 2. When air is sent from one side of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element, warm air is obtained from the opposite side.

Conventionally, 100 mm having a length of 24 mm and a width of 15 mm
The unit heater unit in which the positive temperature coefficient thermistor elements 1 of W are arranged linearly has a limit of 600 W in order to prevent the adhesive layer from peeling off due to mechanical stress. In the present invention, the heater unit needs to have a structure in which the heater units are vertically stacked. However, in the present invention, the adhesive layer is capable of sufficiently absorbing the mechanical stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the radiator 2 and the positive temperature coefficient thermistor element 1. Is electrically connected to the metal plate 5 via the connection terminals 4 in the longitudinal direction, a highly reliable positive-characteristic thermistor heating element having an arbitrary heating value can be easily manufactured. . Moreover, the number of input terminals is small and the wiring is simple. Although the caulked portion of the metal plate 5 with the input terminal of the unit heater unit is provided with a concave cut, a metal plate 5 having the same width may be used.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 shows a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to an embodiment of a different type of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 8 denotes a metal plate provided with an input terminal 8a at one end and a connection terminal 7 in the middle. Since 1 to 3 have the same functions as those of the conventional product, the same numbers are given and the description is simplified.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, three 400 W unit heater units as in the first embodiment are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a metal plate 8 having substantially the same length as the three unit heater units is unit heater unit. And the input terminals 3 of the unit heater unit are respectively caulked with the connection terminals 7 provided on the metal plate 8 and electrically and mechanically joined.
A 00W positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element was completed. In this configuration, when a voltage is applied to the input terminal 8 a provided on the metal plate 8, each unit heater unit generates heat, and the heat is transmitted to the radiator 2. When air is sent from one side of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element, warm air is obtained from the opposite side.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 shows a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to an embodiment of a different type of the present invention.
3, reference numeral 4 denotes a connection terminal, 9 denotes a metal plate wider than the width of the heat radiator 2, and 9a denotes an input terminal. Since 1 to 3 have the same functions as those of the conventional product, the same numbers are given and the description is simplified.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, three 400 W unit heater units as in the first embodiment are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a metal plate 9 having substantially the same length as the three unit heater units is formed. Then, the portion where the metal plate 9 and the input terminal 3 were in contact with each other and the connection terminal 4 was caulked at the connection terminal 4 to complete an electrically and mechanically joined 1200 W positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element. When a voltage is applied to the input terminal 9a provided on the metal plate 9 in this configuration, each unit heater unit generates heat, and the heat is transmitted to the radiator. When air is sent from one side of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element, warm air is obtained from the opposite side.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 shows a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to an embodiment of a different type of the present invention.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 4 denotes a connection terminal, 10 denotes a bent metal plate, and 10a denotes an input terminal. Since 1 to 3 have the same functions as those of the conventional product, the same numbers are given and the description is simplified.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, two 400 W unit heater units, which are the same as in the first embodiment, are bent and arranged, and a bent metal plate having substantially the same length as the two unit heater units is arranged. 10 is the heat radiator 2 of the heater unit
, The metal plate 10 and the radiator 2 of the unit heater unit
The contacting portion was caulked at the connection terminal 4 to complete an 800 W positive-characteristic thermistor heating element electrically and mechanically joined. In this configuration, when a voltage is applied to the input terminal 10 a provided on the metal plate 10, each unit heater unit generates heat, and the heat is transmitted to the radiator 2. When air is sent from one side of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element, warm air is obtained from the opposite side. In the present embodiment, two unit heater units are connected to form a positive-characteristic thermistor heating element of 800 W, but it is also possible to connect more than that or connect them in a waveform. Further, it is preferable to control the bending angle in the range of 10 ° to 30 ° from the viewpoint of the reliability of the PTC thermistor heating element.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 shows a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to an embodiment of a different type of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, 4 is a connection terminal, 11, 12, and 13 are metal plates, and 11a, 12a, and 13a are input terminals. Since 1 to 3 have the same functions as those of the conventional product, the same numbers are given and the description is simplified.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, three 400 W unit heater units as in the first embodiment are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and three metal plates 11 of substantially the same length as the three unit heater units are arranged. One of the arranged unit heater units is in contact with one radiator 2 side, and the other side is in contact with a metal plate 12 obtained by dividing a metal plate 11 and a metal plate 13.
The connection terminals 4 are caulked at the connection terminals 4 at positions where the terminals 1, 12, and 13 are in contact with the input terminals 3 of the unit heater unit, thereby completing a 400-W, 600-W, and 1200-W switchable positive-characteristic thermistor heating element that is electrically and mechanically connected. Was. In this configuration, when a voltage is applied to the input terminals 11a, 12a, and 13a respectively provided on the metal plates 11, 12, and 13, the respective unit heater units generate heat, and the heat is transmitted to the radiator 2. When air is sent from one side of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element, warm air is obtained from the opposite side. In addition, input terminal 1
When a voltage is applied to 1a and 12a, only two unit heater units generate heat and 800 W. When a voltage is applied to input terminals 11a and 13a, only one unit heater unit generates heat and 4W.
When a voltage is applied to the input terminals 11a, 12a, and 13a at 00W, the three unit heater units generate heat and become a 1200-W positive-characteristic thermistor heating element, and a positive-characteristic thermistor heating element capable of switching the amount of heat generation. Further, in the present embodiment, the three unit heater units are divided into one and two. However, a PTC thermistor heating element in which more unit heater units are used and the unit heater units are divided into an arbitrary combination is also possible.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 shows a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to an embodiment of a different type of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 4 denotes a connection terminal, and 14 denotes a metal plate provided with an input terminal 14a. Since 1 to 3 have the same functions as those of the conventional product, the same numbers are given and the description is simplified.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, three unit heater units identical to those of the first embodiment are arranged in a longitudinal direction and two stages in a height direction. 14 are brought into contact with the radiator 2 between the stacked unit heater units and the upper and lower surfaces, and a portion where the input terminal 3 and the metal plate 14 of each unit heater unit are in contact with each other is caulked by the connection terminal 4 to be electrically connected. 2400 mechanically joined
A positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element of W was completed. In this configuration, when a voltage is applied to the input terminal 14 a provided on the metal plate 14, each unit heater unit generates heat, and the heat is transmitted to the radiator 2. When air is sent from one side of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element, warm air is obtained from the opposite side.

By stacking the fifth embodiment in a similar manner, it is possible to produce a positive-characteristic thermistor heating element capable of switching the heating value between 800 W, 1600 W and 2400 W.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, the adhesive layer for bonding the heat radiator and the positive temperature coefficient thermistor element can sufficiently absorb the mechanical stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion and contraction between the heat radiator and the positive temperature coefficient thermistor element. Are arranged in the longitudinal direction or the height direction, and a metal plate having a length substantially equal to the arranged length is brought into contact with the radiator of the unit heater unit, and the metal plate and the input terminal are brought into contact with each other. By electrically connecting the locations via the connection terminals, a highly reliable positive-characteristic thermistor heating element having a small amount of input terminals and having an arbitrary amount of heat generation can be easily configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a PTC thermistor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a PTC thermistor heating element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a PTC thermistor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Positive-characteristic thermistor element 2 Heat sink 3 Input terminal 4 Connection terminal 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Metal plate 5a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a,
14a input terminal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A unit heater unit comprising a plurality of PTC thermistor elements having electrodes formed on upper and lower main planes arranged in a straight line, and a metal radiator serving also as an input terminal and a radiator is bonded to the upper and lower electrode surfaces. A metal plate also serving as an input terminal having a length substantially equal to the length of a plurality of unit heater units arranged in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of the unit heater units are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the metal plate is applied to upper and lower metal radiator surfaces. A positive-characteristic thermistor heating element that is in contact with the input terminal of the heater unit and the contact point of the metal plate with a connection terminal. 2. The positive characteristic according to claim 1, wherein a connection terminal is provided at a portion where the metal plate is in contact with the input terminal portion of the unit heater unit, and the input terminal portion of the unit heater unit is electrically connected to the metal plate. Thermistor heating element. 3. The PTC thermistor heating element according to claim 1, wherein the width of the metal plate is larger than the width of the unit heater unit. 4. A plurality of unit heater units are bent in the longitudinal direction and arranged, and a metal plate serving also as a bent input terminal is brought into contact with upper and lower heat radiator surfaces, and a contact between the input terminal portion of the unit heater unit and the metal plate is made. 2. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element according to claim 1, wherein the connected portions are electrically connected by connection terminals. 5. A plurality of unit heater units are arranged in a straight line or bent in the longitudinal direction, and a metal plate also serving as an input terminal substantially equal to the arranged length is brought into contact with one of the plurality of arranged heat radiators. An input terminal of the unit heater unit,
The parts in contact with the metal plate are electrically connected with connection terminals, respectively, and a metal plate serving also as a divided input terminal abuts on the other radiator side, and the input terminal portion of the unit heater unit and the metal Positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element with a three-terminal structure in which the parts in contact with the plate are electrically connected by connection terminals. 6. A plurality of unit heater units are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the unit heater units are arranged in a stack, and a metal plate serving also as an input terminal having a length substantially equal to that of the unit heater units in which a plurality is arranged is stacked. A positive temperature coefficient thermistor heating element disposed between and above and below the heater unit, wherein a portion where the input terminal of the unit heater unit is in contact with the metal plate is electrically connected by a connection terminal.