JP2003109804A - Flexible ptc heating element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible PTC heating element by combining a flexible base material, flexible comb electrodes, and flexible PTC resistors. SOLUTION: By providing the flexible comb-shaped electrodes 2 and the flexible PTC resistors 3 on the flexible base material 1 at prescribed intervals, the heating element with high reliability, which exhibits flexibility at the interval portion, can be provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for car seat heaters, heated toilet seats, etc.
It relates to a C heating element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of PTC (Positive Temperature)
The abbreviation of Coefficient, which means a self-temperature control function in the sense of positive resistance temperature characteristic, is omitted below.) As shown in FIG. 11, the heating element is a rigid, non-flexible material such as a ceramic or an insulating-treated metal plate. The conductive ink composition 21 is formed on the substrate 20.
It is obtained by printing or applying, and forming a coating film of arbitrary thickness and shape, which has been conventionally used as a special shape or small heating element or overcurrent protection element. . 22 is an electrode, and 23 is a coating material.

The conductive ink composition used for the PTC heating element is a base polymer composed of a crystalline polymer and a conductive material such as carbon black, metal powder or graphite dispersed in a solvent. Are used in JP-A-56-13689 and JP-A-6-968.
Inventions of two-term bonds have been proposed, such as Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 43 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-120182.

The conductive ink composition can form a coating film exhibiting a steep PTC characteristic as the temperature rises.
This PTC characteristic is exhibited when the chain of the conductive substance is broken by the volume expansion of the crystalline polymer due to the temperature rise, and the resistance accordingly rises.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional P
Since the TC heating element is formed on a rigid and inflexible substrate, it cannot be applied to a body-fitting application such as a car seat heater, and is attached to a curved surface-shaped object such as a toilet seat. It had a problem that it could not be done.

Of course, a flexible PTC heating element can be made by using a resin or elastomer film as a base material, but repeated loading or electrification (continuous, intermittent)
The test had a problem that the resistance value changed.

As described above, the expression of PTC characteristics is due to the change in the chain state of the conductive material due to the volume change of the crystalline polymer, and the thermal / mechanical dimensional change of the base material causes the PTC resistance. It can be easily imagined that the properties of the body are significantly affected. Therefore, it has flexibility to date,
No PTC heating element has been developed that can withstand use in an environment where repeated bending is applied.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a flexible base material, a flexible comb-shaped electrode having a plurality of facing portions formed on the flexible base material, and electrodes facing the flexible comb-shaped electrode. It comprises a plurality of flexible PTC resistors which are electrically connected between them and are provided at intervals, and a flexible coating material which covers the surfaces of these.

With this structure, the flexible electrode and the flexible PTC resistor are provided on the flexible base material at intervals, and only the combination of the flexible base material and the flexible coating material is provided at the interval portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide a PTC heating element having high flexibility.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention described in claim 1 includes a flexible base material, a flexible comb-shaped electrode having a plurality of facing portions formed on the flexible base material, and the flexible comb-shaped electrode. It is composed of a plurality of flexible PTC resistors that are electrically connected to the electrodes facing each other and are provided at intervals, and a flexible coating material that covers the surfaces of these resistors.

With this configuration, the flexible PTC resistor and the flexible comb-shaped electrode can be divided and placed on the flexible substrate. Then, flexibility can be imparted to the divided parts as deformable parts.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the flexible comb-shaped electrode is arranged at a position where two main electrodes made of metal strands and auxiliary electrodes electrically connected to the respective main electrodes face each other. Become.

With this structure, a twisted metal wire having good electrical conductivity can be used for the main electrode of the comb-shaped electrode, and the auxiliary electrode electrically connected to the metal twisted wire can be used. Therefore, the cost is low and the reliability against disconnection is high. It is possible to provide a highly flexible PTC heating element.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the flexible PTC resistors are provided in parallel and perpendicular directions to the opposing auxiliary electrodes.

With this configuration, since the flexible PTC resistor is arranged in a divided manner, it can be easily deformed at the divided portions when deformed in both the parallel and vertical directions with respect to the auxiliary electrode. An opening is provided at least inside the flexible PTC resistor.

With this configuration, it is possible to avoid the voltage concentration of the flexible PTC resistor, and at the same time, to provide the flexible PTC resistor.
It is possible to reduce the amount of resistors used and realize cost reduction. Further, the opening can be used as a mounting point for the flexible PTC heating element.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an opening is provided inside the flexible comb-shaped electrode.

With this configuration, when the comb-shaped electrode is used as a heating element, it is possible to increase the heating area and reduce the risk of expanding the wire breakage. Further, the opening can be used as a mounting point for the flexible PTC heating element.

The invention described in claim 6 is a flexible PTC.
A through hole is provided inside the resistor or the flexible comb-shaped electrode.

With this structure, it is possible to provide a comfortable and flexible PTC heating element that does not get stuffy when worn on the body by using the through holes as ventilation holes.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the flexible base material has an uneven cross-sectional shape, and the gas barrier layer, the stretchable layer, the elongation regulating layer for preventing deformation below the maximum elongation, and the flexibility P.
It is composed of a TC resistor, a flexible comb-shaped electrode, and a porous holding layer holding a flexible covering material.

With this structure, the gas barrier layer prevents the permeation of the external gas from the side of the flexible substrate, and the flexibility P
The long-term durability of the TC resistor can be secured. In addition, it is possible to deal with deformation within a predetermined range by the elastic layer, and it is possible to prevent deformation beyond the maximum elongation by the elongation regulation layer. Furthermore, since the contact area is increased by the porous holding layer and the resistor, the comb-shaped electrode, and the covering material can be reliably held, it is possible to provide a highly reliable flexible PTC heating element.

In the invention described in claim 8, the flexible coating material comprises a flexible base material, a flexible comb-shaped electrode, and an adhesive layer having adhesiveness with a flexible PTC resistor, a gas barrier layer and a stretchable layer. It is configured.

With this structure, the adhesive layer adheres to the base material, the resistor, and the comb-shaped electrode, the gas barrier layer prevents gas from entering from the outside, and the elastic layer can follow deformation due to stress.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a flexible comb-shaped electrode and a flexible PTC resistor are formed on a flexible substrate by screen printing.

With this structure, the comb-shaped electrode and the PTC resistor can be applied in a thin film state on the substrate. It is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the amount of comb electrodes and PTC resistors used, and to provide a PTC heating element that can cope with deformation due to stress.

The invention described in claim 10 is a flexible PT
The C resistor is composed of a saponified product of ethylene vinyl acetate, carbon black, and an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer latex.

With this configuration, it becomes possible to prepare a PTC resistor paste in an aqueous solution without using an organic solvent, and it is possible to provide a method for preparing a PTC heating element having a low environmental load.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention uses carbon black pretreated with a chemical crosslinking agent or a coupling agent.

With this constitution, it is possible to improve the affinity of carbon black with the saponified product of ethylene vinyl acetate and the acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer latex to provide a highly reliable flexible PTC resistor.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a flexible comb-shaped electrode is composed of a conductive paste containing a copolyester resin and conductive fine particles.

With this configuration, it is possible to provide a comb-shaped electrode which is flexible and strong against repeated loading.

[0032]

EXAMPLE 1 Example 1 of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 shows a flexible PTC heating element of this embodiment, which is shown in a schematic plan view (a) and an XY cross-sectional view (b) of the schematic plan view (a). 1 is non-woven fabric, cloth fiber fabric (woven fabric)
A flexible base material having porosity such as 2 and a comb-like flexible comb-shaped electrode obtained by screen-printing and drying a conductive paste obtained by dispersing conductive particles such as silver or carbon black in a resin solution 3 is a crystalline resin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or polyethylene, carbon black, conductive particles such as metal powder and a cross-linking agent are added and kneaded, then pulverized and kneaded with a rubber binder, and then converted into an ink with a solvent. A flexible PTC resistor obtained by screen-printing the above-mentioned product, applying and drying it is a flexible covering material such as a rubber-based film with an adhesive. The flexible PTC resistor 3 is electrically connected between the opposing electrodes of the flexible comb-shaped electrode 2 and is arranged with a space 5 therebetween.

In the production of the flexible PTC heating element in this embodiment, the flexible comb-shaped electrode 2 is first printed on the flexible base material 1, then the flexible PTC resistor 3 is printed, and further,
According to the procedure of coating with the flexible coating material 4. The flexible comb electrode 2 is composed of a main electrode 2a and an auxiliary electrode 2b.

With this structure, since the flexible PTC resistor 3 is provided on the auxiliary electrode 2b and the flexible base material 1 with the space 5 therebetween, it can be easily deformed in the horizontal direction of the auxiliary electrode 2b. . In the portion of the space 5, only the flexible base material 1 and the flexible coating material 4 are provided, and the flexibility is easily exhibited.

FIG. 2 shows the auxiliary electrode 6b of the flexible comb electrode 6.
An example in which the waveform is formed is shown. The auxiliary electrode 6b is produced by screen printing as in FIG. 1, and can reduce the risk of disconnection due to the bending 5 of the flexible PTC resistor 3 and the vertical bending or rubbing stress (diagonal deformation). Further, the auxiliary electrode 6b itself can also be used as a heating element in relation to the resistance value of the flexible PTC resistor.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a flexible PTC heating element which is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the main electrode 7a of the flexible comb-shaped electrode 7 is attached to the flexible base material 1 by using a metal twisted wire such as copper. The auxiliary electrode 7b is similar to that shown in FIG. In addition, other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

With this configuration, the amount of silver paste used can be reduced to reduce the cost, and the terminals can be easily taken out from the main electrode 7a.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a flexible PTC heating element which is Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the flexible PTC resistor 8 is provided by dividing the auxiliary electrode 2b of the flexible comb-shaped electrode 2 in the horizontal and vertical directions. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

With this structure, the auxiliary electrode 2b can be easily deformed by bending in the horizontal and vertical directions. for that reason,
It is possible to provide a PTC heating element that is more flexible than that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 2b has a corrugated electrode structure as in FIG. 2, and the main electrode 2a has a corrugated electrode structure.
Needless to say, a stranded metal wire may also be used.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the divided flexible PTC resistors 9 are arranged in a staggered arrangement. In FIG. 4, when the vertical stress of the auxiliary electrode 2b is applied, the flexibility PT
While the amount of deformation is different between the C resistor portion and the auxiliary electrode 2b portion, in FIG. 5, the flexible PTC resistor portion and the auxiliary electrode 2b portion are always positioned to have the same amount of deformation, and uniform flexibility is imparted. it can.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 6 shows a flexible PTC heating element which is Embodiment 4. (A) is a schematic plan view, (b)
Is a sectional view taken along line XY. The difference from Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. 4 is that the opening 1 is formed inside the flexible PTC resistor 10.
1 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment.

With this configuration, the flexible PTC resistor 10
It is possible to prevent the hot line due to the voltage concentration of 1 by the heat radiation in the opening 11 and provide flexibility. Further, the opening 11 can be used when fixing the flexible PTC heating element to the object to be heated.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment.
An opening 12 is also provided in the main electrode 2a of the flexible comb-shaped electrode 2. In the relationship between the resistance value of the main electrode 2a and the resistance value of the flexible PTC resistor 10, the resistance value of the flexible PTC resistor 10 is lower than that of the main electrode 2a at the start of energization,
If the resistance value of the flexible PTC resistor 10 is set higher than that of the main electrode 2a due to the PTC characteristic at a predetermined temperature or higher, the main electrode 2a can be used as a heating element at the start of energization, and the heat radiation area at that time can be opened. It can be increased by the section 12.

(Embodiment 5) FIGS. 8A and 8B show a flexible PTC heating element according to Embodiment 5, where FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is XY.
It is a line sectional view. Through holes 13 and 14 are provided inside the flexible PTC resistor 10 and the main electrode 2a of the flexible comb electrode 2, respectively.
Is provided. The entire surface of the through holes 13 and 14 is covered with the flexible coating material 4. The other structure is similar to that of FIG. 7 of the above embodiment.

With this structure, since the through holes 13 and 14 are provided when the flexible PTC heating element is warming up the body, the air permeability can be ensured, so that a comfortable feeling of use without stuffiness can be provided. Also, the through holes 13 and 14
Can be used to attach a flexible PTC heating element.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure of a flexible substrate 1 according to Embodiment 6. The flexible base material 1 is designed to be straight when an excessive weight is applied, and to have an uneven cross-sectional shape when no load is applied. From the bottom surface, the resistance value stability of the flexible PTC resistor such as oxygen and water vapor is improved. Gas barrier layer 15 such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, vinylidene chloride, urethane resin, etc., which shields gas that has an adverse effect, elastic stretch layer 16 such as EPDM or chloroprene rubber, and the maximum elongation of woven fabric or the like The elongation regulating layer 17 for preventing deformation, and the porous holding layer 18 such as a flexible PTC resistor, a flexible comb-shaped electrode, or a non-woven fabric on which a flexible coating material is held by adhesion are formed. As a manufacturing method, after the low-temperature layer materials are bonded together, heat treatment is performed to cause thermal contraction of the elongation control layer 17 and the like, so that the cross section can have an uneven shape.

With this structure, the gas barrier layer prevents entry of harmful gas from the lower surface of the flexible substrate 1, the stretchable layer imparts flexibility, and the elongation regulating layer prevents deformation below the maximum elongation. In addition, the porous holding layer can hold the flexible PTC resistor, the heavy-duty comb electrode, and the flexible coating material to provide a highly reliable flexible PTC resistor. In the above examples, the respective functions were divided and provided in the respective layers, but the elongation regulating layer was impregnated with a gas barrier material or a stretchable material, and the surface was raised to give porosity. It goes without saying that one material can have all the functions.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a flexible coating material 4 according to Embodiment 7. Reference numeral 19 denotes an adhesive layer having adhesiveness to the flexible substrate 1, for example, an adhesive layer of a copolymer polyester resin, urethane resin, ethylene vinyl acetate resin or the like; It is a layer. With this configuration, the adhesiveness with the flexible base material 1 can be secured, and the flexible covering material 4 having gas barrier properties and stretchability can be provided.

(Embodiment 8) Embodiment 8 relates to a method of manufacturing the flexible comb-shaped electrode and the flexible PTC resistor described in the above embodiment on a flexible substrate. As described in the above embodiments, a flexible PTC resistor ink is formed on a flexible base material by screen-printing and drying a conductive paste such as silver paste or carbon paste in a predetermined pattern on a flexible base material to produce a flexible comb-shaped electrode. It is produced by screen printing and drying. After that, the flexible PTC heating element is covered with the flexible coating material and the electrode is taken out to complete the flexible PTC heating element. By this manufacturing method, it is possible to manufacture the flexible comb-shaped electrode and the flexible PTC resistor each within 20 microns, and the total thickness including the flexible base material and the flexible coating material within 200 microns, It is possible to provide a PTC heating element that is highly flexible.

(Example 9) In Example 9, a flexible PTC resistor ink (paste suitable for screen printing)
The composition of An ink of the flexible PTC resistor 3 is prepared by mixing a saponified product of ethylene vinyl acetate, carbon black, and an acrylonitrile / butadiene copolymer type latex. A dispersant and a viscosity modifier can be appropriately used.

With this configuration, the ink of the flexible PTC resistor 3 is water-based, and unlike the conventional organic solvent-based ink, the environmental load can be significantly reduced. Further, it is possible to provide a PTC resistor having sufficient PTC characteristics and flexibility even if it is water-based.

(Example 10) Example 10 relates to the surface treatment of carbon black used for PTC resistors, and includes chemical cross-linking agents such as dicumyl peroxide and organic peroxides such as Perhexin 25B, titanium and aluminum. Carbon black pretreated with a coupling agent such as zirconia is used when manufacturing the PTC resistor described in Example 9.

With this configuration, it is possible to enhance the long-term current-carrying stability of the flexible PTC resistor. Such a material that modifies the surface of carbon black to enhance the affinity with the dispersion medium is called an affinity imparting agent. The effect of this affinity imparting agent is that the crystalline resin and carbon black are chemically reacted. It is considered that the compound functions as a dispersant when the kneaded and pulverized product is dispersed in the flexible binder while being bonded to the. The heating element produced in this way has a diameter of 1
No change in resistance value was observed even in a test in which a hemisphere of 65 mm was pressed in and a load of 50 mm was repeatedly applied 100,000 times or more.

(Embodiment 11) Embodiment 11 relates to a flexible comb-shaped electrode, which is softened by screen printing using a conductive paste containing a copolymerized polyester resin and conductive fine particles such as silver or carbon black. A flexible comb-shaped electrode was produced by printing and drying the comb-shaped electrode on the base material.

With this structure, the repeated load test was carried out 100,000 times or more as in the above-mentioned embodiment, but no disconnection occurred. It is considered that this is due to the flexibility of the copolyester resin. In this way, it is possible to provide a comb-shaped electrode with high flexibility.

[0056]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the flexible base material, the flexible comb-shaped electrode having a plurality of facing portions formed on the flexible base material, and the flexible comb-shaped electrode facing each other. The flexible PT resistor is composed of a plurality of flexible PTC resistors that are electrically connected to the electrodes and are spaced apart from each other, and a flexible coating material that covers the surfaces of the flexible PTC resistors.
Since the C resistor and the flexible comb-shaped electrode can be divided and placed on the flexible base material, flexibility can be imparted by using the divided portion as a deformable portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a flexible comb-shaped electrode is arranged at a position where two main electrodes made of twisted metal and auxiliary electrodes electrically connected to each main electrode face each other. Since the main electrode of the comb-shaped electrode can be a metal twisted wire having good electrical conductivity and can be used as an auxiliary electrode electrically connected to the metal twisted wire, the flexible PTC has low cost and is resistant to disconnection and has high reliability. A heating element can be provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the flexible PTC resistors are arranged in parallel and perpendicularly to the opposing auxiliary electrodes, and the flexible PTC resistors are divided and arranged. When it is deformed in both parallel and vertical directions, it can be easily deformed at the divided parts.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, at least the flexible PTC resistor is provided with an opening inside, so that the voltage concentration of the flexible PTC resistor can be avoided and the flexible PTC resistor can be avoided. It is possible to reduce the use amount of and reduce the cost. Further, the opening can be used as a mounting point for the flexible PTC heating element.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an opening is provided inside the flexible comb-shaped electrode, and when the comb-shaped electrode is used as a heating element, the heating area can be widened and the disconnection is enlarged. The risk of can be reduced. Further, the opening can be used as a mounting point for the flexible PTC heating element.

The invention described in claim 6 is a flexible PTC.
A through hole is provided inside the resistor or the flexible comb-shaped electrode, and the through hole can be used as a ventilation hole to provide a comfortable flexible PTC heating element without stuffiness when worn on the body.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the flexible substrate has an uneven cross-sectional shape, and the gas barrier layer, the stretchable layer, the elongation regulating layer for preventing deformation below the maximum elongation, and the flexibility P.
It is composed of a TC resistor, a flexible comb-shaped electrode, and a porous retention layer that retains a flexible coating material. The gas barrier layer prevents permeation of external gas from the flexible base material side, and Long-term durability of the flexible PTC resistor can be secured. In addition, it is possible to deal with deformation within a predetermined range by the elastic layer, and it is possible to prevent deformation beyond the maximum elongation by the elongation regulation layer. Furthermore, since the contact area is increased by the porous holding layer and the resistor, the comb-shaped electrode, and the covering material can be held securely, a highly reliable flexible PTC heating element can be provided.

In the invention described in claim 8, the flexible coating material comprises a flexible base material, a flexible comb-shaped electrode, and an adhesive layer having adhesiveness with a flexible PTC resistor, a gas barrier layer and a stretchable layer. It is configured by the adhesive layer, the base material, the resistor,
By adhering to the comb-shaped electrode, the gas barrier layer prevents gas from entering from the outside, and the elastic layer can impart flexibility to follow deformation due to stress.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a flexible comb electrode and a flexible PTC resistor are formed on a flexible substrate by screen printing, and the comb electrode and the PTC resistor are in a thin film state on the substrate. Can be applied to. It is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the amount of comb electrodes and PTC resistors used, and to provide a PTC heating element that can cope with deformation due to stress.

The invention described in claim 10 is a flexible PT
The C resistor is composed of a saponified product of ethylene vinyl acetate, carbon black, and an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer-based latex.
It becomes possible to produce a TC resistor paste, and a method for producing a PTC heating element with a low environmental load can be provided.

The invention described in claim 11 uses carbon black pretreated with a chemical cross-linking agent or a coupling agent, and comprises carbon black, a saponified ethylene vinyl acetate and an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer latex. It is possible to provide a flexible PTC resistor having high reliability by improving the affinity of the PTC resistor.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a flexible comb-shaped electrode is constituted by a conductive paste composed of a copolyester resin and conductive fine particles, and a flexible comb-shaped electrode that is strong against repeated loading is provided. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of another flexible PTC heating element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of another soft PTC heating element of Example 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a flexible base material of a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flexible coating material for a flexible PTC heating element that is Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional PTC heating element.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Flexible base material 2,6,7 Flexible comb electrode 3, 8, 9, 10 Flexible PTC resistor 4 Flexible covering 5 intervals 11, 12 opening 13, 14 through holes

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Narutoshi Kanazawa             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuyuki Ohara             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5E034 AA08 AB05 AC09 AC10 DA10                       DB03 DC10

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A flexible base material, a flexible comb-shaped electrode having a plurality of facing portions formed on the flexible base material, and electrically connected between opposing electrodes of the flexible comb-shaped electrode. And a plurality of spaced-apart flexible P
A flexible PTC heating element comprising a TC resistor and a flexible coating material for coating these surfaces. 2. The flexible comb-shaped electrode is arranged at a position where two main electrodes made of twisted metal and auxiliary electrodes electrically connected to each of the main electrodes face each other. Flexible PTC heating element. 3. The flexible PTC heating element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible PTC resistor is provided in parallel and perpendicular directions to the opposing auxiliary electrodes. 4. The flexible PTC heating element according to claim 1, wherein an opening is provided inside at least the flexible PTC resistor. 5. The flexible PTC heating element according to claim 1, wherein an opening is provided inside the flexible comb-shaped electrode. 6. The flexible PTC heating element according to claim 4, wherein a through hole is provided inside the flexible PTC resistor or the flexible comb-shaped electrode. 7. A flexible base material having an uneven cross-sectional shape, a gas barrier layer, a stretchable layer, an elongation regulating layer for preventing deformation below a maximum elongation, a flexible PTC resistor, and a flexible comb-shaped electrode. The flexible PTC heating element according to claim 1, wherein the flexible PTC heating element comprises a porous holding layer that holds the flexible coating material. 8. The flexible covering material comprises a flexible base material, a flexible comb-shaped electrode, and an adhesive layer having adhesiveness with a flexible PTC resistor, a gas barrier layer, and a stretchable layer.
Alternatively, the flexible PTC heating element described in 7 above. 9. The flexible PTC heating element according to claim 1, wherein the flexible comb electrode and the flexible PTC resistor are formed on a flexible substrate by screen printing. 10. A flexible PTC resistor comprising a saponified product of ethylene vinyl acetate, carbon black and an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer type latex, according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The flexible PTC heating element according to item 1. 11. The flexible PTC heating element according to claim 10, which comprises carbon black pretreated with a chemical crosslinking agent or a coupling agent. 12. The flexible comb-shaped electrode is composed of a conductive paste composed of a copolyester resin and conductive fine particles, and the flexible comb-shaped electrode is structured as described in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The flexible PTC heating element described in the item.