JP2003197349A - Planar heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a planar heater allowing only the temperature of an arbitrary position of the planar heater to be lowered when abnormal heat is locally generated at that position, and thereby capable of preventing an accident or the like while keeping the amenity of a user. <P>SOLUTION: This planar heater is provided with a pair of electrodes 2 and 3, and a heat generation part 4 equipped with multiple conductive strings 5 connected to the pair of electrodes 2 and 3, and generates heat in heat generating parts 4 in a planar form by making the conductive strings 5 generate heat by carrying a current to the electrodes 2 and 3. By severing the other electrode 3 at arbitrary positions, the heating parts 4 are divided into multiple heat generation blocks. A maximum temperature control means 6 is installed in every heat generation block, and the other electrodes 3 are connected to a power source through the control means 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet heater provided with a sheet heating portion, and more particularly, the sheet heating portion is divided into a plurality of heating blocks, so that abnormal heat is locally generated. The present invention relates to a planar heater capable of interrupting power supply only to a heat generation block including a portion where the abnormal heat generation occurs when the heat generation occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a heater used for floor heating or the like, a sheet heater having an electric sheet heating element has been provided.

The sheet heater will be briefly described below. The sheet heater includes at least a pair of electrodes and a conductive heating portion provided between the electrodes, and the heating portion is energized by energizing the electrodes. It generates heat and thereby functions as a heater. And
Examples of the heat generating portion include a heat generating portion provided with a large number of conductive yarns and a material in which a conductive material or the like is applied to the entire surface of a base material. In either case, it is possible to heat the entire heat generating portion. Therefore, it is generally called a planar heater.

By the way, when a seat, a chair and the like are placed on the heater while the heater is in use, heat cannot be released at the location and a so-called heat pool is formed. May cause fever. In such a case, not only will the seat cushion or the like arranged on the heater be damaged and the heater body will be deteriorated, but also an unexpected accident such as a fire may be caused.

Therefore, in the past, generally, in a planar heater, for example, a thermostat or the like is arranged at an arbitrary position of the heat generating portion, or a temperature sensor is arranged at an arbitrary position of the heat generating portion. The temperature control method was adopted in which the temperature of the heat generating part is monitored and the switch is turned off when the temperature of the heat generating part exceeds the set temperature.

[0006]

However, in this conventional temperature control method, the heater switch is turned off when the temperature of the heat generating portion exceeds the set temperature, so that abnormal heat generation locally occurs. Even if it happens, the temperature of the entire heater will drop, and the problem that the comfort level of the user cannot be maintained was considered.

Therefore, in the present invention, when a local abnormal heat generation occurs at an arbitrary location of the planar heater, it is possible to lower only the temperature of the location, thereby maintaining the comfort level of the user. However, it is an object to provide a planar heater that can prevent accidents in advance.

[0008]

The planar heater of the present invention comprises a pair of electrodes and a heat generating portion having a plurality of conductive threads connecting the pair of electrodes, and the electrodes are energized. In this way, in a planar heater that heats the plurality of conductive yarns to heat the heating portion in a planar manner, the heating portion is divided into a plurality of heating blocks by dividing the other of the electrodes at an arbitrary position. In addition, a maximum temperature control means is installed for each of the heat generation blocks, and the other of the electrodes is connected to a power source via the maximum temperature control means, and a pair of electrodes is provided. ,
A planar heater provided between the pair of electrodes, the heating portion having a conductive means on its entire surface, and causing the heating portion to generate a planar heat by energizing the electrodes,
By dividing at least the other side of the electrode and the heat generating portion at any place, the heat generating portion is divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks, and maximum temperature control means is installed for each heat generating block, and the maximum temperature control is performed. The other of the electrodes is connected to a power source via a means.

In the planar heater of the present invention, the heat generating portion is divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks, and maximum temperature controlling means such as a thermostat is arranged in each heat generating block, and heat is generated through the maximum temperature controlling means. Power is supplied to the block.

In such a structure, when the abnormal heat is locally generated during the use of the heater, the maximum temperature control means arranged in the heat generating block including the portion where the abnormal heat is generated operates, Only the power supply to the heat generating block is cut off.

As described above, in the planar heater of the present invention,
When abnormal heat generation occurs locally, it is possible to lower the temperature of only the heat-generating block including the part, so unlike the conventional method where the heater switch is turned off when abnormal heat generation occurs locally. It is possible to prevent accidents and the like while maintaining the comfort level of the user.

[0012]

EXAMPLE An example of the sheet heater of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of the sheet heater of the present embodiment. In FIG. It is a heater. The planar heater 1 of the present embodiment is coated with a film (not shown) or the like to cover the entire surface thereof, and is subjected to an insulation treatment when used.

Next, the structure of the sheet heater of this example will be described in detail. In the sheet heater 1 of this example, a pair of electrodes composed of one electrode pattern 2 and the other electrode pattern 3 are used. The patterns are arranged so as to face each other, and the main power source 8 is connected to one of the electrode patterns 2 to form the space between the electrode patterns 2 and 3 as the heat generating portion 4.

Explaining the heat generating portion 4, the heat generating portion 4 in this embodiment includes a large number of conductive threads (hereinafter referred to as "conductive threads") 5 and both ends of the conductive thread 5. Respectively, the electrode patterns 2, 3
Connected to each. As the conductive thread 5, a thread impregnated with a conductive material or a thread coated with a conductive material is used.

Next, the other 3 of the electrode patterns is divided at a plurality of locations, whereby the heat generating portion 4 is divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks. That is, by dividing the other side 3 of the electrode pattern at a plurality of locations, the heat generating portion 4
Are divided for each heat generating portion 4 including the conductive thread 5 connected to each of the divided electrode patterns 3.

Each heating unit 4 is equipped with a thermostat 6 as a maximum temperature control means,
Through the thermostat 6, the other 3 of the electrode pattern
Is connected to the main power source 8.

In the figure, 7 is a thermal fuse, that is, in the planar heater 1 of this embodiment, the thermal fuses 7 are arranged before and after the thermostat 6 in consideration of safety.

In the sheet heater 1 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the main power source 8 is used to dispose the electrode patterns 2, 3
When power is supplied to the conductive yarn 5, Joule heat is generated in the conductive yarn 5,
As a result, the temperature of the entire heating section 4 rises.

Then, when a squash, a squash, a chair and the like are placed on the heat generating part 4 and the heat is not released at the relevant place, and the heat is abnormally generated, the abnormal heat is generated. The thermostat 6 operates in the heat generating block including the above-mentioned portion, and only the power supply to the heat generating block is cut off. As a result, the temperature of only the heat generating block is lowered, and the temperatures of the other heat generating blocks are maintained. On the other hand, if the lumps that caused the abnormal heat generation are removed and the temperature at the location falls to the set temperature, the thermostat will return and power will be supplied again to the heating block including the location. Being exothermic part 4
Temperature rises.

As described above, in the planar heater of this embodiment, when the abnormal heat is locally generated, the temperature of only the heat generating block including the portion where the abnormal heat is generated is decreased and other heat is generated. Since the block temperature is maintained, unlike conventional heaters that switch off the entire heater when abnormal heat is locally generated, it is possible to prevent accidents while maintaining user comfort. It is possible.

The length of the other 3 of the electrode patterns is arbitrary depending on the intended use, but in this embodiment, the length of the other 3 of the divided electrode patterns is about 30.
cm to 50 cm. Further, as the thermostat, the operating temperature (off point) was set to 70 degrees and the return temperature (on point) was set to 50 degrees.

Next, another example of the sheet heater of the present invention will be described. The sheet heater of this example uses a heating portion in which a conductive material is applied or impregnated on the entire surface of a base material such as cloth. It is a planar heater. That is, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the planar heater of the present embodiment, in which 11 is the planar heater of the present embodiment. The planar heater 1 of the present embodiment is also coated with a film or the like (not shown) so as to cover the entire surface thereof, as in the planar heaters of the above-described embodiments, and is subjected to an insulation treatment when used.

Next, in the figure, reference numerals 12 and 13 denote electrode patterns. Also in this embodiment, a pair of electrode patterns 1 is formed.
2 and 13 are arranged so as to face each other, a main power source 18 is connected to one of the electrode patterns 12, and a heat generating portion 14 is provided between the electrode patterns 12 and 13.

Then, the heat generating portion 14 in the present embodiment.
As the material, a base material such as cloth coated with or impregnated with a conductive paint is used, and both ends of the heat generating portion 14 are connected to the electrode patterns 12 and 13 to form the electrode pattern 1
The structure is such that Joule heat is generated in the heat generating portion 14 by energizing between 2 and 13.

Next, in the planar heater 11 of the present embodiment, the other side 13 of the electrode patterns is divided at an arbitrary position, and the heating portion 14 connected to each divided electrode pattern 13 is also divided. Only one of the electrode patterns 12 is left so that the heat generating portion 14 is divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks. That is,
Each heating block has one end 12 connected to the electrode pattern and the other end connected to the divided electrode pattern 13. And in each heating block,
A thermostat 16 as a maximum temperature control means is provided in an array sandwiched by a pair of temperature fuses 17, and the other electrode pattern 13 is connected to the main power supply 18 via the thermostat 16 and the pair of temperature fuses 17. is doing. Then, by this, for each heat generating portion connected to the other 13 of the divided electrode patterns,
It has a structure that generates heat independently.

Next, the operation of the sheet heater 11 of this embodiment having the above-described structure will be described. When power is supplied from the main power supply 18 to the electrode patterns 12 and 13,
Joule heat is generated in the heat generating portion 14, and as a result, the heat generating portion 1
The overall temperature of 4 rises.

Then, when a squat, a squat, a chair, etc. are placed on the heat generating portion 14 and the heat is not released at the location, the heat is abnormally generated. The thermostat 16 operates in the heat generating block including the above-mentioned portion, and only the power supply to the heat generating block is cut off. As a result, the temperature of only the heat generating block is lowered, and the temperatures of the other heat generating blocks are maintained. On the other hand, if the lumps that caused the abnormal heat generation are removed and the temperature at the location falls to the set temperature, the thermostat will return to the normal state and power will be supplied again to the heating block including the location. Being exothermic 14
Temperature rises.

As described above, also in the planar heater of this embodiment, when the abnormal heat is locally generated, the temperature of only the heat generating block including the portion where the abnormal heat is generated is decreased and other heat is generated. Since the block temperature is maintained, unlike conventional heaters that switch off the entire heater when abnormal heat is locally generated, it is possible to prevent accidents while maintaining user comfort. It is possible.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the structure in which only one of the electrode patterns 12 is left and the other of the electrode patterns 13 and the heating portion 14 are divided is described. The part 14 and the other 14 of the electrode patterns may be divided, and the divided one of the electrode patterns 12 may be electrically connected.

In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermostat is used as the maximum temperature control means and the temperature fuses are arranged before and after the thermostat in consideration of safety.
It is not always necessary to perform maximum temperature control in this way.

For example, conventionally, an element having a so-called PTC characteristic (hereinafter referred to as PTC characteristic) in which the resistance value increases as the temperature rises and electricity does not flow when the temperature reaches a preset temperature (this is called "Curie point"). "PTC element") is provided, but the PTC element may be used as the maximum temperature control means so that the power is cut off when the PTC element reaches a set temperature or higher.

[0032]

The sheet heater of the present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

In the sheet heater of the present invention, the heat generating portion is divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks, and maximum temperature controlling means such as a thermostat is arranged in each heat generating block, and the heat generating blocks are connected to the heat generating blocks via the maximum temperature controlling means. It is supposed to supply power.

Therefore, in the planar heater of the present invention, when the abnormal heat is locally generated, the maximum temperature control means arranged in the heat generating block including the portion where the abnormal heat is generated is activated, Only the power supply to the heating block is cut off.

As described above, in the planar heater of the present invention,
When the abnormal heat is locally generated, the temperature of only the heat generation block including the relevant portion can be lowered. Therefore, even if the abnormal heat is locally generated, the entire heater is switched off. Unlike the method, it is possible to prevent accidents and the like without impairing the comfort level of the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a planar heater of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the planar heater of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11 planar heater 2, 3, 12, 13 electrode pattern 4, 14 Heat generating part 5 Conductive thread 6, 16 thermostat 7,17 Thermal fuse 8, 18 Main power supply

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A heating section (4) comprising a pair of electrodes (2, 3) and a plurality of conductive threads (5) connecting the pair of electrodes (2, 3). In a planar heater that heats the plurality of conductive threads (5) by energizing the electrodes (2, 3) to planarly heat the heat generating part (4), the other side (3) of the electrodes is arbitrary. The heat generating part (4) is divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks by dividing the heat generating part (4) at each point, and a maximum temperature control means (6) is installed for each heat generating block, and the maximum temperature control means (6) is provided. A sheet-like heater characterized in that the other side (3) of the electrodes is connected to a power source via the. 2. A pair of electrodes (12, 13), and a heating section (14) disposed between the pair of electrodes (12, 13) and provided with conductive means on the entire surface thereof. Electrode (1
A planar heater that heats the heat-generating part (14) in a planar manner by energizing the heat-generating part (14),
The heat generating part (14) by dividing the
Is divided into a plurality of heat generating blocks, and a maximum temperature control means (16) is installed for each heat generating block.
A planar heater characterized in that the other side (13) of the electrodes is connected to a power source via the maximum temperature control means (16).