JP2005085695A - Electric heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric heater facilitating assembly work, having excellent productivity, and hardly causing rigidity deterioration due to a creep. <P>SOLUTION: This electric heater has a heating element 3 composed by stacking heat radiation fins 32, heat generation elements 330 for generating heat by carrying current, and electrode plates 31 for applying power to the generation element 330; and is so structured that a heating medium passes the vicinities of the radiation fins 32 from one surface extended by both end faces in the stacking direction and both side faces crossing both the end faces of the heating element 3 toward the other surface thereof. The heater has respective first and second holding frames 21 and 22 on both the end faces in the stacking direction of the heating element 3; and has metallic fixing means 1 for stacking and integrating the radiation fins 32, the generation elements 330, electrode plates 31 and the first and second holding frames 21 and 22 by providing inward compression force from the outsides of the first and second holding frames 21 and 22. The fixing means 1 are fixed to the first and second holding frames 21 and 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric heater that employs a positive temperature coefficient thermistor or the like as a heating element.

As shown in FIG. 16, a pair of first and second mounting frames 91 and 92 arranged substantially in parallel, and perpendicular to the first and second mounting frames 91 and 92 and the first and second mounting frames 91. , 92 are respectively held by side mounting frames 93, 94, and an electric heater 9 in which a heating element 95 is arranged in a plane formed by the first, second and side mounting frames 91-94. Are known.
The heating element 95 is formed by stacking heat radiation fins 951, heating elements 952, and electrode plates 953 for applying electric power to the heating elements 952 substantially parallel to each other. The first and second mounting frames 91 and 92 are substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the heating elements 95, and the side mounting frames 93 and 94 are approximately parallel to the stacking direction.
In the electric heater 9, the heating element 95 is laminated between the first mounting frame 91 and the upper end face of the heating element 95 and between the second mounting frame 92 and the lower end face of the heating element 95. Spring members 910 and 920 that exhibit an elastic force (restoring force) from the outside to the inside are arranged.

When the electric heater 9 is assembled, the side mounting frames 93 and 94 are moved to the first and second mounting frames 93 and 94 in a state where the heating elements 95 are pressed from the first and second mounting frames 91 and 92 so that the spring materials 910 and 920 are bent. 2 It fixes to the edge part of the attachment frames 91 and 92.
Due to this fixing, the heat generating body 95 receives a compressive force in the stacking direction, and the heat dissipating fins 951, the heat generating elements 952, and the electrode plate 953 that are constituent elements of the heat generating body 95 are brought into close contact with each other by the compressive force. It is fixed in 94.

In the electric heater 9, electric power is applied from the electrode plate 953 to the heat generating element 952, and the heat generating element 952 generates heat. The heat generated in the heat generating element 952 is thermally conducted to the heat radiating fins 951 through the electrode plate 953, and heat conduction is generated from the heat radiating fins 951 to the heated medium passing through the vicinity of the heat radiating fins 951. Function.
Therefore, it is desirable that the heat dissipating fins 951, the heat generating elements 952, and the electrode plates 953 that are constituent elements of the heat generating element 95 are sufficiently in close contact with each other.
In the electric heater 9 according to FIG. 16, the spring members 910 and 920 apply a compressive force in the stacking direction to the heating element 95, thereby realizing mutual contact between the components of the heating element 95.
Note that the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 both have the same configuration as that of FIG.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-8391 Japanese Patent No. 3274234

  However, in the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 16, the role of applying a compressive force in the stacking direction to fix the heating element 95 in the mounting frames 91 to 94 and to bring the components of the heating element 95 into close contact with each other is a spring. Although the materials 910, 920 and the first, second, and side surface mounting frames 91-94 were in charge, the laminated fixing structure using these members had poor efficiency during assembly, and there was a risk of reducing production efficiency. It was.

That is, the respective constituent elements are stacked to form a heating element 95, and the first and second mounting frames 91 and 92 are arranged on both end surfaces of the heating element 95 in the stacking direction, respectively, and then the first pressing means is used to make the first. Then, a compressive force in the stacking direction is applied to the second mounting frames 91 and 92.
In order to prevent the heat generating body 95 from collapsing when a compressive force is applied, it is necessary to arrange an appropriate restraining member in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. After arranging such a restraining member, the side surface mounting frames 93, 94 must be fitted to both ends of the first and second mounting frames 91, 92. This fitting also brings the components of the heating element 95 into close contact with each other. Various operations and conditions such as bending the materials 910 and 920 to a predetermined state are necessary.
In consideration of weight reduction, heaters, radiators, and heat exchangers in which the side mounting frames 93 and 94 are made of flexible resin have been proposed. However, since the resin is concerned about a decrease in rigidity due to creep at a high temperature, it was not a preferable proposal.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric heater that is easy to assemble, is excellent in productivity, and is less likely to cause a decrease in rigidity due to creep.

1st invention has a heat generating body comprised by laminating | stacking the heat-radiation fin, the heat generating element which heat-generates by electricity supply, and the electrode plate which applies electric power to this heat generating element, The lamination direction both end surface of this heat generating body, and this both end surface An electric heater in which a medium to be heated passes through the vicinity of the heat dissipating fin from one surface stretched by both side surfaces intersecting with each other,
The heating elements have first and second holding frames on both end surfaces in the stacking direction,
By providing a compressive force from the outside to the inside of the first and second holding frames, there is a metal fixing means for laminating and integrating the heat radiating fins, the heating elements, the electrode plates, and the first and second holding frames. And
The metal fixing means may be an electric heater fixed to the first and second holding frames (Claim 1).

The function and effect of the present invention will be described.
In the electric heater according to the present invention, the heating element is held between the first holding frame and the second holding frame, and a compressive force is applied from the metal fixing means toward the inside from the outside together with the first and second holding frames. The metal fixing means is fixed to the first and second holding frames.

In the electric heater according to the present invention, the heating element generates heat by the power supplied from the electrode plate. Heat from the heat generating element is conducted to the heat radiating fin via the electrode plate, and is conducted from the heat radiating fin to the medium to be heated. Therefore, the larger the mutual contact area of the heating element, the electrode plate, and the radiation fin, the more efficiently heat can be transferred to the medium to be heated.
Therefore, by applying a compressive force in the stacking direction and fixing the heating element between the first and second holding frames, the heating element, the electrode plate, and the radiation fin are brought into close contact with each other, and heat conduction between these components It is possible to improve the heating efficiency of the electric heater.

The present invention applies a compressive force to the first and second holding frames and the heat generating body therebetween using the metal fixing means to bring the heat generating elements into close contact with each other as described above, and to the first and second heat generating elements. 2 Laminated and fixed the holding frame.
Conventionally, stacking and fixing has been realized with two types of parts, but the present invention has improved it and reduced the number of parts.
Further, in the present invention, the assembly is completed by fixing the metal fixing means to the place where the heating element is held by the first and second holding frames. However, in the configuration according to FIG. A spring material is disposed between the first and second mounting frames and the heating element (there is also a spring material integrated with the first and second holding frames), and compressive force is applied from the outside of the first and second holding frames. In addition, the spring material is compressed, and in that state, it is necessary to fit the side frames from both sides, and the assembly work is very troublesome. The present invention was able to reduce this troublesome assembly work.
In addition, the fixing means of the present invention is made of metal, so that it is difficult for creep to occur and it is difficult for the rigidity to decrease during use.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric heater that is easy to assemble, is excellent in productivity, and hardly suffers from a decrease in rigidity due to creep.

  The electric heater of the present invention can use a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) element as a heating element. A PTC element has a property that electrical resistance rapidly increases above a specific temperature. Therefore, it generates heat when energized. However, when the temperature at which heat is generated exceeds a predetermined temperature, the electrical resistance becomes too high and almost no current is generated. It will not flow and will not generate heat above a certain temperature. Therefore, it is possible to prevent overheating of the heater by using this element.

Next, a specific shape and the like of the metal fixing member will be described.
The metal fixing means includes a U-shaped frame body including a pair of first and second fixing pieces facing each other and a support portion that bridges between the first and second fixing pieces.
The support portion is disposed along the side surface of the heating element,
Preferably, the first fixed piece is fixed to the first holding frame, and the second fixed piece is fixed to the second holding frame, respectively (Claim 2) (see FIG. 1 described later).

  The above-mentioned metal fixing means comprising the U-shaped frame body is an operation with excellent workability in which the open portion of the U-shaped frame body is inserted from the side surface into the heating element sandwiched between the first and second holding frames. Thus, a compressive force in the stacking direction can be applied to the first and second holding frames and the heating element.

The first and second holding frames are formed of a hollow body having an opening toward the side surface of the heating element,
The first fixing piece and the second holding frame are inserted into the first holding frame by inserting the tip ends of the first and second fixing pieces of the metal fixing member from the openings of the first and second holding frames. It is preferable that the second fixing pieces are fixed to each other (Claim 3) (see FIG. 1 described later).
Thereby, the metal fixing member can be reliably fixed to the first and second holding frames.
The first and second holding frames are preferably provided on the left and right side surfaces of the heating element, respectively.

The first and second fixing pieces are composed of a base end portion extending from the support portion and a tip end portion further extending from the base end portion,
Bending between the base end portion and the tip end portion in a V-shaped cross section along the longitudinal direction of the end face of the heating element and bending from the outside to the inside of the first and second holding frames Part
The metal fixing means is fixed to the first and second holding frames by bringing the first fixing piece into contact with the first holding frame and the second fixing piece into contact with the second holding frame at the bent portion, respectively. (Claim 4) (See FIGS. 4 and 5 described later).
By providing the V-shaped bent portion, the distance between the tip portions of the first and second fixing pieces increases, and the metal fixing member is attached to the heating element held between the first and second holding frames. It becomes easy to fix.

Further, the metal fixing means comprises a U-shaped frame body comprising a pair of opposing first and second fixing pieces and a support portion that bridges between the first and second fixing pieces,
The supporting portion is disposed along one surface stretched by both end surfaces in the stacking direction of the heating element and both side surfaces intersecting the both end surfaces, and the first fixing piece and the second fixing member are disposed on the first holding frame. The second fixing pieces are preferably fixed to the holding frame, respectively (Claim 5) (see FIG. 14 described later).

  The metal fixing means comprising the U-shaped frame body is a portion where the U-shaped frame body is opened from both ends and both sides of the heating element sandwiched between the first and second holding frames. The compression force in the stacking direction can be applied to the first and second holding frames and the heat generating element by an operation with excellent workability of inserting the.

Preferably, the metal fixing means comprises an annular body configured to surround both end surfaces and both side surfaces of the heating element (Claim 6) (see FIGS. 9 and 13 to be described later). ).
Thereby, metal fixing means can be provided so as to surround the four sides of the heating element, and the heating element and the first and second holding frames can be held in a strong and stable state.

The first and second holding frames have an opening surface that opens toward a surface stretched by both end surfaces in the stacking direction of the heating element and both side surfaces intersecting the both end surfaces, and the metal made of an annular body It is preferable that the product fixing means is fitted and fixed to the first and second holding frames from the opening surface.
Thereby, a metal fixing means can be integrated and an assembly can be made easy.

The metal fixing means includes one surface and the other surface stretched by both end surfaces of the heat generating member in the stacking direction of the heat generating members and both side surfaces intersecting the both end surfaces, and the first and second holding frames. It is preferable that it consists of the annular body which can be fixed so that the outer side of this may be enclosed (Claim 8) (FIG. 15 mentioned later).
Thereby, the dimension of a longitudinal direction can be made small.

The metal fixing means is preferably made of tool steel or spring steel.
Tool steel and spring steel are suitable as a constituent material of a metal fixing means because they have characteristics of high mechanical strength and fatigue resistance.
Specifically, SK5 can be used as the tool steel. SUS301-CSP can be used as the spring steel.

(Example 1)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the electric heater 1 according to this example includes a radiation fin 32, a heating element 330 that generates heat when energized, an electrode plate 31 that applies power to the heating element 330, first and second insulations. The heating element 3 is formed by laminating the bodies 391 and 392, and is stretched by both end surfaces 301 and 302 in the stacking direction of the heating element 3 and both side surfaces 303 and 304 intersecting the both end surfaces 301 and 302. The medium to be heated passes from the surface 305 toward the other surface 306 in the vicinity of the heat radiating fins 32.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, first and second holding frames 21 and 22 are provided on both end surfaces 301 and 302 in the stacking direction of the heating element 3, respectively, and outside the first and second holding frames 21 and 22. By applying a compressive force inward from the inside, the heat dissipating fin 32, the heating element 330, the electrode plate 31, the first and second insulators 391 and 392, and the first and second holding frames 21 and 22 are laminated and integrated. The metal fixing means 1 to be used is provided.
The metal fixing means 1 is fixed to the first and second holding frames 21 and 22.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the metal fixing means 1 is a support that bridges between a pair of opposing first and second fixing pieces 11 and 12 and the first and second fixing pieces 11 and 12. It consists of a U-shaped frame consisting of part 10. The support portion 10 is disposed along the side surfaces 303 and 304 of the heating element 3, and the first fixed piece 11 is placed on the first holding frame 21 and the second fixed piece 12 is placed on the second holding frame 22. Fix it.
Moreover, the said 1st and 2nd holding frames 21 and 22 consist of a hollow body which has the opening parts 213 and 223 which go to the side surfaces 304 and 305 of the said heat generating body 3, as shown in FIGS.
By inserting the tip ends of the first and second fixing pieces 11 and 12 of the metal fixing member 1 from the openings 213 and 223 of the first and second holding frames 21 and 22, the first holding frame 21 is inserted into the first holding frame 21. The second fixing piece 12 is fixed to the first fixing piece 11 and the second holding frame 22, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first and second fixing pieces 11, 12 include base end portions 111, 121 extending from the support portion 10, and tip portions 113 extending further from the base end portions 111, 121, 123, bent between the base end portions 111 and 121 and the tip end portions 113 and 123 in a V-shaped cross section along the longitudinal direction of the end surfaces 301 and 302 of the heating element 3, and the first end And bent portions 112 and 122 that are bent from the outside to the inside of the second holding frames 21 and 22.
The first fixing piece 11 is brought into contact with the first holding frame 21 and the second fixing piece 12 is brought into contact with the second holding frame 22 at the bent portions 112 and 122, respectively. And fixed to the second holding frames 21 and 22.

Details will be described below.
In the electric heater 2 of this example, the heat of the heat generating element 330 is conducted to the heat radiating fins 32, and when the medium to be heated (for example, air) passes from the surface 305 of the heat generating element 3 toward the surface 306, the heat radiating fins 32. Heat is received from the medium, and the temperature of the heated medium rises.
1, 2, and 3, the heating element 3 includes a first insulator 391, an electrode plate 31, a radiation fin 32, a holder 33 that holds a heating element 330, an electrode plate 31, a radiation fin 32. The heat dissipating fins 32 and the second insulator 392 are stacked in this order, and are composed of five electrode plates 31, five heat dissipating fins 32, and four holders 33 for holding four heat generating elements 330.
The metal fixing means 1 is disposed on the left and right side surfaces 303 and 304 of the heating element 3, and the cases 23 and 24 are disposed from the outside of the metal fixing means 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the radiating fin 32 is composed of two L-shaped frames 321 and 322 and a thin corrugated plate 320, and has a rectangular shape surrounded by the two L-shaped frames 321 and 322. The corrugated plate 320 is accommodated in a space. The L-shaped frames 321 and 322 and the corrugated plate 320 are integrated by welding or brazing. Here, the L-shaped frames 321 and 322 and the corrugated plate 320 are each made of an aluminum-based or copper-based material.

The heating element 330 is made of a barium titanate PTC element.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and 8, the holder 33 that holds the heating element 330 includes a main body 331, a side end protrusion 333 that protrudes from one side end of the main body 331, and the other And a terminal protrusion 334 for guiding a connection terminal 311 provided on the electrode plate 31 described later. The widths of the side end protrusions 333 and the terminal protrusions 334 are narrower than the main body 331. Four holding holes 332 for holding the heating elements 300 are provided on the bottom surface of the main body 331.
As shown in FIG. 8, the holder 33 has an H-shaped cross section, and both sides of the heating element 3 in the stacking direction are groove-shaped. As a result, the heat radiation fins 32 and the electrode plates 31 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction can be held by the holder 33 so as not to jump out in the direction of the surfaces 305 and 306.
The electrode plate 31 is made of a long and thin flat metal plate, and has a terminal portion 311 to which a female terminal 261 described later can be connected at one end. The electrode plate 31 is made of a copper-based material.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first insulator 391 insulates the electrode plate 31 located at the extreme end of the heating element 3 from the first holding frame 21. The second insulator 392 insulates between the heat radiating fins 32 located at the extreme end of the heating element 3 and the second holding frame 21. The first insulator 391 is a groove type that can hold the electrode plate 31.
The second insulator 392 is a groove type capable of holding the heat radiating fins 32. In addition, the first and second insulators 391 and 392 can be configured to have an H-shaped cross section similar to the holder 33.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second holding frames 21 and 22 are cylindrical hollow members having a square cross section, and have openings 213 and 223 facing the side surfaces of the heating element 3. Engagement holes 217, 218, 227, 228 that engage with engagement pieces 235, 245 of cases 23, 24 described later are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

The cases 23 and 24 are crowned from the outside of the metal fixing means 1, and the case 23 on the left side in FIG. 1 has a rectangular side shape and includes an inner engagement piece 235 extending to the metal fixing means 1 side. The inner engagement piece 235 engages with the engagement holes 217 and 227 on the left side of the first and second holding frames 21 and 22.
The right case 24 in FIG. 1 has flanges 241 at both ends, penetrates the internal engagement piece 245 extending toward the metal fixing means 1 and the case 24, and inserts the terminal portion 311 of the electrode plate 31. , And an insertion groove 249 for pulling it out. Further, a terminal slit 240 for inserting the female terminal 261 connected to the terminal portion 311 is provided on the outer side of the heating element 3.
In addition, the female terminal 261 is inserted, and a protective case 25 for covering and storing the female terminal 261 from outside the case 24 is provided.
The lead wire 22 extending from the female terminal 261 has sockets 263 and 264 that are connected to an external power source (not shown) of the electric heater 8.

The metal fixing means 1 will be further described.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the metal fixing means 1 of this example has a substantially U-shaped cross section and includes first and second fixing pieces 11 and 12 and an annular support portion 10. The first fixed piece 11 includes a proximal end portion 111, a distal end portion 113, and a bent portion 112 having a V-shaped cross section therebetween. Similarly, the second fixed piece 12 includes a base end portion 121, a tip end portion 123, and a bent portion 122 having a V-shaped cross section therebetween.
The metal fixing means 11 is composed of SK5, which is spring steel, and the entire member functions as a spring.
The base end portions 111 and 121 extend from both ends of the support portion 10 in a gentle curve shape, and the tip end portions 113 and 123 are members that extend linearly. The first and second fixed pieces 11 and 12 are bent in a square shape at the boundary between the base end portions 111 and 121 and the distal end portions 113 and 123, and these portions are the bent portions 112 and 122.

The assembly of the electric heater 2 of this example will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the heating element 330 is incorporated in the holder 33, and the first insulator 391, the electrode plate 31, the radiation fin 32, the holder 33 holding the heating element 330, the electrode plate 31, the radiation fin 32. The heat dissipating fins 32 and the second insulator 392 are stacked in this order.
At this time, the radiating fins 32 and the electrode plate 31 are held in the groove-shaped portions of the groove-shaped holder 33 and the first and second insulators 391 and 392 to stabilize the laminated state.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the bending portions 112 and 122 have a larger distance than the distance L1 between the inner wall surfaces 219 and 229 of the first and second holding frames 21 and 22 on the heating element 3 side. The metal fixing means 1 is deformed so that the distance L0 is increased.

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the first and second fixing pieces 11, 12 of the deformed metal fixing means 1 are opened from the side surfaces 303, 304 of the heating element 3 to the openings of the first and second holding frames 21, 22. Insert into the parts 213 and 223. In the free state, the metal fixing means 1 is (distance L0 between the bent portions 112 and 122) <(distance L1 between the inner wall surfaces 219 and 229). Therefore, as shown in FIG. , 122 abuts against the inner wall surfaces 219, 229, and a compressive force inward in the stacking direction acts on the inner wall surfaces 219, 229 so that the metal fixing means 1 is fixed to the first and second holding frames 21, 22. The
Next, the cases 23 and 24 are crowned from the outside of the metal fixing means 1, and the protective case 25 is crowned outside the case 24.
At this time, the terminal portion 311 of the electrode plate 31 is inserted into the terminal slit 240 of the case 24, and the terminal portion 311 is fixed to the female terminal 261 between the case 24 and the protective case 25.

  The electric heater 2 according to this example holds the heating element 3 between the first holding frame 21 and the second holding frame 22, and from the metal fixing means 1, the first and second holding frames 21, 22 together from the outside to the inside. Apply compressive force toward The metal fixing means is fixed to the first and second holding frames.

In the electric heater 2 according to this example, the heating element 330 generates heat by the power supplied from the electrode plate 31. Heat from the heat generating element 330 is conducted to the heat radiating fin 32 via the electrode plate 31, and is conducted from the heat radiating fin 32 to the medium to be heated. Therefore, the larger the mutual contact area of the heating element 330, the electrode plate 31, and the radiation fin 32, the more efficiently heat can be transferred to the medium to be heated.
In this example, the heating element 3 is fixed between the first and second holding frames 21, 22 by applying a compressive force in the stacking direction using the metal fixing means 1, so that the heating element 330, the electrode plate 31, The heat radiation fins 32 are brought into close contact with each other to improve the heat conduction between these components, and the heating efficiency of the electric heater 1 can be increased.
Conventionally, stacking and fixing has been realized with two types of parts (see Patent Documents 1 and 2), but this example has been improved to reduce the number of parts.
Further, in this example, since the metal fixing means 1 is fixed to the place where the heating element 3 is held by the first and second holding frames 21 and 22 and the assembly is completed, the assembly work is easy and efficient. .
In addition, the fixing means of this example is made of metal, so that it is difficult for creep to occur and the rigidity during use is not easily reduced.

  As described above, according to this example, it is possible to provide an electric heater that is easy to assemble, is excellent in productivity, and is less likely to cause a decrease in rigidity due to creep.

(Example 2)
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the metal fixing means 4 of the electric heater 2 according to this example includes an annular body configured to surround both end surfaces 301 and 302 and both side surfaces 303 and 304 of the heating element 3. .

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, in the electric heater 2, on both end surfaces 301 and 302 of the heating element 3 (the internal structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the outline is shown with the details omitted). First and second holding frames 41 and 42 each having a U-shaped cross section and opening in the direction of the surface 305 are disposed.
The first holding frame 41 can support the metal fixing means 4 in an internal space surrounded by the bottom surface 411, the ceiling surface 412, and the side surface 413. The same applies to the second holding frame.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the metal fixing means 4, the inner peripheral surface 401 contacts the side surfaces 303 and 304 of the heating element 3 and the inner side surfaces 411 of the first and second holding frames 41 and 42 from the surface 305 side. By being fitted as much as possible, a compressive force from the outside toward the inside can be applied to the heating element 3.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the heating element 3 of the present example is similar to the first embodiment, in which the heat radiating fins 32, a heating element that generates heat when energized (not shown), a holder that holds the heating element (not shown), The electrode plate 31 that applies power to the element and the insulator 391 that secures the insulation between the first and second holding frames 41 and 42 are laminated.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the metal fixing means 4 of this example partially contacts the bottom surface 411 and the like inside the first holding frame 41. That is, as is apparent from FIG. 9, there are two places on the bottom surface 411 in the first holding frame 41 and two places on the ceiling surface in the second holding frame 42.

In addition, as the metal fixing means 4 made of an annular body as in this example, a shape as shown in FIG. 13 can be used. In this case, the metal fixing means 4 is in contact with the ceiling surface 412 twice and only once with the bottom surface 411 in the first holding frame 41. The same applies to the second holding frame 42.
Other details are the same as those in the first embodiment.
The electric heater 2 according to this example is provided with the metal fixing means 4 so as to surround the four sides of the heating element 3, and holds the heating element 3 and the first and second holding frames 21 and 22 in a stable state. And the number of parts can be reduced.
Other details have the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

(Example 3)
As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the metal fixing means 5 of the electric heater 2 according to this example includes a pair of first and second fixing pieces 51 and 52 facing each other, and the first and second fixing members. 2 It consists of the U-shaped frame which consists of the support part 50 which bridges between the fixed pieces 51 and 52.
The support portion 50 is disposed along the surface 305 of the heating element 3, and the first fixing piece 51 is fixed to the first holding frame 21, and the second fixing piece 52 is fixed to the second holding frame 22. To do.
Other details are the same as those in the first embodiment.
By adopting the configuration according to this example, it can be held with a strong and uniform load.

Example 4
As shown in FIG. 15, the metal fixing means 6 of the electric heater 2 according to this example includes first and second holding frames 21 from surfaces 305 stretched by both end surfaces and both side surfaces of the heating element 3 in the stacking direction. , 22 and is formed of an annular body that can be fixed toward the other surface 306.
The annular metal fixing means 6 can be fixed by being inserted from the side surface of the heating element 3. Other details are the same as those in the first embodiment.
By adopting the configuration according to this example, it can be held with a strong and uniform load.

FIG. 3 is a perspective development view of the electric heater according to the first embodiment. 1 is a plan view of an electric heater according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element according to Example 1. FIG. The perspective view of the metal fixing means concerning Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which fixed the metal fixing means concerning Example 1 from the side surface of a heat generating body. Explanatory drawing of a holder and heat generating element concerning Example 1. FIG. The top view of the holder concerning Example 1. FIG. Sectional drawing of the holder concerning Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the electric heater concerning Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. The partial perspective development view of the heat generating body concerning Example 2. FIG. Explanatory drawing at the time of fitting the metal fixing means concerning Example 2. FIG. The top view of the electric heater concerning Example 2 which provided the different metal fixing means. The top view of the electric heater concerning Example 3. FIG. The top view of the electric heater concerning Example 4. FIG. Explanatory drawing of an electric heater concerning the past.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Metal fixing means 10 Support part 11 1st fixing piece 12 2nd fixing piece 2 Electric heater 21 1st holding frame 22 2nd holding frame 3 Heating element 31 Electrode plate 32 Radiation fin 330 Heating element

Claims (9)

A heat-dissipating fin, a heat-generating element that generates heat when energized, and a heating element configured by laminating electrode plates that apply power to the heat-generating element, and both end surfaces in the stacking direction of the heat-generating element and both side surfaces intersecting the both end surfaces An electric heater in which a medium to be heated passes through the vicinity of the heat dissipating fin from one surface stretched by
The heating elements have first and second holding frames on both end surfaces in the stacking direction,
By providing a compressive force from the outside to the inside of the first and second holding frames, there is a metal fixing means for laminating and integrating the heat radiating fins, the heating elements, the electrode plates, and the first and second holding frames. And
The electric heater, wherein the metal fixing means is fixed to the first and second holding frames. In Claim 1, the said metal fixing means consists of a U-shaped frame body which consists of a pair of 1st and 2nd fixing piece which opposes, and the support part which bridges between the said 1st and 2nd fixing piece. ,
The support portion is disposed along the side surface of the heating element,
An electric heater, wherein the first fixing piece is fixed to the first holding frame, and the second fixing piece is fixed to the second holding frame. In Claim 2, said 1st and 2nd holding frame consists of a hollow body which has an opening which goes to the side of said heating element,
The first fixing piece and the second holding frame are inserted into the first holding frame by inserting the tip ends of the first and second fixing pieces of the metal fixing member from the openings of the first and second holding frames. An electric heater characterized in that the second fixing piece is fixed to each other. In Claim 2 or 3, said 1st and 2nd fixed piece consists of a base end part extended from a support part, and a tip part further extended from this base end part,
Bending between the base end portion and the tip end portion in a V-shaped cross section along the longitudinal direction of the end face of the heating element and bending from the outside to the inside of the first and second holding frames Part
The metal fixing means is fixed to the first and second holding frames by bringing the first fixing piece into contact with the first holding frame and the second fixing piece into contact with the second holding frame at the bent portion, respectively. An electric heater characterized by the above. In Claim 1, the said metal fixing means consists of a U-shaped frame body which consists of a pair of 1st and 2nd fixing piece which opposes, and the support part which bridges between the said 1st and 2nd fixing piece. ,
The supporting portion is disposed along one surface stretched by both end surfaces in the stacking direction of the heating element and both side surfaces intersecting the both end surfaces, and the first fixing piece and the second fixing member are disposed on the first holding frame. An electric heater, wherein the second fixing piece is fixed to a holding frame.   2. The electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the metal fixing means comprises an annular body configured to surround both end faces and both side faces of the heating element.   7. The first and second holding frames according to claim 6, wherein the first and second holding frames have an opening surface that opens toward a surface stretched by both end surfaces in the stacking direction of the heating elements and both side surfaces intersecting the both end surfaces. The electric heater characterized in that the metal fixing means comprising a body is fixed by being fitted into the first and second holding frames from the opening surface.   2. The metal fixing means according to claim 1, wherein the metal fixing means includes one surface and the other surface stretched by both end surfaces of the heating element in the stacking direction of the heating elements and both side surfaces intersecting the both end surfaces. And an electric heater comprising an annular body that can be fixed so as to surround the outside of the second holding frame. The electric heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the metal fixing means is made of tool steel or spring steel.

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