MULTIPLE HEATSINK COOLING SYSTEM FOR A LINE VOLTAGE THERMOSTAT

摘要

A line voltage thermostat having a multiple heatsink switch. A total switch may have a semiconductor switch mounted on each heatsink of the multiple heatsink switch. The semiconductor switches of the respective heatsinks may be connected in parallel to represent the total switch. Each of the two or more heatsinks, having a semiconductor switch for switching, and in total conveying the same power as one equivalent switch with one total heatsink, may have higher maximum operating temperatures and higher thermal resistances than twice the thermal resistance of the one total heatsink. The two or more heatsinks may be situated within a housing of the line voltage thermostat, and be easier to distribute in the housing to achieve an efficient layout of a display and control buttons for the thermostat.

主权项

1. A thermostat for controlling an electric heater comprising:
an ambient temperature sensor; a temperature setpoint device; a comparator mechanism connected to the ambient temperature sensor and the temperature setpoint device; a power switch having a control terminal connected to the comparator mechanism; and wherein the power switch comprises:
two or more separate heatsinks;a solid state switch situated on each heatsink; andwherein each solid state switch has a control input connected to the control terminal of the power switch.