Heater for an automotive vehicle and method of forming same

摘要

There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.

主权项

1. A heated seat comprising:
a seat with a cavity; a heater overlaying the seat, the heater including:
i) a polymeric film flexible carrier having:
a. a longitudinal axis;b. a first lengthwise edge;c. a second lengthwise edge;d. a width spanning between the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge,e. a cutout in the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge that defines a narrow width region at a location corresponding with the cavity of the seat; andf. a centralized through-hole opening in the narrow width region; wherein the cutout in the first lengthwise edge and the second lengthwise edge each include indentations that define a concavity in the polymeric film;
iii) a first conductive medium disposed upon the carrier wherein the first conductive medium includes:iv) a second conductive medium disposed on the carrier in an overlapping relation with the plurality of first extensions and the plurality of second extensions;v) a first heating portion; andvi) a second heating portion that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first heating portion and separated by the narrower width region;wherein the narrower width region of the carrier is free of the plurality of first extensions, the plurality of second extensions, and the second conductive medium.