HEATING STRUCTURE INTENDED FOR INSTALLATION INSIDE A VEHICLE'S PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

Abstract

Title: The present invention relates to a heating structure (1) comprising: a substrate (2), at least one resistive layer (3) on the substrate, arranged to produce heat when an electric current passes through this layer, at least two electrodes (4) on the substrate, in electrical contact with the resistive layer such as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer between these two electrodes, an electrical connector (5) comprising a terminal section (6) of one of the electrodes and a stiffening element (7) made of plastic material attached to the terminal section of the electrode such that the terminal section of the electrode is mechanically held by this stiffening element within the electrical connector. Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: HEATING STRUCTURE INTENDED TO BE INSTALLED INSIDE A VEHICLE'S PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating structure intended to be installed inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, this heating structure being in particular a radiant panel.

[0002] Today, managing passenger comfort and well-being in a vehicle is keeping pace with developments in mobility (eco-sharing, carpooling, electrification, connectivity, etc.). With the advent of autonomous driving and new sharing practices, user expectations have changed. The passenger compartment is no longer seen as a waiting area but also as a space for relaxation and socializing.

[0003] Heating structures actively contribute to the comfort of vehicle occupants in the passenger compartment in which they are integrated. The surface of the structure heats the passengers by infrared radiation while simultaneously warming the air inside the passenger compartment by convection or by contact (for example, in the case of an armrest). They have shapes and dimensions adapted to their location within the vehicle. They can, for example, be integrated into a seat, dashboard, headliner, pillar, armrest, etc. A heating structure can therefore be considered an interface whose primary function is to ensure thermal comfort within the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0004] A heating structure, in particular a radiant panel, is a device generally comprising an electrical circuit configured to deliver heat by Joule heating by supplying an electric current to resistive conductive elements. These elements may be wires or surface coatings. According to existing literature, the conductive coating may, for example, be a layer of paint comprising carbon particles and / or metallic particles. Reference may be made, for example, to US patent 2016 / 0059669, which describes such a radiant panel.

[0005] Heating structures are used in various industrial sectors. For example, it is known to integrate such structures into car seats. Heating structures comprising a heating cable woven onto a glass wool mesh and ready for use, i.e., ready to be installed between insulation and a final covering, are also commercially available. This covering could be, for example, a tiled floor, laminate flooring, or a wall.

[0006] The integration of these heating structures within cladding elements (fabric, plastic, wood or any other material relevant to the intended use) presents certain difficulties. This is particularly the case when heating structures must be integrated into small elements with complex geometries (for example, curvatures along the axes in three dimensions), especially interior elements of motor vehicles such as a glove box or an armrest.

[0007] To facilitate this integration step, heating structures are often flexible, so they can adapt to the shape of the passenger compartment element to be heated.

[0008] However, the use of flexible heating structures complicates the electrical connection of these structures, and in particular of the terminal sections of the electrodes (also called busbars) that compose them, to a power source. This requires, for example, the addition of a specific connector, or specific fastening means to maintain the heating structure in contact with plastic parts while preventing damage caused by vibrations.

[0009] Furthermore, the use of flexible materials increases the risks of poor positioning of the terminal sections of the electrodes on the connectors, and therefore of potential false contacts.

[0010] The invention aims to overcome at least some of these drawbacks.

[0011] The present invention thus relates to a heating structure comprising: - a substrate, - at least one resistive layer on the substrate, arranged to produce heat when an electric current passes through this layer, - at least two electrodes on the substrate, in electrical contact with the resistive layer in such a way as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer between these two electrodes, - an electrical connector comprising a terminal section of at least one of the electrodes and a plastic stiffening element attached to the terminal section of the electrode so that the terminal section of the electrode is mechanically held by this stiffening element within the electrical connector.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure can be divided into a heating part comprising the resistive layer, and a connection part comprising the electrical connector.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate is made of a flexible material capable of taking a predetermined shape by deformation, this substrate being in particular also extensible.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate is of the textile type, woven or knitted, or of the non-woven type.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate can be a sheet of flexible plastic or a foam such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate has an area of ​​at least 10 cm2, or at least 50 cm2, or at least 500 cm2.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure comprises an electrode network, each electrode having a terminal section, a distribution section and a plurality of contact sections supplied with electric current by the distribution sections.

[0018] The distribution sections can be seen as “parent” electrodes and the contact sections as “child” electrodes.

[0019] The terminal sections serve to connect the electrode to a power source, by means which will be described below.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the contact sections are, at least for some of them, in particular for all the contact sections of the electrode network, parallel to each other.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes of the electrode network comprise distribution sections arranged to conduct electric current from an electrical source to the contact sections, several contact sections connecting to the same distribution section.

[0022] The distribution segments may or may not be parallel to each other.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the distribution sections is straight over at least part of its length, and the contact sections which are associated with this distribution section connect, for example perpendicularly, to this distribution section.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the distribution sections can have different shapes, including curved with rounded edges.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes are made of conductive material, in particular metallic such as ink charged with conductive particles, in particular silver or copper particles.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes are metallic adhesive tapes, for example made of copper.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrodes are deposited on the substrate by printing, screen printing or lamination of several materials.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer is deposited on the substrate by printing, screen printing or lamination of several materials.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer is a continuous layer.

[0030] Alternatively, the resistive layer comprises a plurality of discrete resistive elements forming this layer.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, these discrete resistive elements form repeating patterns.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the resistive layer is, for example, a paint layer comprising carbon particles and / or metallic particles.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the plastic stiffening element is overmolded onto the terminal section of one of the electrodes.

[0034] Alternatively, the plastic stiffening element is glued onto the terminal section of one of the electrodes.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the stiffening element is for example made of polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyamide, or polycarbonate.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the stiffening element comprises a tab having a substantially flat face and the terminal section of the electrode extends over this substantially flat face.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the tab serves to hold a single terminal section of electrode.

[0038] Alternatively, the tab is used to hold several terminal sections of electrodes.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the substrate (2) which carries the electrode (4) has an extension (12) on which extends at least one terminal electrode section (6).

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, this extension of the substrate (for example in non-woven fabric) has a perimeter which follows the perimeter of the tongue of the stiffening element.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the tongue of the stiffening element extends over only one face of the extension of the substrate.

[0042] In other words, the tab of the stiffening element does not completely envelop the extension of the substrate and the terminal section of the electrode which is on it.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the surface area of ​​the substrate extension is at least 5 times smaller than the surface area of ​​the heating part.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the width of the substrate extension is at most 4 times greater than the width of a terminal section of an electrode.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the tab of the stiffening element extends beyond the heating part.

[0046] In other words, the connection part is juxtaposed to the heating part.

[0047] Alternatively, the tongue of the stiffening element only is located under the heated surface.

[0048] In other words, the connection part is placed under the heating part.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the tongue locally has an elbow shape, such that the substantially flat face of this tongue lies on a plane approximately parallel to that of the substrate, being placed below this plane.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the connector comprises an external body configured to cooperate with a complementary electrical connector so as to connect the heating structure to an electrical power supply.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the external body of the connector is separate from the stiffening element, which stiffening element is assembled with the external body, for example by gluing, welding, snap-fitting or force.

[0052] Alternatively, the external body of the connector is made in one piece with the stiffening element.

[0053] In other words, the external body of the connector and the stiffening element form a single piece of plastic material joined to the extension of the substrate and the terminal section of the electrode which is on it.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure comprises a decorative layer applied to the substrate.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the decorative layer is a paint. For example, the decorative layer imitates a leather appearance.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the stiffening element is made in one piece with the decorative layer.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the external body of the connector and the stiffening element are formed as a single unit with the decorative layer. Thus, during the same overmolding operation of a plastic material, it is possible to produce both the decorative layer and the connector.

[0058] Alternatively, the external body of the connector and the stiffening element are made in one piece with the decoration layer and glued onto the substrate to make the connector.

[0059] In some cases, the currents through the electrodes can be high, and the temperature at the electrical connector may then damage the plastic part overmolded on the resistive layer.

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating structure comprises a rigid flange made of a high-temperature resistant material, for example ABS-PC (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene / Polycarbonate). This ensures the reliability of the connection even when it is subjected to high temperatures.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, the rigid flange is fixed to the stiffening element.

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the rigid flange is overmolded onto the stiffening element fication.

[0063] Alternatively, the rigid flange is clipped onto the stiffening element.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the rigid flange has a "U" shape, complementary to the shape of the tongue of the stiffening element.

[0065] According to one aspect of the invention, the shape of the rigid flange is complementary to that of the complementary electrical connector. This allows the electrical connection of the complementary electrical connector to be made with the terminal sections of the electrodes.

[0066] Alternatively, the rigid flange forms, in addition to the stiffening element, a clipping element allowing the connection with the complementary electrical connector to be locked.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, the rigid flange tab includes a locking element for locking the connection between the heating structure and the complementary electrical connector once the complementary electrical connector has been assembled on the rigid flange.

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, the complementary electrical connector comprises a curved metal tab, which is placed in contact with the terminal section of an electrode when the complementary electrical connector is snapped onto the heating structure.

[0069] According to one aspect of the invention, the overmolded plastic tab and the terminal section are placed below the decorative layer.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the tab of the stiffening element and the substrate extension form a bend that connects the heating part and the connection part. This bend creates a space between the overmolded plastic part and the decorative layer, into which the secondary electrical connector can be inserted.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the rigid flange forms a "U" in a plane substantially parallel to that of the flat face of the tab, the central bar of the "U" allowing the additional electrical connector to be clipped by compressing the curved metal tab of the additional electrical connector.

[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the connection between the electrical connector of the heating structure and the complementary electrical connector is reversible.

[0073] In other words, the heating structure and the complementary electrical connector can be connected and then disconnected without damaging the connecting parts.

[0074] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a heating structure comprising: - a substrate, - at least one resistive layer on the substrate, arranged to produce heat when an electric current passes through this layer, - at least two electrodes on the substrate, in electrical contact with the resistive layer in such a way as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer between these two electrodes, - an electrical connector comprising a terminal section of one of the electrodes, the process includes the step of attaching a plastic part to the terminal section of the electrode so as to form a stiffening element for the electrical connector

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the step of securing a plastic part to the terminal section of the electrode is carried out by overmolding plastic material onto the terminal section of one of the electrodes.

[0076] Alternatively, the step of securing a plastic part to the end section of the electrode is carried out by gluing the plastic part to the end section of one of the electrodes.

[0077] The invention also relates to a heating unit intended to be installed inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising: - a heating structure as described - an additional electrical connector electrically connected to the heating structure - a power supply, for example the vehicle's electrical network, configured to power the heating structure via the additional electrical connector.

[0078] Thus, the presence of a rigid plastic material attached to the terminal section of the electrodes makes it easier to connect the heating structure electrically to a power supply, limiting the risks of false contacts or detachments due to vibrations.

[0079] The present invention also makes it possible to achieve a reliable electrical connection without the addition of specific fixing parts to hold the heating structure.

[0080] The heating structure thus produced can be used for example on a glove box, on an interior passenger compartment panel, on a passenger compartment ceiling. LIST OF FIGURES

[0081] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic and partial representation of a set heating;

[0082] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic and partial representation, in top view, of a heating structure;

[0083] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a schematic and partial perspective representation of the connection between a heating structure and a complementary electrical connector.

[0084] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a schematic and partial perspective representation of the connection between a heating structure and a complementary electrical connector with rigid flange, before installation of the rigid flange on the stiffening element.

[0085] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic and partial perspective representation of the connection between a heating structure and a complementary electrical connector with a rigid flange, before installation of the rigid flange on the stiffening element.

[0086] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a schematic and partial perspective representation of the connection between a heating structure and a complementary electrical connector with a rigid flange and a clipping element.

[0087] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a schematic and partial representation, in side view, of the connection between a heating structure and a complementary electrical connector with rigid flange and a clipping element. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0088] Figure [Fig.1] shows a heating unit 21 intended to be installed inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle 22.

[0089] An additional electrical connector 14 is electrically connected to a heating structure 1 via an electrical connector 5.

[0090] A power supply 15, here the vehicle's electrical network, is connected to the heating structure 1 via the supplementary electrical connector 14. Thus, the power supply source powers the heating structure.

[0091] The connection between the electrical connector 5 of the heating structure 1 and the complementary electrical connector 14 is reversible.

[0092] In other words, the electrical connector 5 of the heating structure 1 and the complementary electrical connector 14 can be connected and then disconnected without being damaged.

[0093] Figure 2 shows a heating structure 1 of an electrical heating assembly 21.

[0094] The heating structure 1 is divided between a heating part 23 comprising a resistive layer 3, and a connection part 24 comprising the electrical connector 5.

[0095] The resistive layer 3 is continuous, and is configured to produce heat when an electric current passes through this layer.

[0096] In an embodiment not shown, the resistive layer 3 comprises a plurality of discrete resistive elements forming this layer, these discrete elements forming repeating patterns.

[0097] The resistive layer 3 is deposited on the substrate 2 by printing, screen printing or lamination of several materials.

[0098] The resistive layer 3 is for example a paint layer comprising carbon particles and / or metallic particles.

[0099] The heating structure 1 comprises a substrate 2 on which is placed the resistive layer 3, arranged to produce heat when this layer is traversed by an electric current.

[0100] The substrate 2 is made of a flexible material capable of taking a predetermined shape by deformation, this substrate being in particular also extensible.

[0101] For example, the substrate 2 can be a sheet of flexible plastic or a foam such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0102] The substrate 2 is of textile type, woven or knitted, or of non-woven type.

[0103] The heating structure 1 comprises an electrode array, here two electrodes 4.

[0104] Each electrode 4 comprises a terminal section 6, a distribution section 8 and a plurality of contact sections 9 supplied with electric current by the distribution sections.

[0105] The contact segments 9 are parallel to each other.

[0106] The distribution sections 8 are parallel to each other.

[0107] In an embodiment not shown, the distribution segments 8 are not parallel to each other.

[0108] The distribution sections 8 are arranged to conduct electric current from an electrical source 12 (not shown for readability reasons) to the contact sections 9, with several contact sections connecting to the same distribution section.

[0109] The distribution sections 8 are straight, and the contact sections 9 which are connected to them are perpendicular to these distribution sections.

[0110] In an embodiment not shown, the distribution sections 8 may have different shapes, including curved with rounded edges.

[0111] The two electrodes 4 are placed on the substrate 2, in electrical contact with the resistive layer 3 so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer between these two electrodes.

[0112] The electrodes 4 are made of conductive material, in particular metallic such as ink charged with conductive particles, in particular silver or copper particles.

[0113] For example, the electrodes 4 are metallic adhesive tapes, for example made of copper.

[0114] The electrodes 4 are deposited on the substrate 2 by printing, screen printing or lamination of several materials.

[0115] The electrical connector 5 of the heating structure 1 includes a terminal section 6 of the two electrodes 4.

[0116] Figure 3 shows the electrical connector 5 of a heating structure 1 and a complementary electrical connector 14.

[0117] The electrical connector 5 includes the terminal section 6 of an electrode 4 and a stiffening element 7 made of plastic material attached to the terminal section of the electrode so that the terminal section of the electrode is mechanically held by this stiffening element within the electrical connector.

[0118] In an embodiment not shown, the electrical connector 5 includes the terminal sections 6 of several electrodes 4, in particular of two electrodes.

[0119] The plastic stiffening element 7 is overmolded onto the terminal section 6 of one of the electrodes 4.

[0120] In an embodiment not shown, the stiffening element 7 of the electrical connector 5 is glued onto the terminal section 6 of one of the electrodes 4.

[0121] The stiffening element 7 of the electrical connector 5 includes a tab 10 having a substantially flat face 11 and the terminal section 6 of the electrode 4 extends over this substantially flat face.

[0122] Thus, the tab 10 serves to hold the terminal section 6 of the electrode 4.

[0123] In an embodiment not shown, the tab 10 serves to hold several terminal sections of 6 electrodes.

[0124] The substrate 2 which carries the electrode 4 has an extension 12 on which the terminal section of the electrode 6 extends.

[0125] This extension of the substrate 12 (for example in non-woven material) has a perimeter which follows the perimeter of the tab 10 of the stiffening element 7.

[0126] Thus, the tongue 10 of the stiffening element 7 extends over only one face of the extension of the substrate 12.

[0127] The tab 10 of the stiffening element 7 extends beyond the heating part 23. The connection part 24 is therefore juxtaposed to the heating part.

[0128] The tab 10 of the stiffening element 7 of the electrical connector 5 locally has an elbow shape 17, so that the substantially flat face 11 of this tab is on a plane substantially parallel to that of the substrate 2, being placed below this plane.

[0129] The electrical connector 5 has an external body 13 configured to cooperate with the complementary electrical connector 14 so as to connect the heating structure 1 to the power supply 15.

[0130] The heating structure 1 comprises a decorative layer 16 applied to the substrate 2.

[0131] The decorative layer 16 may be a paint. For example, the decorative layer imitates a leather look.

[0132] The external body of the connector 13, the stiffening element 7 and the decorative layer 16 are made in one piece.

[0133] In an embodiment not shown, at least one element among the element of stiffening 7, the external body of the connector 13 or the decorative layer 16 can be made separately.

[0134] Figures 4 and 5 show the connection between a heating structure 1 and a complementary electrical connector 14, the heating structure comprising a rigid flange 18.

[0135] Figure 4 shows the connection between the heating structure 1 and the complementary electrical connector 14 before the rigid flange 18 is fixed to the stiffening element 7, and Figure 5 shows the same connection once the rigid flange 18 has been fixed to the stiffening element 7.

[0136] In some cases, the currents flowing through the electrodes 4 can be high, and the temperature at the electrical connector 5 may then damage the stiffening element 7 placed in contact with the resistive layer. The addition of a rigid flange 18 is then necessary to maintain the electrical connection even when the connecting part 24 is subjected to high temperatures.

[0137] The rigid flange 18 is formed of a material resistant to high temperatures, for example ABS-PC (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene / Polycarbonate)

[0138] The rigid flange 18 is fixed to the stiffening element 7.

[0139] In this embodiment, the rigid flange is clipped onto the stiffening element 7.

[0140] The shape of the rigid flange 8 is complementary to that of the complementary electrical connector 14. This allows the electrical connection of the complementary electrical connector to be made with the terminal sections of the electrodes 6 (not shown here).

[0141] The rigid flange 18 has a "U" shape, complementary to the shape of the tongue 10 of the stiffening element 7.

[0142] The rigid flange tab 18 has a locking element 27 for locking the connection between the heating structure 1 and the complementary electrical connector 7 once the complementary electrical connector 7 is assembled on the rigid flange 18.

[0143] Figure 6 shows the connection between a heating structure 1 and a complementary electrical connector 14 with a rigid flange 18 and a clipping element 26.

[0144] The tab 10 of the stiffening element 7 is located here under the heating part 23.

[0145] The rigid flange 18 forms, together with the stiffening element, a clipping element 26 allowing the connection to be locked with the complementary electrical connector 14.

[0146] The rigid flange is overmolded onto the stiffening element 7.

[0147] The supplementary electrical connector 14 includes a curved metal tab 19, which is placed in contact with the terminal section 6 of an electrode 4 when the supplementary electrical connector is clipped onto the heating structure 1.

[0148] The rigid flange 18 forms a "U" in a plane substantially parallel to that of the flat face 11 of the tab 10, the central bar of the "U" allowing the additional electrical connector 14 to be clipped by compressing the curved metal tab 19 of the additional electrical connector.

[0149] Figure 7 shows the connection between a heating structure 1 and a complementary electrical connector 14 with a rigid flange 18 and a clipping element 26, once the complementary electrical connector has been clipped into the connection part.

Claims

Claims

1. Heating structure (1) comprising: - a substrate (2), - at least one resistive layer (3) on the substrate, and arranged to produce heat when this layer is traversed by an electric current, - at least two electrodes (4) on the substrate, in electrical contact with the resistive layer so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer between these two electrodes, - an electrical connector (5) comprising a terminal section (6) of one of the electrodes and a stiffening element (7) made of plastic material secured to the terminal section of the electrode so that the terminal section of the electrode is mechanically held by this stiffening element within the electrical connector.

2. Heating structure (1) according to claim 1, in which the stiffening element (7) made of plastic material is overmolded onto the terminal section (6) of one of the electrodes (4).

3. Heating structure (1) according to claim 1, in which the stiffening element (7) made of plastic material is glued to the terminal section (6) of one of the electrodes (4).

4. Heating structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the stiffening element (7) comprises a tab (10) with a substantially flat face (11) and the terminal section (6) of the electrode (4) extends over this substantially flat face.

5. Heating structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the substrate (2) which carries the electrodes (4) has an extension (12) on which at least one electrode terminal section (6) extends.

6. Heating structure (1) according to claims 4 and 5, in which the extension of the substrate (12), made for example of non-woven fabric, has a periphery which matches the periphery of the tongue (10) of the stiffening element (7).

7. Heating structure (1) according to claim one of the claims 5 and 6 in combination with claim 4, The plastic tab (10) of the stiffening element (7) secured to the electrode terminal section (6) extends over only one face of the extension of the substrate (12).

8. Heating structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electrical connector (5) comprises an external body (13) configured to cooperate with a complementary electrical connector (14) so ​​as to connect the heating structure (1) to an electrical power supply (15).

9. Heating structure (1) according to claim 8, wherein the connection between the electrical connector (5) of the heating structure (1) and the complementary electrical connector (14) is reversible.

10. Heating structure (1) according to one of claims 8 to 9, in which the external body of the connector (13) is distinct from the stiffening element (7), which stiffening element is assembled with the external body, for example by gluing, welding, snap-fastening or force.

11. Heating structure (1) according to one of claims 8 to 9, in which the external body of the connector (13) is made in one piece with the stiffening element (7).

12. Heating structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a decorative layer (16) applied to the substrate (2).

13. Heating structure (1) according to claim 12, in which the stiffening element (7) is made in one piece with the decorative layer (16).

14. Heating structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a rigid flange (18) fixed to the stiffening element (7).

15. Method for manufacturing a heating structure (1) which comprises: - a substrate (2), - at least one resistive layer (3) on the substrate, and arranged to produce heat when this layer is traversed by an electric current, - at least two electrodes (4) on the substrate, in electrical contact with the resistive layer so as to allow an electric current to flow through the resistive layer between these two electrodes, - an electrical connector (5) comprising a terminal section of one of the electrodes (6), the method comprising the step of overmolding a plastic material onto the terminal section.

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