Radiation heater

Abstract

To provide a radiation heater capable of maintaining safety in a simple configuration.SOLUTION: Radiation heaters 1, 1a, 1b and 1c are loaded on a vehicle 10. The radiation heaters 1, 1a, 1b and 1c comprise: a substrate 40; a heater wire 60 which is disposed along with one face of the substrate 40 and generates heat by power supply; cover members 30, 130, 230 and 330 disposed so as to cover one face of the substrate 40; and a normally closed switch element 70 which is connected in series to the heater wire 60 and switches ON and OFF of power supplied to the heater wire 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to radiant heaters. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional Patent Document 1 discloses a radiant heater device that radiates heat. The radiant heater device includes a heat generating section that generates heat when current is applied, a plurality of heat dissipation sections that radiate heat transferred from the heat generating section, low thermal conductive sections that are provided around each heat dissipation section and are made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the heat dissipation section, a contact detection means that detects contact of an object with the heat generating layer, and a current reduction means that reduces the amount of current applied to the heat generating section when the contact detection means detects contact of an object with the heat generating layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6447245 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the radiant heater device described in Patent Document 1, if a person accidentally comes into contact with the radiant heater, the amount of electricity flowing to the heat generating part can be reduced, thereby weakening the heat generated by the radiant heater device, thereby ensuring safety for the person.

[0005] However, the radiant heater device described in Patent Document 1 uses a contact detection means for detecting contact of an object with the heater device, and a current reduction means for reducing the amount of current flowing to the heat generating part based on a signal detected by the contact detection means, but this increases the number of parts and complicates the structure.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a radiant heater that can ensure safety with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A radiant heater according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a radiant heater mounted on a vehicle, and includes a base material, a heater wire arranged along one surface of the base material and generating heat when supplied with power, a cover member arranged to cover the one surface of the base material, and a normally-closed switch element connected in series to the heater wire and switching ON and OFF the power supplied to the heater wire. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the radiant heater of the present disclosure, safety can be ensured with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of use of a radiant heater according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the radiant heater according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cover member according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cover member, a base material corresponding to the cover member, a heater wire, and a normally-closed switch element in a radiant heater according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cover member, a base material corresponding to the cover member, a heater wire, and a normally-closed switch element in a radiant heater according to a first modification of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cover member, a base material corresponding to the cover member, a heater wire, and a normally-closed switch element in a radiant heater according to a second modification of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cover member, a base material corresponding to the cover member, a heater wire, and a normally-closed switch element in a radiant heater according to a third modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, etc., shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0011] In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily illustrated precisely. Therefore, for example, the scales in each figure do not necessarily match. In addition, in each figure, substantially the same configurations are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0012] In addition, in the following embodiments, expressions such as plate-like are used. For example, plate-like does not only mean that it is a completely plate-like body, but also means that it is substantially a plate-like body, that is, it means that it includes an error of, for example, about several percent. Furthermore, plate-like means that it is plate-like within the range in which the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to other expressions using "shape".

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Embodiment) <Configuration> First, a radiant heater 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of use of a radiant heater 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a radiant heater 1 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 2, the manner in which the cover member 30 is elastically deformed when pressed by the body of an occupant is shown by a two-dot chain line. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cover member 30 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the cover member 30, a base material 40, a heater wire 60, and a normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the cover member 30 in a radiant heater 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the cover member 30 and a plan view of the base material 40, the heater wire 60, and the normally closed switch element 70.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a radiant heater 1 is mounted in a vehicle interior 11 of a vehicle 10 traveling on a road. The radiant heater 1 constitutes a part of a heating device for the interior of the vehicle. The radiant heater 1 is a heater that generates heat by being supplied with power from a power supply unit 15 mounted on the vehicle 10. The radiant heater 1 can radiate the generated heat into the vehicle interior 11. The radiant heater 1 of this embodiment has a flat plate shape. In this case, radiant heat for warming an object is radiated from a surface 2 of the radiant heater 1.

[0017] Such a radiant heater 1 can be used as a device for providing warmth to the occupants of the vehicle 10, for example, after the heating function of an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle 10 is executed. For this reason, the radiant heater 1 is disposed in the vehicle interior 11 so as to face the occupants. For example, in FIG. 1, the radiant heater 1 is mounted on the feet of the occupants seated in the seats of the vehicle 10, the underpanel of the feet of the occupants, the roof, and the doors. The radiant heater 1 may also be mounted on the center pillar (B pillar), the dashboard, the underside of the steering column, or the like, or may be disposed so as to surround the feet of the occupants. In this way, the radiant heater 1 may be mounted anywhere in the vehicle interior 11 as long as the radiant heater 1 can be mounted in the vehicle interior 11 so as to be able to warm the occupants.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the radiant heater 1 includes a case 20, a cover member 30, a substrate 40, a heater wire 60, and one or more normally-closed switch elements 70.

[0019] The case 20 is disposed in the vehicle interior 11 so as to face an occupant. The case 20 is a container that houses the substrate 40, the heater wire 60, the normally closed switch element 70, and the like.

[0020] One side of the case 20 is open, and a cover member 30 is attached to the case 20. The cover member 30 is attached to the case 20 so as to cover the opening of the case 20. The cover member 30 is arranged so as to cover one side of a base material 40 housed in the case 20. As will be described later, a normally closed switch element 70 and a heater wire 60 are arranged on one side of the base material 40, and therefore the cover member 30 is arranged so as to face the normally closed switch element 70 and the like.

[0021] The cover member 30 is a flat plate-like elastic body that is elastically deformable. The cover member 30 may be an elastic body made of a heat-resistant resin such as ABS (Acrylonitrile, Butadiene, Styrene).

[0022] The cover member 30 has a main body 31 in the shape of a flat rectangular plate. The main body 31 has a mesh portion 32 having a mesh structure in which a plurality of openings 31a are formed. The mesh portion 32 is formed in the center of the main body 31, and is therefore disposed so as to face the normally-closed switch element 70 and the like, and also so as to face the occupant. Therefore, when the body of the occupant presses the mesh portion 32 of the main body 31, the cover member 30 can bend by elastic deformation. When the occupant's body moves away from the cover member 30, the bent and deformed cover member 30 returns to its original shape.

[0023] Also, by appropriately changing the opening ratio in the mesh portion 32, the elastic modulus of the cover member 30 can be adjusted. For this reason, for example, the opening ratio in the mesh portion 32 may be made smaller at the portion where the occupant's feet come into contact, since it is considered that the cover member 30 will be elastically deformed to a large extent. Also, the opening ratio in the mesh portion 32 may be made larger at the portion where the occupant's hands come into contact, since it is considered that the cover member 30 will not be elastically deformed as much as when the feet come into contact. In this way, the opening ratio in the mesh portion 32 may be appropriately changed depending on the installation location of the radiant heater 1 in the vehicle interior 11.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 30 further has a protrusion 33 arranged at a position corresponding to the normally closed switch element 70. The protrusion 33 is arranged between the mesh portion 32 of the main body 31 and the normally closed switch element 70. Specifically, the protrusion 33 is arranged on the opposing surface of the main body 31 on the side of the normally closed switch element 70 so as to face the normally closed switch element 70. The protrusion 33 protrudes from the opposing surface of the main body 31 so as to approach the normally closed switch element 70. The height of the protrusion 33 is set so that when the body of the occupant is not pressing the cover member 30, the protrusion 33 does not contact the normally closed switch element 70, and when the body of the occupant is pressing the cover member 30, the protrusion 33 contacts and presses down the normally closed switch element 70. Therefore, when the body of an occupant presses against the mesh portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the cover member 30 is bent, the protrusion 33 can press down the switch portion of the normally closed switch element 70.

[0025] Only one protrusion 33 may be arranged on the opposing surface of the main body 31, or multiple protrusions 33 may be arranged on the opposing surface of the main body 31. Fig. 4 illustrates an example in which multiple protrusions 33 and multiple normally-closed switch elements 70 are provided. When multiple protrusions 33 are arranged, multiple normally-closed switch elements 70 are electrically connected to the heater wire 60 so as to correspond one-to-one with the multiple protrusions 33.

[0026] The cover member 30 may be black. Compared with white members, black members have a strong tendency to emit radiant heat when heat is applied. Also, the darker the color, the higher the emissivity. For this reason, it is preferable that the cover member 30 is black. In this embodiment, black ABS is used as the cover member 30. As described above, since black objects have the property of emitting radiant heat when heat is applied, the black cover member 30 can efficiently radiate the heat generated from the heater wire 60 into the vehicle interior 11. In addition, when the radiant heater 1 is installed in the vehicle interior 11, the cover member 30 is a part that is visible to the occupants, so the color tone of the cover member 30 can be made to match the color tone of the vehicle interior 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the uniformity of the color tone in the vehicle interior 11 from being impaired.

[0027] The substrate 40 is made of a flexible resin material that has electrical insulation properties and can withstand heat even when the heater wire 60 generates heat. The flexible resin material is, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The substrate 40 is in the form of a plate or sheet, and the heater wire 60 is disposed on one surface. The shape of the substrate 40 is formed according to the shape of the radiant heater 1.

[0028] The heater wire 60 is disposed along one surface of the base material 40. In the present embodiment, the heater wire 60 is disposed so as to form a zigzag pattern on one surface of the base material 40. The heater wire 60 is fixed to one surface of the base material 40 by sewing thread, adhesive, or the like.

[0029] The heater wire 60 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 15 in Fig. 1, and generates heat when supplied with power from the power supply unit 15 in Fig. 1. The heater wire 60 is composed of a metal wire such as Cu, Ag, Al, or the like, and an insulating member that covers the metal wire.

[0030] A normally closed switch element 70 is electrically connected onto the heater wire 60. That is, the normally closed switch element 70 is disposed on the heater wire 60 and electrically connected in series with the heater wire 60. Therefore, the normally closed switch element 70 can turn on and off the power supplied to the heater wire 60. For example, when the normally closed switch element 70 is pressed, it can turn off the power supplied to the heater wire 60, and when it is not pressed, it can turn on the power supplied to the heater wire 60.

[0031] The normally closed switch element 70 is disposed between the cover member 30 and the base material 40. Specifically, the normally closed switch element 70 is disposed so as to face the protrusion 33 of the cover member 30. For example, when an occupant's body presses against the cover member 30, the cover member 30 may bend. When the cover member 30 is bent, the protrusion 33 of the cover member 30 moves and presses down the normally closed switch element 70. As a result, even if the power supply to the heater wire 60 is ON, the normally closed switch element 70 is connected in series with the heater wire 60, so that the power supply to the heater wire 60 can be switched to the OFF state.

[0032] In order to function more efficiently as a heater, the radiant heater 1 may further include a first heat transfer sheet 41, a second heat transfer sheet 42, and a heat insulating material 43. The first heat transfer sheet 41, the second heat transfer sheet 42, and the heat insulating material 43 are housed in the case 20 together with the base material 40, the heater wire 60, and the normally closed switch element 70.

[0033] The first heat transfer sheet 41 may be provided on one surface of the base material 40 so as to face the mesh portion 32 of the cover member 30. In other words, the first heat transfer sheet 41 and the base material 40 may sandwich the heater wire 60. In this case, the first heat transfer sheet 41 is disposed between the heater wire 60 and the cover member 30. Therefore, the surface 2 of the first heat transfer sheet 41 can radiate radiant heat generated when the heater wire 60 generates heat, toward the cover member 30. This radiant heat is radiated to the outside of the radiant heater 1 via the mesh portion 32 of the cover member 30.

[0034] A second heat transfer sheet 42 may be provided on the back surface opposite to the one surface of the base material 40 so as to sandwich the base material 40. The second heat transfer sheet 42 may be formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the first heat transfer sheet 41. For example, the first heat transfer sheet 41 may be made of a metal material containing copper as a main component, and the second heat transfer sheet 42 may be made of a metal material containing aluminum as a main component.

[0035] The first heat transfer sheet 41 is adhered to one surface of the substrate 40, and the second heat transfer sheet 42 is adhered to the rear surface of the substrate 40, so that the first heat transfer sheet 41 and the second heat transfer sheet 42 sandwich the substrate 40 and the heater wire 60 between them. The first heat transfer sheet 41 and the second heat transfer sheet 42 are adhered to the substrate 40, for example, by adhesive or double-sided tape. In the drawings, adhesive layers such as adhesive and double-sided tape are omitted from illustration.

[0036] A heat insulating material 43 is provided on the surface of the second heat transfer sheet 42 opposite to the substrate 40. The heat insulating material 43 is a member that blocks heat transmitted from the heater wire 60 through the substrate 40 and the second heat transfer sheet 42. The heat insulating material 43 is made of a material having heat insulating properties, such as glass wool, urethane foam, urethane sponge, melamine resin, or polystyrene foam.

[0037] Thus, in this embodiment, since the radiant heater 1 is disposed so as to face the occupant, the cover member 30 is also disposed so as to face the occupant. In this case, even if the occupant's body suddenly presses the cover member 30, the protrusion 33 of the cover member 30 can press the normally closed switch element 70. This turns off the power supplied to the heater wire 60, so that the heater wire 60 stops generating heat. According to this embodiment, safety can be ensured with a simple configuration.

[0038] <Variation 1> Next, the radiant heater 1a of this modified example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a cover member 130, and a substrate 40, a heater wire 60, and a normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the cover member 130 in a radiant heater 1a according to a first modified example of the embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cover member 130, and a plan view of the substrate 40, the heater wire 60, and the normally closed switch element 70.

[0040] In the following, as shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the radiant heater 1a in this modified example is similar to the configuration shown in the embodiment, so the configuration of the radiant heater 1a in this modified example is given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0041] The radiant heater 1a of this modified example has a plurality of heater wires 60. The radiant heater 1a is provided with a plurality of heater wires 60 connected in parallel to each other. The power supply unit 15 can supply the same amount of power to each of the plurality of heater wires 60. One or more normally closed switch elements 70 are electrically connected in series to each of the plurality of heater wires 60. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where one normally closed switch element 70 is electrically connected in series to one heater wire 60.

[0042] Specifically, the multiple heater wires 60 may include a first heater wire and a second heater wire. The first heater wire and the second heater wire are electrically connected in parallel. The power supply unit 15 can supply the same amount of power to each of the first heater wire and the second heater wire. A normally-closed switch element 70 is electrically connected in series to each of the first heater wire and the second heater wire.

[0043] The multiple heater wires 60 are arranged to form a zigzag pattern on one surface of the base material 40, thereby forming a predetermined area. In Fig. 5, one normally-closed switch element 70 is arranged in the center of the predetermined area based on the multiple heater wires 60.

[0044] In this case, a plurality of cover members 130 may be provided at the opening of the case 20 so as to correspond one-to-one with the number of the heater wires 60. Also, one cover member 130 may be provided on the case 20 so as to cover the entire opening of the case 20.

[0045] <Variation 2> Next, a radiation heater 1b of this modified example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0046] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a cover member 230, and a substrate 40, a heater wire 60, and a normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the cover member 230 in a radiant heater 1b according to a second modified embodiment of the embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the cover member 230, and a plan view of the substrate 40, the heater wire 60, and the normally closed switch element 70.

[0047] In the following, as shown in FIG. 6, the configuration of the radiant heater 1b in this modified example is similar to the configuration shown in the embodiment, so the configuration of the radiant heater 1b in this modified example is given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0048] The protrusion 33 of the radiant heater 1b in this modification has a first protrusion 133a disposed in the center of the radiant heater 1b and a second protrusion 133b disposed closer to the edge of the radiant heater 1b than the first protrusion 133a. The length of the second protrusion 133b is set to be longer than the length of the first protrusion 133a.

[0049] For example, a plurality of normally-closed switch elements 70 are electrically connected in series to the heater wire 60 so as to face the first protrusion 133a and the second protrusion 133b, respectively. In this case, when the cover member 230 is pressed by the body of an occupant and the cover member 230 is bent, the cover member 230 is most likely to bend at the center of the main body 31 of the cover member 230, and is less likely to bend as it approaches the edge of the main body 31. In other words, the ease of bending differs depending on the position of the main body 31. Therefore, the first protrusion 133a is disposed in the center of the cover member 230, which is most likely to bend, and the second protrusion 133b, which is longer than the first protrusion 133a, is disposed on the edge of the cover member 230, which is less likely to bend.

[0050] This makes it easier for the occupant's body to press any position on the main body 31 to press down the normally closed switch element 70, which is electrically connected in series with the heater wire 60 by the protrusion 33. This turns off the power supplied to the heater wire 60, so that the heat generation of the heater wire 60 can be stopped, regardless of the position on the main body 31 pressed by the occupant's body. As in this modified example, it is more preferable in the configuration of the embodiment to apply a cover member 230 using a long second protrusion 133b to the radiant heater 1b.

[0051] <Variation 3> Next, a radiation heater 1c of this modified example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a cover member 330, and a substrate 40, a heater wire 60, and a normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the cover member 330 in a radiant heater 1c according to a third modified embodiment of the embodiment. Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the cover member 330, and a plan view of the substrate 40, the heater wire 60, and the normally closed switch element 70.

[0053] In the following, as shown in FIG. 7, the configuration of the radiant heater 1c in this modified example is similar to the configuration shown in the embodiment, so the configuration of the radiant heater 1c in this modified example is given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0054] The cover member 330 of the radiant heater 1c in this modification has a first portion 233a disposed in the center of the radiant heater 1c and a second portion 233b disposed closer to the edge of the radiant heater 1c than the first portion 233a. The thickness T2 of the second portion 233b is set to be thinner than the thickness T1 of the first portion 233a.

[0055] Moreover, the first portion 233a and the second portion 233b are disposed so as to face at least the normally closed switch element 70. For example, a plurality of normally closed switch elements 70 are electrically connected to the heater wire 60 in series.

[0056] As a property of the cover member, when the cover member is pressed by the body of an occupant and bends, the ease of bending of the cover member is such that, if the thickness of the cover member is the same at every location, the center part of the main body of the cover member is most likely to bend, and the closer to the edge side of the main body, the less likely the cover member is to bend. In other words, the ease of bending differs depending on the position of the main body. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first part 233a corresponding to the center part is made thicker than the second part 233b arranged closer to the edge side of the radiant heater 1c than the first part 233a, so that the ease of bending of the first part 233a can be suppressed. This makes it possible to make the ease of bending (distance of bending) of the first part 233a and the ease of bending (distance of bending) of the second part 233b equal.

[0057] Therefore, no matter where the occupant's body presses on the main body 31, the protrusion 33 can press the normally closed switch element 70, which is electrically connected in series to the heater wire 60. As a result, no matter where the occupant's body presses on the main body 31, the power supplied to the heater wire 60 is turned off, so that the heat generation of the heater wire 60 can be stopped.

[0058] As in this modified example, it is more preferable in the configuration of the embodiment to apply a thick cover member 330 to the radiant heater 1c.

[0059] <Action and effect> Next, the effects of the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c in this embodiment will be described.

[0060] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c of technique 1 in this embodiment are radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c mounted on a vehicle 10, and include a base material 40, a heater wire 60 arranged along one surface of the base material 40 and generating heat when supplied with power, a cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 arranged to cover one surface of the base material 40, and a normally-closed switch element 70 connected in series to the heater wire 60 and switching the power supplied to the heater wire 60 between ON and OFF.

[0061] According to this, when the body of an occupant comes into contact with the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the pressure of the body causes the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 to press down the normally closed switch element 70. Therefore, the normally closed switch element 70 can switch the power supplied to the heater wire 60 from ON to OFF. When the power supplied to the heater wire 60 is turned OFF, the heater wire 60 stops generating heat.

[0062] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, safety can be ensured with a simple configuration. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the thermal discomfort given to the human body and ensure the safety of the person, while suppressing the increase in manufacturing costs by adopting a simple configuration.

[0063] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of Technology 2 in this embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in Technology 1. In this case, the cover members 30, 130, 230, and 330 are elastic bodies that can be elastically deformed, and are arranged to face the normally-closed switch element 70.

[0064] According to this, when the body of an occupant comes into contact with the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the body presses against the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330, and the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 can easily elastically deform. Therefore, the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 can more easily press down the normally closed switch element 70 arranged between the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 and the base material 40.

[0065] In addition, since the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330 are elastic bodies that can be elastically deformed, when the body moves away from the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330, the elastic deformation of the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330 is also released, and the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330 return to their original shapes. Therefore, the normally closed switch element 70 can switch the power supplied to the heater wire 60 from OFF to ON. As a result, the heater wire 60 can start generating heat.

[0066] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of Technology 3 in this embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in Technology 1 or 2. In this case, the cover members 30, 130, 230, and 330 have a mesh portion 32 having a mesh structure. The mesh portion 32 is disposed so as to face the normally-closed switch element 70.

[0067] According to this, when the body of an occupant comes into contact with the mesh portion 32 of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the body presses against the mesh portion 32, which can easily elastically deform the mesh portion 32. Therefore, the mesh portion 32 can more easily press down the normally closed switch element 70 arranged between the mesh portion 32 of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 and the base material 40.

[0068] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of Technology 4 in this embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in Technology 3. In this case, the cover members 30, 130, 230, and 330 have a protrusion 33 arranged at a position corresponding to the normally closed switch element 70. The protrusion 33 is arranged between the mesh portion 32 of the cover members 30, 130, 230, and 330 and the normally closed switch element 70.

[0069] According to this, when the body of an occupant comes into contact with the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the body presses against the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330, and the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 can easily elastically deform. Therefore, the protrusion 33 arranged on the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 can more easily press down the normally closed switch element 70 arranged between the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 and the base material 40.

[0070] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of technique 5 in this embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in any one of techniques 1 to 4. In this case, the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c are provided with a plurality of heater wires 60 connected in parallel to each other. A normally-closed switch element 70 is electrically connected in series to each of the plurality of heater wires 60.

[0071] With this, even if the body of an occupant comes into contact with the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 at a location corresponding to the contact can press down the normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the contact among the multiple normally closed switch elements 70. The normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the contact can turn off the power supplied to the heater wire 60, thereby stopping the heater wire 60 from generating heat.

[0072] Furthermore, in other places on the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330 where the body is not in contact with the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the normally closed switch elements 70 corresponding to the non-contact among the plurality of normally closed switch elements 70 are not pressed down. Therefore, the heater wire 60 can continue to generate heat.

[0073] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of the sixth aspect of the present embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in the fourth or fifth aspect. In this case, the protrusion 33 has a first protrusion 133a disposed in the center of the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c, and a second protrusion 133b disposed closer to the edge of the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c than the first protrusion 133a. A plurality of normally-closed switch elements 70 are disposed on the first protrusion 133a and the second protrusion 133b so as to face each other. The length of the second protrusion 133b is longer than the length of the first protrusion 133a.

[0074] For example, the amount of bending when the body contacts the edge side of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c is smaller than the amount of bending when the body contacts the center part of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c. Therefore, the length of the second protrusion 133b on the edge side of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 where the amount of bending is small can be made longer than the length of the first protrusion 133a in the center part of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 where the amount of bending is large. Therefore, no matter where the body of the occupant contacts the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330, only the normally-closed switch element 70 corresponding to the contacted position can be pressed down.

[0075] The radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c of the seventh aspect of the present embodiment is the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c described in any one of the first to sixth aspects. In this case, the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 has a first portion 233a arranged in the center of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and a second portion 233b arranged on the edge side of the radiant heater 1, 1a, 1b, 1c from the first portion 233a. In addition, a plurality of normally-closed switch elements 70 are arranged in the first portion 233a and the second portion 233b so as to face each other. The thickness T2 of the second portion 233b is thinner than the thickness T1 of the first portion 233a.

[0076] For example, if the thickness of the radiant heater is uniform, the amount of bending when the body contacts the edge side of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 of the radiant heater is smaller than the amount of bending when the body contacts the center part of the cover member of the radiant heater. Therefore, by making the thickness T1 of the center part of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 larger than the thickness T2 of the edge side of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330, the amount of bending at the center part of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 can be made equal to the amount of bending at the edge side of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330. Therefore, no matter where the body of the occupant contacts the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330, the normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the contact position can be pressed.

[0077] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of Technique 8 in this embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in any one of Techniques 1 to 7. In this case, the cover members 30, 130, 230, and 330 are black.

[0078] This allows the black cover members 30, 130, 230, 330 to efficiently radiate heat generated by the heater wire 60 into the vehicle interior 11.

[0079] Furthermore, when the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c are mounted on the vehicle 10, the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c can be made less noticeable. Therefore, the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c can be made to match the background inside the vehicle compartment 11, so that the sense of unity between the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c and the background inside the vehicle compartment 11 is not lost.

[0080] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of technique 9 in this embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in any one of techniques 1 to 8. In this case, a plurality of normally-closed switch elements 70 are electrically connected in series to the heater wire 60.

[0081] For example, when an occupant's body presses against the cover member, only a limited area may be elastically deformed, and only a portion of the cover member may deform. In this case, it is considered that the larger the cover member is, the more difficult it is to press down a single normally-closed switch element.

[0082] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the body of an occupant presses the cover member, no matter which part of the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 is pressed, the cover member 30, 130, 230, 330 can press one or more of the plurality of normally closed switch elements 70. The normally closed switch element 70 corresponding to the contact can turn off the power supplied to the heater wire 60, thereby stopping the heating of the heater wire 60.

[0083] The radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c of Technique 10 in this embodiment are the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c described in any one of Techniques 1 to 9. In this case, they are arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 so as to face the occupants of the vehicle 10.

[0084] This allows the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c to be placed in locations that can easily warm the occupant's body, and even if the occupant's body suddenly comes into contact with the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the power supplied to the heater wire 60 can be turned off to stop the heater wire 60 from generating heat.

[0085] (Other variations) The radiant heater according to the present disclosure has been described above based on the above-mentioned embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as the modifications do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, modifications that a person skilled in the art may make to the embodiments may also be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0086] In addition, in the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c according to the present embodiment, the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c are illustrated as further including a first heat transfer sheet 41, a second heat transfer sheet 42, and a heat insulating material 43, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the second heat transfer sheet 42 may not be provided in the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and may not be included in the components of the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c. In addition, the first heat transfer sheet 41 and the second heat transfer sheet 42 may not be provided in the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and may not be included in the components of the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c. In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which the first heat transfer sheet 41, the second heat transfer sheet 42, and the heat insulating material 43 are accommodated in the case 20, but the present invention is not limited to the form of FIG. 2. For example, the heat insulating material 43 may be disposed outside the case 20 so that the case 20 is sandwiched between the heat insulating material 43 and the second heat transfer sheet 42 .

[0087] Furthermore, in the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, 1c according to the present embodiment, the protrusion 33, the first protrusion 133a, and the second protrusion 133b are provided on the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330, but this is not limited to this. For example, the protrusion 33, the first protrusion 133a, and the second protrusion 133b may be provided on the normally closed switch element 70 instead of the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330. Furthermore, while providing the protrusion 33 on the cover members 30, 130, 230, 330, the installation height of the normally closed switch element 70 may be increased.

[0088] In the radiant heaters 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c according to the above-described embodiments, the mesh portion 32 formed in the cover members 30, 130, 230, and 330 has polygonal openings as an example, but is not limited thereto. For example, the mesh portion 32 may be formed in the central portion of the main body 31 with a plurality of openings having a shape such as a slit shape, a lattice shape, or a circle shape.

[0089] Moreover, the above embodiment includes the configurations of the first to third modifications of the above embodiment and other modifications.

[0090] In addition, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that a person skilled in the art may conceive, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] The present disclosure is applicable to a radiant heater device that emits radiant heat, and in particular to a radiant heater device mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Radiation heater 10 Vehicles 30, 130, 230, 330 Cover member 32 Mesh section 33 Protrusion 40 Base material 60 Heater wire 70 Normally closed switch element 133a 1st protrusion 133b 2nd protrusion 233a Part 1 233b Part 2

Claims

1. A radiant heater mounted on a vehicle, A substrate; a heater wire disposed along one surface of the base material and generating heat when supplied with power; A cover member arranged to cover the one surface of the base material; a normally-closed switch element that is connected in series to the heater wire and switches ON and OFF the power supplied to the heater wire. Radiant heater.

2. The cover member is The elastic body is elastically deformable, The normally closed switch element is disposed opposite the normally closed switch element. The radiant heater of claim 1 .

3. The cover member has a mesh portion having a mesh structure. The mesh portion is disposed so as to face the normally closed switch element. The radiant heater of claim 1 .

4. the cover member has a protrusion disposed at a position corresponding to the normally closed switch element, The protrusion is disposed between the mesh portion of the cover member and the normally closed switch element. The radiant heater according to claim 3 .

5. The radiant heater is provided with a plurality of the heater wires connected in parallel to each other, The normally-closed switch element is electrically connected in series to each of the plurality of heater wires. The radiant heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the protrusion has a first protrusion arranged in a central portion of the radiant heater and a second protrusion arranged closer to an edge portion of the radiant heater than the first protrusion, a plurality of the normally-closed switch elements are disposed on the first protrusion and the second protrusion so as to face each other, The length of the second protrusion is longer than the length of the first protrusion. The radiant heater according to claim 4.

7. the cover member has a first portion disposed in a central portion of the radiant heater and a second portion disposed closer to an edge of the radiant heater than the first portion, A plurality of the normally-closed switch elements are disposed in the first portion and the second portion so as to face each other, The thickness of the second portion is less than the thickness of the first portion. The radiant heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The cover member is black. The radiant heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. A plurality of the normally-closed switch elements are electrically connected in series to the heater wire. The radiant heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The vehicle seat is disposed in the vehicle cabin so as to face an occupant of the vehicle. The radiant heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. the cover member has a protrusion disposed at a position corresponding to the normally closed switch element, the protrusion has a first protrusion arranged in a central portion of the radiant heater and a second protrusion arranged closer to an edge portion of the radiant heater than the first protrusion, a plurality of the normally-closed switch elements are disposed on the first protrusion and the second protrusion so as to face each other, The length of the second protrusion is longer than the length of the first protrusion. The radiant heater according to claim 5 .

12. the cover member has a first portion disposed in a central portion of the radiant heater and a second portion disposed closer to an edge of the radiant heater than the first portion, A plurality of the normally-closed switch elements are disposed in the first portion and the second portion so as to face each other, The thickness of the second portion is less than the thickness of the first portion. The radiant heater according to claim 5 .

13. The cover member is black. The radiant heater according to claim 5 .

14. A plurality of the normally-closed switch elements are electrically connected in series to the heater wire. The radiant heater according to claim 5 .

15. The vehicle seat is disposed in the vehicle cabin so as to face an occupant of the vehicle. The radiant heater according to claim 5 .

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