Heating heater and installation structure for a heating heater using the same

Abstract

To provide a heat-retaining heater and an installation structure for such a heater that prevents electrical cables from obstructing the user's feet and reduces the likelihood of terminal disconnections. [Solution] The planar heater 10 is thin in shape, with multiple heating elements 12 arranged in a row on a sheet-like insulating support 11, and both ends of the heating elements 12 connected by a conductive strip 13. A notch C is provided in the conductive strip to form a meandering conductive path W, and two terminals 41 and 42 are provided on the conductive strip 13 at one end. A thermostat 45 is attached between these two terminals near the conductor 13 at one end. These two terminals 41 and 42 and the thermostat 45 are covered with a protective cover 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater for heat preservation and an installation structure of the heater for heat preservation using the same. More specifically, it relates to a planar heater having a heating element and an insulating support, two terminals for power connection connected to the heating element, a pair of power cables electrically connected to the two terminals respectively, and a thermostat electrically connected between one of the terminals and one of the pair of power cables and in contact with the planar heater, and an installation structure of the heater for heat preservation using the same.

Background Art

[0002] As a heater for heat preservation as described above, for example, the one as shown in Patent Document 1 below is known. Such a sheet-like thin heater is usually buried under a flooring or a road for use. In this case, a digging is made under the floor, and the terminals are installed on the lower side of the heater. If the thin heater is placed on the floor, the terminals protrude, and problems such as disconnection of the terminals may occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In view of such a conventional situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a heater for heat preservation in which an electric cable does not become an obstacle at the feet and disconnection of terminals and the like are also unlikely to occur, and an installation structure of the heater for heat preservation using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above objective, the heat-retaining heater according to the present invention is characterized by a planar heater having a heating element and an insulating support, two terminals for power connection connected to the heating element, a pair of power cables electrically connected to these two terminals, and a thermostat that contacts the planar heater and is electrically connected between one of the terminals and one of the pair of power cables, wherein the planar heater is thin in shape with a plurality of heating elements arranged in a row on a sheet-like insulating support and both ends of the heating elements connected by a conductive strip, a notch is provided in the conductive strip to form a meandering conductive path, the two terminals are provided on the conductive strip at one end, the thermostat is attached between these two terminals near the conductor at one end, and these two terminals and the thermostat are covered with a protective cover.

[0006] According to this configuration, terminals and a thermostat that could potentially protrude are concentrated on one end of the planar heater. Therefore, for example, when using it under a desk, the problem can be solved by positioning the same end at the foot. Furthermore, since the thin heater can be placed on the floor, no installation work is required, and it is rational as it can heat only the necessary area. Underfloor excavation work is also unnecessary.

[0007] In the above configuration, the protective cover is preferably formed by moving a flattened, curved shape along the longitudinal direction of the conductive strip. This does not obstruct the toes, and it is possible to lay a carpet or the like on top of it.

[0008] In the above configuration, the planar heater is covered on its top and bottom surfaces with a protective sheet made of resin and is used by placing it on the floor.

[0009] The planar heater is preferably configured such that the pair of power cables protrude from the side edge of the protective cover. This prevents the cables from getting in the way of the user's feet.

[0010] The thermostat may be positioned between the pair of terminals, with at least a portion of it overlapping with the heating element of the planar heater, and covered with the protective cover.

[0011] On the other hand, regarding the above-mentioned heat-retaining heater, in which the protective cover is shaped by moving a flat, curved line along the longitudinal direction of the conductive strip, the characteristic of the installation structure of the heat-retaining heater using this is that the heat-retaining heater is placed on the floor surface and a carpet is laid on the upper surface of the heat-retaining heater. With this structure, the carpet can be laid along the curved upper surface of the cover and the upper surface of the planar heater, making installation easy and not obstructing footing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the features of the heat-retaining heater and the installation structure of the heat-retaining heater using the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a heat-retaining heater in which the electrical cable does not get in the way of the feet and terminal breakage and the like are less likely to occur.

[0013] Other objects, structures, and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following section on embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a heating element. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the heating element with the upper section of the cover removed and the upper protective sheet omitted. [Figure 3] This is a flat photograph of a heating element. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the heating element with the upper section of the cover removed. [Figure 5] This is a close-up photograph of the terminal section. [Figure 6] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the terminal section. [Figure 7] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the installation structure of the heating element. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Next, the heat-retaining heater 1 according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, Figures 1 to 6, as appropriate. The heat-retaining heater 1 comprises a heater unit 14 having a thin, flexible, fabric-like surface heater 10, first and second terminals 41, 42 and a thermostat 45 attached to the heater unit 14, a protective cover 20 covering the first and second terminals 41, 42 and the thermostat 45, and a cable body 30 that supplies power between the first and second terminals 41, 42.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, this heating element 1 is generally used by placing it on the floor at the user's feet F, with a protective cover 20 positioned in front of the feet F, and a cable 30 routed from the side of the protective cover 20. The protective cover 20 has a shape formed by moving a flat, curved S on its upper surface in the longitudinal direction L of the conductor band, so as not to obstruct the toes of the feet F. Furthermore, because of the gentle shape of the curve S, it is also possible to place a carpet or the like on top of it. The protective cover 20 protects the first and second terminals 41, 42 and the thermostat 45, thereby ensuring more reliable power supply and shut-off functions.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1-6, the planar heater 10 is covered on its top and bottom surfaces by a resin upper protective sheet 15 and a lower protective sheet 16. Both protective sheets 15 and 16 adhere tightly to each other and to the planar heater 10 when heated (Figure 6 is a simplified representation and does not show these tightly adhering surfaces). Both protective sheets 15 and 16 may be opaque, but if they are transparent, it is possible to check the condition of the heating element.

[0018] The planar heater 10 is formed by weaving a plurality of heating wires 12, which are heating elements, into a cloth-like insulating support 11 so that they are arranged side by side. Further, both ends of the heating wire 12 are connected by conductor strips 13, 13 and it has a thin shape. A notch C for cutting the conductor strip 13 together with the insulating support 11 can be provided to form a meandering conductive path W. In the example of FIG. 2, first notch C1 and second notch C2 are formed in the upper conductor strip 13, and third notch C3 is formed in the lower conductor strip 13. In this example, a current path W is formed such that the heating wires 12 are arranged in parallel in groups of five and current flows through them.

[0019] The structure of the terminals is shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6. When attaching terminals 41, 42 to the conductor strip 13, first, an insulating tape 43d with an opening H formed thereon is attached onto the conductor strip 13, and the two protective sheets 15, 16 are attached above and below it, also forming an opening H. Then, the terminal wire 43a is fixed to the conductor strip 13 with solder or the like at the fixing portion 43b. The insulating tape 43d is preferably made of a material that does not easily melt during soldering, desirably a heat-resistant material. By forming the opening H in the insulating tape 43d, the outflow of solder can be prevented. And a protective mold 43c is fixed so as to protect this fixing portion 43b.

[0020] The protective cover 20 includes a lower divided body 21 having a flat portion attached to the heater unit 14, an upper divided body 22 covering the upper part thereof and having a flat curved curve S at the tip, and a pair of side members 23 covering the sides thereof. In the lower divided body 21, a first opening 21a, a second opening 21b, and a third opening 21c are formed at the center thereof. First and second terminals 41 and 42 project from the heater unit 14 into the first opening 21a and the second opening 21b, respectively, and a thermostat 45 is attached to the surface of the heater unit 14 through the third opening 21c. The thermostat 45 also contacts the surface of the heating wire 12 near the conductor strip 13 and cuts off the current when the surface temperature of the heating wire 12 becomes a predetermined temperature or higher. Therefore, the first and second terminals 41 and 42 are arranged at the center position in the width direction of the conductor strip 13, and the thermostat 45 is arranged closer to the lower conductor strip 13. In this embodiment, the thermostat 45 also overlaps a part of the conductor strip 13, and by utilizing the heat conductivity from the conductor strip 13, more accurate temperature control becomes possible. The conductor strip 13 may be made of copper with excellent heat conduction.

[0021] The cable body 30 includes a plug 34 connected to a 100V commercial power supply, a switch 33, and a power cable 31 connecting the switch 33 and the plug 34. The power cable 31 is supported by the side member 23 through a base portion 36, facilitating the routing from a carpet 110 described later.

[0022] Of the pair of power cables 32a and 32b of the power cable 31, one power cable 32a is directly connected to the first terminal 41. The other right power cable 32b is connected to the other power cable 32b through the first terminal 45a and the second terminal 45b of the thermostat 45. In this way, by arranging the pair of terminals 41 and 42 and the thermostat 45 along the longitudinal direction L of one of the conductive strips 13 and housing them together with the wiring in the protective cover 20, it is possible to prevent accidental troubles such as disconnection.

[0023] Figure 7 shows an example of installing the heat-retaining heater 1 between the floor 100 and the carpet 110. Although the heat-retaining heater 1 is normally in close contact with the floor 100 and the carpet 110, for the sake of understanding, Figure 7 shows gaps between them and between the first to third carpets 110a to c. In this example, the carpet 110 consists of multiple rectangular tile carpets (with an adhesive layer on the back), with the first to third carpets 110a to c arranged side by side. Here, the heat-retaining heater 1 is set to fit exactly within the size of the second carpet 110b and is positioned between the two horizontal cut lines e2. As shown in Figure 1, the power cable 31 is exposed from below the carpet through the horizontal cut line e2 between the two carpets, as well as through the vertical cut line e1, making it easy to route. Of course, it can also be used with carpets other than tile carpets, and the cable 31 can be routed through the cuts onto the carpet as appropriate.

[0024] The present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0025] The heat-retaining heater according to the present invention can be used primarily as a heater to keep a person's feet warm. It can be installed between the floorboard and the carpet, or placed on top of the carpet or similar material. When the heat-retaining heater is installed between the floorboard and the carpet, its position is fixed, but it is possible to remove the tile carpet, which is attached with weak adhesive, and move the position of the heat-retaining heater in accordance with layout changes, etc., which can be considered a simple fixation. When the heat-retaining heater is placed on top of the carpet or flooring, it can be simply fixed on top of the carpet or similar material, or it can be made movable by simply placing it on top of the carpet or similar material. Furthermore, it can also be used as a heat-retaining heater for pets. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1: Heat retention heater, 10: Planar heater, 11: Insulating support, 12: Heating wire (heating element), 13: Conductor strip, 14: Heater unit, 15: Upper protective sheet, 16: Lower protective sheet, 20: Protective cover, 21: Lower split body, 22: Upper split body, 23: Horizontal member, 21a: First opening, 21b: Second opening, 21c: Third opening, 30: Cable body, 31: Power cable, 32a,b: Pair of power cables, 33: Switch, 34: Plug, 36: Base part, 4 1: First terminal, 42: Second terminal, 43a: Terminal wire, 43b: Fixing part, 43c: Protective mold, 43d: Insulating tape, 45: Thermostat, 45a: First terminal, 45b: Second terminal, 100: Floor, 110: Carpet, 110a~c: First to third carpet, C(C1,C2,C3): Notch, e1: Vertical cut line, e2: Horizontal cut line, F: Foot, H: Opening, L: Longitudinal direction of conductive strip, M: Direction perpendicular to conductive strip, S: Flat curved shape, W: Conductive path

Claims

1. Planar heater having a heating element and an insulating support, Two terminals for power connection that are connected to the aforementioned heating element, A pair of power cables are electrically connected to these two terminals, and A heating element comprising a thermostat that contacts the planar heater and is electrically connected between one of the terminals and one of the pair of power cables, The planar heater is thin in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line on the sheet-like insulating support, and both ends of the heating elements are connected by a conductive strip. A notch is provided in the aforementioned conductor strip to form a meandering conductive path. The two terminals are provided on the conductive band at one end, and the thermostat is attached between these two terminals near the conductor at the one end. A heating element that covers these two terminals and the thermostat with a protective cover.

2. The heat-retaining heater according to claim 1, wherein the protective cover is shaped by moving a flattened, curved shape in the longitudinal direction of the conductor strip.

3. The heating element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the planar heater is covered on its upper and lower surfaces with a protective sheet made of resin and is used by being placed on the floor.

4. The heating heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the planar heater has the pair of power cables protruding from the side edge of the protective cover.

5. The heat-retaining heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thermostat is positioned between the pair of terminals in a portion that overlaps with the heating element of the planar heater, and is covered with the protective cover.

6. An installation structure for a heat-retaining heater using the heat-retaining heater described in claim 2, An installation structure for a heat-insulating heater, wherein the heat-insulating heater is placed on the floor surface and a carpet is laid on top of the heat-insulating heater.

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