Power-conducting component for heating element

Abstract

To provide a conductive member for a heating element that is easy to attach and detach from the terminal portion of the heating element and has excellent conductivity. [Solution] The current-carrying member 1 for a heating element of the present invention is used in a heating element 10 having a terminal portion 11 and a heating portion 13, and comprises a metal retaining clamp 3 and a strap 5 formed in the longitudinal direction and extending in a strip shape. The retaining clamp 3 comprises a clamp body 31 and a deformable operating body 33. The clamp body 31 has an outer surface 31a and an inner surface 31b, and the inner surface 31b extends axially in an arc shape having an opening 310, and is attached to the terminal portion 11 by clamping the terminal portion 11 from the outside in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The deformable operating body 33 is integral with the clamp body 31, and by elastically deforming the clamp body 31, the opening 310 can be expanded radially of the clamp body 31 so as to be detachable from the terminal portion 11. The strap 5 is fixed to the inner surface 31b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an energizing member for a heating element.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional energizing member for a heating element. This energizing member for a heating element is used for a heating element as a heat source of a heating furnace. The heating element has a terminal portion and a heating portion. The terminal portion is formed in a columnar shape extending in the axial direction. The heating portion is connected to the terminal portion so as to be energizable.

[0003] The energizing member for a heating element includes a holding clamp and a strap. The holding clamp and the strap are separate bodies. The holding clamp is detachable from the terminal portion of the heating element. The holding clamp has a clamp body and a pair of deformation operating bodies. The clamp body has an outer surface facing the outside of the clamp body and an inner surface located on the opposite side of the outer surface. The clamp body has an arc shape with an opening on the inner surface and extends in the axial direction. Each deformation operating body is integral with the clamp body. Each deformation operating body can attach and detach the terminal portion to and from the clamp body through the expanded opening by elastically deforming the clamp body in the radial direction so that the opening expands. The strap is formed by weaving a plurality of metal wires and has a belt-like shape extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0004] This energizing member for a heating element is attached to the terminal portion as follows. First, the strap is wound around the terminal portion. Then, each deformation operating body elastically deforms the clamp body to expand the opening in the radial direction of the clamp body, inserts the terminal portion together with the strap through the expanded opening in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and then elastically returns the clamp body. In this way, the holding clamp is attached to the terminal portion together with the strap, and the energizing member for a heating element is attached to the terminal portion. As a result, in the energizing member for a heating element, power is supplied from the strap to the heating element.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-27886 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Because heating elements deteriorate with use, they require periodic replacement. This necessitates the removal and reattachment of the heating element's conductive component to the terminal each time the heating element is replaced. In other words, with the conventional heating element conductive component described above, it is necessary to remove the retaining clamp and strap from the terminal of the old heating element, and then wrap the strap around the terminal of the new heating element and attach the retaining clamp. Thus, with the conventional heating element conductive component, the removal and reattachment process is cumbersome due to the large number of steps required.

[0007] Furthermore, in this heating element power-conducting component, variations in the precision of the strap wrapping process around the terminal portion may result in insufficient wrapping of the strap around the terminal portion. In such cases, the retaining clamp may not be able to properly hold the strap around the terminal portion. This could lead to poor electrical conductivity in this heating element power-conducting component.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing a conductive member for a heating element that is easy to attach to and detach from the terminal portion of the heating element, and has excellent current-conducting performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The current-carrying member for a heating element of the present invention is used in a heating element having a terminal portion formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape and extending in the axial direction, and a heating portion connected to the terminal portion in a electrically conductive manner, A metal retaining clamp is detachably provided on the terminal portion, It comprises a strap formed in a strip shape extending in the longitudinal direction, which is held by the retaining clamp at the terminal portion and supplies power to the terminal portion, The retaining clamp has an outer surface facing the outside of the retaining clamp and an inner surface located on the opposite side of the outer surface, and the inner surface has an arc shape with an opening and extends in the axial direction, and the clamp body is attached to the terminal portion while clamping the terminal portion from the outside in a direction intersecting the axial direction, It has a deformable operating body which is integrated with the clamp body and which can detachably expand the opening in the radial direction of the clamp body by elastically deforming the clamp body, The strap is characterized by being fixed to the inner surface.

[0010] In the current-carrying member for a heating element of the present invention, the strap is fixed to the inner surface of the clamp body. Therefore, in this current-carrying member for a heating element, the clamp body is elastically deformed by each deformation mechanism to widen the opening in the radial direction of the clamp body, the terminal is inserted through the widened opening, and then, once the clamp body elastically returns to its initial state, the strap can be attached to the terminal without having to perform a separate operation of wrapping the strap around the terminal. Furthermore, in this current-carrying member for a heating element, as described above, after the clamp body is elastically deformed by each deformation mechanism to widen the opening, the terminal is released from the opening in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and the strap can be removed from the terminal simultaneously with the retaining clamp without having to perform a separate operation of removing the strap from the terminal. In this way, the number of steps required for attaching and detaching the terminal can be reduced in this current-carrying member for a heating element.

[0011] Furthermore, in this heat-generating power-carrying member, since the strap is fixed to the inner surface of the clamp body, the strap is securely attached to the terminal when the retaining clamp is attached to the terminal, and the terminal and strap are suitably pressed together by the restoring force when the clamp body elastically returns to its initial state. As a result, this heat-generating power-carrying member is less prone to poor electrical contact with the terminal.

[0012] Therefore, the current-carrying member for the heating element of the present invention is easy to attach to and detach from the terminal portion of the heating element, and has excellent current-carrying performance.

[0013] In the current-carrying member for a heating element of the present invention, the retaining clamp may have one retaining clamp and the other retaining clamp which is separate from the one retaining clamp. The clamp body may have one clamp body provided on one retaining clamp and the other clamp body provided on the other retaining clamp. Furthermore, the deformation operator may have one deformation operator provided on one retaining clamp and the other deformation operator provided on the other retaining clamp. Preferably, one side of the strap in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the inner surface of the one clamp body, and the other side in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the inner surface of the other clamp body.

[0014] In this case, the terminals of the two heating elements can be connected in a way that allows current to flow between them using a current-carrying component for the heating element.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the strap is diffusion-bonded to the inner surface. In this case, the strap can be firmly fixed to the inner surface of the clamp body. Therefore, with this conductive member for the heating element, even if the clamp body is elastically deformed when attaching the retaining clamp to the terminal or when removing the retaining clamp from the terminal, the strap will not easily separate from the clamp body. Therefore, this conductive member for the heating element can also be made highly durable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The current-carrying member for the heating element of the present invention is easy to attach to and detach from the terminal portion of the heating element, and has excellent current-carrying performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heating element, etc., using the energizing member for the heating element of Example 1. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the current-carrying member for a heating element according to Example 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the holding clamp related to the current-carrying member for a heating element according to Example 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction at the X portion of FIG. 2, related to the current-carrying member for a heating element according to Example 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the current-carrying member for a heating element according to Example 1 and the heating element to which this current-carrying member for a heating element is attached, as viewed from the D1 direction of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heating element or the like in which the current-carrying member for a heating element according to Example 2 is used. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the current-carrying member for a heating element according to Example 2 and the heating element to which this current-carrying member for a heating element is attached, as viewed from the D2 direction of FIG. 6.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, Examples 1 and 2 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (Example 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the current-carrying member 1 for a heating element according to Example 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the current-carrying member 1) is used for the heating element 10 as a heat source of the heating furnace 100. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the current-carrying member 1 are defined by the solid-line arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. And in FIGS. 3 and later, corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the current-carrying member 1 are defined. These front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction are orthogonal to each other. Also, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the heating element 10 and the heating furnace 100 correspond to the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the current-carrying member 1.

[0020] Multiple heating elements 10 are provided in the heating furnace 100. The heating elements 10 are made of ceramics. More specifically, the heating elements 10 are made of silicon carbide and consist of a first terminal portion 11, a second terminal portion 12, and a heating portion 13. The first terminal portion 11 and the second terminal portion 12 are examples of "terminal portions" in the present invention. These first terminal portion 11, second terminal portion 12, and heating portion 13, that is, the heating elements 10, are formed in a cylindrical shape that extends linearly in the front-to-back direction in the axial direction.

[0021] The first terminal portion 11 is located on one axial side of the heating element 10, i.e., at the front end of the heating element 10. The second terminal portion 12 is located on the other axial side of the heating element 10, i.e., at the rear end of the heating element 10. The heating element 13 is positioned between the first terminal portion 11 and the second terminal portion 12 and is connected to both the first terminal portion 11 and the second terminal portion 12, respectively. The heating element 13 generates high heat when current is passed through the heating element 10. The first terminal portion 11, the second terminal portion 12, and the heating element 13 may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0022] The heating furnace 100 has a heating chamber 101 formed inside. The heating furnace 100 also has the same number of mounting holes 102 as the heating element 10. The mounting holes 102 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction of the heating furnace 100 and each penetrates the heating furnace 100 in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, each mounting hole 102 communicates with the heating chamber 101 inside the heating furnace 100.

[0023] Furthermore, the first to fourth sleeves 111 to 114 and the protective tube 115 are attached to each mounting hole 102. The first to fourth sleeves 111 to 114 and the protective tube 115 are each capable of allowing the heating element 10 to be inserted through them and have heat resistance to the heat of the heating element 10. These first to fourth sleeves 111 to 114 and the protective tube 115 are arranged in the order of first sleeve 111, second sleeve 112, protective tube 115, third sleeve 113, and fourth sleeve 114 from the front end to the rear end of the mounting hole 102.

[0024] The first sleeve 111 and the fourth sleeve 114 are formed in a tapered shape, with their outer diameters increasing as they move from inside the mounting hole 102 towards the outside of the heating furnace 100. As a result, the first sleeve 111 and the fourth sleeve 114 are mounted in the mounting hole 102 with a portion of them protruding from inside the mounting hole 102 to the outside of the heating furnace 100. The second sleeve 112, the third sleeve 113, and the protective tube 115 are each formed with an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the mounting hole 102. The protective tube 15 is formed to be longer in the front-to-back direction than the heating chamber 101, in addition to the second sleeve 112 and the third sleeve 113. As a result, the protective tube 15 is mounted in the mounting hole 102 with the heating chamber 101 being bridged in the front-to-back direction. The shape and number of the first to fourth sleeves 111 to 114 and the protective tube 115 can be designed as appropriate.

[0025] Each heating element 10 is inserted through the first to fourth sleeves 111 to 114 and the protective tube 115, respectively, to attach to the mounting hole 102 and, consequently, to the heating furnace 100. In this case, since the mounting holes 102 are arranged with a predetermined distance between them in the left-right direction of the heating furnace 100, each heating element 10 is also attached to the heating furnace 100 with a predetermined distance between them in the left-right direction of the heating furnace 100.

[0026] Furthermore, each heating element 10 attached to the heating furnace 100 has the front portion of the first terminal portion 11 protruding from the first sleeve 111 to the outside of the heating furnace 100, and the rear portion of the second terminal portion 12 protruding from the fourth sleeve 114 to the outside of the heating furnace 100.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the conductive member 1 consists of a retaining clamp 3 and a strap 5. The retaining clamp 3 is formed by press-forming a stainless steel plate having a predetermined thickness.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the retaining clamp 3 consists of a clamp body 31, a first deformation operating body 33, and a second deformation operating body 35. The first deformation operating body 33 and the second deformation operating body 35 are examples of "deformable operating bodies" in the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the clamp body 31 is plate-shaped and extends for a predetermined length in the front-rear direction.

[0029] The clamp body 31 has an outer surface 31a and an inner surface 31b. The outer surface 31a faces the outside of the retaining clamp 3. The inner surface 31b is located on the opposite side of the outer surface 31a and faces the inside of the clamp body 31, and consequently the inside of the retaining clamp 3. The outer surface 31a extends in an arc shape in the circumferential direction of the clamp body 31 and also extends in the front-rear direction of the clamp body 31. The inner surface 31b has an opening 310 and extends in an arc shape in the circumferential direction of the clamp body 31. In addition, the inner surface 31b extends in the front-rear direction of the clamp body 31 with the same length as the outer surface 31a. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the clamp body 31 has a roughly C-shape in plan view.

[0030] The inner diameter of the clamp body 31 is smaller than the outer diameters of the first terminal portion 11 and the second terminal portion 12, i.e., the outer diameter of the heating element 10, when the clamp body 31 is in its natural state without elastic deformation. Furthermore, the width of the opening 310 in the circumferential direction of the clamp body 31 is also smaller than the outer diameter of the heating element 10 when the clamp body 31 is in its natural state.

[0031] The first deformation operating body 33 and the second deformation operating body 35 each have a length in the front-to-back direction that is the same as the front-to-back length of the clamp body 31. The first deformation operating body 33 is integrated with the clamp body 31 by connecting to one end 311 in the circumferential direction of the clamp body 31. The second deformation operating body 35 is integrated with the clamp body 31 by connecting to the other end 312 in the circumferential direction of the clamp body 31.

[0032] The first deformation operator 33 connects to one end 311 of the clamp body 31, and then extends in a flange shape away from the opening 310, folding back in the opposite direction. Similarly, the second deformation operator 35 connects to the other end 312 of the clamp body 31, and then extends in a flange shape away from the opening 310, folding back in the opposite direction. Thus, in the holding clamp 3, the clamp body 31 is positioned between the first deformation operator 33 and the second deformation operator 35.

[0033] Furthermore, the first deformation operating body 33 and the second deformation operating body 35 extend so as they move away from the opening 310, they gradually separate in the radial direction of the clamp body 31. The shapes of the first deformation operating body 33 and the second deformation operating body 35 can be designed as appropriate.

[0034] In the holding clamp 3, the user (not shown) can move the first deformation operator 33 and the second deformation operator 35 closer to the clamp body 31 in the radial direction, as indicated by the black arrows in Figure 3, thereby elastically deforming the clamp body 31 in the radial direction. As the clamp body 31 is elastically deformed in this way, the opening 310 expands in the radial direction of the clamp body 31, as indicated by the white arrows in the same figure, and the inner diameter of the clamp body 31 also expands.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the strap 5 consists of a strap body 5a, a first end cover 5b, and a second end cover 5c. The strap body 5a is formed by weaving together multiple thin wires made of aluminum alloy, and is a flexible rectangular strip that extends for a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction. The length of the strap body 5a in the short direction is approximately the same as the length of the clamp body 31 in the front-to-back direction. The strap body 5a has a first surface 51 and a second surface 52 located on the opposite side of the first surface 51. The length of the strap body 5a in the longitudinal direction can be designed as appropriate.

[0036] The first end cover 5b and the second end cover 5c are made of aluminum alloy. The first end cover 5b is fixed to one end of the strap body 5a in the longitudinal direction. The second end cover 5c is fixed to the other end of the strap body 5a in the longitudinal direction. The first end cover 5b is provided with a mounting portion 50 in the shape of a hole for attaching the strap 5 to a power supply (not shown). On the other hand, the second end cover 5c is not provided with a mounting portion 50. The shape of the mounting portion 50 can be designed as appropriate.

[0037] In the conductive member 1, a portion of the strap body 5a, more specifically, the other longitudinal side of the strap body 5a, is positioned inside the clamp body 31. As shown in Figure 4, the strap body 5a is bent in an arc shape along the inner surface 31b of the clamp body 31, so that the first surface 51 of the strap body 5a faces the inner surface 31b and the first surface 51 comes into contact with it. In this state, the strap body 5a is diffusely bonded to the inner surface 31b. Thus, in the conductive member 1, the first surface 51 is pressed and bonded almost uniformly over the entire inner surface 31b, fixing the other longitudinal side of the strap body 5a to the inner surface 31b. As a result, the retaining clamp 3 and the strap 5 are integrated in the conductive member 1.

[0038] The energizing member 1 configured as described above is attached to the first terminal portion 11 of each heating element 10, more specifically, to the portion of the first terminal portion 11 that protrudes forward from the first sleeve 111. To attach the energizing member 1 to the first terminal portion 11, the user grasps the first deformation operating body 33 and the second deformation operating body 35 of the holding clamp 3 and moves it closer to the clamp body 31 in the radial direction, thereby elastically deforming the clamp body 31 until the width of the opening 310 in the radial direction of the clamp body 31 and the inner diameter of the clamp body 31 are both larger than the outer diameter of the first terminal portion 11. At this time, the clamp body 31 is elastically deformed while the strap body 5a remains fixed to the inner surface 31b.

[0039] Then, with the strap body 5a elastically deformed in this manner, the user inserts the first terminal portion 11 into the clamp body 31 from the left through the opening 310. Once the entire first terminal portion 11 is positioned inside the clamp body 31, the user releases their hands from the first deformation operator 33 and the second deformation operator 35, thereby releasing the elastic deformation of the clamp body 31. As a result, the clamp body 31 elastically returns to its initial state, and as shown in Figure 5, the clamp body 31 attaches to the first terminal portion 11 by clamping it from the outside. In this way, the retaining clamp 3, and consequently the conductive member 1, is attached to the first terminal portion 11. Note that when attaching the conductive member 1 to the first terminal portion 11, the first terminal portion 11 may be inserted into the clamp body 31 from the right, up, or down through the opening 310, as long as it is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first terminal portion 11, i.e., the front-to-back direction, and the clamp body 31 is attached to the first terminal portion 11.

[0040] Here, since a part of the strap body 5a is fixed to the inner surface 31b of the clamp body 31, when the clamp body 31 is attached to the first terminal portion 11, the portion of the strap body 5a that is fixed to the inner surface 31b, that is, the other longitudinal side of the strap body 5a, is positioned between the first terminal portion 11 and the retaining clamp 3. Furthermore, since the strap body 5a is fixed to the inner surface 31b in an arc-shaped curve along the inner surface 31b, the strap body 5a is wrapped around the first terminal portion 11 inside the clamp body 31. Then, the strap body 5a is pressed against the first terminal portion 11 in its wrapped state by the restoring force when the clamp body 31 elastically returns to its initial state. In this way, the current-carrying member 1 connects the first terminal portion 11 and the strap body 5a, and consequently the first terminal portion 11 and the strap 5 in an electrically conductive manner.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, in adjacent heating elements 10 in the left-right direction, the second terminal portions 12 are connected in series by retaining clamps 81 and 82 and a strap 83, allowing for current to pass through them. The configurations of retaining clamps 81 and 82 are the same as those of retaining clamp 3. The strap 83 has a configuration almost identical to that of strap 7. That is, the strap 83 is also formed by weaving together multiple thin wires made of aluminum alloy, and is formed in a rectangular strip shape that is flexible and extends for a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction. Here, the strap 83 is not fixed to the retaining clamps 81 and 82.

[0042] To connect the second terminals 12 in series so that they can conduct electricity, one longitudinal side of the strap 83 is wrapped around the second terminal 12 of the heating element 10 located on the right. Then, the retaining clamp 81 is attached to the second terminal 12 in the same way as the retaining clamp 3. The other longitudinal side of the strap 83 is wrapped around the second terminal 12 of the heating element 10 located on the left, and then the retaining clamp 82 is attached to the second terminal 12 in the same way as the retaining clamp 3. In this way, the second terminals 12 of adjacent heating elements 10 in the left-right direction are connected in series so that they can conduct electricity.

[0043] In this manner, a current-carrying member 1 is attached to the first terminal portion 11 of each heating element 10, and the second terminal portions 12 are connected to each other by retaining clamps 81, 82 and a strap 83. The user then connects the current-carrying member 1 to the power supply by attaching the attachment portion 50 (see Figure 2) of the strap 5 to the power supply. In this way, power is supplied from the power supply to each heating element 10 by the current-carrying member 1, causing the heating portion 13 of each heating element 10 to generate heat.

[0044] Furthermore, when removing the energizing member 1 from the first terminal portion 11, the user disconnects the energizing member 1 from the power supply. Then, similar to when attaching the energizing member 1 to the first terminal portion 11, the user elastically deforms the clamp body 31 using the first deformation operating body 33 and the second deformation operating body 35 of the retaining clamp 3 to expand the width of the opening 310 and the inner diameter of the clamp body 31. In this state, the first terminal portion 11 is released from inside the clamp body 31 through the opening 310, thereby removing the retaining clamp 3 from the first terminal portion 11. At this time, the strap 5 also moves with the retaining clamp 3, so the strap body 5a is also removed from the first terminal portion 11 at the same time. In this way, the removal of the energizing member 1 from the first terminal portion 11 is completed, and the connection between the first terminal portion 11 and the strap 5 is released.

[0045] Thus, in the conductive member 1, since the other longitudinal side of the strap body 5a is fixed to the inner surface 31b of the clamp body 31, if the retaining clamp 3 is attached to the first terminal portion 11, the strap 5 can also be attached to the first terminal portion 11 without having to separately wrap the strap body 5a around the first terminal portion 11. Similarly, in this conductive member 1, if the retaining clamp 3 is removed from the first terminal portion 11, the strap 5 can be removed from the first terminal portion 11 at the same time as the retaining clamp 3 without having to separately remove the strap body 5a from the first terminal portion 11. In this way, the conductive member 1 can reduce the number of steps required when attaching and detaching it from the first terminal portion 11.

[0046] Furthermore, since the strap body 5a is fixed to the inner surface 31b in an arc-shaped curve along the inner surface 31b, in this conductive member 1, when the clamp body 31 is attached to the first terminal portion 11, the strap body 5a naturally wraps around the first terminal portion 11. In this conductive member 1, the restoring force when the clamp body 31 elastically returns to its initial state makes it possible to suitably press the strap body 5a and the first terminal portion 11 together while the strap body 5a is wrapped around the first terminal portion 11. As a result, this conductive member 1 is less prone to poor electrical conductivity to the first terminal portion 11.

[0047] Therefore, the current-carrying member 1 of Example 1 is easy to attach to and detach from the first terminal portion 11 of the heating element 10, and has excellent current-carrying performance.

[0048] In particular, in this conductive member 1, the other longitudinal side of the strap body 5a is diffusion-bonded to the inner surface 31b of the clamp body 31. Therefore, in this conductive member 1, the strap body 5a can be firmly fixed to the inner surface 31b of the clamp body 31. As a result, in the conductive member 1, even if the clamp body 31 is elastically deformed when attaching the retaining clamp 3 to the first terminal portion 11 or when removing the retaining clamp 3 from the first terminal portion 11, the strap body 5a is less likely to separate from the clamp body 31. Therefore, this conductive member 1 also has high durability. Furthermore, when the strap body 5a is fixed to the inner surface 31b by welding, there is a risk that the elastic deformation of the clamp body 31 will be hindered by the solidified welding material, but when the strap body 5a is fixed to the inner surface 31b by diffusion bonding, the elastic deformation of the clamp body 31 is not hindered.

[0049] (Example 2) The current-carrying member 2 for the heating element in Embodiment 2 shown in Figures 6 and 7 (hereinafter simply referred to as current-carrying member 2) is also used in the heating element 10. The current-carrying member 2 consists of a retaining clamp 4 on one side, a retaining clamp 6 on the other side, and a strap 7.

[0050] Similar to the retaining clamp 3 in the energizing member 1 of Example 1, the one-sided retaining clamp 4 and the other-sided retaining clamp 6 are also made of stainless steel. As shown in Figure 7, the one-sided retaining clamp 4 consists of a one-sided clamp body 41, a one-sided first deformation operating body 43, and a one-sided second deformation operating body 45. The other-sided retaining clamp 6 consists of a other-sided clamp body 61, a other-sided first deformation operating body 63, and a other-sided second deformation operating body 65. The one-sided first deformation operating body 43 and the one-sided second deformation operating body 45 are examples of the "one-sided deformation operating body" in the present invention. Similarly, the other-sided first deformation operating body 63 and the other-sided second deformation operating body 65 are examples of the "other-sided deformation operating body" in the present invention.

[0051] The clamp body 41 on one side and the clamp body 61 on the other side have the same configuration as the clamp body 31 in the retaining clamp 3. As a result, the clamp body 41 on one side has an outer surface 41a that faces outward from the retaining clamp 4 on one side, and an inner surface 41b that is located on the opposite side of the outer surface 41a and faces inward from the clamp body 41 on one side. The inner surface 41b is arc-shaped with an opening 410. Similarly, the clamp body 61 on the other side has an outer surface 61a that faces outward from the retaining clamp 6 on the other side, and an inner surface 61b that is located on the opposite side of the outer surface 61a and faces inward from the clamp body 61 on the other side. The inner surface 61b is arc-shaped with an opening 610.

[0052] The first deformation operator 43 on one side and the first deformation operator 63 on the other side have the same configuration as the first deformation operator 33 in the retaining clamp 3. The second deformation operator 45 on one side and the second deformation operator 65 on the other side have the same configuration as the second deformation operator 35 in the retaining clamp 3. In this way, in the retaining clamp 4 on one side, the clamp body 41 on one side can be elastically deformed radially by the first deformation operator 43 on one side and the second deformation operator 45 on one side. Similarly, in the retaining clamp 6 on the other side, the clamp body 61 on the other side can be elastically deformed radially by the first deformation operator 63 on the other side and the second deformation operator 65 on the other side.

[0053] The strap 7 consists of a strap body 7a, a first end cover 7b, and a second end cover 7c. The strap body 7a has the same configuration as the strap body 5a. The strap body 7a has a first surface 71 and a second surface 72 located on the opposite side of the first surface 71. The length of the strap body 7a in the longitudinal direction can be designed as appropriate.

[0054] The first end cover 7b and the second end cover 7c are also made of aluminum alloy. The first end cover 7b is fixed to one end of the strap body 7a in the longitudinal direction. The second end cover 7c is fixed to the other end of the strap body 7a in the longitudinal direction. Note that the mounting portion 50 shown in Figure 2 is not provided on these first end cover 7b and second end cover 7c.

[0055] In the conductive member 2, one longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is positioned inside the one-side clamp body 41. The other longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is positioned inside the other-side clamp body 61. In this case, the conductive member 2 flexes one longitudinal side and the other longitudinal side of the strap body 7a in an arc shape along the inner surface 41b of the one-side clamp body 41 and the inner surface 61b of the other-side clamp body 61, respectively, so that the first surface 71 comes into contact with the inner surfaces 41b and 61b, respectively. In this state, one longitudinal side and the other longitudinal side of the strap body 7a are diffusely bonded to the inner surfaces 41b and 61b, respectively. In this way, in the conductive member 2, the inner surfaces 41b and 61b and the first surface 71 are pressed and bonded together, so that one longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is fixed to the inner surface 41b and the other longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is fixed to the inner surface 61b. As a result, in the energizing member 2, the strap 7 is integrated with the one-sided retaining clamp 4 and the other-sided retaining clamp 6, respectively.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the current-carrying member 2 is attached to the second terminal portion 12 of each adjacent heating element 10 in the left-right direction, more specifically, to the portion of the second terminal portion 12 that protrudes rearward from the fourth sleeve 114. As shown in Figure 7, with the current-carrying member 2, the one-side clamp body 41 is attached to the second terminal portion 12 of the heating element 10 located on the right side by clamping it from the outside, thereby attaching the one-side retaining clamp 4 to the second terminal portion 12 of that heating element 10. Similarly, the other-side clamp body 61 is attached to the second terminal portion 12 of the heating element 10 located on the left side by clamping it from the outside, thereby attaching the other-side retaining clamp 6 to the second terminal portion 12 of that heating element 10.

[0057] As a result, in the conductive member 2, one longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is wrapped around the second terminal portion 12 and is crimped to the second terminal portion 12 by the one-side clamp body 41, and the other longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is wrapped around the second terminal portion 12 and is crimped to the second terminal portion 12 by the other-side clamp body 61. In this way, by attaching the conductive member 2 to each second terminal portion 12, the second terminal portions 12 of adjacent heating elements 10 in the left-right direction are connected in series by the conductive member 2 so that current can be passed through them. As shown in Figure 6, the conductive member 1 of Embodiment 1 is attached to the first terminal portion 11 of each heating element 10.

[0058] Furthermore, when removing the energizing member 2 from each second terminal portion 12, the one-sided retaining clamp 4 and the other-sided retaining clamp 6 are removed from the second terminal portion 12, respectively. At this time, one longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is also removed from the second terminal portion 12 together with the one-sided retaining clamp 4. Similarly, the other longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is also removed from the second terminal portion 12 together with the other-sided retaining clamp 6. In this way, the removal of the energizing member 2 from each second terminal portion 12 is completed, and the connection between the second terminal portions 12 is released. Note that the procedure for attaching and removing the one-sided retaining clamp 4 and the other-sided retaining clamp 6 to each second terminal portion 12 is the same as the procedure for attaching and removing the retaining clamp 3 to the first terminal portion 11 of the energizing member 1 in Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation of these procedures is omitted.

[0059] Thus, in this conductive member 2, one longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is fixed to the inner surface 41b of the one-side clamp body 41, and the other longitudinal side of the strap body 7a is fixed to the inner surface 61b of the other-side clamp body 61. For this reason, with this conductive member 2, if the one-side retaining clamp 4 and the other-side retaining clamp 6 are attached to or removed from the second terminal portion 12, there is no need to separately wrap or remove the strap body 7a from each of the second terminal portions 12. In this way, this conductive member 2 can perform the same function as the conductive member 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described above in reference to Examples 1 and 2, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to Examples 1 and 2, and can be applied with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0061] For example, the holding clamp 3 in the energizing member 1 of Embodiment 1 has a first deformation operator 33 and a second deformation operator 35. However, it is not limited to this, and the first deformation operator 33 or the second deformation operator 35 may be omitted. Also, the shapes of the first deformation operator 33 and the second deformation operator 35 may be different. The same applies to the energizing member 2 of Embodiment 2.

[0062] Furthermore, in the conductive member 1 of Example 1, the strap body 5a is fixed to the inner surface 31b of the clamp body 31 by diffusion bonding. However, the strap body 5a may also be fixed to the inner surface 31b by welding or the like. The same applies to the conductive member 2 of Example 2.

[0063] Furthermore, the heating element 10 may be formed such that the heating portion 13 is curved in a substantially U-shape, so that the first terminal portion 11 and the second terminal portion 12 are arranged in the same direction relative to the heating portion 13. [Industrial applicability]

[0064] This invention can be used as a heating element for a heating furnace or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1, 2... Conductive components for heating elements 3…Retaining clamp 4…One-sided retaining clamp 5, 7... straps 6…Other side retaining clamp 10… Heating element 11...First terminal part (terminal part) 12…Second terminal part (terminal part) 13…heating area 31…Clamp body 31a, 41a, 61a...External surface 31b, 41b, 61b... inner 33...First Transformation Manipulation Unit (Transformation Manipulation Unit) 35... Second Transformation Manipulation Unit (Transformation Manipulation Unit) 41... One-sided clamp body 43...One-sided first deformation operator (one-sided deformation operator) 45... One-sided second deformation operator (one-sided deformation operator) 61...Other side clamp body 63...Other side first deformation operator (other side deformation operator) 65...Other side second deformation operator (other side deformation operator)

Claims

1. A current-carrying member for a heating element, used in a heating element having a terminal portion formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape and extending in the axial direction, and a heating portion connected to the terminal portion in a electrically conductive manner, A metal retaining clamp is detachably provided on the terminal portion, It comprises a strap formed in a strip shape extending in the longitudinal direction, which is held by the retaining clamp at the terminal portion and supplies power to the terminal portion, The retaining clamp has an outer surface facing the outside of the retaining clamp and an inner surface located on the opposite side of the outer surface, and the inner surface has an arc shape with an opening and extends in the axial direction, and the clamp body is attached to the terminal portion while clamping the terminal portion from the outside in a direction intersecting the axial direction, It has a deformable operating body which is integrated with the clamp body and which can detachably expand the opening in the radial direction of the clamp body by elastically deforming the clamp body, The current-carrying member for a heating element is characterized in that the strap is fixed to the inner surface.

2. The retaining clamp comprises a retaining clamp on one side and a retaining clamp on the other side that is separate from the retaining clamp on the one side. The clamp body comprises a one-side clamp body provided on the one-side holding clamp and a other-side clamp body provided on the other-side holding clamp. The deformation operating body comprises a one-side deformation operating body provided on the one-side holding clamp and a other-side deformation operating body provided on the other-side holding clamp. The current-carrying member for a heating element according to claim 1, wherein one side of the strap in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the inner surface of the one-side clamp body, and the other side in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the inner surface of the other-side clamp body.

3. The current-carrying member for a heating element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the strap is diffusely bonded to the inner surface.

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