Surface heating device

Abstract

To achieve easy change of a material and design of an appearance part.SOLUTION: A planer heater 100 includes: a heating unit 110 having a heating part 130, and an appearance part 120 where an upper surface part 121 is provided for covering the heating part 130 from above; and a body unit 160 which holds the heating unit 110, and in which power for allowing the heating part 130 to heat is inputted. The heating unit 110 and the body unit 160 are separable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped warming device. [Background technology]

[0002] Planar heating devices that can be installed on floor surfaces have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses an electric heater for heating in which a power bypass is built into a heating element unit that incorporates a heating element. In such an electric heater for heating, the exterior part and the part where the power is input are integrally configured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-241683 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the electric heater disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if one wishes to change the material or design of the exterior part to meet the diverse needs of users in recent years, there is a problem in that it is difficult to change the material or design of the exterior part because the part where the power is input is constructed as one unit. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily change the material and design of the exterior part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to a heat generating unit and an outer part having a top surface part covering the heat generating unit from above. By bonding, This is a surface-shaped heating device having a heating unit and a main unit that supports the heating unit and receives power for generating heat from the heating portion, and is characterized in that the heating unit and the main unit are separable. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the material and design of the exterior part can be easily changed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a surface heating system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the planar heating device from above. [Diagram 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the planar heating device from below. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a portion of the planar heating device has been cut away. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of a connecting member. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of the state when connecting planar heating devices together, seen from below. FIG. [Figure 7] This is an oblique view of the planar heating device with the lower case omitted. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which planar heating devices are electrically connected to each other. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which planar heating devices are mechanically connected to each other. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The planar heating device, planar heating system, and connecting member according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, in each drawing, the upper side is indicated as Up, the lower side as Lo, the right side as Ri, the left side as Le, the front side as Fr, and the rear side as Rr, as necessary.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a planar heating system 10 according to this embodiment. The planar heating system 10 of this embodiment can be expanded to any size desired by the user by arranging multiple planar heating devices 100 in a horizontal direction and connecting adjacent planar heating devices 100 to each other. The planar heating system 10 is composed of two types of planar heating devices 100a as a parent unit to which power is supplied from the outside, and planar heating devices 100b as child units to which power is supplied through other planar heating devices including the planar heating device 100a. In addition, the planar heating system 10 has a connecting member 200 that connects the planar heating devices 100 to each other in order to arrange the multiple planar heating devices 100 next to each other in the horizontal direction. The planar heating system 10 shown in FIG. 1 has one planar heating device 100a and five planar heating devices 100b, three of which are connected along the left-right direction and two of which are connected along the front-back direction via the connecting member 200. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the parent unit and the child unit, they will simply be described as the sheet heating device 100.

[0010] The planar heating device 100a and the planar heating device 100b have the same external size. The planar heating devices 100a and 100b are generally rectangular with four sides when viewed from above, and are squares with the same length in the left-right direction and the front-back direction. Therefore, when a user connects the planar heating devices 100a and 100b to other planar heating devices 100a and 100b, they can be connected without worrying about the vertical and horizontal directions. The planar heating devices 100a and 100b of this embodiment have a left-right length and a front-back length of approximately 200 mm, but the left-right length and the front-back length may be in the range of 150 mm to 600 mm, and the dimensions are not limited.

[0011] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sheet-shaped heating device 100a as viewed from above. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sheet-shaped heating device 100a as viewed from below. The sheet heating device 100a has a heat generating unit 110 and a main unit 160. The heat generating unit 110 and the main unit 160 are configured independently and are separable. First, the heating unit 110 will be described. The heat generating unit 110 has a function of generating heat. The heat generating unit 110 is separable from the main unit 160. The heat generating unit 110 has an outer part 120, a heat generating part 130, a first heat insulating part 140, and a second heat insulating part 150, which are stacked in this order from the top to the bottom as a laminate.

[0012] The exterior part 120 functions as a mat that covers the heat generating part 130, the first heat insulating part 140, and the second heat insulating part 150 from above. Since the exterior part 120 is a part that the user touches and sees, it is made of a material and has a design that meets the needs of the user. Specifically, the material of the exterior part 120 can be felt to improve the feel, or sheet-like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to enable printing of a design such as a wood grain pattern. In addition, the exterior part 120 may be made of a single layer, or may be made by laminating multiple layers to increase the thickness.

[0013] The exterior portion 120 has an upper surface portion 121, four side surface portions 122, and four lower surface portions 123. The upper surface portion 121 is a substantially rectangular shape having four sides when viewed from above, and covers the heat generating portion 130, the first heat insulating portion 140, and the second heat insulating portion 150 from above. The side surface portion 122 is provided integrally with the upper surface portion 121, and is folded back from each of the four sides of the upper surface portion 121 toward the lower side. The side surface portion 122 covers the heat generating portion 130, the first heat insulating portion 140, and the second heat insulating portion 150 from the sides. The lower surface portion 123 is provided integrally with the side surface portion 122, and is folded back from each of the four sides of the lower end of the side surface portion 122 toward the center. The lower surface portion 123 covers the heat generating portion 130, the first heat insulating portion 140, and the second heat insulating portion 150 from below. Therefore, the external part 120 encloses the heat generating part 130, the first heat insulating part 140 and the second heat insulating part 150 so as to integrate them together (see FIG. 4 described later). When the heat generating unit 110 is connected to the main unit 160, the lower surface part 123 is located on the upper side of the main unit 160. Each of the lower surface parts 123 is formed in a trapezoid shape so that the adjacent lower surface parts 123 do not overlap each other when folded back toward the center. The lower surface parts 123 are positioned by the second heat insulating part 150 in a state in which the lower surface part 123 covers the second heat insulating part 150 from below. Specifically, the lower surface parts 123 have a pair of positioning holes 124 at positions spaced apart from each other along each side, and are positioned by inserting boss parts 151 described later into the positioning holes 124. The positioning holes 124 correspond to an example of a part to be positioned.

[0014] The heat generating unit 130 generates heat when supplied with power. The heat generating unit 130 is a substantially rectangular shape having four sides when viewed from above, and is disposed between the exterior unit 120 and the first heat insulating unit 140. In this embodiment, a PTC heater that converts electric current into heat is used for the heat generating unit 130. Since the resistance value of a PTC heater increases as the temperature increases, the PTC heater can maintain a saturated state, and it is not necessary to provide a separate temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the heat generating unit 130. However, the heat generating unit 130 is not limited to a PTC heater, and a heater wire such as a nichrome wire may be used. When the size of the heat generating unit 130 is small, the size of the entire heat generating unit 130 can be adjusted to a desired size by disposing a dummy heater (for example, a heat insulating material) so as to surround the heat generating unit 130.

[0015] The first heat insulating section 140 has a function of blocking heat from the heat generating section 130 from radiating downward. The first heat insulating section 140 has a generally rectangular shape having four sides when viewed from above, and is disposed between the heat generating section 130 and the second heat insulating section 150. For example, felt is used as the first heat insulating section 140 in this embodiment. However, the first heat insulating section 140 is not limited to felt, and other heat insulating materials may be used.

[0016] The second heat insulating section 150 has a function of blocking heat from the heat generating section 130 from being radiated downward. The second heat insulating section 150 is substantially rectangular with four sides when viewed from above, with a central portion exposed to the lower side without being covered by the lower surface portion 123 of the exterior section 120 from below, and an outer peripheral portion surrounding the central portion being disposed between the lower surface portion 123 of the exterior section 120 and the first heat insulating section 140. The second heat insulating section 150 of this embodiment is made of, for example, polycarbonate. However, the second heat insulating section 150 is not limited to being made of polycarbonate, and other heat insulating materials such as polyurethane resin may be used. The second heat insulating section 150 also has a plurality of bosses 151 protruding downward. The bosses 151 are arranged in pairs at positions close to each side of the second heat insulating section 150 and at positions spaced apart along each side. The bosses 151 have female threads 152 formed on the lower surface (see FIG. 4), and are inserted into a connecting hole 173 (described later) of the main unit 160 to connect the heat generating unit 110 and the main unit 160. The bosses 151 correspond to an example of a connecting section. Moreover, boss portion 151 positions lower surface portion 123 of appearance portion 120 with respect to second insulation portion 150 in a state in which second insulation portion 150 is covered from below. Specifically, boss portion 151 positions lower surface portion 123 by being inserted into positioning hole 124 of lower surface portion 123. Boss portion 151 corresponds to an example of a positioning portion.

[0017] The above-mentioned heat generating unit 110 can be integrated by bonding the upper surface 121 of the external part 120, the heat generating part 130, the first heat insulating part 140, the second heat insulating part 150, and the lower surface 123 of the external part 120 using a known bonding method such as double-sided tape or adhesive. The heat generating unit 110 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and can be modified as appropriate, for example, by omitting either the first heat insulating part 140 or the second heat insulating part 150 or by adding a sheet-like pressure switch to the lower side of the heat generating part 130.

[0018] Next, the main unit 160 will be described. The main unit 160 is in contact with the floor and supports the heating unit 110 and a user standing on the exterior part 120. The main unit 160 is generally rectangular when viewed from above, and is generally a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, with a space formed inside for accommodating each component described below. A power source is input to the main unit 160 to generate heat from the heating part 130 of the heating unit 110. The main unit 160 has an upper case 161 and a lower case 181.

[0019] Upper case 161 is a portion located on the upper side of main unit 160. Upper case 161 has a top surface portion 162 and four side surface portions 163a to 163d. As shown in FIG. 3, a board 164 is attached to the center of the upper case 161. A plurality of terminal blocks 165a, 165b are fixed to the outer edge of the board 164. A power supply connector 166 for connecting to an external power supply (AC 100V, AC 200V, etc.) is attached to the side surface 163a of the parent unit planar heating device 100a. As shown in FIG. 1, when a power cord 20 is inserted into the power supply connector 166, power is supplied from the external power supply to the planar heating device 100a via the power cord 20. A two-core cable connected to the power supply connector 166 is wired so as to be connected to a terminal of the terminal block 165a fixed to the board 164. The child unit planar heating device 100b does not have a power supply connector 166 because power is input from another planar heating device 100.

[0020] Moreover, the planar heating devices 100a, 100b of the parent unit and the child unit have connection parts 167a-167d on each of the four sides of the main unit 160 in common. The connection parts 167a-167d are connected to other planar heating devices 100 arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the connection parts 167a-167d are connected in the vertical direction to the connection parts 167a-167d of other planar heating devices 100 arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction via a connected part 201 of a connecting member 200, which will be described later.

[0021] The connection portions 167a to 167d each have a power input / output portion 168 and engagement portions 171a and 171b. In addition, in Fig. 3, the engagement portions 171a and 171b of the connection portions 167a and 167d are hidden by the side portions 163a and 163d. The power input / output unit 168 is electrically connected to the power input / output unit 168 of the other planar heating device 100. Specifically, the power input / output unit 168 is electrically connected to the power input / output unit 168 of the other planar heating device 100 via the connection member 200 by contacting a conductive portion 202 of the connection member 200 described later. The power input / output unit 168 is a portion for inputting power from the other planar heating device 100 and outputting power to the other planar heating device 100. The power input / output unit 168 is located at the center in the width direction of each of the side portions 163a to 163d of the upper case 161. As shown in FIG. 7 described later, the power input / output unit 168 has a pair of unit side electrodes 170 supported on the lower surface of a block-shaped support portion 169 attached to the upper surface portion 162 in a state of being separated from each other in the width direction. The pair of unit side electrodes 170 protrude with at least a vertical component and are vertically deflectable in response to an external force. Specifically, the pair of unit side electrodes 170 are elastic sheet metal members that protrude obliquely downward from the inside to the outside of upper case 161, and the plate surface (contact surface) is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction. Two-core cables connected to the pair of unit side electrodes 170 are wired so as to be connected to terminals of terminal blocks 165a and 165b fixed to substrate 164, respectively.

[0022] The engaging parts 171a and 171b are mechanically connected to the other planar heating device 100. Specifically, the engaging parts 171a and 171b are mechanically connected to the engaging parts 171a and 171b of the other planar heating device 100 via the connecting member 200 by engaging with the engaged parts 204a and 204b of the connecting member 200 described later. The engaging parts 171a and 171b are located away from the center of the side parts 163a to 163d of the upper case 161 toward the end side in the width direction. Here, the distance from the center of the side parts 163a to 163d to the engaging part 171a is L1, and the distance from the center to the engaging part 171b is L2, and the distance L1 and the distance L2 are different. The reason why the distance L1 and the distance L2 are different in this way is to prevent the engaging part 171b from interfering with other parts, specifically the power connection part 166. However, the distance L1 and the distance L2 may be the same. Furthermore, the engagement portions 171a and 171b protrude horizontally from the inner surfaces of the side portions 163a to 163d in a protruding manner.

[0023] A circuit pattern is formed on the substrate 164 so that the power input / output units 168 are electrically connected to each other. In the planar heating device 100a of the parent unit, power supplied from an external power source to the power connection unit 166 is supplied to the four power input / output units 168 via the circuit pattern. The power input / output unit 168 of the planar heating device 100a of the parent unit functions as a power output unit because it outputs the power supplied to the power connection unit 166 mainly to the other planar heating device 100b. On the other hand, in the planar heating device 100b of the child unit, the power input from the other planar heating device 100, for example, through the power input / output unit 168, is supplied to the three power input / output units 168 via the circuit pattern. When a plurality of planar heating devices 100 are connected, the power input / output parts 168 of adjacent planar heating devices 100 are positioned adjacent to each other.

[0024] Furthermore, top surface portion 162 of upper case 161 has through holes 172 for guiding cables connected to heat generating portion 130 into main unit 160. The cables connected to heat generating portion 130 are inserted through through holes 172, and then wired so as to be connected to terminals of terminal blocks 165b fixed to substrate 164. Terminal block 165b corresponds to an example of an interface portion for electrically connecting cables connected from heat generating portion 130.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper case 161 has a plurality of connecting holes 173 into which the bosses 151 of the heat generating unit 110 are inserted. The connecting holes 173 are arranged in pairs at positions close to each side of the upper surface portion 162 and at positions spaced apart along each side. As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting holes 173 penetrate in the vertical direction a cylindrical protrusion protruding downward from the lower surface of the upper case 161 (see also FIG. 4). The bosses 151 of the heat generating unit 110 are inserted into the connecting holes 173, thereby connecting the main unit 160 and the heat generating unit 110. The connecting holes 173 correspond to an example of a connected portion. The main unit 160 and the heat generating unit 110 are connected to each other by screwing a male screw portion 174 as a fastening member from the lower side of the upper case 161 through the connecting holes 173 and into the female screw portion 152 of the boss portion 151. Additionally, the upper case 161 has a lid attachment portion 175 protruding downward at each of the four corners. The lid attachment portion 175 has a female screw portion 176 formed on the lower surface.

[0026] The lower case 181 is a part located below the main unit 160. The lower case 181 has a bottom surface portion 182 and four side surface portions 183a to 183d. The side surface portions 183a to 183d each have a recess 184 recessed toward the center of the bottom surface portion 182 at the center in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower case 181 has a lid mounting hole 185 at each of the four corners. The upper case 161 and the lower case 181 are joined together by threading a male screw portion 186 as a fastening member from the underside of the lower case 181 through the lid mounting hole 185 and into the female screw portion 176 of the lid mounting portion 175 of the upper case 161.

[0027] In main body unit 160, in a state in which upper case 161 and lower case 181 are joined together, side surface portions 163a to 163d of upper case 161 face side surface portions 183a to 183d of lower case 181 with a certain gap between them. When main body unit 160 is viewed from below, engagement portions 171a and 171b of side surface portions 163a to 163d are exposed through the gap between side surface portions 163a to 163d and side surface portions 183a to 183d. In addition, in the state where upper case 161 and lower case 181 are joined together, support parts 169 of side parts 163a to 163d of upper case 161 and recess parts 184 in the centers of side parts 183a to 183d of lower case 181 are positioned above and below each other in main unit 160. When main unit 160 is viewed from below, a pair of unit side electrodes 170 positioned on the lower surfaces of support parts 169 of side parts 163a to 163d are exposed through recess part 184. In this manner, main body unit 160 is shaped such that bottom surface portion 182 of lower case 181 does not cover engagement portions 171a, 171b and support portion 169 from below.

[0028] Here, the structure in which the heat generating unit 110 and the main unit 160 of the planar heating device 100 can be separated will be described with reference to Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b). Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) are cross-sectional views cut vertically so as to pass through the center of the axis of the boss portion 151. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the heat generating unit 110 is connected to the main unit 160. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the boss portion 151 of the heat generating unit 110 is inserted into the connecting hole 173 of the main unit 160, thereby connecting the main unit 160 and the heat generating unit 110. Furthermore, the main unit 160 and the heat generating unit 110 are joined by screwing the male screw portion 174 through the connecting hole 173 from the underside of the upper case 161 into the female screw portion 152 of the boss portion 151.

[0029] FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the heat generating unit 110 is not connected to the main unit 160 (separated state). First, the lower case 181 is removed from the upper case 161, and then, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the male screw portion 174 is removed from the female screw portion 152 of the boss portion 151 from the lower side of the upper case 161. Furthermore, by pulling out the boss portion 151 of the heat generating unit 110 from the connecting hole 173 of the main unit 160, the heat generating unit 110 is detached from the main unit 160 as a whole without disassembling it. In this way, the heat generating unit 110 and the main unit 160 can be separated. Note that, by removing the cable connected from the heat generating portion 130 of the heat generating unit 110 from the terminal block 165b of the main unit 160, the heat generating unit 110 can be put into a state in which it is not restricted by the main unit 160. In this way, by making the heat generating unit 110 and the main unit 160 separable, the material and design of the exterior portion 120 of the heat generating unit 110 can be easily changed.

[0030] Next, the connection member 200 will be described. The connection member 200 connects horizontally adjacent planar heating devices 100 together. The connection member 200 functions as a so-called connector. The connection member 200 connects to the connection parts 167a to 167d of the adjacent planar heating devices 100, respectively, thereby electrically and mechanically connecting the horizontally adjacent planar heating devices 100 together. In the example of the planar heating system 10 shown in FIG. 1, when two of the four sides of the planar heating device 100 are adjacent to other planar heating devices 100, the planar heating device 100 is connected to the other planar heating devices 100 by the connecting members 200 at the two sides. When three of the four sides of the planar heating device 100 are adjacent to other planar heating devices 100, the planar heating device 100 is connected to the other planar heating devices 100 by the connecting members 200 at the three sides. Similarly, when four sides of the planar heating device 100 are adjacent to other planar heating devices 100, the planar heating device 100 is connected to the other planar heating devices 100 by the connecting members 200 at the four sides. The connecting members 200 are grounded to the floor surface when the planar heating devices 100 adjacent in the horizontal direction are connected to each other.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the connection member 200. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing an example of connecting adjacent planar heating devices 100 to each other via the connection member 200. Fig. 5(b) is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the connection member 200. 5(a), the connecting member 200 is connected from one planar heating device 100 to the other planar heating device 100, thereby connecting horizontally adjacent planar heating devices 100. When the connecting member 200 is connected to horizontally adjacent planar heating devices 100, the connecting member 200 is disposed so as to straddle the space between the adjacent planar heating devices 100.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the connection member 200 is formed in an elongated shape that is long in one direction, and has a base portion 210 and a bracket portion 220. Here, the long direction of the connection member 200 is referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is referred to as the width direction. The connection member 200 has a connected portion 201 incorporated into the base portion 210 and the bracket portion 220. The connected portion 201 is connected to the connecting portions 167a to 167d of the planar heating device 100. The connected portion 201 is detachable in the vertical direction from the connecting portions 167a to 167d of the planar heating devices 100 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction.

[0033] The connected portion 201 has a conductive portion 202 and engaged portions 204a and 204b. The conductive portion 202 is electrically connected by contacting the power input / output portion 168 of the adjacent planar heating device 100. Specifically, the conductive portion 202 is in contact with the power input / output portion 168 of one planar heating device 100 and the power input / output portion 168 of the other planar heating device 100, thereby conducting the power input / output portion 168 of one planar heating device 100 and the power input / output portion 168 of the other planar heating device 100. Here, the conductive portion 202 is composed of a pair of conductive portions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, and is provided on the upper surface and inside of the base portion 210. The base portion 210 is block-shaped and supported by the bracket portion 220. The base portion 210 has a concave water channel portion 211 in the longitudinal direction at the center of the upper surface. The water channel portion 211 is inclined so that the depth is shallow at the center in the longitudinal direction and becomes deeper as it moves away from the center in the longitudinal direction. The water channel portion 211 is provided at a portion located at the boundary between adjacent sheet heating devices 100. The base portion 210 is generally made of a material that is elastic. In this embodiment, the base portion 210 is made of rubber. However, the base portion 210 is not limited to being made of rubber, and other materials may be used.

[0034] FIG. 5(c) is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the base portion 210 is cut so as to pass through the conductive portion 202. The conductive portions 202 are arranged in the width direction, and are embedded in the base portion 210 without being exposed on the upper surface of the base portion 210 at the center of the base portion 210. The embedded positions of the conductive portions 202 are portions located at the boundary between adjacent planar heating devices 100. The conductive portions 202 are not embedded in the base portion 210 and are exposed on the upper surface of the base portion 210, and are connector side electrodes 203 that contact the unit side electrodes 170 of the power input / output unit 168. The connector side electrodes 203 adjacent in the width direction are conductive to each other, and the connector side electrodes 203 adjacent in the longitudinal direction are not conductive to each other. The connector side electrodes 203 adjacent in the longitudinal direction each contact a pair of unit side electrodes 170 of one planar heating device 100. The conductive portion 202 in this embodiment is a sheet metal member, and a part of it can be embedded by insert molding the base portion 210. Here, the plate surface (contact surface) of the connector side electrode 203 is parallel to the horizontal direction. Note that the conductive portion 202 is not limited to being a sheet metal member, and other electrodes such as screen printing may be used, or the conductive portion 202 may be embedded by covering it from above with another part.

[0035] The engaged parts 204a, 204b are mechanically connected by engaging with the engaging parts 171a, 171b of the adjacent planar heating devices 100. Specifically, the engaged parts 204a, 204b are engaged with the engaging parts 171a, 171b of one planar heating device 100, and are engaged with the engaging parts 171a, 171b of the other planar heating device 100, thereby mechanically connecting one planar heating device 100 and the other planar heating device 100 via the connecting member 200. Here, if the engaged parts 204a, 204b separated in a straight line along the longitudinal direction across the base part 210 are considered as one set, the connecting member 200 has two sets of engaged parts 204a, 204b separated in the width direction. A pair of engaged parts 204a, 204b are engaged with engaging parts 171a, 171b of one sheet-shaped heating device 100, respectively. When viewed from above, the two pairs of engaged parts 204a, 204b are configured to be point-symmetrical with respect to a center line C (see FIG. 5(b)) along the vertical direction. Here, the engaged parts 204a, 204b are provided on a bracket part 220. The bracket part 220 has a support part 221 in the center that supports the base part 210 from below, and extending parts 222a, 222b that extend in opposite directions from both ends of the support part 221 in the longitudinal direction. The bracket part 220 is grounded to the floor surface.

[0036] The support part 221 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening at the top, and supports the base part 210 by fixing the base part 210 inside. The extension parts 222a and 222b are provided with the engaged parts 204a and 204b, respectively. Specifically, the engaged parts 204a and 204b are holes that open in the horizontal direction (width direction) in the plate-shaped part 223 that protrudes upward integrally from the extension parts 222a and 222b, respectively. Here, when focusing on one pair of the engaged parts 204a and 204b, the engaged parts 204a and 204b are located away from the center of the support part 221 to the end side in the longitudinal direction. The distance from the center of the support part 221 to the engaged part 204a is L1, and the distance from the center to the engaged part 204b is L2, and the distance L1 and the distance L2 are different. The distance L1 is the same as the distance L1 from the center of the side surface portions 163a to 163d to the engaging portion 171a. The distance L2 is the same as the distance from the center of the side surface portions 163a to 163d to the engaging portion 171b. When the connection member 200 is viewed along the longitudinal direction, a gap is provided between the pair of engaged portions 204a, 204b and the pair of engaged portions 204a, 204b, the gap being equal to or larger than the thickness of the side surface portions 163a to 163d. The bracket portion 220 is made of a material that is less elastic than the base portion 210. The bracket portion 220 of this embodiment is made of a synthetic resin. However, the bracket portion 220 is not limited to being made of a synthetic resin, and other materials may be used.

[0037] Next, a case in which adjacent sheet heating devices 100 are connected to each other using a connecting member 200 will be described with reference to Figs. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which two adjacent planar heating devices 100 are connected together using a connecting member 200, as viewed from below (the ground surface side). As shown in Fig. 6, at the boundary between two adjacent planar heating devices 100, a space is formed by the recess 184 of the side surface portion 183b of the lower case 181 and the recess 184 of the side surface portion 183d, into which the base portion 210 and the support portion 221 of the connection member 200 can enter vertically (see also space S in Fig. 8(a) described later). In addition, between the side surface portion 163b of the upper case 161 and the side surface portion 183b of the lower case 181, and between the side surface portion 163d of the upper case 161 and the side surface portion 183d of the lower case 181, gaps are formed into which the plate-shaped portion 223 on which the engaged portions 204a and 204b of the connection member 200 are formed, respectively (see also gap G in Fig. 9(a) described later).

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the planar heating device 100 of FIG. 6 with the lower case 181 of the main unit 160 omitted, and part of the planar heating device 100b is indicated by a two-dot chain line. When two adjacent planar heating devices 100 are connected to each other using the connecting member 200, the planar heating devices 100 and the connecting member 200 are arranged so that the connecting member 200 is located at a position that straddles the two planar heating devices 100 and at the center position of the side portions 163b and 163d of the two planar heating devices 100. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the base portion 210 of the connecting member 200 and the support portion 169 of the planar heating devices 100 are positioned vertically apart. In addition, the engaging portions 171a and 171b of the side portion 163b of one planar heating device 100 and a pair of engaged portions 204a and 204b of the connecting member 200 are positioned vertically apart from each other. Additionally, the engaging portions 171a, 171b of the side surface portion 163d of the other sheet heating device 100 and the pair of engaged portions 204a, 204b of the connecting member 200 are positioned apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0039] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the planar heating devices 100 are electrically connected to each other using a connecting member 200, and is a cross-sectional view cut vertically so as to pass through the conductive portion 202 of the connecting member 200. Fig. 8(a) shows the state before the planar heating devices 100 are connected to each other, and Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the planar heating devices 100 are connected to each other. As shown in Fig. 8(a), the unit side electrode 170 of the power input / output part 168 of the planar heating device 100 protrudes obliquely downward from the inside to the outside of the upper case 161. From this state, the other planar heating device 100 is brought closer to the connecting member 200 in the vertical direction, and the connecting member 200 is connected so that half of the width direction of the base part 210 is inserted into the recess 184 of the main unit 160. Next, one planar heating device 100 is brought closer to the connecting member 200 in the vertical direction, and the connecting member 200 is connected so that half of the width direction of the base part 210 is inserted into the recess 184 of the main unit 160.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the base portion 210 of the connection member 200 enters into the recess 184 of the main unit 160 of one planar heating device 100 and the recess 184 of the main unit 160 of the other planar heating device 100, so that the unit side electrode 170 of the power input / output part 168 of one planar heating device 100 and the unit side electrode 170 of the power input / output part 168 of the other planar heating device 100 contact the connector side electrode 203 of the conductive part 202 of the connection member 200. Therefore, adjacent planar heating devices 100 are electrically connected to each other via the connection member 200. When the planar heating device 100a of the parent unit and the planar heating device 100b of the child unit are electrically connected, the power supplied to the power connection part 166 of the planar heating device 100a of the parent unit is output to the planar heating device 100b as the child unit.

[0041] Here, the unit side electrode 170 and the connector side electrode 203 each have a contact surface parallel to the horizontal direction and are in contact with each other face-to-face, so that a large capacity of power can be transmitted between the unit side electrode 170 and the connector side electrode 203. In addition, the unit side electrodes 170 of the adjacent planar heating devices 100 are pressed from below by the base portion 210 of the connection member 200, and are always urged toward the direction of contact with the connector side electrodes 203 of the conductive portion 202 by the reaction force. Therefore, the contact between the unit side electrodes 170 and the connector side electrodes 203 can be stabilized. Furthermore, since the base portion 210 is made of an elastic material, even if the planar heating device 100 vibrates when the user moves or walks, the base portion 210 can absorb the vibration, so that the contact can be further stabilized so that no sparks are generated between the unit side electrodes 170 and the connector side electrodes 203. On the other hand, the bracket portion 220 that supports the base portion 210 and is grounded to the floor surface is made of a material that is less elastic than the base portion 210, so that it can be grounded to the floor surface stably.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIG. 8(b), it is assumed that liquid W penetrates from the boundary between adjacent planar heating devices 100. After passing between the heat generating units 110 of the adjacent planar heating devices 100, liquid W may pass between the main units 160 and reach the base 210 of the connection member 200. Here, the conductive portion 202 of the base 210 is embedded at the portion located at the boundary between the adjacent planar heating devices 100. Therefore, even if liquid W reaches the base 210, it is possible to prevent liquid W from coming into contact with the conductive portion 202 and causing a short circuit. Furthermore, since the base 210 has a water channel portion 211, liquid W that reaches the base 210 is drained out of the base 210 along the water channel portion 211.

[0043] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the planar heating devices 100 are mechanically connected to each other using the connecting member 200, and is a cross-sectional view cut vertically so as to pass through the engaged portion 204b of the connecting member 200. Fig. 9(a) shows the state before the planar heating devices 100 are connected to each other, and Fig. 9(b) shows the state after the planar heating devices 100 are connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 9(a), there is a gap G between the side portion 163b of the upper case 161 and the side portion 183b of the lower case 181, and there is a gap G between the side portion 163d of the upper case 161 and the side portion 183d of the lower case 181. In addition, the engagement portions 171a and 171b of the planar heating device 100 protrude horizontally from the inner surfaces of the side portions 163d and 163b in a protruding manner. From this state, the other planar heating device 100 is brought closer to the connecting member 200 in the vertical direction, and the plate-shaped portion 223 of the connecting member 200 is connected so as to enter between the side portion 163d and the side portion 183d. Next, one planar heating device 100 is brought closer to the connecting member 200 in the vertical direction, and the plate-shaped portion 223 of the connecting member 200 is connected so as to enter between the side portion 163b and the side portion 183b. At this time, as the upper end side of each plate-shaped portion 223 comes into contact with the engaging portions 171a, 171b, each plate-shaped portion 223 bends toward the side portions 183d, 183b, respectively, and as the engaging portions 171a, 171b enter the engaged portions 204a, 204b, the bending of each plate-shaped portion 223 returns to its original state.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the projection-shaped engaging portion 171a of the other planar heating device 100 is inserted into the hole-shaped engaged portion 204a of the connection member 200 to engage with it, and further, the projection-shaped engaging portion 171b of one planar heating device 100 is inserted into the hole-shaped engaged portion 204b of the connection member 200 to engage with it. Therefore, the adjacent planar heating devices 100 are mechanically connected to each other via the connection member 200. Here, the engaging portions 171a and 171b of the planar heating device 100 are located at a position different from the power input / output portion 168, and the engaged portions 204a and 204b of the connection member 200 are located at a position different from the conductive portion 202. Therefore, the engaging portions 171a and 171b and the engaged portions 204a and 204b can be shaped to be suitable for mechanical connection without being affected by the power input / output portion 168 and the conductive portion 202.

[0045] In addition, by connecting all adjacent planar heating devices 100 via the connecting member 200, the newly installed planar heating device 100 receives power from multiple paths through the other electrically connected planar heating devices 100. Therefore, even if one of the connected planar heating devices 100 fails and is unable to output power, the planar heating device 100 receives power from paths through the other planar heating devices 100, so the power input through the other planar heating devices 100 can be used to heat the heat generating section 130 or output power to the other planar heating devices 100.

[0046] When the planar heating device 100 is to be detached from the connecting member 200, one planar heating device 100 is pulled up so as to be vertically separated from the connecting member 200, and then the other planar heating device 100 is also pulled up so as to be vertically separated from the connecting member 200. By pulling up the planar heating device 100 so as to be vertically separated in this manner, the unit side electrode 170 and the connector side electrode 203 are no longer in contact with each other, and therefore the electrical connection between the adjacent planar heating devices 100 is released. In addition, by pulling up the protruding engaging parts 171a and 171b, the engaged parts 204a and 204b are pressed by the engaging parts 171a and 171b, so that each plate-shaped part 223 is bent toward the side parts 183d and 183b, respectively. Furthermore, by pulling up the protruding engaging portions 171a, 171b, the engaging portions 171a, 171b come out of the engaged portions 204a, 204b and are no longer engaged, so that the mechanical connection between the adjacent sheet-like heating devices 100 is released. In order to make it easier to pull up the planar heating device 100, at least one of the outer surfaces of the side portions 163a to 163d of the main unit 160 may have a recessed operating portion into which the user can insert their finger to pull up the device.

[0047] According to the planar heating device 100 configured as described above, the heating unit 110 has the heating section 130 and the outer section 120 provided with the upper surface section 121 that covers the heating section 130 from above, and the main unit 160 supports the heating unit 110 and receives power to heat the heating section 130, and the heating unit 110 and the main unit 160 are separable. Since the heating unit 110 and the main unit 160 are separable, the material and design of the outer section 120 of the heating unit 110 can be easily changed. In addition, product variations can be prepared to meet the diverse needs of users (consumers). Furthermore, when repair or replacement is required for either the heating unit 110 or the main unit 160, the heating unit 110 and the main unit 160 can be easily repaired or replaced by separating them.

[0048] In addition, the exterior part 120 has a side part 122 that is integrally provided from the upper part 121 and covers the heat generating part 130 from four sides. In this way, the side part 122 covers the heat generating part 130 from the sides, so that the upper and side surfaces of the heat generating unit 110 are covered by the common exterior part 120, and a unified aesthetic can be given. In addition, when a plurality of planar heating devices 100 are arranged in the horizontal direction, the upper parts 121 of adjacent planar heating devices 100 can be continuous with each other, so that the color can be made uniform and the pattern can be made continuous across the plurality of planar heating devices 100, thereby improving the design. In addition, since the boundary between the upper part 121 and the side part 122 is formed so as to bulge outward in a curved shape, the gap between the upper parts 121 of adjacent planar heating devices 100 can be reduced.

[0049] Further, appearance portion 120 has a lower surface portion 123 that is integrally formed with side surface portion 122 and is positioned between heat generating portion 130 and main unit 160. In this manner, by positioning lower surface portion 123 between heat generating portion 130 and main unit 160, it is possible to prevent upper surface portion 121 and side surface portion 122 from floating up.

[0050] In addition, according to the planar heating device 100 configured as described above, when connecting to another planar heating device 100 to arrange the planar heating devices 100 next to each other in the horizontal direction, the planar heating device 100 has connecting parts 167a-167d that can be attached and detached in the vertical direction to the other planar heating device 100. Therefore, since the connecting parts 167a-167d can be attached and detached in the vertical direction to the other planar heating device 100, no space is required to separate the two planar heating devices 100 in the horizontal direction, so even if there is no space in the horizontal direction, the planar heating device 100 can be easily connected to the other planar heating device 100.

[0051] Furthermore, the connection parts 167a to 167d have a power input / output part 168 that is electrically connected to another planar heating device 100, and engagement parts 171a, 171b that are mechanically connected to another planar heating device 100 at a position different from the power input / output part 168. Therefore, the engagement parts 171a, 171b are not affected by the power input / output part 168, and can be shaped to be suitable for mechanical connection.

[0052] Moreover, the power input / output section 168 has a unit side electrode 170 that protrudes at least in the vertical direction and can bend in the vertical direction in response to an external force. Therefore, the unit side electrode 170 is pressed in the vertical direction from the other planar heating device 100 side (connecting member 200) and is always biased in the contact direction by the reaction force, so that the contact between the unit side electrode 170 and the other planar heating device 100 side (connecting member 200) can be stabilized.

[0053] The engaging parts 171a and 171b are protruding in the horizontal direction and are engaged with the hole-shaped engaged parts 204a and 204b of the other planar heating device 100 (connecting member 200). Therefore, the engaging parts 171a and 171b are difficult to separate from the engaged parts 204a and 204b in the vertical direction, and the strength of the mechanical connection can be improved. In this embodiment, the engaging parts 171a and 171b are protruding and the engaged parts 204a and 204b are hole-shaped, but this is not limited to this case, and the engaging parts 171a and 171b may be hole-shaped and the engaged parts 204a and 204b may be protruding. The engaging parts 171a and 171b and the engaged parts 204a and 204b are preferably structured to engage with each other by moving them relatively close to each other in the vertical direction, but any shape may be used as long as they can be engaged with each other.

[0054] In addition, the connecting member 200 configured as described above has a connected portion 201 that can be attached and detached in the vertical direction to the connecting portions 167a to 167d of adjacent planar heating devices so as to connect the planar heating devices to each other in order to arrange the planar heating devices next to each other in the horizontal direction. Therefore, since the connected portion 201 can be attached and detached in the vertical direction to the connecting portions 167a to 167d, no space is required to separate the two planar heating devices 100 in the horizontal direction, so that even if there is no space in the horizontal direction, the planar heating device 100 can be easily connected to another planar heating device 100.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the planar heating system 10 has been described as having a different configuration between the planar heating device 100a of the parent unit and the planar heating device 100b of the child unit, but is not limited to this case. The planar heating system 10 may have a configuration in which all of the planar heating devices 100 are the same as the planar heating device 100a. In this case, by connecting the power supply connection portion 166 of one of the planar heating devices 100a to an external power supply, power can be supplied to the other planar heating devices 100.

[0056] In addition, the planar heating system 10 of this embodiment has been described as being connected to the connecting member 200 in a vertical direction from above, but this is not limited to this case, and the connecting member 200 may be configured to be connected to the planar heating device 100 in a vertical direction from above, which is in contact with the floor surface. In this case, it can be realized by reversing Lo and Up in FIG. 6 and arranging the heat generating unit 110 above the main unit 160. However, when connecting the connecting member 200 in a vertical direction from above, it is preferable to connect the heat generating unit 110 in a state separated from the main unit 160.

[0057] The present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and modifications and the like are possible within the scope of the present invention, and modified examples may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10: Planar heating system 100 (100a, 100b): Planar heating device 110: Heating unit 120: Outer part 121: Upper surface part 122: Side surface part 123: Lower surface part 130: Heating part 140: First heat insulating part 150: Second heat insulating part 151: Boss part 165a, 165b: Terminal block 167a to 167d: Connection part 168: Power supply input / output part 170: Unit side electrode 171a, 171b: Engagement part 173: Connection hole 200: Connection member 201: Connected part 202: Conductive part 204a, 204b: Engaged part 210: Base part 211: Water channel part

Claims

1. a heat generating unit formed by bonding a heat generating portion and an exterior portion having a top surface portion covering the heat generating portion from above; A planar heating device having a main unit that supports the heating unit and receives power for generating heat from the heating portion, A planar heating device, characterized in that the heating unit and the main unit are separable.

2. The heating unit has a connecting portion, The sheet-shaped warming device according to claim 1, wherein the main unit has a connected portion that is connected to the connecting portion.

3. The sheet-shaped warming device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion also serves to position the outer surface portion.

4. The heat generating portion has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, The appearance portion further includes:

4. The sheet-shaped warming device according to claim 1, further comprising side portions which are integrally formed with the top surface portion and cover the heat generating portion from four sides.

5. A heating unit having a heating portion and an exterior portion having a top surface portion covering the heating portion from above; A planar heating device having a main unit that supports the heating unit and receives power for generating heat from the heating portion, The heating unit and the main unit are separable, The heat generating portion has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, The appearance portion further includes: A planar heating device characterized in that it has side portions which are integrally formed with the top surface portion and cover the heat generating portion from four sides.

6. The appearance portion further includes:

6. The sheet-shaped warming device according to claim 4, further comprising a lower surface portion which is integrally formed with the side surface portion and is positioned between the heat generating portion and the main unit.

7. The heating unit has a heat insulating part that covers the heating part from below, The heat insulating portion is The sheet-shaped warming device according to claim 6, characterized in that it is located between the lower surface portion and the heat generating portion.

8. The main unit includes:

8. The sheet-shaped warming device according to claim 1, further comprising an interface section for electrically connecting a cable extending from the heat generating section.

Images