초록 ▼

A layer of conductive polymer having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity and a uniform thickness, is laminated between copper foils to form a composite sheet which is die-cut to form a planar heater assembly. A small portion of the laminated heater assembly is bent laterally outw

A layer of conductive polymer having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity and a uniform thickness, is laminated between copper foils to form a composite sheet which is die-cut to form a planar heater assembly. A small portion of the laminated heater assembly is bent laterally outwardly to form a connector tab, and the heater assembly is adhesively bonded to the back surface of a rear view mirror having a corresponding shape and size. A plastic case supports the mirror and spring-like electrical contact terminals which engage the copper foils on the tab, and the terminals are connected to electrical conductors to provide for heating the entire mirror according to variations in temperature on the mirror surface. The tab may be lanced from the heater assembly or be formed from a projecting edge portion, and the heater assembly may be enclosed within a flexible plastic film to provide resistance to chemical corrosion. In another embodiment, the foils are connected by rivets and insulating sleeves to corresponding electrical tabs or terminals located on the inner side of the heater assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

A heater assembly adapted to be attached to a mirror having a predetermined shape and size, comprising a layer of conductive polymer having opposite parallel flat surfaces providing said layer with a substantially uniform thickness, said polymer having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivi

A heater assembly adapted to be attached to a mirror having a predetermined shape and size, comprising a layer of conductive polymer having opposite parallel flat surfaces providing said layer with a substantially uniform thickness, said polymer having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, a set of continuous metal foils bonded to said opposite surfaces of said layer and cooperating to form a laminated heater assembly having a uniform thickness with said layer of said polymer between said foils, said metal foils and said polymer layer having the same size and shape and generally the same as the size and shape of the mirror, means for attaching one of said metal foils forming one side of said heater assembly to the mirror, a portion of said laminated heater assembly including corresponding portions of said layer and said foils projecting laterally from the plane of said one metal foil and away from the mirror, means on the other side of said heater assembly for connecting said laterally projecting portions of both of said foils to a corresponding pair of electrical conductors, and said heater assembly being effective to heat substantially the entire mirror according to variations in temperature of different areas of the mirror.