Importance

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Abstract

A heater includes a heating element made of a PTC thermistor, electrodes formed on upper and lower surfaces of the heating element, flat metallic terminals connected to the electrodes, lead wires connected to inner surfaces of the metallic terminals that face each other, and an insulating case for covering exposed portions of the heating element, electrodes, and of the metallic terminals, and the connections between the lead wires and the metallic terminals. With this structure, since no bumps are produced on the outer surfaces of the metallic terminals by connecting the lead wires to the metallic terminals, the thickness of the insulating case over the metallic terminals is reduced. This allows a reduction in the thickness of the heater and an improved heat transfer between the heating element and the heated object. A method of manufacturing the heater includes the steps of forming a heating unit by connecting the flat metallic terminals to the electrodes and connecting the lead wires to the metallic terminals, disposing the heating unit on a predetermined position of the base section of the insulating case, and sealing the exposed portions of the heating unit in the insulating case by injection-molding a cover section of the insulating case with insulating material after disposing the base section in a mold. This method enables the heating unit to be easily covered with the insulating case, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the heater.

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First Claim