Patent ID: 8288693
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
1. A heating element for heating user-contacted surfaces of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising: a) at least one heating zone in which a plurality of first electrical conductor strands are disposed approximately parallel to one another and are electrically connected in parallel for heating a passenger of the automotive vehicle; b) a plurality of second conductor strands forming a contact electrode for supplying electrical energy into the plurality of first electrical conductor strands for heating the at least one heating zone; c) a contact area in which the plurality of second conductor strands are connected, in an electrically conductive manner, to the plurality of first electrical conductor strands for heating the heating zone; and d) at least one additional third conductor strand for bridging electrical communication at a local failure with the plurality of first electrical conductor strands if the local failure of the plurality of second conductor strands occur, for bridging electrical communication at a local failure with the plurality of second conductor strands if the local failure of the plurality of first electrical conductor strands occurs, or both; wherein the plurality of first electrical conductor strands includes at least one or a plurality of filament-like strands of plastic and at least one electrically conductive metal jacket layer jacketing the one or the plurality of filament-like plastic inner strands; wherein at least some of the plurality of second conductor strands are made of copper litz wires; and wherein the at least one additional third conductor strand comprises a plurality of individual strands, and the at least one additional third conductor strand is integrated into the plurality of second conductor strands so that the at least one additional third conductor strand replaces at least one of the plurality of second conductor strands.