Patent ID: 7974526
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: F24H

Abstract:
1. An electric heater apparatus, comprising: a housing having a first surface; a heating element, at least a portion of the heating element being disposed within the housing; a proximity sensor associated with the housing, the proximity sensor emitting a signal indicative of a presence of an object proximate the first surface of the housing; a conductor of electrical power; a switching device disposed between the conductor of electrical power and the heating element, the switching device having a first mode wherein electrical power is coupled to the heating element and a second mode wherein electrical power is decoupled from the heating element; and a processor operatively coupled to the sensor and the switching device, the processor emitting a signal changing the switching device between the first mode and the second mode in response to the signal emitted by the proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor comprises at least one infrared emitting device and an infrared receiving device, and wherein the at least one infrared emitting device comprises a plurality of infrared emitting devices, at least one of the plurality of infrared emitting devices being disposed on a first side of the infrared receiving device and at least another one of the plurality of infrared emitting devices being disposed on a second side of the infrared receiving device.