Patent Publication Number: US-2018037089-A1

Title: Heating module and heater assembly including the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0100639 filed on Aug. 8, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a heater assembly, and more particularly to a heater assembly in which a heating module accommodated in a heat transfer pocket heats a thermal medium through the heat transfer pocket. 
     A vehicle may be equipped with a heater that heats air or water to heat the interior of the vehicle. 
     An example of such a heater may be provided in a passage for air that is supplied into the interior of the vehicle to directly heat the air supplied into the interior of the vehicle. 
     Another example of the heater may be connected to a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air, through a hot water line, and may heat a thermal medium, such as water, to supply hot water to the heat exchanger. 
     The heater installed in the vehicle may include a heat emitting element such as a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater or a heat emitting coil, and a connecting terminal that connects the heat emitting element and a power supply such that an electric current may flow therebetween. 
     PRIOR TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
     Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2005-0031024 A (published on Apr. 1, 2005) 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments provide a heating module that improves insulation performance and heat transfer rate, and a heater assembly including the same. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heating module including: an insulating case; at least one heat emitting element that is supported by the insulating case; at least one terminal plate that is arranged in the insulating case to contact the heat emitting element; and a ceramic insulator that is arranged on an outer surface of the terminal plate. 
     The ceramic insulator may cover both of the outer surface of the terminal plate and an outer surface surface of the insulating case. 
     A pair of terminal plates may be arranged in the insulating case to be spaced apart from each other, and the ceramic insulator may include: a first ceramic insulating pad that covers an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates and one surface of the insulating case; and a second ceramic insulating pad that covers an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates and an opposite surface of the insulating case. 
     The ceramic insulator further may include a third ceramic insulating pad that connects the first ceramic insulating pad and the second ceramic insulating pad. 
     The heating module may further include: an outer clip that presses the first ceramic insulating pad to any one of the pair of terminal plates, and presses the second ceramic insulating pad to the other of the pair of terminal plates. 
     The heating module may further include: an outer clip, and the ceramic insulator includes a ceramic coating layer that is coated on a surface of the outer clip, which faces the terminal plate. 
     A pair of terminal plates may be arranged in the insulating case to be spaced apart from each other, and the ceramic coating layer includes: a first ceramic coating layer that is coated on a surface of the outer clip, which faces any one of the pair of terminal plates, to cover both of an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates and one surface of the insulating case; and a second ceramic coating layer that is coated on a surface of the outer clip, which faces the other of the pair of terminal plates, to cover both of an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates and an opposite surface of the insulating case. 
     The ceramic insulator may include a ceramic coating layer that is coated on the outer surface of the terminal plate and the outer surface of the insulating case. 
     A pair of terminal plates may be arranged in the insulating case to be spaced apart from each other, and the ceramic coating layer may include: a first ceramic coating layer that covers an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates and one surface of the insulating case; and a second ceramic coating layer that covers an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates and an opposite surface of the insulating case. 
     The heating module may further include: an outer clip that covers the first ceramic coating layer and the second ceramic coating layer and protects the first ceramic coating layer and the second coating layer. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heater assembly including: a heating module that is inserted into a heat transfer pocket formed in a heater case; and a wedge that is arranged between at least one surface of the heating module and the heat transfer pocket, wherein the heating module includes: an insulating case; at least one heat emitting element that is supported by the insulating case; at least one terminal plate that is arranged in the insulating case to contact the heat emitting element; and a ceramic insulator that is arranged on an outer surface of the terminal plate. 
     A pair of terminal plates may be arranged in the insulating case to be spaced apart from each other, and the ceramic insulator includes: a first ceramic insulating pad that covers an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates and one surface of the insulating case; and a second ceramic insulating pad that covers an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates and an opposite surface of the insulating case. 
     The ceramic insulating pad may further include a third ceramic insulating pad that connects the first ceramic insulating pad and the second ceramic insulating pad. 
     The heating module may further include an outer clip that presses the first ceramic insulating pad to any one of the pair of terminal plates, and presses the second ceramic insulating pad to the other of the pair of terminal plates, and the wedge makes surface-contact with the outer clip. 
     The heating module may further include an outer clip, and the ceramic insulator includes a ceramic coating layer that is coated on a surface of the outer clip, which faces the terminal plate. 
     A pair of terminal plates may be arranged in the insulating case to be spaced apart from each other, the ceramic coating layer includes: a first ceramic coating layer that is coated on a surface of the outer clip, which faces any one of the pair of terminal plates, to cover both of an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates and one surface of the insulating case; and a second ceramic coating layer that is coated on a surface of the outer clip, which faces the other of the pair of terminal plates, to cover both of an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates and an opposite surface of the insulating case, and the wedge makes surface-contact with the outer clip. 
     The ceramic insulator may include a ceramic coating layer that is coated on the outer surface of the terminal plate and the outer surface of the insulating case. 
     A pair of terminal plates may be arranged in the insulating case to be spaced apart from each other, and wherein the ceramic coating layer may include: a first ceramic coating layer that covers an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates and one surface of the insulating case; and a second ceramic coating layer that covers an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates and an opposite surface of the insulating case. 
     Any one of the first ceramic coating layer and the second ceramic coating layer may make surface-contact with one surface of the wedge, and the other of the first ceramic coating layer and the second ceramic coating layer makes surface-contact with the heat transfer pocket. 
     The heater assembly further include: an outer clip that covers the first ceramic coating layer and the second ceramic coating layer to make surface-contact with the wedge and the heat transfer pocket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating an air conditioning system of an electric vehicle in which a heater assembly is assembled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a heater assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating the interior of a heater assembly according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a bus bar block of  FIG. 1  is extracted to the outside; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a heating module of  FIG. 4  is extracted to the outside; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the bus bar block, a connecting block, and a pin block together according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the bus bar of the heater assembly according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the heater assembly according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along a line A-A of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a heating module and a wedge of a heater assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a heating module of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along a line I-I of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along line J-J of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view in a state in which the heating module of  FIG. 11  is mounted in a heat transfer pocket; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a heating block of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is a transverse sectional view illustrating a heating block of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a sectional view in a state in which the heating module of  FIGS. 16 to 18  is mounted in a heat transfer pocket; 
         FIG. 20  is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  is a transverse sectional view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view in a state in which the heating module of  FIGS. 20 to 21  is mounted in a heat transfer pocket; and 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional view of a case in which a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is protected by an outer clip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a view illustrating an air conditioning system of an electric vehicle in which a heater assembly is assembled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The heater assembly  1  may be installed in an electric vehicle, and may be a heater assembly for a vehicle that heats a thermal medium, such as water, which is a hearting target (hereinafter, referred to as a thermal medium). 
     The heater assembly  1  may be connected to a heat exchanger H that exchanges heat with air supplied to an interior (not illustrated) of a vehicle, via a hot water line L, the thermal medium heated in the heater assembly  1  may heat the heat exchanger H while passing through the heat exchanger H, and the air supplied to the interior of the vehicle may be supplied to the interior of the vehicle after being heated by the heat exchanger H. 
     The hot water line L may include a water inlet line that guides the thermal medium of the heat exchanger H to the heater assembly  1 , and a water outlet line that guides the thermal medium heated in the heater assembly  1  to the heat exchanger H. 
     A pump P that pumps the thermal medium such that the thermal medium circulates through the heat exchanger H and the heater assembly  1  may be installed in the hot water line L. 
     The electric vehicle may include a compressor C that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser D that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor C, an expansion mechanism V that expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser D, and an evaporator E that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion mechanism V. 
     The evaporator E may constitute a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the electric vehicle together with the heat exchanger H. 
     The HVAC system of the electric vehicle may further include a fan that blows air towards the evaporator E and the heat exchanger H. 
     When the fan F is driven, the air in the interior of the vehicle or exterior air may be discharged into the interior of the vehicle after passing through the evaporator E and the heat exchanger H. 
     During an operation of cooling the interior of the vehicle, the compressor C and the fan F may be driven, and the air may be discharged into the interior of the vehicle after being cooled by the evaporator E. 
     During an operation of heating the interior of the vehicle, the heater assembly  1 , the fan F, and the pump P may be driven, the thermal medium may flow to the heat exchanger H after being heated by the heater assembly  1  to heat the heat exchanger H, and the air may be discharged into the interior of the vehicle after being heated by the heat exchanger H. 
     Meanwhile, the heater assembly  1  may be equipped with a hot line connector to which the hot water line is connected, and a plurality of hot line connectors may be formed in the heater assembly  1 . 
     The hot water line connector may include an inlet  21  through which the thermal medium in the water inlet line enters the interior of the heater assembly  1 , and an outlet  22  through which the hot water heated in the heater assembly  1  passes to be discharged to the water outlet line. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a heater assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating the interior of a heater assembly according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a bus bar block of  FIG. 3  is extracted to the outside.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a heating module of  FIG. 4  is extracted to the outside.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the bus bar block, a connecting block, and a pin block together according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the bus bar of the heater assembly according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the heater assembly according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along a line A-A of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 2 . 
     The heater assembly  1  includes a lower tank  2 , a heater case  3 , a heating module  6 , a bus bar block  7 , and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) module  9 . 
     The lower tank  2  may be equipped with an inlet  21  and an outlet  22 , and may have a first space S 1 . One of an upper surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a left surface, and a right surface of the lower tank  2  may be opened, and a first space S 1  may be formed in the interior of the lower tank  2 . 
     The inlet  21  and the outlet  22  may be formed on a circumferential wall of the lower tank  2 . 
     The inlet  21  may be an opening through which the thermal medium that is a heating target of the heater assembly  1  passes to be introduced into the first space S 1 . 
     The outlet  22  may be an opening through which the thermal medium heated in the first space S 1  passes to be discharged. 
     At least one of the inlet  21  and the outlet  22  may be an opening that is formed on one side wall of the lower tank  2  such that the thermal medium passes therethrough. 
     At least one of the inlet  21  and the outlet  22  may be a hollow cylinder that protrudes from one side surface of the lower tank  2  in any one of an outward direction and an inward direction and has a passage, through which the thermal medium passes, therein. 
     The heater case  3  may be arranged to cover the first space S 1 , and may be coupled to the lower tank  2  to prevent the thermal medium in the first space S 1  from being discharged through the opened surface of the lower tank  2 . The heater case  3  may be larger than the lower tank  2 . The heater case  3  may be a lower tank cover. 
     When the upper surface of the lower tank  2  is opened, the heater case  3  may contact an upper end of the lower cover  2  to cover the opened upper surface of the lower tank  2 . As another example, when one of the front surface, the rear surface, the left surface, and the right surface of the lower tank  2  is opened, the heater case  3  may contact a circumferential wall of the lower cover  2  to cover the opened surface of the lower tank  2 . 
     A second space S 2  that is partitioned from the first space S 1  may be formed in the heater case  3 . The second space S 2  may be a space in which terminals  61  of heating modules  6  and a bus bar block  7  are accommodated. 
     The heater case  3  may include a heat transfer pocket  31  situated in the first space S 1 , and the heat of the heating modules  6  may be transferred to the first space S 1  through the heat transfer pocket  31 . The heat transfer pocket  31  may be formed in the heater case  3  to protrude into the first space S 1 . 
     The heat transfer pocket  31  may be a heating module accommodating part in which the heating modules  6  are inserted and accommodated, and may be a heat transfer part that receives the heat of the heating modules  6  and transfers the heat to the first space S 1 . 
     The heat transfer pocket  31  may have a  3 D shape, one surface of which is opened, and the heating modules  6  may be inserted into the heat transfer pocket  31  through the opened surface of the heat transfer pocket  31 . The heat transfer pocket may have a shape, the surfaces of which, except for the opening surface, are blocked for insertion of the heating modules  6 . 
     An upper surface of the heat transfer pocket  31  may be opened, and the heating modules  6  may be inserted into the heat transfer pocket  31  through the opened upper surface of the heat transfer pocket  31  at an upper location of the heat transfer pocket  31 . 
     An opened surface of the heat transfer pocket  31  may be opened, and a lower surface and a circumferential surface of the heat transfer pocket  31  may be blocked. The circumferential surface of the heat transfer pocket  31  may include a front surface, a rear surface, a left surface, and a right surface thereof, and in this case, all the lower surface, the front surface, the rear surface, the left surface, and the right surface of the heat transfer pocket  31  may be blocked. 
     The heat transfer pocket  31  may protrude from the heat case  3  to a lower side. A lower end of the heat transfer pocket  31  may contact an inner bottom surface of the lower tank  2  or may be spaced apart from the inner bottom surface of the lower tank  2 . 
     The heat transfer pocket  31  may vertically extend in the first space S 1 . The thermal medium in the first space S 1  may contact an outer surface of the heat transfer pocket  31 , and the heat transfer pocket  31  may be a heat transfer part that transfers the heat of the heating modules  6  to the thermal medium in the first space S 1 . 
     A plurality of heat transfer pockets  31  may be formed in the heater case  3 . The plurality of heat transfer pockets  31  may be spaced apart from the heater case  3 . The plurality of heat transfer pockets  31  may be arranged in parallel to each other in the first space S 1 . 
     Apertures, through which the thermal medium may pass, may be formed between the plurality of heat transfer pockets  31 . The thermal medium introduced into the first space S 1  may flow while passing through the apertures between the plurality of heat transfer pockets  31 . 
     The plurality of heat transfer pockets  31  may be arranged in zigzags in the first space S 1 . The thermal medium may be primarily heated by any one of the plurality of heat transfer pockets  31 , and may be secondarily heated by another one of the plurality of heat transfer pockets  31 . The thermal medium may be heated in multi-stages by at least two heat transfer pockets  31 . 
     The heater case  3  may include a heating body  40  in which the heat transfer pockets  31  and the second space S 2  are formed. 
     Further, the heater case  3  may include a PCB body  50  in which a third space S 3 , in which a PCB module  9  is accommodated, is formed. The PCB body  50  may be formed integrally with the heating body  40 . 
     The heater case  3  may include a base  41 , and a circumferential wall  42  that protrudes from the base  41  and has the second space S 2  therein. 
     The heat transfer pockets  31  may protrude from the base  41  to a lower side. The heat transfer pockets  31  may protrude from the base  41  towards the first space S 1 . 
     The second space S 2  may be defined by the base  41  and the circumferential wall  42 . The base  41  may define the bottom surface of the second space S 2 , and the circumferential wall  42  may define a circumferential surface of the second space S 2 . 
     The heating body  40  may include all of the heat transfer pockets  31 , the base  41 , and the circumferential wall  42 . The heat transfer pockets  31  and the circumferential wall  42  may protrude from the base  41  in opposite directions. The heat transfer pockets  31  may protrude from the base  41  to the lower side, and the circumferential wall  42  may protrude from the base  41  to the upper side. 
     The heater assembly  1  may further include a temperature sensor  4  that detects a temperature of the first space S 1 . 
     The temperature sensor  4  is mounted in a sensor mounting hole  48  formed in the heater case  3 , and one end of the temperature sensor  4  may be situated in the first space S 1 . A portion of the temperature sensor  4  may be inserted into and mounted in the sensor mounting hole  48  such that a lower end of the temperature sensor  4  is situated in the first space S 1 . 
     The sensor mounting hole  48  may be formed in the heating body  40 . The sensor mounting hole  48  may be formed in the base  41  of the heating body  40 . The sensor mounting hole  48  may be formed in a portion of the base  41  except the heat transfer pockets  31 . 
     An electric wire  5  may be connected to the temperature sensor  4 , and the electric wire  5  may be connected to a sensor connector  99  installed in the connecting block  95  or the PCB module  9 , which will be described below. 
     The electric wire  5  and the sensor connector  99  may be connected to each other or spaced from each other by a male/female connector structure. A female connector may be provided in any one of the electric wire  5  and the sensor connector  99 , and a male connector, at least a portion of which is inserted into and connected to the female connector, may be provided in the other of the electric wire  5  and the sensor connector  99 . 
     The temperature sensor  4  may transmit a signal based on a measurement result to the PCB module  9  through the electric wire  5  and the sensor connector  99 , and the PCB module  9  may detect a current temperature of the heater assembly  1  according to the signal transmitted by the temperature sensor  4 . 
     The sensor mounting hole  48  may be formed on a side that is opposite to the PCB body  50 , and the electric wire  5  may be connected to the sensor connector  99  while at least a portion of the electric wire  5  is situated in the second space S 2 . The structure that supports the electric wire  5  will be described below. 
     The PCB body  50  may have a shape, one surface of which is opened. The PCB body  50  may include a vertical plate  51  that is perpendicular to the base  41 . 
     The PCB body  50  may further include a circumferential wall  52  that protrudes from the vertical plate  51  and has a third space S 3  therein. 
     The circumferential wall  52  may include an upper plate and a lower plate that are vertically spaced apart from each other. The circumferential wall  52  may further include a second vertical plate that connects one side of the upper plate and one side of the lower plate and extends vertically, and a third vertical plate that connects an opposite side of the upper plate and an opposite side of the lower plate and extends vertically. 
     The third space S 3  may be defined by the vertical plate  51 , an upper plate, a second vertical plate, a lower plate, and a third vertical plate of the PCB body  50 . 
     The heater assembly  1  may further include a PCB cover that covers the third space S 3 . The PCB module  9  may be situated between the PCB body  50  and the PCB cover  53 . The PCB module  9  may be fixed to at least one of the PCB body  50  and the PCB cover  53 . The PCB module  9  may vertically extend in the third space S 3 . 
     The heater case  3  may be formed such that the second space S 2  and the third space S 3  are not interrupted from each other but communicated with each other. 
     The heater case  3  may have at least one through hole  57  and  58  that communicates the second space S 2  and the third space S 3 . The at least one through hole  57  and  58  may be formed for electrical connector of the heating module  6  and the PCB module  9 . 
     The at least one through hole  57  and  58  may be formed to be horizontally opened, and the second space S 2  in which the bus bar block  7  is accommodated and the third space S 3  in which the PCB module  9  is accommodated may be communicated with each other by the at least one through hole  57  and  58 . 
     One of the circumferential walls  42  of the heating body  40  may be situated between the second space S 2  and the third space S 3  of the heater case  3 . The at least one through hole  57  and  58  may be formed at a portion of the circumferential wall  42 , which is situated between the second space S 2  and the third space S 3 , to be opened horizontally. 
     The heater assembly  1  may further include a heater cover  10  that covers the second space S 2 . The heater cover  10  may hide the bus bar block  7 , and may block the second space S 2  and the bus bar block  7  such that the second space S 2  and the bus bar block  7  are not visible from the outside. 
     The heating body  40  may have a shape, an upper surface of which is opened, and in this case, the heater cover  10  may be arranged on an upper side of the heating body  40  to cover the second space S 2  situated below the heater cover  10 . The heater cover  10  may be a top cover of the heater assembly  1 . 
     When the heater assembly  1  is serviced, the heater cover  10  may be separated from the heater case  3 , and the, the second space S 2  and the bus bar block  7  may be viewed through the opened upper surface of the heater case  3 . 
     At least one heating module  6  may be arranged in the heater case  3 . A plurality of heating modules  6  may be mounted on the heater case  3 , and the plurality of heating modules  6  may heat the heater case  3  together. 
     The heating modules  6 , except for the upper surfaces thereof, may be surrounded by the heat transfer pockets  31  when being inserted into the heat transfer pockets  31 , and portions of the heating modules  6 , which are inserted into the heat transfer pockets  31 , may directly contact the heat transfer pockets  31  or may contact wedges  32  in contact with the heat transfer pockets  31 . 
     The heating modules  6  may be inserted into the heat transfer pockets  31 , the wedges  32  may be inserted into the apertures between the heating modules  6  and the heat transfer pockets  31 , and the wedges  32  may fix the heating modules  6  in the interiors of the heat transfer pockets  31 . 
     The wedges  32  may be arranged between the heating modules  6  and the heat transfer pockets  31  to function as press members that adheres the heating modules  6  to the heat transfer pockets  31 . 
     Further, the wedges  32  may function as heat transfer members that transfer the heat of the heating modules  6  to the heat transfer pockets  31 . It is preferable that the wedges  32  be formed of a material having a high heat transfer performance. 
     The heating modules  6  may be electrically connected to the PCB module  9  through the bus bar block  7 , and may be electric heating modules that are heated if an electric voltage is applied thereto. Each of the heating modules  6  may include a heating element that is heated if a current flows therethrough. The heating elements of the heating modules  6  may be PTC elements. 
     Each of the heating modules  6  may include a pair of terminal plates, which the corresponding heating element contact, and the heating element may be arranged between the pair of terminal plates to contact the pair of terminal plates. A terminal  61  that is electrically connected to the bus bar  71  may be formed in each of the pair of terminal plates. 
     Each of the heating modules  6  may include two protruding terminals. Any one of the two terminals may be connected to a positive electrode bus bar of the bus bar block  7  to contact the positive electrode bus bar, and the other of the two terminals may be connected to a negative electrode bus bar of the bus bar block  7  to contact the negative electrode bus bar. 
     The heating modules  6  may be inserted into and mounted on the heat transfer pockets  31 . When the heating modules  6  is inserted into and mounted on the heat transfer pockets  31 , the terminals  61  may be situated in the second space S 2  and the portions of the heating modules  6 , except for the terminals  61 , may be situated in the interiors of the heat transfer pockets  31 . 
     When the plurality of heating modules  6  are mounted on the heater case  3 , the plurality of terminals  61  may be situated in the second space S 2 , and the bus bar block  7  may be accommodated in the second space S 2  to be connected to the plurality of terminals  61  situated in the second space S 2 . 
     When the top cover  10  does not cover the second space S 2 , the bus bar block  7  may be inserted into the second space S 2 , and may be connected to the terminals  61  of the heating modules  6  in the second space S 2 . 
     The plurality of heating modules  6  connected to the bus bar block  7  may be connected to each other through the bus bar block  7 . The plurality of heating modules  6  may extend vertically, the bus bar block  7  may be arranged in the second space S 2  to extend horizontally, and the plurality of heating modules  6  and the bus bar block  7  may be supported by each other. The bus bar block  7  may be firmly supported on the plurality of heating modules  6  mounted on the heater case  3 . 
     The bus bar block  7  may be accommodated in the second space S 2 , and may be connected to the terminals  61  of the heating modules  6 . 
     The bus bar block  7  may include bus bars  71 , and at least one bus bar plate  74  and  77  in which the bus bars  71  are arranged. 
     The bus bars  71  may contact the terminals  61 , and may be electrically connected to the heating modules  6  through the terminals  61 . 
     A terminal contact part  72 , which the corresponding terminal  61  contacts, may be formed in each of the bus bars  71 . 
     A plurality of bus bars  71  may be provided in the bus bar block  7 , and in this case, the plurality of bus bars  71  may contact the terminals  61  of the plurality of heating modules  6 . For example, the terminals of two to ten heating modules  6  may contact one bus bar  71 . 
     The plurality of bus bars  71  may be spaced apart from each other. The plurality of bus bars  71  may be horizontally spaced apart from each other. The plurality of bus bars  71  may extend horizontally, and may be spaced apart from each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the lengthwise directions thereof. 
     Some of the plurality of bus bars  71  may be positive electrode bus bars, and the remaining ones of the plurality of bus bars  71  may be negative electrode bus bars. 
     The bus bar plate  74  and  77  may include a first bus bar plate  74  in which the corresponding bus bar  71  is arranged. A terminal through-hole  75 , through which the corresponding terminal  61  passes, may be formed in the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     The bus bar plate  74  and  77  may further include a second bus bar plate  77  that is coupled to the first bus bar plate  74 . The second bus bar plate  77  may constitute the bus bar block  7  together with the first bus bar plate  74  and the plurality of bus bars  71 . 
     The bus bar  71  may be fixed to at least one of the first bus bar plate  74  and the second bus bar plate  77 . A bus bar fixing part that fixes the bus bars may be formed in at least one of the first bus bar plate  74  and the second bus bar plate  77 . The bus bar fixing part may include a pair of insertion ribs or insertion recesses that are formed in at least one of the first bus bar plate  74  and the second bus bar plate  77  such that the first bus bar  71  is fixedly fitted therewith. 
     The bus bars  71  may arranged on an upper surface of the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     The bus bars  71  may extend in a direction that is parallel to a direction in which the plurality of heating modules  6  is spaced apart from each other. Each of the bus bars  71  may have a bar shape, and a plurality of terminals  61  may contact the bus bars  71 . That is, the plurality of heating modules  6  may be connected to the bus bars  71  to be connected to each other. 
     A bus bar fixing part by which the bus bars  71  are supported upright may be formed in the first bus bar plate  74 . Lower ends of the bus bars  71  may be inserted into the bus bar fixing part of the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     The bus bar fixing part formed in the first bus bar plate  74  may correspond to bus bar insertion recesses that are formed on an upper surface of the first bus bar plate  74 , and in this case, lower ends of the bus bars  71  may be inserted into the bus bar insertion recesses and the bus bars  71  may be fixed to the first bar plate  74 . 
     The bus bar fixing part formed in the first bus bar plate  74  may correspond to a pair of insertion ribs that protrude upwards from an upper surface of the first bus bar plate  74 , and in this case, lower ends of the bus bars  71  may be inserted between the pair of insertion ribs and the bus bars  71  may be fixed to the first bar plate  74 . 
     The first bus bar plate  74  may protect the bus bars  71  between the base  41  of the heater case  3  and the bus bars  71 . A bottom surface of the first bus bar plate  74  may face an upper surface of the base  41  of the heater case  3 . 
     The first bus bar plate  74  may vertically face the base  41  of the heater case  3 , and may prevent heat of the lower side of the first bar plate  74  from being rapidly transferred to the upper side of the first bus bar plate  74 . That is, a temperature of the lower side of the first bus bar plate  74  may be maintained to be maximally high by the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     The first bus bar plate  74  may prevent heat of the first bus bar plate  74  from being rapidly transferred from the lower side of the bus bars  71  to the upper side of the bus bars  71 , and may reduce rising of the temperatures of the bus bars  71 . 
     Terminal through-holes  77 , through which the terminals  61  pass, may be formed in the first bus bar plate  74 , and the terminals  61  may pass through the terminal through-holes  77  from the heating modules  6  situated below the first bus bar plate  74  to contact the bus bars  71 . 
     The first bus bar plate  74  may be spaced apart from the heater case  3 . The first bus bar plate  74  may be arranged between the heater case  3  and the heater cover  10  to be spaced apart from the heater case  3  and the heater cover  10 . 
     First impact absorbing members  75  that contact the heater case  3  may be coupled to the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     The first impact absorbing members  75  may be coupled to the first bus bar plate  74  to contact the base  41  of the heater case  3 . First impact absorbing member mounting parts  76 , on which the first impact absorbing members  75  are mounted, may be formed in the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     The first impact absorbing members  75  may be formed of a resilient material such as rubber or silicon. When the bus bar block  7  is mounted, the first impact absorbing members  75  may be pressed between the base  41  of the heater case  3  and the first bus bar plate  74  to support the bus bar block  7  and alleviate an impact due to vibration or the like. The first impact absorbing members  75  may be bus bar block supports or spacers that support the bus bar block  7  such that the bus bar block  7  is spaced apart from the base  41  of the heater case  3 . 
     The second bus bar plate  77  may be arranged on the first bus bar plate  74 , and may cover the upper surface of the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     A bus bar fixing part by which the bus bars  71  is supported upright may be formed in the second bus bar plate  77 . Upper ends of the bus bars  71  may be inserted into the bus bar fixing part of the second bus bar plate  77 . 
     The bus bar fixing part formed in the second bus bar plate  77  may correspond to bus bar insertion recesses that are formed on a bottom surface of an upper plate of the second bus bar plate  77 , and in this case, upper ends of the bus bars  71  may be inserted into the bus bar insertion recesses and the bus bars  71  may be fixed to the second bus bar plate  77 . 
     The bus bar fixing part formed in the second bus bar plate  77  may correspond to a pair of insertion ribs that protrude downward on a bottom surface of the second bus bar plate  77 , and in this case, lower ends of the bus bars  71  may be inserted between the pair of insertion ribs and the bus bars  71  may be fixed to the first bar plate  74 . 
     When being coupled to the first bus bar plate  74 , the second bus bar plate  77  may protect the bus bars  71  from the upper side of the bus bars  71 , and the bus bars  71  may be arranged between the first bus bar plate  74  and the second bus bar plate  77 . 
     The second bus bar plate  77  may be arranged between the heater case  3  and the heater cover  10  to be spaced apart from the heater case  3  and the heater cover  10 . 
     Second impact absorbing members  78  that contact the heater cover  10  may be coupled to the second bus bar plate  77 . 
     Second impact absorbing member mounting parts  79 , on which the second impact absorbing members  78  are mounted, may be formed in the second bus bar plate  77 . The second impact absorbing members  78  may be formed of a resilient material such as rubber or silicon. 
     When the top cover  10  is mounted after the bus bar block  7  is mounted, the second impact absorbing members  78  may be pressed between the top cover  10  and the second bus bar plate  77  to reduce shaking of the bus bar block  7  and to alleviate an impact due to vibration or the like. 
     The second impact absorbing members  78  may be spacers that press the bus bar block  7  such that the bus bar block  7  is spaced apart from the top cover  10 . 
     An opening  80 , through which the terminals  61  and the terminal contact parts  72  may be identified, may be formed in the second bus bar plate  77 . The opening  80  may be formed on the upper side of the terminals  61  and the terminal contact parts  72  to be opened. 
     When the bus bar block  7  is inserted into the second space S 2 , the terminals of the plurality of heating modules  6  may pass though the terminal through-holes  77  of the first bus bar plate  74 . 
     The terminals  61  of the plurality of heating modules  6  may contact the terminal contact parts  72  of the bus bars  71 , and the plurality of the heating modules  6  may be connected to the bus bars  71  through the terminals  61 , respectively. 
     Meanwhile, an operator who assembles the heater assembly  1  may identify the contact states of the terminals  61  and the terminal contact parts  72  through the opening  80  of the second bus bar plate  77 . Then, the bus bar block  7  may be reliably assembled with the plurality of heating modules  6 . 
     An electric wire guide  81 , by which an electric wire  5  connected to the temperature sensor  4  is guided, may be formed in at least one of the first bus bar plate  74  and the second bus bar plate  77 . It is preferable that the electric wire guide  81  be situated in the upper one of the first bus bar plate  74  and the second bus bar plate  77 , and it is preferable that the electric wire guide  81  is formed in the second bus bar plate  77 . 
     The electric wire guide  81  may include an electric wire accommodating hole which is formed in the second bus bar plate  77  and in which a portion of the electric wire is accommodated, and a protrusion that protrudes from the second bus bar plate  77  into the electric wire accommodating hole such that the electric wire contacts the protrusion. The size of the protrusion may be smaller than the size of the electric wire accommodating hole. One end of the protrusion may protrude from the second bus bar plate  77 , and an opposite end of the protrusion may be a free end. The electric wire  5  may be bent once such that a portion of the electric wire  5  is situated in the electric wire accommodating hole. If necessary, the electric wire  5  may have a shape that is wound on the protrusion at least once. 
     The temperature sensor  4  may be mounted after the bus bar block  7  is completely mounted, and the electric wire  5  connected to the temperature sensor  4  may be wired to the electric wire guide  81  of the bus bar block  7  accommodated in the second space S 2  such that the electric wire  5  is fixed to the electric wire guide  81  to contact the electric wire guide  81 . 
     The PCB module  9  may control the heating modules  6 . The PCB module  9  may be electrically connected to the heating modules  6  through the bus bar block  7 , and may apply an electric voltage to the heating modules  6  through the bus bar block  7 . 
     The PCB module  9  may include a PCB  91 , and a pin block  92  that is installed on a surface of the PCB  91 , which faces the bus bar block  7 . 
     The PCB  91  may vertically extend in the third space S 3 . 
     One surface of the PCB  91  may face an inner surface of the PCB body  50  and the bus bar block  7 , and an opposite surface of the PCB  91  may face the PCB cover  53 . 
     The pin block  92  may be installed on one surface of the PCB  91  to protrude towards the bus bar block  7 . 
     The pin block  92  may include a pin  93  that is connected to the PCB  91 , and a pin receptacle  94  that surrounds the pin  93 . 
     The pin block  92  may be coupled to the bus bar block  7  while being mounted on the PCB  91 . The bus bar block  7  may be coupled to the pin block  92  to be separable from the pin block  92 , and may be electrically connected to the PCB  91  through the pin block  92 . 
     The pin block  92  may be coupled to the bus bar block  7  through the connecting block  95 , and in this case, the connecting block  95  may be situated between the pin block  92  and the bus bar block  7  and may be coupled to the pin block  92  and the bus bar block  7 . Further, the bus bar block  7  may be electrically connected to the PCB  91  through the connecting block  95  and the pin block  92 . 
     A portion  73  of the bus bar  71  may protrude into the connecting block  95  to be inserted into the connecting block  95 . 
     A portion of the pin  93  may protrude into the connecting block  95  to be inserted into the connecting block  95 . 
     The connecting block  95  may include a connector  96  that is connected to the pin  93  and the bus bar  71 , and a connector receptacle  97  that surrounds the connector  96 . 
     The connector  96  may be fitted with a portion  73  of the bus bar  71  and a portion of the pin  93  through a male/female coupling structure. 
     A pair of bus bar insertion parts, between which a portion of the bus bar  71  is inserted, may be formed on one side of the connector  96 , which faces the second space S 2 . The pair of bus bar insertion parts may be face each other in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which a portion  73  of the bus bar  71  is inserted. The pair of bus bar insertion parts may be resiliently deformed in opposite directions if a portion  73  of the bus bar  71  is inserted between the pair of bus bar insertion parts, and may remain in contact with the portion  73  of the bus bar  71 . 
     A pair of pin insertion parts, between which a portion of the pin  93  is inserted, may be formed on an opposite side of the connector  96 , which faces the third space S 3 . The pair of pin insertion parts may be face each other in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which a portion of the pin  93  is inserted. The pair of pin insertion parts may be resiliently deformed in opposite directions if a portion of the pin  93  is inserted between the pair of pin insertion parts, and may maintain in contact with the pin  93 . 
     In the connector  96 , the pair of bus bar insertion parts and the pair of pin insertion parts may be spaced apart from each other in a lengthwise direction thereof, and the pair of bus bar insertion parts and the pair of pin insertion parts may be connected to each other by a connecting part. 
     The connector receptacle  97  may be a connector housing in which the connector  96  is accommodated. A horizontally opened through hole may be formed in the connector receptacle  97 , and a portion  73  of the bus bar  71  and a portion of the pin  93  may be inserted through the through hole of the connector receptacle  97  to contact the connector  96 . 
     A portion  73  of the bus bar  71  and a portion of the pin  93  may be inserted into the connector receptacle  97  from opposite sides of the connector receptacle  97 . 
     The connecting block  95  may pass through through holes  57  and  58  between the second space S 2  and the third space S 3 . 
     Meanwhile, one or a plurality of through holes may be formed in the heater case  3 , but it is preferable that a plurality of through holes  57  and  58  be provided in the heater case  3 . 
     When a plurality of through holes  57  and  58  are not formed in the heater case  3  but one horizontally extending through hole is formed in the heater case  3 , a portion of the heater case  3 , which is situated above the one through hole, may be bent or deformed downwards. 
     The heater case  3  may have partition wall  59  that is situated between the plurality of through holes  57  and  58  to partition the plurality of through holes  57  and  58 . 
     The plurality of through holes  57  and  58  may be formed in the heater case  3  to be spaced apart from each other while the partition wall  59  is interposed therebetween. Here, the partition wall  59  is a part that connect a portion  59 A situated on the upper side thereof and a portion  59 B situated on the lower side thereof, and the portion  59 A situated on the upper side of the partition wall  59  may be supported by the partition wall  59  and is neither bent nor deformed to the lower side. 
     A plurality of connecting blocks  95  may be connected to the pin block  92  and the bus bar block  7  to be spaced apart from each other. Any one  95 A of the plurality of connecting blocks  95  and another one  95 B of the plurality of connecting blocks  95  may be spaced apart from each other while a partition wall  59  is interposed therebetween. 
     The connecting block  95  may be inserted through the through holes  57  and  58  in the third space S 3 , and may be slid to be connected to the bus bar block  7  accommodated in the second space S 2 . 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a heating module and a wedge of a heater assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a heating module of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along a line I-I of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along line K-K of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 15  is a sectional view in a state in which the heating module of  FIG. 11  is mounted in a heat transfer pocket. 
     The heating module of the present embodiment may include an insulating case  110 , at least one heat emitting element  120  that is supported by the insulating case  110 , at least one terminal plate that is arranged in the insulating case  110  to contact the heat emitting element  120 , and a ceramic insulator  150  that is arranged on an outer surface of the terminal plate. 
     The insulating case  110  may be an insulating housing in which the heat emitting element  120  is accommodated. 
     The insulating case  110  may be formed of a material that is electrically insulating and thermally conductive, and may be formed of an insulating material such as silicon or ceramic. 
     The insulating case  110  may have an interior space that accommodates the heat emitting element  120 . A plurality of terminal plates  130  and  140  may be arranged in the insulating case  110 . 
     The insulating case  110  may be a combination of a plurality of members. The insulating case  110  may include a first insulating case  112  to which any one of the plurality of terminal plates  130  and  140  is adhered, and a second insulating case  114  to which the other of the plurality of terminal plates  130  and  140  is adhered. The terminal plate adhered to the first insulating case  112  may be the first terminal plate  130  and the terminal plate adhered to the second insulating case  114  may be the second terminal plate  140 . 
     An interior space, in which the heat emitting element  120  is accommodated, may be formed between the first insulating case  112  and the second insulating case  114 . 
     A support part  115  that supports at least one heat emitting element  120  may be formed in the insulating case  110 . The support part  115  may support the plurality of heat emitting elements  120  such that the plurality of heat emitting elements  130  is spaced apart from each other. The support part  115  may include a vertical support that extends longitudinally and supports the plurality of heat emitting elements  120  such that the plurality of heat emitting elements  120  are divided horizontally, and a horizontal support that extends transversely and supports the plurality of heat emitting elements  120  such that the plurality of heat emitting elements  120  are divided vertically. 
     The first insulating case  112  may be coupled to the second insulating case  114  by an insulating case coupling part  117  such as a hook. 
     The heat emitting element  120  may be a PTC element that emits heated by using a current flowing through the terminal plate. The heat emitting element  120  may be protected by the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  between the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140 . The heat generated by the heat emitting element  120  may be transferred to the periphery thereof. The heat generated by the heat emitting element  120  may be transferred to the first terminal plate  130 , the second terminal plate  140 , and the insulating guide  110 , and may be transferred to the wedge  32  through the ceramic insulator  150  and the outer clip  160 . 
     A pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  may be arranged in the insulating case  160  to be spaced apart from each other. The heating module  6  may include a pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  that are arranged in the insulating case  160  to be spaced apart from each other. The pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  may include a first terminal plate  130  that is attached to the first insulating case  112 , and a second terminal plate  140  that is attached to the second insulating case  114 . 
     A first terminal  61 A may protrude from the first terminal plate  130 . A second terminal  61 B may protrude from the second terminal plate  140 . The first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  may be spaced apart from each other while the heat emitting element  120  is interposed therebetween. 
     Any one of the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  may be a positive electrode plate that contacts a positive electrode bus bar of the bus bar block  7  of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and the other of the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  may be a negative electrode plate that contacts a negative electrode bus bar of the bus bar block  7  of  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     The terminal of any one of the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  may be a positive electrode terminal that contacts the positive electrode bus bar, and the terminal of the other of the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  may be a positive electrode terminal that contacts the negative electrode bus bar. 
     Hereinafter, although it will be described that the first terminal  61 A of the first terminal plate  130  is a positive electrode terminal and the second terminal  61 B of the second terminal plate  140  is a negative electrode terminal for convenience&#39; sake, an opposite case may be possible. 
     The first terminal  61 A may protrude from an upper end or a side end of the first terminal plate  130 . 
     The second terminal  61 B may protrude from an upper end or a side end of the second terminal plate  140 . The second terminal  61 B may protrude from the second terminal plate  140  to be spaced apart from the first terminal  61 A. The second terminal  61 B may be formed in parallel to the first terminal  61 A. 
     A protrusion that protrudes towards the heat emitting element  120  to contact the heat emitting element  120  may be formed in at least one of the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140 . 
     When the protrusion is formed in the first terminal plate  130 , it may protrude from the first terminal plate  130  towards one surface of the heat emitting element  120 . The protrusion  132  of the first terminal plate  130  may be formed in an area of the first terminal plate  130 , which faces the heat emitting element  120 . When contacting the heat emitting element  120 , the protrusion  132  of the first terminal plate  130  may be resiliently deformed. One end of the protrusion  132  of the first terminal plate  130  may be connected to the first terminal plate  130 , and may be formed in the first terminal plate  130  in a bent shape. The protrusion  132  of the first terminal plate  130  may be resiliently deformed in a direction that is opposite to the heat emitting element  120  when contacting the heat emitting element  120 , and a contact state of the protrusion  132  of the first terminal plate  130  and the heat emitting element  120  may be maintained. 
     When the protrusion is formed in the second terminal plate  140 , a configuration of the protrusion may be the same as that of the protrusion formed in the first terminal plate  130  and only the locations thereof may be different. One end of the protrusion  142  of the second terminal plate  140  may be connected to the second terminal plate  140 , and may be formed in the second terminal plate  140  in a bent shape. The protrusion  142  of the second terminal plate  140  may be resiliently deformed in a direction that is opposite to the heat emitting element  120  when contacting the heat emitting element  120 , and a contact state of the protrusion  142  of the second terminal plate  140  and the heat emitting element  120  may be maintained. 
     The ceramic insulator  150  may cover both of the outer surface of the terminal plate  130  and  140  and the outer surface of the insulating case  110 . 
     The terminal plate  130  and  140  may have an inner surface that faces the interior of the insulating case  110 , and an outer surface that is covered by the ceramic insulator  150 . 
     The ceramic insulator  150  may be larger than the terminal plate  130  and  140  and may cover the outer surface of the insulating case  110  as well as the terminal plate  130  and  140 . In this case, a periphery of the terminal plate  130  and  140  and the outer surface of the insulating case  110  may be covered by the ceramic insulator  150 , and an insulation performance of the ceramic insulator  150  may be higher than in the case in which the ceramic insulator  150  covers the terminal plates  130  and  140 . 
     The thermal conductivity of the ceramic insulator  150  may be higher than that of the silicon insulator and the thermal resistance of the ceramic insulator  150  may be lower than that of the silicon insulator. The thermal conductivity of the silicon insulator is 3 W/k to 4 W/k whereas the thermal conductivity of the ceramic insulator  150  is about 16 W/k, and when the ceramic insulator  150  is provided instead of the silicon insulator, heat transfer rate may be increased while the insulation performances of the terminal plates  130  and  140  are maintained. 
     The ceramic insulator  150  may be configured such that any one of the two separated ceramic insulating pads may cover an outer surface of the first terminal plate  110 , and the other of the two separated ceramic insulating pads may cover an outer surface of the second terminal plate  120 . 
     One ceramic insulator  150  may cover both the outer surface of the first terminal plate  110  and the outer surface of the second terminal plate  120 . In this case, a portion of the ceramic insulator  150 , which covers the outer surface of the first terminal plate  110  and a portion of the ceramic insulator  150 , which covers the outer surface of the second terminal plate  120  may be connected to each other by a connecting part, and thus the number of components of the heating module  6  may be reduced. 
     The ceramic insulator  150  may include a first ceramic insulating pad  151  that covers both of an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  and one surface  110 A of the insulating case  110 , and a second ceramic insulating pad  152  that covers both of an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  and an opposite surface  110 B of the insulating case  160 . 
     The ceramic insulator  150  may further include a third ceramic insulating pad  153  that connects the first ceramic insulating pad  151  and the second ceramic insulating pad  152 . 
     The first insulating pad  151  may cover both of a surface of the first insulating case  112 , to which the first terminal plate  130  is adhered, and the outer surface of the first terminal plate  130 . 
     The second insulating pad  152  may cover both of a surface of the second insulating case  114 , to which the second terminal plate  140  is adhered, and the outer surface of the second terminal plate  140 . 
     The third insulating pad  153  may surround a side of the insulating case  110 , which is opposite to the first terminal  61 A and the second terminal  61 B. 
     The first terminal  61 A and the second terminal  61 B may protrude from the upper surface of the insulating case  110 , and the third insulating pad  153  may cover both the lower surface of the first insulating case  112  and the lower surface of the second insulating case  114 . 
     The ceramic insulator  150  may have a substantially U shape. 
     The heating module  6  of the present embodiment may further include an outer clip  160 . The outer clip  160  may surround the outer surface of the ceramic insulator  150 . 
     When the heating module  6  does not include the outer clip  160 , the ceramic insulator  150  may constitute the whole part or a portion of an external appearance of the heating module  6 . Further, the ceramic insulator  150  may contact the wedge  32  and the heat transfer pocket  31 . In this case, the heat generated by the heat emitting element  120  may be transferred to the ceramic insulator  150  through the first and second terminal plates  130  and  140 , and the heat of the ceramic insulator  150  may be transferred to the wedge  32  and the heat transfer pocket  31 . Because the strength of the ceramic insulator  150  is higher than the strength of the silicon insulator, the ceramic insulator  150  may not be easily worn even if it contacts the wedge  32  and the heat transfer pocket  31 , and the heating module  6  may be installed such that the ceramic insulator  150  does not directly contact the wedge  32  and the heat transfer pocket  31 . Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to an example of including the outer clip  160 . 
     Meanwhile, when the heating module  6  further includes an outer clip  160 , the outer clip  160  may constitute the whole part or a portion of an external appearance of the heating module  6 . The outer clip  160  may be covered such that the ceramic insulator  150  is not viewed from the outside. The ceramic insulator  150  may be prevented from being exposed to the outside due to the outer clip  160 . 
     When the outer clip  160  surrounds the ceramic insulator  150 , the wedge  32  may not directly contact the ceramic insulator  150  but may contact the outer clip  160  and accordingly, the damage of the ceramic insulator due to the wedge  32  may be reduced. 
     It is preferable that the outer clip  160  may be a metallic clip that is formed of a metal having a strength that is higher than that of silicon. It is preferable that the outer clip  160  may be a metallic clip having a high thermal conductivity, and it is more preferable that the outer clip  150  be an aluminum clip. 
     It is preferable that the outer clip  160  be configured such that the ceramic insulator  150  is pressed by the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  from the outside of the ceramic insulator  150 . 
     The outer clip  160  may press the first ceramic insulating pad  151  with any one  130  of the pair of terminal plates, and may press the second ceramic insulating pad  152  with the other  140  of the pair of terminal plates. 
     It is preferable that the outer clip  160  be fixed to the first terminal plate  130 , the second terminal plate  140 , the ceramic insulator  150 , and the insulating case  110  without using a coupling member such as a screw. 
     The outer clip  160  may be resiliently deformed in a shape that is widened to surround the ceramic insulator  150 . If the ceramic insulator  150  is completely inserted into the outer clip  160 , the outer clip  160  may contact the ceramic insulator  150  due to restoring force thereof, and the restoring force may press the ceramic insulator  150  to the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140 . 
     The outer clip  160  may include a pair of plates  161  and  162  that are spaced apart from each other, and an outer connecting part  163  that connects the pair of plates  161  and  162 . 
     One surface  164  of the outer clip  160 , which faces the outer connecting part  163 , and opposite surfaces  165  and  166  of the outer clip  160 , which are perpendicular to the one surface  164  of the outer clip  160  may be opened. The outer clip  160  may be resiliently deformed by the structure in which the three surfaces  164 ,  165 , and  166  are opened, and may press the first terminal plate  130  and the second terminal plate  140  to the ceramic insulator  150 . 
     The outer clip  160  may include a first plate  161  that covers the first ceramic insulating pad  151 , a second plate  162  that covers the second ceramic insulating pad  152 , and an outer connecting part  163  that connects the first plate  161  and the second plate  162  and surrounds the third ceramic insulating pad  153 . 
     The outer connecting part  163  may surround the third ceramic insulating pad  153  on a side that is opposite to the first terminal  61 A and the second terminal  61 B. 
     The outer clip  160  may have a shape that is the same as or similar to that of the ceramic insulator  150 . The outer clip  160  may have a substantially U shape. 
     The outer clip  160  may have a surface contact part that makes surface-contact with the wedge  32 . The wedge  32  may make surface-contact with at least one of the pair of plates  161  and  162  on the outside of the pair of plates  161  and  162 . The outer clip  160  may have a surface contact part that makes surface-contact with one surface of the wedge  32  in any one of the pair of plates  161  and  162 , and heat that is transferred to the outer clip  160  after being generated by the heat emitting element  140  may be transferred to the wedge  32 . 
     The heating module  6  may be inserted into and fixed to the heat transfer pocket  31  together with one wedge  32 , and may be inserted into and fixed to the heat transfer pocket  31  together with two wedges. 
     When the heating module  6  is inserted into the heat transfer pocket  31  together with one wedge  32 , any one of the first and second plates  161  and  162  may make surface-contact with the wedge  32  and the other of the first and second plates  161  and  162  may make surface-contact with the heat transfer pocket  31 . 
     When the heating module  6  is inserted into the heat transfer pocket  31  together with two wedges  32 , any one of the first and second plates  161  and  162  may make surface-contact with any one of the two wedges  32  and the other of the first and second plates  161  and  162  may make surface-contact with the other of the two wedges  32 . 
     At least a portion of the outer clip  160  may be arranged between the wedge  32  and the ceramic insulator  140 , and the outer clip  150  may prevent damage to the insulation pad  150  due to the wedge  32 . The outer clip  160  may function as a ceramic insulator protector that protects the ceramic insulator  150 . 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 17  is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 18  is a transverse sectional view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 19  is a sectional view in a state in which the heating module of  FIGS. 16 to 18  is mounted in a heat transfer pocket. 
     The ceramic insulator of the present embodiment may include a ceramic coating layer  150 ′ that is coated on a surface of the outer clip  160 , which faces the terminal plate  130  and  140 , and the ceramic coating layer  150 ′ may insulate the terminal plate  130  and  140  instead of the ceramic insulating pad  151 ,  152 , and  153  of  FIGS. 11 to 15 . 
     A pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  of the present embodiment may be arranged in the insulating case  110  to be spaced apart from each other. 
     As in the first embodiment, the present embodiment may include an insulating case  110 , at least one heat emitting element  120 , a pair of terminal plates  130  and  140 , and an outer clip  160 , and hereinafter, the same configurations as in the first embodiment of the present disclosure are denoted by the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     The ceramic coating layer  150 ′ may be a coating layer that is coated on the inner surface of the outer clip  160 . 
     The ceramic coating layer  150  may include a first ceramic coating layer  151 ′ that is coated on a surface of the outer clip  160 , which faces any one  130  of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140 , to cover both of an outer surface of any one of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  and one surface  110 A of the insulating case  110 , and a second ceramic coating layer  152 ′ that is coated on a surface of the outer clip  160 , which faces the other  140  of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140 , to cover both of an outer surface of the other of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  and an opposite surface  110 B of the insulating case  110 . The ceramic coating layer  150 ′ may further include a third ceramic coating layer  153 ′ that connects the first ceramic coating layer  151 ′ and the second coating layer  152 ′. 
     The ceramic coating layer  150 ′ may heat and melt or soften a ceramic material, may convert the atomized ceramic material, and may integrally coat the ceramic material on the outer clip  160  by colliding the ceramic material with the outer clip  160  through thermal spraying 
     A ceramic sprayer that heated and atomized the ceramic material may inject the atomized ceramic onto an inner surface of the outer clip  160 , the atomized ceramic injected onto the inner surface of the outer clip  160  may be coagulated and deposited on the inner surface of the outer clip  160 , and the ceramic coating layer  150 ′ may be uniformly coated on the whole inner surface of the outer clip  160 . 
     In the thermal spraying method of coating ceramic on an inner surface of the outer clip  160 , a powder material that has been completely melted may be produced by introducing a ceramic material into a plasma flow that is generated from an inert gas by a non-transfer arc and instantaneously melting the ceramic material, and the powder material may be injected and adhered to the inner surface of the outer clip  160  at a high speed. A ceramic coating layer  150 ′ that has an excellent wear-resistant property, an excellent heat-resistant property, an excellent electrical conductivity, and an excellent electrical shield property may be formed on the inner surface of the outer clip  160 . 
     When being integrally formed in the outer clip  160  of aluminum, the ceramic coating layer  150 ′ may contact the insulating case  110  and the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140 . 
     After the insulating case  110 , the at least one heat emitting element  120 , and the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  are assembled, the assembly may be inserted into the outer clip  160 . 
     When the assembly of the insulating case  110 , the at least one heat emitting element  120 , and the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  is completely inserted into the outer clip  160 , it may cover the outer surfaces of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  and the outer surface of the insulating case  110  while the ceramic coating layer  150 ′ is integrally formed with the outer clip  160 . 
     When the assembly of the at least one heat emitting element  120  and the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  is inserted into the outer clip  160 , the distance between the first plate  161  and the second plate  162  may become larger. 
     If the assembly is completely inserted, the first ceramic coating layer  151 ′ may be pressed in a direction that faces the outer surface of the first terminal plate  130  and one surface  110 A of the insulating case  110 , by the outer clip  160 , and may be adhered to the outer surface of the first terminal plate  130 . 
     If the assembly is completely inserted, the second ceramic coating layer  152 ′ may be pressed in a direction that faces the outer surface of the second terminal plate  140  and an opposite surface  110 B of the insulating case  110 , by the outer clip  160 , and may be adhered to the outer surface of the second terminal plate  140 . 
     In the present embodiment, the heating module  6  may be assembled while the ceramic coating layer  150 ′ is integrally formed on an inner surface of the outer clip  160 , and may reduce the number of components when a separate ceramic pad  150  is used as in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, the assembling operation may be easily performed and the reliability of the insulating performance becomes higher. 
       FIG. 20  is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 21  is a transverse sectional view illustrating a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 22  is a sectional view in a state in which the heating module of  FIGS. 20 to 21  is mounted in a heat transfer pocket. 
     The ceramic insulator of the present embodiment may include a ceramic coating layer  150 ″ that is coated on the outer surface of the terminal plate and the outer surfaces  110 A and  110 B of the insulating case  110 , and the ceramic coating layer  150 ″, instead of the ceramic pad of  FIGS. 11 to 15 , may insulate the terminal plates  130  and  140 . 
     A pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  of the present embodiment may be arranged in the insulating case  110  to be spaced apart from each other, as in the heater assembly of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As in the first embodiment, the present embodiment may include an insulating case  110 , at least one heat emitting element  120 , and a pair of terminal plates  130  and  140 , and hereinafter, the same configurations as in the first embodiment of the present disclosure are denoted by the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     The ceramic coating layer  150 ″ may include a first ceramic coating layer  151 ″ that covers both of an outer surface of any one  130  of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  and one surface  110 A of the insulating case  110 , and a second ceramic insulating pad  152 ″ that covers both of an outer surface of the other  140  of the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  and an opposite surface  110 B of the insulating case  110 . 
     In the present embodiment, the insulating case  110 , the at least one heat emitting element  120 , and the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140  may be assembled, and the ceramic coating layer  150 ″ may be coated on an outer surface of the assembly of the insulating case  110 , the at least one heat emitting element  120 , and the pair of terminal plates  130  and  140 . 
     As in the other embodiments of the present disclosure, the ceramic coating layer  150 ″ may be coated on the outer surface of the assembly through thermal spraying. 
     The ceramic sprayer that heated and atomized the ceramic material may inject the atomized ceramic to one surface of the assembly to form the first ceramic coating layer  151 ″ that covers both of the outer surface of the first terminal plate  130  and one surface  110 A of the insulating case  110 . 
     The ceramic sprayer may inject the atomized ceramic to an opposite surface of the assembly to form the second ceramic coating layer  152 ″ that covers both of the outer surface of the second terminal plate  140  and an opposite surface  110 B of the insulating case  110 . 
     Because the ceramic coating layer  150 ′ has a strength that is higher than that of the silicon pad in the heating module  6  of the present embodiment, the heating module  6  may be inserted into and mounted on the wedge pocket  31  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  without using a separate outer clip. 
     In the heating module  6  of the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , any one of the first ceramic coating layer  151 ″ and the second ceramic coating layer  152 ″ may make surface-contact with one surface of the wedge  32  and the other of the first ceramic coating layer  151 ″ and the second ceramic coating layer  152 ″ may make surface-contact with the heat transfer pocket  31 . 
       FIG. 23  is a sectional view of a case in which a heating module of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is protected by an outer clip. 
     The present disclosure may further include an outer clip  160 ″ that covers the first ceramic coating layer  151 ″ and the second ceramic coating layer  152 ″ to protect the first ceramic coating layer  151 ″ and the second ceramic coating layer  152 ″. 
     In this case, the outer clip  160 ″ may surround all of the assembly of the insulating case  110 , the at least one heat emitting element  120 , and the pair of the terminal plates  130  and  140 , the first ceramic coating layer  151 ″, and the second ceramic coating layer  152 ″, and as in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer clip  160 ″ may make surface-contact with one surface of the wedge  32  and may make surface-contact with the heat transfer pocket  31 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ceramic insulator that has a thermal conductivity that is higher than that of the silicon pad increases heat transfer performance while insulating the electrode plate. 
     Further, because thermal resistance may be reduced by the ceramic insulator, the performance of the heating module can be improved. 
     Further, the outer clip can protect the ceramic insulator. 
     In addition, the size of the heating module can be compact. 
     The above description is a simple exemplification of the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be variously corrected and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure. 
     Therefore, the disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the technical spirit of the present disclosure but are illustrative, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the claims, and it will be understood that all the technical spirits within the equivalent range are fall within the scope of the present disclosure.