# US 12,183,601 B2 · Structural body and heating apparatus

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- Number: US 12,183,601 B2
- Document ID: US12183601B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/768,814
- Filed: 2020-09-25
- Published: 2023-05-11
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2019-10-18
- Assignees: KYOCERA Corporation
- Applicants: KYOCERA Corporation
- Inventors: Yasunori Kawanabe; Takeshi Muneishi; Yoshihiro Okawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183601B2

## CPC

- H10P 72/0432: {mainly by conduction}
- H05B 3/03: Electrodes
- H05B 3/265: {the insulating base being an inorganic material, e.g. ceramic (H05B3/262 takes precedence)}
- H05B 6/802: {for heating fluids (methods of heating fluids in conventional microwave ovens H05B6/687)}
- H10P 72/70: for supporting or gripping
- H10P: GENERIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A structural body (2, 2A to 2E) according to the present disclosure includes a base (10, 10D, 10E), a first electrode layer (111), a second electrode layer (112), a first via conductor (131), a second via conductor (132), and a connection conductor (133). The base (10, 10D, 10E) is composed of a ceramic. The first electrode layer (111) and the second electrode layer (112) are located inside the base (10, 10D, 10E). The first via conductor (131) and the second via conductor (132) are located inside the base (10, 10D, 10E) and connect the first electrode layer (111) and the second electrode layer (112). The connection conductor is located inside the base (10, 10D, 10E), and connects the first via conductor and the second via conductor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A heating apparatus comprising:
a base composed of a ceramic;
a first electrode layer forming a first heater located inside the base;
a second electrode layer forming the first heater located inside the base;
a first via conductor located inside the base and connecting the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer;
a second via conductor located inside the base and connecting the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer;
a connection conductor located inside the base and connecting the first via conductor and the second via conductor, and
a terminal connected to the connection conductor,
wherein the connection conductor is thicker than each of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the first via conductor and the second via conductor penetrate the first electrode layer, and
the connection conductor connects respective end portions of the first via conductor and the second via conductor, the end portions penetrating the first electrode layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The heating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the base comprises a first surface on which an object to be placed is placed and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and
the first electrode layer is located on the second surface side relative to the second electrode layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal contacts the connection conductor at a tip and a side surface of the terminal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The heating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a protruding portion protruding from at least one of the first via conductor and the second via conductor in a direction along and in contact with the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
each of the first via conductor and the second via conductor includes a stepped portion provided in a manner to form a stepped surface along the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
each of the first via conductor and the second via conductor gradually increases or decreases in diameter between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the structural body is used in a heating apparatus configured to heat an object by heating the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The heating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a power supply unit configured to heat the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer by supplying electric power to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.