Heating system including conductive threads acting as capacitive-based proximity sensor and attaching heating wire to substrate

A heater/sensor assembly configured to perform heating and proximity sensing, the heater/sensor assembly comprising:

• a heater carrier substrate including a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface;
• a heater wire arranged in a predetermined pattern adjacent to and in contact with the first surface of the heater carrier substrate, wherein the heater wire is insulated;
• and
• a proximity sensor including an uninsulated conductive thread attaching the heater wire to the first surface of the heater carrier substrate;
• wherein the uninsulated conductive thread is sewn onto the first surface of the heater carrier substrate by a non-conductive thread located on the second surface of the heater carrier substrate;
• and
• wherein the uninsulated conductive thread loops around the non-conductive thread at a plurality of stitch locations.