Heater and method of producing the same
AssigneeNgk Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
InventorsTakaaki Asano, Hiroyuki Kimata
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heater is provided which comprises a metallic shell, a heating element disposed at an end of the metallic shell, and a terminal electrode electrically connected to the heating element. The terminal electrode has a protruded portion protruding from the metallic shell. The protruded portion has a locking engagement section lockingly engageable with a connector for electrically connecting the terminal electrode to an outside for conduction of the heating element. A method of producing such a heater is also provided.
Claims20
A heater comprising:
- a metallic shell;
- a heating element disposed at an end of the metallic shell;
- and
- a terminal electrode partially disposed within the metallic shell and electrically connected to the heating element;
- wherein the terminal electrode has a protruded portion protruding from the metallic shell, and the protruded portion of the terminal electrode has a locking engagement section lockingly engageable with a connector for electrically connecting the terminal electrode to an outside for conduction of the heating element.
A heater and connector assembly comprising:
- a heater having a metallic shell, a heating element disposed at a front end of the metallic shell, and a terminal electrode partially disposed within the metallic shell and electrically connected to the heating element, the terminal electrode having a protruded portion protruding from the metallic shell, the protruded portion of the terminal electrode having a locking engagement section;
- and
- a connector for electrically connecting the terminal electrode to an outside for conduction of the heating element, the connector being hollow and having a locking engagement section that is lockingly engaged with the locking engagement section of the terminal electrode thereby preventing axial movement of the connector relative to the terminal electrode.
A method of producing a heater having a metallic shell, a heating element and a rod-shaped terminal electrode to be connected by a connector for electrically connecting the heating element to an outside for conduction of the heating element, comprising the steps of:
- preparing an inner pole member and a terminal member which have joining portions one of which is hollow so that the other of the joining portions can be fitted in said one of the joining portions;
- fitting the other of the joining portions in said one of the joining portions;
- caulking the joining portions thereby joining the inner pole member and the terminal member together to constitute the terminal electrode;
- and
- disposing the terminal electrode in place within the metallic shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.