Electrode structure and electric heater comprising the same

Abstract

An electrode structure includes: a metallic electrode; a case for accommodating and holding the electrode, and one end of a lead wire connecting to the electrode; and an insulating member interposed between the electrode and the case in order to ensure insulation between the electrode and the case, in which structure a waterproof member is interposed between the case and the lead wire in order to prevent the incoming of water from between the case and the lead wire, and an electric heater havinging the above electrode structure. An electrode structure of an electric heater, includes: a first electrode; a second electrode of a cylinder shape, having a base portion connected with the first electrode and a top end portion connected with a lead wire; an insulating member having a thermal resistance, pierced by the second electrode; an elastic insulator having a thermal resistance, covering at least a portion of the second electrode; a case for accommodating and holding the second electrode, having a predetermined length L; and a rubber sealing member attached to the top end of the case. The electrode structure is preferably used by connecting to a conductive substance accommodated in a metallic housing, to apply electricity to the conductive substance. The conductive substance is preferably a metallic honeycomb structure. The given length L mentioned above is preferably L.gtoreq.40 mm.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.