PTC Heating Cell and Method for Manufacturing the Same

Abstract

A method is provided for manufacturing a PTC heating cell with at least one PTC element and contact elements which are made of an electrically conductive material, which are electrically conductively abutted against the PTC element, and which are connected to the PTC element and a corresponding heating cell. In order to improve heat extraction and the connection between the contact element and the PTC element, the contact elements are connected to the PTC element by induction soldering. Also disclosed is a PTC cell in which there is only solder of the solder connection between the thermistor material of the PTC element and the contact element.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a PTC heating cell with at least one PTC element and contact elements which are made of an electrically conductive material, which are electrically conductively abutted against the PTC element, and which are connected to the PTC element, the method comprising: providing the contact elements and the PTC element; and induction soldering the contact elements to the PTC element.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contact elements are deposited directly on a metallization formed on the PTC element, and wherein the metallization is melted during induction soldering to form a positive connection between the contact element and the PTC element.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a solder is introduced between the PTC element and the contact elements during the induction soldering.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact elements is first applied to the PTC element, and inductive heating is then carried out.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact elements is first inductively heated, and then the contact element is applied to the PTC element and soldered thereto.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact elements is first inductively heated, and then the contact element is applied to the PTC element and soldered thereto at a phase boundary between the contact elements and the PTC element during continued inductive heating.

7. A PTC heating cell comprising: at least one PTC element; and contact elements which are made of an electrically conductive material and which are electrically conductively abutted against the PTC element, wherein the contact elements are soldered to the PTC element such that only solder of the solder connection is provided between a PTC material of the PTC element and the contact element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further details and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the following description of an embodiment shown in the drawing. Therein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of an embodiment of a heating cell, and

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The embodiment shown in the Figures of a heating cell identified by reference sign 2 comprises a PTC ceramic 4. This PTC ceramic 4 is a cuboid-shaped plate made of a sintered thermistor material. There is no metallization applied two-dimensionally to the opposite main side surfaces of the PTC ceramic 4. Thus, the ceramic component forms the PTC element 4 of the present invention.

[0027] The contact elements 6, made of a stamped and bent sheet material and deposited on the PTC element 4, are connected to the PTC element 4 via a solder 8. The solder 8 can be seen in FIG. 2 between the contact element 6 and the surface of the PTC element 4. The solder 8 is located exclusively between the contact element 6 and the PTC element 4. The ceramic material itself forms the remaining surfaces of the PTC element 4.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the contact element 6 contacts the PTC element 4 via an annular contact surface. A terminal lug 12 extends from this annular contact surface 10. Both contact elements 6a, 6b have a corresponding terminal lug 12, each of which projects beyond the same end face of the PTC element 4.