Patent attributes
An improved construction for a heating element for an appliance is disclosed. A coiled resistance wire extending coaxially along the length of an elongate sheath is surrounded by an electrically insulating, high thermally conductive material that fills the sheath around the wire. The resistance wire is secured to a terminal pin at a connection comprising a connection insert that is securely affixed to the terminal pin, intermediate the terminal pin and resistance wire. The resistance wire is then able to be welded to the connector to provide a superior mechanical connection between a terminal pin and the resistance wire, even though the terminal pin is made from copper. The disclosed construction, therefore, provides good electrical and thermal conductivity and resists the tendency to separate during manufacture.
