Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.

Masatoshi Maeda

Toshio Kusunoki

Yukio Yamamura

Tomohiro Kami

Yoji Iguchi

A self-regulating electric heater includes a plurality of ceramic PTC resistors having flat contact surfaces on their opposite sides disposed between a pair of flat electrode plates with the contact surfaces in electrical and thermal contact with the plates. A support frame of electrically insulative material is formed with receiving portions respectively for the PTC resistors and the electrode plates to positions and hold the resistors and plates in assembled relationship for insertion as a single assembly into a closed-end cavity in a metallic radiator with the electrode plates in good heat transfer contact with the inner wall surface of the cavity. The frame is provided with spring seats receiving springs which coact with the radiator to bias the support frame into the cavity to insure stable intimate thermal contact between the electrode plates and inner cavity wall. The PTC resistors may be provided with chamfered edges along the peripheries of the flat contact surfaces thereof. The electrode plates may be provided with a beveled corner adjacent to the closed end of the cavity to avoid stress between the plates and cavity wall when the support frame is inserted into the cavity.

Self-regulating electric heater

An inhalator comprises a water level adjusting chamber which fluidly communicates a water supply chamber and a vaporizing chamber. A manually operable valve interrupts communication between the level adjusting and vaporizing chambers. Upon closing of the valve, a power supply circuit is turned on to energize a heater for heating water in the vaporizing chamber. The interruption of communication between the level adjusting and vaporizing chambers during the use is effective to obtain only a relatively small amount of water to be heated.

Inhalator

A liquid sprayer comprises an ultrasonic vibrator, a liquid supply chamber, and a liquid absorber for absorbing liquid from the liquid supply chamber and feeding it to the ultrasonic vibrator. The liquid absorber abuts against the lateral side of the utmost end of the ultrasonic vibrator in the vibration direction thereof and projects at the front surface thereof ahead of the utmost end of the ultrasonic vibrator.

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Shiga, Japan

Masatoshi Maeda