Electric heating device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric heating device having at least two hollow profile elements (2) and a heating chamber (24) opposite a fluid channel (8), wherein the hollow profile elements (2) form a fluid channel (8) for the fluid to be heated, and the heating chamber (24) is bounded by opposite contact surfaces (4) against which at least one PTC element (20) rests in a heat-conducting manner. By interconnecting the hollow profile elements (2) by means of complementary form-fitting sections (10, 12), an expandable and more convenient assembly of the electric heating device is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric heating device having at least two hollow profile elements, the cross sections of which are generally identical and each of which forms in its interior at least one fluid channel for a fluid to be heated, and having contact surfaces on the outer sides opposite the fluid channels, the contact surfaces facing each other and against which at least one PTC element rests in a heat-conducting manner. Background Art

[0002] EP 0899985 A1, filed by the applicant, discloses an electric heating device having the features of the preamble to claim 1. In this prior art, each hollow profile element consists of an extruded profile. For precise positioning relative to one another near the contact surface, the extruded profiles form inclined surfaces, with which the hollow profile elements are positioned in a plane containing the PTC elements parallel to the contact surface. A stack of several hollow profile elements is joined together solely by means of spring clips, which bear against opposing sides in the height direction of the stack and hold the individual elements of the stack against one another. The PTC elements and their associated electrode sheets are intended to rest against one another under low pressure.

[0003] The manufacture of the above-described device is complex. The precise positioning and inclusion of the PTC heating elements between the individual hollow profile elements depends on the precise compliance with tolerances.

[0004] Based on this, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide an electric heating device which can be formed from a plurality of hollow profile elements, which however can also be handled more easily during manufacturing without having to meet strict tolerances. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes an electric heating device having the technical solution of claim 1.

[0006] The electric heating device has at least two hollow profile elements, which are preferably constructed identically. The two hollow profile elements form at least one fluid channel for the fluid to be heated and a heating chamber opposite the fluid channel, the heating chamber being delimited by contact surfaces opposite to each other, and at least one PTC element resting on the contact surfaces in a heat-conducting manner. The hollow profile elements can be formed by extruded profiles according to the prior art. Therefore, by appropriately cutting the hollow profile elements into certain lengths, or by adjusting the length of the hollow profile elements themselves to the heat output and / or by adjusting the number of hollow profile elements used to manufacture the electric heating device, the electric heating device can be manufactured in a scalable manner and with different heat outputs. On the one hand, the hollow profile elements are housings for accommodating the PTC elements, and on the other hand, the hollow profile elements also respectively form at least a part of the fluid channel and thus form a device for guiding the fluid to be heated.

[0007] The positive-fitting sections of adjacent hollow profile elements are complementary, so that they directly connect the two adjacent hollow profile elements to one another. This connection allows the hollow profile elements to be handled as a single unit. In particular, the positive-fitting sections also establish a connection between the two hollow profile elements in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface. Consequently, one hollow profile element cannot be handled without the other.

[0008] In particular, a positive-fit section of a hollow profile element forming the male contact element and a positive-fit section of an opposite hollow profile element forming the female contact element are used to form complementary positive-fit sections, which, after joining, connect the two hollow profile elements. The positive-fit sections are preferably designed as corresponding supporting sections.

[0009] In the connected state, the two hollow profile elements can surround and seal the fluid channel between them. However, preferably, the two interconnected hollow profile elements form a heating chamber between them. Therefore, the opposing contact surfaces are each formed by one of the hollow profile elements. Due to the complementary form-fitting segments, after the hollow profile elements have been connected, such a PTC element can no longer be easily removed from the heating chamber formed between the opposing contact surfaces. In contrast, in this configuration of the electric heating device, the contact surfaces each protrude laterally via a complementary form-fitting segment, and the two hollow profile elements are connected to each other via the complementary form-fitting segments.

[0010] The minimum design of the heating device according to the invention is generally achieved by at least one PTC heating element being arranged between two contact surfaces formed by a first hollow profile element and applied against the contact surfaces in a heat-conducting manner. The hollow profile element generally also forms a fluid channel. A further fluid channel is formed on the opposite side between the one hollow profile element and a further hollow profile element, which is connected to the one hollow profile element via a form-fitting section.

[0011] In this case, the one hollow profile element can have form-fitting sections on two opposite sides and can thus be inserted into a stack of a plurality of identical hollow profile elements, in each of which a PTC element is arranged inside a heating chamber formed by the single hollow profile element. One of the main walls of the hollow profile element, which extends parallel to the contact surface, can thus be of convex shape, optionally also having an inwardly protruding contact surface. Between this contact surface and the outer edge, the hollow profile element can have a deformation region of reduced cross-section, on which deformation means acts after the PTC element has been inserted into the heating chamber and before another hollow profile element has been connected to the one hollow profile element.

[0012] Ribs can be provided in the fluid channel, which ribs project from the main wall and improve the heat transfer to the medium to be heated and flowing in the fluid channel.

[0013] The form-fitting segments preferably extend laterally beyond the corresponding contact surface of at least one PTC element. The PTC element is therefore located between the two form-fitting segments in the direction of extension of the hollow profile element. The interconnected form-fitting segments thus also provide for an outer periphery of the PTC element, and the strip conductors, typically provided for this purpose, contact with different polarities to energize the PTC element and are typically arranged parallel to the contact surface plane. Additional electrical insulation may be provided between the contact surface and these strip conductors to prevent direct electrical contact between the strip conductors and the hollow profile element, typically made of metal. However, the hollow profile element may also be made of ceramic. In this case, the insulation may be omitted.

[0014] The only important thing about the material properties of the hollow profile elements is that they can be produced cost-effectively by extrusion or extrusion molding. For example, the hollow profile elements can be made of aluminum. The hollow profile elements can also be extruded as a green body of a flowable compound containing a significant proportion of ceramic particles and then degreased and sintered.

[0015] According to a preferred further development of the present invention, the form-fitting segment forms a tongue-and-groove connection. Thus, the tongue preferably forms a positive lock in the groove, acting as a supporting element. To this end, the groove preferably has a head that is wider than the groove's mouth. Therefore, the head of the tongue can be pressed into the groove when the wall segments delimiting the groove elastically expand. The wall segments are slightly V-shaped, meaning that the distance between opposing wall segments is closer together in the region of the groove's mouth than in the region of the groove's base. This configuration achieves a positive connection between the tongue and groove, wherein the tongue locks into the groove. The two hollow profile elements connected in this manner can thus be handled as a single unit. Furthermore, the connection allows for a certain degree of tolerance compensation. PTC elements are ceramic components, and their thickness is not always uniform. Thickness tolerances must be adjusted by varying the distance between the two hollow profile elements so that the major side surfaces of the PTC element abut the opposing contact surfaces in a manner that effectively conducts heat. By appropriately selecting the groove depth, the tongue can move fully within the groove and in a direction perpendicular to the contact surfaces without losing the positive connection. This configuration allows tracking of thickness tolerances of the PTC element.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the form-fitting segment can include a sawtooth profile that allows the hollow profile to be form-locked at different distances between the opposing contact surfaces. In this configuration, the teeth of the sawtooth profile can each engage on the pawl surface of the complementary form-fitting segment. Therefore, the individual teeth of the sawtooth profile provide the possibility of fixing the hollow profile elements to each other at different distances between the opposing contact surfaces formed by the two hollow profile elements. This means that not only can thickness variations of the individual PTC elements be compensated for. On the contrary, for basically any thickness within the expected thickness tolerance, the form-fitting segment can achieve a definition of the opposing hollow profile elements, wherein the PTC element rests on the opposing contact surfaces without significant play, which is beneficial for reliable decoupling of the heat generated by the PTC element even under preload, if necessary.

[0017] In order to simplify assembly, according to a preferred further development of the invention, it is proposed to construct the form-fitting segments so that the hollow profile elements are connected to each other in a movable and limited manner orthogonal to the contact surfaces. This further development is based on the consideration that after the form-fitting segments have been connected, two or more hollow profile elements have been joined as a stack to form a unit, which, however, does not yet provide the best possible thermally conductive contact of the PTC element at the relevant contact surfaces. For this purpose, the stack of multiple hollow profile elements is usually surrounded by a clamping device, by which the contact surfaces are pressed against the associated PTC element without play (if necessary with preload). This does not necessarily mean that the contact surfaces are in direct contact with the PTC element.

[0018] The tensioning device can be a metal strip that surrounds the stack and rests against the individual outer hollow profile elements of the stack under a certain elastic pretension. Thus, tensioning can be achieved by deforming the metal strip. Alternatively, the metal strips that fully or partially surround the stack can be connected to each other in a ratchet-like manner, so that the desired effective length of the metal strips, and therefore the pretensioning of the stack, can be achieved via interacting, form-fitting segments.

[0019] The hollow profile element of the electric heating device according to the present invention is particularly used to transfer the heat generated by one or more PTC elements to the fluid to be heated. It will be understood that the hollow profile element manufactured by extrusion is connected to the component for guiding the fluid in a sealed manner on the end face. The fluid can pass through the stack of hollow profile elements in a parallel circuit and / or a series circuit. In the series connection, the hollow profile elements preferably each have at least two heating channels separated by a partition wall. The fluid to be heated can be connected in series through these different heating channels. Therefore, according to this further improvement, the hollow profile element is provided with a cover on one end face, and the fluid from one fluid channel of the hollow profile element is deflected into the other fluid channel of the hollow profile element via the cover. A connecting housing is provided on the opposite end face, which connects one of the fluid channels to the inlet opening for the fluid to be heated and connects the other fluid channel of the fluid channels to the outlet opening for the fluid to be heated.

[0020] The hollow profile elements used in the stack allow a plurality of such series-connected fluid flows to be additionally connected in parallel, thus making it relatively easy to adapt the heating power of the electric heating device.

[0021] According to a preferred further development, the connection housing has a conductive path, typically a strip conductor made of a sheet metal strip, at least one PTC element is conductively connected to the sheet metal strip on its opposite side, and the sheet metal strip is connected to an interface for the power current. Therefore, the connection housing is not only implemented for guiding the fluid, but also for the electrical connection of the power current to energize the PTC element. The connection housing can also accommodate a control device for controlling the power current, the control device being connected to the conductive path of the strip conductor. Regarding the compact construction, the control housing is preferably located on the outer surface of at least one hollow profile element. The control housing preferably abuts against this outer surface, the outer surface extending at right angles to the contact surface. In other words, the corresponding outer surface of the hollow profile element extends approximately parallel to the extension direction of the complementary form-fitting segment.

[0022] According to a preferred further development of the present invention, the electric heating device comprises a functional module that is connected to the hollow profile element via at least one form-fitting segment. When multiple hollow profile elements are stacked, the functional module is located on the outside and is therefore at the top or bottom in the height direction of the stacked hollow profile elements. According to this further development, the adaptability of the form-fitting segment for creating a positive connection is then used to connect the functional module to the stack of hollow profile elements. For example, a retaining device for connecting the electric heating device to the chassis of a vehicle, etc., can be used as a functional module. The functional module can also be a pump for conveying the fluid to be heated or a control device for controlling the flow of electricity. The functional module can at least partially form a fluid channel or heating chamber and can be an extruded profile or can include such a profile.

[0023] The functional module preferably comprises an extruded profile having complementary form-fitting sections, which are connected to the hollow profile element via these sections, and a mechanical interface in the form of a slot or hole, into which an attachment element, such as a screw or threaded rod, or another form-fitting section can engage. The housing of a pump or control system can be connected to such a functional module. A separate attachment element for mounting the electric heating device on the vehicle chassis can also be connected to the functional module.

[0024] The electric heating device according to the present invention thus offers the possibility of constructing a fully functional heating portion of an electric heating device from a minimum unit consisting of two hollow profile elements and a PTC element disposed between the two hollow profile elements, wherein the components for introducing and withdrawing the fluid from the hollow profile elements are disposed on the end faces of the hollow profile elements cut to length. The fluid flow in the various hollow profile elements is typically bundled. In particular, when multiple hollow profile elements are stacked (which allows for an electric heating device with substantially higher heating power), the advantages of interconnecting the stacked hollow profile elements via form-fitting sections to form a single unit are realized, thereby allowing the individual hollow profile elements to be processed together. The hollow profile elements serve both as part of the housing that carries the fluid and as a socket for other functional elements of the electric heating device (e.g., a PTC element). The stack of multiple hollow profile elements is typically joined via a plug-in connection. The pressing of the PTC heating assembly into the heating chamber between the opposing hollow profile elements is typically performed by a separate element in the form of a clamp. Therefore, the form-fitting segments do not hinder the relative movement between the individual hollow profile elements connected to form the stack, which is necessary for this purpose. The hollow profile elements typically have a substantially rectangular basic shape and protrude only through the form-fitting segments, which also provide EMC protection and accommodate components carrying power current between the segments. Due to their rectangular basic shape, the hollow profile elements can be arranged not only one above the other but also directly next to each other to save space. Such heating units of electric heating devices can be connected to various additional components, such as mounting supports, pumps, or control devices, via the form-fitting segments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of one embodiment of a hollow profile element;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the engaging form-fitting segments of two interconnected hollow profile elements;

[0028] Figure 3 shows a perspective side view of one embodiment of an electric heating device;

[0029] Figure 4 Shown with Figure 3 A perspective cross-sectional view of a different embodiment;

[0030] Figure 5a-5d shows perspective views of the end faces of a stack with different variations of clamps for reinforcing the stack;

[0031] Figure 6 shows a perspective front view of another embodiment of an electric heating device according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 Shown Figure 6 Variations of the illustrated embodiment;

[0033] Figure 8 Shown according to Figure 6 The embodiment of the present invention has an embodiment of a functional module;

[0034] Figure 9 Shown roughly as Figure 7 The stack of hollow profile elements shown; and

[0035] Figure 10 Shown is a perspective front view of the joined form-fitting segments of two hollow profile elements connected by a sawtooth profile. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 A perspective front view of a hollow profile element 2 in the form of an extruded profile with a substantially rectangular base area is shown. A partition wall 6 protrudes from opposing contact surfaces 4, dividing the central cavity of the hollow profile element 2 into two fluid channels 8. The contact surfaces 4 are edge-protruded by tongues 10 at the top and grooves 12 at the bottom, which form form-fitting segments within the meaning of the present invention. These form-fitting segments 10, 12 extend the height of the hollow profile element 2.

[0037] Figure 2 The joining of two adjacent hollow profile elements 2.1 and 2.2 is shown. A PTC heating component 14, comprising two insulating layers 16 in the form of separate ceramic plates pressed against the contact surfaces 4, is located between the opposing contact surfaces 4 of the respective hollow profile elements 2.1, 2.2. These insulating layers are arranged between the contact surfaces 4 and the strip conductors 18 and support them in an electrically insulated manner relative to the contact surfaces 4. The strip conductors 18 accommodate PTC elements 20 between them and a positioning frame 22, which spaces a plurality of PTC elements 20 one behind the other in a plane in the longitudinal direction L of the hollow profile elements.

[0038] like Figure 2As shown, the joined form-fitting sections 10, 12 protrude vertically beyond the heating chamber 24 formed between the main side surfaces 4. This way, the heating chamber 24 is electromagnetically shielded from the outside. In this case, it is irrelevant whether both the groove 12 and the tongue 10 protrude beyond their associated contact surfaces 4. The only important thing is that the heating chamber 24 is also laterally enclosed by the metal material of the hollow profile elements 2.1, 2.2. The hollow profile element 2 is made of aluminum.

[0039] Figure 3 A stack of a plurality of hollow profile elements 2, designated by reference numeral 26, is shown, interconnected via form-fitting sections 10, 12, each of which houses a PTC heating element 14 between them. A connecting housing 28 is shown at the end face of the stack 26, which is sealingly pressed against the individual fluid channels 8 and forms inlet and outlet openings (not shown) for conducting and discharging the fluid to be heated from the electric heating device. This connecting housing 28 is sealed to the stack 26 via a molded seal. The seal also covers the individual heating chambers 24, separating the PTC heating elements 14 from the fluid to be conducted.

[0040] Figure 3 A control housing section 30 is schematically shown for accommodating a control device (not shown) for controlling the power flow in a connection housing 28. This control housing section is electrically connected to the strip conductors 18 of the individual PTC heating elements 14. For this purpose, the strip conductors 18, formed from sheet metal strips, extend over the stack 26. The connection housing 28 can form plug-in component sockets that are inserted into the terminal lugs of the strip conductors 18 when the connection housing 28 is slid open.

[0041] Preferably, the connecting housing 28 has a flange surface 32 which laterally surrounds the stack 26 and reinforces the stack 26 so that the individual PTC heating elements 14 rest with a certain preload on the associated contact surface 4. In any case, the flange surface 32 is designed to cooperate with the outer contours of the tongue 10 and the groove 12 so that the connecting housing 28 is fixed in a form-fitting manner relative to the stack 26.

[0042] from Figure 2 It can be seen that the hollow profile elements 2 are fixed against each other via the respective form-fitting sections 10, 12. Reference numeral 34 designates the widened head portion of the tongue 10, which engages in the groove 12. The opposing wall sections 36 laterally delimiting the groove 12 are inclined toward each other. Consequently, the mouth of the groove 12 is narrower than the area near its bottom 38. Consequently, after the tongue 10 is inserted into the groove 12, the adjacent hollow profile elements 2 are locked and restrained against each other.

[0043] exist Figure 2In this case, there is still sufficient distance between the head 34 and the groove bottom 38. In this case, the PTC heating component 14 already rests on the opposite contact surface 4. When the hollow profile elements are pressed against each other to apply the layers of the PTC heating component 14 against each other under preload, the corresponding free space between the head 34 and the groove bottom 38 can accommodate further relative movement of the hollow profile element 2.

[0044] Figure 4 A cross-sectional embodiment is shown having a plurality of hollow profile elements 2, each housing a PTC heating assembly 14 between them, as described with reference to the previous figures. Figure 4 On the left side of the connection housing 28, the connection housing 28 is provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening 39, which are formed by nozzles protruding beyond the actual connection housing 28. Internally, the connection housing 28 forms a deflection chamber 41 that communicates with adjacent fluid channels 8 to transfer the flow medium from one fluid channel 8 to the adjacent fluid channel 8. Similarly, the cover denoted by reference numeral 43 is configured to form the deflection chamber 41 for the flow fluid on the side opposite to the connection housing 28.

[0045] Figure 5a-5d Various possibilities for reinforcing the hollow profile element 2 are shown in FIG.

[0046] according to Figure 5a In a variant of the present invention, an L-shaped bent clamp 40 is pushed through the stack 26. The end of the clamp (characterized by the reference numeral 42) is bent at right angles to the web 44 of the clamp 40 and is bent convexly in the direction of the stack 26. As a result, the protruding form-fitting sections 10, 12 are surrounded by the clamp 40 in a form-locking manner. The dimensions of the clamp 40 are designed so that in this case a preload force is generated, which is guided on the contact surface 4 and guided through the PTC heating component 14 respectively. The form-fitting sections 10, 12 do not transmit contact pressure. These form-fitting sections 10, 12 are only used to fix the hollow profile element 2 in the direction opposite to the preload force.

[0047] exist Figure 5b In the variant shown, the web 44 is bent in its center in a W-shape, thereby forming a spring section 46 , by means of which the clamp 40 can store an elastic preload in an improved manner.

[0048] according to Figure 5c In the variant shown, the spring segments 46 are formed in a trapezoidal shape. The spring segments 46 can be formed by cold forming by a forming tool for forming the spring segments 46 after the fixture 40 has been placed around the stack 26, and the desired clamping force is then set in the fixture 40. In this way, during the manufacture of the heating device, increased tolerances due to the different thicknesses of the individual PTC elements can be compensated.

[0049] This effect is also based on Figure 5d A variation of is shown. Figure 5d The embodiment of the present invention shows a clamp 40 that circumferentially surrounds the stack 26 and consists of a first clamp part 48 and a second clamp part 50, each of which is bent circumferentially in a U-shape. The clamp parts 48, 50 are connected to one another by a form-locking connection 52 comprising a plurality of mating teeth, so that the two clamp parts 48, 50 can be pushed together to the desired extent to reinforce the stack 26 and fixed against each other. On the externally exposed contact surface 4, a head portion 54 of each clamp part 48, 50 rests under elastic preload and is bent convexly in the direction of the stack 26.

[0050] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the electric heating device comprises a first hollow profile element 2a and a second hollow profile element 2b, which are connected to one another by means of a tongue 10 and a correspondingly arranged groove, wherein a PTC heating element 14 is arranged in a heating chamber 24. Ribs 58 protrude from main walls 56a, 56b (which enclose a fluid channel 8 between them), are integrally formed on the hollow profile element 2 and are intended to improve the heat transfer between the PTC heating element 14 and the fluid in the fluid channel 8.

[0051] In accordance with Figures 6 to 9 In the embodiment of the present invention, the PTC heating component 14 is held in each hollow profile element 2a with good thermal conductivity by being clamped between the main walls 56a, 56b. The main wall represented by the reference numeral 56a has a crown shape and is correspondingly reinforced at the center. The contact surface 4 is formed with a step 60 protruding in the direction of the PTC heating component 14. An edge side deformation area 62 with a reduced cross-section is formed between this step 60 and the side edge of the hollow part. The deformation tool can act there. The deformation force applied in this process acts on the outside of the contact surface between the hollow profile element 2a and the PTC heating component 14. During this deformation process, the hollow profile element 2a can be surrounded at the edge so that the deformation tool only acts locally on the deformation area 62, while the basic shape of the hollow profile element 2a remains unchanged in other respects. Preventing the compensating movement of the hollow profile element 2a improves the contact of the PTC heating component 14 against the contact surface 4 under preload.

[0052] Figure 7A hollow profile element 2 is shown that can be integrated into a stack of multiple hollow profile elements. This embodiment has a heating chamber 24 as described above, in which the PTC heating element 14 is accommodated in the above-described manner. The hollow profile element 2 has form-fitting sections in the form of a groove 12 (top) and a tongue 10 (bottom) on opposite sides.

[0053] Figure 9 A stack 26 of such hollow profile elements 2 is shown. This stack 26 can be surrounded by at least one fixture segment, as previously described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 5a-5d In order to seal the individual fluid channels 8, each delimited by two hollow profile elements 2, a permanently elastic sealant or a curing adhesive can be filled into the groove 12. Additionally or alternatively, such a sealant can also be applied at the end against the wall segment.

[0054] Figure 8 Shown according to Figure 6 64 denotes a functional module comprising an extruded profile 66. This extruded profile has a form-fitting section in the form of a tongue 10 arranged at the edge, which engages in a groove 12 of the hollow profile element 2a and thereby seals one of the fluid channels 8. The extruded profile 66 has two fastening grooves 68 open to the main side, into which self-tapping screws 70 are screwed, which extend through an angled plate 72, via which the electric heating device can be mounted, for example, on the chassis of a vehicle.

[0055] Figure 10 A form-fitting segment with a corresponding sawtooth profile 74 is shown. In this case, the teeth are provided on both sides of the head 34 and on the inner surface of the wall segment 36. This sawtooth profile acts like a ratchet. The hollow profile elements 2 can be fixed in a form-fitting manner at different distances from each other. Tolerance compensation is also provided by the compressible insulating layer 16, whose thickness can be varied while storing elastic preload. The insulating layer 16 is arranged at a certain distance from the lateral boundaries of the heating chamber 24. Therefore, the insulating layer 16 is smaller than the width of the heating chamber 24. As a result, the insulating layer 16 can be stretched in the width direction.

[0056] Reference Signs List

[0057] 2 Hollow profile elements

[0058] 4 Contact surface

[0059] 6. Partition wall

[0060] 8 fluid channels

[0061] 10 Tongue

[0062] 12 slots

[0063] 14 PTC heating element

[0064] 16 Insulation layer

[0065] 18 strip conductors

[0066] 20 PTC components

[0067] 22 Position Frame

[0068] 24 Heating Chamber

[0069] 26 stack

[0070] 28 Connecting housing

[0071] 30 Control housing segment

[0072] 32 Flange surface

[0073] 34 Head

[0074] 36 wall segments

[0075] 38 slot bottom

[0076] 39 Inlet or outlet opening

[0077] 40 fixture

[0078] 41 Deflection Chamber

[0079] 42 End of the clamp

[0080] 43 Cover

[0081] 44 belly plate

[0082] 46 spring segments

[0083] 48 First fixture component

[0084] 50 second fixture component

[0085] 52 Form-locking connector

[0086] 54 Head

[0087] 56a, 56b main wall

[0088] 58 ribs

[0089] 60 steps

[0090] 62 Deformation area

[0091] 64 functional modules

[0092] 66 Extrusion Profile

[0093] 68 fastening slot

[0094] 70 screws

[0095] 72 corner plate

[0096] 74 Jagged Profile

Claims

1. An electric heating device comprising at least two hollow profile elements (2) and a heating chamber (24) opposite a fluid channel (8), the hollow profile elements forming the fluid channel (8) for the fluid to be heated, the heating chamber being delimited by opposite contact surfaces (4), at least one PTC element (20) resting against the contact surfaces (4) in a heat-conducting manner, characterized in that The hollow profile elements (2) are connected to one another via complementary form-fitting sections (10, 12).

2. The electric heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid channel (8) or the heating chamber (24) is laterally delimited by complementary form-fitting sections (10, 12).

3. The electric heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The form-fitting sections (10, 12) form a tongue and groove connection, and the tongue (10) is locked in the groove (12) in a form-fitting manner.

4. The electric heating device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The form-fitting sections (10, 12) comprise a sawtooth profile (74) which allows the hollow profile element (2) to be positively locked at different distances from the opposing contact surface (4).

5. The electric heating device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The form-fitting sections (10, 12) are designed such that the hollow profile elements (2) are connected to one another in a movably and limited manner orthogonal to the contact surface (4).

6. The electric heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each hollow profile element (2) forms at least two fluid channels (8) separated by a partition wall (6), and the hollow profile element (2) is arranged on an end face with a cover (43), and the fluid from one fluid channel (8) of the hollow profile element (2) is deflected into the other fluid channel (8) of the hollow profile element (2) through the cover, and the hollow profile element (2) is provided with a connecting shell (28) opposite to it, which connects one of the fluid channels (8) to an inlet opening (39) for the fluid to be heated, and the other fluid channel of the fluid channels (8) is connected to an outlet opening (39) for the fluid to be heated.

7. The electric heating device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The connection housing (28) comprises a conductive path connecting a strip conductor (18) to an interface for power current, the strip conductor (18) being conductively connected to a PTC element (20).

8. The electric heating device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The conductive path connects the strip conductor (18) to a control housing (30) which houses therein a control unit for controlling the power current and which abuts against the outer surface of at least one of the hollow profile elements (2) extending perpendicularly to the contact surface (4).

9. The electric heating device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The connection housing (28) and the control housing are formed in a common component, which is connected in a fluid-tight manner at the end face of the hollow profile element (2).

10. The electric heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hollow profile element (2) of the electric heating device is surrounded by a clamping device (40).

11. The electric heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The functional module (64) is connected to a stack (26) of hollow profile elements (2) on the outside of the stack via at least one of the form-fitting sections (10, 12) exposed on the outside of the stack (26).

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