PTC unit and heating device comprising same

Abstract

The invention discloses a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) unit and a heating device for heating comprising the same. The PTC unit according to the present invention comprises: an insulating frame in which a plurality of element accommodating holes are formed; first PTC elements, one of which is mounted in each of some of the element accommodating holes; second PTC elements, one of which is mounted in each of the other part of the element accommodating holes in an alternating manner with the first PTC elements; a first electrode plate having a concave-convex shape disposed so as to be simultaneously in contact with one surface of the first PTC element; a second electrode plate having a concave-convex shape, which is located on the same surface as the surface on which the first electrode plate is located in the frame, and which is arranged so as to be in contact with one surface of the second PTC element at the same time; and a common electrode plate located on a surface opposite to a surface on which the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are located in the frame and arranged so as to be in contact with the first PTC element and the second PTC element, the concave and convex portions of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate being spaced apart from each other and electrically isolated from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a PTC unit, and in particular to a PTC unit applied to a heating device for heating and a heating device comprising the PTC unit. Background Art

[0002] A PTC heater (positive temperature coefficient heater) is an electric heating element that generates heat using the phenomenon of quantum thermal conversion. Quantum thermal conversion refers to the phenomenon of heat generation from resistance during the flow of current.

[0003] PTC heaters have a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) characteristic, meaning that when a constant current flows through them, the heater's temperature rises, but remains constant above a certain temperature. Because of this characteristic, PTC heaters are widely used in automotive in-cabin temperature control systems.

[0004] Typically, in internal combustion engine vehicles, the heat generated by the engine is used to control the vehicle's interior temperature. PTC heaters act as a pre-heater before the engine's temperature reaches a certain level, helping to control the vehicle's interior temperature.

[0005] On the other hand, with the recent sharp increase in interest in environmentally friendly energy, the demand for electric vehicles is exploding. Since they do not use an engine, electric heaters are essential. As a result, there is a trend to use PTC heaters as an alternative heat source, which have been proven in terms of heating speed, high energy efficiency, and safety.

[0006] PTC heaters offer advantages such as fast heating, stable performance, and durability. Furthermore, they utilize electrical energy efficiently, consuming less energy. In particular, due to their characteristic that when electricity is applied, the material's resistance increases while the current decreases, preventing overheating and ensuring long-term safety.

[0007] Due to these many advantages, PTC heaters are widely used as an auxiliary or primary means of controlling the temperature inside a car. They are generally installed behind the blower inside the housing of the air-conditioning unit based on the air flow, so that as the blower is driven, the air passing through the interior is directly heated to achieve heating in the car.

[0008] Such a PTC heater for automobiles includes a heater core and a control unit as main components. The heater core is composed of multiple PTC units that generate heat and heat dissipation fins. The heat dissipation fins provide channels for air to pass through and receive heat from the above-mentioned PTC units to heat the air passing through. The control unit controls the heat generation of the PTC units.

[0009] However, most conventional PTC heaters were developed with general-purpose applications in mind, making it difficult to achieve optimized performance tailored to vehicle characteristics. Furthermore, they lacked optimized structures for energy efficiency, resulting in limitations in energy efficiency.

[0010] In particular, in the case of electric vehicles, although energy efficiency is the most important issue, the PTC unit used in existing PTC heaters is a structure that cannot perform local heat control. Therefore, there is a problem of unnecessary consumption of electric energy of the electric vehicle that should be used efficiently, such as generating excessive heat compared to demand or need.

[0011] Furthermore, since local heat generation cannot be controlled, there is a problem in that a correspondingly large inrush current is generated at the moment power is applied to the PTC unit, which may cause fatal damage to the control circuit.

[0012] Prior art literature

[0013] Korean Patent No. 10-2442176 (Announcement Date: September 8, 2022) Summary of the Invention

[0014] Technical problems to be solved

[0015] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a PTC unit and a heating device for heating including the PTC unit, which can perform local heating control to prevent unnecessary energy consumption, and because of the ability to perform local heating control, the inrush current can be greatly reduced accordingly, thereby ensuring safety in the circuit.

[0016] Means of solving the problem

[0017] As a means of solving the problem, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a PTC unit, characterized in that it includes: an insulating frame, formed with a plurality of element accommodating holes; a first PTC element, one of the first PTC elements being installed in each of a portion of the element accommodating holes; a second PTC element, one of the second PTC elements being installed in each of the other portion of the element accommodating holes in an alternating manner with the first PTC element; a first electrode plate with a concave-convex shape, arranged so as to simultaneously contact a surface of the first PTC element; a second electrode plate with a concave-convex shape, located on the same surface of the frame as the surface where the first electrode plate is located, and arranged so as to simultaneously contact a surface of the second PTC element; and a common electrode plate, located on a surface of the frame opposite to the surfaces where the first and second electrode plates are located, and arranged so as to contact the first and second PTC elements, the concave-convex portions of the first and second electrode plates being separated from each other and electrically isolated.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode plate may be composed of a first electrode monomer and a first electrode terminal, the first electrode monomer being formed with a size corresponding to the first PTC element, and the first electrode terminal extending from the outermost first electrode monomer among the first electrode monomers, and the second electrode plate may be composed of a second electrode monomer and a second electrode terminal, the second electrode monomer being formed with a size corresponding to the second PTC element and arranged in a staggered manner relative to the first electrode monomer, and the second electrode terminal extending from the outermost second electrode monomer among the second electrode monomers.

[0019] The position where the first electrode terminal connects one side edge of the first electrode unit and the position where the second electrode terminal connects one side edge of the second electrode unit may be opposite to each other.

[0020] In addition, at the upper end of the common electrode plate, the third electrode terminal and the first and second electrode terminals may extend in the same direction to the same height at non-overlapping positions.

[0021] As a means of solving the problem, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a PTC unit, characterized in that it includes: an insulating frame having a plurality of element accommodating holes, a part of the plurality of element accommodating holes forming a first hole column, and the remaining part of the element accommodating holes forming a second hole column on adjacent sides of the first hole column; a first PTC element, one of the first PTC elements being installed in each element accommodating hole belonging to the first hole column; a second PTC element, one of the second PTC elements being installed in each element accommodating hole belonging to the second hole column; a first electrode plate being arranged so as to be in contact with one surface of the first PTC element at the same time; a second electrode plate being arranged so as to be in contact with one surface of the second PTC element at the same time; and a common electrode plate being arranged so as to be in contact with both the other surface of the first PTC element and the other surface of the second PTC element, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate being separated and electrically isolated from each other and arranged together on one side of the insulating frame.

[0022] The component accommodating holes belonging to the first hole column and the component accommodating holes belonging to the second hole column may be formed in the same number and at the same height.

[0023] At this time, the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal can be extended to the same height at the center of the upper end of each of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, and at the upper end of the common electrode plate, the third electrode terminal and the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal extend to the same height in the same direction at a non-overlapping position.

[0024] As a means of solving the problem, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a heating device for heating is provided, which is a device for heating air for heating a vehicle, comprising: a heater core portion, comprising a plurality of PTC units and heat dissipation fins, wherein one heat dissipation fin is arranged between each adjacent two PTC units; a frame portion, which accommodates and protects the heater core portion, and is composed of a pair of side frames and a lower bracket, wherein the lower bracket connects the side frames to each other and has mounting grooves corresponding to the PTC units respectively; and a control portion, which is combined with the upper portion of the frame portion in which the heater core portion is accommodated, and has a control element for controlling the heating of the PTC unit, wherein the PTC unit is the PTC unit described in one or another embodiment mentioned above.

[0025] Among them, it can be the following structure: the control part includes a shell, the shell is combined with the upper part of the frame part in which the heater core part is accommodated, and an installation space is formed inside, the first bus bar, the second bus bar, the common bus bar and the substrate are installed inside the shell, the first bus bar is electrically connected to the first electrode plates respectively included in the multiple PTC units, the second bus bar is electrically connected to the second electrode plate, the common bus bar is electrically connected to the common electrode plate, and a control element is installed on the substrate that is electrically connected to the first bus bar, the second bus bar and the common bus bar to control the heating of the PTC unit.

[0026] Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the PTC unit is configured to perform not only overall heat control but also local heat control, it has the advantage of being able to appropriately control the heat generation according to demand or need. Since the heat generation can be appropriately controlled according to demand or need, unnecessary energy consumption can be reliably prevented, thereby promoting more efficient energy utilization.

[0028] In addition, since heat generation can be partially controlled, correspondingly, for a full heating request, the inrush current can be significantly reduced by controlling the application of current in sequence (applying current to the first and second electrode plates with a small time difference). As a result, circuit safety can be ensured, and the resistance is reduced to a degree corresponding to the reduction in inrush current, thereby having the advantage of being able to increase output.

[0029] In addition, the PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages: due to its unique structure (the PTC elements are divided into two groups and installed alternately in a row on the insulating frame, and accordingly, the electrode plates are formed into concave and convex shapes and arranged in a shape that matches each other), it is not only a structure that can partially control heat generation, but also can be compact in size. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of a PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 Is used to show Figure 1 An exploded perspective view showing the detailed structure of the insulating frame, PTC element and electrode plate.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front.

[0033] Figure 4This is a perspective view of a PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side.

[0034] Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figures 6a to 6c FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the working state of a PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of a PTC unit according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a PTC unit according to another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front.

[0038] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a PTC unit according to another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side.

[0039] Figure 10 1 is a perspective view of a heating device for heating according to another aspect of the present invention including a PTC unit.

[0040] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A partially exploded perspective view of the heating device shown.

[0041] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A partially exploded perspective view of the heater core is shown.

[0042] Description of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1: Heating device 12: Heater core

[0044] 13, 23: PTC unit

[0045] 14: heat sink 15L, 15R: fin plate

[0046] 16: Frame 18: Control

[0047] 130, 230: Heating element 131, 231: Insulation frame

[0048] 132, 133, 232, 233: Component accommodating holes

[0049] 134, 234: First PTC element 135, 235: Second PTC element

[0050] 136, 236: first electrode plate 136-1: first electrode unit

[0051] 136-2, 236-2: First electrode terminal 137, 237: Second electrode plate

[0052] 137-1: Second electrode unit 137-2, 237-2: Second electrode terminal

[0053] 138, 238: Common electrode plate 138-2, 238-2: Third electrode terminal

[0054] 160L, 160R: Side frame

[0055] 162: Lower bracket 163: Mounting slot

[0056] 180: Housing 184: Busbar DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0058] The terms used in the specification are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a singular expression includes a plural expression.

[0059] It should be understood that the terms "include" or "have" in this specification are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the presence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts or combinations thereof.

[0060] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. can be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from another.

[0061] In addition, terms such as “…part”, “…unit”, and “module” described in the specification refer to units that process at least one function or action, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0062] In describing the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, identical components will be assigned identical reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, when describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of a PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 Is used to show Figure 1The insulating frame, PTC element and electrode plate are shown in the exploded perspective view of the detailed structure. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As a diagram of a PTC unit in a combined state according to an embodiment of the present invention, the diagram is a perspective view of the PTC unit in a combined state viewed from the front and back, respectively. Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Reference Figures 1 to 5 According to one embodiment of the present invention, the PTC unit 13 includes a heating element 130 and a heating tube 139 that seals and houses the heating element 130. The heating element 130 may be composed of an insulating frame 131, PTC elements 134 and 135, electrode plates 136 to 138, and a pair of insulating covers c1 and c2. The heating tube 139 may be a non-conductive metal body with a square cross-section and a hollow tube.

[0065] Insulating frame 131, multiple component-accommodating holes 132 and 133 can be formed in a row in the height direction of the drawings. While the drawings illustrate a configuration with six component-accommodating holes as an example, this is not limited to six holes. Depending on the required specifications, the number of component-accommodating holes can be four or eight. Of course, in addition to even numbers, odd numbers such as three, five, or seven are also possible.

[0066] A PTC element can be installed in each element receiving hole 132. The PTC element actually generates heat when a power source is applied. The PTC element can be divided into a first PTC element 134 and a second PTC element 135. In this case, the first PTC element 134 and the second PTC element 135 can be installed one by one, alternating (in turn), starting from the uppermost or lowermost element receiving hole 132 among the element receiving holes 132.

[0067] For example, a first PTC element 134 can be installed in each of the odd-numbered (the first, third, and fifth from the top in the figure) element accommodating holes 132 among the multiple element accommodating holes, and a second PTC element 135 can be installed in each of the even-numbered (the second, fourth, and sixth in the figure) element accommodating holes 133 among the multiple element accommodating holes.

[0068] The first PTC element 134 can be electrically connected by having one surface of the first PTC element 134 contact one first electrode plate 136 at the same time. More specifically, a plurality of (three in the figure) first PTC elements 134 are electrically connected in parallel via the first electrode plate 136, so that the plurality of first PTC elements 134 can generate heat simultaneously by power supplied via the first electrode plate 136.

[0069] The second PTC element 135 can also be electrically connected by having one surface of the second PTC element 135 contact a second electrode plate 137 described later. More specifically, multiple (three in the figure) second PTC elements 135 are electrically connected in parallel via the second electrode plate 137, so that the multiple second PTC elements 135 can generate heat simultaneously due to the power supplied via the second electrode plate 137.

[0070] As described above, the spaced-apart first PTC elements 134 form an electrical component by having one surface of the first PTC elements 134 simultaneously contact the first electrode plate 136. To electrically connect the spaced-apart first PTC elements 134 simultaneously, the first electrode plate 136 used in one embodiment of the present invention may be configured in a concave-convex shape as shown in the example of the accompanying drawings.

[0071] Specifically, the first electrode plate 136 may be composed of first electrode cells 136-1 and first electrode terminals 136-2. The first electrode cells 136-1 are configured to correspond to the first PTC elements 134, and are disposed in contact with a surface of the corresponding first PTC element 134. The first electrode cells 136-1 are interconnected via the first electrode terminals 136-2, thereby enabling simultaneous power supply to the first PTC elements 134.

[0072] More specifically, each first electrode monomer 136-1 can be formed into an approximately square plate-like structure as follows: having a size corresponding to the first PTC element 134, and being spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the height of the element accommodating hole 133 for installing the second PTC element 135; the first electrode terminal 136-2 can be a structure extending from the outermost first electrode monomer among the first electrode monomers 136-1 (the uppermost first electrode monomer in the drawing).

[0073] More specifically, the first electrode terminal 136-2 may be configured to simultaneously connect one side edge (with Figure 3 , and extends upwards by a predetermined length from the uppermost first electrode unit 136 - 1 .

[0074] As described above, the spaced-apart second PTC elements 135 are also simultaneously connected to a second electrode plate 137 via one surface thereof, thereby forming an electrical component. In order to simultaneously electrically connect the spaced-apart second PTC elements 135, the second electrode plate 137 used in one embodiment of the present invention may also be configured in a concave-convex shape, as shown in the example of the accompanying drawings.

[0075] Specifically, the second electrode plate 137 may be composed of second electrode units 137-1 and second electrode terminals 137-2. The second electrode units 137-1 are configured to correspond to the second PTC elements 135, respectively, and are disposed in contact with a surface of the corresponding second PTC element 135. The second electrode units 137-1 are interconnected via the second electrode terminals 137-2, thereby enabling simultaneous power supply to the second PTC elements 135.

[0076] More specifically, each second electrode monomer 137-1 can be constructed as an approximately square plate-like structure as follows: it has a size corresponding to the second PTC element 135, and is spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the height of the element accommodating hole 132 for installing the first PTC element 134; the second electrode terminal 137-2 can be a structure extending from the outermost second electrode monomer among the second electrode monomers 137-1 (the second electrode monomer at the uppermost end in the drawing).

[0077] More specifically, the second electrode terminal 137-2 may be configured to simultaneously connect one side edge (with Figure 3 , and extends upwards by a predetermined length from the uppermost second electrode unit 137 - 1 .

[0078] The first electrode plate 136 and the second electrode plate 137 having a concave-convex structure as a whole are separated from each other by a predetermined gap, thereby being electrically isolated. Figure 3 As shown, the concave portion and the convex portion of the counter electrode plate are arranged together on one side of the insulating frame 131, thereby having a structure suitable for realizing a PTC unit in a compact size.

[0079] Reference numeral 138 denotes a common electrode plate. Common electrode plate 138 can be positioned so as to oppose first electrode plate 136 and second electrode plate 137, with insulating frame 131 positioned therebetween. More specifically, common electrode plate 138 can be positioned so as to simultaneously contact the other surface of first PTC element 134 (the side opposite to the surface in contact with the first electrode plate) and the other surface of second PTC element 135 (the side opposite to the surface in contact with the second electrode plate).

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the position where the first electrode terminal 136-2 simultaneously connects the side edge of the first electrode monomer 136-1 and the position where the second electrode terminal 137-2 simultaneously connects the side edge of the second electrode monomer 137-1 can be opposite to each other, and a third electrode terminal 138-2 can be provided at the upper end of the common electrode plate 138, and the third electrode terminal 138-2 extends to the same height in the same direction at a non-overlapping position as the first electrode terminal 136-2 and the second electrode terminal 137-2.

[0081] The heating element 130 may further include a first insulating cover c1 and a second insulating cover c2. The first insulating cover c1 is coupled to one side of the insulating frame 131 to cover the first electrode plate 136 and the second electrode plate 137, thereby electrically insulating the heating tube 139 from the first electrode plate 136 and the second electrode plate 137. The second insulating cover c2 is coupled to the other side of the insulating frame 131 to cover the common electrode plate 138, thereby electrically insulating the heating tube 139 from the common electrode plate 138.

[0082] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, the PTC unit 13 can be constructed as follows: a PTC element is installed in each element accommodating hole of the insulating frame 131, and when the electrode plate is arranged at a set position in a manner of contacting the PTC element, the electrode plate is surrounded by a first insulating cover c1 and a second insulating cover c2 to form a heating element, and such a heating element is placed on the heating tube 139, and the two ends are sealed with heat-resistant material.

[0083] According to the PTC unit 13 of one embodiment of the present invention with this structure, the first PTC element 134 and the second PTC element 135 are installed together on an insulating frame 131, but are independently powered by different electrode plates (the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate). Therefore, local heating such as heating of only the first PTC element 134 or heating of only the second PTC element 135 can be achieved.

[0084] For example, if power is applied to the first electrode plate 136 in a state where the first electrode plate 136 and the common electrode plate 138 are electrically connected in a manner capable of being energized (conversely, power may also be applied through the common electrode plate), then Figure 6a As shown, current is supplied only to the PTC elements corresponding to the first electrode units 136-1 (electrode units ①, ③, and ⑤ in the figure) constituting the first electrode plate 136, namely, the first PTC elements 134, so that only the corresponding elements can generate heat.

[0085] Based on the same principle, if power is applied to the second electrode plate 137 while the second electrode plate 137 and the common electrode plate 138 are electrically connected in a manner that allows power to flow (conversely, power can also be applied through the common electrode plate), then Figure 6b As shown, current is supplied only to the PTC elements corresponding to the second electrode units 137-1 (electrode units No. ②, ④, and ⑥ in the figure) constituting the second electrode plate 137, namely, the second PTC elements 135, so that only the corresponding elements can generate heat.

[0086] Furthermore, when power is applied to the first electrode plate 136 and the second electrode plate 137 while they are electrically connected to the common electrode plate 138 (conversely, power may be applied via the common electrode plate), as shown in FIG. Figure 6c As shown, power is applied to all electrode units (electrode units ① to ⑥ in the figure), so that all PTC elements can generate heat.

[0087] Thus, the PTC unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is a structure that can not only perform overall heat control but also local heat control, and therefore has the advantage of being able to appropriately control the heat generation according to demand or need. Since the heat generation can be appropriately controlled according to demand or need, unnecessary energy consumption can be reliably prevented accordingly, thereby promoting more efficient energy utilization.

[0088] In addition, since heat generation can be partially controlled, correspondingly, for a full heating request, the inrush current can be significantly reduced by controlling the application of current in sequence (applying current to the first and second electrode plates with a small time difference). As a result, circuit safety can be ensured, and the resistance is reduced to a degree corresponding to the reduction in inrush current, thereby having the advantage of being able to increase output.

[0089] In addition, the PTC unit according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages: due to its unique structure (the PTC elements are divided into two groups and installed alternately in a row on the insulating frame, and accordingly, the electrode plates are formed into concave and convex shapes and arranged in a shape that matches each other), it is not only a structure that can partially control heat generation, but also can be compact in size.

[0090] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of a PTC unit according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As a diagram of a PTC unit in a combined state according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diagram is a perspective view of the PTC unit in a combined state as viewed from the front and back, respectively.

[0091] Reference Figures 7 to 9 According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the PTC unit 23 also includes a heating element 230 and a heating tube 239 that accommodates the heating element in a sealed manner. The heating element 230 can be composed of an insulating frame 231, PTC elements 234 and 235, electrode plates 236 to 238, and a pair of insulating covers c1 and c2. The heating tube 239 can be a non-conductive metal body with a square cross-section and a hollow tube shape.

[0092] Multiple component-accommodating holes 232 and 233 can be formed in the insulating frame 231. The accompanying drawings illustrate a configuration with eight component-accommodating holes as an example, but this is merely for the purpose of illustrating one embodiment of the present invention and is not limited to a configuration with eight component-accommodating holes. Depending on the required specifications, the number of component-accommodating holes may be four, six, or an even number greater than eight.

[0093] As shown in the example in the figure, the component-accommodating holes can be arranged so that a portion of the component-accommodating holes (the four accommodating holes on the left side of the figure) together form one hole row (hereinafter referred to as the "first hole row"), and the remaining portion of the component-accommodating holes (the four accommodating holes on the right side of the figure) together form another hole row (hereinafter referred to as the "second hole row"). In other words, the plurality of component-accommodating holes can be arranged to roughly form two hole rows L1 and L2.

[0094] Preferably, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the component accommodating holes 232 belonging to the first hole column L1 and the component accommodating holes 233 belonging to the second hole column L2 can be formed in the same number, and at the same time, formed into a structure in which two component accommodating holes belonging to different hole columns are aligned at the same height or on the same line.

[0095] A PTC element can be installed in each component receiving hole 232, 233. This PTC element actually generates heat when a power source is applied. Specifically, the PTC element can be composed of a first PTC element 234 and a second PTC element 235. One first PTC element 234 is installed in each component receiving hole 232 belonging to the first hole column L1 of the plurality of component receiving holes, and one second PTC element 235 is installed in each component receiving hole 233 belonging to the second hole column L2 adjacent to the first hole column L1.

[0096] The first PTC element 234 forms an electrical component by having one surface of the first PTC element 234 contact a first electrode plate 236. More specifically, a plurality of (four in the figure) first PTC elements 234 are electrically connected in parallel via the first electrode plate 236. Thus, the plurality of first PTC elements 234 can generate heat simultaneously, independently of the second PTC element 235, by power supplied via the first electrode plate 236.

[0097] The second PTC element 235 also forms an electrical component by having one surface of the second PTC element 235 contact the second electrode plate 237. More specifically, a plurality (four in the figure) of second PTC elements 235 are electrically connected in parallel via the second electrode plate 237. Thus, the plurality of second PTC elements 235 can generate heat simultaneously with the first PTC element 234, independently of the first PTC element 234, by virtue of power supplied via the second electrode plate 237.

[0098] In this embodiment, the first electrode plate 236 and the second electrode plate 237 can be separated by a predetermined gap and electrically insulated from each other, and are arranged together on one side of the insulating frame 131 (see FIG. Figure 8 ), and at the center of each upper end of the first electrode plate 236 and the second electrode plate 237 separated from each other by a predetermined gap, the first electrode terminal 236-2 and the second electrode terminal 237-2 may be formed to extend at the same height.

[0099] Reference numeral 238 denotes a common electrode plate. The common electrode plate 238 can be positioned so as to face the first electrode plate 236 and the second electrode plate 237, with the insulating frame 231 positioned therebetween. More specifically, the common electrode plate 238 can be positioned so as to contact both the other surface of the first PTC element 234 (the side opposite to the surface in contact with the first electrode plate) and the other surface of the second PTC element 235 (the side opposite to the surface in contact with the second electrode plate).

[0100] A third electrode terminal 238-2 is provided at the upper end of such a common electrode plate 238. The third electrode terminal 238-2 can be structured as follows: at a position not overlapping or stacked with the first electrode terminal 236-2 and the second electrode terminal 237-2, the third electrode terminal 238-2 extends to the same height in the same direction as the first electrode terminal 236-2 and the second electrode terminal 237-2, and the first electrode terminal 236-2 and the second electrode terminal 237-2 extend to a predetermined height at the center of the upper end of each of the first electrode plate 236 and the second electrode plate 237.

[0101] The heating element 230 according to this embodiment may also include a first insulating cover c1 and a second insulating cover c2. The first insulating cover c1 is coupled to one side of the insulating frame 131 to cover the first electrode plate 236 and the second electrode plate 237, thereby electrically insulating these electrode plates from the heating tube 239. The second insulating cover c2 is coupled to the other side of the insulating frame 231 to cover the common electrode plate 238, thereby electrically insulating the heating tube 239 from the common electrode plate 238.

[0102] Such a PTC unit 23 according to another embodiment of the present invention can be constructed as follows: a PTC element is installed in each element accommodating hole of the insulating frame 131, and when the electrode plates 236~238 are arranged at set positions in a manner of contacting the PTC elements, the electrode plates are surrounded by the first insulating cover c1 and the second insulating cover c2 to form a heating element 230, and such a heating element 230 is placed on the heating tube 139, and the two ends are sealed with heat-resistant material.

[0103] According to the PTC unit 23 of another embodiment of the present invention with such a structure, the first PTC element 234 and the second PTC element 235 are installed together on an insulating frame 231, but are independently supplied with power through different electrode plates (first electrode plate and second electrode plate), so that local heating such as heating of only the first PTC element 234 or heating of only the second PTC element 235 can be achieved.

[0104] In this way, the PTC unit according to another embodiment of the present invention is also a structure capable of local heat control, and therefore has the advantage of being able to appropriately control the heat generation according to demand or need. Since the heat generation can be appropriately controlled according to demand or need, unnecessary energy consumption can be reliably prevented, thereby promoting more efficient energy utilization.

[0105] In addition, since heat generation can be partially controlled, correspondingly, for a full heating request, the inrush current can be significantly reduced by controlling the application of current in sequence (applying current to the first and second electrode plates with a small time difference). As a result, circuit safety can be ensured, and the resistance is reduced to a degree corresponding to the reduction in inrush current, thereby having the advantage of being able to increase output.

[0106] The following briefly examines the structure of a heating device for heating including the PTC unit described above.

[0107] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a heating device according to another aspect of the present invention including the aforementioned PTC unit, Figure 11 yes Figure 10 The partially exploded perspective view of the heating device shown. Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A partially exploded perspective view of the heater core shown in FIG.

[0108] Reference Figures 10 to 12 The above-mentioned heating device 1 is a device for heating air for heating the interior of a vehicle, including: a heater core 12, including a plurality of PTC units (13 or 23) and heat dissipation fins 14; a frame portion 16, accommodating the above-mentioned heater core 12; and a control portion 18, which is combined with the upper part of the above-mentioned frame portion 16 and has a control element for controlling the heating of the PTC unit (13 or 23).

[0109] The heater core 12 has a plurality of PTC units 13 and a heat dissipation fin 14 arranged between each adjacent PTC unit 13. The frame portion 16, which serves as a structure for accommodating and protecting the above-mentioned heater core 12, can be composed of a pair of side frames 160L, 160R and a lower bracket 162. The lower bracket connects the lower ends of the pair of side frames 160L, 160R to each other, and has an installation groove 163 in a manner corresponding to the above-mentioned PTC units (13 or 23).

[0110] The PTC units (13 or 23) constituting the heater core 12 may be rod-shaped structures extending in the vertical direction and having a square cross-sectional shape. The PTC units (13 or 23) may be arranged side by side in the horizontal direction in the figure, with their wider, flat side surfaces spaced apart and facing each other, and the heat dissipation fins 14 may be arranged between the spaced-apart, facing PTC units (13 or 23).

[0111] Each PTC unit (13 or 23) can be a structure in which the electrode plate is appropriately arranged at the center of an insulating frame on which a plurality of PTC elements are mounted, is placed in a heating tube 139, and both ends are sealed with a heat-resistant material, which is the same structure as the aforementioned embodiment or another embodiment; and the heat dissipation fins 14 can be a structure in which one side and the other side of the opposite part are in contact with the PTC units 13 arranged on both sides and have channels for air to pass through.

[0112] exist Figure 12 In the figure, reference numerals 15L and 15R denote fin plates provided so as to contact the outer surface of the outermost fins 14 among the plurality of radiating fins 14 constituting the heater core 12. One of the two fin plates 15L and 15R may be a ground plate electrically connected to the vehicle body or the like for grounding.

[0113] As shown in the attached figure ( Figures 10 and 11 ), the control unit 18 is combined with the upper part of the frame part 16 that accommodates the heater core part 12 as described above, and the aforementioned control element is installed inside, which can power on or off the PTC unit (13 or 23) constituting the heater core part 12, and control the heating amount by controlling the current amount.

[0114] The control unit 18 may include a housing 180, which is coupled to the upper portion of the frame portion 16 that houses the heater core 12 and has an internal mounting space. A plurality of bus bars 184 and a substrate (not shown) may be mounted within the housing 180. The bus bars 184 electrically connect the electrode terminals at one end of each PTC unit (13 or 23). The substrate may include a control element electrically connected to the bus bars 184 to control the heating of the PTC unit 13.

[0115] According to such a structure, as power is applied, the heat generated by each PTC unit (13 or 23) is transferred to the heat dissipation fin 14. The temperature of the air is increased by heat exchange between the air passing through the heat dissipation fin 14 due to the drive of the blower and the heat dissipation fin 14 which receives heat from the PTC unit (13 or 23) and maintains a high temperature. The air can be provided in the form of warm air to the required places in the vehicle (driver's seat, front passenger seat, rear seat, etc.).

[0116] In the above detailed description of the present invention, only specific embodiments thereof have been described. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments mentioned in the detailed description, but rather, should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A PTC unit, characterized in that: include: an insulating frame formed with a plurality of component receiving holes; a first PTC element, wherein one first PTC element is installed in each of a portion of the element accommodating holes; A second PTC element is installed in each of the other part of the element receiving holes in an alternating manner with the first PTC element; A first electrode plate having a concave-convex shape is arranged in such a manner as to be in contact with a surface of the first PTC element; A second electrode plate having a concave-convex shape, located on the same surface of the frame as the surface on which the first electrode plate is located, and arranged in such a manner as to simultaneously contact one surface of the second PTC element; as well as a common electrode plate located on a surface of the frame opposite to the surface where the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are located, and arranged in contact with the first PTC element and the second PTC element; The concave and convex parts of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are spaced apart from each other and electrically isolated.

2. The PTC unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The first electrode plate is composed of a first electrode unit and a first electrode terminal. The first electrode units are formed to have sizes corresponding to the first PTC elements. The first electrode terminal extends from the outermost first electrode unit among the first electrode units. The second electrode plate is composed of a second electrode unit and a second electrode terminal. The second electrode units are formed to a size corresponding to the second PTC element and are arranged in a staggered manner relative to the first electrode units. The second electrode terminal extends from an outermost second electrode cell among the second electrode cells.

3. The PTC unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: A position where the first electrode terminal simultaneously connects one side edge of the first electrode unit and a position where the second electrode terminal simultaneously connects one side edge of the second electrode unit are opposite to each other.

4. The PTC unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: At the upper end of the common electrode plate, the third electrode terminal extends in the same direction to the same height as the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal at a non-overlapping position.

5. A PTC unit, wherein: include: An insulating frame having a plurality of component accommodating holes, wherein a portion of the plurality of component accommodating holes forms a first hole row, and a remaining portion of the component accommodating holes forms a second hole row on adjacent sides of the first hole row; a first PTC component, one first PTC component being installed in each component receiving hole belonging to the first hole column; a second PTC element, one second PTC element being installed in each element receiving hole belonging to the second hole column; a first electrode plate arranged in contact with a surface of the first PTC element; a second electrode plate arranged in contact with a surface of the second PTC element; as well as The common electrode plate is arranged in contact with the other surface of the first PTC element and the other surface of the second PTC element.

6. The PTC unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are separated from each other and electrically isolated, and are arranged together on one side of the insulating frame.

7. The PTC unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The component accommodating holes belonging to the first hole row and the component accommodating holes belonging to the second hole row are formed in the same number and at the same height.

8. The PTC unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: A first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal are formed extending at the same height at the center of each upper end of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. At the upper end of the common electrode plate, the third electrode terminal extends in the same direction to the same height as the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal at a non-overlapping position.

9. A heating device for heating a vehicle, which is a device for heating air for heating a vehicle, characterized in that: include: The heater core includes a plurality of PTC units and heat dissipation fins, wherein one heat dissipation fin is arranged between each of two adjacent PTC units; a frame portion that houses and protects the heater core, and is composed of a pair of side frames and a lower bracket, wherein the lower bracket connects the side frames to each other and has mounting grooves corresponding to the PTC units respectively; and A control unit is coupled to an upper portion of the frame portion that houses the heater core portion and includes a control element for controlling heating of the PTC unit. The PTC unit is the PTC unit according to claim 1 or claim 5.

10. The heating device for heating according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control unit includes a housing coupled to an upper portion of a frame portion housing the heater core and having an installation space formed therein. The first bus bar, the second bus bar, the common bus bar and the substrate are installed inside the shell, the first bus bar is electrically connected to the first electrode plates respectively included in the multiple PTC units, the second bus bar is electrically connected to the second electrode plates, and the common bus bar is electrically connected to the common electrode plates. A control element is installed on the substrate, which is electrically connected to the first bus bar, the second bus bar and the common bus bar to control the heating of the PTC unit.

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