Flow heater and heating plate for flow heater

Abstract

The utility model describes a flow heater, which is provided with a heating plate, the heating plate is provided with a metal plate, a heating conductor track and an isolating layer between the heating conductor track and the metal plate, the heating plate is arranged in a shell, and the shell surrounds a flow channel for fluid to be heated, the flow channel leads from an inlet of the shell to an outlet of the shell; a circuit board having control electronics; an electrical connector leading from the inlet of the housing to the outlet of the housing; the utility model relates to a heating device, comprising a heating plate, a circuit board having control electronics, and an electrical connector through which a heating conductor track of the heating plate is connected to the control electronics, and which has a plastic body from which a conductor protrudes, the conductor being inserted into the circuit board. According to the utility model, the clamping sheet protrudes from the plastic main body, and the heating plate is clamped between the clamping sheet and the end part of the conductor protruding from the plastic main body. A heating plate for such a flow heater is also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a flow heater and a heating plate for the flow heater. DE102022132476B3 discloses a flow heater comprising: a heating plate including a metal plate, a heating conductor track, and an insulating layer between the heating conductor track and the metal plate; a housing in which the heating plate is disposed, wherein the housing surrounds a flow channel for a fluid to be heated, the flow channel extending from an inlet to an outlet of the housing; a circuit board having control electronics; and an electrical connector connecting the heating conductor track of the heating plate to the control electronics, the electrical connector including a plastic body from which a conductor protrudes and extends into a hole in the circuit board. Background Technology

[0002] The flow heater of DE102022132476B3 includes an electrical connector that connects a heating plate to a circuit board containing control electronics. The connector has a plastic body with two ends of a metal strip protruding from it. A first end of the metal strip is soldered to the heating plate, and a second end of the metal strip is inserted into the circuit board. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to demonstrate a method that simplifies the production of the above-mentioned type of flow heater.

[0004] This objective is achieved by a flow heater and a heating plate. The flow heater includes: a heating plate comprising a metal plate, a heating conductor track, and an insulating layer between the heating conductor track and the metal plate; a housing in which the heating plate is disposed, wherein the housing surrounds a flow channel for a fluid to be heated, the flow channel extending from an inlet to an outlet of the housing; a circuit board having control electronics; and an electrical connector connecting the heating conductor track of the heating plate to the control electronics, the electrical connector comprising a plastic body, a conductor protruding from the plastic body and extending into a hole in the circuit board, the heating plate being clamped between a clamping portion of the electrical connector and an end of the conductor protruding from the plastic body. The heating plate includes: a heating plate comprising a metal plate, a heating conductor track, and an insulating layer between the heating conductor track and the metal plate; and an electrical connector for connecting the heating plate to a circuit board, wherein the connector has a plastic body, a conductor protruding from the plastic body, the conductor terminating at a contact for insertion into a hole in the circuit board, a clamping portion protruding from the plastic body, and the heating plate being connected between the clamping portion and the protruding end from the plastic body; and the heating plate being clamped between the clamping portion and the protruding end of the conductor from the plastic body. Advantageous improvements of this invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] In the flow heater of this invention, electrical contact with the heating plate is established by clamping the heating plate between the clamping portion of the electrical connector and the end of the conductor protruding from the plastic body of the electrical connector. This has the advantage of avoiding solder joints between the conductor leading to the circuit board and the heating plate. This simplifies production and allows any production tolerances to be compensated for in a simple manner. Furthermore, since the electrical contact established by clamping is generally stronger and more reliable than a soldered connection, a longer service life of the flow heater can be achieved.

[0006] The clamping portion can be formed from the plastic body of the electrical connector. Greater clamping force can be achieved if the clamping portion includes a metal tab, for example, by embedding a separate clamping tab within the plastic body, or if the clamping portion branches off from the conductor and a heating plate is clamped between the clamping portion and the end protruding from the plastic body. However, the clamping portion can also be designed as a clamping tab protruding from the plastic body of the electrical connector. The clamping tab can be designed integrally with the conductor or can be a separate metal tab.

[0007] The conductor can be a sheet metal component manufactured using cutting processes such as laser cutting, waterjet cutting, stamping, or precision cutting. Alternatively, the conductor can also be produced using casting or layer-building processes. The clamping tabs can be manufactured in the same manner as the conductors. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Referring to the accompanying drawings, further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in the illustrative embodiments. In the drawings of the various embodiments, identical and corresponding parts are assigned corresponding reference numerals. In these drawings:

[0009] Figure 1 An embodiment of a flow heater is shown;

[0010] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A sectional view;

[0011] Figure 3 Cross-sectional details of a heating plate with electrical connectors are shown;

[0012] Figure 4 Details of the heating plate with electrical connectors are shown below;

[0013] Figure 5 Details of the heating plate with electrical connectors are shown from above;

[0014] Figure 6 A view of the electrical connector is shown;

[0015] Figure 7 The conductors and clamping tabs of the electrical connector are shown;

[0016] Figure 8 Another embodiment of the electrical connector is shown;

[0017] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 The connector shown has conductors and clamping tabs;

[0018] Figure 10 Another embodiment of an electrical connector with a heating plate is shown;

[0019] Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 The connector shown has conductors and clamping tabs;

[0020] Figure 12 Another embodiment of an electrical connector with a heating plate is shown;

[0021] Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 The clamping piece of the connector shown;

[0022] Figure 14 Another embodiment of an electrical connector with a heating plate is shown;

[0023] Figure 15 It shows Figure 14 The connector shown includes conductors and clamping tabs; and

[0024] Figure 16 It shows Figure 14 Side view of the embodiment shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flow heater shown is a flow heater for liquids and has a housing 1, which has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3, as well as electrical terminals 4 and 5. In the housing 1, the flow passage of the fluid to be heated extends from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3.

[0026] A flow channel extends along a heating plate 6, which carries one or more electrically heated resistors designed to heat conductor tracks. To improve heat release to the fluid in the flow channel, the heating plate 6 may carry a corrugated metal sheet 7 protruding into the flow channel. The heating plate 6 is connected to a circuit board 8, which carries control electronics. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating plate 6 and the circuit board 8 are arranged one on top of the other and parallel to each other. However, the circuit board 8 may also be arranged at an angle to the heating plate 6.

[0027] Figures 3 to 5 Different views show details of a heating plate 6 with an electrical connector 10 connected to a circuit board 8 via the electrical connector 10. Figure 6Connector 10 without a heating plate is shown.

[0028] The heating plate 6 has a metal plate 6a made of, for example, steel or aluminum-based alloy, at least one heating conductor track 6b, and an insulating layer 6c between the metal plate 6a and the heating conductor track 6b.

[0029] The electrical connector 10 has a plastic body 11. The heating conductor track 6b of the heating plate 6 is connected to a circuit board via the electrical connector 10, and thus to control electronics. At least one conductor 12 protrudes from the plastic body 11, with one end of the conductor 12 inserted into the circuit board 8. This end of the conductor 12 is designed with a plurality of press-fit contacts 12a, for example, two press-fit contacts 12a. The other end 12b of the conductor 12 contacts one or more of the heating conductor tracks 6b of the heating plate 6. The heating plate 6 is located between the clamping portion 13 of the electrical connector 10 and the conductor 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping portion 13 is designed as a clamping tab 13 protruding from the plastic body 11 of the electrical connector 10. In this embodiment, a first end of the clamping tab 13 thus contacts the heating plate 6, while a second end of the clamping tab 13 is disposed within the plastic body 11.

[0030] The press-fit contact is designed to establish an electrical connection by press-fitting into a metallized hole in a circuit board. The press-fit contact must deform upon pressing into the metal hole. To facilitate this, the press-fit contact in the illustrated embodiment has a protruding central portion, and a groove or opening may be provided in the protruding central portion. The press-fit contact may be nickel-plated and / or tin-plated to facilitate a good electrical connection with low resistance.

[0031] At its end facing the circuit board 8, the plastic body 11 may have one or more protrusions 16, such as pins, for insertion into appropriate openings in the circuit board 8. These protrusions 16 facilitate proper positioning of the circuit board 8 relative to the electrical connector 10 before the end of the conductor 12 (e.g., in the form of a press-fit contact 12a) is pressed into the appropriate opening in the circuit board 8.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, connector 10 has a plurality of conductors 12, for example, two conductors 12. Specifically, as... Figure 5 As shown, connector 10 is inserted into the lateral recess of heating plate 6. At the same time, the opposite edges of heating plate 6 can be located in the lateral groove 15 of plastic body 11 of connector 10, thereby facilitating the mechanical connection between heating plate 6 and connector 10.

[0033] Especially Figure 3As shown, the conductor 12 and the clamping piece are located in the curved portion 14 abutting the heating plate 6 in each case. Therefore, the end 12b of the conductor 12, like the end of the clamping piece, has a protrusion facing the heating plate 6. This facilitates the clamping of the heating plate 6.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, conductor 12 is designed as a continuous metal strip with both ends protruding from the plastic body 11. However, assembled conductors may also be used instead of a continuous metal strip. Conductor 12 has a main portion extending transversely to the plane of heating plate 6, and an end 12b protruding from the plastic body 11, which extends along the heating plate 6 and abuts against the heating plate 6 in the bend 14.

[0035] Connector 10 can be manufactured by overmolding conductor 12 and clamping tabs in plastic. To facilitate the manufacture of the electrical connector 10, conductor 12, together with the clamping tabs, can have channel openings that allow for precise positioning during the plastic overmolding process, as tool pins engage with these openings and are pulled out after the overmolding process. These openings can... Figure 7 I saw it in the middle.

[0036] Figure 8 Another example of an embodiment of connector 10 is shown, through which connector, Figure 1 and 2 The heating conductor track of the heating plate 6 of the flow heater shown can be connected to a circuit board. The connector 10 differs primarily from the previously described connector in that the conductor 12 and the clamping portion 13 (shown in this example as a clamping piece within the plastic body 11) are no longer as... Figure 7 The two are arranged on top of each other; instead, the clamping piece has a portion offset laterally from the end 12b of the conductor 12, which protrudes from the plastic body 11 and abuts against the heating plate 6 as intended. Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 The conductor 12 and clamping portion 13 of the connector 10 shown are spatially related to each other in the connector 10.

[0037] Figure 10 Another embodiment of connector 10 is shown, through which connector 10, Figure 1 and 2 The heating conductor track of the heating plate 6 of the flow heater shown can be connected to a circuit board. The connector 10 differs from the connector described above primarily in that it provides two clamping portions 13 in the form of clamps for each conductor 12, clamping the heating plate 6 between itself and the end 12b of the conductor 12. Here, the conductor 12 is arranged between the two clamping portions 13. This prevents the spring force applied by the clamping portions 13 from generating a tilting torque.

[0038] Figure 12 Another embodiment of the electrical connector 10 is shown, with details of the heating plate 6. Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 The connector 10 shown includes a conductor 12 and a portion of a clamping portion 13.

[0039] In the embodiments of the electrical connector 10 described so far, the plastic body 11 is a single unit. Figure 12 In the illustrated embodiment, the plastic body of connector 10 is a multi-part body. A first body portion 11a of the plastic body is located on the heating plate 6. A clamping portion 13, designed as a clamping tab, protrudes from the first body portion 11a, as do the ends 12b of conductor 12, which abut against the heating plate 6. A second body portion 11b is inserted into the first body portion 11a. One or more ends of conductor 12 (e.g., in the form of press-fit contacts 12a) protrude from the second body portion 11b and are inserted into the circuit board.

[0040] exist Figure 12 and 13 In this embodiment, conductor 12 is a multi-part conductor. One part of conductor 12 is embedded in a first body portion 11a; a second part of conductor 12 is embedded in a second body portion 11b. Both parts of conductor 12 can be made of sheet metal. One of the two conductor parts, such as the conductor part of the first body portion 11a, forms an elastic contact receiver with two opposing elastic contact arms, while the conductor part of the other body portion 11b forms a contact tongue that is pushed into the contact receiver when the two body portions 11a, 11b are inserted together, and thus between the two opposing elastic contact arms.

[0041] Figure 14 and 16 Another embodiment of the electrical connector 10 and details of the heating plate 6 are shown in different views. In this embodiment, the heating plate 6 is clamped between the end 12b of the conductor 12 protruding from the plastic body 11 and a clamping portion 13 formed in the plastic body 11. To improve mechanical load-bearing capacity, the clamping portion 13 formed in the plastic body 11 may comprise a metal sheet, such as a clamping tab integrally formed with the conductor, like... Figure 15 As shown, or a separate clamping piece.

[0042] In its appearance, Figure 14 The embodiments shown largely correspond to Figure 10 The connector 10 shown is different in design from the clamping portion 13.

[0043] If the clamping portion 13 is formed as part of the plastic body 11 of the electrical connector 10 and includes a metal sheet to improve its load-bearing capacity, the plastic body 11 may cover the upper side of the metal sheet away from the heating plate 6, or may even completely surround the clamping portion 13.

[0044] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0045] 1. Shell

[0046] 2 entrances

[0047] 3. Exports

[0048] 4 electrical terminals

[0049] 5 electrical terminals

[0050] 6 heating plates

[0051] 6a metal plate

[0052] 6b Heating conductor track

[0053] 6c isolation layer

[0054] 7. Corrugated metal sheet

[0055] 8 circuit boards

[0056] 10 Connectors

[0057] 11 Plastic body

[0058] 11a Main body of the plastic body

[0059] 11b Main body of the plastic body

[0060] 12 conductors

[0061] 12a Press-fit contact

[0062] 12b The end of the conductor

[0063] 13 Clamping Part

[0064] 14. Bending section

[0065] 15 Grooves

[0066] 16. Protrusion

Claims

1. A flow heater, comprising: The heating plate (6) includes a metal plate (6a), a heating conductor track (6b), and an insulating layer (6c) between the heating conductor track (6b) and the metal plate (6a). A housing (1) is provided in which the heating plate (6) is arranged, wherein the housing (1) surrounds a flow channel for the fluid to be heated, the flow channel extending from the inlet (2) of the housing (1) to the outlet (3) of the housing (1). A circuit board (8) with control electronics, and An electrical connector (10) connects the heating conductor track (6b) of the heating plate (6) to the control electronics. The electrical connector (10) includes a plastic body (11) from which a conductor (12) protrudes and extends into a hole in the circuit board (8). Its features are: The heating plate (6) is clamped between the clamping portion (13) of the electrical connector (10) and the end (12b) of the conductor protruding from the plastic body (11).

2. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The clamping part (13) contains a metal sheet.

3. The flow heater of claim 2, wherein, The first end of one or more of the metal sheets of the clamping portion (13) abuts against the heating plate (6), and the second end of one or more of the metal sheets of the clamping portion (13) is arranged in the plastic body (11).

4. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The plastic body (11) includes a first body portion (11a) and a second body portion (11b), the first body portion (11a) abutting against the heating plate (6), and the end of the conductor (12) inserted into the circuit board (8) protruding from the second body portion, wherein the first body portion (11a) and the second body portion (11b) are inserted together.

5. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The conductor (12) is formed of a continuous metal strip, wherein the metal strip has a first end inserted into the circuit board (8) and a second end (12b) abutting against the heating plate (6).

6. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The electrical connector (10) has two or more clamping portions (13), and the heating plate (6) is clamped between the clamping portions and the end (12b) of the conductor (12).

7. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The plastic body (11) is inserted into the recess of the heating plate (6) and has a transverse groove (15) on the opposite side, the heating plate (6) being located in the transverse groove.

8. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The conductor (12) forms one or more press-fit contacts (12a), which are inserted into the circuit board (8).

9. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The conductor (12) abuts against the heating plate (6) through the bent portion (14).

10. The flow heater of claim 1, wherein, The conductor (12) is a metal sheet component produced by a cutting process.

11. A heating plate for a flow heater, comprising: A heating plate (6), the heating plate (6) comprising a metal plate (6a), a heating conductor track (6b), and an insulating layer (6c) between the heating conductor track (6b) and the metal plate (6a), and An electrical connector (10) for connecting the heating plate (6) to a circuit board (8), wherein the connector (10) has a plastic body (11), a conductor (12) protruding from the plastic body (11), the conductor (12) terminating in a contact for insertion into a hole in the circuit board (8), characterized in that a clamping portion (13) protrudes from the plastic body (11), and the heating plate (6) is connected between the clamping portion (13) and an end (12b) protruding from the plastic body (11); and the heating plate (6) is clamped between the clamping portion (13) and the end (12b) of the conductor (12) protruding from the plastic body (11).

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