Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater with adjustable shape

Abstract

The utility model discloses a shape-adjustable PTC heater, which comprises a PTC heating element and a heat dissipation aluminum strip which are sequentially connected, the heat dissipation aluminum strip comprises a plurality of heat dissipation fins which are arranged at equal intervals, every two adjacent heat dissipation fins are connected in a clamping manner, each heat dissipation fin comprises a U-shaped sheet-shaped body and folded edges on two sides of the U-shaped sheet-shaped body, and the folded edges are connected with the PTC heating element. The sheet-shaped body is provided with at least one positive pressure reinforcing rib, and anti-bending pressure reinforcing ribs are arranged on the edges of two openings of the sheet-shaped body. According to the PTC heater with the adjustable shape, the shape of the whole heat dissipation aluminum strip can be adjusted, so that the PTC heater can be adjusted into a straight strip shape, a ring shape, an S shape and the like according to needs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of PTC heaters, and in particular to a PTC heater with an adjustable shape. Background Technology

[0002] The PTC heater consists of a PTC ceramic heating element and an aluminum tube. This type of PTC heating element has the advantages of low thermal resistance and high heat exchange efficiency, making it an automatic temperature-controlled and energy-saving electric heater.

[0003] Traditional PTC heaters utilize an integral aluminum strip with corrugated heat sinks, improving heat dissipation efficiency. They combine the advantages of adhesive and mechanical bonding, and fully consider various thermal and electrical phenomena during PTC heater operation. This results in strong bonding, excellent thermal conductivity and dissipation, high efficiency, and reliable safety. This type of PTC heater boasts low thermal resistance and high heat exchange efficiency, making it an automatic temperature-controlled, energy-saving electric heater. A key feature is its safety performance: when the fan fails and stops, the PTC heater's power automatically and rapidly decreases due to insufficient heat dissipation. At this time, the heater's surface temperature remains around the Curie temperature (generally around 250℃), preventing the surface "reddening" phenomenon seen in electric heating tube heaters.

[0004] However, when special products require the use of ring-shaped or S-shaped PTC heaters, the ring or S-shape needs to be continuously bent at multiple angles. Traditional integral aluminum strip corrugated heat sinks cannot be bent to achieve this, and the complex shape requires high-precision molds, which increases development costs and processing difficulty. In particular, the multiple bending of the S-shape requires extremely high mold matching. Therefore, it is necessary to design a PTC heater with an adjustable shape. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an adjustable PTC heater, which can realize the adjustment of the shape of the entire heat dissipation aluminum strip, so that the PTC heater can be adjusted into a straight strip, ring, S-shape, etc. as needed.

[0006] The above-mentioned utility model objective is achieved through the following technical solution: an adjustable PTC heater, comprising a PTC heating element and a heat dissipation aluminum strip connected in sequence, the heat dissipation aluminum strip comprising a plurality of heat dissipation fins arranged at equal intervals, adjacent heat dissipation fins being snapped together, the heat dissipation fin comprising a U-shaped sheet body and folded edges on both sides, the sheet body being provided with at least one positive pressure reinforcing rib, and the two open edges of the sheet body being provided with anti-bending pressure reinforcing ribs.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, since the heat dissipation aluminum strip is composed of multiple heat dissipation fins arranged at equal intervals, and adjacent heat dissipation fins are interlocked, the spacing between adjacent fins can be controlled with high precision, thereby realizing the adjustment of the shape of the entire heat dissipation aluminum strip. It can be adjusted into a straight strip, ring, S-shape, etc. as needed. Moreover, the heat dissipation aluminum strip has low wind resistance, high heat exchange efficiency, and can reduce airflow noise. At the same time, the overall strength is enhanced after the sheet-like body of each heat dissipation fin is provided with positive pressure reinforcing ribs. Anti-bending pressure reinforcing ribs are provided at the two opening edges of the sheet-like body, which can effectively prevent the edges from deforming under external force.

[0008] The present invention is further configured such that: the sheet-like body is provided with at least one counter-pressure rib, and the positive pressure rib and the counter-pressure rib are arranged at intervals.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the positive pressure ribs and the negative pressure ribs protrude upwards and downwards respectively, and the interval between them can better enhance the overall strength of the heat sink.

[0010] The present invention is further configured such that both the positive and negative pressure reinforcing ribs have through windows, the windows being smaller than the length and width of the positive and negative pressure reinforcing ribs.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, through windows are opened in the positive and negative pressure ribs, and the windows are smaller than the length and width of the positive and negative pressure ribs. This not only enhances the strength of the positive and negative pressure ribs without damaging them, but also increases airflow and improves heat dissipation.

[0012] The present invention is further configured such that: at least one buckle is provided on the two folded edges, the folded edge is provided with a locking hole that matches the buckle, the locking hole is located directly above the buckle, and the buckle and locking hole of the adjacent heat sink engage with each other.

[0013] The present invention is further configured such that: the latch is a U-shaped protrusion with the folded edge extending outward, and the latch openings of the two folded edges are opposite to each other.

[0014] The present invention is further configured such that the movable spacing of the keyhole is 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0015] The present invention is further configured such that the distance between the anti-bending reinforcing rib and the edge of the sheet-like body is 1mm to 2mm.

[0016] In summary, the beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] 1. The heat dissipation aluminum strip is composed of multiple heat dissipation fins arranged at equal intervals, and adjacent heat dissipation fins are interlocked. This allows for high-precision control of the spacing between adjacent fins, thereby enabling the adjustment of the shape of the entire heat dissipation aluminum strip. It can be adjusted into a straight strip, a ring, an S-shape, etc., as needed.

[0018] 2. The overall strength of each heat sink is enhanced by the presence of positive and negative pressure ribs on its sheet-like body. Anti-bending pressure ribs are provided at the edges of both openings of the sheet-like body, which can effectively prevent deformation of the edges after being subjected to external forces.

[0019] 3. A through window is made between the positive and negative pressure ribs, and the window is smaller than the length and width of the positive and negative pressure ribs. This way, the positive and negative pressure ribs can be strengthened without damaging them, while also increasing airflow and improving heat dissipation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat dissipation aluminum strip of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the heat sink structure;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the PTC heater in Example 2;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the annular PTC heater in Embodiment 1;

[0024] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the S-shaped PTC heater in Example 1;

[0025] Figure 6 The embodiment is a schematic diagram of a strip-shaped PTC heater.

[0026] In the diagram, 1. Heat sink; 11. Sheet-shaped body; 12. Folded edge; 2. Positive pressure reinforcement; 3. Reverse pressure reinforcement; 4. Anti-bending pressure reinforcement; 5. Window; 6. Lock; 7. Lock hole; 8. PTC heating element; 9. Metal sheet; 10. Heat dissipation aluminum strip. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 6This utility model discloses an adjustable-shape PTC heater, comprising a PTC heating element 8 and a heat dissipation aluminum strip 10 connected in sequence. The heat dissipation aluminum strip 10 includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 1 arranged at equal intervals. Adjacent heat dissipation fins 1 are engaged and connected. Each heat dissipation fin 1 includes a U-shaped sheet body 11 and folded edges 12 on both sides. The heat dissipation fin 1 is integrally formed. Each of the two folded edges 12 has at least one latch 6 (two latches 6 in this embodiment) on its edge. The folded edge 12 has a locking hole 7 that matches the latch 6 on its edge close to the edge of the sheet body 11. The locking hole 7 is located directly above the latch 6. The latches 6 and locking holes 7 of adjacent heat dissipation fins 1 engage with each other, thereby sequentially engaging each heat dissipation fin 1 to form a heat dissipation aluminum strip 10.

[0030] The latch 6 is a U-shaped protrusion extending outward from the folded edge 12, and the openings of the latches 6 on the two folded edges 12 are opposite each other. Specifically, the movable distance of the locking hole 7 is 0.5mm to 3mm, and the movable distance d of the locking hole 7 is greater than the length of the latch 6 extending outward from the folded edge 12, thereby enabling high-precision control of the spacing between two adjacent heat sinks 1, so as to achieve adjustment of the shape of the entire heat dissipation aluminum strip 10, which can be adjusted into a straight strip, ring, S-shape, etc. as needed; and the heat dissipation aluminum strip has low wind resistance, high heat exchange efficiency, and can reduce airflow noise.

[0031] To enhance the overall strength of the heat sink 1, at least one positive pressure rib 2 and at least one negative pressure rib 3 are provided in parallel on the sheet-like body 11. The positive pressure rib 2 and the negative pressure rib 3 are spaced apart and are elongated. In this embodiment, one positive pressure rib 2 and one negative pressure rib 3 are provided on the sheet-like body 11.

[0032] Meanwhile, anti-bending reinforcing ribs 4 are provided on both opening edges of the sheet-like body 11, which can effectively prevent its edges from deforming under external force.

[0033] In this embodiment, the distance between the anti-bending reinforcing rib 4 and the edge of the sheet-like body 11 is 1mm to 2mm.

[0034] In addition, through windows 5 are provided on both the positive pressure reinforcing rib 2 and the negative pressure reinforcing rib 3; the windows 5 are rectangular, and their length and width are smaller than the length and width of the positive pressure reinforcing rib 2 and the negative pressure reinforcing rib 3; in this way, the strength enhancement function of the positive pressure reinforcing rib 2 and the negative pressure reinforcing rib 3 is not destroyed, and the airflow is enhanced and the heat dissipation is improved.

[0035] In this embodiment, heat dissipation aluminum strips 10 are fixed on both sides of the PTC heating element 8. One of the folded edges 12 of each heat sink 1, which is interlocked with the PTC heating element 8, is fixed to the PTC heating element 8. The folded edge 12 is bonded to the PTC heating element 8 with high-temperature curing silicone. In this embodiment, the last heat sink 1 of each group of heat dissipation aluminum strips 10 has an electrode pin extending out for energizing.

[0036] In this embodiment, the working principle of the PTC heater is as follows: after the positive and negative electrode pins are energized, the temperature of the PTC heating element 8 rises, and the heat is directly dissipated through the heat sinks 1 via heat exchange with the surrounding air, thereby achieving a heating effect. By adopting the above structure, the heat sinks 1 are connected in pairs via interlocking, thus allowing the shape of the PTC heater to be adjusted as needed. (Refer to...) Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 Its shape can be straight, circular, S-shaped, etc.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] Reference Figure 3 The PTC heater disclosed in this invention differs from Embodiment 2 in that a metal sheet 9 is further provided between the PTC heating element 8 and the heat dissipation aluminum strip 10, with one end of the metal sheet 9 extending out of the heat dissipation aluminum strip 10; wherein, the metal sheet 9 is preferably an aluminum sheet.

[0039] One of the folded edges 12 of each interlocking heat sink 1 is fixed to the metal sheet 9. The folded edge 12 and the metal sheet 9 are directly bonded using lead solder (or, alternatively, bonded using high-temperature curing silicone). The multiple spaced PTC heating elements 8 are fixed to the other side of the metal sheet 9 using high-temperature curing silicone. On the other side of the PTC heating element 8, metal sheets 9 and heat dissipation aluminum strips 10 are sequentially fixed in the same manner. In this embodiment, one end of each metal sheet 9 extends beyond the heat dissipation aluminum strip 10, serving as positive and negative electrode leads.

[0040] In this embodiment, the working principle of the PTC heater is as follows: after the two metal plates 9 extend out and are used as positive and negative electrode pins, the temperature of the PTC heating element 8 rises, the heat is transferred to the surface of the metal plates 9, and then the heat is dissipated through heat exchange with the surrounding air by each heat sink 1, thereby achieving the heating effect.

[0041] The embodiments described herein are preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent changes made to the structure, shape, and principle of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An adjustable-shape PTC heater, comprising a PTC heating element (8) and a heat dissipation aluminum strip (10) connected in sequence, characterized in that: The heat dissipation aluminum strip (10) includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins (1) arranged at equal intervals. Adjacent heat dissipation fins (1) are connected by snap-fit. The heat dissipation fin (1) includes a U-shaped sheet body (11) and folded edges (12) on both sides. The sheet body (11) is provided with at least one positive pressure reinforcing rib (2). The two opening edges of the sheet body (11) are provided with anti-bending pressure reinforcing ribs (4).

2. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sheet-like body (11) is provided with at least one counter-pressure rib (3), and the positive pressure rib (2) and the counter-pressure rib (3) are arranged at intervals.

3. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the positive pressure reinforcing rib (2) and the negative pressure reinforcing rib (3) have through windows (5), and the windows (5) are smaller than the length and width of the positive pressure reinforcing rib (2) and the negative pressure reinforcing rib (3).

4. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one latch (6) is provided on the edge of each of the two folded edges (12), and the folded edge (12) is provided with a locking hole (7) that matches the latch (6). The locking hole is located directly above the latch (6), and the latch (6) and locking hole (7) of the adjacent heat sink (1) engage with each other.

5. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 4, characterized in that: The latch (6) is a U-shaped protrusion extending outward from the folded edge (12), and the latches (6) of the two folded edges (12) are opposite to each other.

6. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 5, characterized in that: The movable distance of the keyhole (7) is 0.5mm to 3mm.

7. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the anti-bending reinforcing rib (4) and the edge of the sheet-like body (11) is 1 mm to 2 mm.

8. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: A metal sheet (9) is also provided between the PTC heating element (8) and the heat dissipation aluminum strip (10), with one end of the metal sheet (9) extending out of the heat dissipation aluminum strip (10).

9. The adjustable-shape PTC heater according to claim 8, characterized in that: One of the folded edges (12) of each heat sink (1) is fixed to the metal sheet (9).

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