Electric heater

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric heater (1) having a heater core (2) and a control unit (3), wherein the heater core (2) having a first support structure (4) and the control unit (3) having a second support structure (5), wherein the heater core (2) and the control unit (3) are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure (4) is connected to the second support structure (5) by means of snap-fit means (6) only.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric heater, especially for an automobile application, especially for a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning unit.Background of the invention

[0002] Electric heaters are composed of an electric heater core and a control unit box. Typically, the control unit box is mounted to the heater core to provide a whole unit to be mounted e.g. in a housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning unit.

[0003] The mechanical connection between the control unit box and the heater core is typically realised by using a standard clip and two screws in order to arrive at a safe and long lasting connection between the control unit box and the heater core. Nevertheless, such a mechanic connection needs time for the screwing operation and screws to be provided. Therefore, such screwing operation is associated with certain cost, which might be omitted.Description of the invention, aim, solution, advantages

[0004] It is the aim of the invention to create an electric hater core which is improved compared to the prior of the art and less costly.

[0005] The aim is solved with the features of claim 1.

[0006] One exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an electric heater having a heater core and a control unit, wherein the heater core having a first support structure and the control unit having a second support structure, wherein the heater core and the control unit are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure is connected to the second support structure by means of snap-fit means only. This design allows a fast and secure form locking connection between the heater core and the control unit which needs only short time to arrange the connection by shifting the snap-fit means together. No screwing operation is necessary. The first support structure might be a frame or a side wall or the like of the heater core and the second support structure might be a housing or the like of the control unit.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first support structure comprises first snap-fit means and the second support structure comprises second snap-fit means such that the first snap-fit means are interacting with the second snap-fit means to create a form locking connection between the heater core and the control unit. This allows a secure fastening of a long lasting connection by less necessary time to create the connection.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first snap-fit means having a first gliding area and first saw teeth means and the second snap-fit means having a second gliding area and second saw teeth means such that the first gliding area and the second gliding area are arranged to allow gliding of the first gliding area of the first snap-fit means on the second gliding area of the second snap-fit means and to allow gliding of the second gliding area of the second snap-fit means on the first gliding area of the first snap-fit means and the interlocking of the first saw teeth means with the second saw teeth means. The gliding areas allow proper alignment of the snap-fit means for the movement to allow the form locking action of the saw teeth means.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention it is furthermore of advantage that the first saw teeth means comprises at least one fillet with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw tooth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a secure form locking, especially with the embodiment having more than one saw tooth.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first saw teeth means comprises at least two fillets with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw tooth on each of the adjacent side walls, wherein the fillets are spaced apart from each other. This allows a secure form locking, especially with the embodiment having more than one saw tooth.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first saw teeth means comprises at least one fillet or fillets having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a secure form locking.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the second saw teeth means comprises at least one recess with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a secure form locking.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the second saw teeth means comprises at least two recesses with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls, wherein the recesses are spaced apart from each other. This allows a solid connection.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the second saw teeth means comprises at least one recess or recesses having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a solid connection.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first saw teeth means having at least one fillet having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree and the second saw teeth means having at least one recess having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree. This allows a solid connection.

[0016] Further advantageous designs are described by the following description of the figures and by the dependent claims.Short description of the drawing figures

[0017] In the following, the invention will be further explained based on several example embodiments using the drawing figures.

[0018] In the figures: Fig. 1is an only partly representation of an electric heater according to a first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2is an only partly representation of an electric heater according to a second embodiment of the invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0019] Figure 1 shows an only partly representation of an electric heater 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The electric heater 1 has a heater core 2 and a control unit 3.

[0020] The heater core 2 has a first support structure 4 and the control unit 3 has a second support structure 5. The first support structure 4 might be a frame or a side wall or something similar. The second support structure 5 might be a housing or something similar.

[0021] As can be seen from Fig. 1 the heater core 2 and the control unit 3 are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure 4 is connected to the second support structure 5 by means of snap-fit means 6 only.

[0022] According to Fig. 1 the first support structure 4 comprises first snap-fit means 7 and the second support structure 5 comprises second snap-fit means 8 such that the first snap-fit means 7 are interacting with the second snap-fit means 8 to create a form locking connection between the heater core 2 and the control unit 3.

[0023] The first snap-fit means 7 having a first gliding area 9 and first saw teeth means 10 and the second snap-fit means 8 having a second gliding area 11 and second saw teeth means 12 such that the first gliding area 9 and the second gliding area 11 are arranged to allow gliding of the first gliding area 9 of the first snap-fit means 7 on the second gliding area 11 of the second snap-fit means 8 and to allow gliding of the second gliding area 11 of the second snap-fit means 8 on the first gliding area 9 of the first snap-fit means 7 and the interlocking of the first saw teeth means 10 with the second saw teeth means 12.

[0024] As can be seen, the first saw teeth means 10 comprises at least one fillet 13 with adjacent side walls 14 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14. In this embodiment the first saw teeth means 10 comprises one fillet 13 having more than two, especially three or four or more saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14.

[0025] As can be seen, the second saw teeth means 12 comprises at least one recess 16 with adjacent side walls 17 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17. Furthermore, the second saw teeth means 12 comprises one recess 16 having more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17.

[0026] The first saw teeth means 10 and the second saw teeth means 12 are designed such that the first saw teeth means 10 having at least one fillet 13 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree and the second saw teeth means 12 having at least one recess 16 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree such that they interact with each other allowing a secure form fastening.

[0027] Figure 2 shows furthermore a second representation of a further embodiment of the invention having first saw teeth means 10 having two fillets 13 and having second saw teeth means 12 having two recesses 16.

[0028] Accordingly, the first saw teeth means 10 comprises at least two fillets 13 with adjacent side walls 14 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14, wherein the fillets 13 are spaced apart from each other. The first saw teeth means 10 comprises two fillets 13 having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14.

[0029] The second saw teeth means 12 comprises two recesses 16 with adjacent side walls 17 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17.

[0030] As can be seen, the second saw teeth means 12 comprises two recesses 16 with adjacent side walls 17 having more than one saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17, wherein the recesses 16 are spaced apart from each other. The second saw teeth means 12 comprises two recesses 16 having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17.

[0031] The design is such that the first saw teeth means 10 having at least one fillet 13 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree and the second saw teeth means 12 having at least one recess 16 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0019]Figure 1 shows an only partly representation of an electric heater 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The electric heater 1 has a heater core 2 and a control unit 3.

[0020]The heater core 2 has a first support structure 4 and the control unit 3 has a second support structure 5. The first support structure 4 might be a frame or a side wall or something similar. The second support structure 5 might be a housing or something similar.

[0021]As can be seen from Fig. 1 the heater core 2 and the control unit 3 are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure 4 is connected to the second support structure 5 by means of snap-fit means 6 only.

[0022]According to Fig. 1 the first support structure 4 comprises first snap-fit means 7 and the second support structure 5 comprises second snap-fit means 8 such that the first snap-fit means 7 are interacting with the second snap-fit means 8 to create a form locking connection between the heater core 2...

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric heater, especially for an automobile application, especially for a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning unit.Background of the invention

[0002] Electric heaters are composed of an electric heater core and a control unit box. Typically, the control unit box is mounted to the heater core to provide a whole unit to be mounted e.g. in a housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning unit.

[0003] The mechanical connection between the control unit box and the heater core is typically realised by using a standard clip and two screws in order to arrive at a safe and long lasting connection between the control unit box and the heater core. Nevertheless, such a mechanic connection needs time for the screwing operation and screws to be provided. Therefore, such screwing operation is associated with certain cost, which might be omitted.Description of the invention, aim, solution, advantages

[0004] It is the aim of the invention to create an electric hater core which is improved compared to the prior of the art and less costly.

[0005] The aim is solved with the features of claim 1.

[0006] One exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an electric heater having a heater core and a control unit, wherein the heater core having a first support structure and the control unit having a second support structure, wherein the heater core and the control unit are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure is connected to the second support structure by means of snap-fit means only. This design allows a fast and secure form locking connection between the heater core and the control unit which needs only short time to arrange the connection by shifting the snap-fit means together. No screwing operation is necessary. The first support structure might be a frame or a side wall or the like of the heater core and the second support structure might be a housing or the like of the control unit.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first support structure comprises first snap-fit means and the second support structure comprises second snap-fit means such that the first snap-fit means are interacting with the second snap-fit means to create a form locking connection between the heater core and the control unit. This allows a secure fastening of a long lasting connection by less necessary time to create the connection.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first snap-fit means having a first gliding area and first saw teeth means and the second snap-fit means having a second gliding area and second saw teeth means such that the first gliding area and the second gliding area are arranged to allow gliding of the first gliding area of the first snap-fit means on the second gliding area of the second snap-fit means and to allow gliding of the second gliding area of the second snap-fit means on the first gliding area of the first snap-fit means and the interlocking of the first saw teeth means with the second saw teeth means. The gliding areas allow proper alignment of the snap-fit means for the movement to allow the form locking action of the saw teeth means.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention it is furthermore of advantage that the first saw teeth means comprises at least one fillet with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw tooth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a secure form locking, especially with the embodiment having more than one saw tooth.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first saw teeth means comprises at least two fillets with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw tooth on each of the adjacent side walls, wherein the fillets are spaced apart from each other. This allows a secure form locking, especially with the embodiment having more than one saw tooth.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first saw teeth means comprises at least one fillet or fillets having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a secure form locking.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the second saw teeth means comprises at least one recess with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a secure form locking.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the second saw teeth means comprises at least two recesses with adjacent side walls having at least one or more than one saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls, wherein the recesses are spaced apart from each other. This allows a solid connection.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the second saw teeth means comprises at least one recess or recesses having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth on each of the adjacent side walls. This allows a solid connection.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention it is of advantage that the first saw teeth means having at least one fillet having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree and the second saw teeth means having at least one recess having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree. This allows a solid connection.

[0016] Further advantageous designs are described by the following description of the figures and by the dependent claims.Short description of the drawing figures

[0017] In the following, the invention will be further explained based on several example embodiments using the drawing figures.

[0018] In the figures: Fig. 1is an only partly representation of an electric heater according to a first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2is an only partly representation of an electric heater according to a second embodiment of the invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0019] Figure 1 shows an only partly representation of an electric heater 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The electric heater 1 has a heater core 2 and a control unit 3.

[0020] The heater core 2 has a first support structure 4 and the control unit 3 has a second support structure 5. The first support structure 4 might be a frame or a side wall or something similar. The second support structure 5 might be a housing or something similar.

[0021] As can be seen from Fig. 1 the heater core 2 and the control unit 3 are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure 4 is connected to the second support structure 5 by means of snap-fit means 6 only.

[0022] According to Fig. 1 the first support structure 4 comprises first snap-fit means 7 and the second support structure 5 comprises second snap-fit means 8 such that the first snap-fit means 7 are interacting with the second snap-fit means 8 to create a form locking connection between the heater core 2 and the control unit 3.

[0023] The first snap-fit means 7 having a first gliding area 9 and first saw teeth means 10 and the second snap-fit means 8 having a second gliding area 11 and second saw teeth means 12 such that the first gliding area 9 and the second gliding area 11 are arranged to allow gliding of the first gliding area 9 of the first snap-fit means 7 on the second gliding area 11 of the second snap-fit means 8 and to allow gliding of the second gliding area 11 of the second snap-fit means 8 on the first gliding area 9 of the first snap-fit means 7 and the interlocking of the first saw teeth means 10 with the second saw teeth means 12.

[0024] As can be seen, the first saw teeth means 10 comprises at least one fillet 13 with adjacent side walls 14 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14. In this embodiment the first saw teeth means 10 comprises one fillet 13 having more than two, especially three or four or more saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14.

[0025] As can be seen, the second saw teeth means 12 comprises at least one recess 16 with adjacent side walls 17 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17. Furthermore, the second saw teeth means 12 comprises one recess 16 having more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17.

[0026] The first saw teeth means 10 and the second saw teeth means 12 are designed such that the first saw teeth means 10 having at least one fillet 13 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree and the second saw teeth means 12 having at least one recess 16 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree such that they interact with each other allowing a secure form fastening.

[0027] Figure 2 shows furthermore a second representation of a further embodiment of the invention having first saw teeth means 10 having two fillets 13 and having second saw teeth means 12 having two recesses 16.

[0028] Accordingly, the first saw teeth means 10 comprises at least two fillets 13 with adjacent side walls 14 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14, wherein the fillets 13 are spaced apart from each other. The first saw teeth means 10 comprises two fillets 13 having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth 15 on each of the adjacent side walls 14.

[0029] The second saw teeth means 12 comprises two recesses 16 with adjacent side walls 17 having at least one or more than one saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17.

[0030] As can be seen, the second saw teeth means 12 comprises two recesses 16 with adjacent side walls 17 having more than one saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17, wherein the recesses 16 are spaced apart from each other. The second saw teeth means 12 comprises two recesses 16 having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth 18 on each of the adjacent side walls 17.

[0031] The design is such that the first saw teeth means 10 having at least one fillet 13 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree and the second saw teeth means 12 having at least one recess 16 having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0019]Figure 1 shows an only partly representation of an electric heater 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The electric heater 1 has a heater core 2 and a control unit 3.

[0020]The heater core 2 has a first support structure 4 and the control unit 3 has a second support structure 5. The first support structure 4 might be a frame or a side wall or something similar. The second support structure 5 might be a housing or something similar.

[0021]As can be seen from Fig. 1 the heater core 2 and the control unit 3 are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure 4 is connected to the second support structure 5 by means of snap-fit means 6 only.

[0022]According to Fig. 1 the first support structure 4 comprises first snap-fit means 7 and the second support structure 5 comprises second snap-fit means 8 such that the first snap-fit means 7 are interacting with the second snap-fit means 8 to create a form locking connection between the heater core 2...

Claims

1. An electric heater (1) having a heater core (2) and a control unit (3), wherein the heater core (2) having a first support structure (4) and the control unit (3) having a second support structure (5), wherein the heater core (2) and the control unit (3) are mechanically connected to each other such that the first support structure (4) is connected to the second support structure (5) by means of snap-fit means (6) only.

2. The electric heater (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first support structure (4) comprises first snap-fit means (7) and the second support structure (5) comprises second snap-fit means (8) such that the first snap-fit means (7) are interacting with the second snap-fit means (8) to create a form locking connection between the heater core (2) and the control unit (3).

3. The electric heater (1) according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the first snap-fit means (7) having a first gliding area (9) and first saw teeth means (10) and the second snap-fit means (8) having a second gliding area (11) and second saw teeth means (12) such that the first gliding area (9) and the second gliding area (11) are arranged to allow gliding of the first gliding area (9) of the first snap-fit means (7) on the second gliding area (11) of the second snap-fit means (8) and to allow gliding of the second gliding area (11) of the second snap-fit means (8) on the first gliding area (9) of the first snap-fit means (7) and the interlocking of the first saw teeth means (10) with the second saw teeth means (12).

4. The electric heater (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the first saw teeth means (10) comprises at least one fillet (13) with adjacent side (14) walls having at least one or more than one saw teeth (15) on each of the adjacent side walls (14).

5. The electric heater (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the first saw teeth means (10) comprises at least two fillets (13) with adjacent side walls (14) having at least one or more than one saw teeth (15) on each of the adjacent side walls (14), wherein the fillets (13) are spaced apart from each other.

6. The electric heater (1) according to claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the first saw teeth means (10) comprises at least one fillet (13) or fillets (13) having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth (15) on each of the adjacent side walls (14).

7. The electric heater (1) according to claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the second saw teeth means (12) comprises at least one recess (16) with adjacent side walls (14) having at least one or more than one saw teeth (15) on each of the adjacent side walls (14).

8. The electric heater (1) according to claim 3 to 7, characterised in that the second saw teeth means (12) comprises at least two recesses (16) with adjacent side walls (14) having at least one or more than one saw teeth (15) on each of the adjacent side walls (14), wherein the recesses (16) are spaced apart from each other.

9. The electric heater (1) according to claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the second saw teeth means (12) comprises at least one recess (16) or recesses (16) having each more than two, especially three, four or more, saw teeth (15) on each of the adjacent side walls (14).

10. The electric heater (1) according to claims 3 to 9, characterised in that the first saw teeth means (10) having at least one fillet (13) having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree and the second saw teeth means (12) having at least one recess (16) having a shape like a schematic Christmas tree.

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