48 V PTC Standstill Heater for Battery-Safe Vehicle Warming
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric parking heaters relying on vehicle batteries struggle to provide sufficient heat output at low temperatures without depleting the battery capacity, making it difficult to both warm the vehicle interior and ensure reliable engine starting, especially in frosty conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electric parking heater using PTC heating elements designed for a 48 V operating voltage, which allows for four times longer operation with the same battery capacity and includes a control device that monitors battery state and automatically adjusts heating output to prevent excessive battery drain, ensuring reliable engine starting and efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional 12V electric heating elements are used with vehicle battery, then the heating device can be operated autonomously without mains connection, but the battery capacity is insufficient to provide both sufficient heat output and ensure reliable engine starting in frosty conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical system voltage parameter from conventional 12V to 48V. This parameter change allows the heating device to deliver four times more power (up to 2000W) while drawing the same current from the battery, thereby providing sufficient heating output without depleting battery capacity needed for engine starting.
2Power
If the battery capacity is increased to provide sufficient heat output at low temperatures, then the heating performance is improved, but the battery may no longer be sufficient for reliable engine starting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter from 12V to 48V, which allows achieving higher heating power (up to 2000W) without increasing battery capacity. The same battery capacity can now support both high-power heating and reliable engine starting due to the reduced current draw at higher voltage.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the vehicle electrical system voltage is increased to 48V, then the heating device can operate four times longer with the same battery capacity, but the system complexity increases with dual-voltage architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical system into two separate voltage networks: a 48V network for high-power consumers (heating, air conditioning, starter) and a 12V network for low-power consumers (control devices, electronics). This segmentation allows the heating device to operate four times longer with the same battery capacity while managing system complexity through functional separation.
4Reliability
If PTC heating elements are used for autonomous operation, then safety is improved through self-regulating properties, but the heating output may be insufficient without high-voltage supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PTC heating elements (which provide self-regulating safety) with a 48V voltage parameter change. This combination allows the self-regulating PTC elements to deliver up to 2000W of heating output at 48V, achieving both safety through self-regulation and sufficient heating power that would be impossible at conventional 12V.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The 48 V system enables prolonged and efficient heating performance without compromising the battery's ability to start the engine, maintaining comfort and functionality even in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
electric heating device with PTC heating elements
Implementation Method 2
PTC heating elements which prevent impermissible heating due to their self-regulating properties
Data Source
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AI summary
The heater has an electrical heating unit that is connected to terminal of battery of onboard network. A control device (18) is provided for switching electrical heating unit. The motor car onboard network is provided with a positive temperature co-efficient (PTC) heating element which is adapted to onboard network voltage. An independent claim is included for a motor car.