A heating device for electrically heating a heat transfer fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric heating devices for vehicles are prone to damage due to trapped air bubbles that can cause electrical heating elements to burn when they are not fully submerged in the heat transfer fluid, particularly in certain orientations.
Innovation Solution
The device features a circulation chamber with partitioned internal spaces and controlled fluid flow paths to ensure that electrical heating elements are fully submerged, preventing air bubbles from forming and minimizing the risk of element damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating elements are arranged in a circulation chamber with internal spaces, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but air bubbles may become trapped causing element damage
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation chamber is divided into multiple internal spaces separated by partitions, with each space containing heating elements. This segmentation allows independent filling and air bubble management in each compartment, preventing trapped air from damaging entire heating elements while maintaining efficient heat transfer surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements are positioned and secured in the circulation chamber before the heat transfer fluid is introduced. This preliminary arrangement ensures that elements are properly oriented and supported prior to filling, preventing air bubbles from becoming trapped between the elements and chamber walls during operation.
2Power
If heating elements occupy substantial volume in the circulation chamber, then heating capacity is improved, but space for fluid circulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation chamber incorporates localized circulation paths and flow channels that are strategically positioned around the heating elements. These localized fluid pathways ensure adequate flow circulation in specific areas without requiring the heating elements to occupy less volume, thus maintaining high heating capacity while ensuring sufficient fluid movement for heat transfer.
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 solution effectively prevents electrical heating element damage by ensuring full submersion, enhancing the device's operational reliability and efficiency across various mounting orientations.
Implementation Method 1
an electric current is circulated to raise the temperature of an electric heating element onboard this heating device
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchange takes place between the electric heating element and the liquid intended for heating the passenger compartment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A heating device (100) for electrically heating a heat transfer fluid, comprising a housing (110) delimiting an internal volume (114) which comprises at least one chamber (150) delimited by an outer wall (159) for circulation of a heat transfer fluid, the circulation chamber (150) having at least a first internal space (151 ) and at least a second internal space (152) separated from each other, at least partly, by a partition (153) with a passage (156) formed so as to allow circulation of the heat transfer fluid there between, an inlet hydraulic connection member (103) connected to the first internal space (151 ) and an outlet hydraulic connection member (104) connected to the second internal space (152), at least one first electrical heating element (154) received in the first internal space (151 ) of the chamber (150) and at least one second electrical heating element (155) received in the second internal space (152), the heating device (100) being configured for mounting and operation in a horizontal position in which the first internal space (151 ) and the second internal space (152) are arranged substantially on the same level with respect to the ground, wherein that the outlet hydraulic connection member (104) is arranged at the substantially top portion of the second internal space (152) when the heating device (100) is in the horizontal position.