Clamping Ring Heating Element for Hose Line Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for connecting hose lines with electrical heating elements are complex, prone to manufacturing issues, and difficult to assemble safely and reliably, particularly due to the need for intricate guide elements and risk of damage to heating wires during the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A clamping ring with an embedded electric heating element that surrounds the connector, featuring spaced electrical conductor tracks connected by heating resistors, allowing for easy and automated assembly and ensuring even heating over the connector's circumference and length, with components protected by a flowable plastic and silicone seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heating lance is provided to heat the liquid directly, then the liquid can be reliably heated, but the system structure becomes complicated and sealing problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating reliabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from the connector body and transferred to a separate clamping ring that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This removes the complex heating lance structure from the main connector, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable heating through the clamping ring's heating element that contacts the pipeline externally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If the connector is overmoulded or encapsulated to protect the heating wire, then mechanical protection is provided, but the heating wire may be damaged during manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical protectionVSAvoidheating wire integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is segmented from the connector body and placed in a separate clamping ring. This segmentation allows the heating element to be positioned in a protected recess within the clamping ring structure, shielding it from damage during overmoulding while still enabling the clamping ring to provide mechanical protection to the pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If guide elements are provided on the connector surface for the heating wire, then the heating wire can be guided, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and difficult to automate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating wire guidanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance function for the heating element is merged into the clamping ring structure itself, which is then assembled as a single unit onto the pipeline. This eliminates the need for separate guide elements on the connector surface, simplifying the manufacturing process and enabling automated assembly while still providing proper positioning and protection for the heating element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides reliable and efficient heating of hose lines, simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process, reduces the risk of damage, and allows for easy retrofitting of heating elements, ensuring consistent heat output and protection from environmental influences.

Implementation Method 1

the heating element with a heating lance which protrudes into the pipeline of the plug connector and there heats the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

components protected by a flowable plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

silicone seals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic sealing: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2496874B1System for connecting hose lines
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 CONTITECH TECHNO CHEMIE GMBH
  • EP2496874B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2496874B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2496874B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A system for connecting hose lines, consisting of a plug-in connector (2) and an electric heating element (36), - wherein the plug-in connector (2) has at least one first (4) and one second connection (6) which are connected to one another by a pipeline (8), and wherein - at least one section of the pipeline (8) can be heated by the electric heating element (36), wherein the electric heating element (36) is embedded into a clamping ring (10) with a gap (12), wherein the pipeline (8) is pushed through the gap (12) of the clamping ring (10) in such a way that the clamping ring (10) reaches around at least one section of the pipeline (8) and bears against the pipeline (8).