Conductive Wire Mat for Deicing and Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preventing icing on objects exposed to weather environments, achieving reliable temperature measurement and regulation, and addressing operational disturbances such as crack formation and safety issues in mobile products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mat constructed from electrically conductive wire or tape with an insulating layer, integrated with incompletely cured thermosetting plastic mats, which provides heating and temperature control for deicing, crack indication, and temperature regulation, allowing for flexible integration and adaptation to various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heating elements are integrated into the product structure, then deicing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating elements, temperature sensors, and structural components into an integrated mat system. The heating elements are embedded within the mat structure itself, merging multiple functions (heating, sensing, structural support) into a single integrated component rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains heating elements for deicing, incorporates temperature sensors for monitoring, and acts as an application layer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are distributed throughout the product, then temperature measurement reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is divided into multiple segments or zones, each equipped with its own temperature sensor. This segmentation allows distributed temperature monitoring across different areas of the product, improving overall measurement reliability while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors are pre-integrated into the mat structure during manufacturing, rather than being installed separately later. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall manufacturing process by combining multiple steps into one coordinated operation.
3Strength
If thermosetting plastic is used as application material, then structural strength is improved, but curing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is divided into stages with periodic heating cycles. The mat applies heat in controlled intervals or gradients, allowing the thermosetting plastic to cure progressively from one region to another, reducing total curing time while maintaining final structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing process utilizes changes in temperature parameters over time and space. By controlling the temperature profile (increasing temperature gradually or applying heat to different zones at different times), the curing speed is optimized without compromising the final strength properties of the thermosetting plastic.
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
Enables effective prevention of ice formation, reliable temperature management, and early detection of operational disturbances, offering both technical and economic advantages through adaptable and efficient heating solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A method in the manufacture of a product or in the completion of a product, characterised in that an electrically conductive wire (11) or tape with an electrically insulating outer layer is used, wherein the wire (11) or tape is adapted to map a risk of ice formation and/or to supply heat
Implementation Method 2
at least one partial mat (25, 26) of incompletely cured thermosetting plastic, wherein the wire (11) or tape is anchored coherently in the at least one partial mat (25, 26) of incompletely cured thermosetting plastic
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacture of a product or in completion of a product. A flexible mat (20) is manufactured from an incompletely cured thermo-setting plastic, wherein the mat comprises an article (10) of electrically conductive material. The incompletely cured mat (20) including the article (10) is then formed as a function of a forming tool or to lie against or for contact with a product, whereafter final curing of the mat (20) is executed by supplying electric power to the article (10) or by external heat application or ultraviolet light. The invention also relates to an arrangement and uses.