Control Device and Electric Heating Device Comprising the Same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for electric heating systems in motor vehicles with PTC elements face challenges in efficiently applying power switches under pretension against cooling elements, particularly due to structural limitations and vibration resistance requirements, leading to suboptimal heat transfer and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A control device featuring a pre-assembled module with a hold-down device made of elastic plastic, which applies power switches under pretension against a cooling element using a spring device, ensuring effective heat transfer and cost-effective manufacturing by integrating the hold-down device and spring device within the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a power switch is applied under pretension against a cooling element using a separate hold-down device and spring device, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the hold-down device and spring device into a single pre-assembled module that is directly connected to the cooling element. This merging of components simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the pretensioning function necessary for efficient heat transfer from the power switch to the cooling element.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold-down device and spring device are pre-assembled into a module before installation. This preliminary assembly ensures that the power switch is automatically applied under pretension against the cooling element upon installation, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If control components are made vibration-resistant with tight housing, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control device into distinct modules: a control housing containing control components and a separate pre-assembled module containing the power switch, hold-down device, and cooling element. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for vibration resistance while simplifying assembly through standardized connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The power switch assembly with hold-down device and cooling element is pre-assembled into a complete module before installation in the control housing. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and vibration resistance while reducing the complexity of final assembly, as the entire power switching assembly can be installed as a single unit.
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 enables efficient heat extraction from power switches, maintains structural integrity under vibrations, and simplifies manufacturing by using a pre-assembled module with a spring device for pretensioning power switches against the cooling surface, enhancing both heat transfer and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a hold-down device (52) made of elastic plastic, which applies power switches under pretension against a cooling element using a spring device
Implementation Method 2
The power switch is not only provided with a cooling element which dissipates the power loss and accordingly counteracts overheating of the power switch
Data Source
AI summary
A control device and electric heating device having such a control device are disclosed. The control device has a control housing which surrounds a printed circuit board, which has a partition wall provided with a cooling element, and which accommodates at least one power switch that makes contact with the printed circuit board and that is applied in a heat-conducting manner against the cooling element via a hold-down device. The power switch and the hold-down device are realized in a pre-assembled module connected to the cooling element.