Elastic Clamping Section for PTC Heating Element Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling and holding bodies for heating elements in control cabinets face challenges with material fatigue due to temperature changes, leading to reduced clamping force and potential device failure, as they rely on plastic deformation for fixation which is not optimal for frequent temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A cooling and holding body with a flat housing and heating shafts that utilize elastically deformable clamping sections to maintain a constant clamping force, preventing material fatigue and ensuring consistent heat transfer by using side slots to adjust the distance between shaft walls and applying contact pressure through outwardly projecting clamping sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If plastic deformation is used to clamp heating elements, then initial clamping force is achieved, but clamping force reduces due to material fatigue from temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deformation parameter from plastic (permanent) to elastic (reversible), allowing the clamping section to continuously adapt to temperature-induced dimensional changes while maintaining constant clamping force through elastic recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping section is designed as a dynamic elastic element that can deform and recover in response to temperature changes, rather than a static plastic deformation structure, enabling continuous adaptation to thermal cycling conditions
2Force
If side walls are folded inwards to clamp heating element, then holding force is achieved, but plastic deformation occurs which is not optimal for frequent temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deformation parameter from plastic (permanent) to elastic (reversible), allowing the clamping section to continuously adapt to temperature-induced dimensional changes while maintaining constant clamping force through elastic recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping section is designed as a dynamic elastic element that can deform and recover in response to temperature changes, rather than a static plastic deformation structure, enabling continuous adaptation to thermal cycling conditions
3Force
If double wedge arrangement with adjusting screw is used, then clamping force can be adjusted, but structure becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjusting screw and double wedge mechanism from the design, replacing them with a simple elastic clamping section that achieves adjustable and adaptive clamping force through material elasticity alone, significantly simplifying the structure
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clamping section serves itself by automatically adjusting its clamping force in response to temperature changes and heating element dimensional variations, eliminating the need for external adjusting mechanisms
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 a consistently high clamping force that remains constant despite temperature changes, ensuring maximum heat transfer and preventing device failure by using elastic deformation within the material's elastic limit, eliminating the need for readjustment and reducing buckling risks.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping section spans the side slot and is elastically deformed when the heating element is in the installed state in order to generate a contact pressure force of the shaft walls which acts on the heating element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling and holding device for heating-elements (10), more particularly PTC heating-elements, comprising a flat housing (11) having at least one heating shaft (12) in which there is at least one heating-element (10), wherein the heating shaft (12) has opposing shaft walls (13a, 13b) between which the heating-element (10) is clamped, and at least one side slit (14) that separates the shaft walls (13a, 13b) such that the distance between the shaft walls (13a, 13b) can be varied for installation of the heating-element (10), wherein at least one clamping section (15) outwardly protruding from the flat housing (11), grips the flat housing, spanning the side slit (14), and is elastically deformed in the mounted state of the heating-element (10) so as to provide a pressing force of the shaft walls (13a, 13b) on the heating-element (10) in the assembled state.