Heating device for fluid, in particular for a vehicle
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement solutions for fluid heating devices in vehicles are not satisfactory in terms of simplicity, ease of positioning, and reliability for interacting with control circuits of electric heating elements.
Innovation Solution
An electric fluid heating device with thermal sensors positioned on an electronic card, thermally connected to a housing chamber via a thermal drain, allowing indirect temperature reading of the heating elements and heat transfer fluid, and integrated into the housing during molding for simplified manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal sensors are positioned directly in contact with the first chamber to measure fluid temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal drain as an intermediary component that conducts heat from the first chamber to the electronic card where sensors are positioned. This mediator allows indirect temperature measurement without direct sensor contact with the fluid chamber, simplifying positioning while maintaining measurement accuracy through thermal conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact measurement (sensors touching the chamber) with thermal field measurement (sensors detecting temperature through the thermal drain). This substitution uses thermal conduction principles to achieve measurement without complex mechanical positioning.
2Reliability
If thermal sensors are positioned directly in the first chamber to access fluid temperature, then reliability of temperature reading is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal drain serves as a reliable thermal pathway that faithfully transmits temperature information from the first chamber to the sensors on the electronic card. This intermediary ensures reliable temperature readings while allowing sensors to be manufactured and positioned on the electronic card rather than directly in the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the sensors from a three-dimensional position inside the first chamber to a two-dimensional plane on the electronic card, while maintaining thermal connection through the thermal drain. This dimensional transition simplifies manufacturing by allowing standard electronic card assembly processes.
3Ease of operation
If sensors are positioned away from the first chamber on the electronic card, then ease of operation and manufacturing are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal drain acts as an extended thermal sensor that bridges the gap between the first chamber and the electronic card. This intermediary maintains thermal coupling over the distance, allowing easy sensor positioning on the electronic card while preserving measurement precision through efficient thermal conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal drain is pre-integrated into the housing structure (preferably during molding), establishing a ready-made thermal pathway before the sensors are positioned on the electronic card. This preliminary action ensures thermal connection is already in place, simplifying subsequent sensor installation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
4Productivity
If thermal drain is integrated during housing molding, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal drain is merged with the housing structure, forming an integrated component that is manufactured together with the housing (preferably during molding). This merging eliminates separate manufacturing and assembly steps, improving productivity while the thermal drain's simple geometric form minimizes the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is given multi-functionality by incorporating the thermal drain function directly into it. The housing not only contains the fluid chamber but also provides the thermal conduction pathway, eliminating the need for a separate thermal drain component and simplifying the overall device structure.
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
Provides a reliable and easy-to-implement temperature measurement solution that effectively interacts with the control circuit, enhancing the heating performance and manufacturing efficiency of the device.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal drain allows the sensors to access the temperature of the electrical heating elements and/or the heat transfer fluid contained in said first chamber from the temperature reading of a wall of said first chamber
Implementation Method 2
an electric current is circulated to raise the temperature of electric heating elements brought into contact with the heat transfer liquid
Implementation Method 3
heating of the air intended for the thermal treatment of the passenger compartment of a vehicle by heat exchange between a flow of air and a heat transfer liquid, by means of a heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric fluid-heating device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing having a first fluid-circulation chamber (21), at least one electric heating element (4) for heating the fluid in said first chamber (21), an electronic board (81) for controlling a current circulating in said electric heating element or elements (4), at least one thermal sensor. Said device is characterised in that the thermal sensor or sensors are positioned on the electronic board (81) and thermally connected to the first chamber (21) via a heat sink (9).