Electric heating device with electrode housing station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices for air-conditioning units in vehicles face challenges in producing a reliable electrical and mechanical connection between the heating body and the distribution unit, particularly due to difficulties in correctly positioning switches and electrodes during assembly and maintaining alignment to prevent vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
A docking station is introduced to facilitate the mechanical and electrical connection between the heating body and the distribution unit, featuring receptacles with guide means and flexible blades to secure switches and electrodes, ensuring correct positioning and stable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switches are soldered directly to the electronic board with dual connection (electronic board and electrode), then electrical connection is achieved, but positioning precision and assembly ease deteriorate due to difficulty in keeping switches in correct position and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station serves as an intermediary component between the electronic board and the electrodes. It provides receptacles that accommodate switches and electrodes, with guide means that ensure correct positioning and orientation during assembly. The docking station simplifies the connection process by providing a stable base and reference for positioning all components, while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the switches soldered to the electronic board.
2Reliability
If switches are positioned and soldered directly to the electronic board, then electrical connection is established, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving correct switch orientation and position
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station acts as a mediator that improves manufacturing precision by providing receptacles with guide means (such as guide ramps or positioning features) that ensure switches and electrodes are correctly positioned and oriented during assembly. This intermediary structure makes it easier to achieve precise alignment without requiring high-precision manual positioning during soldering.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical connection is produced between switches and electronic board, then structural stability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to need for both mechanical and electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station merges the mechanical support function and the electrical connection function into a single integrated structure. The receptacles of the docking station provide both mechanical accommodation for the switches and electrodes, and guide means for precise positioning. This merging reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one component rather than requiring separate mechanical fixtures and electrical connectors.
Data Source
AI summary
Heating device 1 for an air conditioning unit, the said heating device 1 comprising a heating body 2 powered with current via a distribution unit 3 to heat a flow of air passing through the said heating body 2, the heating body 2 comprising an alignment of tubes 4 in which there are: —heating elements 8 through which the said current passes; —electrodes 9 situated on each side of the heating elements 8 in order to supply them with electrical current. This heating device 1 is characterised in that the distribution units 3 comprises an electrode housing station 6 housing the electrodes 9, the said housing station 6 having a plurality of housings 17 to house the electrodes 9 and in which there are means for mechanically and electrically connecting the electrodes 9 to the distribution unit 3.