Electric heating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical heating devices lack improved performance in terms of heat transfer efficiency and fluid flow management, particularly in high-voltage applications and in motor vehicle systems, where efficient heating and sealing are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The electrical heating device features heat-dissipating elements in contact with a flat tube under spring preload, forming a layered structure with heat-generating and heat-emitting elements, and includes PTC elements and conductor tracks with insulating layers, ensuring effective heat transfer and fluid flow management within a fluid-tight housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat-emitting elements are held against the flat tube under spring tension to improve heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the spring element and layered structure
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides dynamic compression force to maintain contact between the heat-emitting elements and the flat tube, allowing the system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while ensuring consistent thermal contact for efficient heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The layered structure combines multiple materials with different thermal conductivities and mechanical properties (heat-generating elements, heat-emitting elements, spring element) to optimize both thermal performance and structural integrity
2Reliability
If the housing is made fluid-tight to maintain sealed environment, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing employs a fluid-tight design with integrated sealing elements that create a sealed environment while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining reliability without requiring extreme manufacturing precision
3Reliability
If conductor tracks are accommodated within the flat tube with insulating layers for high-voltage applications, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor tracks are nested within the flat tube, with insulating layers positioned between the conductors and the tube wall, creating a compact high-voltage arrangement that enhances safety while minimizing space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Insulating layers serve as intermediary elements between the conductor tracks and the flat tube, providing electrical isolation and safety for high-voltage applications while maintaining a compact 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
This configuration enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces pressure loss, and maintains a sealed environment, making it suitable for high-voltage applications and motor vehicle systems while ensuring uniform fluid flow and efficient heating.
Implementation Method 1
the heat-emitting elements are held against the flat tube under spring tension. For this purpose, a spring element is typically provided on the side of the heat-emitting element facing away from the flat tube
Implementation Method 2
the heat-generating element preferably, but not necessarily, comprises at least one PTC element and conductive traces of different polarities energizing it
Implementation Method 3
This spring element thermally connects the heat-emitting elements to the flat tube(s) in a layered structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical heating device with a fluid-tight housing (2, 22, 24) with inlet and outlet openings (26) for the fluid to be heated and at least one heat-generating element (16) arranged in the housing (2, 22, 24). with at least one PTC element, which makes contact with conductor tracks of different polarities and is accommodated in a flat tube (28), and with heat-emitting elements (14) lying on opposite sides of the flat tube (28), characterized in that the heat-emitting elements (14 ) rest against the flat tube (28) under spring tension. In order to increase the power density, the present invention proposes placing the heat-dissipating elements (14) against the flat tube (28) under spring preload.