Heating electric radiator and method for controlling a heating electric radiator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric radiators face challenges in controlling temperature differentials with the environment, leading to overheating issues and inefficient thermal power delivery due to size limitations and complex, costly temperature regulation systems, which result in intermittent operation and reduced thermal energy supply.
Innovation Solution
A power controller integrated into the control unit manages the energy supplied to the resistive heating element using an on-off system to maintain temperature within preset thresholds, ensuring the radiator operates within regulatory limits by limiting energy input based on detected power levels, allowing for size reduction without compromising thermal power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If temperature regulation systems with thermostats are used to prevent overheating, then overheating is avoided, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from a separate thermostat component and integrates it directly into the heating element structure. The thermistor is embedded within the resistive element itself, allowing temperature monitoring at the critical location without adding external control hardware. This reduces device complexity while maintaining effective overheating prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element performs dual functions: generating heat through resistance and sensing temperature through the embedded thermistor. The element serves itself by providing both the heating function and the temperature monitoring function, eliminating the need for separate thermostat devices and reducing overall system complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermostats are used for temperature control, then overheating is prevented, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensing function with the heating element by embedding a thermistor directly into the resistive element structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate thermostat components, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective temperature control.
3Temperature
If known temperature control systems are used, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but control precision is reduced due to thermal inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature monitoring function to be performed locally at multiple critical points within the heating element structure itself, rather than using a single external sensor. The thermistor is embedded within the resistive element to directly measure the temperature at the heat generation source, providing precise real-time data without the delays caused by thermal inertia of external sensing systems.
4Volume of moving object
If radiators are made smaller to reduce encumbrance, then space is saved, but thermal power delivery is compromised due to size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the heating element by using a microprocessor-based control system that dynamically adjusts power delivery based on real-time temperature feedback from the embedded thermistor. This allows the radiator to maintain high thermal power output in a compact size by optimizing the heating cycle, preventing overheating through precise control rather than relying on larger surface area for heat dissipation.
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 solution enables efficient, long-term thermal power delivery corresponding to nominal electric power, reduces temperature fluctuations, and provides accurate energy consumption feedback while adhering to overheating regulations, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional temperature control systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heating element (i.e. with an electrical supply) which, when supplied with electric power, heats up and in turn heats the heat exchange surfaces and/or a heating fluid
Implementation Method 2
heats the heat exchange surfaces and/or a heating fluid circulating in a circuit inside the radiator and transferring heat to the heat exchange surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An electric radiator (1) for space heating comprises a body (2) provided with an inner cavity (3) and outer heat exchange surfaces (4); an electric power heating element (5) housed in the cavity (3); an electric power supply connection (6) connectable to an external power network; and a control unit (7) connected to the power supply connection (6) and to the heating element (5) for controlling the power supply of the heating element (5); the control unit (7) includes a power controller (9), configured to detect the power supplied to the heating element (5) and to operate, when it detects a power supplied to the heating element (5) greater than a preset threshold value, to limit the energy supplied to the heating element (5).