Electrical Adapter With Integrated Supply Current Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited installation space in electronic control systems of heating devices for motor vehicles makes it difficult to integrate filter devices directly, occupying valuable space and limiting the placement of other electronic elements.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a filter device for electric supply current filtration within the electrical adapter rather than the control unit, allowing for effective filtering of high-frequency components and current peaks while preserving space for other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter device is integrated directly into the electronic control system, then effective filtering of supply current is achieved, but installation space for other electronic elements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical adapter is divided into functionally independent components: signal lines for control signals, supply lines for power, and a filter device for current filtering. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and arranged in space without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between filtering effectiveness and installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter device is arranged in three-dimensional space adjacent to the supply lines rather than being planarly integrated on the circuit board. This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension maintains effective filtering while preserving valuable two-dimensional installation space for other electronic elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If a filter device is integrated into the electrical adapter, then installation space in the control system is preserved, but the distance from supply lines increases potentially reducing filtering effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidfiltering effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is positioned locally adjacent to the supply lines at the point where filtering is most needed, rather than being centrally located in the adapter. This local placement ensures effective filtering of supply current while maintaining compact overall adapter dimensions, preserving installation space in the control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If installation space is optimized by leaving out filter device space during control system construction, then more space is available for other components, but the filter device must be integrated into the adapter increasing adapter complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidadapter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is merged with the electrical adapter structure, forming an integrated assembly. This combining approach consolidates multiple functions (signal transmission, power supply, and filtering) into a single adapter unit, maintaining compact overall dimensions while preserving installation space in the control system, despite increased adapter internal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ensures effective filtering of electric supply currents, maintains installation space for other components, and simplifies manufacturing by allowing the filter device to be placed at a short distance from electrical supply lines, enhancing operational reliability and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

it is generally required to electrically filter the electric supply current flowing from the electric energy source to the control unit, in order to remove or at least dampen electric current peaks and other high-frequency components from the supply current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentEP4048038B1Electrical adapter
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP4048038B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4048038B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical adapter (1) for electrically connecting a control unit (20) of a heating device to an electric energy source (21) and an electrical signal source (22). The adapter (1) comprises a support (2) of an electrically insulating plastic material (K). The adapter (1) furthermore comprises at least one electrical signal line (3) for the electrical signal transmission, wherein this signal line (3) is embedded in the plastic material (K) of the support (2). Furthermore, the adapter (1) comprises a first and a second electrical supply line (8a, 8b) for the electric energy transmission, wherein these supply lines (8a, 8b) are embedded in the plastic material (K) of the support (2). Furthermore, the adapter (1) comprises a filter device (10) arranged on the support (2) for filtering an electric supply current conducted via the electrical supply lines (8a, 8b), wherein the electrical filter device (10) with a first electrical filter connection (11a) is connected to the first electrical supply line (8a) and with a second electrical filter connection (11b) is electrically connected to the second electrical supply line (8b).