Electrical heating device for motor vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices in motor vehicles fail to detect and prevent undesired temperature increases when a part of the heating surface is partially covered, leading to potential damage to objects or the device itself due to inadequate temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A radiant heating device equipped with both a point temperature sensor and a two-dimensional temperature sensor, along with a control system that determines a differential temperature indication to detect partial coverage and activates a protective operating mode with reduced heat output to prevent critical temperature increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a point temperature sensor is used to monitor heating surface temperature, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision is insufficient to detect local temperature increases caused by partial coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The heating surface is divided into multiple temperature zones, each monitored by its own temperature sensor. This segmentation allows local temperature increases in covered areas to be detected independently, resolving the contradiction between simple device configuration and precise measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based temperature measurement to area-based temperature measurement by using temperature sensors that measure average temperature over surface areas. This dimensional change enables detection of local temperature increases while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
2Productivity
If the heating surface temperature is increased to improve heating efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to potential damage from overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously receives temperature indications from multiple temperature sensors and adjusts the heat output accordingly. When local temperature increases are detected in covered areas, the system reduces heat output to prevent damage, while maintaining efficient heating in uncovered areas. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction between heating efficiency and damage risk.
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
Effectively detects partial coverage of the heating surface and reduces heat output to prevent damage, ensuring safe operation and maintaining optimal temperature control even when the surface is partially obstructed.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for providing heat output
Implementation Method 2
heating devices can be provided as radiant heating devices. Radiant heating devices likewise have surfaces as heated surfaces which, at surface temperatures of, for example, between 40 and 150° C., lead to noticeable thermal radiation for the vehicle occupants
Implementation Method 3
The temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the heating device at a point or averaged over a surface area
Data Source
AI summary
A radiant heating device for producing radiant heat in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a heating surface for emitting heat radiation, a heating element for providing heating power, a first temperature sensor for detecting a first temperature in a specific spot and for providing a corresponding first temperature indication, and a second temperature sensor for detecting a second temperature on the surface and for providing a corresponding second temperature indication. In order to detect a local over-heating of the heating surface, a difference between the two temperature indications is determined. In the event of a defect, a protective operating mode is then selected.