Electrical heating device comprising earthing means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices for air-conditioning housings in motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently earthing metal elements due to increased connections and potential interference within limited spaces, leading to complex and time-consuming assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A single earthing circuit is created by arranging metal elements in series through direct contact, eliminating the need for specific wiring and simplifying the earthing process, with the earthing circuit passing through a metal heat dissipation plate and heat sinks, and connecting to an earthing stud via a conductive metal bar that also serves to stiffen the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each metal element is connected to a stud via earth cables, then electrical safety is ensured, but the number of connections increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate earthing connections are merged into a single integrated earthing circuit. The circuit combines multiple metal elements (heating body frame, distribution unit housing, heat dissipation plate) into one continuous conductive path that connects to a single stud, eliminating the need for multiple separate earth cables while maintaining electrical safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The earthing circuit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical safety by earthing all metal elements, acts as a structural component connecting different parts of the heating device, and eliminates the need for separate wiring while reducing assembly complexity. The single circuit performs what previously required multiple dedicated connections.
2Reliability
If multiple earth cables are used to connect metal elements to the stud, then electrical continuity is ensured, but space requirements increase and interference risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple parallel earth cables occupying different spatial paths are merged into a single integrated earthing circuit that traverses through the heating body and distribution unit. This consolidation reduces the total volume occupied by earthing components while maintaining electrical continuity across all metal elements through the integrated circuit path.
3Reliability
If multiple earth cables are used to connect metal elements to the stud, then electrical safety is ensured, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earthing circuit is designed and integrated into the heating device structure during manufacturing, with metal elements pre-configured to form continuous conductive paths. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for time-consuming assembly of multiple separate earth cables during device assembly, as the earthing function is already built-in through the integrated circuit.
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 simplifies the earthing process, reduces component complexity, and eliminates the need for additional wiring, while ensuring safe electrical continuity and structural integrity within the compact space of the heating device.
Implementation Method 1
heating elements supplied with electric current by electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a single earthing circuit traversing the heating body and the distribution unit and formed by arranging said metal elements in series through direct contact between said metal elements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating device (1) for an air-conditioning housing, said heating device (1) comprising a heating body (2) supplied with current for heating an air flow passing through said heating body (2), said heating body (2) comprising heating elements through which said current passes and which are arranged in electrically insulated tubes (4) of the heating elements, said heating elements being controlled via a distribution unit (3), said heating device (1) comprising means for earthing a plurality of metal elements distributed in the heating body (2) and the distribution unit (3). Said heating device (1) is characterised in that said earthing means consist of a single earthing circuit which passes through the heating body (2) and the distribution unit (3) and is formed by arranging said metal elements in series with direct contact between said metal elements.