Fluid Heater with Enlarged Flow Section for Improved Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid heating systems for internal combustion engines, particularly in motor vehicles, face challenges in efficiently heating fluids like fuel, oil, or urea solutions, especially at low ambient temperatures, which affects flowability and pressure differences across filter elements.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates electrically operated heating elements arranged between two holding bodies in a heating chamber, with increased distance between them outside the contact section to allow for uniform fluid flow and improved heat dissipation, using temperature-dependent PTC elements for self-regulation and reduced risk of electrical shorts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between holding bodies is reduced to compact the heating system, then the size of the heating system is reduced, but the fluid flowability and heat dissipation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different distance characteristics in different regions of the heating system. The distance between holding bodies is smaller in the contact section region (where heating elements are located) and larger in the enlarged section region (where fluid flows). This local differentiation allows compact heating while maintaining fluid flowability, resolving the contradiction between system size and fluid flowability.
2Reliability
If the distance between holding bodies is increased to improve fluid flowability, then the fluid flowability is improved, but the size of the heating system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a spatially differentiated structure where the holding bodies have different distances in different regions. The enlarged section provides increased distance for improved fluid flowability and heat dissipation, while the contact section maintains smaller distance for compact heating. This local quality approach resolves the contradiction by allowing both improved fluid flowability and controlled system size.
3Productivity
If PTC elements are used for self-regulation, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the risk of electrical shorts increases due to closer proximity of conductive parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different distance characteristics to different functional regions. In the contact section where heating elements are located, the distance is smaller for compact heating. In the enlarged section, the distance is larger to reduce electrical short risk and improve heat dissipation. This spatial differentiation allows PTC elements to provide self-regulation and heating efficiency while the enlarged section mitigates electrical short risks.
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 design enhances heating efficiency, reduces the risk of electrical shorts, and improves fluid flowability, achieving better heat dissipation and cooling while maintaining or reducing the size of the heating system, thus improving cold start behavior and reducing pressure differences across filter elements.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically operated heating element is arranged between two holding bodies in such a way that it is in electrical and thermal contact with at least one contact section of at least one of the holding bodies
Implementation Method 2
it is in electrical and thermal contact with at least one contact section of at least one of the holding bodies
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fluid system (10), in particular a filter system, for fluid, in particular fuel, oil, water or urea solution, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, is described, comprising at least one heating device (26) for the fluid and a heating device (26). At least one heating chamber (14) has at least one inlet (18) and at least one outlet for the fluid. In the at least one heating chamber (14), at least one electrically operated heating element (32) is arranged between two holding bodies (28, 30) such that it is in electrical and thermal contact with at least one of the holding bodies (28, 30) via at least one contact section (40, 52).At least one inner volume region (58) between the two retaining bodies (28, 30) and at least one outer volume region (62, 64) on an outer surface of at least one of the retaining bodies (28, 30) facing away from the at least one inner volume region (58) are permeable to the fluid. In at least one enlarged section of the at least one inner volume region (58), the distance between the two retaining bodies (28, 30) is greater than the distance between the retaining bodies (28, 30) in a region of the at least one contact section (40, 52), at least on its circumferential side facing the at least one enlarged section.