Fluid-Heating Device with Electric Component Cooling via Fluid Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-heating devices face challenges in effectively cooling electric components due to heat conduction from the heater and switching elements, leading to potential overheating and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The fluid-heating device design includes a top-plate portion that forms a fluid chamber, where electric components are positioned on the outer side, allowing heat generated by these components to be transferred to the flowing fluid, thereby cooling them efficiently. This configuration integrates a helical-shaped heater and a heating portion that covers the heater, increasing the heat transfer area and directing the fluid flow to enhance cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric components are provided at the upper wall portion of the tank, then the heater can be controlled effectively, but the electric components overheat due to heat conduction from the heater and heat generation from the switching element
Solution Approach 1:
The electric components are extracted from the upper wall portion and relocated to the outer side of the fluid chamber along the top-plate portion. This spatial separation removes the electric components from the high-temperature zone, allowing them to be cooled by the fluid flowing through the fluid chamber while maintaining their control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The top-plate portion serves as an intermediary structure that enables the electric components to be positioned on the outer side of the fluid chamber while maintaining thermal coupling with the cooling fluid. This intermediary placement allows heat transfer from the electric components to the fluid without direct contact with the heater.
2Temperature
If the electric components are cooled by the fluid, then the temperature control is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid chamber serves multiple functions: it heats the fluid passing through it and simultaneously cools the electric components positioned on its outer side. This multi-functionality achieves cooling without adding separate cooling structures, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function for electric components is merged with the existing fluid heating function. The same fluid that absorbs heat from the heater also passes by the electric components to absorb their heat, combining heating and cooling operations into a single integrated system.
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
The solution effectively cools electric components by transferring heat to the fluid, improving heat transfer efficiency for both heating the fluid and managing the temperature of the electric components, thus enhancing the overall performance and reducing the risk of overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (21) having a heat generating part (21c) that generates heat upon application of current
Implementation Method 2
the heat generated by the electric components is transferred via the top-plate portion (23) to the fluid flowing through the fluid chamber (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid-heating device for heating fluid includes: a heater having a heat generating part, the heat generating part being configured to generate heat upon application of current; an electric component configured to control the application of the current to the heater; a tank having an opening portion, the tank being configured to accommodate the heat generating part; a top-plate portion configured to close the opening portion of the tank, the top-plate portion being configured to form a fluid chamber through which the fluid flows; and a first communication port and a second communication port configured to allow the fluid to flow through the fluid chamber; wherein the electric component is provided on an outer side of the fluid chamber along the top-plate portion.