Fluid heating heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid heating heaters for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature distribution and experiencing differential pressure due to parallel flow paths, limiting design freedom and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The fluid heating heater features series flow paths on a main plate with isotropically disposed flow path protrusions, allowing interchangeable inlet and outlet usage, and adjustable heating element and protrusion height/size to ensure uniform temperature distribution and reduce differential pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parallel flow paths are used, then the heater can handle higher flow rates, but differential pressure increases and design freedom decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple series-connected channels with protrusions, creating multiple flow stages rather than parallel paths. This segmentation allows the fluid to progress through controlled stages, managing pressure differential while maintaining flow rate capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions extend into the flow path from the plate surface, adding a vertical dimension to an otherwise planar flow path. This three-dimensional structure creates flow resistance control without requiring parallel path configurations, thereby managing differential pressure while preserving design flexibility.
2Power
If parallel flow paths are used, then heating capacity increases, but design freedom and structural flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The series flow path configuration with adjustable protrusions allows dynamic optimization of flow characteristics and heating distribution. The design can be adapted to different flow rates, temperatures, and geometric constraints, providing versatility that rigid parallel path designs cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the number, height, and distribution of protrusions in the series flow path, the heating capacity and flow characteristics can be optimized without being constrained by parallel path geometry. This parameter adjustment provides design freedom while maintaining heating performance.
3Stress or pressure
If series flow paths are used, then differential pressure is reduced and design freedom increases, but heating uniformity must be carefully controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are strategically positioned at different locations along the series flow path, with varying heights and densities to create localized flow control. This local quality variation ensures uniform heat distribution by adjusting flow residence time and velocity in different regions, compensating for the series configuration's potential temperature non-uniformity.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed inlet and outlet positions are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but interchangeability and operational flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The series flow path design with symmetrically positioned protrusions allows the heater to function with interchangeable inlet and outlet configurations. The same structure supports both standard and reversed flow directions, providing multi-functionality without complicating manufacturing, as the protrusion pattern remains consistent.
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 prevents differential pressure and enhances design freedom while ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the fluid flow path, improving heating efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element mounted on a lower surface of the main plate to transfer heat to the main plate
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid heating heater according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a main body in which a flow path through which a fluid flows in and is heated is formed, an inlet that is disposed on one side of the main body and through which the fluid flows in, an outlet that is disposed on the other side of the main body and through which the fluid flows out, and a plurality of flow path protrusions that are provided inside the main body to protrude and are isotropically disposed between the inlet and the outlet.