Fluid system with at least one heating device for fluid, and heating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid systems for internal combustion engines, particularly in motor vehicles, face challenges in efficiently heating fluids like diesel fuel, which affects flowability and pressure differences across filter elements, especially at low ambient temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electrically operated heating element between two holding bodies in a heating chamber, where the heating element is in electrical and thermal contact with the holding bodies, and the spacing between them is greater in non-contact areas than at the contact sections, allowing for uniform fluid flow and improved heat dissipation, enabling enhanced heating performance with potentially reduced size or increased power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the heating element is placed close to the holding bodies for efficient heat transfer, then heating performance is improved, but the flow cross-section is limited and uniform fluid flow is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different spacing relationships in different regions: in the contact section, the heating element is in direct thermal contact with the holding bodies for efficient heat transfer, while in the enlarged section, the spacing is increased to allow uniform fluid flow. This spatial differentiation of thermal contact quality resolves the contradiction between heating efficiency and flow uniformity.
2Volume of moving object
If the heating element is made thin to reduce size, then device compactness is improved, but thermal contact reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a purely radial thickness dimension to a three-dimensional configuration where the heating element's axial position and radial thickness are independently optimized. The element can be thin radially for compactness while maintaining adequate axial length for reliable thermal contact with the holding bodies in the contact section.
3Productivity
If the spacing between holding bodies is increased to improve fluid flow, then flow uniformity is improved, but heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating chamber is segmented into two functional zones: a contact section where the heating element touches the holding bodies for efficient heat transfer, and an enlarged section with increased spacing for uniform fluid flow. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its local function without compromising the other.
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 configuration ensures uniform fluid flow and improved heat dissipation, enhancing the heating device's operation by maintaining identical size while achieving greater heating power or reducing size, and reduces the risk of electrical short circuits and overheating.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrically operated heating element is arranged between two holding bodies in such a way that it is electrically and thermally contacting at least one contact section of at least one of the holding bodies
Implementation Method 2
the heating element is in electrical and thermal contact with the holding bodies
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid system of an internal combustion engine is provided with a heating device in a heating chamber. An electric heating element of the heating device is arranged between two holding bodies such that the heating element electrically and thermally contacts a contact section of at least one of the holding bodies. The heating chamber has an inner volume region between the holding bodies and at least one outer volume region arranged on an outer side of the holding bodies. The inner and outer volume regions allow fluid to flow through. The inner volume region has an enlarged section with a first spacing measured between the holding bodies. The holding bodies have a second spacing measured in a region of the contact section. The first spacing is greater than the second spacing at least at a circumferential side of the contact section facing the enlarged section.