Heated Fluid Line Connector Layout for Compact Freeze Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ready-made fluid lines require separate heating of the connection connector, leading to increased thermal mass and overall size, resulting in higher costs and heating power requirements to prevent freezing, especially in transition areas.
Innovation Solution
A compact design where the heating element runs along the entire fluid line, eliminating the need for separate heating at the connection connector, and integrating the heating device within the fluid line and connector, allowing for a matched internal volume and reduced thermal mass, with a retaining flange fixed in a protective housing and an elastically deformable sealing ring for secure plugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate heating elements are provided in the connector body and transition section, then the connector can be protected from freezing, but the thermal mass and overall size of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the fluid line instead of being separate in the connector body. The heating element in the fluid line heats the medium, and this heated medium then heats the connector body through thermal conduction at the connection interface, eliminating the need for separate heating elements in the connector
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is extracted from the connector body and transition section, and relocated to the fluid line itself. This removes the additional thermal mass that would be required in the connector while maintaining the heating function
2Reliability
If a casing system encloses the transition section, then the connector is protected, but the overall size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid line with integrated heating element serves dual purposes: it provides the fluid passage and simultaneously acts as the heating device, eliminating the need for an additional casing system around the transition section
3Reliability
If a casing system encloses the transition section, then the connector is protected, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is combined with the fluid line, eliminating the need for separate heating elements and their associated casing systems, thereby reducing manufacturing steps and costs
4Temperature
If heating elements are provided in the transition zone, then freezing is prevented, but higher heating power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned locally in the fluid line where the medium flows, heating the medium directly at the source. This localized heating approach is more efficient than heating the entire connector body, reducing the overall power requirement
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 reduces heating effort and overall size, ensuring efficient heat distribution and secure plugging while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
electrical heating elements are provided in an arrangement that at least partially encloses the flow channel
Implementation Method 2
heating is necessary in the transition zone to protect the medium being conveyed from freezing
Implementation Method 3
an elastically deformable sealing ring is arranged under axial preload on the circumference of the connecting section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a preassembled fluid line, comprising a fluid line (1), which is made of plastic and has an inner flow channel (2), having a heating device (3) arranged on the circumference of the fluid line in the longitudinal direction. The fluid line (1) is arranged in a jacket tube (4) surrounding the fluid line, and a connector is connected to an end of the fluid line (1). The connector is designed as an insertion connector (8) made of plastic and can be releasably inserted into a sleeve part (17) by means of a terminal tubular coupling portion (9). The insertion connector (8) has, immediately ahead of the coupling portion (9) of the insertion connector in the insertion direction (X), a connection portion (10), which has, at the end thereof located ahead in the insertion direction (X), a retaining flange (11) perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis (Y-Y) of the insertion connector (8), and the insertion connector has, in the region of the coupling portion (9) thereof, a locking extension (12), which is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (Y-Y) and which engages behind locking elements (21) of the sleeve part (17) when the coupling portion (9) is inserted in the sleeve part (17). The fluid line (1) is inserted, by means of the terminal insertion portion (6) thereof free of the heating device (3), into a through-channel (7) of the insertion connector (8) at least in the region of the connection portion (10), and the insertion connector (8) is joined to the fluid line (1) in the region of the insertion portion (6) of the fluid line by means of a laser weld (5). The retaining flange (11) is fastened within a protective housing (24) in the form of a fixed bearing (28a), and the protective housing (24) surrounds the jacket tube (4) at the end of the jacket tube and surrounds the fluid line (1), together with the heating device (3) located on the fluid line, in the region ahead of the insertion portion (6).