Integrated Electric Heater Pump Layout for High-Pressure Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical heating devices are not compact enough and require hose sections between the heating device and pump, which are prone to failure, especially when operating at high fluid pressures.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrical heating device design where the housing cover incorporates a pump and forms a pump channel that connects directly to the circulation chamber, eliminating the need for hoses and featuring a thin membrane to equalize hydrostatic pressure, with tapered webs for enhanced sealing and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hose sections are used to connect the heating device and pump, then the device can be assembled flexibly, but the reliability deteriorates due to hose failures at high fluid pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is integrated directly into the housing cover, eliminating the need for external hose connections. The pump channel is formed as an integral part of the housing cover, creating a direct fluid path from the circulation chamber to the pump inlet without intermediate connection elements that could fail.
2Device complexity
If a compact design is implemented by integrating the pump into the housing cover, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for ensuring proper sealing and pressure equalization
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane is introduced between the pump channel and circulation chamber to equalize hydrostatic pressure on both sides. This pressure equalization prevents differential pressure from compromising the sealing at the membrane and clamping connections, allowing the compact integrated design to operate reliably at high fluid pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin membrane is used to separate the pump channel from the circulation chamber while maintaining pressure equalization. The membrane provides a reliable sealing solution that can accommodate the integrated compact design while withstanding high fluid pressures through pressure equalization.
3Volume of moving object
If a thin membrane is used to separate the pump channel from the circulation chamber, then the device compactness is improved, but the strength requirements increase to withstand high fluid pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is positioned in a region where hydrostatic pressure is equalized on both sides through the pressure equalization mechanism. This eliminates differential pressure loading on the membrane, allowing it to be thin and compact while still withstanding high fluid pressures without requiring excessive strength.
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 enables operation at high fluid pressures with improved thermal efficiency and reliability by eliminating hose failures and optimizing heat transfer through a compact, sealed design.
Implementation Method 1
at least one PTC heating element therein, which rests in thermally conductive contact on opposite inner sides of the U-shaped recess
Implementation Method 2
heating ribs protrude, which are each provided with a U-shaped recess... PTC heating element therein, which rests in thermally conductive contact on opposite inner sides of the U-shaped recess
Implementation Method 3
housing cover that carries a pump and forms a pump channel that opens into an inlet opening of the pump
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric heating device, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing that encloses a circulation chamber (32) through which a medium flows. Heating fins (44) project into this chamber, each fin having a U-shaped recess (34) that opens into a single connection chamber (28). This connection chamber is separated from the circulation chamber (32) by a partition (30) provided in the region of the open ends of the U-shaped recesses (34). The connection chamber contains at least one PTC heating element (24) which is in thermally conductive contact with opposing inner surfaces (46) of the U-shaped recess (34). The invention addresses the problem of further developing the generic electric heating device so that it has a relatively simple design and can also be operated at high operating pressures of the fluid to be heated.In view of this, the present invention proposes a heating device with a housing cover (148) which carries a pump (132) and forms a pump channel (142) which opens into an inlet opening of the pump (132) formed by a pump housing (134).