Heating Block Sealing Structure for Integrated Flow Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heating blocks for electric instantaneous water heaters using bare wire technology are costly to manufacture due to the need for structurally necessary reinforcement ribs, fastening flanges, and deflection areas, which complicate the production and assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A heating block design where the deflection areas are integrated into a sealing element, allowing the cover and base body to be produced more simply, such as through injection molding, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs, and enabling a compact, self-centering configuration that reduces the axial length of the heating block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If deflection areas are formed on the cover and base body, then the heating block can connect adjacent channels, but the manufacturing cost increases and production becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the deflection areas with the sealing element into a single integrated component. The sealing element now performs dual functions: sealing the parting plane between cover and base body, and providing deflection areas to connect adjacent channels. This merging eliminates the need for separate deflection structures on the cover and base body, reducing manufacturing steps and costs while maintaining the required functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides sealing functionality at the parting plane and incorporates deflection areas for channel connection. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure, directly addressing the contradiction between manufacturing ease and device complexity.
2Length of moving object
If deflection areas protrude into channels, then the axial overall length is reduced, but the sealing element becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection areas are merged into the sealing element structure, allowing them to protrude into the channels without requiring separate components. This integration enables the sealing element to maintain a compact axial length while providing the necessary channel connections, as the deflection areas are formed as part of the sealing element's geometry rather than as additions.
3Productivity
If deflection areas are integrated into the sealing element, then production is simplified, but the sealing element design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed as an integrated component that combines sealing and deflection functions. This merging reduces the total number of parts and assembly steps, improving production efficiency. Although the sealing element's geometry becomes more complex to accommodate both functions, the overall manufacturing process is simplified by eliminating separate deflection components and their associated assembly operations.
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 simplifies the production of the heating block, reduces manufacturing costs, and facilitates easier assembly and maintenance by integrating deflection areas into the sealing element, resulting in a more compact and efficient heating block for electric instantaneous water heaters.
Implementation Method 1
electrically heated instantaneous water heater using bare wire technology for heating water
Implementation Method 2
deflection areas for connecting adjacent channels at the ends
Implementation Method 3
sealing element for arrangement in a parting plane between the base body and the cover
Data Source
AI summary
The block (1) has a base body (4) in which heating channels are arranged for defining a heating path. Flow channels and overrun channels are formed for defining flow paths and overrun paths, respectively, and a cover closes the flow and overrun channels at one side. A sealing element (8) is arranged in a separation plane between the base body and the cover, and has deflection regions for one side connection of the adjacent flow and overrun channels. The deflection regions extend over two sealing surfaces that respectively face that base body and cover.