Heating Cable Connecting Device Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In semiconductor manufacturing facilities, the connection of power supply lines to flexible heaters is prone to disconnection due to high temperature and moisture, leading to potential explosions and increased manufacturing costs, as well as leakage issues due to airtightness breakdowns.

Innovation Solution

A heating cable connecting device that thermally and electrically insulates the power supply line using a cooling device inside the flexible heater and an insulating device between the heater and the terminal unit, reducing the length of the cooling section and preventing thermal damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an insulation section of 1 m or more is provided in the flexible heater for insulation and cooling of the power supply line, then the power supply line is protected from thermal damage, but the length of the flexible heater becomes unnecessarily long and the manufacturing cost is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply line protectionVSAvoidflexible heater length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply line protection is segmented into two separate devices: a cooling device positioned inside the flexible heater and an insulating device positioned outside between the heater and terminal unit. This segmentation allows each device to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring excessive length of the flexible heater, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and heater length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device acts as an intermediary element inside the flexible heater, providing thermal management for the power supply line without requiring the entire heater to be extended. This intermediary approach enables effective cooling while maintaining a compact heater length, thus resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the power supply line is exposed to high temperature and moisture from the flexible pipe, then the heating function is maintained, but the power supply line may be disconnected due to thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidpower supply line connection

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is segmented into a cooling device inside the flexible heater that manages thermal exposure and an insulating device outside that provides electrical insulation and additional thermal protection. This segmentation allows the heating function to be maintained while the power supply line is protected from excessive thermal damage and disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device serves as an intermediary between the high-temperature heating environment and the power supply line, providing thermal management that prevents the power supply line from experiencing damaging temperatures while maintaining the necessary heating function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the connection portion is drawn out to connect the power supply line to the terminal unit, then the connection is facilitated, but the airtightness is broken causing fluid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection easeVSAvoidairtightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating device acts as an intermediary component that provides both electrical insulation and a sealed connection path between the flexible heater and the terminal unit. This allows the connection to be facilitated while maintaining airtightness and preventing fluid leakage through the connection portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents power supply line disconnection and leakage, minimizing maintenance costs by effectively insulating and cooling the power supply line, thereby reducing the risk of explosions and maintaining operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling device configured to connect one end of the heating cable to one end of a connecting cable to form a cooling section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an insulating device configured to insulate an opposite end of the connecting cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20220330387A1Heating cable connecting device and flexible heater with the same

Publication Date: 2022.10.13 UNION CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a heating cable connecting device and a flexible heater employing the same, in which the heating cable connecting device insulates a heating cable applied to a flexible heater to connect the heating cable to a terminal unit and includes a cooling device configured to connect one end of the heating cable to one end of a connecting cable to form a cooling section and an insulating device configured to insulate an opposite end of the connecting cable to connect an opposite end of a lead wire having one end connected to the terminal unit to the opposite end of the connecting cable. The cooling device and the insulating device are provided on inside and outside surfaces of the flexible heater, respectively, so that a power supply line can be thermally and electrically insulated.