Heating Cartridge Connecting Wire Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical heating cartridges face challenges in maintaining reliable and reproducible electrical contact, especially when high currents are required, leading to issues with geometry and potential short circuits.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a connecting wire with varying cross-sectional geometry sections, where a thinner section is inserted into a channel in the winding body for intimate contact with the electrical heating element, and an insulating layer prevents short circuits, allowing for optimal current flow and reduced risk of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a thick connecting wire is used to handle high currents, then current carrying capacity is improved, but the wire cannot be inserted into the channel of the winding body and intimate contact with the heating element cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent carrying capacityVSAvoidelectrical contact reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting wire is divided into two distinct sections: a first section with larger cross-sectional area for current carrying, and a second section with smaller cross-sectional area for insertion into the channel. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between current capacity and contact reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the connecting wire are given different cross-sectional geometries tailored to their local requirements. The first section has dimensions optimized for electrical current flow, while the second section has dimensions optimized for mechanical insertion and electrical contact with the heating element within the channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the connecting wire is compressed to improve contact, then electrical contact is improved, but the wire may overheat due to high current density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact reliabilityVSAvoidwire temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting wire is compressed within the channel to achieve intimate contact with the heating element, accepting localized compression heating in exchange for reliable electrical contact. The channel provides containment and insulation, allowing the compression to be applied without causing overall wire failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Strength

If a metal sheath is used to protect the heating element, then mechanical protection is improved, but short circuits to the sheath become a risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical protectionVSAvoidshort circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the connecting wire and the metal sheath. This insulating layer prevents direct electrical contact between the wire and the conductive sheath, eliminating the short circuit risk while allowing the sheath to provide its mechanical protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If the connecting wire cross-section is uniform, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot satisfy both current carrying requirements and channel insertion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidgeometric adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting wire is manufactured with two distinct cross-sectional sections, allowing each section to be optimized for its specific function. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling the wire to satisfy both current carrying requirements and channel insertion requirements through differentiated geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 a stable and efficient electrical contact, preventing overheating and allowing for higher current loads while minimizing the risk of damage, thus enhancing the heating cartridge's performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting wire has at least one location or section along its direction of travel where the cross-sectional geometry of the connecting wire deviates from the cross-sectional geometry of the connecting wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

at least one electric heating element which is wound at least partially onto a winding body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2966933B1Electrical heating cartridge
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 TUERK & HILLINGER GMBH & CO
  • EP2966933B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP2966933B1 patent drawingFigure 1f
  • EP2966933B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e

AI summary

An electric heating cartridge (100) is provided, comprising at least one connecting wire (150, 160, 250, 260, 350, 360, 450, 460, 550, 560) and at least one electric heating element (140) wound on a winding body (130), wherein the winding body (130) has at least one channel (131, 132) in which at least one end (141, 142) of the electric heating element (140) wound on the winding body (130) is received, wherein the connecting wire (150, 160, 250, 260, 350, 360, 450, 460, 550, 560) has at least one first position or section (151, 161, 251, 261, 351) along its direction of travel. 361, 451, 461, 551, 561) where the cross-sectional geometry of the connecting wire (150, 160, 250, 260, 350, 360, 450, 460, 550, 560) differs from the cross-sectional geometry of the connecting wire (150, 160, 250, 260, 350, 360, 450, 460, 550, 560) at least with respect to the contour of the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting wire (150, 160, 250, 260, 350, 360, 450, 460, 550,560) at a second location or a second section (152, 162, 252, 262, 352, 362, 452, 462, 552, 562) and furthermore that a section of the at least one connecting wire (150, 160, 250, 260, 350, 360, 450, 460, 550, 560) is received into the channel (131, 132) so that an electrical contact exists in the channel (131, 132) between the received end (141, 142) of the electrical heating element (140) and the received section of the connecting wire (150, 160, 250, 260, 350, 360, 450, 460, 550, 560).