Electrical heating device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical heating devices face challenges in achieving a compact design and reducing production costs due to the space requirements for the contact between the heating element and the control board.

Innovation Solution

The heating element is electroconductively connected to the control board via a contact pin that penetrates a contact bushing, which is arranged completely within the control board, reducing the installation space and allowing for a more compact construction. The contact bushing is either clamped or adhesively bonded, and features like radial collars, press protrusions, and conductor tracks further enhance the secure and space-efficient connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the contact bushing penetrates the control board (conventional design), then the electroconductive connection is established, but the installation space in height direction is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidelectroconductive connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact bushing is completely arranged inside the control board, with its length being smaller than or equal to the thickness of the control board. This nesting approach allows the contact bushing to be housed within the existing control board structure without increasing the overall height, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining the electroconductive connection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact bushing is oriented horizontally within the control board rather than extending vertically outward. By changing the spatial dimension from vertical extension to horizontal arrangement within the board thickness, the design achieves compactness in the height direction while preserving electrical connectivity through the control board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the contact bushing is arranged completely inside the control board, then the construction is more compact, but the contact bushing needs secure mounting within the limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction compactnessVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact bushing is divided into distinct functional segments: a first radial collar for support on one side, a second radial collar for support on the other side, and a central conductive section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall mounting process within the constrained space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Radial collars are introduced as intermediary support elements that bear against the inner walls of the control board cavity. These collars act as mediators between the contact bushing and the control board structure, providing secure mechanical support and electrical isolation without requiring complex external mounting mechanisms.

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

This configuration reduces the required installation space for the contact arrangement, enabling a more compact and cost-effective construction of the heating device while maintaining secure electroconductive connections.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one contact pin thereby penetrates the control board through the at least one contact bushing and is electroconductively pressure-connected to the contact bushing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure connection:

Implementation Method 2

The heating element is electroconductively connected to the control board via at least one electrical contact pin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The heating element is a PTC resistor heating element which can be operated at a voltage of equal to 400 V or 800 V

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

The heating element is a PTC resistor heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPTC effect:

Data Source

PatentEP3544121B1Electrical heating device
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP3544121B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3544121B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical heating device (1) comprising a heating element (2) and comprising a control board (3). The heating element (2) is thereby electroconductively connected to the control board (3) via at least one electrical contact pin (4). For this purpose, the control board (3) has a contact arrangement (5) comprising at least one contact bushing (6), which penetrates the control board (3). The at least one contact pin (4) penetrates the control board (3) through the at least one contact bushing (6) and is electroconductively pressure-connected to the contact bushing (6). According to the invention, a length (LB) of the at least one contact bushing (6) is smaller than or equal to a thickness (DP) of the control board (3), and the contact bushing (6) is arranged completely inside the control board (3).