Heating Textile Integrated into Fluid Housing Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-guiding housings in internal combustion engines require complex and costly heating systems with additional support structures, which are not efficient and can be prone to damage from external forces, especially in the automotive industry where safety and efficiency are critical.
Innovation Solution
An electrically heating textile is integrated into the housing walls, eliminating the need for additional support structures and allowing for efficient heating and potential filtration/coalescence functions, with conductive fibers heating the fluid directly or indirectly through the wall, and being resilient to compensate for vibrations and temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex heating system with additional support structures is used, then the heating function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the system becomes more costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function and structural support function into a single integrated component - the electrically heating textile is directly integrated into the housing wall, eliminating the need for separate support structures. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable heating while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall with integrated textile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables heating through the conductive textile, and can perform filtration through the textile structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Strength
If additional support structures are added to the housing, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The textile structure is integrated directly into the housing wall, combining structural support and heating functions. This integration provides structural integrity without requiring separate support structures, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall is constructed as a composite structure combining the base material with an integrated textile layer. This composite construction enhances structural integrity while the textile itself serves as the heating element, eliminating the need for additional separate support components.
3Reliability
If a textile structure is integrated into the housing wall, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The textile is designed with specific parameters - electrically conductive fibers arranged in a pattern that enables heating while maintaining textile structure. This parameter optimization allows the textile to function as both heating element and structural component, improving heating efficiency while keeping manufacturing feasible through conventional textile processing methods.
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 provides a simple, robust, and cost-effective heating system that enhances the structural integrity and safety of fluid-guiding housings, ensuring efficient fluid heating and filtration while preventing fluid leakage under external forces, particularly beneficial in cold environments and for fuel filters.
Implementation Method 1
The textile can be realized in an easy way preferably by weaving or weft knitting. The textile can also be realized by other textile technologies, in particular by embroidery, warp knitting or Raschel knitting. A textile can simply be molded. Thus, it can be flexibly applied to, in or on the wall of the housing.
Implementation Method 2
The textile can be disposed in such a way that it is in direct contact with the fluid and that it can heat it immediately. Advantageously, the fluid can flow against or around it. It can also be disposed in such a way that the fluid flows through it.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid-guiding housing, in particular a gas-, oil-, fuel- or water-guiding housing (12), of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with an electrically operated heating device (33) for heating fluid in the housing (12) is described. At least one wall (18, 20) of the housing (12) is equipped with an electrically heating textile (32).