Holding device, heater and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Holding devices for heating elements in control cabinets face challenges with frequent temperature changes causing material fatigue, leading to reduced heat transfer and potential overheating, and existing solutions require plastic deformation for assembly, making replacement difficult.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with oppositely arranged holding elements and a heat transfer body featuring chambers with lever arm chamber walls that can be elastically deformed to apply a constant holding force, allowing easy assembly and replacement without plastic deformation, using a tension profile to adjust the gap size for receiving heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating element is clamped flat by bending side walls inward during assembly, then heat transfer is ensured, but plastic deformation occurs and replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device uses elastic deformation of the side walls instead of permanent plastic deformation. The side walls are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing them to flex outward during assembly for easy insertion, then automatically return to their original position to clamp the heating element securely. This dynamic behavior enables both reliable heat transfer through consistent contact pressure and easy replacement by simply removing the fastening element.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is divided into separate functional components: the holding body with elastically deformable side walls, and a removable fastening element. This segmentation allows the heating element to be easily inserted when side walls are flexed outward, then secured when side walls return to position, and subsequently removed by detaching the fastening element without deforming the holding body itself.
2Ease of operation
If the gap width is increased for easier assembly, then ease of operation improves, but holding force may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed with elastic deformability, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. During assembly, they can be flexed outward to increase gap width for easy insertion. Once the heating element is in place, the side walls return to their original position, automatically restoring the optimal holding force without manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the side walls changes from a rigid fixed position to an elastically deformable state. This parameter change allows the gap width to be temporarily increased during assembly, then automatically restored to the optimal value for holding, achieving both ease of operation and sufficient holding force.
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 strong and constant holding force to the heating element, ensuring good heat transfer and preventing overheating, while allowing for easy assembly and replacement, thus enhancing the reliability and durability of the heating system.
Implementation Method 1
the lever arms can be elastically deformed at least in sections by the tensile force
Implementation Method 2
a holding force is applied to the at least one heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A holding device for at least one heating element, in particular for a PTC heating element or a mica heating element, including at least two oppositely arranged holding elements, which are spaced apart from one another by a gap, which extends along a longitudinal direction of the holding device and is adapted for receiving at least one heating element, and including a heat transfer body with at least two chambers, which respectively form an inner region, through which a gaseous medium can flow, wherein the opposite holding elements are arranged between the two chambers and the gap connects the inner regions of the chambers.