Honeycomb PTC Dehumidifier for Compact Vehicle Cabin Moisture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dehumidification devices in electric vehicles face challenges with large size, inefficient moisture regeneration, and high power consumption due to the use of Joule heat-based heater elements, which also compromise driving safety by increasing humidity and causing fogging on windows.

Innovation Solution

A dehumidification device with a honeycomb structure heater element incorporating a dehumidifying material-containing layer having a water release temperature of 30 to 70°C, directly heating the dehumidifying material, thereby reducing device size and power consumption while enhancing regeneration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a Joule heat-based heater element is used to heat air for dehumidification, then the dehumidifying material can be regenerated, but the device size increases and space inside the vehicle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating temperatureVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heater element and dehumidifying material into a single integrated structure where the dehumidifying material is formed into a layer on the surface of the heater element. This eliminates the need for separate heating and dehumidification components, thereby reducing overall device size while maintaining the required heating temperature for moisture release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater element is designed to serve dual functions: generating heat for air heating and providing a substrate for the dehumidifying material layer that directly contacts and releases moisture. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and decreases device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If air heated by a heating device is used to indirectly heat the dehumidifying material, then the dehumidifying material can be regenerated, but the regeneration efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregeneration efficiencyVSAvoidheating energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the dehumidifying material from the indirect heating process and places it directly on the heater element surface, eliminating the intermediate step of heating air first. This direct contact with the heat source maximizes thermal energy transfer efficiency and accelerates moisture release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The dehumidifying material layer on the heater element surface acts as an intermediary that directly receives thermal energy from the heater and facilitates moisture release. This eliminates the inefficient air-mediated heat transfer and improves regeneration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the heating temperature is increased to release adsorbed moisture from the dehumidifying material, then the dehumidifying material can be regenerated, but the electrical energy required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture release efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the temperature parameters by using the heater element's surface temperature directly, which provides controlled and efficient heating. The dehumidifying material is positioned to receive heat at the optimal temperature range for moisture release, minimizing energy consumption while maximizing regeneration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a compact dehumidification device with improved moisture regeneration efficiency and reduced power consumption, effectively managing humidity in vehicle interiors and preventing fogging.

Implementation Method 1

The heating device used in the dehumidification device employs a heater element that utilizes Joule heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a dehumidification device has been proposed that reduces the humidity in a vehicle interior by causing moisture in the vehicle interior to be adsorbed by a dehumidifying material in a dehumidifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250229607A1Dehumidification device, heater element for dehumidification devices, and vehicle interior dehumidification system

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

A dehumidification device according to an embodiment may include: a heater element including a honeycomb structure having an outer peripheral wall and partition walls provided on an inner side of the outer peripheral wall, the partition walls defining a plurality of cells, each of the cells extending from a first end face to a second end face of the honeycomb structure to form a flow path, at least the partition walls being made of a material having a PTC property, and a pair of electrodes provided on the honeycomb structure; and a dehumidifying material-containing layer provided on surfaces of the partition walls, the dehumidifying material-containing layer containing a dehumidifying material having a water release temperature of 30 to 70° C.