Device for electrical heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicles, existing electric water heaters require a water circuit with additional components like pumps, pipes, and valves, and heating elements must be electrically insulated from the fluid, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with an induction coil integrated into an oscillating circuit generates an alternating magnetic field to heat a fluid directly through an inductor within a module, allowing for turbulent flow to enhance heat transfer without the need for electrical insulation between the heating element and the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heating elements are used to heat the fluid directly, then the efficiency of heat transfer is improved, but electrical insulation between the heating element and the fluid is required, increasing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electrical contact heating with electromagnetic induction heating. The induction coil generates an alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the conductive inductor, which is in direct contact with the fluid. This substitutes the need for electrically insulated heating elements with a non-contact electromagnetic heating mechanism, eliminating insulation requirements while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inductor as an intermediary component between the induction coil and the fluid. The inductor serves as a magnetic coupling medium that converts electromagnetic energy from the induction coil into thermal energy through eddy currents, while being in direct thermal contact with the fluid. This intermediary enables efficient heat transfer without requiring electrical insulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a water circuit with pumps, pipes, and valves is used to heat the fluid, then the ability to use waste heat sources is improved, but the number of parts and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex water circuit components (pumps, pipes, valves) from the heating system. By using electromagnetic induction heating with a simple module containing an induction coil and inductor, the system achieves heating functionality without requiring the extensive plumbing infrastructure of traditional water-based heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heating module is designed to be self-contained and electrically powered, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping systems and complex flow control valves. The system uses electrical energy directly to generate heat through electromagnetic induction, making it simpler and more adaptable to various waste heat sources in electric vehicles.
3Reliability
If PTC ceramic elements are used for heating, then intrinsic safety regarding overheating is improved, but the weight of the heating system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from resistive heating (PTC ceramics) to electromagnetic induction heating. This parameter change allows the use of lightweight aluminum inductors instead of heavy PTC ceramic elements. The induction heating process provides inherent safety through magnetic field coupling and controlled power delivery, maintaining reliability while significantly reducing system weight.
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 solution increases the efficiency of heat transfer to the fluid, reduces the number of parts and costs, and eliminates the need for electrical insulation, thereby improving the heating process in electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil which is integrated into an oscillating circuit and generates an alternating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
at least a first inductor (12) which can be heated by means of an alternating magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
the inductor (12) being arranged inside a module (19) through which a heating fluid can flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for electrically heating a fluid, in particular for use in an electrically operated motor vehicle, comprising an induction coil (2), which is integrated in an oscillating circuit (3) and produces an alternating magnetic field (1), and at least one first inductor (12), which is positioned within the alternating magnetic field (1), characterized in that the inductor (12) is arranged inside a module (19), through which a fluid to be heated can flow, the induction coil (2) being arranged outside the module (19).