Heating device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating devices for liquid media suffer from delayed heating due to heat generation in areas outside the fluid passage, resulting in inefficient heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

A heating device with a housing containing a fluid channel and an alternating magnetic field generator sealed off from the channel, using magnetic surface heating elements within the channel to induce heating, while shielding the magnetic field to prevent unwanted influence on neighboring devices and enhance heat transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a PTC heating element is used outside the fluid channel, then the heating element can be electrically energized and heated up, but the heat transfer to the fluid is delayed due to contact resistances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidheat transfer delay
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from a separate PTC element and integrated directly into the fluid channel wall through a metallic surface heating element. This allows the heating element to be positioned within the fluid flow path, eliminating the need for thermal conduction through contact interfaces and thereby removing the heat transfer delay caused by contact resistances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic surface heating element serves dual functions: it acts as both the heating element (through induction heating) and as part of the fluid channel structure (as the wall through which fluid flows). This integration eliminates the separation between heating component and fluid passage, ensuring immediate heat transfer to the fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If an alternating magnetic field generator is provided, then inductive heating can be achieved, but the magnetic field may undesirably influence neighboring electrical or electronic devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductive heating capabilityVSAvoidmagnetic field interference
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The metallic surface heating element, which is necessary for inductive heating, also serves as a shield against the alternating magnetic field. The magnetic properties of the metallic material cause it to absorb and contain the magnetic field lines, converting the potential harmful radiation into a beneficial contained heating effect within the fluid channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic surface heating element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the heating element that converts magnetic energy to thermal energy, and also serves as a magnetic shield that contains the alternating magnetic field within the fluid channel, preventing interference with external devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables rapid and efficient heating of fluids by positioning heating elements directly within the fluid flow, reducing heat transfer delays and minimizing unwanted magnetic field interactions, resulting in a cost-effective and compact heating device.

Implementation Method 1

an element which generates an alternating magnetic field being provided in the housing, with at least one metallic surface heating element being provided, which can be heated by the alternating magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

By providing at least one magnetic surface heating element, shielding of the alternating magnetic field can be achieved. This is advantageous in order to avoid undesired influencing of neighboring electrical or electronic devices.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3011802B1Heating device
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 BEHRN-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
  • EP3011802B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3011802B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating device, comprising a housing, which has a fluid channel arranged therein, which has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein an element that generates an alternating magnetic field is provided in the housing, which element is separated from the fluid channel in a sealed manner by at least one wall, wherein furthermore at least one metal planar heating element is provided, which can be heated by the alternating magnetic field, wherein the at least one planar heating element is arranged in the fluid channel, wherein at least one of the planar heating elements is made of a magnetic material.