Inductive SCR Fluid Line Heating Without Exposed Conductor Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid lines in SCR systems face issues with delamination, leakage, and premature failure due to manual handling of electrical heating conductors, which are exposed when led out of protective layers for connection, necessitating a more reliable and efficient heating solution.

Innovation Solution

The fluid line incorporates inductive interfaces for contactless energy transfer between heating conductors, eliminating the need for manual conductor connections and enhancing encapsulation, thereby reducing failure susceptibility and simplifying production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If heating conductors are led out of the protective top layer for connection, then electrical contact can be established, but the fluid line becomes susceptible to delamination, leakage, or premature failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact establishmentVSAvoidfluid line integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact connections with inductive coupling between two heating conductors. The first heating conductor in the line piece and the second heating conductor in the connecting piece establish electrical contact through magnetic field coupling without physical contact, eliminating the need to lead conductors out of the protective top layer while maintaining electrical connectivity for heating functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the first and second heating conductors. This magnetic field mediator enables energy transfer and electrical contact establishment without direct physical contact between conductors, thus preserving the integrity of the protective top layer while achieving the necessary electrical connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate heating conductors are contacted manually during assembly, then heating functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing process requires high degree of manual work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionalityVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical contact operations with automatic inductive coupling. The heating conductors are positioned within their respective components (line piece and connecting piece) and automatically couple through magnetic fields during assembly, eliminating the need for manual conductor contact and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining heating functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating conductors are designed to automatically establish inductive coupling with each other during the normal assembly process of the fluid line. The system serves itself by utilizing the magnetic field interaction between the first and second heating conductors to establish electrical contact without requiring external manual intervention or additional contacting steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design reduces delamination and leakage risks while enabling efficient, compact, and automated production of heatable fluid lines with improved reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one inductive interface for transfer of electrical energy, in particular from a power source, to the first heating conductor and/or to the second heating conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the heating conductors heat up, and heat is transferred to the fluid line and to the fluid flowing through the fluid line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250251073A1Heatable fluid line with an inductive interface

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 CONTITECH TECHNO CHEMIE GMBH

AI summary

A heatable fluid line for SCR systems in motor vehicles having a line piece, a connecting piece and an inductive interface. The line piece comprises a first electrical heating conductor for heating of the line piece. The connecting piece is for connection of the fluid line to a unit or another fluid line. The connecting piece comprises a second electrical heating conductor for heating of the connecting piece. The connecting piece is connected to one end of the line piece and forms therewith a common fluid channel. The at least one inductive interface is for transfer of electrical energy to the first heating conductor and/or to the second heating conductor.