Integrated Vehicle Heater Layout for Uniform Air Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle heater apparatuses experience temperature deviations due to size differences between main and auxiliary heaters, leading to inefficiencies in heating, increased weight and cost, and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A heater apparatus design where a main heater and auxiliary heater are integrally coupled with a housing featuring heat radiation fins and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element assemblies, allowing air to pass through both units with adjustable spacing and optimized packaging, reducing temperature deviations and improving fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the main heater and auxiliary heater are installed separately with different sizes, then each heater can be optimized for its specific function, but temperature deviation occurs in the air flowing into the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the main heater and auxiliary heater into a single integrated assembly where the auxiliary heater is coupled to the rear side of the main heater. This combination ensures that air passes through both heaters sequentially, eliminating temperature deviation while simplifying the overall structure compared to separate installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary heater is nested within the housing structure of the main heater assembly. The housing of the auxiliary heater is positioned within the overall heater assembly, allowing compact integration without requiring additional external space, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature uniformity and structural complexity.
2Loss of energy
If the auxiliary heater is assembled with additional bonding processes and band members, then heat transmission is facilitated, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The housing of the auxiliary heater is designed to be directly coupled with the main heater assembly through integrated mounting structures. This merging eliminates the need for separate bonding processes and band members, facilitating heat transmission while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure of the auxiliary heater is designed to self-align and self-mount to the main heater assembly through complementary geometric features. This self-service design eliminates complex bonding processes and additional fastening components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective heat transmission.
3Volume of moving object
If the auxiliary heater is installed to replace heat radiation fins space, then space utilization is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heater assembly is merged with the main heater structure such that the housing of the auxiliary heater occupies the space previously designated for heat radiation fins. This integration achieves efficient space utilization while maintaining a straightforward manufacturing process through direct coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it encloses the auxiliary heater elements, provides mounting attachment to the main heater, and occupies the space of the heat radiation fins. This multi-functionality achieves optimal space utilization without increasing assembly process complexity.
4Temperature
If the main heater and auxiliary heater are integrally coupled with predetermined distance, then temperature deviation is suppressed, but the packaging space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heater is nested within the housing structure of the main heater assembly, with the housing positioned to maintain a predetermined distance from the main heater core. This nesting arrangement ensures temperature uniformity through sequential air passage while minimizing the overall packaging space required.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary heater is positioned in the depth dimension (rear side) of the main heater rather than expanding the width or height. This dimensional arrangement maintains the required predetermined distance for temperature uniformity while optimizing the packaging space by utilizing the Z-axis direction.
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 eliminates temperature deviations, reduces vehicle weight and cost, and simplifies manufacturing by ensuring all air passes through both heaters, enhancing heating efficiency and fuel efficiency while minimizing space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary heater coupled with the main heater at the rear side thereof and having a housing including an edge part and an inner part, wherein heat radiation fins and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element assemblies are coupled with the housing at the front surface thereof
Implementation Method 2
heat radiation fins and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element assemblies are coupled with the housing at the front surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A heater apparatus for a vehicle may include a main heater of a vehicle, and an auxiliary heater coupled with the main heater at the rear side thereof and having a housing including an edge part and an inner part, wherein heat radiation fins and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element assemblies are coupled with the housing at the front surface thereof.