Micro-heating Conductor Meandering Geometry for IR Spectroscopy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal infrared radiation sources face challenges in achieving high radiant power with long-term stability, mechanical stability under thermal load, and homogeneous temperature distribution, while minimizing heat dissipation to the housing and surrounding gas.
Innovation Solution
A micro-heating conductor with a meandering structure comprising interconnected meandering protrusions from multiple heating conductor structures, providing high electrical and thermal resistance, mechanical stability, and a large radiating area with a homogeneous temperature distribution, achieved through a specific geometry and material selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the heating element is fastened on a colder point (housing), then the heating element is mechanically supported, but thermal energy is dissipated from the heating element to the housing via heat conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented into multiple independent heating sections (first heating section, second heating section, etc.) that are arranged in series. Each section is supported at discrete points rather than being continuously fastened, reducing thermal conduction paths to the housing while maintaining mechanical support at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation elements are introduced as intermediaries between the heating element and the housing. These insulation elements act as thermal barriers that prevent direct heat conduction from the heating element to the colder housing, while still allowing mechanical mounting and support.
2Temperature
If heat is dissipated via the surrounding gas, then cooling occurs, but radiant power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is filled with inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) that has low thermal conductivity. This inert atmosphere reduces heat dissipation from the heating element to the surrounding gas via convection and conduction, thereby maintaining higher operating temperatures and improving radiant power output.
3Area of stationary object
If the radiating area is increased, then radiant power increases, but temperature distribution becomes less homogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple discrete heating sections arranged in series along the radiating surface. Each section independently generates heat, and their distributed arrangement ensures homogeneous temperature distribution across the entire radiating area while maximizing the total effective radiating surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heating section is designed with specific local characteristics (length, spacing, insulation) optimized for its position on the radiating surface. This local optimization ensures that temperature distribution remains homogeneous across the entire radiating area, with each section contributing evenly to the overall thermal output.
4Loss of energy
If electrical resistance is increased to reduce current, then power loss decreases, but heating efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical resistance of the heating element is optimized by adjusting parameters such as the length, cross-sectional area, and material properties of the heating sections. The resistance is designed to provide appropriate current levels for efficient heating while minimizing I²R power losses, achieving an optimal balance between electrical efficiency and thermal output.
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 efficient infrared radiation with high radiant power, mechanical stability, and homogeneous temperature distribution, reducing heat dissipation and maintaining structural integrity under thermal loads, suitable for compact infrared-spectroscopy devices.
Implementation Method 1
All thermal radiators function according to the principle of Joule heating or also ohmic heating, i.e., when an electric current flows through a heating conductor, the electrical resistance of the heating conductor works against the current flow, whereby heat is generated.
Implementation Method 2
The heat thus resulting heats the heating conductor and is emitted from it via thermal radiation and heat conduction to the housing and/or to the surrounding gas.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a micro-heating conductor for a radiation source, wherein the micro-heating conductor is formed from a meandering heating conductor structure which has meandering protrusions and spans a heating conductor structure plane with a surface normal, wherein adjacent meandering protrusions are formed in the heating conductor structure plane and so as to face away from one another in opposite directions. The object of specifying a heating conductor geometry which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and can be integrated into compact infrared spectroscopic devices is achieved in that the micro-heating conductor comprises at least two heating conductor structures, wherein the heating conductor structures are arranged next to one another, wherein a surface normal of a heating conductor structure plane of a first heating conductor structure encloses an angle α with a surface normal of a second heating conductor structure plane of a second heating conductor structure and at least two meandering protrusions of the first heating conductor structure are connected to at least two meandering protrusions of the second heating conductor structure and are designed in an electrically interconnected manner, wherein the micro-heating conductor has a homogeneous thickness.