Electrical connection device, heating device and ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems in vehicles require custom-designed additional heating devices for specific vehicle architectures and capacities, leading to high manufacturing and logistics costs due to the need for numerous product references.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connection device with standardized electronic cards and distribution bars that can accommodate a variable number of heating modules, allowing for flexible configuration and adaptation to different heating capacities and customer requirements, including the use of resistive elements like PTC heaters and radiant elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-designed heating devices are used for specific vehicle architectures, then the heating device can be optimized for specific vehicle capacities and requirements, but manufacturing and logistics costs increase due to numerous product references
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized heating device with a fixed electronic card and distribution bars that can accommodate variable numbers of heating modules (2-6 modules). This universal base structure allows the same device to be adapted to different vehicle architectures and capacities without requiring custom designs for each vehicle type, thereby reducing manufacturing and logistics costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heating device into a standardized base structure (electronic card and distribution bars) and variable heating modules. The heating modules can be selectively connected to the distribution bars through connection elements, allowing the system to be configured with different numbers of modules based on specific vehicle requirements, thus achieving adaptability without customizing the entire device.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized components are used in the heating device, then manufacturing and logistics costs are reduced, but the ability to adapt to different heating capacities may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the heating device to be reconfigured based on the number of heating modules connected. The electronic card and distribution bars remain standardized, but the connection elements allow dynamic adjustment of the heating capacity by connecting 2-6 heating modules according to specific vehicle requirements, thus maintaining adaptability while using standardized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the electronic card and distribution bars are made invariant, then manufacturing costs are reduced through standardization, but the device must accommodate variable numbers of heating modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the electronic card and distribution bars as invariant standardized components that can serve multiple configurations. These universal components are designed to accommodate variable numbers of heating modules (2-6 modules) through standardized connection interfaces, reducing manufacturing costs while managing configuration flexibility through systematic connection arrangements.
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
Reduces manufacturing and logistics costs by standardizing components, enabling the same device to be used in various vehicle configurations and capacities, while allowing for efficient heat distribution and customization of heating outputs.
Implementation Method 1
said at least one element capable of producing heat is a resistive element
Implementation Method 2
said at least one element capable of producing heat is a resistive element of the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) type
Implementation Method 3
said at least one associated element which is capable of exchanging heat is a radiant element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical connection device (2) for electrically connecting a first pad (10) and a second pad (12) of an electrical power source (4) and electrical contacts (18, 19) of heating modules (6, 7), the first pad (10) having a first electrical potential that differs from that of the second pad (12), said connection device (2) comprising: - at least one first electrically conductive tongue (32), intended to be electrically connected to the first pad (10) and to at least one electrical contact (19) of at least one heating module (6, 7); - at least two second electrically conductive tongues (41), intended to be electrically connected to the second pad (12), and to other electrical contacts (18) of at least one heating module (6, 7), characterized in that the connection device (2) is electrically capable of electrically connecting the first pad (10) and the second pad (12) and the electrical contacts (18, 19) of a single heating module (6, 7) and that the connection device (2) is also capable of electrically connecting the first pad (10) and the second pad (12) and the electrical contacts (18, 19) of multiple heating modules (6, 7), the number of electrical contacts (18, 19) of this heating module (6, 7) and of each of these heating modules (6, 7) potentially being variable.