MoSi2 Ceramic Heating Element Holding Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

MoSi2-based ceramic heating elements lack strength at high temperatures, making them difficult to hold and exchange, especially when attached with multiple staples, which increases labor and manufacturing costs and poses risks due to thermal expansion and contraction.

Innovation Solution

A holding structure featuring elongated support members and first holding members that allow for independent exchange of the heating element without breaking the structure, using molybdenum disilicide-based ceramic elements with electrical insulators to maintain contact and prevent deformation, and a frame body that can be heated from both directions to facilitate easy replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If MoSi2-based ceramic heating elements are attached to heat-insulating material using staple U-pins, then the heating element can be fixed in place, but it becomes difficult to exchange the heating element alone and requires stopping the furnace operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidease of heating element exchange
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The holding structure is divided into separate components: the heat-insulating material with embedded U-pins forms a fixed base structure, while the heating element is a separate removable component that can be independently exchanged without disturbing the base structure or requiring furnace shutdown

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is extracted as a separate removable component from the fixed heat-insulating material structure. The U-pins are embedded only in the heat-insulating material, allowing the heating element to be removed and replaced independently while the base structure remains intact and operational

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If the heating element is fixed with many staples, then it can be securely attached, but manufacturing costs and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and labor
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple U-pins are combined into an integrated holding structure where the U-pins are embedded in the heat-insulating material as a unified assembly. This reduces the number of separate fastening operations and simplifies manufacturing compared to using numerous individual staples

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-insulating material serves as an intermediary structure that embeds the U-pins, providing a secure attachment mechanism without requiring direct fastening of multiple staples to the heating element. This intermediate structure simplifies the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the heating element is fixed with many staples, then it can be held in place, but damage risk increases due to expansion and contraction during heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoiddamage resistance during thermal cycling
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding structure accommodates thermal expansion and contraction by allowing controlled movement of the heating element relative to the fixed U-pins. The U-pins provide anchoring while the heating element can expand and contract without being constrained by rigid multiple-staple fastening, reducing stress and damage risk during thermal cycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3008971B1Molybdenum disilicide-based ceramic heating element holding structure
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 SANDOBITSUKU KK
  • EP3008971B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3008971B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3008971B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A molybdenum disilicide-based ceramic heating element holding structure (H) comprising a holding member attached to a base portion (14) and holding an elongated support member (12), and an elongated support member (12) held by the holding members (13) for mounting a molybdenum disilicide-based ceramic heating element (11) of an elongated shape at intervals in a long axis direction thereof, wherein the elongated molybdenum disilicide-based ceramic heating element (11) mounted on the elongated support member (12) can be exchanged without breaking the heating element holding structure. A plurality of elongated support members (12) are provided, and a U-shaped portion of an elongated molybdenum disilicide-based ceramic heating element (11) in a meandering shape can be inserted and extracted from a uniaxial direction in a space defined by the base portion (14), the plurality of elongated support members (12) and the holding member (13) holding the plurality of elongated support members, or the elongated support member (12) is detachablly held by the holding member (13)so that the elongated support member (12) can be removed from the holding member (13).