PTC Heat Exchanger Grid Assembly for Low-Cost Fluid Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating appliances are costly to manufacture, have high power consumption, and often use environmentally polluting materials, making them inefficient and environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A heating device comprising grid elements as heat exchanger plates with openings for high medium swirling, a PTC heating element, and a tensioning element for efficient heat transfer without the need for conductive adhesive connections, allowing for increased heat output and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional heating appliances are used, then heating function is provided, but manufacturing cost and complexity are high
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is divided into modular heating arrangements, each comprising grid elements and heating elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies production processes and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Grid elements with openings are used as heat exchanger plates instead of solid conventional structures. These porous/grid structures reduce material usage and manufacturing complexity while enhancing heat transfer efficiency through increased surface area and fluid circulation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heating appliances are used, then heating function is provided, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The grid elements with openings create enhanced fluid circulation patterns that improve convective heat transfer. This increases heating efficiency by ensuring better contact between the heating elements and the fluid medium, thereby reducing the power required to achieve the same heating effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The swirling flow pattern created by the grid elements introduces periodic motion to the fluid medium, enhancing heat transfer through repeated exposure to different heating zones. This periodic circulation improves overall heating efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional heating appliances are used, then heating function is provided, but environmentally polluting materials are used
Solution Approach 1:
The grid elements serve as environmentally friendly heat exchanger plates that eliminate the need for conventional metal plates or complex heat transfer media. This porous structure reduces material usage and allows for the use of environmentally acceptable materials while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
4Power
If grid elements with openings are used, then heat output is increased, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grid elements are designed with optimized opening patterns that provide sufficient structural strength while maximizing the surface area for heat transfer. The grid structure inherently maintains rigidity through its geometric configuration, allowing high heat output without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating arrangements combine grid elements with heating elements in a composite structure that leverages the strengths of each component. This composite design ensures both structural strength and high heat transfer efficiency are achieved simultaneously.
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 enhances heat output and efficiency by promoting medium swirling and stress relief, enabling higher temperature operation while reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element, in particular a PTC element, arranged between the grid elements
Implementation Method 2
the grid elements and the at least one heating element are arranged braced relative to one another by means of at least one tensioning element so that they touch
Implementation Method 3
the flow of medium is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the grid planes... allowing, on account of its openings, a high degree of swirling of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating device having a heating arrangement in a housing through which a fluid medium can flow in a longitudinal direction, wherein the at least one heating arrangement comprises at least two grid elements as heat exchanger plates with openings through which the medium flows, the grid planes of which are embodied for the exchange of heat energy between the plate and the fluid medium, at least one heating element, in particular a PTC element, arranged between the grid elements, wherein the at least one heating arrangement is arranged in the housing in such a way that the grid planes of the grid elements are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, so that the flow of medium is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the grid planes, wherein the grid elements and the at least one heating element are arranged braced relative to one another by means of at least one tensioning element so that they touch, and wherein the grid elements each have at least one contact region and are arranged in such a way that they absorb the heat energy from the at least one heating element substantially via the contact region.The heating device can be manufactured in simplified production and at low costs, environmental aspects also being taken into account during operation of the heating device.