PTC Heating Element Holding Structure for Reliable Partition Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric heating devices face challenges in securely and reliably fastening PTC heating element housings to the partition wall, particularly in designs where the heating element is produced separately and requires a secure, sealed connection.
Innovation Solution
A holding element with a receiving opening surrounds the heating element housing, creating a non-positive or frictional mechanical connection that secures the heating element housing to the partition wall, and includes a sealing element to ensure the PTC heating element is sealed within the heating element receptacle, with the option to connect to a ground pole for electrical shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PTC heating element is secured by friction in the heating element receptacle, then the assembly is simple, but the mechanical fastening is not reliable enough
Solution Approach 1:
A holding element is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating element housing and the partition wall. This holding element encompasses the heating element housing and connects it to the partition wall, providing reliable mechanical fastening without requiring complex direct fastening structures between the heating element and the partition wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element includes elastic spring tongues that interact with the outer surface of the heating element housing. These elastic components provide flexible, reliable mechanical connection through elastic deformation, ensuring secure fastening while accommodating minor dimensional variations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heating element housing is produced separately and plugged into the partition wall, then manufacturing is easier, but the connection reliability and sealing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element serves as a mediator that connects the separately produced heating element housing to the partition wall. This allows the heating element housing to be manufactured independently while ensuring reliable connection through the holding element, which provides both mechanical fastening and sealing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element encompasses the heating element housing, creating a nested structure where the heating element housing is held within the holding element. This nested arrangement ensures secure connection while maintaining the benefit of separate production of the heating element housing.
3Reliability
If a holding element is added to secure the heating element housing, then mechanical fastening is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical fastening of the heating element housing to the partition wall, ensures sealing through the interaction with the heating element housing, and can be connected to the ground pole for electrical shielding. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element combines mechanical fastening features (through its structure encompassing the heating element housing), sealing features (through interaction with the heating element housing outer surface), and electrical grounding capability (through connection to ground pole) into a single integrated component, reducing overall structural complexity.
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 provides a reliable and permanent mechanical fastening of the heating element housing to the electrical heating device, ensuring a secure seal and simplified electrical connection, enhancing the device's EMC protection and assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
PTC heating element which is exposed in the heating chamber in the manner of a heating rib
Implementation Method 2
creating a non-positive or frictional mechanical connection that secures the heating element housing to the partition wall
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric heating device (2) comprising a housing (16) with a partition (24) separating a connection chamber (28) from a heating chamber (30) for heat dissipation, and from which at least one PTC heating element (12) with a heating element housing (14) projects towards the heating chamber (30), in which at least one PTC element and conductive traces of opposite polarity for supplying current to the PTC element (12), which are electrically connected in the connection chamber (28), are insulated and supported. For improved support of the PTC heating element (12), a retaining element (2) encompassing the heating element housing (14) is proposed, which is connected to the partition (24) on its side facing the heating chamber (30) and to the heating element housing (14).The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such an electric heating device (2), in which first a housing (16) with a partition (24) separating a connection chamber (28) from a heating chamber (30) for heat emission, and at least one PTC heating element (12) with a heating element housing (14) in which at least one PTC element and conductive traces for supplying current to the PTC element with different polarities, which are insulated and supported in the heating element housing (14), are manufactured, the PTC heating element (12) is then inserted into a heating element receptacle of the partition (24) so that it projects from the partition (24) in the direction of the heating chamber (30), and finally a retaining element (2) cooperating with the heating element housing (14) is slid over the heating element housing (14) and connected to the partition (24) on its side facing the heating chamber (30).