PTC Heating Device Press Ring Seal for Vibration-Resistant Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric heating devices face challenges in sealing the PTC heating element effectively, leading to potential leaks and reduced electrical safety, especially in applications like motor vehicle technology where vibrations are significant.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a flexible silicone seal surrounded by a press ring that secures the heater housing in the receptacle, with the press ring being either form-fitting or force-fitting, and optionally embedded in the seal material, ensuring a secure and vibration-resistant connection while providing electrical conductivity for shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PTC heating element is held in the heating element receptacle by friction alone, then the assembly is simple, but the sealing is insufficient and the connection is not vibration-resistant
Solution Approach 1:
A press ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the heater housing and the receptacle wall. This press ring provides mechanical pressing force to secure the heater housing in the receptacle and press the seal against the receptacle wall, thereby improving sealing reliability and vibration resistance without requiring complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The securing mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the seal (providing sealing), the press ring (providing mechanical securing and electrical connection), and the receptacle structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall assembly simplicity
2Reliability
If the press ring is made electrically conductive to provide shielding, then electrical safety is improved, but the material selection becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The press ring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical securing of the heater housing, sealing support by pressing the seal against the receptacle wall, and electrical shielding through its electrically conductive material. This multi-functionality improves electrical safety while maintaining material versatility by allowing selection from various conductive materials based on specific application requirements
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
This solution enhances sealing, prevents fluid leakage, increases electrical safety, and improves heat dissipation, making the heating device more reliable and resistant to vibrations, particularly in high-voltage applications.
Implementation Method 1
The seal consists of a flexible plastic, usually elastomer, the seal is particularly preferably made of silicone
Implementation Method 2
The press ring is pressed into the receptacle and is thereby pressed between the heater housing and a wall of the partition that defines the receptacle
Implementation Method 3
The PTC heating element has at least one PTC element and conductor tracks connected thereto in an electrically conductive manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric heating device (2) comprising a housing (102, 104, 138) with a partition (117) separating a connection chamber (120) from a heating chamber (106) for heat emission, and from which at least one PTC heating device (112) with a heater housing (111) projects towards the heating chamber (106), in which at least one PTC element (113) and conductive traces (115) of different polarity, which are electrically connected to the PTC element (113) and are electrically connected in the connection chamber (120) for energizing it, are insulated and supported, and which is sealed against the partition (117) by means of a seal (119) arranged in a receptacle (116) of the partition (117) surrounding the heater housing (111) circumferentially.To improve the sealing of the PTC heating element (12), the present invention proposes a press ring (202) arranged in the receptacle (116), which surrounds the heater housing (11) completely and secures the seal (119) in the receptacle (116). With its methodological aspect, the present invention proposes inserting a press ring (202) into the receptacle (116) and securing its position within the receptacle (116).