Radiating and convective electrical heating device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric heating devices lack thermal inertia and aesthetics, as they primarily dissipate energy through radiation and convection without storing energy, and often have unattractive designs due to metal grids or lack of insulation.

Innovation Solution

A dual-substrate electric heating device with a glass or glass-ceramic substrate coated with a Joule effect heating element and a second insulating glass or glass-ceramic substrate that provides thermal inertia, aesthetic appeal, and efficient energy dissipation through radiation and convection, while preventing access to the heating element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a metal grid with honeycomb holes is arranged at a distance from the glass wall to combine radiative and convective heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but the device lacks thermal inertia and has unattractive appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidthermal inertia
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is segmented into three main components: a first glass substrate with heating element, a support wall with convective channels, and a second glass substrate for radiation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing both convective and radiative heating with thermal inertia.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses composite structure combining glass substrates (for thermal inertia and aesthetics), metal support wall (for structural support and convective channels), and heating element. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of thermal inertia, heating efficiency, and attractive appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If a metal grid is used for convective heating, then convective heat transfer is improved, but the device lacks aesthetic appeal and safety insulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvective heat transferVSAvoidaesthetic appeal and safety insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support wall acts as an intermediary structure between the heating element and the environment. It provides convective channels for efficient heat transfer while being covered by the second glass substrate that provides aesthetic appeal and safety insulation, hiding the functional but visually unappealing metal grid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The second glass substrate functions as a transparent or translucent shell that encloses the convective channels and heating element. This shell provides aesthetic appeal, safety insulation, and allows visual transparency while maintaining the convective heating function within.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If the glass substrate is made thick to provide thermal inertia, then energy storage is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal inertiaVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal mass function is segmented to the second glass substrate only, while the first substrate remains thin for heating element integration. This segmentation provides thermal inertia without requiring the entire device to be thick, simplifying manufacturing and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second glass substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing thermal inertia for energy storage, acting as an aesthetic facade, ensuring safety insulation, and serving as a structural element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device achieves effective radiative, convective, and thermally inertial heating while maintaining a compact, aesthetically pleasing design that adheres to safety temperature standards, allowing for efficient energy dissipation and thermal storage.

Implementation Method 1

a first glass or glass-ceramic substrate provided on one of its faces with a heating element by Joule effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule effect: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a space between said first substrate and the support wall... dissipated by convection due to the air confined between the glass wall and the metal grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The power is mainly dissipated by radiation... provides heating by radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3296643B1Radiating and convective electrical heating device
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP3296643B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3296643B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric heating device (1) comprising: - a first glass or glass-ceramic substrate (3) provided on one of its faces with a heating element by Joule effect (4), - a support wall (2) adapted to carry the first substrate (3) while providing a space between said first substrate (3) and the support wall (2), the heating element (4) being arranged on the face of the first substrate (3 ) arranged opposite the support wall (2), and - a second substrate (5) made of glass or glass-ceramic, devoid of a heating element by Joule effect, the second substrate (5) forming the front of the device and being arranged at opposite the support wall (2) with respect to the first substrate (2) and at a distance from the first substrate (3).