Sheet Heater Coupling Layout for Uniform Pipe Intersection Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heaters struggle to uniformly heat objects, particularly where pipe portions intersect, due to non-uniform distribution of heating elements.

Innovation Solution

A heater coupling body comprising sheet-like heaters with heat-generating layers sandwiched between insulating layers, connected by a connecting wire, allowing for uniform heating by positioning heat-generating layers on a line formed by electrode portions when viewed perpendicularly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If sheet-like heaters are wrapped around pipe portions to heat them, then the pipe portions can be heated, but the heating uniformity is poor especially at intersections where multiple pipe portions meet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidheating effectiveness at intersections
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is divided into multiple sheet-like heaters, each independently wrapable around individual pipe portions. This segmentation allows precise positioning of heat-generating layers on each pipe surface, ensuring uniform heat distribution even at complex intersections where multiple pipes meet at different angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each sheet-like heater is designed with localized heat-generating layers positioned according to the specific geometry of the pipe portion it wraps. The heat-generating layers are configured to align on lines formed by connected electrode portions, creating optimized local heating zones that adapt to different pipe orientations and intersection angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If heat-generating layers are positioned to align on lines formed by electrode portions, then heating uniformity improves, but the complexity of heater configuration and installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidheater configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet-like heaters are pre-configured with heat-generating layers and electrode portions arranged in optimal geometric relationships before installation. The heat-generating layers are positioned to naturally align on lines formed by connected electrode portions, eliminating the need for complex post-installation adjustments and simplifying the overall configuration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The problem of achieving uniform heating at three-dimensional pipe intersections is solved by transitioning to a two-dimensional sheet-like heater configuration that can be wrapped around pipes. This dimensional transformation allows the heat-generating layers to align on lines formed by electrode portions in a way that adapts to complex spatial arrangements without increasing configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables more uniform heating of objects, especially at intersections of pipe portions, by ensuring heat-generating layers align on a line formed by connected electrode portions, enhancing heating uniformity.

Implementation Method 1

each of the sheet-like heaters has a heat-generating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4686322A1Heater coupling body, heater coupling body assembly set, and piping with heater
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 TOMOEGAWA CORP
  • EP4686322A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686322A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686322A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a heater coupling body capable of more uniformly heating an object to be heated. This problem is resolved by means of a heater coupling body including a plurality of sheet-like heaters, wherein: the sheet-like heaters each have a heat-generating layer and an electrode portion electrically connected to the heat-generating layer; the electrode portion of one sheet-like heater and the electrode portion of another sheet-like heater are connected by means of a connecting line; and when main surfaces of the heat-generating layers are viewed from a direction perpendicular thereto, at least a portion of the heat-generating layer in each sheet-like heater exists on a straight line connecting the two electrode portions connected by the connecting line.