Spiral Electrode Radiant Panel for Uniform Vehicle Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiant panels for vehicle passenger compartments face challenges in achieving uniform heating due to geometric and thermal constraints, including the risk of short circuits and limited integration flexibility, as well as voltage losses that affect heating power flux density.
Innovation Solution
A radiant panel design featuring an array of electrodes with multiple spirals of different polarities, where the spirals can be arranged with varying distances and cross-sections to ensure uniform resistance and heating, integrated into a support with a conductive coating, allowing for adaptable integration into various vehicle compartments while minimizing the risk of short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If planar electrodes are arranged in parallel planes with resistive material between them, then heating can be achieved, but short circuits may occur upon accidental pinching of the resistive material
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is segmented into multiple independent heating zones, each with its own electrode pair. This segmentation prevents a single point failure from causing complete system failure and reduces the risk of short circuits by isolating potential contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar parallel electrode arrangements to a three-dimensional spiral winding configuration. The spiral electrodes are arranged along the same support surface rather than in parallel planes, eliminating the risk of pinching while maintaining heating functionality through the spiral geometry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two elongate electrodes are used to stretch conductive material, then heating surface can be formed, but geometric constraints make integration into various passenger compartment parts complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spiral curvature to the electrode arrangement, replacing straight elongate electrodes with spiral windings. This curved geometry provides greater adaptability to various passenger compartment surfaces while maintaining uniform electrode spacing through the spiral configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral electrode configuration introduces asymmetric geometry that can be adapted to different spatial constraints and surface shapes in the passenger compartment, unlike symmetric rectangular electrode arrangements that are more constrained.
3Power
If electrode length is reduced to limit voltage losses, then heating power flux density improves, but heating coverage area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral winding configuration allows electrodes to cover larger areas while maintaining optimal spacing and reducing voltage losses through the curved path geometry. The spiral form factor enables longer effective electrode length with reduced straight-line distance, improving both power density and coverage.
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 design achieves uniform heating across the radiant panel surface, enhances safety by reducing the risk of short circuits, and adapts to geometric constraints, ensuring consistent thermal comfort and efficient heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical circuit configured so as to deliver heat through the Joule effect by supplying electric current to resistive conductive elements
Data Source
AI summary
A radiant panel (1) intended to be installed inside a vehicle (80) passenger compartment (3), in particular a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the radiant panel (1) comprising at least one array of electrodes with at least two primary electrodes of different polarities, the array of electrodes being arranged such that at least two primary electrodes of different polarities each define at least one spiral winding around one another.