Washer Fluid Heating Duct Layout for Uniform Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield washer fluid heating systems face inefficiencies due to poor positioning of heating elements, leading to decreased performance and overheating issues, as the integration of heating elements within transport pipes results in inadequate calorie distribution and reduced heating effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A device with a heating element comprising two electrically conductive strands separated by a spacer means, which creates a defined distance for efficient calorie dissipation, and a duct design that maximizes contact between the heating elements and the liquid, ensuring uniform heat transfer and reducing electrical consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heating element is integrated inside the transport pipe, then the heating function is provided, but the positioning is difficult resulting in degraded heating performance and overheating in certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary component between the heating element strands and the pipe wall. This spacer mediates the positioning relationship, ensuring uniform spacing without requiring complex positioning mechanisms. The spacer acts as a mediator that translates the heating element's function into effective heat transfer while maintaining simple positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the heating element configuration by introducing a spacer that defines specific spacing parameters. This transforms the heating element from a potentially poorly positioned integrated component into one with controlled, uniform spacing from the pipe wall, optimizing heat transfer parameters.
2Temperature
If the heating element strands are positioned too close to the pipe wall, then heat transfer is improved, but overheating occurs in certain areas due to poor calorie distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a spacer to create different spacing conditions at different locations. The spacer ensures that each strand maintains an optimal, uniform distance from the pipe wall, creating locally optimized heat transfer zones that prevent localized overheating while maintaining overall heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is segmented into multiple strands with spacers between them. This segmentation allows each strand to independently transfer heat to different portions of the pipe, distributing the thermal load and preventing concentration of heat in single areas, thereby preventing overheating.
3Temperature
If the heating element is embedded in the pipe, then heating function is achieved, but manufacturing precision is reduced due to positioning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as a manufacturing intermediary that simplifies the embedding process. Instead of requiring precise direct positioning of heating strands against the pipe wall, the spacer provides a reference structure that guides strand placement, significantly improving manufacturing precision while maintaining the embedded heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach by introducing a spacer component with predefined geometric parameters. This transforms the manufacturing process from one requiring high-precision direct strand placement to one where the spacer's standardized dimensions ensure proper positioning, thereby improving manufacturing precision.
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 enhances the efficiency of windshield washer fluid heating, ensuring effective defrosting and reducing electrical consumption by ensuring uniform heat distribution and minimizing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element comprising at least a first electrically conductive strand and a second electrically conductive strand
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The device (10) has a wall delimiting a liquid circulation duct that is embedded with a heating element comprising two electrically conductive strands. The duct provides a spacing unit common to the strands and extends between the strands. A duct is separated from another duct by the wall. The heating element extends between the ducts. Each duct has a duct center through which a straight line is passed and a strand center through which another straight line is passed, where the latter straight line is at right angles to the former straight line. An independent claim is also included for a system for supplying and/or distributing screen-wash liquid to be sprayed onto a window of a vehicle.