Abstract
A PTC heating module for a battery-operated motor vehicle may include a first and a second electrode, and a plurality of PTC elements. The first and second electrodes may be configured to be electrically conductive. The plurality of PTC elements may be arranged between the first and second electrodes and may be spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the PTC heating module. The first and second electrodes may be connected to the plurality of PTC elements. At least one of the first and second electrodes may be subdivided into at least two electrode tracks. The at least two electrode tracks may be electrically isolated from one another. Each of the at least two electrode tracks may be connected to the plurality of PTC elements.
Claims
1. A PTC heating module for a battery-operated motor vehicle, the PTC heating module comprising: a first and a second electrode configured to be electrically conductive; and a plurality of PTC elements, wherein the plurality of PTC elements are arranged in a height direction of the PTC heating module between the first and second electrodes, the plurality of PTC elements are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the PTC heating module, wherein the first and second electrodes are connected to the plurality of PTC elements, and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is subdivided into at least two electrode tracks, wherein the respective electrode tracks are electrically isolated from one another and are each connected to the plurality of PTC elements.
2. The PTC heating module according to claim 1, wherein the at least two electrode tracks are disposed parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another in a width direction of the PTC heating module.
3. The PTC heating module according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode overlap one another in regions or completely.
4. The PTC heating module according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second electrodes is subdivided into the at least two electrode tracks and the other one of the first and second electrodes is not subdivided.
5. The PTC heating module according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are each subdivided into the at least two electrode tracks, and the respective electrodes tracks of one of the first and second electrodes are located opposite one of the respective electrode tracks or some of the respective electrode tracks of the other one of the first and second electrodes.
6. The PTC heating module according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are each subdivided into the at least two electrode tracks, and wherein a number of the electrode tracks in the first and second electrodes is the same and wherein the respective electrode tracks of the first and second electrodes are located opposite one another in pairs in the height direction of the PTC heating module.
7. A method for controlling the PTC heating module according to claim 1, the method comprising: applying a voltage to the first and second electrodes, and causing a current to flow in the plurality of PTC elements from one of the first and second electrodes to the other one of the first and second electrodes via a current path, and wherein the voltage in the at least one of the first and second electrodes that is subdivided is applied to one of the at least two electrode tracks, or to some of the at least two electrode tracks or to all of the at least two electrode tracks, and a resistance and a capacitance of the plurality of PTC elements are thereby adapted.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in a maximum output mode of the PTC heating module, the voltage is applied to the at least two electrode tracks so that the current and the output become maximal.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein in a part output mode of the PTC heating module, the voltage is applied to the at least two electrode tracks so that the current and the output becomes smaller than in the maximum output mode.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein during an initial heating, the PTC heating module is operated in the part output mode, and after the initial heating, the PTC heating module is operated in the maximum output mode or in the part output mode.
11. The PTC heating module according to claim 2, wherein each of the at least two electrode tracks include a width that is identical to one another.
12. The PTC heating module according to claim 2, wherein each of the at least two electrode tracks include a width that is different from one another.
13. The PTC heating module according to claim 4, wherein the other one of the first and second electrodes that is not subdivided is disposed opposite only one of the at least two electrode tracks.
14. The PTC heating module according to claim 4, wherein the other one of the first and second electrodes that is not subdivided is disposed opposite some of the at least two electrode tracks.
15. The PTC heating module according to claim 4, wherein the other one of the first and second electrodes that is not subdivided is disposed opposite all the at least two electrode tracks.
16. A PTC heating module for a battery-operated motor vehicle, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode defining a space; and a plurality of PTC elements disposed within the space, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is subdivided into at least two electrode tracks.
17. The PTC heating module according to claim 16, wherein the respective electrode tracks are electrically isolated from one another.
18. The PTC heating module according to claim 16, wherein the respective electrode tracks are connected to the plurality of PTC elements.
19. The PTC heating module according to claim 16, wherein the at least two electrode tracks are disposed parallel to and spaced apart from one another.
20. The PTC heating module according to claim 16, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode overlap one another.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] It shows, in each case schematically
[0024] FIG. 1 a lateral view of a PTC module according to the invention in a first embodiment with drawn section planes A-A and B-B;
[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 Sectional views of the PTC heating module according to the invention in the first embodiment in the section planes A-A and B-B;
[0026] FIG. 4 to 6 Sectional views of the PTC heating modules according to the invention in the first embodiment with different circuit diagrams;
[0027] FIG. 7 to 11 Sectional views of the PTC heating module according to the invention in a second embodiment with different circuit diagrams;
[0028] FIG. 12 A sectional view of the PTC heating module according to the invention in a third embodiment with one of the possible circuit diagrams.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a lateral view of a PTC heating module 1 according to the invention for a battery-operated motor vehicle in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show sectional views of the PTC heating module 1 in the section planes A-A and B-B, which are shown in FIG. 1 Here, the PTC heating module 1 extends in a longitudinal direction LR, in a height direction HR and in a width direction BR, which are perpendicular to one another. Here, the PTC heating module 1 comprises two electrically conductive electrodes 2 and 3 and multiple PTC elements 4. The PTC elements 4 are arranged in a height direction HR between the two electrodes 2 and 3 and spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction LR. The two electrodes 2 and 3 extend transversely to the height direction HR and are oriented in the longitudinal direction LR. Here, the electrodes 2 and 3 are electrically conductively connected to the PTC elements 4 via an electrically conductive coating 7. In addition, two electrically isolating plates 5 and 6 of ceramic are arranged on the electrodes 2 and 3, which lie against the two electrodes 2 and 3 facing away from the PTC elements 4.
[0030] Making reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the electrode 2 is subdivided into two electrode tracks 8a and 8b. The electrode tracks 8a and 8b are oriented parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction LR. In the width direction BR, the two electrode tracks 8a and 8b are spaced apart from one another and because of this electrically isolated from one another or electrically separated from one another. A voltage can be applied to the PTC elements 4 via the respective electrode track 8a or 8b regardless of the other electrode track 8b or 8a. Thus, with the applied voltage the electrode track 8a or 8b represents an outer conductor—in FIG. 4-13 marked with “+”. The electrode 3 is not subdivided and represents a neutral conductor—in FIG. 4-13 marked with “−”.
[0031] FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 show sectional views of the PTC heating module 1 in the first embodiment transversely to the longitudinal direction LR. In FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, a total of three possible circuit diagrams I-1, I-2 and I-3 on the respective PTC element 4 are shown. It is to be understood that the other PTC elements 4 which are not shown, are connected in the same way. In the three shown circuit diagrams, I-1, I-2 and I-3, the electrodes 2 and 3 are interconnected differently. In order to realise the different circuit diagrams, I-1, I-2 and I-3 a switch 9a and 9b respectively is connected upstream of the electrode track 8a and 8b respectively. Because of this, the voltage can be independently applied to the electrode tracks 8a and 8b.
[0032] FIG. 4 now shows a first circuit diagram I-1 of the electrode 2 with the electrode 3. Here the voltage (for example 800V) is applied to the two electrode tracks 8a and 8b. For this purpose, the two switches 9a and 9b are appropriately closed. Through the applied voltage a current is generated in the PTC element 4, which then flows through the PTC element 4 via a current path 10, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 4. It is to be understood that the current path 10 merely illustrates a general direction of the current. The energized electrode tracks 8a and 8b and the energized electrode 3 overlap one another completely in the height direction HR, so that the current flows in height direction HR or at a current angle a equal to 0° to the height direction HR. The length of the current path 10 is minimal. The energized area of the electrodes 2 and 3 is maximal.
[0033] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a second circuit diagram I-2 and a third circuit diagram I-3 of the electrode 2 with the electrode 3. The two circuit diagrams I-2 and I-3 are identical in their effect. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 respectively, the voltage (for example 800V) is applied to the electrode track 8b and 8a respectively and the other electrode track 8a and 8b is not connected. To this end, the switch 9b and 9a respectively is appropriately closed and the switch 9a and 9b opened. The energized electrodes 8b and 8a respectively and the energized electrode 3 overlap one another in the height direction HR only in regions, so that the generated current also flows through a current path 11 with a maximum length. The current paths 10 and 11 are indicated by arrows in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. There, the current path 11 is oriented at an angle a to the height direction HR that can be maximally achieved. However it is to be understood that the current paths 10 and 11 merely illustrate a general direction of the current. In addition, the energized area of the electrodes 2 and 3 in the second circuit diagram I-2 and in the third circuit diagram I-3 is smaller than in the first circuit diagram I-1.
[0034] The resistance of the PTC element 4 is higher with the circuit diagrams I-2 and I-3 than with the circuit diagram I-1. The capacitance of the PTC element 4 by contrast is smaller. Because of this, the generated current and the generated output with the circuit diagrams I-2 and I-3 are also smaller than with the circuit diagram I-1. Accordingly, a maximum output operation can be realised with the circuit diagram I-1 and a part output operation with the circuit diagram I-2 and I-3 of the PTC heating module 1. When during the initial heating of the PTC heating module 1 the circuit diagram I-2 or I-3 is used, the generated current and because of this the loads on the further electronic or electrical components are reduced. Current peaks with the circuit diagrams I-2 or I-3 can also be reduced during the operation of the PTC heating module 1.
[0035] FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 show sectional views of the PTC heating module 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment transversely to the longitudinal direction LR. In the second embodiment of the PTC heating module 1 the electrode 2 is subdivided into the electrode tracks 8a and 8b. The electrode 3 is subdivided into two further electrode tracks 12a and 12b. In FIG. 7 to FIG. 11, the electrode tracks 8a and 8b are now differently connected to the electrode tracks 12a and 12b. Because of this, altogether five circuit diagrams II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4, and II-5 that are different from one another can be realised. In order to realise the circuit diagrams II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4, and II-5, the switch 9a and 9b respectively is connected in each case upstream of the respective track 8a and 8b respectively and a switch 13a and 13b each is connected downstream of the respective electrode track 12a and 12b respectively.
[0036] FIG. 7 now shows a first circuit diagram II-1 of the electrode 2 with the electrode 3. Here, the voltage (for example 800V) is applied to the two electrode tracks 8a and 8b and the two electrode tracks 12a and 12b are switched on. For this purpose, the switches 9a, 9b and 13a, 13b, are appropriately closed. Through the applied voltage, current is generated in the PTC element 4 which then flows through the PTC element 4 via the current path 10 with the minimum length, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 7. However it is to be understood that the current path 10 merely illustrates a general direction of the current. Here, the energized area of the electrodes 2 and 3 is maximal. In its effect, the first circuit diagram II-1 shown here corresponds to the first circuit diagram I-1 in the PTC heating module 1 in the first embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a second circuit diagram II-2 of the electrode 2 with the electrode 3. In FIG. 8, the voltage (for example 800V) is applied to the electrode track 8a and the electrode tracks 12a and 12b are switched on. For this purpose, the switches 9a and 13a, 13b are appropriately closed and the switch 9b opened. The energized electrode track 8a and the energized electrode tracks 13a and 13b overlap one another in the height direction HR only in regions, so that the generated current flows through the current path 10 with a minimal length and through the current path 11 with a maximal length. It is to be understood that the current paths 10 and 11 merely illustrate a general direction of the current. The current paths 10 and 11 are indicated by arrows in FIG. 7. Here, the energized area of the electrodes 2 and 3 is smaller than in the first circuit diagram II-1.
[0038] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 now show the third circuit diagram II-3 and the fourth circuit diagram II-4 of the electrode 2 with the electrode 3. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 respectively, the voltage (for example 800V) is only applied to the electrode track 8b and 8a respectively and only the electrode track 12a and 12b respectively is switched on. For this purpose, the switches 9b and 13a and 9a and 13b respectively are appropriately closed and the switches 9a and 13b and 9b and 13a respectively opened. The energized electrode track 8b and 8a respectively and the energized electrode track 12a and 12b respectively do not overlap one another in the height direction HR so that the generated current only flows through the current path 11 with a maximal length. The energized area of the electrodes 2 and 3 is minimal here.
[0039] FIG. 11 now shows the fifth circuit diagram II-5 of the electrode 2 with the electrode 3. In FIG. 11, the voltage (for example 800V) is only applied to the electrode track 8a and only the electrode track 12a is switched on. For this purpose, the switches 9a and 13a are appropriately closed and the switches 9b and 13b opened. The energized electrode track 8a and the energized electrode track 12a completely overlap one another in the height direction HR, so that the generated current flows through the current path 10 with the minimal length, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 8. The energized area of the electrodes 2 and 3 is also minimal here.
[0040] In the circuit diagrams I-1 to I-5, the PTC heating module 1, because of the different current paths and the different energized area, is operated at the different outputs. Here, the circuit diagram II-1 realises the maximum output operation and the circuit diagrams II-2 to II-5 realise the part output operation with three different part outputs. When during the initial heating of the PTC heating module 1 one of the circuit diagrams II-2 to II-5 is used, the generated current is reduced compared with the maximum output operation. Even during the operation of the PTC heating module 1, current peaks with the circuit diagrams II-2 to II-5 can be reduced compared with the maximum output operation.
[0041] FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the PTC heating module 1 according to the invention, in a third embodiment transversely to the longitudinal direction LR. In the third embodiment of the PTC heating module 1, the electrode 2 is not subdivided and the electrode 3 is subdivided into five electrode tracks 12a-12e. The electrode tracks 12a-12e can be switched on or switched off through the switches 13a-13e connected downstream. In the circuit diagram III-1, the respective PTC element 4 is flowed through along the flow path 11 with the maximum length and along a current path 14. The current paths 11 and 14 are oriented at the current angle a to the height direction HR. The current path 14 has a length which is between the minimum length of the current path 10 and the maximum length of the current path 11. However, it is to be understood that the current paths 11 and 14 merely illustrate a general direction of the current. With the circuit diagram III-1, the part output operation of the PTC heating module 1 is realised. It is to be understood that further circuit diagrams for realising further part output operations and the maximum output operation are conceivable here.
