PTC HEATING DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a PTC heating device for, e.g., an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle. The PTC heating device includes first and second PTC thermistors each having a first and second electrical contacting surface that lie opposite one another. The PTC thermistors are arranged sandwiched between a first and a second electrical insulation. A first electrical line path is arranged between the first PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation. The first electrical line path is electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors. A second electrical line path is arranged between the second PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation. The second electrical line path is electrically isolated from the first line path and electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the second electric PTC thermistors.

Claims

1. A PTC heating device, comprising: first PTC thermistors and second PTC thermistors that each have a first electrical contact surface and a second electrical contacting surface that lie opposite one another, wherein the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors are arranged sandwich-like between a first electrical insulation and a second electrical insulation, a first electrical line path arranged between the first PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation, wherein the first electrical line path is electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors, and a second electrical line path arranged between the second PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation, wherein the second electrical line path is electrically isolated from the first electrical line path and electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the second PTC thermistors.

2. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrical insulation and the second electrical insulation is formed as a first insulation board and a second insulation board, respectively.

3. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein: at least one third electrical line path is arranged between the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors and the second electrical insulation for electrically connecting to an electric current source, and wherein the at least one third electrical line path is electrically connected to the second contacting surfaces of at least one of the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors.

4. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrical line path and the second electrical line path are formed as an areal conductor track that covers a respective contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors areally.

5. The PTC heating device according to claim 4, wherein exactly one third electrical line path is provided that is electrically connected to the second contacting surface of both of the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors.

6. The PTC heating device according to claim 4, wherein: a third electrical line path and a fourth electrical line path are provided and are arranged on the second electrical insulation with the same path course as the first electrical line path and the second electrical line path on the first electrical insulation, and the third electrical line path is electrically connected to the second contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors and, electrically isolated from these contacting surfaces, the fourth electrical line path is connected to the second contacting surfaces of the second PTC thermistors.

7. The PTC heating device according to claim 6, wherein at least one of: a path course of the third electrical line path on the second electrical insulation substantially corresponds to a path course of the first electrical line path on the first electrical insulation; and a path course of the fourth electrical line path on the second electrical insulation corresponds to a path course of the second electrical line path on the first electrical insulation.

8. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein: the first electrical line path and the second electrical line path are arranged on a side facing the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors of the first electrical insulation; and at least one third line path is arranged on a side facing the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors of the second electrical insulation.

9. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein a material of at least one of the first electrical insulation and the second electrical insulation is an electrically insulating ceramic.

10. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein: the first electrical line path covers the first contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors completely in each case, the second electrical line path covers the first contacting surface of the second PTC thermistors completely in each case, and at least one third electrical line path covers the second contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors completely in each case.

11. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein all of the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors are arranged spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction, wherein an entirety of the second PTC thermistors follows an entirety of the first PTC thermistors in the longitudinal direction.

12. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein: the first electrical line path interconnects the first contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors along a longitudinal direction and the second electrical line path interconnects the first contacting surface of the second PTC thermistors along the longitudinal direction, and the electrical second line path runs along the longitudinal direction past the first PTC thermistors spaced apart from the first PTC thermistors.

13. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical line path is arranged in a first end portion and the second electrical line path is arranged in a second end portion of the first electrical insulation where they extend along a longitudinal direction, and wherein the first end portion and the second end portion lie opposite one another in a transverse direction perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

14. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein: the second electrical line path defines a first path portion in a region of the first PTC thermistors and defines a second path portion in a region of the second PTC thermistors, and the first path portion is arranged along a transverse direction offset relative to the second path portion.

15. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical line path ends at a transition between the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors.

16. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein one of: the second PTC thermistors are arranged offset relative to the first PTC thermistors transversely to a longitudinal direction; and the second PTC thermistors are arranged without offset relative to the first PTC thermistors transversely to the longitudinal direction.

17. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical line path and the second electrical line path, at a longitudinal end of the first electrical insulation, have a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection respectively for connecting to an electric current source.

18. The PTC heating device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the first electrical line path is arranged between the first electrical insulation and the second PTC thermistors; the second electrical line path is arranged between the first electrical insulation and the second PTC thermistors; and at least one third electrical line path is arranged between the second electrical insulation and the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors.

19. An air-conditioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a PTC heating device, including: first PTC thermistors and second PTC thermistors each having a first electrical contact surface and a second electrical contacting surface that lie opposite one another, the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors arranged sandwiched between a first electrical insulation and a second electrical insulation; a first electrical line path arranged between the first PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation, wherein the first electrical line path is electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors; and a second electrical line path arranged between the second PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation, wherein the second electrical line path is electrically isolated from the first electrical line path and electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the second PTC thermistors.

20. A motor vehicle, comprising: an air-conditioning system, the air-conditioning system having a PTC heating device that includes: first PTC thermistors and second PTC thermistors each having a first electrical contact surface and a second electrical contacting surface that lie opposite one another, the first PTC thermistors and the second PTC thermistors arranged sandwiched between a first electrical insulation and a second electrical insulation; a first electrical line path arranged between the first PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation, wherein the first electrical line path is electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the first PTC thermistors; and a second electrical line path arranged between the second PTC thermistors and the first electrical insulation, wherein the second electrical line path is electrically isolated from the first electrical line path and electrically connected to the first contacting surface of the second PTC thermistors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] There it shows, in each case schematically,

[0031] FIG. 1A an example of a PTC heating device according to the invention in a cross section perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the PTC heating device,

[0032] FIG. 1B the arrangement of the PTC thermistors and of the two electrical insulations in a lateral view,

[0033] FIG. 2A the PTC heating device in a plan view onto the first insulation along the main direction,

[0034] FIG. 2B the PTC heating device in a plan view onto the second insulation along the main direction,

[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B a first version of the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B,

[0036] FIGS. 4A and 4B a second version of the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a PTC heating device 1 according to the invention in a cross section perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction L of the PTC heating device 1. PTC heating device 1 comprises first and second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b. Each of the PTC thermistors 2a, 2b comprises a first and a second electrical contacting surface 3a and 3b respectively, which serve for the electrical contacting of the respective PTC thermistor 2a and 2b respectively to the two poles of an electric current source (not shown). The first and second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b are arranged, with respect to the main direction R, which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L, sandwich-like between a common first and a common second electrical insulation 4a, 4b, which likewise lie opposite one another along the main direction R.

[0038] As is evident from FIG. 1a, the first and second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b are arranged in a main plane H. The contacting surfaces 3a, 3b of the PTC thermistors 2a, 2b are arranged in subsidiary planes N1, N2, which extend parallel to the main plane H. The first and second contacting surfaces 3a, 3b of a respective PTC thermistor 2a, 2b lie opposite one another in the main direction R, which extends orthogonally to the main plane H and the subsidiary planes N1, N2. In the example scenario, the first electrical insulation 4a is formed as first insulation board 9a and the second electrical insulation 4b as second insulation board 9b. Both insulation boards 9a, 9b are practically arranged in a plane each, which extends parallel to the main plane H. The material of the first and second electrical insulation 4a, 4b can be an electrically insulating ceramic.

[0039] FIG. 1b shows the PTC heating device 1 of FIG. 1a in a lateral view. FIG. 2a shows the PTC heating device 1 of the FIGS. 1a, 1b in a plan view onto the first insulation 4a along the main direction R, FIG. 2b in a plan view onto the second insulation 4b along the main direction R. In the FIGS. 1a, 2a, 2b, four PTC thermistors 2a and four second PTC thermistors 2b are each exemplarily shown.

[0040] According to FIG. 2a, a first electrical line path 5a is arranged between the first PTC thermistors 2a and the first electrical insulation 4a. The same is formed for connecting the first contacting surfaces 3a of the first PTC thermistors 2a of the said electrical current source. To this end, the first electrical line path 5a is electrically connected to the first contacting surfaces 3a of the first electric PTC thermistors 2a.

[0041] Analogous to thiselectrically isolated from the first line path 5aa second electrical line path 5b is arranged between the second PTC thermistors 2b and the first electrical insulation 4a. This line path 5b is formed for connecting the first contacting surfaces 3a of the second PTC thermistors 2b to the electric current source. To this end, the second electrical line path 5b is electrically connected to the first contacting surfaces 3a of the second electric PTC thermistors 2b. By means of the two line paths 5a, 5b, the first and second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b can be supplied with electric current from the current source independently of one anotherin particular electrically isolated from one another.

[0042] According to FIG. 2b, a third electrical line path 5c for electrically connecting the second contacting surfaces 3b both of the first and also of the second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b to the electrical current source is arranged between the first and second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b and the second electrical insulation 4b. Here, the third electrical line path 5c is electrically connected to the second contacting surfaces 3b of the electric PTC thermistors 2a, 2b.

[0043] In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, exactly one third line path 5c is present in the PTC heating device 1. This third line path 5c is electrically connected to the second contacting surfaces both of the first PTC thermistors 2a and also of the second electric PTC thermistors 2b. For the sake of clarity, the line paths 5a, 5b, 5c are not shown in the FIGS. 1a, 1b.

[0044] As illustrated by the FIGS. 1b, 2a, 2b, all first and second PTC thermistors are arranged along a longitudinal direction L spaced apart next to one another. Here, the entirety 6b of the second PTC thermistors 2b follows in the longitudinal direction L the entirety 6a of the first PTC thermistors 2a. Thus, the first and second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b are each arranged in groups.

[0045] In the example of the figures, the first and second line path 5a, 5b are arranged on a side 11a facing the PTC thermistors 2a, 2b of the first electrical insulation 4a and the first insulation board 9a respectively. Accordingly, the third line path 5c, 5d is arranged on a side 11b facing the PTC thermistors of the second electrical insulation 4b and the second insulation board 9b respectively.

[0046] According to FIG. 2a, the first line path 5a interconnects the first contacting surfaces 3a of the first PTC thermistors 2a along the longitudinal direction L. Accordingly, the second line path 5b interconnects the first contacting surfaces 3a of the second PTC thermistors along the longitudinal direction L. As is additionally evident from FIG. 2a, the second line path 5b is routed along the longitudinal direction spaced apart from the first PTC thermistors laterally past the same. The first line path 5a ends at a transition 7 between the first and second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b. Thus, in the region of the first PTC thermistors 2a the second line path 5b forms a first path portion 5b.1 and in the region of the second PTC thermistors 2b a second path portion 5b.2.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 2a, the first path portion 5b.1 is arranged, along a transverse direction Q, which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L, offset relative to the second path portion 5b.2. Here, a transition path portion 5b.3 extending in the transverse direction is provided on the transition 7, which extends in the transverse direction Q and electrically connects the first path portion 5b.1 to the second path portion 5b.2. The first line path 5a extends in a straight line along the longitudinal direction L and ends before the transition 7 of the second line path 5b. The third line path 5c likewise extends in a straight line along the longitudinal direction L. The first and the second electrical line path have, at a (with respect to the longitudinal direction L) first longitudinal end 12, a first and second electrical connection 8a and 8b respectively for connecting the first and second line path 5a, 5b to the electric current source. The third electrical line path can likewise comprise a third electrical connection 8c at the first longitudinal end 12 for connecting the third line path 5c to the electric current source.

[0048] In the example of FIGS. 2a, 2b, the first line path 5a covers the first contacting surfaces 3a of the first PTC thermistors 2a completely in each case. The second line path 5b covers the first contacting surfaces 3a of the second PTC thermistors 2b completely in each case. The third line path 5c covers the second contacting surfaces 3b of the first and second PTC thermistor completely in each case.

[0049] The FIGS. 3a and 3b show a first version of the example of the FIGS. 2a and 2b. On the first insulation 4a shown in FIG. 3a, the first and the second electrical line path 5a, 5b are arranged analogously to the example of FIG. 2a. In contrast to the example of FIG. 2a, the first line path 5a, in the example of the FIG. 3a, is arranged in a, with respect to the transverse direction Q, first end portion 10a. The second line path 5b is arranged, in a, with respect to the transverse direction Q, second end portion 10b of the first electrical insulation 4a. As is evident from FIG. 3a, the two end portions 10a, 10b lie opposite one another in the transverse direction Q. Both line paths 5a, 5b extend in the respective end portion 10a and 10b respectively on the first insulation 4a along the longitudinal direction L.

[0050] As is further evident from FIG. 3b, the PTC heating device 1 comprises a third line path 5c and a fourth line path 5d that is formed electrically isolated from the same, which are both arranged on the second electrical insulation 4b. Here, a fourth electrical connection 8d is provided for the fourth line path 5d analogously to the line paths 5a, 5b, 5c.

[0051] As is additionally evident from FIG. 3b, the third line path 5c is electrically connected to the second contacting surfaces 3b of the first electric PTC thermistors 2a. Electrically isolated from these second contacting surfaces 3b of the first PTC thermistors 2a, the fourth line path 5d is connected to the second contacting surfaces 3b of the second electric PTC thermistors 2b.

[0052] A comparison of the FIG. 3b with FIG. 3a shows that the third and the fourth line path 5c, 5d is arranged with the same path course P3, P4 on the second electrical insulation 4b as the first and second electrical line path 5a, 5b with path course P1 and P2 respectively on the first electrical insulation 4a. A path course P3 of the third line path 5c on the second insulation 4b is identical to a path course P1 of the first electrical line path 5a on the first insulation 4a. A path course P4 of the fourth line path 5d on the second insulation 4b is identical to the path course P2 of the second electrical line path 5b on the first insulation 4a.

[0053] In the example of FIGS. 3a, 3b, the first line path 5ain contrast with the example of the FIGS. 2a, 2bcovers the first contacting surfaces 3a of the first PTC thermistors 2a only incompletely in each case. The second line path 5b covers the first contacting surfaces 3a of the second PTC thermistors 2b incompletely in each case. The third line path 5c covers the second contacting surfaces 3b of the first PTC thermistors 2a only incompletely in each case. The fourth line path 5d covers the second contacting surfaces 3b of the second PTC thermistors 2b only incompletely in each case.

[0054] The FIGS. 4a and 4b show a second version of the example of the FIGS. 2a and 2b. In the example of FIG. 4, the second PTC thermistors 2b are arranged offset relative to the first PTC thermistors 2a along the transverse direction Q.

[0055] In the example of FIG. 4a, the first line path 5a is arranged in the, with respect to the transverse direction Q, first end portion 10a on the first insulation 4a. The second line path 5b is arranged in the, with respect to the transverse direction Q, second end portion 10b of the first electrical insulation 4a. Both line paths 5a, 5b extend on the first insulation 4a in a straight line each along the longitudinal direction L, wherein the first line path 5a ends at the transition 7 between the first and the second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b. The second path portion 5b.2 of the second line path 5b thus follows the first path portion 5b.1 along the longitudinal direction L in a straight line. On the second insulation 4b, only a single, third line path 5c is arranged according to FIG. 4b, which extends in a straight line along the longitudinal direction L across both the first and also second PTC thermistors 2a, 2b. With respect to the transverse direction Q, the third line path 5c is arranged in a centre portion 10c arranged between the two end portions 10a, 10b of the second electrical insulation 4b on the same. Preferentially, the third line part 5c is arranged, with respect to the transverse direction Q, centred on the second electrical insulation 4b.

[0056] In the example of FIGS. 4a, 4b, the first line path 5ain contrast with the example of the FIGS. 2a, 2b, covers the first contacting surfaces 3a of the first PTC thermistors 2a only incompletely in each case. The second line path 5b covers the first contacting surfaces 3a of the second PTC thermistors 2b incompletely in each case. The third line path 5c covers the second contacting surfaces 3b of the first PTC thermistors 2a only incompletely in each case.

[0057] The examples or versions explained above can, so far as practical, be combined with one another.

[0058] Preferably, the first, second, third and fourth line path 5a, 5b, 5c, 5 are each formed, in all examples explained above, as electrically conductive conductor track of an electrically conductive material, for example copper, which is printed onto the first and second electrical insulation 4a, 4b respectively.