ELECTRIC HEATER

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric heater, in particular auxiliary heating system, for a motor vehicle, comprising a volume (15) for receiving and conducting a liquid, in particular water, as well as a liquid inlet (13) and a liquid outlet (14) in such a manner that liquid can flow into the volume (15) via the liquid inlet (13) and can flow out via the liquid outlet (14), wherein at least one heating element (16), in particular a heating resistor, and a flow-conducting device (12) is disposed in the volume (15), wherein the flow-conducting device (12) comprises at least one flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device (25) for deflecting the flow and/or for generating turbulence.

Claims

1. Electric heater for a motor vehicle, comprising a volume for receiving and conducting a liquid, as well as a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet in such a manner that liquid can flow into the volume via the liquid inlet and can flow out via the liquid outlet, wherein at least one heating element and a flow-conducting device is disposed in the volume, wherein the flow-conducting device comprises at least one flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device for deflecting the flow and/or for generating turbulence.

2. Electric heater, according to claim 1, for a motor vehicle, comprising a volume for receiving and conducting a liquid, as well as a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet in such a manner that liquid can flow into the volume via the liquid inlet and can flow out via the liquid outlet, wherein at least one heating element and a flow-conducting device is disposed in the volume, wherein the flow-conducting device is detachably connected to a main body of the electric heater.

3. Electric heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow-conducting device comprises a deflecting device in such a manner that liquid flowing from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet is deflected so that a flow path is enlarged.

4. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-conducting device and/or the main body has/have at least one clamping device, in particular plug in flap, which cooperates/cooperate with at least one corresponding device in such a manner that the flow-conducting device is held in a clamping manner.

5. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device has at least one opening, and/or at least one recess, and/or at least one projection, wherein the at least one projection projects from the flow-conducting device.

6. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device has at least one flap which projects from the flow-conducting device, wherein the flap is formed at least in part by a section of the flow-conducting device being at least partially cut out and/or at least partially placed thereon.

7. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device comprises at least one turbulator.

8. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device is closer to a downstream end of an inflow surface of the flow-conducting device than an upstream end or conversely.

9. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device is formed partially or exclusively in a distal half of the flow-conducting device.

10. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-conducting device comprises at least one flow-conducting plate and/or at least one flow-conducting cylinder.

11. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-conducting device has at least two wall sections which are at least substantially parallel to one another, namely a first wall section and a second wall section, between which at least one section of the heating conductor extends, wherein a first flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device is provided on the first wall section and a flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device is provided on the second wall section, wherein first and second turbulence-generating device are arranged offset with respect to one another or in alignment with one another.

12. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are adjacent to one another and/or are arranged on the same side of the electric heater and/or are arranged offset with respect to one another.

13. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet have a distance from one another which is significantly smaller than a maximum possible distance between two points inside the volume.

14. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow path enlarged by the flow-conducting device is at least double a distance between liquid inlet and liquid outlet.

15. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein the flow-conducting device divides the volume into at least two partial volumes, which are interconnected by at least one or precisely one connecting opening, wherein the connecting opening is at a greater distance from the liquid inlet than the liquid outlet and/or wherein a heating element or a section of such is arranged in both partial volumes.

16. Electric heater according to claim 1, wherein at least one tubular heating body and/or at least one layer heater is provided as heating element.

17. Motor vehicle comprising an electric heater according to claim 1.

18. Method for operating a heater according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flows in through the liquid inlet and flows out from the liquid outlet at elevated temperature.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein the liquid flowing out from the volume is used to heat an interior of a motor vehicle.

20. Use of a heater according to claim 1 as a pre-heating device and/or additional heating device.

21. Set, comprising a heater according to claim 1, wherein the set comprises at least a first and a second flow-conducting element which differ from one another with regard to their structure by the structure of at least one turbulence-generating device.

Description

[0079] The invention is hereafter described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are explained in detail with reference to the diagrams. In the figures:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a section of a first embodiment of the heater according to the invention;

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1;

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an electric heater according to the invention in an oblique view (without housing);

[0083] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a further embodiment of a heater according to the invention in an oblique exploded view;

[0084] FIG. 5 shows a flow-conducting device (deflecting device) according to the invention;

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a flow-conducting device (deflecting device) similar to FIG. 5 according to a further embodiment;

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a flow-conducting device (deflecting device) similar to FIG. 5 according to a further embodiment;

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a flow-conducting device (deflecting device) similar to FIG. 5 according to a further embodiment;

[0088] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the heater according to the invention in a sectional view;

[0089] FIG. 10 shows the flow-conducting device according to FIG. 9 in a plan view;

[0090] FIG. 11 shows the flow-conducting device (deflecting device) according to FIG. 10 in a side view;

[0091] FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the heater according to the invention in a sectional view;

[0092] FIG. 13 shows a plan view similar to FIG. 10 for the heater according to FIG. 12;

[0093] FIG. 14 shows a side view similar to FIG. 11 for the heater according to FIG. 12;

[0094] FIG. 15 shows a schematic sectional view of an arrangement of a heating conductor section inside the heater;

[0095] FIG. 16 shows a further schematic view of a section of an arrangement of a heating conductor inside the heater;

[0096] FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of the heater according to the invention in an oblique view (partially in exploded view); and

[0097] FIG. 18 shows a section of a heater according to the invention.

[0098] In the following description the same reference numbers are used for the same parts or parts having the same effect.

[0099] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a heater according to the invention (in sectional view).

[0100] This heater has a housing 10 and possibly a cover or flange part (not shown). Liquid inlet 13 and liquid outlet 14 are symbolized by corresponding arrows.

[0101] The housing 10 can be (approximately) rectangular (optionally with rounded edges) or (circular) cylindrical so that a corresponding volume 15 which is defined by the housing 10 is also configured to be rectangular (with rounded edges) or (circular) cylindrical. Located inside the housing 10 or in the volume 15 is a heating element (heating device) 16 which in the present exemplary embodiment comprises a tubular heating body. This heating element 16 heats up as a result of electric current so that a liquid (water) can also be heated in the volume 15.

[0102] A flow-conducting device 12 in the form of a perforated cylinder is shown in the oblique view according to FIG. 1. The perforated cylinder preferably has an elongate-hole-type cross-section. The length of the cross-section is preferably 1.5 times, further preferably at least 2.5 times and/or at most 10 times, preferably at most 5 times as large as the width.

[0103] An axial length of the flow-conducting device 12 is preferably at least 0.5 times, preferably at least 1.0 times and/or at most 3.0 times, preferably at most 1.8 times as large as the length of the cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the axial length of the flow-conducting device 12 is preferably at least 1.8 times, further preferably at least 3.0 times and/or at most 12.0 times, preferably at most 6.0 times as large as the width of the cross-section.

[0104] Furthermore, the flow-conducting device according to FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of holes 40 which are arranged in (a plurality of) rows, for example, at least 5 or at least 10 rows and several columns, for example, at least 5 or at least 10 columns. The lines preferably extend in the circumferential direction, the columns in the axial direction. For example, overall at least twenty or at least a hundred holes 40 can be provided. The holes 40 overall form a flow deflecting device 25, which locally deflects the flow so that dead spaces are avoided or at least reduced.

[0105] Individual or several or all of the holes can have a round or non-round, e.g. elliptical, oval and/or polygonal, in particular quadrangular and/or triangular cross-section and/or a cross-section as described in the following embodiments.

[0106] It can furthermore be identified in FIGS. 1 and 2 that a longitudinal axis of the flow-conducting device 12 extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing 10 (shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2). A second flow-conducting device 12a can be provided in the form of a dividing wall, in particular a dividing plate. The second flow-conducting device 12a can be arranged on at least approximately half the axial length (optionally+/10% of the axial length) of the flow-conducting device 12. Furthermore, the flow-conducting device 12a can be at least substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the flow-conducting device 12.

[0107] The first and/or second flow-conducting device 12, 12a can (in each case by themselves or in combination) form a deflecting device.

[0108] The volume 15 is divided into two partial volumes 17, 18 by the second flow-conducting device 12a (dividing wall or dividing plate). In this case, the second flow-conducting device 12a preferably runs straight from one (longitudinal) side wall of the housing 10 to an opposite side wall (perpendicular to these side walls). Liquid inlet 13 and liquid outlet 14 can be arranged on the same side wall (and specifically next to one another relative to a longitudinal extension of the housing 10). Specifically liquid inlet 13 and liquid outlet 14 can be located in an end section of a side wall.

[0109] Overall, liquid can flow around the flow-conducting device 12, through the flow-conducting device 12 and/or around an edge 41 of the flow-conducting device 12a so that overall a multitude of paths are available to the liquid and/or dead spaces can be avoided or at least reduced.

[0110] The heating element 16 (here in the form of a heating coil or heating tube) is preferably arranged around the flow-conducting device 12. The flow-conducting device 12 can be in (mechanical) contact with the heating element, for example, plugged into this but is preferably spaced apart from the heating element 16. As a result, the flow of liquid can be further improved with a view to the heat transfer.

[0111] Furthermore, the flow-conducting device 12 can be detachably connected to a main body 22, in particular by plugging on or in. The flow-conducting device 12 can be held by the second flow-conducting device 12a, in particular plugged into the second flow-conducting device 12a. The second flow-conducting device 12a can per se by detachably or undetachably (e.g. by plugging or by welding) connected to the main body, for example, as described by reference to FIG. 3 or 2 for the flow-conducting device there.

[0112] A guide element 29 can be further identified in FIG. 2, which will be explained in detail further below with reference to FIG. 2 (a further guide element can be provided, as described in FIG. 4, there provided with the reference number 30). FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the heater according to the invention. This comprises a housing 10 (only shown by the dashed line) and a cover or flange part 11. A flow-conducting device 12 (in the form of a dividing plate) is located on the flange part 11. Liquid inlet 13 and liquid outlet 14 are symbolized by corresponding arrows.

[0113] The housing 10 can be configured to be (approximately) rectangular (optionally with rounded edges) or (circular) cylindrical so that a corresponding volume 15, which is defined by the housing 10, is configured to be rectangular (with rounded edges) or (circular) cylindrical. Located inside the housing 10 or in the volume 15 is a heating element (heating device) 16 which in the present exemplary embodiment comprises a tubular heating body. As a result of the electric current, this heating element 16 heats up so that a liquid (water) can also be heated in the volume 15.

[0114] The volume 15 is divided into two partial volumes 17, 18 by the flow-conducting element 12 (dividing wall or dividing plate). The flow-conducting device 12 runs in this case straight (obliquely) from a (longitudinal) side wall of the housing 10 to an opposite side wall. Liquid inlet 13 and liquid outlet 14 can be arranged on the same side wall (and specifically next to one another relative to a longitudinal extension of the housing 10). Specifically liquid inlet 13 and liquid outlet 14 can be located in an end section of a side wall.

[0115] The heating element (the heating device) 16 preferably extends over (almost) the entire longitudinal extension of the volume 15 (at least over at least 90% of this longitudinal extension, possibly over a maximum of 98% of this longitudinal extension). The heating element 16 extends in particular from the cover or flange part 11, through which optionally heating element connections run, to (almost) the opposite wall. A distal end 19 of the flow-conducting device 12 preferably extends less far than the heating element 16. In each case, liquid (water) can flow around the distal end 19 through a section located between the distal end 19 and the corresponding wall section of the housing 10, from one partial volume 17 into the other partial volume 18 so that liquid can flow from the liquid inlet 13 into the liquid outlet 14.

[0116] The flow-conducting element (flow-conducting device) 12 can be configured in a firmly bonded manner on the flange part 11 (for example, welded to this).

[0117] Furthermore, the flow-conducting device 12 preferably has at least one turbulence device which can be configured as described in the following figures (in particular in FIGS. 2 to 12).

[0118] FIG. 4 shows a section of a further embodiment of a heater according to the invention. In this embodiment the flow-conducting device 12 can be connected to a main body 22 of the heater via clamping devices 20a, 20b (clamping tabs). Furthermore, the flow-conducting device 12 has clearances 21a, 21b (adjacent to its distal end 19). The clearances 21a, 21b (in particular a plurality thereof in each case, e.g. two) can be arranged on the two longitudinal edges of the flow-conducting device 12.

[0119] The clearances 21a, 21b further define tabs 23, 24 which are pivotable (in particular by bending) so that specifically the turbulence thereby introduced can be improved/adapted. Overall the structures 21a, 21b, 23 and 24 form a corresponding flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device 25.

[0120] Furthermore, guide elements 29, 30 are provided in FIG. 4 which taper (at the distal end thereof) in sections and advantageously make it possible that the fluid flows through the liquid inlet 13 and the liquid outlet 14 divide close to the respective opening (inlet and outlet) or accordingly combine and are displaced at least in terms of components from the liquid inlet in the direction of a rear end of the housing 10 or are guided from this rear end in the direction of the liquid outlet.

[0121] In the flow-conducting device 12 according to FIG. 5, the flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device 25 comprises, in addition to the structures 21a, 21b, 23 and 24 according to FIG. 4, an elongate hole 26 inside the flow-conducting device 12 (in the vicinity of the distal end 19 or in a corresponding distal half of the same).

[0122] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment similar to FIG. 5 with the difference that not only one but several (three) elongate holes 26a, 26b, 26c are provided which are arranged in a row, wherein preferably a width of the elongate holes increases within this row (preferably in the direction of the distal end 19).

[0123] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the flow-conducting device 12, here with a plurality of (round) openings 27. The openings 27 can (as here) be provided in several rows, wherein preferably an opening diameter in the direction of the distal end 19 (from one row to the other) increases. The number of each individual row can remain the same or (as shown in FIG. 7) decrease. FIG. 8 shows some further embodiments of the flow-conducting device 12, here with several rows of triangular openings 28 (specifically three rows with three openings 28 each, but deviations are feasible). The triangles are aligned in the direction of the distal end 19.

[0124] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a heater according to the invention. In the embodiment according to FIG. 9, a flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device 25 is shown which, in addition to the (optionally provided) structures 21a, 21b, 23, 24 according to FIG. 4 has (flap-like) projections 31, 32. The projections 31, 32 are preferably aligned in this case so that they are directed (skew) downstream or upstream (relative to a respective principal or primary flow direction). The projection 31 can in this case be arranged in a half of a corresponding inflow surface 33 arranged downstream (according to the course of the primary flow). The same can apply for the projection 32 relative to the (opposite) inflow surface 34. Alternatively, the projection 31 can be arranged in an upstream (when the course of the primary flow is reversed) half of a corresponding inflow surface 33. The same can apply for the projection 32 relative to the (opposite) inflow surface 34.

[0125] A further heater according to the invention is shown in FIG. 12. This fundamentally corresponds to the embodiment according to FIGS. 9 to 11. Instead of the projections 31, 32 (which however can be additionally provided), a (cylindrical) turbulator 44 is provided here, which extends perpendicularly with respect to a principal plane of the flow-conducting device 12 (preferably in both directions).

[0126] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate further embodiments of the heater according to the invention (in sections and in cross-section).

[0127] According to FIG. 15, a section of the heating element 16 can be arranged between two sections 37, 38 of a flow-conducting device 12. The sections 37, 38 form wall sections with corresponding openings 39 running parallel to one another. The openings 39 are aligned with one another in the embodiment according to FIG. 15.

[0128] Alternatively (see FIG. 16), the openings 39 can run offset with respect to one another at least in the longitudinal direction (relative to the section of the heating element 16 running between the sections 37, 38) (alternatively or additionally, also in the transverse direction). The section of the heating element 16 shown here is preferably round in cross-section or forms a cylinder section.

[0129] FIG. 18 shows a further heater according to the invention (in sections; in oblique view). The heater here has a plate-shaped flow-conducting device 12, wherein a (spiral) heating conductor 16 is arranged on both sides. The flow-conducting device 12 is configured as a perforated plate (perforated sheet) with a plurality of (preferably at least ten) holes 40.

[0130] Liquid inlet 13 and liquid outlet 14 are here configured to be offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. As a result, the amount of heat can be further improved.

[0131] FIG. 19 shows (in sections) a further embodiment of the electric heater according to the invention. The flow-conducting device 12 is here configured as a perforated cylinder (circular cylinder). This cylinder preferably extends in the same direction as corresponding tubular heating coil sections 42.

[0132] At this point, it should be noted that all the above-described parts when viewed by themselves are claimed as essential to the invention in any combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings. Amendments to this are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

REFERENCE LIST

[0133] 10 Housing [0134] 11 Flange part (cover) [0135] 12 Flow-conducting device (flow-conducting element) [0136] 12a Flow-conducting device [0137] 13 Liquid inlet [0138] 14 Liquid outlet [0139] 15 Volume [0140] 16 Heating element [0141] 17 Partial volume [0142] 18 Partial volume [0143] 19 Distal end [0144] 20a Clamping device [0145] 20b Clamping device [0146] 21a Clearance (recess) [0147] 21b Clearance (recess) [0148] 22 Main body [0149] 23 Tab [0150] 24 Tab [0151] 25 Flow-deflecting and/or turbulence-generating device [0152] 26 Elongate hole [0153] 26a Elongate hole [0154] 26b Elongate hole [0155] 26c Elongate hole [0156] 27 (Round) opening [0157] 28 (Triangular) opening [0158] 29 Impact element [0159] 30 Impact element [0160] 31 Projection [0161] 32 Projection [0162] 33 Inflow surface [0163] 34 Inflow surface [0164] 37 Section [0165] 38 Section [0166] 39 Opening [0167] 40 Hole [0168] 41 Edge [0169] 44 Turbulator