PTC heating unit suitable for use in motor vehicles

• US 20050133490A1
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Behr France Rouffach SAS (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Behr France S.A.R.L.
• Inventors: Mougey, Mathieu, Miss, Pascal, Brun, Michel, Schmittheisler, Christophe, Papi, Yannick, Mundel, Maxime
• Granted Patent: US 7,399,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/202
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0429 For vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/1872 PTC
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/02 Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/14 the material being non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/50 heating conductor arranged in metal tubes, the radiating surface having heat-conducting fins

Abstract

A heating unit having a PTC element, in particular for a motor vehicle, with corrugated fins (6) arranged around the PTC element (2) for improved transfer of heat to air flowing through the heating unit. The heating unit has a plastic frame (7) which is of two-part design.

Claims

1. A heating unit suitable for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a PTC heating element;

at least one heat transfer element arranged around the PTC element for improved transfer of heat to air flowing through the heating unit; and

a plastic frame holding the PTC heating element and heat transfer elements, said plastic frame having a two-part design.

2. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two parts of the plastic frame are connected to each other by means of a clip connection or a sliding connection.

3. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two electrical contact plates connected to the PTC heating element, and wherein the plastic frame has at least a first opening for the two contact plates and includes, in the vicinity of the first opening or openings, a plug.

4. A heating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plug is formed at a right angle to the contact plates, the plug being aligned parallel to the direction of air flow through the heating unit.

5. A heating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein contact plates are attached on both sides of the PTC element.

6. A heating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the PTC element is attached to a contact plate by means of an adhesive.

7. A heating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heat transfer elements comprise at least one corrugated rib attached by means of an adhesive on the side of the contact plate which faces away from the PTC element.

8. A heating unit as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a contact plate attached to the corrugated rib by means of an adhesive on that side of the corrugated rib which faces away from the PTC element.

9. A heating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein two contact plates are shaped at one end as part of a plug.

10. A heating unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the two contact plates have an L shaped design.

11. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises an attachment member for attaching the heating unit in or on an air duct.

12. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inside of the frame further comprises one or more ribs running in the direction of air flow.

13. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is designed as a decentralized supplemental heater which is installable in an air duct positioned away from an air conditioning unit.

14. A heating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least two of said elements are bonded by a two-component silicone adhesive.

15. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic frame is manufactured from a thermally stable plastic.

16. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic frame forms an insulating wall or is provided with insulation.

17. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit has PTC elements having an operating temperature of 80°

C. to 120°

C.

18. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a relay or regulator for controlling the heating unit.

19. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, where in the two parts of the plastic frame lock together in a configuration that serves to maintain at least the heat transfer element(s) in the plastic frame.