WO2012016687A1

WO2012016687A1 - Electric heating module with ptc element for electrically heating an airstream

Info

Publication number: WO2012016687A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/003883
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingo Schehr
Original assignee: Ingo Schehr
Priority date: 2010-08-04
Filing date: 2011-08-03
Publication date: 2012-02-09
Also published as: DE102010033310B4; DE102010033310A1

Abstract

An electric heating module (1) for heating an airstream (3), in particular for heating and ventilating a seat, with improved mechanical and thermal properties is proposed. It comprises at least one PTC heating element (10) and at least one heat emitting region (4) through which air can flow and which has heat-conducting lamellas which are connected in a heat-conducting fashion to the PTC heating element (10). The lamellas of the heating module (10) comprise both at least one lamella strip (5) and at least one fixed lamella profile (6) which are arranged in the heat emitting region (4), wherein the lamella strip (5) is arranged in the central region of the heat emitting region (4) within a frame (7) which is arranged transversely with respect to the direction (2) of flow, the lamella profile (6) is arranged in the outer region of the heat emitting region (4), and the heating module (10) has spring elements (9) which are designed to compress the lamella strip (5), the lamella profile (6) and the PTC heating element (10).

Description

Electric heating module with PTC element

for electrically heating an air stream

The invention relates to an electric heating module with PTC element for the electrical heating of an air flow. Such a heating module is provided in particular for heating and ventilating a seat, in particular in vehicles. It comprises at least one PTC heating element and at least one heat-dissipating heat-dissipating area with heat-conducting fins, which are in heat-conducting connection with the PTC heating element and are combined with this into a module.

PTC elements are semiconductor resistors made of ceramic whose ohmic resistance is temperature-dependent. The resistance-temperature characteristic is not linear; the resistance of a PTC heating element initially decreases slightly with increasing component temperature, in order then to rise very steeply at a characteristic temperature (so-called reference temperature). This generally positive slope coefficient (PTC = positive temperature coefficient) results in a PTC heating element having self-regulating properties with respect to the temperature setting at current flow.

If the component temperature is well below the reference temperature, the PTC heating element has a low resistance, so that correspondingly high currents can be passed through. If for a good heat dissipation is provided by the surface of the PTC heating element, so it is correspondingly much electrical power absorbed and dissipated as heat. However, as the temperature of the PTC heater rises above the reference temperature, the PTC electrical resistance also increases rapidly, limiting the electrical power consumption to a very low level. The component temperature then approaches an upper limit, which depends on the heat release to the environment of the PTC heating element. Under normal environmental conditions, the component temperature of the PTC heating element can therefore not rise above a characteristic highest temperature, even if in case of failure, the desired heat dissipation from the PTC heating element to the environment is completely interrupted.

Because of this property as well as because of the self-regulating property of a PTC heating element, due to which the electrical power absorbed by the PTC heating element corresponds exactly to the output thermal power, PTC heating elements for use in Heizungsbzw. Air conditioning or predestined for other applications for air flow heating, especially in vehicles. For safety reasons, vehicles may not cause a flammable temperature in the heating element even in the event of a fault, although a high heat output is nevertheless required in normal operation.

The heat-conducting fins serve as heat-dissipating elements with which the heat generated by the at least one PTC heating element is transferred to the air flowing through the heat-dissipating area. They consist of a good heat-conducting material, preferably of metal, in particular copper, brass or preferably aluminum. They are realized in the state of the art in two different ways, namely either as a deformed, in particular folded and / or bent lamellar band, for example a meandering, rectangular, z-shaped or s-shaped metal band sheet metal strip folded into lamellae elongated heat exchanger lamellar band module forms (see for example EP 0 350 528 AI and WO 2009/087106 AI), or as ribs of a fixed lamellar profile, in particular an aluminum extruded profile. An aluminum extruded part has a particularly high thermal conductivity, so that the typical for the operation of the electric heating module, which takes place from the PTC heating element in the heat-emitting lamellar profiles heat flow is particularly high. A lamellar band according to the invention may also be a fine profile with very thin inner ribs.

A heating module is arranged in a corresponding air-flow channel and its heat dissipation area is traversed by means of a fan, which is also referred to as a fan, with air, which can be heated by means of the PTC heating element. Because of the limited space in vehicles for air-flow channels space fans are mostly radial fans used, but rather less suitable for this purpose, since they generate a high pressure at correspondingly high outflow speeds. More advantageous are axial fans, which provide a high flow rate of air (high volume flow) with small dimensions. Their lower pressure increase compared to a centrifugal fan is not significant for most automotive applications.

The known electrical heating modules of the type mentioned include two types. The heating modules of the first type usually consist of several layers of surface arranged side by side, with their narrow side in the air flow PTC heating elements, which are electrically contacted at their flat top and bottom with contact plates. The adjoining heat-dissipating areas have lamellae, for example meander-shaped metal lamellae, which are likewise in the air flow with their narrow side and thermally contact the contacting plates of the PTC heating elements at regular intervals for heat transfer on their broad side. In order to achieve a good heat dissipation from the PTC heating elements to the heat-conducting lamellae, heat-conducting adhesives or other bonding techniques can be used; However, it has been found to be the most efficient solution to put the PTC heating elements and the heat-conducting fins in a module summarizing this frame and provide within the frame at least one spring element, whereby the alternately arranged heat dissipation areas with thermally conductive fins and the webs with the PTC Heating elements are pressed against each other.

However, this requires a rectangular shape of the electric heating module with line-like structuring of the components. Therefore, the first known type will hereinafter be referred to simply as a rectangular type. However, the rectangular shape is not optimal in terms of flow for the purpose of controlling air flow, especially when the space for corresponding air-flow channels is very limited, as in a motor vehicle. Examples of known electric heating modules with a rectangular frame, which combines a plurality of PTC heating elements and adjoining, air-permeable heat-dissipating areas with heat-conducting fins to a module for heating the interior of motor vehicles are in the publications EP 0 350 528 AI, EP 1 731 852 AI, US 5,192,853, DE 42 15 498 AI and EP 1 574 791 AI discloses. The rectangular design is used in vehicles, for example, for neck heaters.

EP 1 479 918 A1 also discloses a complete fan module consisting of a centrifugal fan integrated in a housing and a heating module intended to heat a ventilated motor vehicle seat. For example, since a motor vehicle seat for safety reasons, even in case of failure of the fan on the surface of the seat maximum temperature, which is tolerated by humans, must not exceed, heating modules with PTC heating elements are ideal, especially since they can give a much higher heat output with the same safety, as the mats used conventionally in seat heaters with electrical resistance wires whose power consumption must be very limited for safety reasons. Another example of a blower module for motor vehicle seats can be found in EP 1 464 533 AI. An example of a heating module, which is provided in the manner of a hair dryer with a fan and resistance heating wires in the air stream and integrated into a vehicle seat, is described in DE 198 51 979 AI.

However, the known rectangular heating modules have practical disadvantages. On the one hand, their production is hardly possible by machine because of their multilayer, spring-loaded construction within a frame, but instead requires relatively much elaborate manual labor. On the other hand, in embodiments with lamellae made of metal strip hardly several heating modules can be arranged in series, because due to manufacturing tolerances, the folded strip fins are not the same from heating module to heating module or lamellar band module to lamella band module, so in the flow direction one behind the other lamellae are laterally offset from each other, thereby increasing the flow resistance for the air passed through and thus the pressure loss. Furthermore, a significant disadvantage is that the known heating modules can not be disassembled unaufwendig in disposal, so they must be disposed of as a whole. Finally, its rectangular shape also requires a rectangular cross-section of the air-flow channel, at least at the point where it is inserted therein.

The electrical heating modules of the second known type have an annular, in particular circular, heat dissipation region, in which heat-conducting metal strip slats are arranged substantially radially. This simplifies assembly, especially if it is to be automated, and increases the efficiency of the Heat transfer from the PTC heating element on the guided through the ribbon slats and the heat dissipation area air flow. A circular heat dissipation area is streamlined and therefore preferred. The second known type is referred to in the following simplified as round design. Such heating modules are disclosed in DE 20 2005 012 394 U1 (see also EP 1 772 684 A2 and EP 1 783 439 A2). WO 2008/092694 A1 has proposed such an improved electric heating module with a thermally conductive retaining ring. But also the heating modules of the second known type have practical disadvantages. On the one hand, their production is complicated due to their complex structure. On the other hand, several heating modules can not be arranged in series one behind the other, because due to manufacturing tolerances, the folded strip fins are not the same from heating module to heating module or lamella band module to lamella band module, ie not aligned, but laterally against each other in the flow direction lamellae are offset, whereby the flow resistance for the air passed through and thus increase the pressure loss. Furthermore, there is a significant disadvantage in that they can not be disassembled unaufwendig disposal, so they must be disposed of as a whole.

Further, it has been found in the invention that with round heating modules, the heat extraction from the PTC heating element on the metal strip fins to the heat transfer area air flowing through is not optimal, especially if a preferred axial fan is used, so that with the PTC heating element theoretically possible heating power is not achieved in practice. Based on this prior art, the present invention has the object, an electrical heating module of the type mentioned in terms of its ease of installation, with regard to the required with regard to the possibility of successively arranging a plurality of heating modules, with regard to the ease of dismantling during disposal, with regard to the heat extraction from the PTC heating element via the fins to the air flowing through the heat dissipation area, especially when used in combination with a preferred axial fan, with regard to a high heat output at low pressure loss and with respect to a free shaping of the heat dissipation region, preferably with a round outer contour to improve.

This object is achieved by a heating module with the features of the attached claim 1. Preferred embodiments, developments and uses of the invention will become apparent from the independent and dependent claims and the following description with accompanying drawings.

An inventive heating module for electrically heating an air flow, in particular for heating and ventilating a seat, with at least one PTC heating element and at least one heat-dissipating heat dissipation area with heat-conducting fins, which are in thermally conductive connection with the PTC heating element and are combined with this to form a module Thus, it has the peculiarity that the lamellae of the heating module comprise both at least one lamella strip and at least one fixed lamellar profile, which are arranged in the heat dissipation region, wherein the lamella band is arranged in the central region of the heat dissipation region within a frame which is arranged transversely to the flow direction is, the lamellar profile is arranged in the outer region of the heat dissipation region and the heating module has spring elements which are formed for compressing the lamellar strip or lamellar ribbon module, the lamellar profile and the PTC heating element. The present invention improves the properties of the previously known electric heating modules of the type mentioned so by a combination of lamellar strips with lamellar profiles and a specific arrangement of these heat-dissipating elements, which are held together by means of spring elements with the PTC heating element and a frame, wherein different thermal expansions of the components be enabled.

The heating module according to the invention is effectively a hybrid of the known rectangular design with lamellar bands and / or lamellar profiles in a frame and the round design with lamellar bands. In the art, the term hybrid refers to a whole composed of different elements, with the peculiarity that the elements linked in the hybrid on their own already create a working solution, but only by their connection completely new, beneficial, beyond the individual elements properties arise.

The invention is based on the finding that an efficient heating module can be realized only by an optimized heat transfer of the PTC heating elements to the environment, ie to the fins and from the fins to the air flow. In the context of the invention, it has been found that, for this purpose, the heat flow must flow as symmetrically as possible through the PTC heating element and must be coupled out symmetrically, because asymmetrical heat extraction generates high-resistance edge layers in the PTC ceramic and consequently reduces the performance of the PTC heating element. In fact, in PTC heating elements, due to the pronounced dependence of their electrical resistance on the temperature, the thermal and thus also the electrical power is largely determined by the heat transport from the PTC heating element to the heat-emitting surfaces of the heating module. The construction of a heating module according to the invention makes it possible in this regard an optimized heat extraction from the PTC heating element and thus a better heating performance. The heat transfer from the PTC heating elements to the air takes place by means of ribbon lamellae and profile blades, between which the PTC heating elements are clamped by means of the spring elements. As a result, a symmetrical heat transfer can be achieved, ie, the heat transfer from the PTC heating elements to the arranged inside the frame fin bands is about as high as the heat transfer from the PTC heating elements to the outside of the frame arranged lamellar profiles.

From a manufacturing point of view, it is particularly advantageous if the heating module is assembled and held together by means of spring elements, preferably clamps, in particular spring clips, which provide a preload. This results in a contact pressure between the fins and the PTC heating element, which improves the electrical contact and in particular the heat transfer. A particularly efficient and advantageous production of the electric heating module according to the invention is made possible when the lamellae are held by means of the spring elements clamped in the frame; In addition to a high stability of this compound also results in a very good heat transfer from the PTC heating elements in the lamellar bands, the connection can be made quickly and efficiently by machine.

The spring elements may be made of metal or another suitable spring material. In order to avoid an electrical connection or an electrical short circuit between the components mechanically held together by the spring elements, it may be advantageously provided that the contact or support points on which the spring elements rest or act on the components of the heating module, electrically non-conductive or electrically are isolated, for example wise by a coating. Preference is given to embodiments in which the spring elements which, as a whole or at least in the region of the contact or contact points on which they rest or act on the components of the heating module, consist of an electrically non-conductive material or are completely or partially electrically insulated, for example by a paint, coating or an insulating coating. In other embodiments, it may also be expedient to achieve an electrical connection between the components mechanically held together by the spring elements by means of the spring elements. In such cases, it can advantageously be provided that the spring elements, including their contact or support points, on which the spring elements rest or act on the components of the heating module, are electrically conductive.

At the same time, the electrical contacting of the PTC heating elements via their metallization can take place in a simple manner. The PTC heating elements can all be electrically connected in parallel in the heating module if only one heating stage is required, or at least partially switched on separately if two or more heating stages are required.

The heating module according to the invention is held together by a spring element clamping system, wherein a good mechanical stability, an intimate mechanical connection of the PTC heating elements to the fins for good heat transfer and an intimate electrical connection of the PTC heating elements to the fins or electrical contact elements are achieved can.

While in operation case with a temperature change, the metal parts of the heating module always subject to thermal expansion, the other components, such as a plastic frame or the PTC heating elements, no practically significant thermal expansion. The spring element clamping system according to the invention can absorb or compensate for or compensate for the different thermal expansions occurring in the heating module and thereby ensure that the good thermal and electrical contacting of the PTC heating elements is maintained. The spring elements thus make it possible for the package of lamellar bands, frames, PTC heating elements and lamellar profiles held together by them to expand and contract as the temperature changes, thereby ensuring that the thermal contacts are maintained.

The size of the heating module and its thermal performance can be adapted almost to the practical requirements by the number and size of the PTC heating elements and the slats. An inventive heating module can be made very flexible, especially when the PTC heating elements are arranged by means of a surrounding the ribbon slats frame, preferably made of plastic, between the ribbon slats and the profile slats. The electrical contacting of the PTC heating elements can be done via metallic contact plates.

The invention is further based on the finding that it is advantageous for round types of heating modules, the heat dissipation from the central heat dissipation area in which the band lamellae are arranged, and the heat dissipation from the peripheral outer area in which the profiled lamellae are arranged, to the airfoil to adapt to the air flowing through. This is especially true when using the heating module with an axial fan, which has a higher air flow and a higher flow velocity than in the central region in its radial outer region due to the design. By means of a corresponding design of the position, size, shape, extent and number of thinner, less heat-conducting strip lamellae in the central frame and the thicker, more heat-conducting profile lamellae in the outer region, the invention makes it possible to adapt the respective heat dissipation from these areas to achieve despite the different air flows a uniform, symmetrical temperature of the PTC heating elements.

The series connection of several heating modules, i. the assembly of several positioning frames with PTC ceramics and lamellas to each other, makes it possible to provide a total of multi-stage heating power even when using each one-stage heating modules. Furthermore, by the juxtaposition even in small spaces, i. In narrow flow channels, a high heating capacity with low pressure loss can be realized if several heating modules are cascaded to increase the total power in a row. The heating modules arranged one behind the other can also have common components, e.g. a common lamellar profile connecting two or more heating modules. In other applications, where it depends instead on a small depth, for example in vehicles, several PTC heating elements or heating modules can be arranged one behind the other or next to each other instead of one behind the other.

The advantages of a heating module according to the invention consist in the ease of installation, the low installation space required, the possibility of sequentially arranging several heating modules, the simple disassembly during disposal, the improved, in particular symmetrical heat extraction from the PTC heating elements via the slats to the air flowing through the heat dissipation area , Achieving a more uniform temperature of the PTC heating elements and thus a higher heating capacity, the adaptability to inhomogeneous air flows, especially when used with a preferred axial fan, and the high heat output with low pressure drop. Overall, the heating module according to the invention is very advantageous, flexible, safe and inexpensive. The ability to easily and flexibly adapt and optimize its electrical, thermal and mechanical see characteristics of practical or customer-specific requirements creates the basic requirement for an economically producible heating module.

An inventive heating module can be produced inexpensively. This applies both to the simple production and to the components used. In particular, it is possible to construct the heating module "symmetrically", wherein some parts are installed in an identical form several times in a heating module, for example, slat bands, lamellar profiles, frame parts, PTC heating elements or spring elements. This requires a total of a few components for a heating module and saves manufacturing costs. In addition, a heating module according to the invention for disposal can be easily disassembled, with reusable components, such as the lamellar bands or lamellar profiles, can be recovered for reuse.

Another advantage of heating modules according to the invention is that they can be designed such that they pass the so-called nail test. The nail test is a practical test for equipment that simulates a user sticking a nail into the device under test. The tested device must not be damaged in order to pass the test.

It is noted that when replacing the PTC heating element or the PTC heating elements by one or more Peltier elements in a heating module according to the invention with the features of the attached main claim and / or in a heating module with the features of one or more dependent claims and / or in a heating module in accordance with the present description, exemplary embodiments and drawings with an otherwise unchanged or essentially the same design, the heating module according to the invention to a cooling module with comparable advantages len. The structural design of a heating module according to the invention thus has further advantageous applications as a cooling module.

In this case, the Peltier element is preferably arranged or operated in such a way that it cools the lamellar bands in the interior of the frame and heats the lamellar profiles on the outside of the frame. An air stream guided through the lamellar belts can thereby be cooled, and the resulting waste heat is dissipated via the lamellar profiles, for example to a further air stream guided by the lamella profiles or to further external components which are in heat-conducting connection with the lamellar profiles.

Since, in the case of a heating module according to the invention, the lamellae serve to heat the air stream flowing through and the heat generated by the PTC heating elements is dissipated by the air flow, with a corresponding cooling module the lamellas (in particular the strip lamellae) serve to cool the air flow passing through them a corresponding cooling module of a heating module according to the invention characterized in that the cooling module allows heat conduction to dissipate the waste heat of the Peltier element. Preferred embodiments are those in which the thinner lamellae strips for cooling an airflow and the thicker lamellar profiles serve to dissipate the waste heat, since it has been found that the cooling capacity of the lamellar bands is sufficient and good heat conduction of the lamellar profiles is advantageous. A cooling module is particularly preferred in the rectangular design, since in this compared to the round design particularly high mass of thermally conductive material and thus particularly high heat transport or cooling capacity in the outer region, i. may be provided in the region of the lamella profiles.

Preferably, a heating module according to the invention is integrated in an air-flowable housing, ie in an air-permeable housing. se attached. In this case, advantageously, a fan may be attached to the housing or inserted into this. This is preferably an axial fan. The axial fan is preferably arranged such that its radially inner air stream flows through the lamellar belts and its radially outer air flow passes through the lamella profiles. In particular, in the rectangular design of the heating module and two or more juxtaposed fans, in particular axial fans, may be provided to flow through the heating module. A fan is, with respect to the flow direction, preferably arranged upstream of the heating module, ie on the air inlet side of the heating module. Incidentally, the housing can be provided for insertion into a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, or for insertion into an air duct with, if required, switchable air flow heating of a vehicle. A housing can be made for example of polyamide or glass fiber reinforced polyamide.

Very particular advantages are obtained with the electric heating module according to the present invention, when it is used as a fan in a ventilated seat, especially in a vehicle seat, or in an air duct, wherein, if necessary, by the PTC heating element and the heat-conducting fins enabled air flow heating as a seat heater, possibly in stages, can be switched on.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the figures. The features described therein may be used alone or in combination with each other to provide preferred embodiments of the invention. Identical or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the various figures and usually described only once, although they can be used advantageously in other embodiments. Show it : 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a heating module according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a radial view to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a section A-A to FIG. 3,

5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a heating module according to the invention,

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment,

7 shows a further perspective exploded view of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 shows an axial view of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 shows an axial view of the heating module of FIG. 5 in a housing with a round cross section, viewed from the air inlet side,

FIG. 10 shows a section A-A to FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 shows an axial view of the heating module of FIG. 5 in an air duct with a round cross section, viewed from the air outlet side,

FIG. 12 is a radial plan view of FIG. 11,

13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a heating module according to the invention, FIG.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a radial view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 shows a section A-A to FIG. 15,

17 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a heating module according to the invention,

Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the heating module of

FIG. 17 with housing, FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembled heating module of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 shows a plan view of FIG. 18 with the heating module in a housing with a rectangular cross section,

FIG. 21 shows a section A-A to FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a side view of the spring clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 shows a first modification to FIG. 22 and FIG

FIG. 24 shows a second modification to FIG. 23.

The electrical heating module 1 shown in Figure 1 in a perspective view for electrically heating a flowing in a flow direction 2 air flow 3, in particular for heating and ventilating a seat, according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an air-through heat transfer area 4 with therein heat-conducting fins. The lamellae comprise two different embodiments in combination, namely three lamellae bands 5, which are formed as lamellar band modules arranged side by side, and two fixed lamellar profiles 6. The lamellae bands 5 can be folded, for example meandering, rectangular, z-shaped or s-shaped into lamellar band modules be, for example, as described in WO 2009/087106 AI. 1 shows a particularly advantageous development of such a lamellar folding is shown. The lamellar bands 5 are arranged in the central region of the heat dissipation region 4 within a frame 7, which is arranged transversely to the flow direction 2. The lamellar profiles 6 are arranged in the outer region of the heat dissipation region 4. In particular, according to a further advantageous feature, as shown, it may be provided that the lamellar profiles 6 are arranged outside the frame 7 in order to achieve an optimized construction and a good heating power of the heating module 1. The lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 are in heat-conducting connection with one or more PTC heating elements, which can be seen in FIG. 2, and are combined with these and the frame 7 to form the module 1. The electrical contacting of the PTC heating elements by means of contact elements 8. The individual parts of the heating module 1 are held together with spring elements 9, which compress the lamellar bands 5, the lamellar profiles 6 and the PTC heating elements.

For flow reasons, it is advantageous if the narrow sides of the lamella belts 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 point axially upstream or downstream of the air flow 3. In contrast to heating modules of the round design according to the prior art, it is also advantageous if, as shown in Figure 1, the narrow sides of the lamella belts 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 in the heating module 1 not in the radial direction (transverse to the flow direction 2), but as a chord or secant in the heat delivery area 4. This means that the narrow sides of the lamellar bands 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 do not extend in the radial direction, relative to a center of the heat-dissipating area 4, but to a certain extent transversely in the heat-dissipating area 4. As a result, the slats, in particular the slat bands 5 can be arranged with high accuracy at predetermined locations. Another advantage is that in the lamellae bands 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 air passages can be realized with rectangular and at least partially uniformly equal cross-sections, which is advantageous for both a low air resistance of the heating module 1 as for a high heat output. In a further advantageous embodiment can be provided as shown to avoid turbulence that the narrow sides of the lamella bands 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 each parallel to each other are, preferably that the narrow sides of the lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 are parallel to each other.

Deflections and turbulence in the air stream 3, which increase pressure, are also avoided according to another advantageous feature shown, when the (in the axial direction, ie extending in the direction of flow 2) broad sides of the lamella belts 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 not against the axial Direction and thus are not tilted or twisted against the direct air flow direction 2, but extend axially in the heating module 1.

A simple construction of the heating module 1 results when it has a plurality of each combined to a slat band module slats bands 5 and the slat band modules in the frame 7 with their longitudinal sides, which extend transversely and axially to the flow direction 2 in a plane, juxtaposed and / or are arranged with these longitudinal sides in each case standing in thermal connection with each other. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 has three such slat band modules.

The frame 7 can in principle have any shape, for example, round, square or polygonal. To simplify the manufacture and assembly, it is preferred if the frame 7 has a rectangular shape. An almost maximum area of the area covered by the frame 7 heat dissipation area 4 is achieved if, as shown in Figure 1, the frame 7 is rectangular and the corners of the rectangle are arranged close to the outer contour of the heating module 1. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer contour of the heat-dissipating area 4 is annular, ie essentially round, circular, elliptical or stadium-shaped. Ribs of the lamellar profile 6 are closed in pairs in the embodiment of Figure 1 in its outer region, so that here results in a particularly high stability of the ribs. This embodiment is preferred, for example, when the heating module 1 is inserted into a housing or a flow channel with a constant cross section, ie, not tapering or broadening in the flow direction 2 in the area of the heating module 1, ie in a cylindrical housing, for example in a cylindrical housing a cylindrical flow channel. For guiding the heating module 1 in a housing (not shown), one or more webs (not shown), for example, may be provided on the outside of the lamella profile 6, which engage in corresponding guide grooves in the housing, or the housing has one or more on its inside Webs which engage between the ribs, thus forming associated guide grooves.

FIG. 2 shows, in a perspective exploded view of the heating module 1 rotated by 180 degrees relative to the illustration in FIG. 1, further advantageous features of the heating module 1 of FIG. 1. It can be seen well here that the heating module 1 has two lamella profiles 6, each on opposite sides Pages of the frame 7 outside the frame 7 are arranged. As a result, a heat supply to the lamella bands 5 of the core from two sides of the frame 7 is possible. Furthermore, according to a further advantageous feature, the lamellar bands 5 are arranged in the interior of the frame 7 and the lamellar profiles 6 on the outside of the frame 6.

The frame 7 is made of an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic. To improve the heat conduction between the PTC heating elements 10, the lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6, the frame 7 is preferably made of an electrically non-conductive, but thermally conductive plastic. Such plastics are for example at Lati Industria Termoplastici SpA, Vedano Olona / Italy available. These include, for example, types with an electrically conductive adjustment based on polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyurethane (PUR) as well as electrically insulating compounds (basic plastics PP and PA12). With the help of special fillers, for example, up to 70 percent by weight of graphite, the plastics reach a thermal conductivity of up to 15 W / mK and are therefore suitable for heat-conducting applications in which metals such as aluminum were usually used. The lamellae, in particular the lamellar profiles 6, can in principle be manufactured from such heat-conducting plastics. However, the frame 7 can also be made, for example, from a conventional polyamide (PA, eg PA6) or glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide (eg PA6-GF25).

The PTC heating elements 10 are arranged in the frame 7, i. used in openings 11 in the frame 7, and are both with the arranged inside the frame 7 slat bands 5 and arranged on the outside of the frame 7 fin profiles 6 in heat-conducting connection. This allows the PTC heating element

10 generated at current flow heat to the lamella bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 are delivered. The frame 7 accommodates, as it were, the PTC heating elements 10 in a parting plane, which is formed by the frame 7 between the lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6.

The frame 7 preferably forms a supernatant in and against the axial flow direction 2 via the PTC heating elements 10 inserted therein. This causes the PTC heating elements 10 in the openings

11 of the frame 7 also guided in the axial direction of the heating module 1, in particular when the frame 7 of a solid material such as plastic, polypropylene or polystyrene (EPP) -extruded (expanded polypropylene) is formed. Polypropylene or polystyrene, especially polystyrene (EPP) -extruded, ie expanded polypropylene (EPP), can preferably be prepared as a molded part. It is a particle foam based on polypropylene. Processing in the so-called molding process takes place in special molding machines. EPP is increasingly gaining importance outside of its initial application areas (automotive and high-quality returnable packaging). It has a good strength, a uniform structure with low thermal conductivity, a smooth surface, is well processed and machinable, a high temperature resistance (up to 200 ° C), a low weight and good thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

The frame 7 is divided into two parts in this embodiment, wherein both frame halves are each U-shaped. The PTC heating elements 10 are preferably mounted in the U-back 12 of the frame halves. The U-legs 13 of the frame halves face each other and are mutually displaceable to compensate for thermal expansion can. They are guided through the insides of the lamellar profiles 6. Such an embodiment is preferred for round flow cross sections. However, this displaceability of the frame halves is not required in all embodiments, especially when the frame 7 is made of a deformable material. The opposite ends of the frame members may also be interconnected, for example, by a dovetail guide, in which a cam of one end engages a corresponding groove of the opposite end. Such an embodiment may be preferred for round flow cross sections.

The two lamellar profiles 6 are in the form of an arc, ie arc-shaped, arc-shaped or approximately arc-shaped on the outside of the frame 7 is arranged. They are adapted with their inside to the outside of the frame 7 and with its outer edge to the outer contour of the heat dissipation region 4 in order to make optimum use of the available space can. The lamellar profiles 6 are here on the frame 7 facing inside formed with rectangular inner corners. Alternatively, the lamellar profiles 6 on the inner side facing the frame 7 on their inner side facing the frame 7 have rounded inner corners, which make the lamellar profiles 6 stable and stress-free. In this case, the frame 7 may advantageously have the rounded inner corners of the lamellar profiles 6 corresponding rounded outer corners.

In the illustrated embodiment are located within the frame 7, three lamellae bands 5, which are each combined to form a lamellar ribbon module, which are parallel to each other. For optimum utilization of the available space, embodiments are preferred in which the central area of the heat-dissipating area 4 enclosed by the frame 7 is completely or almost completely filled with lamellar bands 5. The height of the lamella bands 5 will be less than about 15 mm for manufacturing reasons or because of the stability of the lamella bands 5 usually. Therefore, in the frame 7 a plurality of lamellar bands 5 are arranged side by side to closely adjacent to the PTC heating elements 10, the space between the PTC heating elements 10 in the frame 7 to bridge or fill. Further, in each one of the U-back 12, a PTC heating element 10 is arranged (see also Figure 4). In this case, as shown in Figure 4, in each case between a PTC heating element 10 and the adjacent slat band 5 or lamellar band module, a so-called support element 14 is arranged, which is electrically and thermally conductive, i. preferably made of metal, and in particular the mechanical adjustment and the distribution of forces is used.

Instead of a support element 14 or in addition to a support element 14 and a compensation layer such as a thermal compound or a film between the respective thermal contact surfaces may be used. This also allows different temperatures on the contact surface. chen of the PTC heating element 10 can be prevented. According to an advantageous feature, it is therefore proposed that a thermally conductive leveling layer is arranged on at least one side of a PTC heating element 10, in particular a thermally conductive wax, a heat-conductive phase-change wax, a heat-conducting film, in particular copper or aluminum, a heat-conductive adhesive film or a thermally conductive phase-change foil. Such a leveling layer can improve the thermal contact and bring about a surface compensation.

Especially suitable for this are so-called phase-change or phase-changing interface materials. These are generally characterized by the phase change of the material from the solid state to the soft state above a certain temperature, the so-called phase-change temperature. By softening phase-change materials when the phase-change temperature is exceeded for the first time, air pockets are already driven out of the micropores at the contact surfaces and the surface is completely and actively wetted by the phase-change material. By pressure and softening of the material, the layer thickness is very small. As a result of these processes, the thermal contact resistance becomes minimal. The thermal contact and thus the total thermal contact resistance remain permanently very low over all temperature cycles, even if the temperature drops below the phase change temperature again.

The dimensioning and number of PTC heating elements of a heating module according to the invention and their operating parameters and operating mode can be selected depending on the desired application in a conventional manner, taking into account the total heat output. Furthermore, in the design of the heating module, typical quality factors of PTC heating elements such as thermal cycle stability, service life, maximum permissible temperature, compliance with the smallest possible dimensional tolerances, surface quality (flatness, parallelism, waviness, roughness) of the thermal see contact surfaces, mechanically stress-free structure and corrosion protection (coating and / or sealing) are taken into account. If several PTC heating elements are arranged in a heating module, they can be designed the same or different and can be electrically or differently charged in order to achieve a desired heating power, temperature or temperature distribution.

Furthermore, different clamping forces at the various points of the contact surfaces of the PTC heating element 10 are to be avoided, because they may have a mechanical or thermal destruction of the PTC heating element 10 result. On the one hand, this can likewise be achieved by means of such a compensating layer, but in the case of a heating module 1 according to the invention a uniform clamping force is already provided by the spring elements.

For common electrical contacting of the two PTC heating elements 10, the two would each be on the outside of a PTC heating element 10, i. on the outside of the frame 7 arranged contact elements 8 are sufficient, which are electrically and thermally conductive, i. preferably made of metal. In this case, a heating module 1 would have two commonly operable PTC heating elements 10, i. with a heating level. If, as shown in the embodiment, between two lamellar belts 5 or lamella belt modules, i. within the frame 7, a further contact element 8 is arranged, the two PTC heating elements 10 can be supplied separately from each other with power, so that there is a heating module with multiple heating stages.

In a heating module 1 according to the invention, the thermal expansions can be compensated and compensated by a displaceability of lamellar bands 5, frame 7 and lamellar profiles 6, wherein both the intimate heat-conducting contact between the PTC heating elements 10 and the lamella bands 5 and the intimate heat-conducting contact between the PTC heating elements 10 and the lamellar profiles 6 as well as the good electrical contact of the PTC heating elements 10 is maintained. For this purpose, the heating module according to the invention 1 on spring elements 9, which are designed for compressing the lamella bands 5 and lamellar band modules, the lamellar profiles 6 and the PTC heating elements 10.

According to a preferred further feature, it is provided, as shown in FIG. 2, that the spring elements 9 engage in the lamellar profiles 6 and compress them under prestress, the lamellar profiles 6 compressed by the spring elements 9 in each case on opposite sides of the frame 7 outside the frame 7 are arranged. As a result, the structure is easy to manufacture and in the case of disposal again easy to disassemble, and it will be in a simple and reliable way with few spring elements

9, the required components, including lamellae bands 5, frame 7, lamellar profiles 6, PTC heating elements 10, support elements 14 and contact elements 8 spring-loaded held together movable. If the spring elements 9 act on the frame 7 instead of on the lamella profiles 6, for example, additional spring elements are required in order to hold together the other components in the heating module 1, which results in a higher manufacturing outlay. The action clamping direction of the spring elements 9 is advantageously opposite to the thermal expansion direction of the components of the heating module 1 and opposite to the displacement or guide direction, which have the components of the heating module 1 in thermal expansion in the heating module 1.

Especially with round flow cross sections, i. for heating modules

10 of the round design, the spring elements 9 as shown in Figure 2 are arranged transversely to the flow direction 2 offset from the frame 7. In this case, the spring elements 9 as shown in Figure 2 preferably formed as a spring clip or spring clip made of a flat spring material and engage at opposite ends of the lamellar profiles 6 at.

A particularly advantageous feature, in particular in the case of an annular or round outer contour of the heat-dissipating area 4, as shown in FIG. 2, is that the PTC heating elements 10 are not arranged in the core or flow center of the heat-dissipating area 4, but are offset transversely to the flow direction 2 to the outside 2, into the U-backs 12. This enables optimum air flow around the PTC heating elements 10 on both sides, namely on their side facing the lamellar bands 5 as well as on the side facing the respectively adjacent lamella profile 6. Furthermore, a symmetrical heat dissipation from the PTC heating elements 10 into the lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 can thereby be realized, which is expedient in particular when using the heating module 1 with an axial fan.

A further advantageous feature may be that the PTC heating element 10 is cuboid-shaped and arranged in the heating module 1 such that its longitudinal side extends transversely to the flow direction 2. As a result, the PTC heating element 10 is parallel to the lamellar bands 5 and the U-back 12 of the frame 7 and the narrow sides of the thermal contact surfaces of the PTC heating element 10 are axially in the flow direction 2. This results in a very small depth of the heating module 1 in its axial flow direction 2, which is very advantageous for use in confined spaces.

It can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 according to a further advantageous feature that the heating module 1 comprises PTC heating elements 10 which are arranged in two opposite sides of the frame 7. This results in a symmetrical structure of the heating module 1, with respect to the heat dissipation over the lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 and the pairwise use of the same components in the heating module 1 is advantageous.

FIG. 3 shows a radial view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 shows a section A-A to FIG. 3 which shows further details of the heating module 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a heating module 1 according to the invention. It differs from the heating module shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 only in two features. On the one hand, only two contact elements 8 are provided in the U-back 12 of the frame 7, but no contact element between adjacent lamellar bands 5 in the interior of the frame 7. The heating module 1 of Figure 5 therefore has only one heating circuit or only one heating stage. On the other hand, the ribs of the lamellar profile 6 are open in their outer area and not connected in pairs. This open, slotted formation of the ribs of the lamellar profile 6 is preferred, for example, when the heating module 1 is inserted into a housing or a flow channel with a tapering or widening cross-section in the region of the heating module 1, that is to say into a conical housing. Namely, the air flow is then compressed and, since the flow is not hindered by cross-connections at the end of the ribs, it is better to flow between the lamellae of the lamellar profile 6, the lamellar profile 6 furthermore being able to have a cylindrical or parallelepipedal outer shape. For guiding the heating module 1 in a housing (not shown), one or more webs (not shown, formed by extensions on the slats or by the slats themselves) may be provided, for example on the outside of the slat profile 6 at the edge open lamellar profiles 6 which engage in corresponding guide grooves in the housing, or the housing has at its Inside one or more webs which engage between the ribs, thus forming associated guide grooves.

6 shows a perspective exploded view, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view and Figure 8 is an exploded axial view of a third embodiment of a heating module according to the invention 1. It differs from the heating module shown in Figure 5 only in that it has a contact element 8 between two adjacent lamellar bands 5 in the interior of the frame 7. The heating module 1 of Figures 6 to 8 therefore has two separately switchable heating circuits, which can be realized with two or three heating stages.

FIG. 9 shows an axial view of the heating module 1 of FIG. 5 in an air duct or housing 16 with a round cross section, viewed from the air inlet side of the heating module 1, FIG. 10 shows a section AA to FIG. 9, FIG. 11 shows an axial view of the heating module 1 of Figure 5 in an air duct with a round cross-section, viewed from the air outlet side of the heating module 1, and Figure 12 is a radial plan view of Figure 11. For the sake of clarity, the lamella belts 5 are not shown, therefore, the figures 9 to 11 at the same time also views of Heating module 1 of Figure 6.

The heating module 1 is advantageously integrated in a housing 16 through which air can flow. It may have a protective grid 17, which may be formed on the air outlet side or otherwise mounted there as shown. It may alternatively or additionally be arranged on the air inlet side. The electrical connections of the PTC heating elements 10 and the contact elements 8, ie the terminal lugs of the contact elements 8, which are formed for example for attaching cable lugs are arranged in all embodiments advantageously on the air inlet side of the heating module 1, ie on the cooler side to To avoid problems due to their warming. The ends of some ribs of the lamellar profiles 6 are designed as webs 18 or serve as such to guide the heating module 1 against rotation in corresponding guide grooves 19 in the housing 16. The webs 18 engage in corresponding guide grooves 19 on the inside of the housing 16, which can be formed for example by noses or webs. The axial positioning of the heating module 1 in the housing 16 is effected by means of resiliently deflectable latching hooks 19, which spread when inserting the heating module 1 in the housing 16 by their bevel first and then snap back to the heating module 1 between the latching hooks 19 and the protective grid 17 hold.

The heating module 1 is supplied by a fan, preferably an axial fan, which may be integrated into the housing 16. An axial fan is preferably arranged such that its radially inner air flow flows through the lamellar belts 5 and its radially outer air flow passes through the lamellar profiles 6. The fan may for example be stored and fixed in a two-part rubber mounting, which rests in two annular halves around the fan and is held with locking cams in corresponding detent openings of the housing 16. A two-piece ring as a rubber mount is easier to manufacture and assemble than a one-piece, closed ring. To simplify installation, the housing ring of the fan can be slightly conical. The rubber mounting serves both the vibration-damped mounting of the fan in the housing 16 and the prevention of backflow of air against the flow direction 2 due to a flow resistance on the air outlet side by the rubber bearing seals the annular gap around the fan between the housing 16 and the fan.

FIGS. 13 to 16 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a heating module 1 according to the invention, FIG. 13 in a perspective view, Figure 14 in a perspective exploded view, Figure 15 in a radial view and Figure 16 in a section AA. It corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 6, with two differences. On the one hand, the lamellar bands 5 have a known, Z-shaped fold. On the other hand, it is composed of two in the flow direction 2 successively arranged heating modules, the lamellae bands 5, the lamellar profiles 6 and the frame 7 of the individual heating modules are each aligned in the flow direction 2 in succession. In general, it may be advantageous for a heating module 1 according to the invention to achieve high heating power in narrow cross sections of the air-flowed housing 16 if it is composed of two or more heating modules arranged one behind the other in the flow direction 2, wherein the lamellar bands 5, the lamellar profiles 6 and the frames 7 the individual heating modules are each aligned in alignment in the flow direction 2 in succession in order to achieve a low flow resistance and a simple structure.

In this case, as can be seen in FIG. 14, it may be advantageous to provide a common frame 7 and / or common PTC heating elements 10 for the heating modules connected in series in order to save components while preserving the flexible structure held together resiliently by the spring elements 9. Furthermore, it may be advantageous for this reason, if at least two of the one side of the frame 7 and the frame 7 lying in a row lying lamellar profiles 6 are combined to form a common, one-piece lamellar profile. In FIG. 13, these would be the two upper or the two lower lamellar profiles 6, which are shown here individually. Also in this case, the two other lamellar profiles 6 opposite the combined lamella profile can carry out thermal compensation movements independently of one another on account of their separate spring elements 9. FIGS. 17 to 21 show a fifth exemplary embodiment of a heating module 1 according to the invention, FIG. 17 shows a perspective exploded view, FIG. 18 shows a perspective exploded view with housing, FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the assembled heating module without housing, FIG. 20 shows a plan view of the heating module 1 in a housing 16 or air duct with rectangular cross-section and in Figure 21 in a section AA. In the exploded view of FIG. 18, the upper lamellar profile 6 is shown above the housing 16, ie outside the housing 16, for better recognition. in the assembled heating module 1, however, it is located within the housing 16, as shown for the lower fin profile 6 in Figure 18 and for both fin profiles 6 in Figure 21.

Like the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 16, the heating module 1 according to FIGS. 17 to 21 is provided for the electrical heating of an air stream 3 flowing in a flow direction 2, in particular for heating and ventilating a seat, and comprises a heat-dissipating region 4 with airflow therein heat-conducting lamellae. In this case, the lamellae comprise two different embodiments in combination, namely three lamellae bands 5, which are designed as lamellar band modules arranged side by side, and two fixed lamella profiles 6. The lamellae bands 5 can be folded meander-shaped, rectangular, z-shaped or s-shaped into lamellar band modules, for example be, for example, as described in WO 2009/087106 AI. In this embodiment, a particularly advantageous development of such a lamellar folding according to the German patent application DE 10 2010 033 309.3 is shown. The lamellar bands 5 are arranged in the central region of the heat dissipation region 4 within a frame 7, which is arranged transversely to the flow direction 2. The lamellar profiles 6 are arranged in the outer region of the heat dissipation region 4. In particular, according to a further advantageous feature as shown, the lamellar profiles 6 are arranged outside the frame 7 in order to achieve an optimized construction and a good heat output of the heating module 1.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 16, the rectangular frame 7 of FIGS. 17 to 21 comprises two longitudinal frame longitudinal members 20 extending in the longitudinal direction of a lamella belt module, the frame longitudinal members 20 being biased by the spring elements 9 transversely to the flow direction of the air stream 3 are mutually displaceable. This design is particularly advantageous for very compact heating modules 1 and heating modules 1 for rectangular flow cross-sections or housing 16. Accordingly, the outer contour of the heat dissipation region 4 may be generally rectangular or polygonal. The PTC heating elements 10 are housed in the frame longitudinal members 20, which correspond to the U-back 12 of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 16.

According to a further advantageous illustrated feature, the frame 7 can be rectangular and have four straight frame parts, comprising two extending in the longitudinal direction of a slat belt module, opposite longitudinal frame members 20 and two frame longitudinal members 20 at their ends connecting frame connecting parts 21, wherein the frame longitudinal members 20 under the Bias of the spring elements 9 against each other slidably guided in the frame connecting parts 21 slidably. In order to enable this cohesion of the frame 7 with play and easy installation, the frame connecting parts 21, for example, locking lugs 22 which engage behind the corresponding webs in the frame longitudinal members 20. Furthermore, the heating module 1 can advantageously comprise two straight lamellar profiles 6, which are arranged on the outside of the frame 7 and are adapted with their inside to the outside of the frame 7 and with its outer edge to the outer contour of the heat dissipation region 4. Particularly in the case of a rectangular construction according to FIGS. 17 to 21, the spring elements 9 can advantageously be arranged offset in front of and / or behind the frame 7 in the flow direction 2 in order to achieve a good clamping effect of the spring elements 9 and a compact construction which makes good use of the available space to achieve. Both in FIGS. 1 to 16 and in FIGS. 17 to 21, the spring elements 9 can be designed as spring clips or spring clips made from a flat spring material (shown in FIGS. 1 to 16) or from a round spring material (shown in FIGS. 17 to 21). be educated. FIG. 22 shows the spring element of FIGS. 17 to 21, FIGS. 23 and 24 modified embodiments.

The further embodiment of the embodiment shown in Figures 17 to 21 can be carried out as described for Figures 1 to 16. This applies in particular to the following features.

The lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 are in heat-conducting connection with one or more PTC heating elements 10 and are combined with these and the frame 7 to form the module 1. The electrical contacting of the PTC heating elements 10 takes place by means of contact elements 8. The individual parts of the heating module 1 are held together with spring elements 9 which compress the lamellar bands 5, the lamellar profiles 6 and the PTC heating elements 10.

For flow reasons, it is advantageous if the narrow sides of the lamella belts 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 point axially upstream or downstream of the air flow 3. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the narrow sides of the lamellar bands 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 run as a chord or secant in the heat-dissipating area 4. As a result, the slats, in particular the slat bands 5 can be arranged with high accuracy at predetermined locations. One Another advantage is that in the lamellae bands 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 air passage openings with rectangular and at least partially uniformly the same cross-sections can be realized, which is advantageous for both a low air resistance of the heating module 1 as a high heat output. In a further advantageous embodiment, to avoid turbulences, it may be provided that the narrow sides of the lamellar bands 5 and / or the lamellar profiles 6 are parallel to each other, preferably that the narrow sides of the lamellar bands 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 are parallel to one another.

A simple construction of the heating module 1 results when it has a plurality of each combined to a slat band module slats bands 5 and the slat band modules in the frame 7 with their longitudinal sides, which extend transversely and axially to the flow direction 2 in a plane, juxtaposed and / or are arranged with these longitudinal sides in each case standing in thermal connection with each other. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 21 has only one such slat band module.

An almost maximum area of the area covered by the frame 7 heat dissipation area 4 is achieved when the frame 7 is rectangular and the corners of the rectangle are arranged close to the outer contour of the heating module 1.

Ridges of the lamellar profile 6 are closed in pairs in the embodiment of Figure 17 in its outer region, so that here results in a particularly high stability of the ribs. To guide the heating module 1 in the housing 16, one or more webs 18 may be provided, for example, on the outside of the lamellar profile 6, which engage in corresponding guide grooves in the housing 16, or the housing 16 has on its inside one or more webs 18th on, which engage between the ribs, which thus form associated guide grooves.

The heating module 1 of Figures 17 to 21 has two lamellar profiles 6, which are each arranged on opposite sides of the frame 7 outside the frame 7. Furthermore, according to a further advantageous feature, the lamellar strip 5 in the interior of the frame 7 and the lamellar profiles 6 are arranged on the outside of the frame 6. The frame 7 is made of an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic. The PTC heating elements 10 are arranged in the frame 7, i. inserted into openings 11 in the frame 7, and are both with the arranged inside the frame 7 slat strip 5 and with the arranged on the outside of the frame 7 fin profiles 6 in heat-conducting connection. As a result, the heat generated by the PTC heating element 10 when current flows to the strip band 5 and the lamellar profiles 6 are discharged. The frame 7 accommodates, as it were, the PTC heating elements 10 in a parting plane, which is formed by the frame 7 between the slat strip 5 and the slat profiles 6.

The frame 7 could also be divided into two, wherein both frame halves are each U-shaped. The PTC heating elements 10 are in this case preferably mounted in the U-back of the frame halves and the U-legs of the frame halves facing each other and are mutually displaceable to compensate for thermal expansion can. They could be guided through the inner sides of the lamellar profiles 6 or through the housing 16.

Inside the frame 7, there may also be a plurality of lamellae bands 5, which are each combined to form a lamella band module, which lie parallel next to one another. The PTC heating elements 10 are preferably arranged in the frame 7. It can be between one PTC heating element 10 and the adjacent thereto strip band 5 or lamellar belt module still be a support element 14 which is electrically and thermally conductive, that is preferably made of metal, and in particular the mechanical adjustment and the distribution of forces is used. It is also possible to provide at least one PTC heating element 10, which is arranged in the interior of the frame 7 between two adjacent lamella tapes 5.

For electrically contacting the PTC heating elements 10, it is possible to provide, corresponding to the variants described in FIGS. 1 to 17, contact elements 8 which are electrically and thermally conductive, ie. preferably made of metal. Also in the embodiment of Figures 17 to 21, one or more heating stages can be realized in this way.

Even with a heating module according to the invention 1 according to Figures 17 to 21, the thermal expansions can be compensated and compensated by a displacement of lamellae bands 5, frame 7 and lamellar profiles 6, wherein both the intimate thermally conductive contact between the PTC heating elements 10 and the lamellar band 5 or a plurality of lamellar bands and the intimate heat-conducting contact between the PTC heating elements 10 and the lamellar profiles 6 as well as the good electrical contact of the PTC heating elements 10 is maintained. Serve for this purpose, the spring elements 9, which are designed for compressing the lamella bands 5 and lamellar band modules, the lamellar profiles 6 and the PTC heating elements 10.

The spring elements 9 preferably engage in the lamellar profiles 6 and push them under bias loaded together, wherein the pressed together by the spring elements 9 lamellar profiles 6 are each arranged on opposite sides of the frame 7 outside the frame 7. As a result, the structure is easy to manufacture and in Case of disposal again easy to dismantle, and it will be held in a simple and reliable manner with a few spring elements 9, the required components, including lamellae 5, frame 7, lamellar profiles 6, PTC heating elements 10, support members 14 and contact elements 8 movable. If the spring elements 9 act on the frame 7 instead of on the lamella profiles 6, for example, additional spring elements are required in order to hold together the other components in the heating module 1, which results in a higher manufacturing outlay. The action clamping direction of the spring elements 9 is advantageously opposite to the thermal expansion direction of the components of the heating module 1 and opposite to the displacement or guide direction, which have the components of the heating module 1 in thermal expansion in the heating module 1.

Particularly in the case of rectangular flow cross sections, ie in the case of heating modules 10 of the rectangular design, the spring elements 9 are advantageously arranged offset in the flow direction 2 before and / or behind the frame 7. The spring elements 9 are preferably formed as a spring clip or spring clip of a flat spring material and engage at opposite ends of the lamellar profiles 6 as shown. Furthermore, a plurality of heating modules of the type illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 21 can also be arranged one behind the other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

heating module

flow direction

airflow

Heat-dissipating area

segment belt

Good grip

frame

contact element

spring element

PTC heating element

opening

U-back

U-leg

support element

casing

guard

web

latch hook

Longitudinal frame part

Frame connecting part

locking lug

Claims

claims

Electric heating module (1) for electrically heating an air stream (3), in particular for heating and ventilating a seat, with at least one PTC heating element (10) and at least one heat-dissipating heat-dissipating area (4) with heat-conducting fins which are connected to the PTC Heating element (10) are in heat-conducting connection and combined with this to form a module,

characterized in that

the lamellae of the heating module (1) both comprise at least one lamellar band (5) and at least one fixed lamellar profile (6) which are arranged in the heat-dissipating area (4), the lamellar band (5) being arranged in the central region of the heat-dissipating area (4) within a frame (7) is arranged, which is arranged transversely to the flow direction (2),

the fin profile (6) is arranged in the outer region of the heat emission region (4) and

the heating module (1) has spring elements (9) which are designed to compress the lamellar strip (5), the lamellar profile (6) and the PTC heating element (10).

Heating module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the narrow sides of the slat strip (5) and / or the slat profile (6) axially upstream or downstream of the air flow (3) have.

Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the narrow sides of the slat strip (5) and / or the slat profile (6) not in the radial direction, but as a chord or secant in the heat dissipation area (4).

Heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the narrow sides of the slat strip (5) and / or the slat profile (6) are mutually parallel.

Heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the narrow sides of the slat strip (5) and the slat profile (6) are parallel to each other.

Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the broad sides of the lamellar strip (5) and / or the lamellar profile (6) are not tilted or twisted against the axial direction and thus not against the direct air flow direction (2), but axially in the heating module (10).

Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one lamellar profile (5) outside the frame (7) is arranged.

Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that ribs of the lamellar profile (6) are open in their outer region.

9. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that ribs of the slat profile (6) are closed in pairs in their outer region.

10. heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lamellar profile (6) on its the frame (7) facing the inside rounded inside corners (15).

11. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of each lamella band module combined lamellae bands (5) and the lamellar band modules in the frame (7) with their longitudinal sides, in a plane across and axially to the flow direction (2), juxtaposed and / or are arranged with these longitudinal sides each standing in thermal connection with each other.

12. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that of the frame (7) enclosed central area of the heat emitting area (4) is completely or almost completely filled with lamellar bands (5).

13. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two lamellar profiles (6), which are each arranged on opposite sides of the frame (7) outside of the frame (7).

Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (7) is rectangular and the corners of the rectangle are arranged close to the outer contour of the heating module (10).

Heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (7) is rectangular and two extending in the longitudinal direction of a slat belt module, extending longitudinal frame members (20), wherein the frame longitudinal members (20) under the bias of the spring elements (9) across to Flow direction (2) of the air flow are mutually displaceable.

16. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (7) consists of an electrically non-conductive material, for example made of plastic.

17 heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on at least one side of a PTC-Heizele- element (10) is arranged a heat-conducting compensating layer, in particular a heat-conductive wax, a heat-conductive phase change wax, a heat-conducting film , in particular of copper or aluminum, a heat-conductive adhesive film or a heat-conducting phase-change film.

18. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lamellar bands (5) in the interior of the frame (7) and the lamellar profiles (6) on the outside of the frame (7) are arranged.

19. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PTC heating elements (10) are arranged in the frame (7) and both with the inside of the frame (7) arranged slat bands (5) and with the lamellar profiles (6) arranged on the outer side of the frame (7) are in heat-conducting connection.

20. Heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises PTC heating elements (10) which are arranged in two opposite sides of the frame (7).

21. Heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a PTC heating element (10) which is arranged in the interior of the frame (7) between two adjacent lamellar bands (5).

22, heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (7) is divided into two, wherein both frame halves are each U-shaped.

23. heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the U-legs (13) of the frame (7) face each other and are mutually displaceable.

24. heating module (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 23, characterized in that the PTC heating elements (10) in the U-back

(12) of the frame halves attached

Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has two in the form of an arc, i. arcuate, arcuate or approximately arcuate lamellar profiles

(6), which are arranged on the outside of the frame (7) and are adapted with its inner side to the outside of the frame (7) and with its outer edge to the outer contour of the heat dissipation region (4).

26. Heating module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the frame (7) is rectangular and has four straight frame parts, comprising two in the longitudinal direction of a slat belt module extending, opposite longitudinal frame members (20) and two frame connecting parts (21) which connect the frame longitudinal parts (20) at their ends, the frame longitudinal parts (20) being counter to one another under the pretension of the spring elements (9). slidably guided in the frame connecting parts (21).

27. heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two straight lamellar profiles (6) which are arranged on the outside of the frame (7) and with its inside to the outside of the frame (7) and with their outer edge are adapted to the outer contour of the heat dissipation region (4).

28. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring elements (9) in lamellar profiles (6) engage and squeeze biased under bias, wherein the of the spring elements (9) compressed lamella lenprofile (6) respectively on opposite sides of the frame

(7) are arranged outside the frame (7).

29. Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring elements (9) transversely to the flow direction (2) offset from the frame (7) are arranged.

30. heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring elements (9) in the flow direction (2) offset from and / or behind the frame (7) are arranged.

31 heating module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring elements (9) are designed as a spring clip or spring clip made of a flat spring material.

32. Heating module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring elements (9) are designed as a spring clip or spring clip made of a round spring material.

33. Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is composed of two or more in the flow direction (2) successively arranged heating modules, wherein the lamellar bands (5), the lamellar profiles (6) and the frame (7). the individual heating modules are each aligned in alignment in the flow direction (2).

34. Heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the series-connected heating modules have a common frame (7) and / or common PTC Heizele- elements (10).

35. Heating module (1) according to any one of claims 33 to 34, characterized in that at least two on one side of the frame (7) arranged one behind the other lamellar profiles (6) to a common, one-piece lamellar profile (6) are summarized.

36. Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer contour of the heat dissipation region (4) is annular, i. is substantially round, circular, elliptical or stadium-shaped.

37. Heating module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 35, characterized in that the outer contour of the heat dissipation region (4) is rectangular or polygonal.

38. Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PTC heating element (10) is not in the core or

Flow center of the heat emitting area (4), but is offset transversely to the flow direction (2) to the outside.

39. Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the PTC heating element (10) is cuboid and is arranged in the heating module (1) such that its longitudinal side extends transversely to the flow direction (2).

40. Heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is integrated in a luftdurchströmbares housing (16).

41. Heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a fan is attached to the housing (16) or inserted into this.

42. Heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fan is an axial fan.

43. Heating module (1) according to claim 41 or 42, characterized in that the fan, with respect to the flow direction (2), upstream of the heating module (1) is arranged.

44. heating module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axial fan is arranged such that its radially inner air flow through the lamellar bands (5) and its radially outer air flow through the lamellar profiles (6).

45. Heating module (1) according to any one of claims 40 to 44, characterized in that the housing (16) is provided for insertion into a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, or for insertion into an air duct with, if necessary, switchable air flow heating of a vehicle. Use of an electrical heating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims in a ventilated seat as a fan with optionally switchable air flow heating, in particular in a vehicle seat, or in an air duct with, if necessary, switchable air flow heating of a vehicle.