BG2891U1 - Thermostat with removable locking calibration means - Google Patents

Abstract

The thermostat is intended for devices for controlling the safety and regulation of the temperature of a heater, in particular of an electric water heater, and more generally with any household appliance such as dishwashers and washing machines. With its application, it is achieved to provide suitable means for initial and subsequent more precise thermostats calibration adapted to combine the opposite energy and heat efficiency needs, and providing means for recovering the initial calibration. The thermostat (1) comprises a container box (2) consisting of a base (2.1) and a cover (2.2), a thermoregulator (3) mounted on the base (2.1) and a working temperature calibration means (7, 7.1, 8) T.perf, Tmax, Tboc). The calibration means are executed respectively as a control key (7), a rotating indicator (7.1) and a notched ring nut (8) on which the indicator (7.1) is located. To the thermostat (1) are provided removable calibrating locking means, made as connecting elements (7.41), connecting the control key (7) and the rotating indicator (7.1) to said thermostat cover (2.2), each of said coupling elements (7.41) is filled with at least one tooth.

Description

Field of application

The subject of this utility model is a thermostat equipped with calibration locking means that can be removed at the discretion of the user.

The utility model relates to the field of safety control and temperature control devices for a heater, in particular an electric water heater, and in general to any household appliance, such as dishwashers and washing machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such devices (hereinafter referred to as "thermostats") described in patents EP 0651412, EP 1652017 and WO 2012/014025, owned by the same applicant of the present utility model, are known from the prior art.

Figure 1 shows a thermostat according to the prior art.

Reference number 1 'indicates the thermostat as a whole, consisting of a container box 2' consisting of a base 2.1 'and a lid 2.2'.

The reference figure 3 'indicates a thermoregulatory means designed as a thermosensitive element mounted to the base 2.1' and extending beyond it to the environment to be controlled (namely the water heater tank).

According to the prior art, such a thermosensitive element 3 'may consist of a tube which is thermally expandable and a good thermal conductor acting as a mechanical actuator of the internal contacts of the thermostat 1', cutting off or restoring power to the heating elements (electrical resistors, which are not shown in the figure) by a known kinematic mechanism.

Calibration means are also provided for the known thermostat, which are designed as adjusting switch 7 'and rotating indicator 7.1', respectively.

A drive element (not shown in the figure) is usually present in the vicinity of such a thermosensitive element 3 'in a plate in the base 2.1', intended to perform the thermal protection function, and usually consists of a bistable bimetallic element adapted to cause the thermostat contacts to open upon reaching a predetermined temperature by known kinematic return means.

The reference number 4 'indicates the external connection terminals for supplying the entire thermostat 1', through which energy is also supplied to additional accessories (such as indicator lamps or acoustic alarms) connected via 5 'connection holes.

On the cover 2.2 'of the thermostat 1' there is a control switch 7 ', equipped with a suitable indicator 7.1' for the initial calibration of the thermostat 1 'and the subsequent selectable temperature variants, which are set at the request of the user.

The thermostat type 1 'described above is only one of the possible ones, but for the purposes of the present utility model it is important that the temperature control switch 7' usually consists of a ring connected to an underlying toothed ring nut which, when rotated, allows setting the temperatures for calibration of the thermostat, depending on the type of water heater and the specific needs of the market for which the product is intended.

Typically, the calibration temperatures in question correspond to at least the following two operating conditions of the thermostat:

- standard temperature (hereinafter abbreviated as "T.regE"), which determines the value for obtaining the desired capacity in terms of hot water for the consumer;

- maximum safety temperature (hereinafter referred to as "T.Chass") above which the thermostat must not operate for safety reasons: this position is usually achieved by setting a travel end point to which the indicator 7.1 touches. '. Optional and subsequent variations of said calibration temperatures are performed by a technician (or less frequently by the user) by directly acting on the indicator 7.1 'of the control

690 Descriptions to certificates for registration of utility models № 03.2 / 30.03.2018 key 7 'or by acting on indirect means related to the mentioned indicator 7.1', such as an additional switch located on the control interface and the water heater controller.

An example of this type can be found in the previous document US 2012/0121305, which shows a control key by which it is possible to change the standard temperature, preset by a technician or subsequently modified by the user.

This document describes a mechanism associated with an adjusting key consisting of a connection between a retaining spike and a round dial provided with a series of raised teeth, so that said retaining spike is adapted to lock the dial adhering to one of said teeth.

When the user wishes to change the preset temperature, he must release the clutch between the stud and the raised dial tooth, turn the key to the desired temperature and then re-lock the key with the mechanism described above.

Subsequent implementation of EU Energy Directive 2009/125 / EC on energy efficiency (energy-related products applicable to all space heating and domestic hot water production appliances) and related ELD 2010/30 / EC legislation on the energy labeling will reflect the situation described above with respect to the standard calibration modes of the thermostat 1 '.

In fact, this legislation obliges manufacturers to affix an energy label indicating the efficiency class to which the water heater belongs, assessed according to the calibration with which the thermostat leaves the factory: hereinafter such calibration value will be called "T. Box".

It is clear that such EU legislation confronts manufacturers with the dilemma of the optimal calibration value of the thermostat to combine the emerging needs for climate and environmental protection (imposed by the new EGR and ELD directives) with those for more efficient use of the end user: in fact, calibrating the thermostat to the T.perf value (thanks to which the user receives the largest possible amount of hot water) will have a negative impact on the energy efficiency class; while on the other hand setting the calibration to the lowest value T. Box to obtain a better energy class will reduce the performance of the water heater.

Technical essence of the utility model

The purpose of this utility is to avoid such shortcomings by providing appropriate means for the initial and subsequent calibration of the thermostat, adapted to combine the opposite needs of energy and heat efficiency.

Another goal of the current utility model is to provide a means for more accurate calibration of the thermostat.

Another goal of the current utility model is to provide the means to restore the original calibration.

These and other objects, which will become clear below, are achieved with the thermostat according to the independent claim 1, wherein the thermostat includes:

- container box consisting of base and lid;

- thermoregulating means mounted to the base;

- calibration means of the operating temperatures (T.perf, T.shah, T.Boh), executed respectively as a regulating key, a rotating indicator and a toothed ring nut on which the indicator is located.

According to the utility model, removable calibration locking means are provided to the thermostat, designed as connecting elements connecting the adjusting key and the rotating indicator to said thermostat cover, each of said connecting elements being provided with at least one tooth.

Other objects can also be achieved by the additional features of the dependent claims.

№ 03.2 / 30.03.2018 Descriptions to utility registration certificates 691

Exemplary implementations and application of the utility model

Other features of the present utility model will be better illustrated in the following description of some preferred embodiments according to the claims and illustrated, as a non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a thermostat according to the prior art as described above, i. equipped with standard calibration means;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the thermostat according to the first embodiment of the utility model, provided with innovative calibration means, which are to be briefly described;

Figure 3 shows the mounted thermostat of Figure 2 according to the first operating configuration;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the thermostat according to the utility model in accordance with the second operating configuration;

Figure 5 shows a top view of the thermostat according to the second embodiment of the utility model.

The features of a preferred embodiment of the utility model will be described using the references contained in the figures, in particular Figures 2, 3 and 4, relating to its distinctive aspects in comparison with the prior art.

The reference figure 7 generally shows a temperature control switch adapted to set the calibration temperatures of the thermostat 1.

Said adjusting switch 7, in contrast to the prior art illustrated in FIG. 1, contains two different and at least initially separate elements, namely:

- an inner sleeve 7.3 adapted to be connected to the underlying toothed ring nut 8, which according to the prior art must activate the calibration of the thermostat 1, and

- an outer ring 7.2 intended to be placed coaxially around said inner sleeve 7.3 by the methods and objects to be described.

As indicated, such an inner sleeve 7.3 is the element on which the manufacturer acts to calibrate the thermostat 1 to the desired temperature: in particular, according to ErP 2009/125 / CE legislation, said temperature value is equal to T. Box, identifying the temperature , with which the thermostat 1 leaves the factory and allows the water heater to have a better energy classification (according to the ELD 2010/30 / CE directive) than the one it would receive in case the calibration value is equal to the temperatures T.perf or T .tax, as defined above, namely higher than T. box.

Usually the mentioned temperature value T. Box initially calibrated and constant in the presence of said locking means is the temperature value which achieves at least a minimum class of energy efficiency according to the legislation ЕгР 2009/125 / СЕ of the EU, the mentioned one is the one that allows the thermostat 1 (or rather the water heater on which the said thermostat is installed) to achieve the minimum energy class required by Directive EgR 2009/125 / CE, so that there is no excessive difference in thermal efficiency compared to the thermostat from the previous state of technique (ie not calibrated according to the new energy legislation), calibrated at the highest temperature T.perf. Said operating temperature T.box is the one at which the thermostat 1 leaves the factory, as it is lower than the operating temperatures T.perf, T.max achievable by the thermostat 1 after removal of the locking means.

However, it is not excluded that the mentioned temperature value T. Box is even lower, so that the energy efficiency class is further improved.

In both cases, in view of a significant improvement in terms of energy consumption, there is a decrease in the thermal efficiency of the water heater, which applies the thermostat 1, inability to ensure the availability of hot water in the quantities to which the consumer is accustomed. thanks to the thermostats used before the latest EU legislation.

The adjusting switch 7 of the present utility model avoids this disadvantage, especially due to the peculiarity of the outer ring 7.2.

According to a preferred embodiment, said outer ring 7.2 is located around the inner ring

692 Descriptions of utility registration certificates № 03.2 / 30.03.2018 sleeve 7.3, to which it is rotatably connected, is in fact pre-welded to the cover 2.2 of the thermostat 1 and after calibration of the thermostat 1 to the value T. Box through the inner sleeve 7.3, it is connected to the latter by known fixing means, such as e.g. laser welding or bonding with an adhesive (eg cyanoacrylate or UV ultraviolet adhesive).

Therefore, said outer ring 7.2 is a locking means which ensures that the calibration value T. Box of the thermostat 1 is maintained and maintained (with subsequent determination of the energy efficiency label as a result of this calibration).

In more detail, as shown in Figure 3, said outer ring 7.2 comprises:

a rotating indicator 7.1 consisting of a dial - shaped element and

- an outer wing 7.4, which is substantially in the shape of a round crown, concentrically located with respect to the axis of said outer ring 7.2, limited to said indicator 7.1 by one or more connecting elements 7.41 (in the non-limiting example of the attached figures, said one or more connecting elements 7.41 contain three teeth, although even one tooth is enough to achieve the goal of the current utility model).

On the side opposite to that of said indicator 7.1, said outer wing

7.4 (with an angular width substantially equal to that of the arc of said indicator 7.1) is securely limited to the lug 9 of the cover 2.2 of the thermostat 1; or said outer wing 7.4 is securely attached directly to the cover 2.2.

The limitation between the outer wing 7.4 of the adjusting key 7 and the lug 9 is carried out by known fixing means, such as e.g. laser welding or bonding with an adhesive (eg cyanoacrylate or UV ultraviolet adhesive).

What has just been described makes it possible to obtain a reliable locking means for the control switch 7 (consisting of a block "inner sleeve 7.3 - outer ring 7.2 with indicator 7.1 and outer wing 7.4"), the thermostat 1 being calibrated to the temperature value T. Loch, with which he left the factory, and on the basis of which he was given the energy efficiency class of the water heater.

In addition, said locking means is able to prevent unwanted accidental and incorrect calibrations of the thermostat 1 caused by shocks and vibrations during transport and the various logistical operations to which the product is subjected at different stages of the distribution chain.

However, such locking means are easily removed by an operator (where "operator" can mean without distinction a distributor, product installer or end customer of the water heater on which thermostat 1 is installed) in case he wishes to change the calibration value T. Box , waiving the energy efficiency indicated on the label.

In fact, the connecting elements 7.41 are designed in such a way that a simple rotation of the control switch 7 (acts directly on the indicator 7.1 or by some indirect means connected to the indicator 7.1, such as an additional key on the water heater control terminal) allows the operator to broke, removing the restriction between the indicator 7.1 and the outer wing 7.4, again allowing the control switch 7 to rotate to calibrate the thermostat 1 to a temperature value other than T. Box.

Laboratory tests have found that it is possible to devise a limiter represented by said couplings 7.41 so as to break by applying a torque of approximately 0.3 Nm, they. a force that can be easily exerted manually, but is still able to prevent accidental breakage.

In this way, the operator can modify the calibration value T. Box of the thermostat 1 by setting it to a higher temperature (eg T. perf) to achieve the best performance in terms of available hot water or by setting it at a lower temperature to further increase energy efficiency.

The control switch 7 is provided with a limiter of movement which prevents it from exceeding the calibration point corresponding to the maximum safety temperature T.tax, a value which cannot be exceeded for safety reasons.

№ 03.2 / 30.03.2018 Descriptions to certificates for registration of utility models 693

From the above description, the advantages achieved by this utility model are clear, the first of which concerns the possibility for the manufacturer to lock the calibration of the thermostat 1 to the calibration value T. Box to obtain the energy efficiency class required by EU legislation and in - at a later time to allow the operator to move such locking means at his own discretion in order to change the calibration of thermostat 1 according to his needs.

Other advantages relate to the possibility of achieving a more precise calibration of thermostat 1 compared to the commonly used prior art systems illustrated in the example of FIG. 1: in the latter, in fact, the connection between the toothed ring nut and the adjusting wrench 7 ', made as a single part, causes a slight angular deviation and the resulting incorrect adjustment of the calibration value by said ring nut.

This angular deviation is essentially equal to part of the angle of rotation, depending on the number of teeth that the ring nut has: as an example, the ring nut of a thermostat, such as the one shown in Figure 1, has 32 teeth, therefore the angular deviation formed by the connection with the adjusting switch 7 'can reach approximately 360 ° / 32/2.

This disadvantage is overcome or at least reduced thanks to the coaxial connection between the outer ring 7.2 and the inner sleeve 7.3 described in this utility model: in fact the calibration of the thermostat 1 is performed only by the inner sleeve 7.3 (pre-connected to the toothed ring nut 8) without any risk that the application of the outer ring 7.2 (pre-fixed to the cover 2.2 of the thermostat 1) will subsequently change the calibration made.

It is clear that several variants of the locking means described above are possible for those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of innovations in the idea of the utility model, and it is clear that in the practical implementation of the current utility model the various components described above may be replaced by technical equivalents.

For example, in the embodiment of the enclosed figures, it can be seen that the connecting elements 7.41 between the outer wing 7.4 and the indicator 7.1 of the outer ring 7.2 consist of three teeth designed to break by the action of torque.

However, such connecting elements 7.41 may be replaced by suitable equivalent means (also in quantities other than those shown in the figure), such as one or more welding or connecting points, or adhesive components, always designed to break as a result of external force. , which removes the restriction between said outer wing 7.4 and the block "inner sleeve 7.3 outer ring 7.2 with indicator 7.1".

It is not necessary to deal with how to construct such connecting elements, see, for example, the fragile stoppers of plastic bottle caps.

It is also possible to provide appropriate structural changes to the components of the adjusting key 7 so that the connecting elements 7.41 are placed in any intermediate position between the inner sleeve 7.3 and the cover 2.2, given that the main condition for obtaining a lock of the calibration of the thermostat 1 to the value T. Box is that said inner sleeve 7.3 can no longer move after the initial calibration phase has been completed.

Another design variant may consist of making an adjusting switch 7 consisting of a single element comprising an inner sleeve 7.3 and an outer ring 7.2 which are already assembled together, although in this way it is not possible to achieve an exact calibration, such as this is possible in the basic version with the two separate elements, in which the advantage of the locking means always remains, which can subsequently be removed by the operator.

Another variant may comprise a control switch 7, which consists of two initially separated elements - "inner sleeve 7.3 and outer ring 7.2", which will be fastened together after the calibration of thermostat 1 to the value T. Box through the inner sleeve 7.3 is completed. , but with an outer ring 7.2, which is fixed to the cover 2.2 only after the initial calibration.

It should also be reiterated that the configuration and position of the outer wing indicator 7.1 and the associated connecting means 7.41 shown in the figure are only a non-limiting example of a preferred utility model: in fact, they can take different forms and

694 Descriptions to utility registration certificates № 03.2 / 30.03.2018 items, implying the sign of allowing its locking, and then removing the inner sleeve 7.3.

Finally, it is possible to have a variant in which, after removing the locking means by breaking the connecting elements 7.41, there are means to facilitate in each case the operator during restoring the calibration of thermostat 1 to the initial value T. Box, for example by identifying elements of the control switch 7 either on the additional control interface of the water heater, or by another type of signal, such as a click, which can be felt when the temperature value T.Box is reached. Identifying elements allow the operator to recover the calibration point corresponding to the initially calibrated operating temperature T. Box, even after the removal of said locking means.

As a non-limiting example, Figure 5 shows a possible variant of the utility model in which said means are available to facilitate the operator in the action of resetting the initial calibration setting corresponding to the operating value T. Box, even after removing the locking means by breaking of one or more connecting means 7.41. In this exemplary embodiment, the indicator 7.1 of the outer ring 7.2 is provided with a recess 7.10 adapted to interact with a reciprocal protruding part 7.40 made on the outer wing 7.4.

In this way, even after breaking the connecting means 7.41 (with subsequent freedom of rotation of the control switch 7, still within the predetermined tolerances and the maximum safety temperature T. chess), the operator can easily find the initially set calibration point T .Boh, in case he wants to return to the best energy configuration: in fact, the reciprocal recesses 7.10 and the convex part 7.40 serve as a clear identifier for the operator, as well as the shape they recreate after the recess 7.10 of the indicator 7.1 is again on convex part 7.40 of the outer wing 7.4.

Claims (9)

Claims A thermostat with removable calibration locking means (1), comprising: - a container box (2) consisting of a base (2.1) and a lid (2.2); - thermoregulating means (3) mounted to the base (2.1); - calibration means (7, 7.1, 8) of the operating temperatures (T.perf, T.shah, T.Boh), performed respectively as a control switch (7), a rotating indicator (7.1) and a toothed ring nut (8), on which is located the indicator (7.1), characterized in that removable calibration locking means are provided to the thermostat (1), designed as connecting elements (7.41), connecting the adjusting key (7) and the rotating indicator (7.1) to said cover. 2.2) of the thermostat (1), each of said connecting elements (7.41) being filled with at least one tooth. Thermostat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said control switch (7) comprises: - an inner sleeve (7.3) lying on the toothed ring nut (8); - an outer ring (7.2) with a corresponding rotating indicator (7.1), the outer ring (7.2) being located coaxially on the inner sleeve (7.3); - an outer wing (7.4), bounded on one side by the rotating indicator (7.1) by the connecting elements (7.41) and on the other side by an eye (9) located on the cover (2.2) of the thermostat (1). № 03.2 / 30.03.2018 Descriptions to utility registration certificates 695 Thermostat (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that torque is applied to the control switch (7) directly or indirectly by means of the rotating indicator (7.1). Thermostat (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the applied torque on the connecting elements (7.41) is up to 0.3 Nm. Thermostat (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotating indicator (7.1) of said outer ring (7.2) has the shape of a dial and the outer wing (7.4) has the shape of a circular crown concentric on the axis. of the outer ring (7.2) and an angular width substantially equal to that of the arc of said dial of the rotating indicator (7.1). Thermostat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said control switch (7) comprises an end limiter. Thermostat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting elements (7.41) contain identifying elements. Thermostat (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said identifying elements comprise reciprocating connecting means made on the indicator (7.1) of the outer ring (7.2) and on the outer wing (7.4), respectively. Thermostat (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said reciprocating couplings comprise a recess (7.10) made on said indicator (7.1) of the outer ring (7.2) adapted to interact with the reciprocal convex part ( 7.40) made on the outer wing (7.4).