CN116734486A

CN116734486A - Manifold for heating/cooling system

Info

Publication number: CN116734486A
Application number: CN202310158587.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安德斯·奥斯特格德·克劳森; 索伦·海瑟德尔; 保尔·霍尔克
Original assignee: Danfoss AS
Current assignee: Danfoss AS
Priority date: 2022-03-08
Filing date: 2023-02-20
Publication date: 2023-09-12
Also published as: EP4242526A1; DK4242526T3; EP4242526B1

Abstract

A manifold (1) of a heating/cooling system is described, the manifold (1) comprising a sleeve (2) having at least one opening (3, 4) in a wall and a fixture (5) having a connection geometry (6) for mounting at least one functional component of the system to the sleeve (2), and the fixture being arranged around the opening (3, 4). It should be advantageous to install a manifold for a heating/cooling system. For this purpose, the fixing device (5) comprises at least two parts (7, 8) which are connected by means of screws (9, 10) external to the sleeve (2).

Description

Manifold for heating/cooling system

Technical Field

The invention relates to a manifold for a heating/cooling system, comprising a sleeve having at least one opening in a wall and a fixture having a connection geometry for mounting at least one functional component of the system to the sleeve, and the fixture being arranged around the opening.

Background

Such a manifold is known for example from EP 1 426,695 A1. In this reference, the fixing means comprise two parts in the form of tubular metal elements which are inserted into opposite openings in the sleeve and connected to each other by means of a threaded connection, one of the tubular elements comprising a male thread and the other tubular element comprising a female thread. When connecting the parts of the fixture they have to be rotated relative to each other, which may be detrimental for the O-ring used to form the seal between the parts of the fixture and the sleeve.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the installation of a manifold for a heating/cooling system.

This object is solved by a manifold of a heating/cooling system as initially described, wherein the fixing means comprises at least two parts which are connected by means of at least one coupling element outside the sleeve.

In this way, it is possible to insert only one part of the fixture into the opening in the sleeve, i.e. to mount the part of the fixture to one side of the sleeve. Another part of the fixture may then be mounted from the other side of the sleeve such that the sleeve is eventually held or even sandwiched between the parts of the fixture. The connection between the parts of the fastening device is achieved by means of at least one coupling element, which may be, for example, a screw, which is arranged parallel to a tangent to the circumference of the sleeve in the case of a circular cross section of the sleeve. Such screws are easy to access. Thus simplifying installation. The sleeve may be made of a metallic material and the fixation means may be made of a plastic material. Other coupling elements may be used, such as snap-fit connections, straps, rivets, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least two parts form a closure assembly around the sleeve. In other words, the fixation device forms a closed loop around the cannula, which gives the fixation device and the connection to the cannula a high stability.

In an embodiment of the invention, the two parts of the fixation device are mounted on circumferentially opposite sides of the sleeve. Thus, the sleeve may be loaded in one direction, preferably in the direction in which the central axis of the opening is oriented. Thus, the parts of the fixture can be pressed against the sleeve with sufficient force to ensure sufficient tightness. In most cases, however, sealing means will additionally be provided.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the two parts of the fixation device comprises a protrusion extending into the interior of the sleeve. The projection may then accommodate at least one functional component of the system such that the functional component is guided in a certain movement region within the cannula.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve comprises a circumferential wall having two openings opposite each other, wherein the projection is a first projection of a first part of the fixation device and a second part of the fixation device comprises a second projection extending into the sleeve interior. Since the openings in the sleeve are arranged opposite each other, the protrusions are oriented towards each other and form a tubular section accommodating a channel or a part of a channel, so that the functional component or components can be accommodated in the channel. The channel may be used to direct fluid out of or into the cannula in a controlled manner.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first protrusion contacts the second protrusion. In other words, the channel is provided with a through wall, wherein the wall may have an opening allowing a controlled entry of fluid from the interior of the cannula into the channel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the functional component is movably mounted to the fixed geometry. The functional component may be used, for example, for controlling the fluid flow from the sleeve to a heating or cooling circuit connected to the sleeve. This is particularly useful when the manifold is used in a floor heating system, particularly as a forward manifold. The functional component or components may form or be part of a pre-set means.

In an embodiment of the invention, the functional component is movable transversely to the longitudinal extension of the sleeve. When the sleeve has a circular cross-section, then the functional component may be positioned at different locations along the diameter of the sleeve to adjust certain characteristics of the flow through the manifold, or to adjust certain characteristics of the flow from the manifold to other components of the cooling or heating system. When the sleeve has other cross-sections, these locations are simply arranged in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the sleeve.

In an embodiment of the invention, the functional component is a first functional component and interacts with a control opening in a second functional component. The control opening allows fluid from the cannula into the channel formed by the two parts of the fixation device. When the first functional component is movable, the first functional component may more or less open or close the control opening in order to control the fluid flow through the opening. Thus, the first functional component, which cooperates with the second functional component, can be used as a pre-setting means.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first functional component is held in the fixture in a non-rotatable manner and the second functional component is rotatably mounted to the fixture, wherein the first functional component and the second functional component are connected by means of a threaded connection. The threaded connection is merely a connection between functional parts, but not between fastening means. When the second functional component rotates, this rotational movement is converted into a translational movement of the first component. The first member may then be displaced over the opening to vary the flow resistance through the opening.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second functional component comprises a tubular section extending through the first functional component. Thus, the first functional component is guided outside the second functional component for a considerable length. Furthermore, the first functional part can be surrounded by a projection of the part of the fastening device, so that it is guided in the gap between the two parts, which gives a considerably higher stability, so that the position of the first functional part relative to the second functional part can be adjusted with high accuracy.

In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing means comprise at least one rib or groove parallel to the direction of movement of the first functional component, which rib or groove cooperates with a corresponding groove or rib of the first functional component. The cooperation between the rib and the groove is a simple way of allowing a translational movement of the first functional part while preventing a rotational movement of the first functional part.

In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing means comprise a sealing ring and the first functional part has a first end position in contact with the sealing ring and closing the control opening and a second end position in which the control opening is open to a maximum. When the first functional component is in contact with the sealing ring, no fluid flows from the sleeve through the fixture. For example, when one or more functional components are used to form the preset device, the preset device is closed at that location of the first functional component. When the first functional component is in the second end position, there is substantially no additional throttling caused by the control opening.

In an embodiment of the invention, the threaded connection has a pitch that translates less than 360 degrees of rotation of the second feature into a stroke between two end positions. Thus, an adjustment knob may be used that rotates back and forth between a single stop that limits rotation of the adjustment knob in both rotational directions. Such a thread may also be realized by means of a multi-turn thread having a plurality of intertwined threads, for example two, preferably four or six intertwined threads.

In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing means are provided with a connecting piece. The connection allows connection between the manifold and the forward or return line of the heating or cooling system.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a manifold of a heating/cooling system;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a manifold and a fixture mounted to the manifold;

FIG. 3 shows the manifold of FIG. 1 with different functional components in an exploded view;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a predetermined device;

FIG. 5 shows the preset device in a cut-away perspective view;

FIG. 6 shows a portion of a fixation device;

FIG. 7 shows the manifold from the outside with a preset;

fig. 8 to 10 show the preset means in different preset positions.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a part of a manifold 1 of a heating/cooling system, the manifold comprising a sleeve 2, the sleeve 2 having openings 3, 4 on opposite sides of a circumferential wall of the sleeve 2. The fixture 5 is mounted to the sleeve 2. The fixture 5 comprises a connection geometry 6 for mounting at least one functional component of the system to the sleeve 2. The fixing means 5 are arranged around the openings 3, 4.

The fixing means 5 are in this example formed by two parts 7, 8, which parts 7, 8 are mounted to the sleeve 2 from opposite directions, i.e. substantially along the diameter of the sleeve 2. The two parts 7, 8 form a closed assembly around the sleeve 2, i.e. in the region of the openings 3, 4, the sleeve 2 is completely enclosed by the fastening means 5.

The two parts 7, 8 of the fixation device 5 are connected by means of screws 9, 10, which screws 9, 10 are arranged outside the sleeve and are oriented substantially parallel to the tangent of the sleeve 2. Other coupling elements may be used, such as snap elements, straps, rivets, etc.

The sleeve 2 may be made of a metallic material, wherein the two parts 7, 8 of the fixation device 5 may be made of a plastic material, for example.

The first part 7 comprises a first protrusion 11, which first protrusion 11 is inserted into the opening 3 of the sleeve 2. The second part 8 comprises a second projection 12, which second projection 12 is inserted through the second opening 4 into the interior of the sleeve 2. The two projections 11, 12 overlap each other and form a channel 13 (or tube), which channel 13 (or tube) is closed except for an opening 14, which opening 14 is only shown in fig. 4 to 6 and 8 to 10. The opening 14 is not visible in the sectional view of fig. 2.

Fig. 3 shows that a number of different functional components can be mounted to the fixture 5. The functional component may be a plug 114, a simple preset 115, a higher-level preset 116, or a preset 117 with a flow meter 118. Further, the functional component may be a drain connector (venting connection) 119. All functional components can be connected to the sleeve 2 by means of the same fastening means 5.

Fig. 4 to 10 show the manifold 1 connected to the presetting device 116. The same reference numerals as in fig. 1 to 3 are used to denote the same elements.

Fig. 6 shows a part of the fixation device, in particular a first projection 11 and a second projection 12 with an opening 14. It can be seen that the second projection 12 comprises a plurality of ribs 15, 16 extending parallel to the lengthwise extension of the second projection 12, and that the function of the plurality of ribs 15, 16 will be explained in connection with some of the other figures.

The first functional part 17 is arranged in the fixture 5, in particular in the second part 8 of the fixture, and in particular within the second protrusion 12. The first functional part 17 has grooves (not visible in fig. 4) on its outer side, which correspond to the ribs 15, 16 shown in fig. 6. The cooperation between the groove and the ribs 15, 16 has the result that the first functional part 17 can be moved in a translational manner within the second projection 12, while a rotational movement of the first functional part 17 is prevented. An O-ring 18 is arranged between the first functional part 17 and the second protrusion 12 to prevent any leakage flow between the first functional part 17 and the second protrusion 12.

The second functional part 19 is rotatably mounted to the first part 7 of the fixture 5. The second functional component 19 comprises a control opening 20. Further, the second functional component 19 comprises a male thread 21, which male thread 21 engages with a female thread 22 of the first functional component 17. The channel is provided inside the tubular section 24 of the second functional component.

When the second functional part 19 rotates and the first functional part 17 is held in a non-rotatable manner in the second part 8 of the fixture 5, the rotational movement of the second functional part 19 is converted into a translational movement of the first functional part 17. In other words, the first functional component 17 moves with the second functional component 19, so that the first functional component 17 can more or less close or open the control opening 20.

Furthermore, the second functional part 19 comprises a sealing ring 23, and the first functional part 17 has a first end position in contact with this sealing ring 23. This position is shown in fig. 10. The contact between the first functional component 17 and the sealing ring 23 forms a fluid-tight seal so that no fluid from the interior of the sleeve 2 can propagate to the channel 24 formed in the interior of the second functional component 19. In this position of the first functional component 17, the pre-setting device 116 is completely closed.

Fig. 8 shows the position of the first functional component 17 in which the control opening 20 is opened to a maximum. The position is a second end position. Fig. 9 shows an intermediate position of the first functional component 17 in which the control opening 20 is partially open, so that a reduced fluid flow can flow from the interior of the cannula 2 through the channel 24 in the interior of the second functional component 19.

It can be seen that, in particular in fig. 4, the first functional component 17 is held between the second projection 12 and the second functional component 19, so that the position of the first functional component 17 can be adjusted with high accuracy.

The presetting device 116 comprises an adjustment knob 25, which adjustment knob 25 is connected to the second functional part 19 and can be rotated slightly less than 360 degrees. For this purpose, the first part 7 of the fastening device 5 comprises a stop 26 and the adjusting knob 25 comprises a further stop 27. The stop 26 of the securing device 5 can be rotated between two end positions defined by two end positions of the stop 27. When the adjustment knob 25 is rotated between these two end positions, the first functional part 17 translates between the two end positions (fig. 8 and 10) by means of a threaded connection, so that the presetting of the heating/cooling system becomes very simple.

The fixture 5 may be provided with a connection 28, which connection 28 simplifies the connection to the forward or return line of the heating/cooling system.

All the functional parts 114-119 and the connecting piece can be held in the fixture 5 by means of snap rings 29, 30 or other spring-like elements. Even hairpin-like elements may be used and such elements need not be spring biased.

Claims

1. Manifold (1) of a heating/cooling system, comprising a sleeve (2) and a fixing device (5), the sleeve (2) having at least one opening (3, 4) in a wall, the fixing device (5) having a connection geometry (6, 29, 30) for mounting at least a functional component (114-119) of the system to the sleeve (2), and the fixing device (5) being arranged around the opening (3, 4), characterized in that the fixing device (5) comprises at least two components (7, 8), the at least two components (7, 8) being connected by means of at least one coupling element (9, 10) outside the sleeve (2).

2. Manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two parts (7, 8) form a closing assembly around said sleeve (2).

3. Manifold according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two parts (7, 8) of the fixing means (5) are mounted on opposite sides of the wall of the sleeve (2).

4. A manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the two parts (7, 8) of the fixture (5) comprises a protrusion (11, 12) extending into the interior of the sleeve (2).

5. Manifold according to claim 4, characterized in that the sleeve (2) comprises a circumferential wall with two openings (3, 4) opposite each other, wherein the projection (11) is a first projection of a first part (7) of the fixture (5) and a second part (8) of the fixture (5) comprises a second projection (12) extending into the interior of the sleeve (2).

6. Manifold according to claim 5, characterized in that the first projection (11) contacts the second projection (12).

7. A manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a functional component (17) is movably mounted to the fixture (5).

8. Manifold according to claim 7, characterized in that the functional component (17) is movable transversely to the longitudinal extension of the sleeve (2).

9. Manifold according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the functional component is a first functional component (17) and interacts with a control opening (20) in a second functional component (19).

10. Manifold according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the first functional component (17) is held in the fixture (5) in a non-rotatable manner and the second functional component (19) is rotatably mounted to the fixture (5), wherein the first functional component (17) and the second functional component (19) are connected by means of a threaded connection (21, 22).

11. Manifold according to claim 10, characterized in that the second functional component (19) comprises a tubular section (24) extending through the first functional component (17).

12. Manifold according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the fixing means (5) comprise at least one rib (15, 16) or groove parallel to the direction of movement of the first functional component (17), which rib or groove cooperates with a corresponding groove or rib of the first functional component (17).

13. Manifold according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the fixing means (5) comprise a sealing ring (23) and in that the first functional part (17) has a first end position in which the first functional part (17) is in contact with the sealing ring (23) and closes the control opening (20), and a second end position in which the control opening (20) is open to a maximum.

14. Manifold according to claim 13, characterized in that the threaded connection (21, 22) has a pitch that converts less than 360 degrees of rotation of the second functional component (19) into a stroke of the first functional component (17) between the two end positions.

15. Manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the fixing means (5) are provided with a connection (28).