DE29814799U1 - Connection arrangement, especially for heating or cooling elements - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection arrangement, in particular for a heating or cooling body to a centralized heating or cooling system according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such connection arrangements are used, for example, to connect the system-side connections of a heating or cooling system with the heating or cooling body-side connection sections or connection lines of a circulation system. A connection fitting is usually used here, which forms the interface between the heating or cooling body and the system-side connection in a rigid manner and can only be fastened in one orientation.

Such connection arrangements are disadvantageous in several ways. On the one hand, assembly forces, for example when working on the pipe network, i.e. on the system side, are directly

Rö/da/hf

Fax: Telex: VAT: (089)4707064 (089)4707120 524 560 DE 130746066 (089)47 05009 (089)4706417 Swan d (0 89) 419000 25

Bayer. Vereinsbank Munich 453100 (bank code 700202 70) Hypo-BankMunich 4410122850 (bank code 70020001) Postbank Munich 653 43-808 (bank code 700100 80)

via the connection fitting there and its fixed connection with the following connection fitting. the latter, so that the housing of this connection fitting is exposed to loads that can lead to both leak-tightness and stability problems. It is therefore difficult to make such connection fittings out of plastic. The use of a connection fitting made entirely of metal or, in the case of plastic fittings, the installation of additional strength-enhancing components or sealing aids made of metal becomes necessary.

On the other hand, conventional connection fittings cannot be adapted to the respective installation situation or can only be adapted with great effort due to the fixed connection positions for the flow and return, i.e. they are not flexible with regard to possibly necessary side swaps for the flow and return when installing the heating or cooling element.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection arrangement that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a universally usable connection arrangement is to be proposed, which can preferably be made entirely from plastic.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the system-side connection fitting can be fixed to the holding device in such a way that the connection sections of the connection fitting essentially only have a sealing function.

According to the invention, the system-side connection fitting is thus advantageously sufficiently stabilized via the holding device so that a force-transmitting connection between the connection sections of the connection fitting and the connection sections of the system-side connection fitting is no longer necessary. Sealing can thus be carried out very efficiently. Since assembly forces on the pipe network (system side) are introduced directly into the holding device (and via this into the wall, for example), the connection fitting itself is no longer loaded by such forces and can therefore be made essentially entirely from plastic. The disadvantages and difficulties that have previously occurred with plastic connection arrangements at the interfaces to the pipe network and to the

Heating and cooling elements are therefore eliminated. It is no longer necessary to insert metal inserts or similar into plastic connection fittings in order to ensure sealing and strength, so that the overall costs can also be reduced according to the invention.

Another advantage is that the connecting sections, which according to the invention essentially only have to fulfill a sealing function, can be easily adapted to the respective installation requirements.

According to the invention, the holding device can be reversibly, but in particular firmly connected to the system-side connection fitting. However, a tight connection between the connection fitting and the holding device is not necessary.

In one embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention, the connection fitting comprises a forward and a return part, which are preferably approximately rotationally symmetrical.

There are various ways of connecting the connection fitting to the holding device. The two parts can be welded, soldered or screwed together or fixed together using a press-in technique.

The connection between the connection sections of the connection fitting with the connection set, which is connected to the holding device, can be designed according to the invention as a plug connection. In this case, it is possible to provide the connection sections with at least one sealing device each, whereby the sealing device can comprise at least one O-ring, preferably two spaced O-rings, a rubber or plastic sleeve, a sealing fabric or the like.

In the above embodiments, the sealing devices are advantageously partially enclosed in respective recesses that are preferably adapted to them, such as grooves or the like.

In one embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention, the connection

fitting has a flow and a return connection on the heating or cooling body side, each of which comprising a line section that can be fixed, rigid, flexible and/or pivotable. ^

With this design, the advantages of the invention, which allow flexible adaptation of the connection arrangement to possible installation situations, come into play. The possible designs of the flow and return connections allow very different outlet directions to be realized, which can be easily adapted to the respective intended use, thus making it possible to shorten hose or pipe lengths on the heating or cooling body side.

The above-mentioned flow and return connections advantageously each comprise a screw connection, a plug-in coupling or the like; these interfaces are particularly preferably designed as quick couplings. Such quick couplings ensure in particular that only minimal or no assembly forces occur when connecting flexible hoses to the flow or return connections.

According to the invention, the holding device is advantageously designed in an angled manner, namely with a leg facing the building and a leg facing away from the building. The leg facing away from the building can have an extension that extends parallel to the same direction or parallel opposite to the leg facing the building, the angles between the legs and to the extension preferably being approximately 90° each.

In the last-mentioned embodiment, in particular in the case where the extension extends parallel to the building-side leg, the building-side leg preferably has openings for the passage of connecting lines to the heating or cooling system.

The connection arrangement can also be designed in such a way that the system-side connection fitting is arranged on the leg facing away from the building or on the extension.

The above-mentioned measures regarding the design of the holding device mean that the installation situation can be designed flexibly during the connection work simply by using a suitable holding device in each case, so that no different versions of connection fittings are required, for example for the so-called straight-through and angle shape. It is sufficient to simply select the suitable holding device in order to optimally adapt the installation situation for the connection order to the requirements when installing the heater or heat sink.

With a suitable design, only one design is required for the connection fitting, only two different holding devices or wall brackets are required for connection from the floor or from the wall. Overall, a fully-fledged pre-assembly set for heating or cooling elements with flexible connections is created, which, compared to the previously possible solutions based on conventional metal screw connections, offers a comprehensive range of functions at lower manufacturing costs for the plastic connection fitting. At the same time, all the fundamental weaknesses of the "plastic solution" are eliminated.

If the heating or cooling system is not to be filled immediately after the pipe network has been laid during installation, the connection fitting can also be installed together with the heating or cooling element towards the end of the construction work. In this case, the holding device is sufficient for installing the pipes. This protects not only the heating or cooling element but also the connection fitting from dirt, damage and possible theft, and reduces the need for pre-financing for the heating or cooling system.

If damage occurs to the connection fitting, it can be replaced more easily than before as the previously required screw connections to the pipe network no longer need to be loosened.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the help of the attached figures based on various embodiments. They show:

Fig. 1: a schematic sketch of an embodiment of an inventive

Connection arrangement with a connection fitting still in the released state;

Figures 2a

to 2e : possible embodiments of heating or cooling body side

Flow and return connections on a connection fitting of a connection arrangement according to the invention;

Fig. 3: an embodiment of the connection of the flow and return connections (heating

or heat sink side);

Fig. 4: a connection arrangement according to the invention with a holding device according to

a first embodiment; and

Fig. 5: a connection arrangement according to the invention with a holding device according to

a second embodiment.

In Figure 1, a connection arrangement according to the invention is shown in a front view on the left-hand side, while a side view is shown again on the right-hand side.

The connection arrangement consists of the connection fitting 10, which is also referred to as the universal screw connection 10. This universal screw connection 10 has on its upper side two flow and return connections 20 on the heating or cooling body side and two connection sections 12 on the system side, which also serve as flow and return connections.

The connection fitting 10 is shown in the state detached from the system-side connection fitting 16, which also consists of a forward and a return line. The system-side connection fitting 16 is attached to a wall bracket 18, which serves as a holder and whose angular shape is clear in the right-hand side view. According to the invention, there are various options for designing the attachment between the connection fitting 16, which leads to the raw network, and the wall bracket 18. In most cases, welding, soldering or a press-fit attachment will be considered, but a screw connection or another detachable connection is also conceivable, as long as sufficient strength is guaranteed.

The universal screw connection 10 has O-rings attached to its connection sections 12 and, if necessary, fixed in grooves, which, when the fitting 10 is inserted into the receptacle of the fitting

■y«

16 is pressed in to ensure adequate sealing.

It is now clear that forces that are transferred to the connection fitting 16 during work on the pipe network are only transferred to the wall bracket 18 and through it into the wall, thanks to the fixed mounting in the wall bracket 18, and are therefore no longer transferred to the connection fitting 10. It is therefore no longer necessary to design the connection between the connection sections 12 and the connection fitting 16 as a force-transmitting screw connection, the sealing function provided by the O-rings 14 is sufficient. Furthermore, when looking at Figure 1, it is clear that the fitting 10 can be inserted or removed quickly and easily and can therefore, for example, be easily reassembled in an inverted state. Because the connection fitting 10 no longer has to absorb or transmit forces in the area of its connection sections 12, it can be made entirely of plastic.

Furthermore, no tight connection between the connection fitting 16 and the wall bracket 18 is necessary.

On the heating or cooling body side, the connection fitting 10 is usually connected to flexible hoses via the flow and return connection 20, which then supply the heating or cooling body.

For this purpose, the fitting 10 according to the invention, designed as a plastic universal screw connection, offers several possibilities, as shown for example in Figures 2a to 2e. The supply and return connections 20 are each extended by line sections 22, which are adapted to the respective construction situation. Figure 2a shows, for example, line sections 22 whose openings are arranged horizontally outwards. Figure 2b shows line sections 22 which diverge upwards away from the fitting 10, whereby their angle of inclination can be 0° to 90°. Figure 2c shows an embodiment with line sections 22 which run parallel to one another at an angle upwards; here too, the angle to the longitudinal axis of the fitting can be 0° to 90°. Figure 2d shows

a front view of the fitting 10 shows line sections 22 angled to the left and right, wi
are aligned parallel.

sections 22, while in Figure 2e these two line sections are shown side by side

Such flexible arrangements of the line sections 22 are realized by the special type of fastening to the flow and return connections 20. Possible types of connection of the line sections 22 to the flow and return connections 20 are explained using Figure 3. In the connection area 15 between the components 20 and 22, it is possible to carry out welding or soldering if a rigid connection is desired. However, if the line sections are to be movable, a locking mechanism, sealed with at least one O-ring, or a screw connection with a seal is conceivable, whereby in these latter two cases the pivotability of the connection is made possible.

In all embodiments, quick couplings or screw connections can be used at the openings on the heating or cooling body side of the line sections 22 to connect to, for example, flexible hoses.

Figure 4 now shows a connection arrangement according to the invention with a wall bracket 18 according to a first special embodiment. The wall bracket 18 is divided into the legs 18a, 18b, 18c, whereby the leg 18a is attached to the wall, the leg 18b protrudes vertically from it and the leg 18c in turn protrudes vertically from the leg 18b. The connection fitting 16 is attached to the leg 18c (see also Figure 1), into which the connection section 12 of the fitting 10 is inserted. The connection fitting 10 can be seen here in a front view; a sealing ring 14 is again arranged on its connection section 12. A single sealing ring 14 is sufficient if the wall bracket 18 is designed so rigidly that assembly forces that could be introduced via the piping system on the system side cannot lead to a bending of the wall bracket 18. If the wall bracket is to be designed to be less rigid, two sealing rings must be arranged one behind the other on section 12 in order to ensure tightness.

After inserting the connection fitting 10 into the connection set 16, the sealing

connection established.

If the same connection fitting 10 (Figure 4) is to be installed in such a way that the flow or return connection 20, 22 shown at the top left in Figure 4 is rotated 90° anti-clockwise on the bottom left side, the wall bracket shown in Figure 5 can be used.

This wall bracket again has a leg 18a attached to the wall, which in this case, however, has a passage 24 for the system-side pipe. In the case of the embodiment according to Figure 5, the leg 18d with the connection fitting 16 runs parallel to the leg 18a. The fitting shown in Figure 4 could now be turned by 180° and inserted into the wall bracket according to Figure 5 so that the flow and return connections 20 and 22 are located at the bottom left. It is no longer necessary to provide a separate connection fitting 10 for this installation.

Therefore, only one design is required for the connection fitting 10; only two different wall angles are required for different connection situations.

The connection arrangement according to the invention creates a pre-assembly kit for universally applicable plastic connection fittings or universal screw connections.

Claims (14)

SCHWABE ■ SANDMÄlR/\ MfBK''.' . :":!·*&Igr; PATENTANWÄLTE"' '··"··' »*"♦.· STUNTZSTRASSE16 · D-81677 MUNICH Kermi GmbH Attorney's file: 43 243 VIII Claims 1. Connection arrangement, in particular for heating or cooling elements to a centralized heating or cooling system, with the following features: a connection fitting (10) on the heating or cooling body side for connecting the heating or cooling body; a holding device (18) for the connection fitting (10);
a system-side connection fitting (16) for connecting the connection fitting (10) to the heating or cooling system, characterized by the following feature: the system-side connection fitting (16) can be fixed to the holding device (18) in such a way that connection sections (12) of the connection fitting (10) are essentially only have a sealing function. 2. Connection arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device (18) can be reversibly, but in particular firmly, connected to the system-side connection fitting (16). 3. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection fitting (16) comprises a forward part (16) and a return part (16), which are preferably at least approximately rotationally symmetrical. MU/st ® Fax: Telex: VAT: (089)4707064 (089)4707120 524560 DE 1307 46066 (089)4705009 (089) 4706417 Swan d (0 89) 4190 00 25 Bayer. Vereinsbank Munich 453100 (bank code 70020270) Hypo-Bank Munich 4410122 850 (bank code 70020001) Postbank Munich 65343-808 (bank code 700100 80) 4. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection fitting (16) can be welded, soldered or screwed to the holding device (18) or can be fixed therein by means of a press-in technique. 5. Connection arrangement according to one of the connections 1 to 4, characterized in that the connection sections (12) of the connection fitting (10) are designed to be pluggable into the connection fitting (16) connected to the holding device. 6. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connection sections (12) are each provided with at least one sealing device (14). 7. Connection arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing device (14) comprises at least one O-ring, preferably two spaced O-rings, a rubber or plastic sleeve, a sealing fabric or the like. 8. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the sealing devices (14) are partially enclosed in respective recesses preferably adapted to them, such as grooves, slots or the like. 9. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connection fitting (10) has a flow connection and a return connection (20) on the heating or cooling body side, each of which comprises a line section (22) which can be fixed, rigid, flexible and/or pivotable. 10. Connection arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the flow and return connections (20) each comprise a screw connection, a plug-in coupling or the like. 11. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the holding device (18) is designed in an angle-like manner, with a building- walled leg (18a) and a building-remote leg (18b). 12. Connection arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the leg (18b) facing away from the building has an extension (18c) which extends parallel to or opposite to the leg (18a) on the building side, the angles between the legs or to the extension preferably being approximately 90° in each case. 13. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 10 or 12, characterized in that the building-side leg (18a) has openings (24) for the passage of connection lines to the heating or cooling system. 14. Connection arrangement according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the system-side connection fitting is arranged on the leg or extension (18c, 18d) facing away from the building.