EP1217310B1 - Compact unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a compact unit for a heating system, in particular for a gas boiler with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Such heating systems, especially gas water heaters are used wherever it is necessary to install a heating system in a small space. Such systems are often installed in kitchens or bathrooms in specially designated niches in a confined space. It is therefore the desire to make these devices as small and compact as possible. On the other hand, a compact design often leads to more maintenance effort when accessibility problems exist.

A generic compact unit is known from DE 197 17 799 A1. This aggregate unites all essential Scholffunkfionen and also includes in addition to the electric drives also a dirt separator and an air separator. This compact unit has basically proven, but requires a relatively large overall depth, since the pump unit is arranged in the installed position in front of the valve assembly. This furthermore requires that the unit parts located behind the pump unit, in particular the valve unit, be difficult to access from the front. Also, the pump unit obscures the view from the front of the underlying aggregot cell, which is why a visual inspection of the operating state, for example, the lever position of the change-over valve, from the front is not possible. A side view is usually not possible due to the installation situation Incidentally, this is often hindered by other built-in parts.

Insofar cheaper is an arrangement as shown in the post-published German patent application 100 07 873.7 of the applicant. However, this arrangement is hardly comparable to the above, since there serves as a mounting platform of the secondary heat exchanger. Also, the arrangement described therein differs in that the switching valve is not connected to the pump assembly, but is connected between the primary and secondary heat exchanger.

From EP 0 866 280 A2 a connection adapter for a pump is known, which connects to a three-way valve, which in turn is connected to a centrifugal pump. The ducting within the valve assembly is not apparent there. Also, there is neither a valve chamber provided nor a Sicherheitsheüsventil.

From DE 197 24 564 A1, a circulation pump of a collective heating, that is, a heater for several blocks of flats known. Such constructions are therefore not suitable for compact heating systems.

From DE 13 00 831 a pump unit with rotary valve is known, which is also neither determined nor suitable for such compact heating systems.

Based on the introductory cited prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a generic compact unit in such a way that the overall depth is reduced and the accessibility of Aggregatteileinsbesondere also for safety reasons, is improved.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features listed in claim 1.

The basic idea of the present invention is not to provide the valve assembly in the installed position behind the pump assembly but next to the pump assembly and to allow the units to be connected directly to one another, the suction side of the pump discharging laterally into the valve assembly. Such an arrangement not only reduces the overall depth of the unit, but allows a much better accessibility of all provided in the valve assembly components. These components can usually be serviced or replaced without removing the pump assembly. Advantageously, while the valve assembly has a valve chamber, wherein the safety valve connects to the top of the valve chamber, the output of which opens in the installed position to the rear and which is actuated by means of a lever accessible from the front. Such, regularly prescribed in such systems safety valve (pressure relief valve) includes advantageous in the upper region of the chamber. For this purpose, an opening may be provided in the top of the chamber, in which a corresponding valve can be inserted. Such safety valves must be manually triggerable for testing purposes. So that the optionally hot water with manual opening of the valve not in the direction of the operator, so forward, this is according to the invention arranged so that the output of the safety valve opens in the installed position to the rear. In this case, a lever for triggering the safety valve is provided according to the invention, which is actuated from the front. By this arrangement, so both a space-saving design as well as a safe and front-to-actuated release for the safety valve can be formed.

Advantageously, this lever is designed so that it overlaps the safety valve on both sides and otherwise possibly bypassing led from components forward. Through this, bow-like spreading the lever can be attached without additional support exclusively on the safety valve, which repels during pivotal movements of the lever on the safety valve and thereby takes the trigger pin of the valve and thus opens the valve.

Advantageously, the suction port of the pump is overlapped by a pump-side housing part, so that a subsequent to the suction port of the pump chamber is formed, which serves for a deflection by about 90 degrees to the laterally adjoining valve assembly and provided on the other in the upper part with an air separator is. In this arrangement, the space required for redirecting the flow, which is required in any case, is used to separate off any air or gases present in it. In the valve chamber of the valve assembly lead the lines to the heating circuits and a line connection to the suction port of the pump.

The pipes lead to the heating circuits in the valve chamber of the valve unit. The lines leading to the heating circuits each terminate in a valve seat and in the opposite direction, wherein a closing body is arranged between the valve seats, which is provided for selectively closing one or the other valve seat. The direction of movement of the closing body is preferably provided in a direction parallel to the impeller axis of the pump, as then results in a particularly compact design, in which the free spaces formed by the rounding of the motor housing of the pump assembly can be used to save space for components of the valve assembly.

Particularly advantageous is such an arrangement in connection with a valve chamber of substantially round cross-section, which is stepped to receive inserts and whose axis in the axial direction of the therein opening valve seats or nozzle or parallel thereto lies. For then at least the component comprising the valve chamber, which is usually formed as a plastic injection molded part, can be produced without lost cores, which is favorable in terms of manufacturing technology. In such a construction, for example, a valve seat can be integrally formed together with the nozzle, whereas the other valve seat can be formed by a separate component, which finds secure fit in a gradation of this valve chamber.

Furthermore, in such a configuration and arrangement of the valve chamber in one of the gradations, a dirt separator can be integrated. Conveniently, the lid, which closes the component downwards, will form at least part of the dirt separator. If other components are appropriate or necessary, they may be used in overlying gradations of the chamber.

Conveniently, the built-in lid dirt separator on a lockable Ausloss so that before removing the lid, as required for example for cleaning the Schmutzabscheiders or to replace the closing body, the water in the chamber can be drained. This is especially important for such aggregates that are used in living spaces, such as. The kitchen and the hallway must be installed and it must be ensured that no fluid escapes uncontrollably even during maintenance work.

In the above-described chamber arrangement round cross section, a valve seat can be formed integrally with the chamber, whereas the other is used from below into the free end of the chamber as a separate component and is supported in a gradation.

The insertable into the valve chamber forming a valve seat can have both deflection and at the same time part of the Be a dirt separator. Advantageously, it has a tooth-like arrangement in the deflection region of the flow, so as to deposit long-fibered bodies from the flow.

The actuation of the closing body is advantageously carried out in a conventional manner by means of a lever which is sealingly carried out through the valve chamber wall. The bearing of the lever is in the region of the chamber wall, so that is moved when moving the free end of the lever, the closing body between the valve seats. The lever is controlled by an electric drive, such as a spindle motor. In order to check the function of the closing body and the lever position, the invention provides that the forward guided free end of the lever is visible and operable even in the installed position from the front. The accessibility of this lever greatly facilitates maintenance, testing and repair work.

In order to further increase service friendliness, it is further provided according to the invention that the drive actuating the lever, that is, as a rule, the electric motor with, optionally, a downstream transmission, is arranged above the free end of the lever and can be removed forwards. It is then not only from the front to check the function of the drive by visual inspection, but also the drive be replaced without having to remove the valve or pump assembly.

The connections of the valve assembly to the heating circuits are advantageously led out to one side, and preferably to the rear or to the side facing away from the pump unit, since they are easily accessible here, d. H. are well verifiable assembled and disassembled.

Fig. 1

in stark vereinfachter perspektivischer Darstellung eine Ansicht von seitlich vorne auf ein Kompaktaggregat gemäß der Erfindung, so wie es in Einbaueinlage angeordnet ist,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg hinten,

Fig. 3

eine Vorderansicht in Einbaulage,

Fig. 4

in vergößerter Darstellung eine Draufsicht auf die Ventilbaueinheit und

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt längs der Schnittlinie V-V in Figur 4.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a greatly simplified perspective view, a view from the front side on a compact unit according to the invention, as it is arranged in an insert,

Fig. 2

a perspective view obliquely from behind,

Fig. 3

a front view in installation position,

Fig. 4

in an enlarged view a plan view of the valve assembly and

Fig. 5

a section along the section line VV in Figure 4.

The compact unit shown in the figures consists of a pump unit 1 and a valve assembly 2. The pump unit 1 consists essentially of an electric drive motor 3, to the motor housing laterally a terminal box 4 is connected and the front side is flanged to a centrifugal pump 5, from the engine 3 is driven. The centrifugal pump 5 has a side out of the pump housing outgoing pressure port 6. To the centrifugal pump 5 closes to the side facing away from the engine 3 side frontally a cup-shaped housing part 7, which engages over the suction port of the pump and a this upstream chamber forms, which has a valve unit 2 facing suction nozzle 8 and in the upper part of a connection for a (not shown) air separator. The suction nozzle 8 is arranged transversely to the motor and impeller axis 9 and is provided for connection to a corresponding nozzle 10 on the valve assembly 2. The sockets 8 and 10 of the units 1 and 2 are provided with a bayonet 11, parts of which can be seen in FIG. About this bayonet 11, the two units 1 and 2 are mechanically connected. For this purpose, first the nozzles 8 and 10 inserted into each other and then the valve assembly 2 to the pump assembly 1 as long as to rotate about the nozzle axis until the bayonet engages in the position shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The valve assembly is constructed of injection-molded parts and consists of a valve chamber forming a housing part 12 which has a substantially circular cross-section with two gradations 13 and 14. This housing part 12, the internal structure of Figure 5 can be seen, has a first lateral connection piece 15, which is provided for connection to the intended for hot water supply heating circuit. This integrally formed with the housing part 12 housing socket 15 deflects the flow in the interior by 90 degrees, where it exits at a valve seat 16. The valve seat 16 can be shut off by a double-acting closing body 17. On the other hand, the closing body 17 may close a valve seat 18 which is formed at the end of an insert 19 which rests sealingly within the step 13 of the housing part 12. This insert 19 is held by a cover 20 inserted from below into the housing part 12, which rests within the step 14 of the housing part 12. The insert 19 is rotationally symmetrical and has a valve member 18 downwardly extending tubular part with lateral Druchbrechungen over which the via a connecting piece 21 which is integrally formed with the housing part 12, coming from the heating circuit for the space heating water to the valve seat 18th arrives. In the area of these lateral openings tooth-like on an inner ring Structure 22 provided in the insert 19, which are provided for collecting long-fibered, entrained in the flow of substances. Between these tooth-like structures 22 is a free passage to the below, formed within the lid 20 space, which is provided as a dirt separator. Laterally on the lid a closable outlet 23 is provided, which is directed in the installed position (Figure 3) to the front. This outlet serves to ensure that before opening the lid 20, as required for example for cleaning the dirt separator, the water contained in the valve assembly 2 can be drained. The outlet 23 is this accessible from the front, the opening is made by turning the nozzle.

The closing body 17 selectively closes the valve seat 16 or the valve seat 18, which are arranged opposite one another and are arranged with their axis transversely to the impeller axis 9.

The housing part 12 also has in the upper region a connection for a mechanically and line-connected safety valve 24 which has an outlet 25 directed rearwardly in the installed position and an upwardly guided actuating pin 26, one of the safety valve 24 above and laterally overlapping U-shaped bracket 27 is included, in the web region, the thickened pin end 26 is held positively. The bracket 27 is so wide that it rests on the cover of the safety valve 24 and thus raises the pin 26 at a pivotal movement forward and thus the valve 24 opens. The bracket is bent near the bottom of the safety valve 29 by 90 degrees forward and led forward so far that its lever ends 28 are freely accessible from the front.

Furthermore, the housing part 7 has a lateral, with respect to the installation position forward Druchbrechung, is performed by the sealing a lever 29 and stored, the housing-internal end carries the closing body 17 and the other end led out so far forward is that it can be operated by hand in the installation position. This lever 29 is subjected to a force from the underside by means of a spring 30, from the upper side through the spindle end 31 of a drive motor 32, with which the lever 29 is controllable and thus the closing body 17 between the valve seats 16 and 18 is movable. Since the spindle end 31 exerts only compressive forces on the lever 29 and the restoring forces are applied by the spring 30, the lever 29 can be operated manually with retracted spindle position.

The motor 32 is mounted together with the spindle gear in a receiving clamp that this can be pulled out in the installed position to the front, either to exchange the drive motor 32 or to achieve the underlying components better. As the above explanations make clear, all relevant functions of the valve assembly 2 are readily checked and actuated from the front.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 -

A pump

2 -

valve assembly

3 -

engine

4 -

terminal box

5 -

rotary pump

6 -

pressure port

7 -

housing part

8th -

suction

9 -

wheel axle

10 -

Connecting piece to pump unit

11 -

bayonet

12 -

housing part

13 -

gradation

14 -

gradation

15 -

spigot

16 -

valve seat

17 -

closing body

18 -

valve seat

19 -

commitment

20 -

cover

21 -

spigot

22 -

tooth-like structures

23 -

outlet

24 -

safety valve

25 -

outlet

26 -

Zahpfen

27 -

hanger

28 -

earpieces

29 -

lever

30 -

feather

31 -

spindle end

32 -

drive motor

Claims (13)

1. A compact assembly for a heating installation, in particular for a gas heater, with two heating circuits, one for room heating and one for the provision of warm water, with a pump constructional unit (1) and with a valve constructional unit (2) connected thereto on the suction side, wherein the valve constructional unit (2) is provided with at least one connection (10) to the suction side of the pump (5), as well as two connections (15, 21) for the connection to the two heating circuits of the heating installation, and comprises a valve chamber in which the conduits to the heating circuits run, and to which a safety valve (24) connects, characterised in that the valve constructional unit (2), seen in the direction of an impeller axis (9) of the pump (5), is arranged next to the pump constructional unit (1) and connects to this, that the safety valve (24) connects to the valve chamber to the top, whose exit in the installation position runs out to the rear and which may be actuated by way of a lever (27) which is accessible from the front.
2. A compact assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the pump constructional unit (1) comprises a housing part (7) which engages over the suction port of the pump (5) and which forms a chamber connecting to the suction port, to which chamber an air separator connects, wherein this housing part laterally forms a connection for the valve constructional unit.
3. A compact assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the pump constructional unit (1) and the valve constructional unit (2) are mechanically and conductively connected to one another via a bayonet connection (11).
4. A compact assembly according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the leads to the heating circuits in each case run into a valve seat (16, 18) in the valve chamber in opposite directions, and a closure body (17) for the selective closure of the one or the other valve seat (16, 18) is guided in a movable manner, preferably in a direction parallel to the impeller axis (9) of the pump (5), in the valve chamber.
5. A compact assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the valve chamber comprises an essentially round cross section and is preferably designed in a stepped manner, wherein the axis of the valve chamber is arranged in the axial direction of the valve seats (16, 18) arranged therein, or parallel thereto.
6. A compact assembly according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a dirt separator (19, 20) connects to the valve chamber at the bottom and is at least partly formed by a cover (20) terminating the chamber to the bottom.
7. A compact assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the dirt separator (19, 20), preferably the cover (20), comprises a closable outlet (23).
8. A compact assembly according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the lever (27) for the safety valve (24) engages over the safety valve (24) on both sides in the manner of a bow, and is led to the front opposite to the outlet direction.
9. A compact assembly according to one of the claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the one valve seat (18) arranged in the valve chamber is formed by an insert (19) being supported in at least one step (13) of the chamber, and the other valve seat (16) is designed with the valve chamber (12) as one piece.
10. A compact assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that the insert (19) of the valve chamber forming the valve seat (18) also forms a part of the dirt separator (19, 20) and preferably comprises a tooth-like arrangement (22) in the deflection region of the flow.
11. A compact assembly according to one of the claims 4 to 10, characterised in that the closure body (17) is arranged at the end of a lever (29) which is pivotally mounted, and whose other end is led through the valve chamber wall in a sealing manner, and there, is controlled by way of an electrical drive (32), wherein the lever arrangement is of a manner such that this other lever end may be actuated from the front in the installation position.
12. A compact assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that that the drive (32) actuating the lever (29) is arranged over the free lever end and may be removed from the front.
13. A compact assembly according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the connections of the valve constructional unit (2) to the heating circuits are arranged to one, preferably to the side distant to the pump constructional unit (1), or on the rear side.

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