EP1600707A1 - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit consists of two parts (1,2) of plastic. Joined by welding or gluing they form a chamber (3) for water and a self supporting two part tubular heater (4), the section to which this is secured being a two component injection moulding in which are formed access holes (5) for the heater. A cell (7) for the membrane (8) is formed between the container parts. Pushbutton switches (12,13) control the heater halves, selected by a rotary knob (14). A cover (6) clips into position.

Description

The present invention relates to an electric hot water heater according to the preamble of claim 1

Such a hot water heater is by the German Utility Model GM 6607855 in which a water heater with an internally electrically heated channel body described for forming a closed water channel of two headers is covered, wherein a head piece has means for wall suspension. The installation of this water heater requires disadvantageously that first the entire Channel body must be mounted before the hot water heater further assembled can be.

The present invention has for its object to provide a hot water heater of to provide the aforementioned type, which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and has a compact design.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a hot water heater with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments and refinements The present invention is defined in the subclaims. The hot water heater may be, for example, a small storage and in particular a water heater.

The assembly of all functional components on a container part is the production considerably simplified, since almost all assembly operations on a single component be performed. In this way, in particular the assembly in one Assembly line facilitates, in which a container part passed through several assembly stations is in which each functional components are mounted on the container part, wherein in one of these assembly stations remaining container parts can be mounted to the Build up the container completely. Preferably, all functional components are connected to one However, it is also sufficient if at least the essential Functional components of the hot water heater are mounted on one of the container parts. The Essential functional components are, for example, the heating device, an inflow device, a drain device, a controller, a flow switch, display elements, Operating elements, temperature sensors or other components that function and in particular serve the control of the hot water heater. The mounting container part, at the all, or at least the essential functional components of the hot water heater can be mounted so during the entire manufacturing process remain central component to which all other, usually smaller components grown become.

If a heating device is used in which at least the projecting into the container Section is self-supporting, the arrangement of the heater in the container be determined. In particular, the heater can so within the container be arranged so that the heated sections of the heater are not in contact can come with the container wall, so that a heating device with a high Power density can be used. This can be a high performance in terms be achieved on the size of the hot water heater. Furthermore, in such a Case of the container made of a non-temperature-resistant, inexpensive material such as plastic be made because a safe distance of the heater to the wall ensured can be. The heater may be, for example, a tubular heater. The manufacturing costs and the size of the hot water heater can be reduced in this way become.

Advantageously, the container fastening means for mounting the hot water heater on, wherein the fastening means also exclusively at one Container part can be configured. This can be used in particular for facilities Wall mounting the hot water heater, such as holes for implementation of screws or bolts.

A container part can also be designed as a housing section of the hot water heater be. In particular, the rear wall of the hot water heater of a container part are formed, wherein the container can be constructed of two container parts. The container part can for this purpose have two-dimensional extensions which at least parts of the housing form. Advantageously, a serving as the rear wall of the boiler Container part on the means for mounting the boiler.

To form a housing of the water heater, the container and can continue in particular a container part alone means for fixing a device hood have, so that the mountability of a hood achieved with very little effort can be. In this case, this device can be a snap connection. Especially the hood can form the front wall of the boiler. If a container part is formed as a housing portion such as the rear wall and In addition, the means for fixing a hood has, is to complete of the housing of the boiler after the assembly of all functional components on the container only the placement and snapping the hood necessary.

The assembly can be further simplified by at least one container part on which Functional parts are mounted, executed in two-component plastic injection molding. In this case, seals for the projecting into the container or with the container interior related functional components in the manufacture of the relevant Container parts are already formed in the right places, so no additional operation is required for insertion of seals. For this can as a component to be used an elastomer. In particular, these seals can for a heater projecting into the container or for a to the container connected safety pressure relief valve may be provided. That's the way it is furthermore also possible, for example, membranes for controlling switching functions form, by a cavity or at least one recess in a container part and then a membrane extending over this depression made of an elastic Component is molded over it.

The container may advantageously have an annular interior. there the water to be heated can be passed through the container so that it Traps container in a single direction. The water can overflow in such a case a distance are guided along the heater, which are essentially the Circumference of the annular container interior corresponds. Thus, even with a small Size of the water heater the water over a long distance along be led to the heater.

If the interior of the container is ring-shaped, the result is a container in Shape of a torus. The annular interior does not necessarily have to be closed Ring may be formed, but may in particular only as horseshoe-shaped or U-shaped ring portion may be formed. The annular or toroidal Container may include a water inflow device arranged such that in the operating state of the water heater, the water substantially the container flows through against gravity. This will achieve that water from bottom to top in the container rises and possibly with the water introduced air bubbles be promoted upwards against gravity. This has the advantage that no air bubbles are retained in the container.

Preferably, the container has a drainage device for water arranged in such a way is that in the operating state of the hot water heater against gravity ascending air bubbles are expelled by the water from the container. This has the advantage of having air bubbles through the flow of water or alone by their own buoyancy force to move up against gravity, themselves do not accumulate at the top of the container and remain there. remaining Air bubbles could accumulate to an ever-expanding bubble and the displace water in the container until the heating device is exposed. at an exposed heater is in danger of overheating and damaging becomes. To avoid this, it is provided that the drainage device at least near or at the point where air bubbles could collect.

In a further variant of a hot water heater, a branch is provided, can be divided into two partial streams by the water flowing in via an inflow device is to flow through a container in two different directions. Everyone Partial flow occurs with a low initial temperature and passes through each particular only half the length of the heater. This results in a better heat yield, i.e. the efficiency is improved because in both partial flows at the water inlet a high temperature difference between the incoming water and the Heating prevails. At such a high temperature gradient is the heat transfer improved from the heater to the water. Alternative to a single, common heating both streams can be heated separately. To each of the two partial streams can be provided with its own heating device. This has the advantage that both streams can be controlled separately and independently are. At a confluence of the two separate partial streams at the end of the heating section can the streams of water, which can have different temperatures, be mixed together again.

In a ring or torus-shaped container, the water flows in the one partial flow in the clockwise direction and in the other counter-clockwise partial flow. The two Partial flows are merged again at the end of the two sections and the heated water leaves the container via a common drainage device.

Due to the ring or torus shape of the container, the functional components on a Be arranged surface of the container part, of the annular interior of the Container is surrounded. This has the advantage that of the annular or toroidal Container section surrounded inner space to save space for the inclusion of functional components can be used. This results in a particularly compact design of the water heater.

In a container with an annular interior, for example, a membrane can or a venturi are particularly advantageously arranged so that the annular Container interior extends around the membrane can or Venturi around, so that these functional components are arranged in a space that is not for the anyway Container interior contributes.

A membrane can or a venturi can in a hot water heater according to the invention be configured by in two different container parts each one Well designed and between, for example, the membrane is arranged, which is held between the two container parts and closes the two recesses, so that the two wells two separated by means of the membrane Form pressure chambers. Alternatively, the recess in only one of the two container parts be provided and be formed flat the other container part. Such In particular, diaphragm can be used in conjunction with a Venturi nozzle for detection the flow rate in a water heater are used. The flow rate can be taken into account when setting the heating power.

A pressure relief valve may be arranged on the container part which is free from the essential functional components. This has the particular advantage that after a Triggering of the pressure relief valve remote water from the functional components can be held. Since the functional components also include electrical components it is useful if they do not come into contact with water.

Fig. 1

eine Schnittansicht einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Heißwasserbereiters;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Heißwasserbereiters;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 2.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to schematic illustrations. Show:

Fig. 1

a sectional view of an embodiment of the hot water heater according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a plan view of another embodiment of the hot water heater according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

The hot water heater shown in Fig. 1 is a water heater and has a Container for heating the water, which consists of two container parts 1, 2, for example made of plastic and for connection with each other, for example can be welded or glued. Inside the container 1, 2 is an electrical Heating device 4 arranged in the form of a tubular heater, in the upper container half 2 is held and self-supporting, so that the exact location of the Heater 4 is set within the container 1, 2 and the heater. 4 the container parts 1, 2 can not touch. The heater 4 has two heating circuits on, which can be acted upon separately or switchable to the water supplied To be able to change performance.

The two container parts 1, 2 include an annular interior 3, in which the to be heated water in a circle is guided in one direction, the hot water heater Has not shown inlet and outlet devices. The sections the heater 4, which extend through the upper container part 2, are sealed by means of seals 5 relative to the upper container part 2, wherein the upper Container part 2 is executed in two-component plastic injection molding and the seals 5 already in the production of the upper container part 2 in the bushings have been formed for the heater 4. For mounting the heater 4 this must only be inserted from below into the upper container part 2. At one outside of the container 1, 2 lying portion of the heater 4 is a grounding and Holding clamp 15 attached by means of which the heater 4 are connected to earth can and at the optionally to control the power supply of the heater. 4 used power semiconductors can be attached heat-conducting.

In the illustrated hot water heater, the heating power is also dependent in part Controlled by the flow of water, the water flow through a diaphragm cell 7 is measured, which is connected via a channel 10 with the interior 3 of the container is. The membrane cell 7 has in its interior a membrane 8, which is the interior the membrane cell 7 divided into an upper and a lower cavity, of which the lower cavity via the channel 10 with the interior 3 of the container 1, 2 is connected. The diaphragm cell 7 is in the center of the annular interior 3 arranged. The two cavities of the membrane cell 7 are formed by depressions in the two container parts 1, 2 formed when joining the two container parts 1, 2 come to lie one above the other and so the interior of the diaphragm cell. 7 form. The membrane 8 is prior to assembly between the two container parts 1, 2, so that the membrane 8 after joining the container parts 1, 2 is held between them and the two wells of the container parts 1, 2 covered and sealed.

The membrane 8 is followed by a compression spring 9 arranged in the upper cavity biased down into the lower cavity. Once the hot water heater Water is removed or as soon as hot water is tapped, the water begins to flow within the interior 3 and caused at a Venturi nozzle, not shown within the interior 3 a pressure drop. The venturi is with the Room connected above the diaphragm 8, so that the pressure drop at the venturi causes a deflection of the membrane 8 upwards.

At the top of the membrane 8, a switching cam 11 is attached via a push rod, the according to the pressure difference between the lower and the upper cavity of Diaphragm box 7 is moved vertically. The switching cam 11 has two lateral Buttons on which microswitch 12, 13 act. The two buttons of the Switching cam 11 are each ramps, so that the switching cam 11 down widened and the buttons in an upward movement of the Switch cam 11 extend to the outside. The two micro-switches 12, 13, the two heating circuits separated from each other.

With a knob 14 can be adjusted whether upon detection of a water withdrawal by means of the membrane 8 no, one or both heating circuits of the heater 4 is turned on become.

All previously described, the function of the hot water heater serving functional components are attached to the upper container part 2, so that this during the Mounting the hot water heater forms a central assembly. The production in particular in an assembly line is simplified because the upper container part 2 of Beginning can be guided through the assembly line, taking all the following assembly operations can be performed on this upper container part 2.

The lower container part 1 additionally forms the rear wall of the hot water heater. To the lower container part 1 at the edge of a flat extension, which together with the container interior 3 limiting portion of the container part 1 substantially forms a surface with which the hot water heater, for example, on a wall can be mounted. For this purpose, the lower container part 1 holes 18 and breakthrough opportunities on, the attachment of the lower container part 1 and the entire Serve hot water heater. For example, the hot water heater with screws are fastened, which are screwed through the holes 18 into the wall.

Furthermore, the lower container part 1 snap fasteners 17, with which a Hood 6 can be attached. The hood 6, the container 1, 2 together with the Cover functional components and together with the lower container part 1 a housing of the water heater. The hood 6 has a recess for the knob 14 on, so that the hood 6 subsequently attached to the lower container part 1 can be without the knob 14 must be removed before. For assembly of the boiler is this without hood 6 first with the rear wall or the lower container part 1 and the designated fastening devices or Holes 18 attached to the installation site and then the hood 6 on the lower Container part 1 snapped.

At the upper container part 2, an overpressure valve 16 is additionally formed in such a way is established that it is at a certain limit pressure exceeding internal pressure in the interior 3 of the container 1, 2 opens and pressure from the interior of the third escape.

The hot water heater shown in Fig. 2 is a water heater, consisting of two container parts 1, 2 exists. The first container part 1 (not shown) is a flat circular disk educated. The second container part 2 has a recess 25 which has a annular interior for heating water forms. In the interior, by the first container part 1 and the second container part 2 is limited, the heater is the fourth arranged in the form of two tubular heaters 4a and 4b. Depending on the heating power is either only one tubular heater 4a or both tubular heaters 4a and 4b are in operation.

The hot water heater has a connection flange 26, to which a not shown Water pipe is connected. The connecting flange 26 is connected to the container part 2, which is preferably made of plastic, directly molded. In the flow direction the water downstream of the connecting flange 26, a venturi 24 is provided. In the inlet region of the Venturi nozzle 24, a first branch channel 27 is arranged, which is connected to a diaphragm cell 7. The first branch channel 27 enters the upper space of the diaphragm cell 7 a. A membrane 8, not shown, divides the Interior of the membrane cell 7 in an upper and a lower space. A second Branch channel 28 is arranged at the outlet of the Venturi nozzle 24, which communicates with the membrane cell 7 is connected. The second branch channel 28 enters the lower space of the Diaphragm cell 7. Due to the generated pressure difference in the upper and lower Room of the diaphragm cell 7, the membrane 8 is moved. The membrane 8 is at least an electrical switch (not shown) connected to the power supply to Heating device 4 switches.

The water exiting from the outlet of the Venturi nozzle 24 passes through a deflection channel 29 to an inflow device 19. The deflection channel 29 is together with the Venturi 24 formed directly on the container part 2. The deflection channel 29 (partially in shown broken dashed lines) extends to the inflow means 19 and is limited by the two container parts 1, 2. The inflow device 19 is a depression formed in the container part 2 and forms a branch through which the water is divided into two sub-streams. The annular recess 25, which the interior of the container 1, 2 flows through in two different directions. In As shown, the water flows in the right side arm of the annular Container in the counterclockwise direction and clockwise in the left side arm.

In the illustration shown is located in an upper region of the annular interior a discharge device 20. When the annular or toroidal container 1, 2 it is like a clock attached to a substantially vertical wall particularly advantageous if the water to be heated from below, so from an approx. 6 o'clock position, in the annular or toroidal container 1, 2 introduced (inflow device 19) and the drainage device 20 at the top of the container, ie in an approximately 12 o'clock position is provided. A suitable arrangement is given in particular then if the drainage device 20 at a location as high as possible, at least at a location overlying the heater 4.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG Container part 2 is formed as a one-piece plastic injection molded part. It carries the essential Functional components. The interior of the container is through the recess 25th formed in the container part 2. On the lower side in the position shown is the interior closed by a circular disk-shaped container part 1 (not shown). At the container part 2 is formed by further depressions the diaphragm cell 7, the venturi 24 and by a molded flange an outlet 30 for the heated Water formed. In addition to the container part 2, a first mounting dome 31 for a power triac (not shown) and a second mounting dome 32 for a Thermocouple (not shown) molded. In this variant, the mounting holes 18 for mounting the hot water heater on a wall not on the container part 1, but formed on the container part 2. Furthermore, to the container part 2 a holding element 33 integrally attached to the not shown a water inlet pipe can be.

Claims (14)

Electric hot water heater comprising a container (1, 2), an electric heater (4) for heating water in the container (1, 2) and additional functional components, the container being composed of at least two container parts (1, 2), characterized in that all functional components of the hot water heater are mounted on one of the container parts (1, 2), characterized in that the interior of the container (1, 2) is annular. Hot water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1, 2) has an inflow device (19) for water, which is arranged such that in the operating state of the hot water heater, the water flows through the container (1, 2) substantially against gravity , Hot water heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container (1, 2) has a drainage device (20) for water, which is arranged such that in the operating state of the hot water heater against gravity ascending air bubbles through the water from the container (1 , 2) are expelled. Hot water heater in particular according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a branch is provided, through which the inflowing via an inflow direction (19) water is divisible into two partial streams, for flowing through a container (1, 2) in two different directions. Hot water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that both partial flows are heated. Hot water heater according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the functional components on a surface (23) of the container part (1, 2) are arranged, which is surrounded by the annular interior of the container (1, 2). Hot water heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hot water heater has a diaphragm cell (7) with two pressure chambers separated by a membrane (8), wherein the pressure chambers are designed as a depression in two different container parts (1, 2) and the membrane ( 8) between these two container parts (1, 2) are held. Hot water heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pressure relief valve (16) on that container part (1, 2) is arranged, which is free of the essential functional components. Hot water heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (4) is arranged at least partially within the container (1, 2) and at least the in the container (1, 2) arranged portion of the heating device (4) is self-supporting. Hot water heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1, 2) fastening means (18) for mounting the hot water heater, in particular on a wall. Hot water heater according to claim 10, characterized in that only one container part (1) has fastening means (18) for mounting the hot water heater. Hot water heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one container part (1) has a portion which forms a portion of a housing of the hot water heater. Hot water heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1, 2) comprises means (17) for fixing a device hood (6). Hot water heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a container part (2) are mounted on the functional parts, is executed in two-component plastic injection molding and seals for with the container interior (3) related function components.

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