EP2871422A1 - Hydraulic distributor for a hydraulic heating and/or cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydraulic distributor for a hydraulic heating and / or cooling system, which has an inlet line (212) and a return line (216), wherein the inlet line (212) at least one inlet connection (258) and the return line (216) at least one Return port (260) for connecting a load circuit (228), wherein the manifold has at least one load module (204), in which a portion of the feed line (212) with an inlet port (258) and a portion of the return line (216) with a return port (260) are formed, wherein the load module (204) has at least one mixing device with a pump (232) and a regulating valve (230), which are formed, a fluid flow from the supply line (212) to the inlet port (258) fluid from the Mixing return port (260), and the portion of the supply line (212) and the return line (216) each have an additional connection to Ver have bond with another load module.

Description

The invention relates to a hydraulic distributor for a hydraulic heating and / or cooling system with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

For example, in underfloor heating systems hydraulic distributor are known, from which extend the individual load circuits or underfloor heating circuits. In this case, the hydraulic distributor establishes the connection of a plurality of load circuits to the heating system. The known manifolds are generally formed essentially of two tubes, one of which acts as an inlet and the other as a return. On the pipes connections are arranged for the individual load circuits. Each load circuit is connected to a connection to the inlet and a connection to the return line.

Moreover, it is known in underfloor heating systems to use mixing devices or mixers, which admixes the fluid acting as a heat transfer fluid in the inlet colder water from the return to lower the flow temperature. Such mixers are particularly required when the floor heating is used in combination with normal radiators, since the floor heating requires a lower flow temperature than normal radiators. In known underfloor heating systems while a central mixer is used, which is arranged upstream of the hydraulic distributor or the inlet in the hydraulic distributor. The flow temperature for underfloor heating provided by the mixer is set either as a function of a room temperature sensor in a room or outside temperature-dependent. The temperature of the rooms to be heated is usually set by opening and closing the individual circuits of the floor heating.

It is an object of the invention to improve such a heating and / or cooling system to the effect that the energy consumption can be reduced and beyond the heating and / or cooling comfort can be improved in rooms to be tempered. This object is achieved by a hydraulic distributor for a hydraulic heating and / or cooling system having the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying figures.

The hydraulic distributor according to the invention is intended for use in a hydraulic heating and / or cooling system, which has a piping system in which a liquid heat carrier, such. B. water circulates. This can either be an exclusive heating system, such as a floor heating, or an exclusive cooling system or a combined system, which allows both cooling and heating of objects or rooms. For example, the system can be used as heating in winter and cooling or air conditioning in summer.

The hydraulic distributor according to the invention has a feed line and a return line, wherein the feed line has at least one inlet connection and the return line has at least one return connection. The inlet connection and the return connection serve to connect a load circuit, for example a floor heating circuit. In this case, the inlet or the input of the load circuit with connected to the inlet port and the output or return of the load circuit to the return port. Preferably, a plurality of inlet connections are formed on the supply line and a plurality of return connections are formed on the return line in order to be able to connect a plurality of load circuits to the hydraulic distributor.

The hydraulic distributor according to the invention has at least one load module, in which a section of the supply line with at least one inlet connection and a section of the return line with a return connection are formed. Ie. The load module is used to connect a load circuit to the distributor. In the event that multiple load circuits are present, preferably a plurality of load modules are provided. According to the invention, the at least one load module has a mixing device with a pump and a regulating valve, which are designed to mix fluid from the supply line to the inlet connection fluid from the return connection. Such a mixing device serves, in the case of a heating system, to reduce the flow temperature of the fluid or of the liquid from the feed line by admixing colder liquid from the return port. Conversely, in the case of a cooling system, the mixing device can be used to increase the flow temperature of a flowing through the supply line cold liquid by admixing warmer liquid from the return port. Thus, by means of the mixing device, the flow temperature of serving as a heat transfer fluid for the load circuit connected to the load circuit can be set individually. To adjust the regulating valve, which is arranged so that the degree of mixing of liquid from the return port can be varied by its operation. So a temperature adjustment or temperature control for the load circuit is possible. The arrangement of the mixing device directly to the load circuit has the advantage that an individual temperature adjustment for this load circuit is possible, which in a central mixer is not possible. In addition, the arrangement of the mixing device in the hydraulic distributor has the advantage that the supply line to the hydraulic distributor can be integrated without problems into a normal heating and / or cooling system. For example, in a heating system it is not necessary to place a separate supply line to the hydraulic distributor from a central mixer. Rather, the hydraulic distributor can be connected to conventional heating pipes, which lead for example to radiators. This simplifies the installation.

Furthermore, the load module has connections for a further load module. Thus, the section of the supply line has an additional connection and the section of the return line has an additional connection, which can each be connected to corresponding corresponding terminals of a further, preferably identical load module. These additional connections are preferably designed as hydraulic couplings, as described below. It is thus possible to line up a plurality of load modules, with the sections of the supply line and the sections of the return line of the respective load modules being connected to one another via the additional connections.

The distributor preferably has a plurality of load modules, preferably detachably connected to one another, in such a way that the sections of the feed line are connected to one another and the sections of the return line are connected to one another. Preferably, a separate load module with a mixing device is provided for each load circuit. Thus, the flow temperature can be set individually for each load circuit and adapted to the heat and cooling requirements of the individual load circuit. This allows individual regulation for the individual load circuits or for rooms to be tempered by the load circuits, resulting in energy savings and a gain in comfort. The preferred modular design of the hydraulic distributor according to the invention with individual load modules has the advantage that the hydraulic distributor can be easily adapted to the required number of load circuits, so that for different numbers of load circuits not special hydraulic distributor must be maintained. Rather, load modules of the required number can be connected together to build a hydraulic distributor with the desired number of load modules. The load modules are preferably detachably connected to each other, so that they can be easily replaced in case of defects. So it is not necessary to replace the entire hydraulic distributor.

More preferably, the at least one load module, preferably detachably connected to a main module having a control device and / or an input for the supply line and / or an output for the return line. Ie. the main module is preferably for the connection of the hydraulic distributor to supply lines, which establish the inlet and the return to the hydraulic distributor of a heating or cooling system. The at least one load module is preferably connected to the main module such that the section of the supply line in the load module is fluid-conductively connected to an inlet for the supply line to the main module. Alternatively or additionally, the portion of the return line in the load module may be fluid-conductively connected to the outlet for the return line to the main module. Preferably, both the portion of the supply line and the portion of the return line in the load module with the main module in the aforementioned manner are hydraulically connected. The hydraulic connection is preferably made via detachable couplings, in particular plug-in couplings. Preferably, the load modules are configured such that they have on one side hydraulic couplings for connection to the main module and at an opposite end hydraulic couplings for connection having a further load module. In this case, the hydraulic couplings for connection to a further load module are expediently identical to the hydraulic couplings on the main module. Thus, a plurality of load modules can be connected in series, wherein preferably the sections of the supply line and the portions of the return line of the assembled load modules form a continuous supply line and a continuous return line. This allows the construction of a hydraulic distributor of different lengths, depending on how many load modules are lined up.

Alternatively or additionally, the main module may comprise a control device, for example a distributor control device, as described below. In addition, sensors may preferably be arranged in the main module, for example temperature sensors which detect the temperature in the feed line and / or the return line. Such sensors can be signal-connected to the control device, so that the control device can detect the temperatures directly in the main module.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a distributor control device is provided, which is designed to control the regulating valve and / or the pump in the at least one, preferably a plurality of load modules. Alternatively, the load modules may also have their own independent control devices. The arrangement of a central distribution control device which controls the mixing devices of the load modules, however, has the advantage that only one control device for a plurality of load modules must be provided. In addition, the controller may control several load modules in conjunction, for example, to ensure that the available heating or cooling energy is distributed in a desired manner to the plurality of load circuits. By controlling the Regulating valve is set in the manner described above, the Zumischgrad of liquid or fluid from the return to the inlet. The controller may also be, for example, such that the distributor controller turns the pump on and off to turn the associated load circuit on and off. Particularly preferred is a speed control of the pump is provided, whereby in addition the flow or volume flow can be adjusted by the load circuit of the distributor control device, so that the amount of supplied heat carrier, ie fluid adapted to the needs of the respective load circuit by regulating the pump can be.

The distributor control device is signal-connected to the load modules or the electrical components arranged in the load modules, namely the pump and / or the regulating valve, the connection taking place in particular via a data bus. Thus, a transmission of control signals from the distributor control device to the load module or its components to be controlled or regulated is possible. Via the signal connection, transmission of state data or sensor signals can preferably be carried out in the reverse direction. For example, feedback on the operating state of the regulating valve and / or the pump can be made to the distributor control device. For example, the opening degree of the regulating valve or the current speed of the pump can be reported back. Particularly preferably, additional sensors, for example temperature sensors, may be provided in the load modules, the signals of which are transmitted to the distributor control device. For example, a temperature sensor in the return port or in the flow path between the return port and the portion of the return line in the load module may be arranged to detect the outlet temperature of the heat carrier or fluid from the load circuit. The signal connection via a data bus is particularly advantageous when different numbers of load modules in the above-described Way to be strung together. Such a data bus, which then preferably extends over all load modules, makes it possible to forward signals via individual load modules to other load modules.

Each load module preferably has a module control device or a communication unit which can be uniquely addressed by the distributor control device in order to be able to exchange data and / or signals with the load module. The addressing is preferably automatic. Particularly preferably, the distributor control device is designed such that it detects a connected load module and automatically assigns an address to the load module or its module control device. Alternatively or additionally, actuating elements may be provided on the distributor control device and / or the load module, which enable manual activation of the coupling procedure.

Particularly preferably, the distributor control device is arranged in the main module. The main module thus forms not only the hydraulic connection for the load modules but also the central control device for preferably the entire hydraulic distributor. For electrical or signal connection between the main module and load module appropriate electrical connections, in particular releasable connectors can be present. More preferably, the load modules also at a longitudinal end opposite the main module corresponding electrical connectors, which allow the electrical connection with an adjacent further load module. Thus, an electrical supply line for the electrical components of the load modules can extend from the main module via the plug connections through all the load modules. At the same time, in this way, a data bus can extend from the main module through the individual load modules. The data bus can also be connected via an electrical connection, or else via another suitable connection, for example an optical connection. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one temperature sensor is arranged in the at least one load module, which is signal-connected to the distributor control device, in particular via a data bus. This can be, for example, as described above, a temperature sensor in the return of the load circuit.

Preferably, a temperature sensor is arranged in the load module such that it detects the temperature of a fluid to be flowed through the inlet connection into the connected load circuit. Ie. a temperature sensor is preferably located in the flow path from the mixing device to the inlet port so as to detect the temperature of the fluid mixed by the mixing device. This allows a temperature control via the distributor control device, since the set via the regulating valve in the load module temperature is detected by the temperature sensor and so a feedback is given to the control device. In addition, another temperature sensor may be provided in the return as described.

Preferably, the distributor control device is preferably designed to set the temperature of a fluid flow through the inlet connection by actuating the regulating valve in the at least one load module. This is preferably done in conjunction with the above-described temperature sensor. Particularly preferably, the distributor control device controls or regulates the regulating valves of a plurality of load modules, so that the temperatures at the inlet connections of the individual load modules can be adjusted centrally by the distributor control device.

Further preferably, the distributor control device is designed, by controlling the pump in the load module, a fluid flow or Volume flow through the inlet connection in the connected load circuit set. In the event that a plurality of load modules are provided, the control of the pumps of several, preferably all load modules of the distributor control device is also carried out here, so that it acts as a central control of all load circuits and in particular can adjust the fluid flows adapted to each other by the individual load circuits. This is preferably done, as described above, by speed control of the individual pumps.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the distributor control device has at least one communication interface for receiving signals from at least one external control element, in particular a room thermostat. Thus, it is possible to arrange in the space to be tempered by the load circuits room thermostats, which detect the current temperature in the rooms and possibly transmit the temperature values to the distributor control device. Particularly preferably, the room thermostats are designed so that they allow the setting of a desired temperature for the particular room. In the event of a deviation from this setpoint temperature, the room thermostat transmits a corresponding signal via the communication interface to the distributor control device, which then activates the load circuit corresponding to the room circuit or circuits associated therewith. In this load circuit, for example, the described pump is switched on and then it is switched on Control of the or the regulating valves made the adjustment of the flow temperature in the load circuits. The communication interface can be designed as a wired interface or, for example, as a radio interface. Preferably, a plurality of control elements, in particular a plurality of room thermostats, communicate with the communication interface of the distributor control device. An assignment of the individual room thermostats to the connected load modules is stored or adjusted accordingly in the control device. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the main module has a power supply for the pump and / or the regulating valve in the at least one load module, preferably a plurality of load modules. The electrical power supply can be done for example via a power cord, which is provided on the main module, via corresponding electrical connections, such as plug contacts on the main module to the load module and then from the load module to possibly further connected load modules. In the event that the load modules or their electrical and electronic components are not operated with mains voltage, it is preferred that in the main module for power supply, a corresponding power supply is arranged which the desired, preferably lower output voltage, which require the load modules as a power supply , spends. This has the particular advantage that only a central power supply must be provided. In addition, the electrical connections between the main module and the load module or the load modules need not be designed for line voltage, which simplifies the design due to the lower Isolationson demand.

In the at least one load module, the pump is preferably arranged in a flow path between a mixing point, in which a flow path from the supply line and a flow path from the return port meet, and the inlet connection. By this arrangement it is achieved that the pump can suck fluid through both the connection to the return port and through the connection to the supply line.

The regulating valve in the load module is preferably in a flow path from the return port to a mixing point in which there is a flow path from the supply line and the flow path from the return port, or disposed in the flow path from the supply line to the mixing point. If the flow through the regulating valve is reduced and the pump simultaneously generates a constant fluid flow, a correspondingly larger proportion is then drawn in by the pump via the mixing point from the flow path in which no regulating valve is arranged. For example, if the regulating valve is located in the flow path from the return port to the mixing point and the pump is downstream of the mixing point in the flow path to the inlet port, when the regulating valve is closed, the pump will only draw fluid from the connection from the mixing point to the supply line , When the regulating valve is opened, a proportion proportional to the opening degree is drawn from the return port via the regulating valve. Thus, the mixing ratio can be varied at the mixing point and the flow temperature can be changed accordingly.

The regulating valve is particularly preferably a motor, in particular an electric motor driven valve. For example, may be provided as a drive motor for the valve, a stepper motor, so that the regulating valve can be opened and / or closed in defined steps. In this case, a defined opening degree, which is in particular proportional to a control signal, preferably adjusts to the regulating valve.

Fig. 1

schematisch einen hydraulischen Verteiler gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf einen hydraulischen Verteiler gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des hydraulischen Verteilers gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Hauptmoduls des Verteilers gemäß Figuren 2 und 3,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Lastmoduls des hydraulischen Verteilers gemäß Figuren 2 und 3,

Fig. 6

schematisch den modularen Aufbau des hydraulischen Verteilers gemäß Figuren 2 und 3 im nicht zusammengesetzten Zustand und

Fig. 7

schematisch den Aufbau des hydraulischen Verteilers gemäß Figur 6 im zusammengefügten Zustand.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these shows:

Fig. 1

schematically a hydraulic distributor according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a top view of a hydraulic distributor according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the hydraulic distributor according to Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the main module of the distributor according to FIGS. 2 and 3 .

Fig. 5

a perspective view of the load module of the hydraulic distributor according to FIGS. 2 and 3 .

Fig. 6

schematically the modular structure of the hydraulic distributor according to FIGS. 2 and 3 in the unassembled state and

Fig. 7

schematically the structure of the hydraulic distributor according to FIG. 6 in the assembled state.

The hydraulic distributor shown and described by way of example has a modular structure. It has a main module 202 and a plurality of load modules 204. The main module 202 serves for the hydraulic and electrical connection of the load modules 204 and has a control device 206, which serves as a distributor control device for controlling the plurality of load modules 204. The main module 202 furthermore has an inlet connection 208 and a return connection 210. With the inlet connection 208 and the return connection 210, the main module 202 is connected to a heating or cooling system. In this case, tempered fluid is supplied through inlet port 208, which flows after flowing through one or more load circuits through the return port 210 back into the heating or cooling system. In the main module 202, at the portion of the feed line 212 and / or the portion of the return line 216 may each be arranged a temperature sensor, which detect the inlet and the return temperature. These sensors may be signal coupled to the distribution controller 206. Thus, the distribution controller 206 may directly detect the temperatures in the main module.

Hereinafter, the hydraulic distributor will be further described with reference to the example of a heating system. However, it should be understood that the hydraulic distributor could also be used in a refrigeration system or in a combined heating or cooling system. In a heating system, heated fluid, in particular heated water, is supplied to the inlet connection 208, for example, from a heating boiler or heat accumulator. Through the return port 210, the fluid flows after flowing through the heat exchanger in the rooms or objects to be heated back to the boiler or the heat storage.

The inlet connection 208 is connected inside the main module 202 through a section of a feed line 212 to an outlet 214. Correspondingly, the return port 210 is connected to an inlet 218 via a portion of a return line 216 in the interior of the main module 202. The outlet 214 and the inlet 218 are formed as hydraulic couplings on one side of the main module 202, which faces an adjacent load module 204. The load modules 204 also each have a portion of an inlet line 212 and a portion of a return line 216 in their interior. The sections of the feed line 212 and the return line 216 extend in the longitudinal direction through the load modules 204. On a first side, the sections of the feed line 212 and the return line 216 are connected to first hydraulic couplings. In this case, the section of the feed line 212 at the first end with a first inlet coupling 220 and the portion of the return line 216 at the same Side connected to a first return coupling 222. The first inlet coupling 220 engages the outlet 214 of the main module 202 while the first return coupling 222 engages the inlet 218 of the main module 202 to establish a fluid-conducting connection.

The load modules 204 have a second inlet coupling 224 and a second return coupling 226 on one of the first inlet coupling and the longitudinal end opposite the first return coupling 222. The second input clutch 224 forms the axial end of the portion of the supply line 212 in the load module 204 opposite the first input clutch 220, while the second return clutch 226 forms the axial end of the portion of the return line 216 in the load module 204 opposite the first return clutch 222. The multiple load modules 204 are all the same. That is, the configuration and arrangement of the second input clutch 224 and the second return clutch 226 in their configuration corresponds to the arrangement of the outlet 214 and the inlet 218 on the main module 202. This makes it possible to attach a load module 204 either to the main module 202 or to another load module. Thus, several load modules can be lined up in the longitudinal direction. In Fig. 1 an arrangement of two load modules 204 is shown, wherein further load modules 204 are indicated schematically. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3 For example, six load modules 204 are disposed on a main module 202.

Essential feature of the load modules 204, which in the arrangements according to FIGS. 1 to 7 In addition, each load module 204 includes an integrated mixer for adjusting the temperature of the flow temperature for an associated load circuit 228. The mixing device has a regulating valve 230 in a flow path from the supply line 212 to the inlet 229 of the load circuit 228 and downstream of this, a circulation pump 232. The circulation pump 232 serves to convey fluid from the supply line 212 through the load circuit 228 and via the return line 234 back into the return line 216. The mixing device also has a connection from the return 234 to a mixing point 236, wherein the mixing point 236 is located in the flow path between the regulating valve 230 and the circulation pump 232. In connection 235, a check valve 238 is located which causes flow through the connection 235 only in the direction of return 234 to the mixing point 236 is possible.

The regulating valve 230 is signal-connected to its control with the distributor control device 206. Ie. the manifold controller 206 controls the regulator valve 230 to set a desired flow temperature at the input 229 of the load circuit 228. This flow temperature at the entrance 229 is detected by a temperature sensor 240. When the regulator valve 230 is fully closed, the circulation pump 232 circulates fluid through the load circuit 228 exclusively via the connection 235. When the regulator valve 230 is opened, the circulation pump 232 simultaneously receives a fluid flow from the supply line 212 and a fluid flow from the connection 235 sucked. In this case, fluid from the feed line 212 is thus mixed with fluid from the return line 234 via the connection 235, so that the flow temperature of the fluid from the feed line 212 is changed. In the case of a heating system, the flow temperature in the supply line 212 is usually higher than in the return line 234, ie, in this case, colder fluid from the return line 234 is added via the connection 235 to the flow from the feed line 212, so that the inlet temperature is lowered. Conversely, in a cooling system, the flow temperature of the fluid from the supply line 212 can be increased by adding warmer fluid from the return 235. By changing the opening straight of the regulating valve 230 For example, the proportion of fluid which is supplied from the feed line 212 to the mixing point 236 can be varied. At a constant flow rate of the circulation pump 232, a larger or smaller proportion of the flow is sucked in via the connection 235, whereby the temperature of the fluid at the input 229 of the load circuit 228 can be varied by changing the mixing ratio of the two flows at the mixing point 236. The actually set temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 240. The detected temperature value is communicated via a suitable signal connection of the distribution controller 206 for control. In this way, the distributor control device 206 independently regulates the individual load modules 204, so that the flow temperature for the individual load circuits 228 can be regulated or adjusted individually.

In this embodiment, a second temperature sensor 242 is further arranged at the output of the load circuit 248. This too is preferably signal-connected to the distributor control device 206 and detects the outlet temperature from the load circuit 228. Since the inlet and outlet temperature of the load circuit 228 is detected, it is possible to determine the temperature difference across the load circuit 228 and, for example, that of FIG to regulate the circulating pump 232 delivered volume flow depending on this temperature difference. For this purpose, the circulation pump 232 is preferably also actuated by the control device 206 via a suitable signal connection, in particular in order to set the rotational speed of the circulation pump 232. The flow can be adjusted individually for each load circuit by changing the speed of the respective circulation pump 232.

The constructive structure of the basis of Fig. 1 described hydraulic distributor will be closer to the FIGS. 2 to 7 described. The main module 202 has a hydraulic section 250 and an electronics housing 252, in which the control device or distributor control device 206 and optionally other components for power supply, such as a power supply are arranged. The hydraulic section 250 is preferably formed as a one-piece plastic component and has the inlet port 208 and the return port 210 on one side. The inlet connection 208 and the return connection 210 are designed as hydraulic couplings for connecting supply lines, which establish the connection to a heating or cooling system. On a second side surface of the hydraulic section 250, the inlet 218 and the outlet 214 are arranged. The outlet 214 is connected to the inlet port 208 via a channel in the interior of the hydraulic section 250, while the inlet 218 is connected to the return port 210 via a further channel in the interior of the hydraulic section 250. As described above, the outlet 214 and the inlet 218 are designed as hydraulic couplings for the plug-in connection of a load module 204. For this purpose, the first inlet coupling 220 of an adjacent load module 204 engages in the outlet 214 and a first return coupling 220 of an adjacent load module into the inlet 218. The outlet 214 and the inlet 218 are each formed in this example as female parts of a plug-in coupling. Accordingly, the first inlet coupling 220 and the first return coupling 222 are each formed as the male parts of a hydraulic plug-in coupling. By nesting the hydraulic couplings, a mechanical connection between the main module 202 and the load module 204 is simultaneously created. In the couplings sealing not shown in detail here, in particular O-rings are arranged.

The load module 204 has an integrally made of plastic housing part, which serves as a pump housing for the circulation pump 232 and in its interior, the required flow paths and in particular the sections of the feed line 212 and the return line 216 has. From the housing part 254 are the drive of the regulating valve 230 and the stator housing 256 of the circulating pump 232 to the outside. The housing part 254 has the first inlet coupling 220 and the first return coupling 222 at one longitudinal end and the second inlet coupling 224 and the second return coupling 226 at an opposite longitudinal end, the second inlet coupling 224 and the second return coupling 226 corresponding to the outlet 214 and the inlet 218 are formed on the main module 202 as female parts of a hydraulic plug-in coupling. Since the second feed clutch 224 and the second return clutch 226 are formed and arranged corresponding to the outlet 214 and the inlet 218, it is possible to attach identical load modules 204 either directly to the main module 202 or to another load module 204, in which case the first feed clutch 220 of a second load module engages in the second feed clutch 224 of a first load module and the first return clutch 222 of a second load module in the second return clutch 226 of a first load module. Thus, multiple load modules may be mated together to form a hydraulic manifold having the desired number of load circuit terminals 228. The number of load modules 204 is essentially limited by the configuration of the control device 206. The housing part 254 of the load module 204 furthermore has an inlet connection 258 and a return connection 260. With the inlet port 258 corresponding to the input 229 of a load circuit 228 is connected, while with the return port 260, an output 231 of the load circuit 228 is connected.

The FIGS. 2 and 3 show the assembled arrangement of six load modules 204 on the main module 202 as shown in FIGS FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown. It can be seen that such a hydraulic distributor is provided which has six inlet connections 256 and six return connections 260 for six load circuits. All six load modules 204 are identical. The last, that is, the main module 202 facing away Load module 204 is closed at its second inlet coupling 224 and its second return coupling 226 by an end piece 262.

The flow paths of the thus coupled hydraulic distributor are in FIG. 7 shown again closer. FIG. 6 shows the structure according to Fig. 7 in the non-assembled state of the load modules 204. In FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically only the arrangement of four load modules 204 is shown.

In addition to the described hydraulic connections and elements, the main module 202 and the load modules 204 have electrical or electronic components. As described, the load module has the electronic control device 206. This is connected in the main module 202 to an electrical connector 264. In each of the load modules 204, an electrical connection 266 is provided which terminates at a first axial end in an electrical connector 268 and at the opposite axial end in an electrical connector 270. In this case, the electrical connectors 268 and 270 are formed so that the electrical connector 268 can engage with the electrical connector 264 on the main module 202 or an electrical connector 270 of an adjacent load module to form an electrical coupling and an electrical connection between the Load module 204 and an adjacent load module 204 or the main module 202 manufacture. With the electrical connection 266, which is designed as a data bus, in each case the drive of the regulating valve 230, the temperature sensor 240 and the circulating pump 232 are connected inside the load module 204. The electrical connection 266 serves to transfer energy to these components and beyond the signal transmission to these components or from these components to the distribution controller 206 in the main module 202.

When a load module 204 is plugged into another load module 204, a power supply of this subsequent load module 204 from the main module 202 and a data transfer from the main module 202 to this further load module 204 via the or via the electrical connection via the connector 268 and 270 the intermediate load modules 204 are made. The addressing of the individual load modules 204 can take place via a module control device 272 in each load module 204. The module controller 272 is for data communication with the central distribution controller 206. For this purpose, each module controller 272, i. H. so that each load module 204 is assigned an address. This can be effected automatically when connecting the respective load module 204 from the distributor control device 206. The regulating valve 230 and the circulating pump 232 in each load module 204 can then be individually controlled by the distributor control device 206 via this address and the module control device 272 in order to effect a temperature and volume flow control for the connected load circuit. The output signal of the temperature sensor 240 and, if appropriate, of the temperature sensor 242 is reported back to the distributor control device 206 via the module control device 272, where it can flow into the regulation of the respective load module 204.

Room thermostats 274 are provided in the rooms to be tempered in order to enable room-temperature-dependent control (see Fig. 1 ). The room thermostats 274 communicate with a communication interface 276 of the controller 206. A desired set temperature can be set to the room thermostat 274. If the actual temperature deviates from this target temperature Thereafter, the room thermostat 274 sends a corresponding signal to the communication sections 276 of the control device 206. This then activates the load circuit 228 associated with the room by switching on the circulation pump 232 in the associated load module 204. The described temperature and flow control then takes place for the associated load circuit 228. When the desired setpoint temperature at the room thermostat 274 is reached, the room thermostat 274 sends a corresponding signal to the communication interface 276 of the controller 206. This then deactivates the associated load circuit 228, ie, switches off the load circuit 228 located in the respective room by the circulation pump 232 is turned off in the associated load module 204.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

202

main module

204

load module

206

Control device, distributor control device

208

inflow connection

210

Return connection

212

supply line

214

outlet

216

Return line

218

inlet

220

first inlet coupling

222

first return coupling

224

second inlet coupling

226

second return clutch

228

load circuit

229

entrance

230

regulating

231

output

232

circulating pump

234

returns

235

connection

236

mixing point

238

check valve

240, 248

temperature sensor

250

hydraulic section

252

electronics housing

254

housing part

256

stator

258

inflow connection

260

Return connection

262

tail

264

electrical connector

266

electrical connection, data bus

268, 270

electrical connector

272

Module control device

274

room thermostats

276

Communication Interface

Claims (15)

Hydraulic distributor for a hydraulic heating and / or cooling system, which has a feed line (212) and a return line (216), wherein the feed line (212) has at least one feed connection (258) and the return line (216) has at least one return connection (260) for connecting a load circuit (228),
characterized in that
the distributor has at least one load module (204), in which a section of the feed line (212) with an inlet connection (250) and a section of the return line (216) with a return connection (260) are formed, wherein the load module (204) at least one A mixing device having a pump (232) and a regulating valve (238) which are designed to mix fluid from the feed line (212) to the feed port (258) fluid from the return port (260), and the portion of the feed line (212) and the return line (216) each having an additional connection for connection to a further load module. Hydraulic distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that the distributor has a plurality, preferably detachably, load modules (204) connected to one another in such a way that the sections of the feed line (212) are connected to one another and the sections of the return line (216) are connected to each other. Hydraulic distributor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one load module (204), preferably releasably connected to a main module (202), which is a Control device (206) and / or an input (218) for the supply line (212) and / or an output (214) for the return line (216). Hydraulic distributor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distributor control device (206) is provided which is designed to control the regulating valve (230) and / or the pump (232) in the at least one, preferably a plurality of load modules (204) is. Hydraulic distributor according to claim 4, characterized in that the distributor control device (206) is signal-connected to the load modules (204), in particular via a data bus (266). A hydraulic distributor according to claim 3 and any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the distributor control means (206) is arranged in the main module (202). Hydraulic distributor according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that in the at least one load module (204) at least one temperature sensor (240, 248) is arranged, which is signal-connected to the distributor control device, in particular via a data bus (266). Hydraulic manifold according to claim 7, characterized in that the temperature sensor (240) in the load module (204) is arranged such that it detects the temperature of a fluid flowing through the inlet port (258). Hydraulic distributor according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the distributor control device (206) is adapted to set by controlling the regulating valve (230), the temperature of a fluid flow through the inlet port (258). Hydraulic distributor according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the distributor control device (206) is adapted to set by controlling the pump (232) a fluid flow through the inlet port (258). Hydraulic distributor according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the distributor control device (206) has at least one communication interface (276) for receiving signals from an external control element, in particular a room thermostat (274). Hydraulic distributor according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the main module (202) has a power supply for the pump (232) and the regulating valve (230) in the at least one, preferably a plurality of load modules (204). Hydraulic manifold according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the at least one load module (204) the pump (232) in a flow path between a mixing point (236), in which a flow path from the feed line (212) and a flow path of meet the return port (260), and the inlet port (258) is arranged. Hydraulic manifold according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regulating valve (230) in a flow path from the return port (260) to a mixing point (236) in which a flow path from the feed line (212) and the flow path (235) from the return port (260) or in the flow path from the feed line (212) to the mixing point (236). Hydraulic distributor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regulating valve (232) is a motor-driven valve.

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