EP3385628B1 - Valve heat element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a valve heater element for the controlled release and heating of a flow of air in a building.

Valve heating elements of the type mentioned above are used for the controlled delivery, directing, throttling and, if necessary, reheating of an air flow. For example, in houses, apartments, containers or other living areas of people for ventilation, preferably geothermal preheated air is supplied through a wall or ceiling outlet on which the valve heating element is arranged, with a centrally controlled volume flow. This is preferably done in buildings that are energy-optimized and therefore have a comparatively low heating requirement AND require controlled ventilation of the rooms due to their good and therefore tight thermal insulation. A heat pump is often used to cover the base load for heating. These base load generators thus supply the rooms with preheated air. In order to maintain the desired room temperature when the outside temperature drops, the room supply air needs to be reheated. The required flow of air into the room is achieved through a suitable design of the outlet, in particular through the use of a suitable valve shape. When installed in the building ceiling, for example, the air is guided into the room at a suitable angle (conical) using a plate shape. When installed in the inner wall of a building, on the other hand, importance is often attached to a large range of air, so that such valves often have a long-throw characteristic.

When designing valve heating elements, care must be taken to ensure that the heat generated cannot cause damage or even danger, either during normal operation or in the event of an accident. Connection lines for mains voltage must therefore be designed to be temperature-resistant, for example in the area of the air flow, using suitable insulating materials such as silicone or Teflon.

A ventilation device for simultaneous ventilation of rooms according to the prior art is disclosed in documents DE 38 28 011 A1 and EP3109560 described.

Against this background, it was the object of the present invention to provide valve heating elements with a simplified construction and assembly option.

This object is provided by valve heaters according to claim 1. Advantageous configurations are contained in the dependent claims.

In general, the invention relates to valve heaters for controlled delivery and heating of a flow of air, the valve heater including a terminal housing and a heater housing.

The connection housing is used for on-site fastening of the valve heating element in a building wall or building ceiling and for feeding in an air line connection and an electrical mains cable. Typically, it is firmly mounted in a prepared opening in a wall or ceiling and connected to a duct for supplying preheated air. Here and in the following, the term "channel" is not limited to any specific design, but includes all forms of channels, tubes, hoses and the like. Furthermore, in the following, often for the sake of simplicity, only attachment of the valve heating element in a wall is referred to, in which case attachment in a ceiling should always be included.

The heating element housing serves to accommodate (at least) one electrical heating element, with which heat can be generated by supplying electricity and can be given off to the air flow flowing through the valve heating element.

The junction box and thermal element box are each separate boxes with optional sub-components.

A valve heating element of the type defined above is also referred to below as a "basic valve heating element" and is further developed by the aspects of the present invention explained in more detail below. The features of the valve heating elements according to the various aspects of the invention can optionally be combined with one another as desired.

Thus, the basic valve heater according to the invention has a terminal housing with an air flow separated Manhole on, in which a terminal strip is arranged for connection to the power cord.

The conveyed air flow is structurally separated from the area in which the electrical mains cable runs through the cable duct. In contrast to known valve heating elements, the mains cable is no longer routed through the air flow and is therefore no longer exposed to the high temperatures that may potentially prevail there or to unwanted mechanical wear or damage from cleaning equipment in the course of line inspections and in particular cleaning work. A special insulation of the mains cable (e.g. with Teflon) is therefore no longer necessary, but the conventional insulation (e.g. made of PVC) can remain. The mains cable can be connected to the connection strip in the cable duct, from which the electrical supply of the valve heating element is carried out.

In principle, the terminal strip can be formed in one piece with the terminal housing. However, it is preferably a separate component that is independent of the connection housing, since it can then be connected to the mains cable outside of the connection housing and can therefore be carried out more easily. Advantageously, in this case, latching means are provided in the connection housing or specifically in the line duct for quick latching of the connection strip on the connection housing. In addition or as an alternative, screw means can also be provided for fastening the terminal strip, for example in the form of a threaded screw hole.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a base valve thermal element includes a terminal block disposed within the junction box for connection to the power cord and a header disposed within the thermal element body, the pin header electrically contacting the terminal block upon mating of the junction box and thermal element body.

Terminal strips and pin strips are typically designed like the plug and socket of a plug-in device, so that when they are plugged together, they create electrical contact between one, two, three or more lines in the terminal strip or pin strip (e.g. for forwarding external conductors, neutral conductors and/or protective conductors of a mains voltage) . Advantageously, this electrical contact is produced simultaneously with the joining of the connection housing and the heating element housing, so that no further assembly steps are necessary for this. On the other hand, this intrinsically interrupts the mains voltage when the heating element is removed from the connection housing for the purpose of inspection or maintenance, so that the corresponding safety requirements are met and there is no danger to people.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a basic valve heating element, in which the connection housing has at least one tension claw on its outer circumference, which can be swiveled radially outwards and adjusted axially.

The designations "axial" and "radial" refer to the axis of the air flow through the valve heating element, which typically also represents a structural axis of symmetry. In the assembled state of the valve heating element, this axis is typically perpendicular to the wall. The connection housing can be fixed simply and securely to a wall plate, in the opening of which the connection housing is arranged, by means of the claw fastener. The pull claw can engage behind the wall plate by pivoting it radially outwards and then clamp it by a corresponding axial adjustment towards the wall plate towards the connection housing on the wall plate (or the back of the plate on the wall or ceiling side in the sense of a rear wall attachment). For this purpose, the opening in the wall plate is matched as precisely as possible to the diameter of the connection housing (with the pull claw not swiveled outwards). Two, three or more claws of the type described are preferably provided, which are typically arranged equidistantly distributed over the circumference of the connection housing.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a basic valve heating element, in which the heating element housing has a circular passage for the air flow, in which a non-square, preferably cross-shaped, heating coil is arranged.

The heating register is used to heat up an air flow, the heating register itself typically being flown through by the air flow in order to produce as large a surface contact as possible. By using a non-square heating register, as much as possible of the circular area of the passage is exploited, so that the valve heating element can have a more compact design overall.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a basic valve heating element in which a heating register is arranged in the heating element housing and has separate connections to at least two different heating segments thereof. Preferably, this is a valve heating element, which also according to the previous

Aspect of the invention is designed, so with a cross-shaped PTC register.

Through the targeted use of the separate connections, the heating register can therefore be used in at least two ways, which differ in the different activation of heating segments (or heating zones). In particular, the connections can be selected in such a way that optionally all heating segments contained in the heating register are traversed by current, or that some heating segments (for example those lying at the edge) are not traversed by current. In this way, the heat output of the heating register can be adapted to the needs of the respective air outlet in a building.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a basic valve heating element in which a heating register is arranged behind a protective grid in the heating element housing.

The protective grid is usually made of an electrically non-conductive material and typically has holes that are so small that a human finger cannot come into contact with the electrically conductive surface. In this context, the mesh size of the touch protection grid must be designed in accordance with the applicable rules of technology (VDE test finger compliant) depending on its overall height and thus the distance to the register surface

The protective grille mentioned above is advantageously an integral part of the thermal element housing. Alternatively, it can also be inserted into the heating element housing via a snap-in connection. In this case, for safety reasons, the locking connection is preferably designed in such a way that disassembly is only possible using the tool required for this purpose, so that the protective grille cannot be removed without authorization.

The heating register is advantageously inserted and securely held in the heating element housing via a snap-in connection.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a basic valve heating element in which a valve disk is arranged on the heating element housing in front of the air outlet and is connected to the heating element housing at variable distances.

As already explained, a valve disk is used to shape the inflow of air into the room in such a way that it is distributed as well as possible and occurs without creating a noticeable air flow. The valve disk typically prevents the direct, straight exit of the air in the direction of its previous flow and ensures that the air flows along a circumferential annular gap (between the edge of the valve disk and the heating element housing) in a defined angular range relative to the Inflow axis flows out. The interaction of the outer collar of the heating element with the diameter of the valve disk, its setting position and its shape (which can differ due to design variants of these components) can influence the angular range of the air outlet flow and the throttle effect. The outlet angle and/or the throttling effect can be adjusted to the needs of the respective room due to the variability of the distance between the valve disc and the heating element housing.

The connection between the valve disk and the heating element housing can be made in particular via a plug-in mechanism, which preferably has latching steps. The valve disk can then be mounted at a specific distance in a defined and reproducible manner. The plug-in mechanism can be realized, for example, by a cross dome on the valve plate and an associated cross dome receptacle on the heating element housing (or vice versa).

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a basic valve heating element in which a decorative collar is arranged around the connection housing and/or around the heating element housing, which decorative collar forms the transition to the wall. The provision of a separate decorative collar that is not connected in one piece to the connection housing or the heating element housing has the advantage that the decorative collar can be selected independently of the aforementioned components and can also be replaced if necessary. Thus, with the same interior life, a decorative collar that fits optimally from an aesthetic point of view can be used, or a decorative collar that is damaged or has gone out of fashion can be easily replaced with a new decorative collar at a later point in time.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a basic valve heating element with an annular gap limiter, which is arranged in an adjustable manner at the air outlet opening of the heating element housing and prevents air from escaping in certain directions.

In principle, the annular gap limiter can be of any shape and design. As its name suggests, however, it will generally serve to delimit an annular gap which is formed, for example, between the heating element housing and a valve disk. Accordingly, the annular gap limiter is preferably arranged in the air outlet opening between the heating element housing and a valve disk. The air flow can be shaped as required by the annular gap limiter by blocking it in certain directions. Due to the adjustability of the Annular gap limiter, the position of these directions can be optimally adapted to the building conditions.

The annular gap limiter is preferably arranged in latching steps so that it can rotate about the air outlet axis of the heating element housing. A defined position of the annular gap limiter is achieved by the locking steps, which can also be easily reproduced.

There is a coupling part on the connection housing for connecting an air duct. Since in practice there are air ducts of different dimensions and geometries, an adapter is advantageously provided as a separate component, which causes the transition from the coupling part of the connection housing to the respective air duct. In this way, the coupling part on the connection housing can remain the same, and only different adapters have to be provided in order to be able to flexibly connect the valve heating element to different air ducts.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a base valve thermal element having a housing that can be used in place of the connector housing and/or the thermal element housing and allows air to flow in at least one direction. This housing is referred to below as a "passive housing" because it is designed for the passive flow of air (i.e. without actively heating it).

The passive housing provides a system of components that can be combined to form an (active) valve heating element or a (passive) supply air and/or exhaust air valve element. The manufacturing costs can be reduced by using the same components. In particular, the components visible from the outside are preferably used consistently, so that an active valve heating element and a passive supply air and/or exhaust air valve element have the same appearance.

Optionally, the passive housing can have a receptacle for a (preferably exchangeable) filter element. This is advantageous, for example, if an exhaust air connection is to be implemented in a place such as a kitchen, where air pollution often occurs.

Figur 1

eine Seitenansicht des Ventilwärmeelementes mit einem geschlossenen Ventilteller;

Figur 2

eine Aufsicht auf das Ventilwärmeelement mit einem geschlossenen Ventilteller (oben) bzw. einem Weitwurfventil (unten);

Figur 3

eine Ansicht der Rückseite des Ventilwärmeelementes;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht des Ventilwärmeelementes mit einer radial ausgestellten Zugkralle;

Figur 5

einen Schnitt durch das Ventilwärmeelement in einer Ebene, die die Luftaustrittsachse enthält;

Figur 6

eine Aufsicht auf das Anschlussgehäuse mit separater Darstellung der Anschlussleiste;

Figur 7

den Leitungsschacht des Anschlussgehäuses;

Figur 8

die Anschlussleiste und die Stiftleiste im zusammengesteckten Zustand;

Figur 9

eine Aufsicht auf die Steuerplatine;

Figur 10

eine Ansicht der Unterseite der Steuerplatine;

Figur 11

eine Aufsicht auf das Wärmeelement-Gehäuse ohne Heizregister;

Figur 12

eine Aufsicht auf das Wärmeelement-Gehäuse mit eingebautem Schutzgitter;

Figur 13

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ringspaltbegrenzers an einem Ventilteller;

Figur 14

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Kreuzdom-Aufnahme des Ventiltellers;

Figur 15

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Kreuzdomes am Schutzgitter;

Figur 16

die Kreuzdom-Aufnahme, ein Skalenfenster, und einen Rastnocken des Ringspaltbegrenzers,

Figur 17

die Kreuzdom-Aufnahme mit eingesetztem Abstandshalter,

Figur 18

vier Abstandshalter entsprechend den Abstandsstufen ein bis vier (in mm oder einer anderen Teilung);

Figur 19

den Stromlaufplan eines zweistufigen Heizregisters;

Figur 20

eine kreuzförmiges Heizregister;

Figur 21

eine Seitenansicht des Ventilwärmeelementes mit am Anschlussgehäuse angesetztem Adapter;

Figur 22

den Adapter von Figur 21 separat;

Figur 23

eine Seitenansicht eines passiven Zuluft- und/oder Abluftventilelementes;

Figur 24

einen Schnitt durch das Element von Figur 23 in der Ausgestaltung als Abluftventilelement mit Filter;

Figur 25

eine Aufsicht auf das Abluftventilelement von Figur 24 mit entferntem Ventilteller und Filter;

Figur 26

eine Aufsicht auf die sichtbare Außenseite des Elementes von Figur 23 in der Ausgestaltung als Zuluftventilelement mit Weitwurfventil.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the figures. It shows:

figure 1

a side view of the valve heating element with a closed valve plate;

figure 2

a plan view of the valve heating element with a closed valve disk (above) or a long-throw valve (below);

figure 3

a rear view of the valve heating element;

figure 4

a perspective side view of the valve heating element with a radially issued pull claw;

figure 5

a section through the valve heating element in a plane containing the air exit axis;

figure 6

a top view of the connection housing with a separate representation of the terminal block;

figure 7

the wiring duct of the junction box;

figure 8

the terminal strip and the pin strip in mated condition;

figure 9

a top view of the control board;

figure 10

a view of the underside of the control board;

figure 11

a plan view of the heating element housing without a heating register;

figure 12

a top view of the heating element housing with built-in protective grille;

figure 13

a perspective view of an annular gap limiter on a valve disk;

figure 14

an enlarged view of the cross dome recording of the valve disk;

figure 15

an enlarged view of the cross dome on the protective grille;

figure 16

the cross dome mount, a scale window, and a locking cam of the annular gap limiter,

figure 17

the cross dome mount with inserted spacer,

figure 18

four spacers corresponding to distance levels one to four (in mm or another division);

figure 19

the circuit diagram of a two-stage heating register;

figure 20

a cross-shaped heating register;

figure 21

a side view of the valve heating element with the adapter attached to the connection housing;

figure 22

the adapter from figure 21 separately;

figure 23

a side view of a passive supply air and / or exhaust air valve element;

figure 24

a cut through the element of figure 23 in the configuration as an exhaust air valve element with filter;

figure 25

a plan view of the exhaust valve member of figure 24 with valve disc and filter removed;

figure 26

a top view of the visible outside of the element from figure 23 in the design as a supply air valve element with throw valve.

Illustrated in the figures is an exemplary embodiment of a valve heater 100 in accordance with the present invention. As is known, the valve heating element serves to enable controlled air entry into a room, for example of air preheated by means of geothermal heat or by an air/air heat pump.

In order to ensure adequate heating of the room when the pre-temperature of the supplied air is low - for example due to cold outside temperatures or low power provided by the heat pump - a valve heating element typically contains an electric heating register with one or more heating segments (as the smallest active heating units) which flows through them can heat air. By using PTC resistors, the resistance of which increases with increasing temperature, the heating output can be adjusted to the air flowing through the valve heating element in a self-regulating manner.

• Einem im Wesentlichen runden bzw. zylindrischen Anschlussgehäuse 110, welches im montierten Zustand komplett in der Gebäudewand zu liegen kommt und an welches der den Luftstrom zuführende Luftkanal sowie ein elektrisches Netzkabel (nicht dargestellt) angeschlossen werden. Im dargestellten Beispiel erfolgt der Anschluss des Luftkanals über einen Bajonettring 115, welcher passend zu den Leitungssystemen der Anmelderin ausgebildet ist. Für den Anschluss eines elektrischen Netzkabels der Hausinstallation ist eine Kabeleinführung 112 vorgesehen.
• Ein Wärmeelement-Gehäuse 130 (Figur 11), welches das elektrische Wärmeelement in Form eines Heizregisters 135 enthält und welches mit dem Anschlussgehäuse 110 zusammengefügt werden kann.
• Einen Ventilteller 150, welcher vor der Luftaustrittsöffnung angeordnet ist, um den Luftstrom zu formen. Im dargestellten Beispiel von Figur 1 und Figur 2 oben ist der Ventilteller 150 geschlossen ausgebildet, so dass Luft nur entlang des an seinem Rand gebildeten Ringspaltes ausströmen kann. Ein solcher geschlossener Ventilteller wird typischerweise bei Deckenauslässen verwendet.
  Des Weiteren zeigt Figur 2 im unteren Teil einen Ventilteller 150', welcher als ein "Weitwurf-Vorsatz" ausgebildet ist und in der Tellerfläche Luftaustrittsschlitze sowie einen zwischen Tellerrand und Dekorkragen 160 verlaufenden Ringspalt für den Luftaustritt aufweist. Ein solcher Weitwurf-Vorsatz 150' wird typischerweise an Wandauslässen verwendet. Der Weitwurf-Vorsatz 150' kann auch (nicht dargestellt) eine Luftleitkontur beinhalten, die den Luftstrom in die gewünschte Richtung im Raum lenkt und die vorzugsweise durch den Monteur, ggf. aber auch durch den Nutzer einstellbar ist. Typischerweise wird dabei nur eine Regulierung der Richtung des Luftstromes ermöglicht, jedoch nicht seiner Stärke (Luftmenge), da bei Veränderung der Luftstromstärke in einem Raum auch die Druckverhältnisse und damit die Luftwechselraten anderer Räume beeinflusst werden.
• Einen Dekorkragen 160, welcher den sichtbaren Übergang zur Gebäudewand bildet. Der Dekorkragen ist vorzugsweise als ein separates Teil ausgebildet, um in einfacher Weise an modische Vorstellungen angepasst werden zu können. Des Weiteren ist der Dekorkragen vorzugsweise in axialer Richtung verstellbar am WärmeelementGehäuse 130 bzw. Anschlussgehäuse 110 gelagert, um optional mit der Gebäudewand eine einstellbare Schattenfuge von typischerweise ca. 0,5 mm bis ca. 2 mm bilden zu können. Die Bezeichnung "axial" bezieht sich dabei auf die Bauachse des Ventilwärmeelementes, die der (Haupt-) Strömungsachse A des Luftstromes entspricht.

figure 1 shows a side view, figure 2 a front view of the visible front and figure 3 a back view of the valve heating element 100. The valve heating element 100 consists of the following main components:

• A substantially round or cylindrical connection housing 110, which comes to rest completely in the building wall in the assembled state and to which the air duct supplying the air flow and a electrical power cord (not shown) can be connected. In the example shown, the air duct is connected via a bayonet ring 115, which is designed to match the applicant's line systems. A cable entry 112 is provided for connecting an electrical mains cable of the house installation.
• A thermal element housing 130 ( figure 11 ), which contains the electric heating element in the form of a heating register 135 and which can be assembled with the connection housing 110.
• A valve plate 150, which is arranged in front of the air outlet opening to shape the air flow. In the example shown Figure 1 and Figure 2 The valve plate 150 is closed at the top, so that air can only flow out along the annular gap formed at its edge. Such a closed valve disk is typically used in ceiling outlets.
  Furthermore shows figure 2 in the lower part a valve plate 150', which is designed as a "long-throw attachment" and has air outlet slots in the plate surface and an annular gap running between the plate edge and the decorative collar 160 for the air outlet. Such a long-throw attachment 150' is typically used at wall outlets. The long-throw attachment 150' can also (not shown) contain an air-guiding contour which guides the air flow in the desired direction in the room and which can preferably be adjusted by the fitter, but possibly also by the user. Typically, only the direction of the air flow can be regulated, but not its strength (air volume), since changing the air flow strength in one room also affects the pressure conditions and thus the air exchange rates in other rooms.
• A decorative collar 160, which forms the visible transition to the building wall. The decorative collar is preferably designed as a separate part in order to be able to be easily adapted to fashionable ideas. Furthermore, the decorative collar is preferably mounted on the heating element housing 130 or connection housing 110 so that it can be adjusted in the axial direction in order to optionally be able to form an adjustable shadow gap of typically approx. 0.5 mm to approx. 2 mm with the building wall. The designation "axial" refers to the structural axis of the valve heating element, which corresponds to the (main) flow axis A of the air flow.

How out figure 3 and 4 As can be seen, three tensioning claws 120 are arranged on the rear outer edge of the connection housing 110 and distributed uniformly around the circumference. In a rest position, these are pivoted radially inwards, so that they bear against the connection housing 110 . In order to keep this starting position safely on the way from the manufacturer to the place of installation, a slight embossing of the traction claw contact surface is preferably provided to secure the position. This can be designed in such a way that it is "skipped" by about half a screwdriver turn in the opposite direction to the tightening direction (counterclockwise) and then tightening it (clockwise). Alternatively, this interaction is also possible through a different contouring (pairing) of claw socket and claw contour by overcoming the breakaway torque in the tightening direction of the claw screw. This means that releasing the claw in the opposite direction can be replaced by overcoming the breakaway torque of the claw.

In a holding position, on the other hand, the pull claws 120 are pivoted radially outwards, so that they protrude beyond the radius of the connection housing 110 . Furthermore, the tension claws 120 are mounted with a thread on a tension screw 121 which runs in the axial direction and is accessible from the front of the connection housing 110 . By turning this tension screw 121, the axial position of the tension claws 120 can therefore be changed.

With the help of the claws 120, the connection housing 110 can be easily and securely fastened in the opening of a building (cavity) wall. The connection housing 110 is first inserted (with the tension claws 120 in the rest position) through the prefabricated, circular opening in the wall panel that is as precisely fitting as possible, then the tension claws 120 are swiveled radially outwards into the holding position, whereby they grip the wall panel from behind, and finally they are pushed through Tightening the tension screw 121 pressed against the wall plate from the inside in order to clamp the connection housing herewith. A flange 114 ( figure 6 ) of the connection housing 110 ensures the necessary back pressure.

figure 6 shows a top view of the connection housing 110. This consists of a body 111 with a circular central opening for the air flow. In the body, next to the air flow opening, there is a line duct 117 in the form of a separate, structurally separate chamber into which the cable entry 112 opens. In the duct 117, two latching hooks 118 are provided, on which a terminal block 116 without tools can be fastened by latching. In addition or as an alternative, the connection strip 116 can also be attached to a screw hole 119 in the cable duct 117 .

To establish an electrical connection, the mains cable of the house installation is guided through the cable entry 112, with the sheath of the mains cable being removed up to the inner end of the cable entry. The individual cores of the cable are left in a sufficient length, the ends are stripped, and these ends are electrically connected to the connection strip 116 (eg by means of plug-in connections or screw connections). How out figure 3 can be seen, the required length of the wires or the ends to be stripped is preferably shown in a length scale 113 on the back of the connection housing 110 for the fitter.

After the connection strip 116 has been connected, it is fastened to the snap-in hooks 118 and the cables are housed in the cable duct 117. Since the cable duct is structurally separated from the air flow, overheating of the components there is impossible. It is therefore not necessary to make the mains connection using special insulation, for example made of Teflon.

figure 8 12 shows how terminal strip 116 is electrically connected to a pin strip 132. FIG. This connection or plugging together of terminal strip 116 and pin strip 132 takes place automatically when the heating element housing 130 and connection housing 110 are assembled (the two housings being firmly connected to one another, for example by means of screws).

• einen ersten Flachstecker 131a für den Anschluss eines Heizregisters;
• einen Varistor 131b;
• Glimmlampen 131c;
• eine Temperatursicherung 131d;
• eine Leistungsbrücke 131e;
• Sicherungen 131f;
• zwei weitere Flachstecker 131g für den Anschluss des Heizregisters.

The pin header 132 is mounted on a control board 131, which is located in the thermal element housing 130 and in the Figures 9 and 10 is shown in more detail. In addition to the pin strip 132, the control board contains the following components:

• a first tab 131a for connecting a heating register;
• a varistor 131b;
• neon lamps 131c;
• a temperature fuse 131d;
• a power bridge 131e;
• fuses 131f;
• two more flat plugs 131g for connecting the heating register.

How out figure 10 can be seen, the glow lamps 131c can be seen from the front side of the heating element housing 130 through corresponding openings, so that the user can check the correct function or wiring of the circuit board.

figure 11 shows the arrangement of the control circuit board 131 in the heating element housing 130. Furthermore, a central, approximately cross-shaped opening can be seen, in which the electric heating register made of PTC elements (not shown) is to be arranged. Due to the cross shape, the actually circular surface of the air duct is optimally exploited. The cross-shaped opening also has locking cams 134, with which the heating register can be easily installed and removed without tools and is held securely. The printed circuit board is also advantageously snapped in and out without tools, for example by being held by locking cams.

figure 11 also shows that the control circuit board 131 and the electrical connections for the heating register are arranged on adjacent sides of the heating register, contact protection webs 133 to prevent short circuits being visible on the side of the connections. The PTC heating segments of the heating register accordingly run transversely and parallel to one another from the connections to the opposite side of the heating register, ie in figure 11 horizontal or parallel to the control board 131. The arrangement of the control board and heater connections on adjacent sides of the heater (rather than on opposite sides) allows the footprint of the heating element housing to be kept compact despite the non-square shape of the heater.

figure 12 shows a top view of the heating element housing 130 with a protective grille 136, which is arranged in the air flow duct in front of the heating register (not shown). It can also be seen that the cylindrical heating element housing 130 is fastened in the connection housing 110 (preferably by screwing), with the connection housing consisting of a substantially cylindrical body which has a peripheral flange 114 on its front edge on the room side for resting on the outside of the Ceiling or wall has (as a counter bearing to the tension claws). The flange 114 has the shape of a square with strongly rounded corners, the straight flange edges can additionally have notches in the middle in order to ensure the exact horizontal/vertical alignment of the housing in a building wall facilitate, which is particularly advantageous with rectangular collar shapes, since their outer edges should be aligned as exactly as possible parallel to other reference edges of the room.

In the assembled state of the valve heating element 100, the flange 114 of the connection housing 110 towards the space is preferably through the Figures 1 and 2 illustrated decorative collar 160 covered to direct the exiting air between collar and plate and allow a more aesthetic appearance. The axial spacing of the decorative collar from the flange of the connection housing 110 can preferably be adjusted within certain limits in order to be able to form an adjustable shadow gap with the building wall. The adjustment can take place, for example, by turning the decorative collar 160 mounted on a helical line on the connection housing 110 . The decorative collar can be designed in such a way that it can accommodate lighting on its inside, for example in the form of LED strips. In order to feed the required (low) voltage line to the light source, a corresponding hole can be provided in the flange collar of the connection housing. Preferably, the heating element circuit and the lighting circuit can be switched separately. The collar shape and color allow the lighting to be designed as effect or emergency lighting. By adjusting the shadow gap, the light in the vicinity of the collar can be directed onto the wall or ceiling surface.

The protective grid 136 prevents a user from touching (in the case of non-insulated PTC heaters) electrically conductive (i.e. live) parts of the heater. In addition or as an alternative, the heating registers themselves could be electrically insulated, e.g. as PTC chips insulated with Kapton foil, so that upstream contact protection could be dispensed with. The disadvantage of this variant, however, is that the electrical insulation would also represent a thermal barrier at the same time, at the expense of a reduced power density as a result.

The protective grille 136, through which the heated air flows into the room, is typically covered by a valve disc (or other type of valve attachment) for directing and metering the air flow.

figure 13 shows such a valve disk 150 in a view of its rear side, which faces the protective grille 136 in the assembled state. For attachment to the protective grille, the basically circular valve disk 150 has a cross dome mount 152 in the middle, which consists of four angle plates, each rotated by 90° to one another and protruding perpendicularly from the valve disk, which form a cross-shaped slot between them. How out figure 14 As can be seen, latching steps 154 are preferably arranged on the insides of this slot, and one of the walls of the cross dome receptacle 152 has a recess 153 so that the valve disk can only be in a certain alignment ("12 o'clock position") with the heating element housing can be connected. In this way, a reproducible attachment of the valve disk 150 can be ensured.

figure 15 shows the cross dome 137 arranged centrally on the protective grille 136 and pointing towards the room, ie a cross-shaped elevation which is dimensioned such that it can be plugged together in a clamping manner with the cross dome receptacle 152 of the valve disk. Latching cams 138 arranged on the left and right on the cross dome 137 can interact with the latching steps 154 of the cross dome receptacle in order to fix a specific axial position of the valve disk relative to the protective grille and make it reproducible.

figure 13 also shows an optional annular gap limiter 170 with a sector surface 171 and an edge 172, which closes part of the annular gap formed between the valve disk 150 and the heating element housing 130 for the air outlet, in order to direct the air outlet in a specific direction. The annular gap limiter 170 is fastened to the valve disk 150 with an eye around the cross dome receptacle 152, wherein it can be rotated about the air outlet axis or device axis A relative to the valve disk. In this way, the exit direction of the air flow can be determined according to the respective building conditions.

In order to make such a definition reproducible or presettable, the relative angular position of the annular gap limiter 170 with respect to the valve disk 150 can preferably be adjusted by a latching mechanism, for example in steps of approximately five degrees.

According to figure 16 For example, the annular gap limiter 170 can have a latching cam 175 as a latching mechanism, which can latch into recesses in the valve disk. Furthermore, a window 173 can be provided on the annular gap limiter 170 through which the current setting position can be read on an angle scale 151 of the valve disk 150 .

Furthermore, predetermined breaking points can optionally be provided on the annular gap limiter 170, through which the sector covered by it can optionally be enlarged by breaking off break-off pieces 174.

The figures 17 and 18 show the use of spacers 155, which can be clamped into the cross dome mount 152. The spacers 155 are provided at several different heights and can thus specify the axial stop position up to which a valve disk can be inserted into the cross dome receptacle 152 . By inserting the appropriate spacer 155, an easily reproducible axial positioning of the valve disk can be ensured. The spacers 155 and cross dome receptacle 152 preferably include an orientation feature 156, such as a cam and recess, to ensure proper alignment of the spacer.

Due to the described design of the position of an annular gap limiter relative to the flow axis or relative to the fixed installation position of the connection housing and thus the matching valve disk, it is possible to adjust the annular gap limiter (angular position), its possible shortening on one or both sides, as well as the position of the valve plate (via its depth stop crosses) to be clearly determined and thus also to be documented just as clearly.

In figure 19 1, a circuit diagram of the valve heater element 100 is shown. Accordingly, the connections for the phase conductor (to La or Lb) and the neutral conductor N of the mains power cable are provided in the terminal strip 116 and are electrically routed via the pin strip 132 to the circuitry on the control board 131 in the heating element housing. The control circuit for the power supply of the six heating segments (PTC resistors arranged geometrically parallel to each other) in the heating register 135 is located on the control board.

In the case shown, three connections are provided between heating register 135 and control circuit board 131, via which only the middle four of the six heating segments/heating zones or PTC resistors or all six PTC resistors can be supplied with voltage. The active size of the heating register can thus be adapted to the requirements at hand. The adjustment is made during assembly, for example by inserting or removing an electrical bridge 131e on the control board or, if the bridge is removed, by external power selection via the three-pole terminal strip with assignment of La and/or Lb to N call up or vary the desired heating output accordingly.

figure 20 shows in two side views and a top view an exemplary cross-shaped heating register 135 with six heating segments 135a, each extend between two electrical terminal lugs. Such a heating register can, for example, with the circuit of figure 19 operate.

The Figures 21 and 22 show the use of an adapter 180 with which the valve heating element 100 can be easily connected to air ducts of different dimensions (diameter 100 mm, 125 mm etc.) and/or geometries (eg round or square cross-sections). Towards the connection housing 110, the adapter 180 has a housing connection 183 which fits onto the air duct connection of the connection housing 110 (for example to the bayonet ring 115); towards the air duct it has a matching air duct connection 181. Optionally, the connections mentioned can also contain seals etc. The transition from the housing connection 183 to the air duct connection 181 is effected by a transition piece 182, which is conical in the example shown. Furthermore, the air duct connection 181 is arranged eccentrically to the housing connection 183 so that space for the cable entry 112 remains.

Depending on the duct to be connected, the air duct connection 181 can have other sizes and/or shapes, in particular round or rectangular. Optionally, a kinked course can also be implemented in the adapter.

The Figures 23 to 26 show the extension of the valve heating element 100 to a system with which "passive" air outlets and/or air inlets can also be implemented, through which air can be supplied or extracted without active heating. For this purpose, a passive housing 191 is used instead of the connection housing and the heating element housing, while other components remain the same, in particular the decorative collar 160 visible from the outside and the valve disk (as a closed valve disk 150 or as a long-throw attachment 150').

figure 23 In this regard, Fig. 12 shows a side view of a passive supply air and/or exhaust air valve element 190 which includes a one-piece "passive housing" 191 in place of a junction housing and thermal element housing. The passive housing 191 is designed to allow air to flow in at least one direction with the lowest possible flow resistance. It contains no heating register, no protective grille, and no electrical connections. For connection to an air duct, it has the usual or already described means, for example, as shown, a bayonet ring 115. It is preferably attached to the wall using the explained system of tension claws 120 with tension screws 121.

The components of the passive element 190 that are visible from the outside, ie in particular the decorative collar 160 and the valve disk 150, are advantageously identical to those of the active valve heating element 100. This reduces the manufacturing costs on the one hand and ensures a uniform appearance on the other.

In particular, if an exhaust air valve element 190 is to be implemented with the passive housing 191, this can optionally be equipped with a filter element. This can be placed under the valve disk 150, for example.

figure 24 shows a section through the element 190 in the embodiment as an exhaust air valve element with a filter fleece 193, through which dust, vapors, fats and the like can be retained when extracting exhaust air (eg from a kitchen or a bathroom).

To support the filter element 193, a grid 192 is preferably provided. figure 25 shows a grid designed as a spoked wheel 192 in a plan view of the exhaust air valve element 190 with the valve plate and filter element removed. The spoked wheel 192 is fastened to the passive housing 191 in a latchable manner, for example. Furthermore, it is preferably provided with a cross dome in the middle, to which the valve disk can be fastened in the manner known from the valve heating element 100 . The filter element 193 is typically disk-shaped with a central hole for the passage of the cross dome. Optionally, it can be radially slotted so that it can be changed without removing the valve disk when the disk gap is sufficiently wide.

figure 26 shows a top view of the visible outside of a supply air valve element, which has a throw valve 150' and does not contain a filter. To throttle the air flow, a silicone foam disk (not shown) of a suitably selected diameter can optionally be arranged between the long throw valve 150' and the associated spoked wheel. Alternatively, it is possible to reduce the cross section of the inlet opening within the connection piece for the air duct by inserting a foam ring (eg reduction in cross section from 72.5 mm to 60 mm).

• eine Anschlussleiste im Anschlussgehäuse 110 eine Stiftleiste im Wärmeelement-Gehäuse 130 elektrisch kontaktiert,
• das Anschlussgehäuse 110 über Zugkrallen in der Gebäudewand befestigbar ist,
• das Wärmeelement-Gehäuse 130 ein nicht-quadratisches und/oder in Stufen schaltbares Heizregisters 135 enthält,
• das Heizregister 135 hinter einem Schutzgitter angeordnet ist,
• vor dem Luftaustritt abstandsvariabel ein Ventilteller 150 angeordnet ist,
• im Ringspalt zwischen Ventilteller 150 und Wärmeelement-Gehäuse 130 ein Ringspaltbegrenzer angeordnet ist, und/oder
• ein von den übrigen Gehäusen separater Dekorkragen 160 zur Bildung des Übergangs zur Wand vorhanden ist.

Bezugszeichenliste 100 Ventilwärmeelement 150 geschlossener Ventilteller 150' Weitwurfventil 110 Anschlussgehäuse 151 Winkelskala 111 Korpus 152 Kreuzdom-Aufnahme 112 Kabeleinführung 153 Ausnehmung 113 Längenskala 154 Raststufen 114 Flansch 155 Abstandselement 115 Bajonettring 156 Orientierungsmerkmal 116 Anschlussleiste 117 Leitungsschacht 160 Dekorkragen 118 Rasthaken 119 Schraubloch 170 Ringspaltbegrenzer 171 Sektorfläche 120 Zugkrallen 172 Rand 121 Zugschraube 173 Fenster 174 Abbruchstück 130 Wärmeelement-Gehäuse 175 Rastnocken Ringspaltbegrenzer 131 Steuerplatine 132 Stiftleiste 180 Adapter 133 Berührungsschutz-Stege 181 Luftkanalanschluss 134 Rastnocken 182 Übergangsstück 135 Heizregister 183 Gehäuseanschluss 135a Heizsegment 135b Silikonisolierung 190 Passives Zuluft/Abluftventilelement 136 Schutzgitter 191 Passivgehäuse 137 Kreuzdom 192 Speichenrad 138 Rastnocken 193 Filtervlies In summary, a valve heating element 100 for the controlled release and heating of an air flow in a room was presented, which has a connection housing 110 for attachment to a building wall and for supplying an electrical power cable and a preheated air flow and also a heating element housing 130 for accommodating an electrical Heating register 135 contains. In a preferred embodiment, the connection housing 110 has a line duct 117 that is separate from the air flow and in which a connection strip for connection to the mains cable of the domestic installation is arranged. Further embodiments of the invention can provide that

• a terminal strip in the terminal housing 110 electrically contacts a pin strip in the heating element housing 130,
• the connection housing 110 can be fastened to the building wall using tension claws,
• the heating element housing 130 contains a non-square and/or step-switchable heating register 135,
• the heating register 135 is arranged behind a protective grille,
• a variable-distance valve disk 150 is arranged in front of the air outlet,
• an annular gap limiter is arranged in the annular gap between the valve disk 150 and the heating element housing 130, and/or
• a decorative collar 160 separate from the other housings is present to form the transition to the wall.

<b>Reference List</b> 100 valve heating element 150 closed valve plate 150' throw valve 110 junction box 151 angle scale 111 body 152 Kreuzdom recording 112 cable entry 153 recess 113 length scale 154 rest steps 114 flange 155 spacer element 115 bayonet ring 156 orientation feature 116 terminal strip 117 duct 160 decorative collar 118 latch hook 119 screw hole 170 annular gap limiter 171 sector area 120 traction claws 172 edge 121 lag screw 173 Window 174 scrap piece 130 thermal element housing 175 Locking cam annular gap limiter 131 control board 132 header 180 adapter 133 Protection against accidental contact 181 air duct connection 134 locking cam 182 transition piece 135 heating register 183 housing connector 135a heating segment 135b silicone insulation 190 Passive supply air/exhaust air valve element 136 protective grid 191 passive housing 137 cross dome 192 spoke wheel 138 locking cam 193 filter fleece

Claims (12)

1. A valve heat element (100) for the controlled delivery and heating of an air flow, comprising

   - a connection housing (110) for mounting in a building wall and for feeding an electrical power cable, and

   - a heat element housing (130) for receiving an electrical heat element (135),

   wherein the connection housing (110) has a conduit (117) separated from the air flow, in which a connection strip (116) is arranged for connection to the power cable,

   wherein a coupling part for the connection of an air duct is located at the connection housing (110),

   and wherein the connection housing (110) can be joined to the heat element housing (130).
2. A valve heat element (100) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   it comprises an adapter (180) for the connection of an air duct to the connection housing (110).
3. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   a connection strip (116) for connection to the power cable is arranged in the connection housing (110), and a pin strip (132) is arranged in the heat element housing (130), which pin strip makes electrical contact with the connection strip when the connection housing and heat element housing are joined together.
4. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the connection housing (110) has at least one pulling claw (120) on its outer circumference, which can be pivoted radially outward and adjusted axially.
5. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the heat element housing (130) has a circular passage for the air flow, in which a non-square, preferably cross-shaped heating register (135) is arranged.
6. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   a heating register (135) is arranged in the heat element housing (130) and has separate connections to at least two different heating segments (135a).
7. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   a heating register (135) is arranged in the heat element housing (130) behind a protective grid (136).
8. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that
   a valve disc (150) is arranged in front of the air outlet on the heat element housing (130), which valve disc (150) is connected to the heat element housing (130) in a distance-variable manner, preferably via a plug-in mechanism having latching steps.
9. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   a decorative collar (160) is arranged around the connection housing (110) and/or the heat element housing (130) and forms the transition to the wall, the decorative collar preferably being arranged on the connection housing and/or on the heat element housing at a variable distance from the wall.
10. A valve heat element (100) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 9,
    characterized by
    an annular gap restrictor (170), which is alignably arranged at the air outlet opening of the heat element housing (130) and prevents the air outlet in certain directions.
11. A valve heat element (100) according to claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the annular gap restrictor (170) is arranged between the air outlet opening of the heat element housing (130) and a valve disc (150).
12. A valve heat element (100, 190) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 11,
    characterized in that
    it comprises a passive housing (191) which can be used instead of the connection housing (110) and/or the heat element housing (130) and allows the flow of air in at least one direction.

Images