EP4613944A1

EP4613944A1 - Distribution device for plumbing and a plumbing system for distributing hot and cold fluid

Info

Publication number: EP4613944A1
Application number: EP24162215.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adam Platt
Original assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
Current assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
Priority date: 2024-03-08
Filing date: 2024-03-08
Publication date: 2025-09-10
Also published as: WO2025186248A1; WO2025186248A8

Abstract

A distribution device (1) for plumbing, comprising a hot side (10) and a cold side (20), wherein
the hot side comprises
- a hot inlet (11) for receiving hot fluid inside the distribution device, and
- at least one hot outlet (12a, 12b,...) arranged to be connected to hot fluid lines for distributing hot fluid to different locations,

and the cold side comprises
- a cold inlet (21) for receiving cold fluid inside the distribution device, and
- at least one cold outlet (22a, 22b,...) arranged to be connected to cold fluid lines for distributing cold fluid to different locations,

wherein the distribution device has a one-piece structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to distributing devices for plumbing and plumbing systems for distributing hot and cold fluids.

BACKGROUND

In plumbing systems, fluids (e.g. water) are distributed to different locations for different purposes, e.g. for tap, shower, toilet etc. One known way to deliver the fluids to the different locations is to use distribution devices such as manifolds, multi-port tees, elbows, or fittings, which typically comprise one inlet for connecting the distribution device to a main fluid line and one or more outlets for distributing the fluid to separate fluid lines. When hot and cold water supply is provided, the plumbing system comprises separate lines and distribution devices for hot fluid and cold fluid.

SUMMARY

The objective of the device is to provide a simple distribution device.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a distribution device for plumbing, comprising a hot side and a cold side, wherein the hot side comprises a hot inlet for receiving hot fluid inside the distribution device, and at least one hot outlet arranged to be connected to hot fluid lines for distributing hot fluid to different locations. The cold side comprises a cold inlet for receiving cold fluid inside the distribution device, and at least one cold outlet arranged to be connected to cold fluid lines for distributing cold fluid to different locations. The distribution device has a one-piece structure.
The advantage of the device is that one part may be used in plumbing installations wherein hot and cold fluid distribution is needed.
In an embodiment of the device, the hot side and the cold side are separated by a wall section comprising at least one wall.
In an embodiment of the device, the wall section comprises a thermal insulating layer.
In an embodiment of the device, the wall section comprises two walls and a space between the walls, wherein the thermal insulating layer is arranged inside the space.
In an embodiment of the device, the wall section comprises mounting means for fastening the distribution device to a structure.
In an embodiment of the device, the mounting means comprises at least one hole arranged through the wall section for fastening the distribution device to a structure by a screw.
In an embodiment of the device, the mounting means comprises a mounting surface for receiving a clamping ring or a bracket.
In an embodiment of the device, the hot side comprises a first pipe section having a longitudinal direction, wherein the hot inlet is at a first end of the first pipe section, and the cold side comprises a second pipe section having a longitudinal direction, wherein the cold inlet is at a first end of the second pipe section.
In an embodiment of the device, the wall section is between the first pipe section and the second pipe section.
In an embodiment of the device, the hot outlets are connected to the first pipe section via hot outlet pipe sections extending in direction that differs from the longitudinal direction of the first pipe section, and the cold outlets are connected to the second pipe section via cold outlet pipe sections extending in direction that differs from the longitudinal direction of the second pipe section.
In an embodiment of the device, the hot outlet pipe sections and the cold outlet pipe sections extend in the same direction.
In an embodiment of the device, the first pipe section and the second pipe section are arranged coaxially next to each other.
In an embodiment of the device, the first pipe section and the second pipe section are parallel to each other.
According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a plumbing system for distributing hot and cold fluid, which system comprises at least one distribution device according to any one of preceding claims, a fluid line for each hot outlet, a fluid line for each cold outlet, and connection means for connecting the fluid lines to the distribution device.
In an embodiment of the device, the connection means comprises a clamping ring for each fluid line, and the fluid lines and the clamping rings are made of cross-linked polyolefin having memory properties, wherein each fluid line has been connected to one outlet by reversibly expanding co-jointly the fluid line end and the clamping ring and firmly and sealingly shrunk to the outlet by back shrinkage.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the invention described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figs. 1 to 7 show example embodiments of a distribution device for plumbing, which distribution device comprises different number of hot outlets and cold outlet so that the hot side and the cold side are arranged coaxially next to each to other,
Figs. 8 to 10 show example embodiments of the wall section between the hot side and the cold side, and
Fig. 11 shows an example embodiment of the distribution system for plumbing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A distribution device for plumbing is a part that can distribute fluid, such as water, from one main fluid line to one or more fluid lines depending on the number of locations where the fluid is distributed in a building. The distribution devices described herein comprise a hot side and a cold side in a one-piece structure. The hot side comprises a hot inlet for receiving hot fluid inside the distribution device, and at least one hot outlet arranged to be connected to hot fluid lines for distributing hot fluid to different locations. The cold side comprises a cold inlet for receiving cold fluid inside the distribution device, and at least one cold outlet arranged to be connected to cold fluid lines for distributing cold fluid to different locations. The figures show different example embodiments of the distribution device.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a distribution device 1 having a one-piece structure comprising a hot side and a cold side 20. The hot side comprises a hot inlet 11 for connecting the distribution device 1 to a hot fluid line for receiving hot fluid into the device, and one hot outlet 12a for connecting the distribution device 1 to a fluid line for distributing the hot fluid to different location. The cold side 20 comprises a cold inlet 21 for connecting the distribution device 1 to a cold fluid line for receiving cold fluid into the device, and one cold outlet 22a for connecting the distribution device 1 to a fluid line for distributing the cold fluid to different location.
Figure 2 shows the distribution device 1 of figure 1 with additional dashed lines illustrating the (hidden) internal parts. In addition to figure 1, figure 2 shows a wall section 30 between the hot side 10 and the cold side 20. Further, the hot side 10 comprises a first pipe section 13 having a longitudinal direction, and the hot inlet 11 is at a first end of the first pipe section 13. The cold side 20 comprises a second pipe section 23 having a longitudinal direction, and the cold inlet 21 is at a first end of the second pipe section 23. The wall section 30 comprises a wall for separating the hot side and the cold side 20 so that the wall is between the first pipe section 13 of the hot side 10 and the second pipe section 23 of the cold side 20.
Figure 3 shows a side view of a distribution device 1 having a one-piece structure comprising a hot side 10 and a cold side 20. The hot side 10 comprises a hot inlet 11 for connecting the distribution device 1 to a hot fluid line for receiving hot fluid into the device, and one hot outlet 12a for connecting the distribution device 1 to a fluid line for distributing the hot fluid to different location. The cold side 20 comprises a cold inlet 21 for connecting the distribution device 1 to a cold fluid line for receiving cold fluid into the device, and two cold outlet 22a, 22b for connecting the distribution device 1 to two fluid lines for distributing the cold fluid to different locations.
Figure 4 shows the distribution device 1 of figure 3 with additional dashed lines illustrating the (hidden) internal parts. In addition to figure 1, figure 2 shows a wall section 30 between the hot side 10 and the cold side 20. Further, the hot side 10 comprises a first pipe section 13 having a longitudinal direction, and the hot inlet 11 is at a first end of the first pipe section 13. The cold side 20 comprises a second pipe section 23 having a longitudinal direction, and the cold inlet 21 is at a first end of the second pipe section 23. The wall section 30 comprises a wall for separating the hot side 10 and the cold side 20 so that the wall is between the first pipe section 13 of the hot side 10 and the second pipe section 23 of the cold side 20.
Figure 5 shows a similar distribution device 1 as in figures 2 to 4 with additional hot outlet, i.e. the distribution device 1 comprises two hot outlets 12a, 12b and two cold outlets 22a, 22b.
Figure 6 shows a similar distribution device 1 as in figures 3 to 4 with additional cold outlet, i.e. the distribution device 1 comprises two hot outlets 12a, 12b and three cold outlets 22a, 22b, 23c.
In an embodiment, at least one of the first end of the first pipe section and the first end of the second pipe section may comprise an angled pipe section, i.e. an elbow section, and the hot inlet and/or cold inlet is arranged at the end of the angled pipe section. For example, the angled pipe section may comprise 90-, 60- or 30-degree turn. Figure 7 shows an example embodiment, wherein hot side 10 and the cold side 20 comprises angled pipe sections at the end of the first end of the first pipe section 13 and the first end of the second pipe section 23. The angled pipe sections have 90 degree turns. Angled pipe sections may be applied to any one of the example embodiments described herein.
In example embodiments shown in figures 1 to 7, the hot side 10 and the cold side 20 are arranged so that the first pipe section 13 and the second pipe section 23 are arranged next to each other so that the first pipe section 13 and the second pipe section 23 are arranged coaxially next to each other.
In another example embodiment, the hot side 10 and the cold side 20 may be arranged next to each other so that the first pipe section 13 and the second pipe section 23 are arranged parallel to each other. Thus, the hot inlet 11 and the cold inlet 21 may be positioned next to each other or, optionally, they may be positioned on opposite ends of the distribution device. Further, the wall section 30 is between the hot side 10 and the cold side 20 so that the wall section extends in longitudinal direction of the first pipe section 13 and the second pipe section 23.
The hot outlets 12a, 12b,... may be connected to the first pipe section 13 via hot outlet pipe sections 14a, 14b,... extending in direction that differs from the longitudinal direction of the first pipe section 13. In figures 1 to 7, the hot outlet pipe sections are perpendicular to the first pipe section and extend downwards.
The cold outlets 22a, 22b,... may be connected to the second pipe section 23 via cold outlet pipe sections 24a, 24b,... extending in direction that differs from the longitudinal direction of the second pipe section 23. In figures 1 to 7, the cold outlet pipe sections are perpendicular to the first pipe section and extend downwards .
The hot outlet pipe sections 14a, 14b,... and/or the cold outlet pipe sections 24a, 24b,... may be inclined in relation to the first and second pipe sections respectfully. Optionally, the hot outlet pipe sections extend in different direction than the cold outlet pipe sections, e.g. hot outlet pipe sections extend upwards and cold outlet pipe sections extend downwards or vice versa. Optionally, at least one of the hot outlet pipe sections extends in a different direction than other hot outlet pipe sections. Optionally, at least one of the cold outlet pipe sections extends in a different direction than other cold outlet pipe sections.
Figures 8 to 10 show example embodiments of the wall section. Figure 8 shows an example embodiment wherein the wall section comprises a wall 31a between the first pipe section 13 and the second pipe section 23. Thickness of the wall section and/or the wall may vary. Figure 9 shows an example embodiment wherein the wall section 30 comprises two walls 31a, 32b and a space 32 between the walls. The space may be filled with air which acts as a thermal insulating layer. Figure 10 shows an example embodiment like in figure 9 but the thermal insulation layer 33 inside the space 32 comprises solid thermal insulation material. The thermal insulation material may be for example fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, polyurethane foam, or polystyrene (such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS)). It should be noted that any example embodiment of the wall section may be implemented to any one of the example embodiments shown in figures 1 to 7.
The wall section between the hot side 10 and the cold side 20 may comprise mounting means for fastening the distribution device 1 to a structure, such as a wall of a building. For example, the mounting means may comprise a hole or holes 40a, 40b,... that are arranged through the wall section, and the distribution device 1 is fastened to the structure by inserting screw(s) through the hole (s) . The hole or holes 40a, 40b,... are provided in perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe section 13 and the second pipe section 23. Figures 1 to 7 show example embodiments wherein the mounting means comprises two holes 40a, 40b through the wall section 30. Optionally, the mounting means may comprise an outer surface that is arranged to receive fastening means such as a clamping ring or bracket, which is fastened to the structure. It should be noted that the optional mounting means described herein may be implemented to any one of the example embodiments shown in figures 1 to 7.
The distribution devices as described herein may be used for example in a plumbing system for distributing hot and cold fluid. Such plumbing system comprises at least one distribution device, a hot fluid line for each hot outlet, a cold fluid line for each cold outlet, and connection means for connecting the fluid lines to the distribution device. The connection means may comprise a clamping ring for each fluid line, and the fluid lines and the clamping rings are made for example of cross-linked polyolefin PEX or any other cross-linked polyolefin having memory properties. Each fluid line is connected to one outlet by reversibly expanding co-jointly the fluid line end and the clamping ring and firmly and sealingly shrunk to the outlet by back shrinkage. The clamping ring may be elastic.
The outlet pipe section may comprise at least one radially projecting flange and the end of the outlet pipe section may have an outer diameter which exceeds the inner diameter of the unexpanded fluid pipe. In its relaxed state, the clamping ring has an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the unexpanded pipe. When establishing the connection of the fluid pipe and the distribution device, the end of the fluid pipe and the surrounding clamping ring are expanded simultaneously, and they are inserted over the outlet pipe section of the distribution device. The end of the fluid pipe and the clamping ring shrunk or contract automatically so as to obtain a sealing contact between the inner surface of the fluid pipe and the flange of the outlet pipe section. The sealing contact is also obtained between the inner surface of the fluid pipe and the outer surface of the outlet pipe section.
Figure 11 shows an example embodiment of the distribution system for plumbing. The system comprises a distribution device 1 as shown in figure 3 and 4, i.e. with two cold outlets and one hot outlet. The hot and cold outlets are connected to fluid lines 50a, 50b,... for distributing fluid to different locations. In figure 11, the middle outlet, i.e. cold outlet 22a, is not connected to any fluid line for showing the structure of an outlet. The fluid lines 50a, 50b, have been connected to the outlets with clamping rings 51a, 51b,... as described above.
Although the invention has been the described in conjunction with a certain type of device, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any certain type of device. While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.

Claims

A distribution device (1) for plumbing, comprising a hot side (10) and a cold side (20), wherein
the hot side comprises
- a hot inlet (11) for receiving hot fluid inside the distribution device, and

- at least one hot outlet (12a, 12b,...) arranged to be connected to hot fluid lines for distributing hot fluid to different locations,

and the cold side comprises
- a cold inlet (21) for receiving cold fluid inside the distribution device, and

- at least one cold outlet (22a, 22b,...) arranged to be connected to cold fluid lines for distributing cold fluid to different locations,

characterized in that the distribution device has a one-piece structure.
The distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the hot side (10) and the cold side (20) are separated by a wall section (30) comprising at least one wall (31a, 31b,...).
The distribution device according to claim 2, wherein the wall section (30) comprises a thermal insulating layer.
The distribution device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the wall section (30) comprises two walls (31a, 31b) and a space (32) between the walls, wherein the thermal insulating layer (33) is arranged inside the space.
The distribution device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the wall section (30) comprises mounting means for fastening the distribution device to a structure.
The distribution device according to claim 5, wherein the mounting means comprises at least one hole (40a, 40b,...) arranged through the wall section (30) for fastening the distribution device to a structure by a screw.
The distribution device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting surface for receiving a clamping ring or a bracket.
The distribution device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein
- the hot side (10) comprises a first pipe section (13) having a longitudinal direction, wherein the hot inlet (11) is at a first end of the first pipe section (13), and

- the cold side (20) comprises a second pipe section (23) having a longitudinal direction, wherein the cold inlet (21) is at a first end of the second pipe section (23) .
The distribution device according to claim 8, wherein the wall section (30) is between the first pipe section (13) and the second pipe section (23).
The distribution device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
- the hot outlets (12a, 12b,...) are connected to the first pipe section (13) via hot outlet pipe sections (14a, 14b,...) extending in direction that differs from the longitudinal direction of the first pipe section (13),
and

- the cold outlets (22a, 22b,...) are connected to the second pipe section (23) via cold outlet pipe sections (24a, 24b,...) extending in direction that differs from the longitudinal direction of the second pipe section (23) .
The distribution device according to claim 10, wherein the hot outlet pipe sections (14a, 14b,...) and the cold outlet pipe sections (24a, 24b,...) extend in the same direction.
The distribution device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first pipe section (13) and the second pipe section (23) are arranged coaxially next to each other.
The distribution device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first pipe section (13) and the second pipe section (24) are parallel to each other.
A plumbing system for distributing hot and cold fluid, which system comprises at least one distribution device (1) according to any one of preceding claims, a fluid line (50a, 50b,...) for each hot outlet (12a, 12b,...), a fluid line (50a, 50b,...) for each cold outlet (22a, 22b,...), and connection means for connecting the fluid lines to the distribution device.
The plumbing system according to claim 14, wherein the connection means comprises a clamping ring (51a, 51b,...) for each fluid line (50a, 50b,...), and the fluid lines and the clamping rings are made of cross-linked polyolefin having memory properties, wherein each fluid line has been connected to one outlet by reversibly expanding co-jointly the fluid line end and the clamping ring and firmly and sealingly shrunk to the outlet by back shrinkage.