FR3019962A1 - ELECTRICAL RADIATOR HAVING MULTIPLE HEATING BLADES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric radiator comprising: - a front panel (1a), - a rear panel (1b) assembled to the front panel (1a), - several electric heating blades (12) arranged parallel to the front panels (1a) and rear (1b), characterized in that: - the front panel (1a) is formed of a first series of modular elements (10a) arranged parallel to said panel, - the rear panel (1b) is formed of a second series of modular elements (10b) arranged parallel to said panel, - each modular element (10a, 10b) has a housing (11) adapted to receive an electric heating blade (12), so that the front panel (1a) and the rear panel (1b) are two independent heating panels.

Description

- 1 - ELECTRIC RADIATOR WITH MULTIPLE HEATING BLADES Description Technical field of the invention.

The invention relates to an electric heater provided with several heating blades. It also relates to a method of mounting such a radiator. It concerns the technical field of electric heaters, especially for domestic use. State of the art

Electric radiators generally consist of a very hot heating core protected by an outer casing which provides thermal insulation as well as additional electrical insulation (class 2). This architecture has the disadvantage of a poor distribution of heat in the outer shell: the bottom of the envelope remains warm while the top becomes too hot. In addition, in case of failure of the heating core, the radiator stops working. Patent FR 2,924,891 (BIURTU) attempts to remedy this by proposing a modular electric radiator comprising a front panel and a rear panel, which panels are both heated. Several electric heating blades are arranged parallel to the front and rear panels. More particularly, the front and rear panels are formed by common sections that are assembled one above the other. A central housing is delimited between each pair of assembled profiles. And each central housing receives a heating blade. Although the distribution of heat is homogenized between the top and the bottom of the panels and the reliability of the assembly is improved, the fact remains that this type of radiator has certain disadvantages. First, the heating blades are used to heat not only the front panel, but also the back panel. Indeed, the heat produced by each heating blade is distributed in the profiles and diffuses to each of the two panels. As a result, the unit power of each heating blade is high. In addition, the configuration of the profiles makes their use relatively restrictive because it is necessary to assemble them in pairs so that they can receive a heating blade. The invention aims to remedy this state of affairs.

In particular, an object of the invention is to provide an electric heater whose power required for heating is reduced compared to that required for heating the radiator described in the patent FR 2,924,891 supra.

Another object of the invention is to provide a radiator whose design is simple and inexpensive. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a radiator whose assembly of the various constituent elements is fast and easy.30 Disclosure of the invention. The solution proposed by the invention is an electric radiator comprising: a front panel; - a rear panel assembled to the front panel; - Several electric heating blades arranged parallel to the front and rear panels. This radiator is remarkable in that: the front panel is formed of a first series of modular elements arranged parallel to said panel, the rear panel is formed of a second series of modular elements arranged parallel to said panel, each modular element has a housing adapted to receive an electric heating blade, so that the front panel and the back panel are two independent heating panels.

For each panel, therefore associates a heating blade to each modular element. The heat produced by each heating blade therefore differs essentially in the modular element in which it is integrated. The unit power of each heating blade necessary for heating the front panel - or the rear panel - is therefore reduced compared to that required for heating the panels of the radiator described in the patent FR 2,924,891 supra. Other advantageous features of the invention are listed below. Each of these features can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable features defined above, which remarkable features are not indispensable as such to the resolution of the technical problems that the features below propose to solve. The following characteristics may therefore, where appropriate, be the subject of divisional patent applications: each of the front and rear panels advantageously comprises profiles on which the modular elements of each series are fixed, the profiles of the front panel being adapted to fit into the profiles of the back panel when said panels are assembled. - The profiles of the front panel and the profiles of the rear panel are preferably configured to form each half of a spacer separating said two panels when assembled. - One can provide at least one protective grid that prevents access to the space between the two panels when assembled. - The profiles of the front panel and the profiles of the rear panel are preferably in the form of chutes or ducts, the central cavity serves as a housing for the bundle of electric wires supplying the heating blades. - Each modular element is advantageously in the form of a chute having an open face over its entire length, the open faces of each series of modular elements facing each other when the panels are assembled. - The back panel may have a thermostat. - The setting and / or sizing of the heating blades may differ according to the altitude of said blades on the panels. In particular, in use, the thermal power dissipated by the heating blades located in the lower part of the panels is preferentially greater than the thermal power dissipated by the heating blades located in the upper part of said panels. Another aspect of the invention relates to a set comprising on the one hand the radiator, and on the other hand a wall support in the form of a backsplash, which backrest comprises: - lugs inserted into the brackets which is provided with the rear panel of the radiator - Locking blades cooperating with the fixing lugs, so as to lock in position said fixing lugs in said lugs. These blades may be in the form of leaf springs hinged between a locking position where they prevent the lugs out of the fastening tabs, and an unlocking position where they allow the lugs to come out of the fastening tabs, and possibly a cradle in which is housed the lower end of the rear panel. Yet another object of the invention relates to a method of mounting a radiator, comprising the following steps: - connect electrical wires to the heating blades before or after having inserted said blades in the modular elements, - positioning side-by-side the front panel and the rear panel, which panels are positioned flat so that the central cavity of their profiles is accessible, - after connecting the electric wires to the heating blades, introduce the bundle of electrical wires into the central cavity of the profiles, assembling the panels by fitting the profiles of the front panel into the profiles of the rear panel and fixing said profiles together.

Description of the figures. Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: FIG. 1 is a front 3/4 perspective view of a radiator according to the invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the radiator according to FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 4 is a sectional view along AA of the modular element and the heating blade according to FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing FIG. the modular element and the heating blade according to FIG. 3, - FIGS. 5a to 5c illustrate various steps for attaching the radiator to its backsplash; FIG. 6 is a 3/4 perspective view showing in detail the assembly of a bracket of the radiator on a lug of the backsplash, - Figures 7a to 7c illustrate the different steps of a method of mounting a radiator according to the invention, - Figure 7d is a schematic sectional view along BB of Figure 7b, FIG. 7e is a diagrammatic sectional view along BB of FIG. 7b, according to an alternative embodiment, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a heating blade, FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the heating blade. of Figure 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention.

The radiator object of the invention is essentially intended to equip rooms of homes or offices to heat them. In Figure 1, a radiator 1 according to the invention comprises two parallel heating panels: a front panel 1a and a rear panel 1b assembled to said front panel. These panels Ia, 1b are flat, but they can be curved. By way of example, their length is about 150 cm, their height about 80 cm and their thickness about 1.5 cm. The two panels 1a, 1b are spaced about 4 cm so that the total thickness of the radiator 1 is about 7 cm. This total thickness of the radiator is particularly reduced in comparison with known radiators of the prior art.

The front panel 1a is formed of a first series of modular elements 10a arranged parallel to said panel. In the same way, the rear panel 1b is formed of a second series of modular elements 10b arranged parallel to said panel.

To optimize the homogenization of the heat between the top and bottom of the panels 1 a, 1 b, the modular elements 10a, 10b are horizontal. They can however be oriented differently, and in particular vertically.

In the accompanying figures, the modular elements 10a, 10b have a length that corresponds to that of the radiator 1 so that they form the front and rear facades. They could however be shorter. For each series, the modular elements 10a, 10b are adjacent to each other or spaced apart by a distance of about 5 mm. This space between the modular elements favors the diffusion of the heat emitted. To simplify design and limit manufacturing costs, the modular elements 10a of the first series and the modular elements 10b of the second series are identical, only their length may vary. Indeed, as shown in Figure 2, some modular elements 10b of the rear panel 1b can be shortened, for example to integrate a thermostat T. We can therefore easily modulate the size of the front panels 1 a and back 1b and therefore their power, by adjusting the number of modular elements.

This modularity of the panels 1 a, 1 b thus offers a great flexibility of design of the electric radiator 1. Referring to Figures 3, 3a and 4, each modular element 10a, 10b has a housing 11 adapted to receive an electric heating blade 12 Each modular element 10a, 10b is therefore individually heated so that the front panel 1a and the back panel 1b are two independent heating panels. The modular element 10a, 10b is preferably an aluminum profile obtained by extrusion or by folding. It is in the form of a chute having a face 110 which is open over its entire length. When the panels 1a, 1b are assembled, the open faces 110 of each series of modular elements 10a, 10b face each other.

More particularly, and as shown in Figure 3a, each modular element 10a, 10b has a U-shaped section defining a housing defined by a bottom 111 and two side walls 112. The heating blade 12 is slid into this housing. The ends of the side walls 112 are provided with lips 113 which prevent the blade 12 from leaving its housing by the open face 110. The caps 114 close the ends of the modular element 10a, 10b, which cover not only prevent the access to the blade 12, but laterally block the latter. Each heating blade 12 is thin and low power, and has a double electrical insulation. It is in the form of a thin blade, flat, rigid or flexible to accommodate modular elements 10a, 10b possibly curved. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a flexible heating blade with bare resistive wire, with double insulation of small thickness, which blade is preferably used for the implementation of the invention. A resistive wire 120 (diameter about 1.5 mm) is wound helically around a sheet of mica 121 thin (about 0.5 mm). The wire 120 is wound at the bottom of teeth 122 cut along the edges of the sheet 121. The latter is sandwiched between two other sheets of mica 123, 124 of the same thickness and the same dimensions. These three sheets 121, 123 and 124 are assembled so that the resistive wire 120 is set back from the edges of said sheets. The heating core thus formed has a simple insulation. Two other sheets of mica 125, 126 of the same thickness and of the same dimensions sandwich the heating core which is positioned in the center to be set back from the edges of said sheets. The heating core has double insulation. The total thickness of the blade 12 is between 5 mm and mm. Holes 130, 131 perforate the sheets 121, 123, 124, 125, 126 so as to assemble them respecting their positioning. To assemble the sheets 121, 123, 124, 125, 126 while preserving the double insulation, it is possible to use metal rivets 140 associated with insulating spacers 141, which spacers electrically isolate said rivets from the inner sheets 121, 123, 124 In an alternative embodiment to overcome the spacers 141, rivets 140 are used insulating material (eg plastic) through the various sheets. The riveted assembly of the various sheets 121, 123, 124, 125, 126 stiffens the assembly and can limit the curvature of the blade 12. To allow sufficient curvature, the holes 131 of the rivets 140 made in the outer sheets 125, 126 are preferentially oblong. The table below illustrates examples of preferred unit power values dissipated by the blades 12 as a function of the total desired power of the radiator 1. Power Heater (Watt) Blade Power (Watt) 1000 40 to 110 1500 60 to 165 2000 80 In the configuration where the modular elements 10a, 10b are horizontal, it may happen that the upper part of the panels 1a, 1b is hotter than their lower part. To remedy this and to further homogenize the temperature on the radiating surface of the panels 1a, 1b, the heating blades 12 can be adjusted and / or dimensioned differently according to their altitude. More particularly, the thermal power dissipated by the heating blades 12 located in the lower part of the panels 1a, 1b is greater than the thermal power dissipated by the heating blades 12 located in the upper part of the panels 1a, 1b. In general, the adjustment and / or sizing of the blades 12 may follow the following law: the higher the altitude of the modular elements 10a, 10b increases, the power dissipated by the heating blades 12 decreases. Referring to FIG. 2, each of the front and rear panels 1b comprises profiles 11a, 11b on which the modular elements 10a, 10b are fixed. In this Figure 2, the modular elements 10a, 10b are horizontal and the profiles 11a, 11b vertical. The profiles 1a of the front panel 1a are adapted to fit into the profiles 11b of the back panel 1b when said panels are assembled. These profiles 11a, 1b are each configured to form half of a spacer 15 separating the two panels 1a, 1b when they are assembled (Figure 7c). A protective grid G is provided at least at the top of the radiator 1 to prevent access to the space separating the two panels 1a, 1b when they are assembled. It is also possible to provide a protective grille G at the bottom of the radiator 1.

In the accompanying figures, the sections 11a, 11b are in the form of troughs or sleeves defining a central cavity. For example, aluminum profiles 11a, 11b obtained by extrusion or bending can be used. In FIG. 7a, each profile 11a, 11b has a U-shaped section defining a housing - or central cavity - delimited by a bottom 101 and by two lateral walls 102. The modular elements 10a, 10b (and in particular their lips 113) are fixed by screwing, welding or hook at the bottom 101 of the profiles 11a, 11b. When the modular elements 10a, 10b are provided with their heating blades 12 and are fixed on the profiles 11a, 11b, it is necessary to connect the electrical supply son 120 to the thermostat T. To simplify this connection and as it appears on the Figure 7d, the central cavity of each section 11a, 11b serves as a housing for the beam of the son 120. The blades 12 are designed so that their electrical connections are located at the holes made in the bottom wall 101 profiles 11a, 11b. It is thus possible to connect electrical wires 120 to the heating blades and to pass these wires through these orifices. The connection of the wires 120 to the heating blades 12 can be performed before (FIG. 7a) or after having inserted said blades into the modular elements 10a, 10b. After connecting the blades 12 of each panel 1a, 1b, the wire bundle 120 is introduced into the central cavity of the sections 11a, 11b. The heating blades 12 of each panel 1a, 1b are supplied with 220 volts. The blades 12 are preferentially divided into groups, which groups are each connected to the mains via the thermostat T. In FIG. 7d, three groups of four blades 12 (two blades belonging to the front panel 1a and two other blades belonging to the rear panel 1 (b) are provided. For each group, connection wires 120c make it possible to connect the blades 12 of the panel 1a to that of the panel 1b. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7e, all the blades are connected in series. This variant offers the advantage of limiting the number of connection wires 120c between the panels 1a and 1b.

After positioning the front panel 1a and the rear panel 1b side by side, and having the blades 12 of the panel 1a connected to that of the panel 1b, it is sufficient to assemble said panels by fitting the sections 11a into the 11b profiles (Figure 7c), and securing said profiles together, for example by screwing or welding. The wire bundle 120, 120c is thus integrated, and perfectly protected, in the central cavity of the spacers 11 formed by the assembly of the sections 11a, 11b. The use of the profiles 11a, 11b makes it possible to quickly and very simply wire the blades 12. Such wiring is particularly easy when the panels 1a, 1b are positioned flat (for example on a table, a workbench, a conveyor , ...) so that the central cavity of their profiles 11a, 11b is accessible. The radiator 1 is intended to be fixed on a vertical wall such as a wall.

This fixing can be done by any appropriate means. However, it is preferred to combine the radiator 1 with a wall support in the form of a backsplash. In FIG. 2, this backsplash 2 has an H-shape. It consists of two vertical uprights 20 connected by a transverse upright 21. These uprights are for example in the form of stainless steel profiles obtained by extrusion or folding and assembled between them by screwing or welding. The backsplash 2 is fixed on a vertical wall by usual techniques, including screwing.

The backsplash 2 is provided with lugs 22. In FIGS. 2 and 6, these lugs 22 are in the form of point blades directed upwards, arranged at the upper end of the uprights 20. These lugs 22 are adapted to be inserted into fastening tabs 122 which is provided with the rear panel 1b of the radiator 1. These attachment tabs 122 are arranged in the upper part of the rear panel 1b. Each tab 122 is provided with a bore in which a stud 22 is housed. Once the backsplash 2 is installed on the wall, the installer only has to present the radiator 1 above said backsplash (FIG. 5a). then to lower it slightly to engage the lugs 22 in the fixing lugs 122 (Figure 5b). The backsplash 2 advantageously comprises in its lower part, a cradle 23 in which is housed the lower end of the rear panel 1b. In FIG. 2, this cradle 23 is in the form of curved blades arranged at the lower end of the uprights 20. The weight of the radiator 1 is thus taken up by the backsplash 2 at this cradle 23. The tilting of the radiator is prevented by engagement of the lugs 22 in the blades 122.

For more security, it is preferable to lock the radiator 1 in position on the backrest 2, so as to prevent the unwanted disassembly of said radiator. To do this, the backsplash 2 is provided with locking blades 14 cooperating with the fixing lugs 122 so as to lock said tabs in position in the lugs 22. In FIGS. 2 and 6, these locking blades 24 are in the form of spring blades form arranged at the upper end of the uprights 20, adjacent the lugs 22. These blades 24 have a slight curvature whose functionality is described below. They are articulated between a locking position (Figures 5c and 6) where they prevent the lugs 22 out of the fixing lugs 122, and an unlocking position (Figure 5a) where they allow said lugs to exit said lugs. The use of curved spring blades 24 is particularly advantageous. Indeed, during the installation of the radiator 1 on the backrest, the fastening tabs 122 will come into contact with the blades 24, at their curvature 240. The sliding of the tabs 122 on the curved portion 240 of the blades 24, has the effect of pushing said blades back (Figure 5b), allowing insertion of the lugs 22 into said tabs. As clearly shown in Figure 6, the blade 24 has, under the curved portion 240, a notch 241. When the tabs 122 reach the notch 241, the spring effect of the blade 24 automatically returns the latter in the locking position. The tab 24 is locked in position in this notch 241, thereby preventing disassembly of the radiator 1. To remove the radiator 1 of the backrest 2, simply push the blades 24 manually backwards and simultaneously up. The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any case, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular: the modular elements may have a closed section, for example a rectangular section. The heating blades 12 described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 can be integrated into any other type of radiator, for example, towel rail radiators with fixed or moving bars. - The modular elements 10a, 10b can be vertical and the profiles 11a, 11b horizontal. - The profiles 11a, 11b do not necessarily have a U-shaped section. They may for example have a C-section and / or be in the form of a cylindrical sheath having a longitudinal slot, which slot allows access to the cavity central of said sheath. - Backsplash 2 does not necessarily have a shape H. It may include more vertical uprights and / or cross. It can also be in the form of a plate. - The radiator 1 lock on the backrest 2 can be made with locking screws.

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. Electric radiator comprising: a front panel (1a), a rear panel (1b) assembled to the front panel (1a), a plurality of electric heating blades (12) arranged parallel to the front (1a) and rear (1b) panels, characterized in that that: - the front panel (1a) is formed of a first series of modular elements (10a) arranged parallel to said panel, - the rear panel (1b) is formed of a second series of modular elements (10b) arranged parallel to said panel, - each modular element (10a, 10b) has a housing (11) adapted to receive an electric heating blade (12), so that the front panel (1a) and the rear panel (1b) are two panels independent heaters. 2. Radiator according to claim 1, wherein each of the front panels (1a) and rear (1b) comprises profiles (11a, 11b) on which are fixed the modular elements (10a, 10b) of each series, the profiles (11a) of the front panel (1a) being adapted to fit into the profiles (11b) of the rear panel (1b) when said panels are assembled. 3. Radiator according to claim 2, wherein the profiles (11a) of the front panel (1a) and the profiles (11b) of the rear panel (1b) are configured to form each half of a spacer (15) separating the two said panels when assembled.-16- 4. Radiator according to claim 3, wherein at least one protective grid (G) prevents access to the space separating the two panels (1a, 1b) when they are assembled. 5. Radiator according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the profiles (11a) of the front panel (1a) and the profiles (11b) of the rear panel (1b) are in the form of chutes or sleeves, whose central cavity serves as a housing for the bundle of electrical supply wires (120) of the heating blades (12). 6. Radiator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each modular element (10a, 10b) is in the form of a chute having an open face (110) along its entire length, the open faces (110) of each series of modular elements (10a, 10b) facing each other when the panels (1a, 1b) are assembled. 7. Radiator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear panel (1b) comprises a thermostat (T). 8. Radiator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment and / or dimensioning of the heating blades (12) differ according to the altitude of said blades on the panels (1a, 1b). 9. Radiator according to claim 8, wherein in use, the thermal power dissipated by the heating blades (12) located in the lower part of the panels (1a, 1b) is greater than the thermal power dissipated by the heating blades ( 12) located in the upper part of said panels. 10. An assembly comprising firstly the radiator (1) according to claim 1, and secondly a wall support (2) in the form of a backsplash, which backrest comprises: -17- - lugs ( 22) inserted into the fixing lugs (122) provided with the rear panel (1b) of the radiator (1), - locking blades (24) cooperating with the fixing lugs (122), so as to blocking said fixing lugs in position in the lugs (22). 5 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the locking blades (24) are in the form of leaf springs articulated between a locking position where they prevent the lugs (22) out of the fastening tabs (122), and an unlocking position where they allow said pins 10 out of said brackets. 12. An assembly according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the backsplash (2) has in its lower part, a cradle (23) in which is housed the lower end of the rear panel (1b). 15 13. A method of mounting a radiator (1) according to claim 5, comprising the following steps: - connect electrical son (120) to the heating blades (12) before or after inserting said blades in the modular elements (10a, 10b), 20 - positioning side-by-side the front panel (1a) and the rear panel (1b), which panels are positioned flat so that the central cavity of their profiles (11a, 11b) is accessible, - after connecting the electrical wires (120) to the heating blades (12), introduce the bundle of electrical wires (120) in the central cavity of the profiles (11a, 11b), - assembling the panels (1a, 1b) by fitting the profiles (11a) of the front panel (1a) in the profiles (11b) of the rear panel (1b) and by joining said profiles together. 30