FR3061267A1 - ELECTRIC HEATING DOOR - Google Patents

Abstract

This heating door (1) comprises a door leaf (62), an electric heating system (7), a movable hinge (30) vis-à-vis a fixed hinge (20), the latter being adapted to be installed on a support such as a door frame (61) or a wall. The movable hinge has first electrical connection means (3, 31, 32, 33) The fixed hinge has second electrical connection means (2, 21, 22, 23) adapted to cooperate with the first electrical connection means. Said electrical connection means are provided for connecting at least two separate electrical conductors.

Description

Holder (s):

O Extension request (s):

Applicant (s): ZCD Simplified joint stock company - FR.

ZANNETTACCI PIERRE.

ZCD Simplified joint-stock company.

® Agent (s): CABINET PLASSERAUD.

® ELECTRIC HEATING DOOR.

@) This heated door (1) comprises a door leaf (62), an electric heating system (7), a movable hinge (30) with respect to a fixed hinge (20), the latter being suitable to be installed on a support such as a door frame (61) or a wall.

The mobile hinge has first electrical connection means (3, 31, 32, 33)

The fixed hinge has second electrical connection means (2, 21, 22, 23) capable of cooperating with the first electrical connection means.

Said electrical connection means are provided to ensure the connection of at least two separate electrical conductors.

The present invention relates to an electric heated door.

Such a door is intended for heating all types of premises, such as individual dwellings, offices, premises for commercial use, etc. .

It is common to use electric heating devices, such as electric convectors, inertia radiators, radiant panels or storage radiators to heat inhabited surfaces. These technologies are recognized for their simplicity of use and operation, but the aesthetic appearance and the bulk of such systems remain their weak points.

It has been proposed to reduce the size of such systems, in particular by creating heated doors, as described for example in document WO98 / 12483. These heated doors provide for integrating a heating device in a door and thus make it possible to reduce the size of conventional heating systems since the heating means are integrated into an existing element and are therefore no longer a specific element coming to take its place. in a room.

In the heated door illustrated in this document of the prior art, the supply of electrical energy necessary for the heating system integrated in the door passes through a flexible sheath which risks tearing and then no longer ensuring optimal protection against -vis users. In fact, regular and alternating twists and / or friction on the flexible sheath when the door is opened and closed contributes to the fatigue and aging of the sheath and can also exert stress on electrical contacts linked to electrical conductors. housed in the flexible sheath then causing a risk of degradation of these contacts.

Furthermore, the use of such a sheath requires an electrical disconnection operation in the event of removal of the door for any intervention on the latter or on its environment. If you forget to disconnect the sheath when the door is removed, the electrical connection may be damaged.

The present invention therefore aims to provide an electric heating door with a secure power supply. The door supply system according to the invention will also be reliable and resistant to a large number of door openings and closings.

To this end, the present invention provides a heated door comprising a door leaf, an electric heating system, a movable hinge with respect to a fixed hinge, the latter being able to be installed on a support such as a door frame or wall.

According to the present invention, it is proposed that the movable hinge has first electrical connection means, that the fixed hinge has second electrical connection means capable of cooperating with the first electrical connection means, and that said electrical connection means are designed to ensure the connection of at least two separate electrical conductors.

This arrangement of the electrical connection means allows better integration of the electrical supply, while ensuring optimal protection for users and when installing / removing the door.

The invention is advantageously supplemented by one and / or the other of the following options:

- The first and / or second electrical connection means have an axis of revolution and are arranged coaxially. Such an arrangement allows the production of a more compact electrical connection or connection system, capable of discreetly and effectively replacing the conventional hinges for doors known to those skilled in the art.

the fixed hinge is a hinge of the male type and the movable hinge is a hinge of the female type, the projecting part of the hinge of the male type being made of an insulating material and the means of electrical connection of this hinge being arranged inside of said projecting part. This arrangement of the male hinge, unlike conventional hinges, ensures maximum protection of the electrical contacts for the users, since these are, on the male hinge, internal to the protruding part made of insulating materials from the male hinge

- The means of electrical connection of a fixed hinge and a movable hinge comprise at least one central electrical contact and a peripheral electrical contact. This connection architecture allows the electrical connection to be made, regardless of the angular position of the door.

- The electrical connection means further comprise a central contactor intended to cooperate with the central electrical contact and a finger resiliently movable in a radial direction and intended to cooperate with the peripheral electrical contact. Having a radially movable contact ensures that you always have good electrical contact.

- the heated door has a retractable element, carried by the movable hinge; the retractable element is movable between an extended position and a retracted position and prestressed in the extended position; said retractable element controls an electric switch so that the switch is in the open position when the retractable element is in the extended position and is in the closed position when the retractable element is in the extended position, said switch cuts off the electrical supply of the heated door when the retractable element is in the extended position, and the retractable element is in the retracted position when the movable hinge is mounted on the fixed hinge. The use of such a retractable element, on the movable hinge, makes it possible to avoid the appearance of electric arcs, in the event of the door being removed from its support, when the latter is energized. The retractable element has a length less than the length of the electrical contacts, in order to ensure the electrical cut-off, even in the event of partial dismantling of the door. The direction of movement of the retractable element is for example parallel to the axis of rotation of the door.

- the door leaf has interstices favoring the natural convection of the air circulating inside the door. Such interstices allow natural circulation of air in the room, through the heating system, making it possible not to heat only the air circulating in the internal space formed by the door.

- a ventilation system is installed inside the door, allowing forced air convection in the door. The integration of a ventilation system in the heated door allows faster air circulation through the heating system, in order to ensure a better heat exchange between the heating and the ambient air to be heated.

- The gaps are preferably made at the level of the electric heating system and at the bottom of the door. Such an arrangement of the interstices allows a more natural and radiant heating, avoiding the cold zones, since the heat lighter than the cold rises in the room to be heated.

- the electric heating system consists of a resistor, and preferably the electrical resistance of a heating film. The use of a heating film makes it possible to have the most compact heating system possible inside the door.

- the door is provided with an elastic return system so as to close the door automatically, and the elastic system is a spring integrated into a hinge other than a fixed hinge or a movable hinge provided with electrical connection means. The integration of such a spring between the door and its support ensures an automatic closing of the door making it possible to avoid any loss of heat in the room to be heated.

- a power regulation system is installed on the door or its environment and is capable of regulating the power supplied to the electric heating system of the door. The implementation of a power regulation system on the door or its support makes it possible to adjust the power supplied to the heating system, and therefore the heat released by the latter. This power regulation system can be an electromechanical thermostat or an electronic thermostat. These can be controlled manually by the user or controlled remotely, by internet or not wifi for example.

The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given by way of illustration, with reference to the appended figures, presented by way of nonlimiting examples. , which can be used to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

• Figure 1 is a general view of a heated door according to the present invention, • Figure 2 shows a horizontal sectional view of the heated door of Figure 1, • Figure 3 shows according to a first embodiment of the means of connection of the female hinge, at the top, and means of connection of a male hinge, at the bottom, • Figure 4 represents the means of connection of the male hinge and the means of connection of the female hinge assembled, • Figure 5 represents a door provided with interstices for the circulation of air, • Figure 6 shows according to a second embodiment an electrical connection system with a hinge provided with connection means arranged along the axis of the hinge.

The illustrative figures represent preferred embodiments of the invention which are merely illustrative and should not be limiting.

Figure 1 is a representative view of a heated door 1, comprising a door leaf 62 held in place on a support ('dormant') such as a door frame 61 or a wall using at least a set of hinges 4. Such a set of hinges 4 comprises a fixed hinge 20 and a movable hinge 30 mounted generally above the fixed hinge, the fixed and mobile hinges cooperating together in a manner which will be discussed in detail below. A configuration with two sets of hinges has been illustrated, but there may be three or more sets of hinges, some as described in the present description and others conventional without electrical connection.

The rigid door leaf 62 of rectangular shape has flat surfaces 5, 5 ', 5, 5' made of insulating material such as wood and forming an internal space 6 in which a heating system, such as a resistor or a film, is arranged. heater 7, electrically connected to an energy source 8, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The door is movable in rotation along an axis Z, substantially vertical. A handle 9, optional, allows the user an easy grip for the opening and / or closing of said door.

In FIG. 2, there are also elements internal to the door, in particular the heating film 7 as well as an insulating element 10, composed for example of rock wool, and an aluminum reflector 11, for diffusing the heat. emitted by the heating film. The rock wool of the insulating element is placed on the side where the heat must not be diffused, in order to thermally insulate the space outside this side of the door; the reflector is arranged on the insulating element, on the side where it is desired to diffuse the heat.

The heating film 7 is placed on a support 12, such as a calcium silicate plate, so as not to be in direct contact with the door. For added protection, the heating film can also be incorporated between two insulating plates, such as calcium silicate, in order to avoid any risk of burns for the user in the event of a hole or perforation in the heated door.

Heating films are well known to those skilled in the art, and are composed of a heating resistor of resistive tracks etched in an integrated metal sheet and protected from humidity between two insulating sheets having good thermal and mechanical resistance. In the rest of the invention, the term "resistance" will be used to define the electrical element capable of heating the air.

The electrical continuity between the resistor and the energy source, upstream of the door is made at a pair of hinges.

According to a first embodiment, (FIGS. 1 to 5) the fixed hinge (integral with the frame or standing ’) is of the male type while the mobile hinge is of the female type, in a similar manner to a conventional mounting of a door.

Electricity arrives on the fixed male hinge 20 of the door. The male hinge comprises three electrical contacts 21, 22, 23, in order to allow the transmission of the phase, the neutral and the earth, a regulation which may be internal to the door leaf 62.

To protect people who may come into contact with the door, the male hinge is made of a non-conductive insulating material such as a synthetic material, preferably a synthetic material of the "high electrical performance" type.

The various electrical contacts are coaxial along the Z axis, and close to the base of the hinge, opposite the projecting part.

Preferably, the male hinge will have a diameter D of between 15mm and

40mm, and the protruding part will be between 5mm and 50mm long.

In this example, the phase 21 is in the central part, the neutral 22 is wired on an internal ring, and finally, the earth 23 is on an external ring, these three electrical contact elements being collectively called "first means of electrical connection" and referenced 2.

The distribution of these different electrical poles can be different from this example.

The male electrical connector of the central part consists of a simple contactor, mounted on a support recalled upwards, not shown in the figures. The electrical connectors on the different rings are produced by metallic radial projections extending outwards, also called flexible connection fingers.

The movable hinge 30 female has three electrical contacts 31, 32, 33 complementary to the flexible fingers for connecting the male hinge in order to ensure electrical continuity, as shown in FIG. 4. The various electrical contacts are arranged in a circular and concentric manner according to the Z axis. These three electrical contacts are collectively called "second electrical connection means" and referenced 3.

Such an arrangement of the electrical contacts allows a nesting of the male and female hinges, between them, and optimal cooperation of the electrical contacts of the male hinge, with the electrical contacts of the female hinge, as shown in FIG. 4. The male hinge and the female hinge thus nested allow the electrical continuity of the whole.

In the event of intervention on the door, such a configuration makes it possible not to have to manage a possible additional electrical connection, and allows a disengaging in complete safety for the user since no live element is accessible directly on the hinge fixed. For its part, as soon as the nesting is started, the leaf and the movable hinge are no longer under tension (the electrical contacts no longer touch the flexible connection fingers, and / or the retractable element serving as a circuit breaker cuts the voltage door).

In addition, as part of a door unhooking, a retractable element is inserted, serving as a circuit breaker, on the fixed hinge. This retractable element is normally expanding. When the male hinge is associated with the female hinge, the female hinge comes to bear on this retractable element to bring it into the engaged position. When the retractable element is in the engaged position, it allows current continuity between the current source and the resistance of the heated door. When the retractable element is in the expansion position, it cuts the electrical continuity of the assembly, thus avoiding any circular arc in the event of the heated door being lifted if the latter is energized.

The invention also makes it possible to produce the door with such hinges, associated with conventional door hinges, since only one hinge as described is necessary in order to ensure the electrical continuity essential for the electrical supply of the element of heater. Good mechanical strength can therefore be supplemented by conventional hinges known to those skilled in the art.

In another alternative embodiment, two of the electrical contacts can be used, instead of the phase and the neutral, to transmit a controlled power to the heating element in order to adjust the intensity. The variation of the intensity of the heating element, can be achieved, for example, using a potentiometer, ensures a thermal control of the latter. To this end, the control signals can, for example, reflect a variation in the electrical power transmitted to the heating element.

In an alternative embodiment, the electrical contacts can be used to transmit low power signals in order to supply electricity to elements which could be incorporated in the door, such as lighting, or to transmit data, in the frame of a connected heated door, the heating module of which can be controlled remotely. In another alternative embodiment, for example in LV low voltage control, the earth connection would be superfluous and one could be satisfied with two electrical connections transmitted through the hinges.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the fixed hinge is of the female type while the mobile hinge is of the male type, in reverse to a conventional assembly. Electricity therefore arrives on the female hinge.

Between the fixed hinge and the movable hinge is interposed a washer 45, as known per se in hinge assemblies, which transmits the weight of the leaf to the frame, and which can optionally be used as a reduced friction element which limits the risks of noisy.

In the fixed female hinge, there are three flexible connection fingers, the first two 21, 22 preferably being arranged in a substantially diametrically opposite position and offset in height along the axis Z.

On the side of the male hinge, the electrical connection means are arranged one after the other, along the axis of rotation Z of the hinge, in the form of rings, each one being connected to a wire. The two rings marked 31, 32 are isolated from the hinge rod and isolated from each other by an insulating sleeve 42. The latter is housed in a wide groove 41 near the end of the male hinge rod. In this insulating sleeve 42, two small spaced annular grooves are provided in which the rings 31, 32 are installed.

For the protective connection (earth) it is considered that the body of the rod 33 of the hinge forms the protective conductor. Thus, the external part of the male hinge which can be touched by people is at zero potential.

The male hinge attached to the leaf comprises electrical connection means (called ‘first means’ 2) configured to cooperate with the connection means of the female hinge (called ‘second means’ 3). Each of the rings 31, 32 is respectively connected to a conductive wire 44; the conducting wires 44 in question run through a central bore 48 and radial bores 49. The conducting wires 44 lead to the electric heating device 7.

On the side of the female hinge, each of the three flexible connection fingers 21, 22, 23 each comprises a contact element 40, preferably partially hemispherical, installed in a housing 47, and returned towards the central axis by a spring 46 The shape of the housing 47 prevents the contact element from entirely leaving the housing; a certain catch up stroke is allowed. A conductive wire 74 is connected to each contact element 40. The conductive wires are connected to the energy source 8 or to a control device as the case may be.

For each electrical connection, the contact element 40, the housing 47 and the conductive wire 74 can be located in an internal groove 81 which opens towards the inside of the bore of the female hinge and which extends axially downwards. (as illustrated for the first contact 21).

Advantageously, the three internal grooves 81 are at positions angularly offset around the axis Z, for example two diametrical positions for the contacts 21, 22 and an angular position between for the protective contact.

The arrangement of each flexible connection finger is similar. The flexible finger 23 which transmits the protective link is located high enough in the female hinge. The other two 21,22 are arranged opposite the electrical contact rings 31, 32 mentioned above, below, near the end of the male hinge rod.

As already mentioned above, the protective link implementing the flexible finger 23 can be considered optional.

In the example illustrated, the male hinge has a diameter D of between 15mm and 40mm, preferably between 20 and 25mm.

In general, concerning the different embodiments and variants, it should be noted that several heating systems as described can be installed in a heated door.

It should also be noted that the electrical connection is ensured regardless of the angular position of the door relative to the Z axis, that is to say in the open position, in the closed position, in any intermediate position between open and closed. ; advantageously contact can be ensured over an angular range of 360 °.

In order to facilitate the circulation of the air thus heated, openings 13, 14 are provided in the door, improving the natural convection of the air at the door.

Preferably, these openings will be made at the level of the heating system and at the bottom of the door.

A fan (not shown in the figures) can be installed in the door, in order to achieve forced convection, ensuring better heat exchange between the heating system and the air circulating in the area to be heated.

In order to avoid any loss of heat to the area that is not desired to heat, an elastic automatic return system (not shown in the figures), such as a spring, is installed between the door leaf and its support 61, forcing the door to return to its closed position, without user intervention. Such a spring (shown diagrammatically at reference 87 in FIG. 1) can be integrated into a hinge 4. Thus, one can for example provide a door with a door leaf 62 and two sets of hinges 4, a first set of hinges 4 being intended to ensure the electrical connection of the heating system integrated into the door and a second set of hinges 4 ensuring the return of the door leaf 62 in the closed position, the two two sets of hinges ensuring the support and the mechanical guidance of the leaf door 62 relative to its door frame 61.

The door according to the invention can also be made more simply in a configuration where it is desired to heat on both sides of the heated door.

Claims (12)

1. Heated door (1) comprising a door leaf (62), an electric heating system (7), a movable hinge (30) with respect to a fixed hinge (20), the latter being able to be installed on a support such as a door frame (61) or a wall, characterized in that the movable hinge has first electrical connection means (3, 31, 32, 33), in that the fixed hinge has second electrical connection means (2, 21, 22, 23) able to cooperate with the first electrical connection means, and in that said electrical connection means are provided for connecting at least two separate electrical conductors. 2. Heated door according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and / or second electrical connection means (3, 2) have an axis of revolution and are arranged coaxially. 3. Heated door according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixed hinge (20) is a hinge of the male type and the movable hinge (30) is a hinge of the female type, in that the projecting part of the male type hinge is made of an insulating material, and in that the electrical connection means of this hinge are arranged inside said projecting part. 4. Heated door according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means of electrical connection of a fixed hinge and a movable hinge comprise at least one central electrical contact (21, 31) and one electrical contact peripheral (22, 32; 23, 33). 5. Heated door according to claim 4, characterized in that the electrical connection means further comprises a central contactor intended to cooperate with the central electrical contact and a finger movable elastically in a radial direction and intended to cooperate with the peripheral electrical contact . 6. Heated door according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a retractable element, carried by the movable hinge, in that the retractable element is movable between an extended position and a retracted and prestressed position in the extended position, in that said retractable element controls an electric switch so that the switch is in the open position when the retractable element is in the extended position and is in the closed position when the retractable element is in the extended position switch cutting the electrical supply to the heating door when the retractable element is in the extended position, and in that the retractable element is in the retracted position when the movable hinge is mounted on the fixed hinge. 7. Heated door according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the door leaf (62) has interstices (13, 14) promoting the natural convection of the air circulating inside the door . 8. Heated door according to claim 7, characterized in that a ventilation system is installed inside the door, allowing forced convection of the air in the door. 9. Heated door according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the interstices are preferably made at the level of the electric heating system (7) and at the bottom of the door. 10. Heated door according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electric heating system (7) consists of a resistor, and preferably the electrical resistance of a heating film. 11. Heated door according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the door is provided with an elastic return system so as to close the door automatically, and in that the elastic system is an integrated spring to a hinge other than a fixed hinge or a movable hinge provided with electrical connection means. 12. Heated door according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a power regulation system is installed on the door or its environment and is capable of regulating the power supplied to the electric heating system (7) Door. 1/6 ο ο CM CO