IT201600109456A1 - CONTROL DEVICE FOR A CALORIFYER, ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC CALORIFEROUS COMPREHENSIVE INCLUDING SUCH CONTROL DEVICE, METHOD OF CHECKING THE HEATER. - Google Patents

Description

CONTROL DEVICE FOR A HEATER, HEATER OF THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC TYPE INCLUDING THIS CONTROL DEVICE, METHOD OF CONTROL OF SAID HEAT

The present invention relates to a control device for a heater, to an electro-hydraulic type heater comprising the aforementioned control device and to a control method for this heater.

Currently, thermo-furnishing heaters are widely used and are highly appreciated for their aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Among the thermo-furnishing heaters, in particular, the so-called towel warmers are commonly used in bathrooms because they offer the possibility not only of heating the room but also of heating or drying bath towels.

For the sake of simplicity, reference will be made hereinafter to towel warmers; however, similar considerations can be applied to all radiators.

Typically, the towel warmers have a structure suitable to be fixed to the wall, generally composed of two column elements parallel to each other and intended to be installed vertically with respect to the ground, and by a plurality of transverse elements that extend parallel to each other between the two column elements. The column elements and the transversal elements are made up of tubular bodies of various shapes that are internally hollow, and are connected together in such a way as to create a hydraulic circuit.

The hydraulic towel warmers are designed to be connected to a hydraulic distribution system for a heat-carrying liquid, typically hot water at an inlet temperature generally between 40 ° C and 85 ° C.

In particular, the column elements are connected one to the connection of a supply line of the hydraulic system by means of a regulation valve and the other to the connection of an output line of the system by means of an opening valve / closure.

The column element connected to the supply line can be defined as the input manifold of the hydraulic circuit, while the column element connected to the output line can be defined as the output manifold of the hydraulic circuit.

The connections of the supply and outlet lines are arranged in the walls during the installation of the plumbing system.

Typically, the connection between the column elements and the connections of the supply and outlet lines is made at the lower ends of the column elements.

There are also electric towel warmers in which the elements are filled with a heating fluid, for example diathermic oil, and there is an electric heater, generally made with an electric resistance housed in an insulating casing carried by a box-like body. support. The latter is coupled at the bottom to a column element in such a way that the electric heater is inserted into the column element and connected externally to the structure of the radiator to the electrical supply system.

The electro-hydraulic or hybrid towel warmers combine the heating action of the flow of heat transfer fluid and that of the electric heater. In this type of towel warmer, one column element is connected to the hydraulic supply line while the other column element is connected to the output line of the system and to the box-shaped body supporting the electric heater by means of the interposition of an element T-shaped junction element. This T-shaped junction element has a first mouth connected to the box-like body supporting the electric heater, a second coaxial mouth with the first connected to the lower end of the outlet manifold and a third mouth having a transverse axis with respect to the first and second and connected to the hydraulic outlet line.

In this configuration, therefore, the connection of the outlet line is misaligned with respect to the axis of the outlet manifold, as the connection of the outlet line is connected to the third mouth of the T-junction which is transverse to the other two.

Therefore, to convert a hydraulic type towel warmer into a hybrid type towel warmer, it is necessary to carry out invasive construction works to move the connection of the outlet line in a misaligned position with respect to the axis of the outlet manifold.

Furthermore, the electric heater of a hybrid type towel warmer is generally activated electrically only when the sanitary plumbing system is not active or in any case when the adjustment and opening / closing valves are in the closed position and thus isolate the hydraulic circuit of the towel warmer from the sanitary plumbing system. This is due to the fact that if the electric heater was activated while water is circulating in the towel warmer, only a high waste of energy would be obtained, without obtaining heating in the environment, because the additional heat produced by the resistance is carried away by the water that continues. to circulate and thus exits the hydraulic circuit of the towel warmer.

The need to activate the electric heater can arise in mid-seasons when the normal heating systems of the houses are off, or in the case of plumbing and sanitary systems that use new energy sources such as condensing boilers and heat pumps. In the latter case, the water delivery temperature is typically low between 35 ° C and 50 ° C. Therefore, even if the towel warmer is sized correctly for the room, the low water temperature does not allow the towels to dry quickly, and does not allow to obtain a few more degrees in the room.

The purpose of the present invention is to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular to devise a control device which allows to convert a hydraulic type heater into an electro-hydraulic type heater avoiding the need to necessarily carry out masonry works.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electro-hydraulic type heater which is simple to assemble and with high energy efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method for an electro-hydraulic type heater which allows to manage the operation of the electric heater avoiding energy waste.

These and other purposes according to the present invention are achieved by realizing a control device for a heater, an electro-hydraulic type heater comprising this control device and a control method of said electro-hydraulic type heater as set forth in the independent claims.

Further characteristics of the control device for electro-hydraulic type heaters, of the electro-hydraulic type heater comprising this control device and of the control method of said electro-hydraulic type heater are the subject of the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of a control device for a heater, an electro-hydraulic type heater comprising this control device and a control method of said electro-hydraulic type heater according to the present invention will become more evident from the following, exemplary description and not limitative, referring to the attached schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an electro-hydraulic type heater according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a control device according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the control device of Figure 2;

- figures 4a and 4b are two schematic perspective views of a junction element included in the control device of figure 2;

- figure 4c is a broken view of the joining element of figures 4a and 4b;

figure 5 is an exploded view of the control device of figure 2 without the box-like body;

figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an electro-hydraulic type heater according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective schematic view of a second embodiment of a control device according to the present invention;

figure 8 is a sectional view of the control device of figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective schematic view of a third embodiment of an electro-hydraulic type heater according to the present invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective schematic view of a third embodiment of a control device according to the present invention;

- figure 11 is a sectional view of the control device of figure 10.

With reference to the figures, a heater is shown, indicated as a whole with 10.

The radiator 10 can be, for example, a towel warmer such as the one illustrated in Figure 1.

This radiator has a structure adapted to be fixed to the wall, having an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 which can be connected to respective hydraulic connections 21, 22 of a hydraulic distribution system. In particular, the inlet 11 is intended to be connected to a hydraulic supply line of the distribution system which introduces heat transfer fluid into the radiator; this heat-carrying fluid once circulated in the radiator comes out of it through the outlet 12 which is intended to be connected to an outlet line of the distribution system.

By heat transfer liquid it is intended preferably to indicate hot water at an inlet temperature generally comprised between 25 ° C and 90 ° C.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the structure of the radiator 10 comprises two column elements 13, 14 parallel to each other and intended to be installed vertically with respect to the ground, and by a plurality of transverse elements 15 which extend parallel to each other between the two Column elements 13, 14. The column elements 13, 14 and the transverse elements 15 can be constituted by tubular bodies of various shapes which are internally hollow, and are connected together in such a way as to form a hydraulic circuit.

According to the present invention, the heater 10 comprises a control device 30 adapted to operate the heater 10 in electro-hydraulic mode, that is, as a heater of the electro-hydraulic type.

This control device 30 comprises a three-way junction element 31 having a first 32 and a second 33 coaxial mouth and a third mouth 34. The three-way junction element 31, in particular, has a main duct which it extends between the first 32 and the second 33 mouth.

The first mouth 32 is designed to be coupled to at least one of the mouths 11, 12 of the radiator 10. This first mouth 32, therefore, can be provided with a connector 39, for example a nipple or a fitting coupled on one side by interlocking with the first mouth 32 is threaded on the opposite side in such a way as to be able to couple with one of the mouths 11, 12 of the radiator 10.

In any case, the control device can be associated indifferently with the inlet 11 or the outlet 12 of the radiator 10.

Preferably, this coupling is of the screw-screw type. The inlet 11 and the outlet 12 of the radiator 10, in fact, can be threaded and arranged to engage in screwing with the first mouth 31 of the three-way junction element 31 also equipped with a thread at the end or with connector 39 where provided.

The third mouth 34 of the three-way junction element 31 is arranged to be connected to one of the hydraulic connections 21, 22 of the distribution hydraulic system in such a way that said connection is substantially coaxial with the first 32 and the second 33 mouth. of the three-way joint element 31.

Preferably, the main duct of the three-way junction element 31 is connected to a branch duct made in a single piece with the main duct itself. In this case, the third mouth 34 is the terminal mouth of this branch duct. The branch duct can be shaped in such a way that its terminal mouth coinciding with the third mouth 34 is substantially coaxial with the first 32 and the second 33 mouth; in this way the third mouth 34 can be directly or by means of a connector be coupled to the connection of the hydraulic system aligned with it in the axial direction.

Alternatively, in the particular embodiment illustrated, the derivation duct is shaped in such a way that its terminal mouth coinciding with the third mouth 34 is axially misaligned with respect to the axis of the first 32 and second 33 mouth.

In a further alternative embodiment not shown, the three-way junction element is a T-piece; in this case the third mouth 34 has a transverse axis with respect to that of the first 32 and second 33 mouth.

In both embodiments which provide the third mouth 34 with a different axis with respect to the first 32 and the second 33 mouth, the third mouth 34 is provided with a connecting element 36 capable of connecting two elements which are transversely misaligned. This connecting element 36 is connected on one side to the third mouth 34 of the three-way junction element 31 and on the other side to one of the hydraulic connections 21, 22 of the distribution hydraulic system.

Preferably, the connecting element 36 is a flexible tube. Alternatively, this connecting element 36 is rigid but describes a non-rectilinear path suitable for the fluidic connection between the third mouth 34 of the three-way junction element 31 and the attachment of the implant which can therefore be axially aligned with respect to the first 32 and to the second outlet 33, as well as to the column element of the radiator 10 to which the control device 30 is connected.

The control device 30 further comprises an electric heater 35 having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X.

Preferably, as shown in Figure 2, the electric heater 35 is a resistor housed inside an insulating casing of a corresponding shape.

The electric heater 35 has an end coupled to the second mouth 33 of the three-way junction element 31 in such a way as to completely occlude it; the electric heater 35 extends into the three-way junction element 31 defining with the internal walls of the main duct a passage for the heat-carrying fluid until it passes through the first mouth 32 and protrudes outside the three-way junction element 31. Yes emphasizes that the electric heater 35 is shaped not to occlude the first mouth 32 of the three-way junction element 31, but to pass through this first mouth leaving a passage opening for the heat-carrying fluid.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the electric heater 35 is screwed to the second mouth 33 of the three-way junction element 31, being able, however, this coupling to be of another type, for example in shape.

In any case, the electric heater 35 is selectively connected to an electrical power supply line, for example by means of a cable that comes out at the second mouth 33 of the three-way junction element 31.

The control device 30 also comprises an electro-valve unit 37, 38 designed to selectively open the fluidic connection between the three-way junction element 31 and the hydraulic distribution system.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the electrovalve unit 37, 38 is able to control the opening and closing of the opening of the main duct from which the branch duct starts. The electro-valve assembly 37, 38 can comprise, in particular, a solenoid valve which, as illustrated, has a piston 37 which can be operated by means of an electromagnetic actuator 38.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the electro-valve unit 37, 38 is associated with the junction element 31 at a fourth connection mouth 41, in which the piston 37 is inserted, in particular.

The control device 30 advantageously also comprises an electronic control unit 40 configured to drive the electro-valve unit 37, 38 and control the selective connection between the electric heater 35 and the power supply line. The electronic control unit 40 is electrically powered and is able to operate the electromagnetic actuator 38 of the solenoid valve unit 37, 38 and to turn on or off the electric heater 35.

Preferably, the electronic control unit 40 is configured to implement a procedure for switching on the electric heater 35 during heating in hydraulic mode.

By heating in hydraulic mode we mean the operating mode of the radiator 10 in which the hot heat transfer fluid is circulated in the radiator 10 itself in order to heat the room where the radiator 10 is installed and / or to dry the towels placed on the same.

In this operating mode, the procedure for switching on the electric heater 35, according to the present invention, comprises the steps:

- controlling the electro-valve unit 37, 38 in such a way as to close the fluidic connection which is controlled by the electro-valve unit 37, 38 itself;

- switch on the electric heater 35. These phases can be carried out in any chronological order.

In this way the electronic control unit 40 is able to turn on the electric heater 35 in any condition even during heating in hydraulic mode.

Preferably, the control device 10 comprises one or more sensors for detecting one or more climatic parameters connected to the electronic control unit 40. For example, these sensors can be environmental temperature and humidity sensors.

In this case, the electronic control unit 40 is configured to implement the procedure for switching on the electric heater 35 if the climatic parameters detected by the sensors reach predetermined values. For example, the electronic control unit 40 can be programmed in such a way as to implement the procedure for switching on the electric heater 35 when the temperature of the room where the radiator 10 is installed reaches a preset temperature.

Preferably, the electronic control unit 40 is also configured to receive a command from a user, and to implement the procedure for switching on the electric heater 35 following a command from a user. In this case, for example, the electronic control unit 40 can be equipped with an input connected to user interface means such as a button. It is also possible to provide interface means such as a keyboard or a touch screen through which a user can program the ignition of the electric heater 35.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control device 30 comprises a single box-like body 50 in which the three-way junction element 31, the electric heater 35, the electro-valve unit 37 and the unit are at least partially housed control electronics 40. The box-like body 50 also has openings in correspondence with the first 32 and the second 33 mouth of the three-way junction element 31 to allow the connection of the control device 30 with the radiator 10 and the distribution plumbing system.

In particular, the electric heater 35 protrudes externally from the three-way junction element 31 and the box-like body 50 going to slip, during the assembly of the control device 30 on the radiator 10, into the corresponding column element. The electric heater 35, in particular, passes through the first mouth 11 of the three-way junction element 31 leaving a passage opening for the heat-carrying fluid that comes from the hydraulic system and penetrates inside the three-way junction element 31 through the third mouth 34. Preferably, the control device 30 comprises a plurality of box-shaped modules 60, 60 ', 60' 'connected together in succession in which a first box-shaped module 60' and a second box-shaped module (60 '' ) are adapted to be connected respectively to the inlet 11 or the outlet 12 of the radiator 10 or vice versa.

In this case, preferably, the first box-like module 60 'supports at least the three-way junction element 31, the electric heater 35, the connecting element 36; the electro-valve unit 37, 38 can be supported by the first box-shaped module 60 'or by the second box-shaped module 60'. The latter embodiment is illustrated in Figure 6.

In any case, the electronic control unit 40 can be housed in any of the box-like modules 60, 60 ', 60'.

The box-shaped modules 60, 60 ', 60' 'are mechanically connected and allow the passage of the wiring necessary for the connection of the electronic control unit 40 to the electro-valve unit 37, 38, to the electric heater 35, to the sensors and to the power supply line.

As shown in Figure 4, as many box-shaped modules 60 can be arranged between the first box-shaped module 60 'and the second box-shaped module 60' as many are necessary to cover the distance between the two. In this way, the control device 30 assumes a shape which substantially extends over the entire transverse width of the heater 10. In any case, thanks to its modularity, the control device 10 can be adapted to heaters having different transverse extensions.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the box-shaped modules 60, 60 ', 60' 'are telescopic to each other, as illustrated in figure 7. In the illustrated case, the second box-shaped module 60' 'is designed to slide telescopically inside of the first box-like module 60 '.

Even in the case of telescopic modules, it is possible to provide more than two telescopic modules.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the first box-like module 60 'supports the three-way junction element 31, the electric heater 35, the connecting element 36, the electronic control unit 40 while the second box-like module 60' supports the electro-valve unit 37, 38. However, the electronic control unit 40 can be housed in any of the telescopic box-shaped modules 60, 60 ', 60' '. Furthermore, also in this case the first box-shaped module 60 'can support in addition to the elements mentioned above also the solenoid valve group 37, 38.

Preferably, the control device 10 comprises one or more sensors for detecting the temperature of the heat-carrying fluid which is intended to circulate in the radiator 10 and the electronic control unit 40 is configured to command the interruption of the supply of the heat-carrying fluid to the radiator 10 during cooling in hydraulic mode if the temperature of the heat transfer fluid falls below a lower threshold value.

By cooling in hydraulic mode we mean the operating mode of the radiator 10 in which the heat transfer fluid is circulated at a low temperature, for example between 5 ° C and 25 ° C, in order to cool the room where it is installed. the radiator 10.

In order to interrupt the supply of the heat transfer fluid in the radiator 10, the electronic control unit 40 controls the electro-valve unit 37, 38 to close the fluidic connection to which it is responsible for control. It is emphasized that the interruption of the supply of the heat transfer fluid in the radiator 10 occurs both in the case in which the electro-valve unit closes the fluidic connection with the connection of the supply line and in the case in which the electro-valve unit closes the fluidic connection with the outlet line connection. In fact, even in the latter case, the circulation of fluid in the radiator is substantially blocked 10.

According to an alternative embodiment, the control device 30 comprises a thermostatic valve configured to close one of the fluid connections between the radiator 10 and the hydraulic system when the temperature of the heat transfer fluid falls below a lower threshold value. In combination with the interruption of the supply of the heat transfer fluid, which can take place in one of the two modes described above, the electronic control unit 40 can also be configured to turn on the electric heater 35, when the temperature of the fluid drops below a temperature corresponding to the dew point to avoid the formation of annoying condensation on the walls of the radiator 10.

The method for controlling the radiator 10 first of all envisages the step in which the radiator 10 is installed on the wall by connecting it to a hydraulic distribution system; this means connecting in an appropriate manner as described above also the control device 30 included in said radiator 10.

During heating in hydraulic mode, the control method, according to the present invention, comprises the steps:

- detect one or more climatic parameters;

- when the measured climatic parameters reach predetermined values, or following a command from a user, command the electro-valve unit 37, 38 in such a way as to close the fluidic connection which is controlled by the electro-valve unit 37, 38 same;

- switch on the electric heater 35.

The step of switching on the electric heater 35 and closing the fluidic connection controlled by the electro-valve unit 37, 38 can be carried out in any reciprocal chronological order. Preferably, the control method, moreover, during cooling in hydraulic mode includes the following steps:

- detect the temperature of the heat transfer fluid;

- if the temperature of the heat-carrying fluid falls below a lower threshold value, control the electro-valve unit 37, 38 in such a way as to close the fluidic connection which is controlled by the electro-valve unit 37, 38.

From the above description the characteristics of the control device, of the electro-hydraulic type heater comprising the aforementioned control device and of the control method of this heater which are the object of the present invention are clear, as well as the relative advantages.

In fact, the control device 10 allows you to convert a hydraulic type heater into an electro-hydraulic type in a simple and easy way without necessarily having to resort to building works to move one or more connections of the distribution system. In fact, the three-way junction element allows you to connect the control device with a substantially coaxial hydraulic connection with the respective column element of the radiator.

Furthermore, the electronic control unit of the control device according to the present invention allows the electric heater to be turned on in any operating condition of the radiator, avoiding energy waste since before such ignition it inhibits the forced circulation of the heat-carrying fluid inside the radiator. .

Switching on the electric heater when the temperature of the heat transfer fluid is close to the dew point avoids the formation of condensation on the external surface of the radiator.

Finally, it is clear that the control device, the radiator and the control method thus conceived are susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are covered by the invention; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the technical requirements.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS 1) Control device (30) for a radiator (10) having an inlet (11) and an outlet (12) connectable to respective hydraulic connections of a hydraulic distribution system comprising: - a three-way junction element (31) having a first (32) and a second (33) coaxial mouth between which extends a main duct and a third mouth (34), said first mouth (32) being arranged to be connected to at least one of said mouths of said radiator (10), said third mouth being arranged to be connected to one of said hydraulic connections of said hydraulic distribution system in such a way that said connection is substantially coaxial with said first (32 ) and said second (33) mouth of said three-way junction element (31); - an electric heater (35) having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis, said electric heater (35) having an end coupled to said second mouth (33) of said three-way junction element (31) in such a way as to completely occlude it and extending into said three-way junction element (31) defining with the internal walls of said main duct a passage for a heat-carrying fluid until it passes through said first mouth (32) leaving a passage opening and protruding externally to said three-way junction element (31), said electric heater (35) being selectively connectable to an electric power supply line; - an electro-valve unit (37, 38) arranged to selectively open a fluidic connection between said three-way junction element (31) and said hydraulic distribution system; - an electronic control unit (40) configured to drive said electro-valve unit (37, 38) and control the selective connection between said electric heater (35) and said electric power supply line. 2) Control device (30) according to claim 1 wherein said third mouth (34) has a different axis with respect to said first mouth (32) and said second (33) mouth, said third mouth (34) being provided with a connecting element (36) connected on one side to said third mouth (34) and on the other side arranged to be connected to one of said hydraulic connections of said hydraulic distribution system. 3) Control device (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said electronic control unit (40) is programmed to carry out, during heating in hydraulic mode, an ignition procedure of said electric heater (35) which comprises the stages: - controlling said electrovalve unit (37, 38) in such a way as to close said fluidic connection controlled by said electrovalve unit (37, 38); - turn on said electric heater (35). 4) Control device (30) according to claim 3 comprising one or more sensors for detecting one or more climatic parameters connected to said electronic control unit (40), said electronic control unit (40) being configured to actuate said procedure for switching on said electric heater if the climatic parameters detected by said sensors reach predetermined values. 5) Control device (30) according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said electronic control unit (40) is configured to receive a command from a user, and to carry out said ignition procedure of said electric heater (35) following a command from a user. 6) Control device (30) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a single box-like body (50) in which said three-way junction element (31), said electric heater (35), said electro-valve unit are at least partially housed (37, 38) and said electronic control unit (40), said box-like body (50) having openings at said first (32) and said second (33) mouth of said three-way junction element (31) to allow the connection of said control device (30) with said radiator (10) and said hydraulic distribution system respectively. 7) Control device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a plurality of box-shaped modules (60, 60 ', 60') connected together in succession in which: - a first box-shaped module (60 ') and a second box-shaped module (60' ') are adapted to be connected respectively to said inlet (11) and said outlet (12) of said radiator (10) or vice versa, where said first box-like module (60 ') supports at least said three-way junction element (31), said electric heater (35), said connection element (36); - said electro-valve group (37, 38) being supported by said first box-like module (60 ') or by said second box-shaped module (60'); - said electronic control unit (40) being housed in one of said box-like modules (60, 60 ', 60'). 8) Control device (30) according to claim 7 in which said box-like modules (60, 60 ', 60') are telescopic to each other. 9) Control device (30) according to one of the preceding claims comprising one or more sensors for detecting the temperature of said heat transfer fluid circulating in said radiator (10), said electronic control unit (40) being configured to interrupt the feeding of the heat-carrying fluid into said radiator (10) during cooling in hydraulic mode if the temperature of the heat-carrying fluid falls below a lower threshold value. 10) Control device (30) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a thermostatic valve configured to close one of said fluidic connections between said radiator (10) and said hydraulic distribution system when the temperature of the heat-carrying fluid falls below a value lower threshold. 11) Electro-hydraulic type heater (10) comprising a control device (30) according to one or more of the preceding claims. 12) Method for controlling a heater (10) according to claim 11 comprising the steps: - install said radiator (10) on the wall by connecting it to a hydraulic distribution system; during heating in hydraulic mode: - detect one or more climatic parameters; - if the measured climatic parameters reach predetermined values, or following a command from a user, command an electro-valve unit (37, 38) of a control device (30) of said radiator (10) in such a way as to close a fluidic connection controlled by said electrovalve unit (37, 38); - turn on said electric heater (35). 13) Control method according to claim 12 comprising the steps: when cooling in hydraulic mode: - detect the temperature of the heat transfer fluid; - if the temperature of the heat carrier fluid falls below a lower threshold value, command said electrovalve unit (37, 38) of said control device (30) of said radiator (10) so as to close said fluidic connection controlled by said electrovalve unit (37, 38).