Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
  • G05D23/01—Control of temperature without auxiliary power
  • G05D23/02—Control of temperature without auxiliary power with sensing element expanding and contracting in response to changes of temperature
  • G05D23/021—Control of temperature without auxiliary power with sensing element expanding and contracting in response to changes of temperature the sensing element being a non-metallic solid, e.g. elastomer, paste
  • G05D23/023—Control of temperature without auxiliary power with sensing element expanding and contracting in response to changes of temperature the sensing element being a non-metallic solid, e.g. elastomer, paste the sensing element being placed outside a regulating fluid flow

Definitions

• the invention concerns a thermostatic valve top part with a housing, a thermostatic element, connected with an operating element via a connecting element, and with an adjusting drive, changing the active connection between the operating element and the thermostatic element.
• a thermostatic valve top part of this kind is known from DE 31 53 654 C2.
• the length of a spindle, serving as connecting element, between the thermostatic element and the tappet of a heating valve is changed in that an elliptic disc is inserted between the spindle and the tappet, either with its large diameter or with its small diameter.
• the disc is floatingly supported, and is driven by an electric motor via a gear, the motor being arranged laterally on the intermediary piece, which is required to arrange the elliptic disc between the spindle and the tappet.
• the thermostatic top part is axially extended, that is, projects further into the room from the radiator. Due to the increased relationship of the levers, there is a risk of damaging.
• Thermostatic top parts of this kind are used to enable local changes of the desired value of the thermostatic element. For example, it may be desired to be able to set a night-setback of the temperature in one room, reducing the desired value by, for example 1 to 5°C . In DE 31 53 654 C2 mentioned above, the spindle is then correspondingly reduced, so that with the same room temperature the radiator valve is closed or throttled earlier.
• a control device is arranged on the front side of the thermostatic valve top part, the control device having a pressure transducer acting upon the thermostatic element.
• the pressure in the thermostatic element which is produced by a higher tem- perature and passed on to the valve tappet, is replaced by a mechanical pressure.
• this embodiment is relatively expensive. It also increases the physical dimensions- and reduces the operator convenience of the thermostatic valve top part. Additionally, it puts a heavy strain on the thermostatic element.
• the invention is based on the task of enabling a self- acting behaviour of the thermostatic valve top part though maintaining small physical dimensions.
• the adjusting device has a control device, arranged laterally next to the housing and detachably connected with the housing.
• control device permits self-acting control of the thermostatic valve top part in a way specified by the control device.
• the control device can, for example, contain a time switch clock or a programme- controlled processor.
• the active connection between the thermostatic element and the operating element is then adjusted in dependence of the time or in dependence of other conditions.
• a control device of this kind it is, for example, also possible to receive signals from a central unit, which signals are then reprocessed by the control device.
• the arrangement next to the housing involves the advantage that the space requirement remains small. There is no need to have the thermostatic top part project further into the room.
• thermostatic valve top parts are arranged on the radiator in a height, which corresponds approximately to the hip height of a human being.
• Performing a setting, for example a programming, on site is normally only possible when assuming a relatively uncomfortable posture.
• the programming or setting can be comfortably performed, for example sitting at a table, and the completely set control device can then be remounted on the thermostatic top part.
• operating elements are arranged on the side of the control device facing the housing.
• This embodiment has two advantages. Firstly, it permits an eye-pleasing appearance of the control device. The remaining control device can namely be closed and have a smooth surface. This also facilitates the cleaning of the control device. Secondly, in the mounted state, the operating elements are covered, and thus protected, by the thermostatic valve top part. Thus, an unintentional change of the setting of the control device is to a high degree avoided.
• the operating elements have a display, and a switch is provided, which turns off the display, when the control device and the housing are connected with each other, and turns it on when they are separated.
• the display permits the user to see the settings, he has made on the control device. Accordingly, the display must only be visible, when the user can actually see it. This is not the case, when the control device is fixed on the thermostatic valve top part. In that case, it is thus possible to turn off the display, which causes substantial current savings. Particularly when only batteries are available for the energy supply to the control device, the life of the battery can be substantially extended by this possibility. Turning off and on the display happens automatically in connection with the fitting of the control device on the thermostatic valve top part, so that the user can make no errors.
• control device and the housing are connected with each other by way of a snap connection, which has at least one barb and one belonging engagement surface, which are mutually movable.
• a snap connection which has at least one barb and one belonging engagement surface, which are mutually movable.
• the barb is arranged on a rigid lever, and that the engagement surface is movable.
• Such a connection can be relatively stable.
• the barb When the barb is arranged on a rigid lever, it must no longer be resilient, meaning that the lever can have relatively large dimensions.
• the assembling is simplified, as the rigid lever is not so easily bent. For releasing, the engagement surface is simply moved, for example through pressing against the force of a return spring.
• the barb is arranged on the housing and the engagement surface is arranged on the control device. This is particularly advantageous for the stability.
• the barb serves as operating element for the switch, which is loaded in the closing direction by spring force.
• the switch which is loaded in the closing direction by spring force.
• the snap connection has two barbs, which are arranged substantially symmetrically to a level through the medium axis of the housing. This simplifies the mounting, without requiring skimming of the stability of the connection.
• an additional barb connection is provided between the control device and the housing. This improves the optical impression. It is no longer necessary to arrange the barbs in the area of the centre of gravity of the control device. Also when arranged outside this area, the additional barb connection can provide a tight bearing of the control device on the housing of the thermostatic valve top part.
• the barb connection can also be a snap connection. However, it is also possible to hang up the barbs of the barb connection in the housing and then tilt the control device in the direction of the housing, until the barbs engage behind the engagement surface.
• the term "retaining connection” means that this connection only has to adopt pulling forces.
• the adjustment device has a toothed gearing with an inlet gear wheel, which is fixed in the housing and projects from the housing through a slot, the control device having a slot through which the inlet gear wheel enters.
• the control device has a toothed gearing with an inlet gear wheel, which is fixed in the housing and projects from the housing through a slot, the control device having a slot through which the inlet gear wheel enters.
• the barbs are substantially arranged in the same level as the inlet gear wheel.
• the motor of the control device is activated to turn the inlet gear wheel, this is where the only mechanical load actually occurs, which has to be adopted by the detachable connection.
• Arranging the barbs in the same level as the gear wheel helps preventing that large tilting moments occur between the control device and the housing.
• the invention also concerns a control device as accessory for a thermostatic valve top part, as described.
• Fig. 1 a side view of a thermostatic valve to part with mounted control device Fig. 2.
• Fig. 3 a schematic section view showing the snap connection Fig. 4 the view of Fig. 3 with engaged snap connection
• Fig. 5 a side view of the thermostatic valve top part with dismounted control device
• Fig. 6 a view of the side of the control device facing the thermostatic valve top part
• Fig. 7 a detailed view of a barb connection
• Fig. 8 the view of Fig. 7 in the closed state
• Fig. 1 shows a thermostatic valve top part 1 with a housing 2, which can be fixed on a radiator valve (not shown in detail) by means of a union nut 3, or another suitable connection.
• the functional parts inside the thermostatic valve top part are only shown schematically with dotted lines.
• the thermostatic valve top part has a thermostatic element 4, which, when being heated, pushes a spindle 5 downwards ( in relation to the orientation in Fig. 1.
• the spindle 5 activates an operating element 6, which presses on the tappet (not shown in detail) of the radiator valve. The farther the tappet is pushed inwards, the more the radiator valve is throttled.
• a device 7 is provided, which changes the length of the spindle 5.
• the change of the spindle length changes the active connection between the thermostatic element 4 and the operating device 6.
• the desired value of the thermostatic valve top part can for example be preset by means of a twist handle 8. How- ever, it is also possible to change the desired value merely via the device 7.
• a control device 9 is connected detachably with the housing 2.
• laterally means parallel to the spindle 5, that is, not in extension of the spindle 5, so that the mounting of the control device 9 does not cause a change of the axial length of the thermostatic valve top part.
• the control device 9 is connected with the housing 2 by means of a snap connection.
• This snap connection is explained in detail by means of the Figs. 3 and 4. Due to the snap connection, it is possible to dismount the con- trol device by means of one manipulation, and later it is equally simple to mount it again.
• the housing 2 has two barbs 10, each arranged on the tip of a rigid lever 11.
• the rigid levers 11 are so stable, that they can adopt the weight of the control device without being deformed. However, when being exposed to larger forces, a deformation is possible.
• the levers 11 can be plastic parts formed on the housing 2.
• the control device 9 has a housing 12 with openings 13 (Fig. 6) for the adoption of the barbs 10. Behind each opening 13 there is a slide 14, which is pushed outwards by means of a pressure spring 15. On its outside, the slide 14 forms a button 16, which can be pushed into the housing 12 in the direction of the arrow 17.
• a switch 19 with a movable element 20 and a contact 21 is arranged in the control device 9 .
• the movable element 20 bears on the contact 21, when the control device 9 is lifted from the housing 2.
• the tip 19 of the barb 10 pushes the movable element 20 away from the contact 21, thus interrupting the electrical connection between these two parts.
• the control device has a motor 22, shown only with dotted lines in Fig. 1.
• the motor 22 drives a gear pinion 23, which again acts upon an inlet gear wheel 24, which can be seen in Fig. 2.
• the inlet gear wheel 24 is supported in the housing 2 and is arranged in the same level as the levers 10.
• the levers 10 are arranged on both sides of the inlet gear wheel 24.
• the control device has a slot-like opening 25, through which the gear wheel 24 can enter on mounting.
• connection between the control device 9 and the housing 2 has been estab- lished, there is also a connection between the motor 22 and the device 7. In the present case, this is done in that gear wheels are brought to engagement through a radial movement towards each other.
• Fig. 6 shows schematically a view of the side of the control device 9, which in the mounted state bears on the housing 2.
• This side has operating elements 26, namely a display 27, a switch panel 28 and several buttons 29.
• the display can be turned off by means of the switch 19. This saves electrical energy, which is particularly advantageous, when the control device 9 is battery supplied.
• the display 27 is always turned off, when the control device 9 is mounted. In this case, it is not possible for the user anyway to read anything in the display.
• the switches 28 and the buttons 29 are protected against unintentional touches .
• the thermostatic top part 1 can now be operated like a traditional thermostatic top part.
• a desired temperature can be preset.
• the control device 9 it is not necessary that the control device 9 is mounted.
• the thermostatic top part becomes additional opportunities, for example, a local night setback for one radiator can be performed.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Temperature-Responsive Valves (AREA)
• Control Of Temperature (AREA)
• Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
• Spray Control Apparatus (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=7899431

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 1999
  • 1999-03-02 DE DE19909100A patent/DE19909100C2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2000
  • 2000-02-29 UA UA2001075300A patent/UA60395C2/uk unknown
  • 2000-02-29 CN CNB008043795A patent/CN1222707C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-02-29 EP EP00906183A patent/EP1157232A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-02-29 CZ CZ20013135A patent/CZ295323B6/cs not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-02-29 PL PL350240A patent/PL192901B1/pl not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-02-29 AU AU27946/00A patent/AU2794600A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-02-29 RU RU2001124866/06A patent/RU2211979C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-02-29 WO PCT/DK2000/000084 patent/WO2000052373A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (2)

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