WO2014005707A9

WO2014005707A9 - Control circuit board for a continuous flow heater

Info

Publication number: WO2014005707A9
Application number: PCT/EP2013/001955
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Jansen; Thorsten Wojciechowski
Original assignee: Stiebel Eltron Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2012-07-06
Filing date: 2013-07-03
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Also published as: WO2014005707A1; WO2014005707A4; DE202013012074U1; DE102012013347B4; DE102012013347A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic printed circuit board (10) for controlling and/or monitoring a heating device having a heating block for heating a liquid medium, comprising a base plate with a main portion (80), a secondary portion (82) and at least one elastic web section (84) connecting the secondary portion (82) to the main portion (80), wherein the main portion (80) is provided to be fastened on or to the heating block, and wherein at least one connecting conductor path extends on the base plate from the main portion (80) to the secondary portion (82) via the web portion (84). According to the invention, the secondary portion (82), the main portion (80) and the web portion (84) are in a relaxed state in a common main plane, the secondary portion (82) being provided with at least one sensor element (11) for receiving at least one measurement variable of the heating block, wherein the secondary portion (82) is connected to the main portion (80) via the at least one web section (84) in an elastical manner such that the secondary portion (82) can be bent out from the main plane by bending the web portion (84) without that the at least one connecting conductor path is damaged, so as to adjust the at least one sensor element (11) in its position and/or alignment to the heating block.

Description

Control board for a water heater

The present invention relates to an electronic circuit board for controlling and / or monitoring a heating block having a heater for heating a liquid medium. Moreover, the present invention relates to such a heating block. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a heater, in particular a water heater with such a heating block. The invention also relates to a method for installing a sensor on such a heating block.

Heating appliances for heating a liquid medium, in particular instantaneous water heaters, are generally known. In particular, water heater for heating or heating of water are known, which heat the water while it flows through this heater. In principle, other liquid media can be heated according to this principle, but the following explanations explain the relationships representatively with reference to water.

Such a flow heater comprises a heating block with flow channels for guiding the water to be heated. In these guide channels heating elements, such as, helical heating walls are arranged. For monitoring and possibly resulting control of the heating or warm-up process, measurements are taken with

CONFIRMATION COPY provided by talking sensors. In this case, parameters such as flow velocity and flow rate, temperature and pressure of the water can be recorded and further utilized.

The actual physical measurement of the relevant parameter or of a representative parameter can take place via sensors which are arranged indirectly on or in a flow channel. At least such sensors are located directly on or in the heating block having the flow channels. A far-reaching recording and evaluation of the measured values and possibly taking into account in the context of a control or regulation can be carried out by means of an electronic printed circuit board, which carries a corresponding evaluation, or the recorded data can be a further evaluation, such as. A control chip or process computer supplied ,

For example. So-called flow-rate detection systems are installed in electronically controlled or regulated instantaneous water heaters to determine the amount of water flowing through the water heater and to determine how much energy to add to the water to maintain the selected water temperature. Nowadays, most or all known manufacturers use a magnetic wheel which transmits the flow signal to a sensor, a so-called Hall IC, by means of the magnetic fields located on the wheel. Such a Hall IC has hitherto either been installed in a separate housing or plugged into the heating block via a small printed circuit board. In both variants, the electrical contacting of the Hall IC or the Hall IC module with a corresponding control or evaluation device must be made via additional connecting elements. For this plug or solder contacts come into consideration. An adaptation or adaptation of a flow quantity detection unit is achieved via separate components with the heating block. In such components, the bearing points of the impeller may be located. A corresponding adapter piece can also be plugged into the heating block. The German utility model DE 20 2008 017 937 U1 shows, for example, a corresponding impeller with magnet. In other cases, it may be necessary for an evaluation unit of a corresponding sensor to be fixed in a specific spatial position relative to it and thus to the heating block. In this case, it is often difficult to control during installation. ren, whether the evaluation unit or a sensor of the evaluation is actually arranged in the desired position as it or he is needed.

When using electronic or electronically evaluated sensors, there is an electrical connection from the sensors, or from one sensor when only one sensor is used, to the electronic circuit board. Such an electronic connection is usually made by means of appropriately prepared plug contacts. For this purpose, for example, an insulated wire can be soldered to one end on the printed circuit board and be provided at its other end with a plug that fits on a corresponding plug on the heating block and is plugged there after the printed circuit board has been attached to the heating block.

The invention is therefore based on the object, at least one of the o.g. To address problems. In particular, the coupling between sensors in the heating block and an electronic evaluation system should be improved. If possible, elements are to be saved, the arrangement of corresponding printed circuit boards are made more failsafe and / or costs are saved. Preferably, a correct arrangement of a printed circuit board without the use of additional components to be created. At least an alternative solution should be specified.

According to the invention, an electronic printed circuit board for controlling and / or monitoring a heating block having a heating device for heating a liquid medium according to claim 1 is proposed. Such a printed circuit board comprises a base plate having a main portion, a minor portion and at least one elastic web portion connecting the minor portion to the main portion. The main portion is provided for attachment to or on the heating block. For example, corresponding bores for fastening the base plate to the heating block may be provided, to name only one example.

On the base plate, which has the main portion, secondary portion and web portion, in particular consists of these three sections, has at least one connecting track, which extends from the main portion via the web portion to the secondary portion. The secondary section can thus be electrically connected to the main section via the web section by means of this, at least one, interconnecting conductor track.

In a relaxed state, the minor portion, the major portion and the land portion lie in a common plane, referred to herein as the major plane. Thus, the printed circuit board on a basically flat base plate. The secondary section is determined by at least one sensor element for receiving at least one measured variable of the heating block. It is thus proposed to arrange such a sensor element on the secondary section. In that regard, it is even proposed to arrange such a sensor element on the printed circuit board, namely the base plate, instead of arranging this on a separate board or otherwise separately from the printed circuit board.

The secondary section is connected so elastically to the main section via the at least one web section that the secondary section can be bent out of the main plane by bending the web section. In that regard, a bend is addressed in which the at least one interconnecting conductor track is not damaged, so that even in the case of this bend, electrical current can continue to flow via this conductor track. In particular, the sensor element can be connected via this track to further elements on the main section and functionally coupled. This connection or coupling remains in spite of bending of the base plate in the region of the web section. That one or more such pathways are not damaged when bending the web portion can, for example, be achieved in that the material of the relevant track has a corresponding elasticity. If a printed circuit board is used which has several layers in the web region, the layer can be provided as being particularly inelastic, on which the at least one printed conductor is arranged. The bending of the web portion then results in fewer compressions or elongations in this layer than in the other layers. The effect of a bend on the at least one printed conductor is correspondingly low. Another way to prevent damage to at least one trace is to artificially extend the trace on the land portion by, for example, obliquely or meandering, zigzag or similar.

In addition or as an alternative, the web section can also be designed such that the bending out of the secondary section from the main plane only leads to weak bends in the region of the at least one web section. For this purpose, the web portion, for example. Be formed by a corresponding course very long, such as. By a labyrinthine course.

The bending of the auxiliary section from the main section is provided so that the at least one sensor element is adapted in its position and / or orientation to the heating block. The sensor element can thereby be closer to the heating block If necessary, when mounting the printed circuit board to the heating block, the secondary section of the heating block can also be pushed away. In particular, the distance between the sensor element and the heating block, in particular at a position at which the sensor element or the printed circuit board touches the heating block in this area, denotes the position of the sensor element to the heating block.

In addition, the sensor element or a relevant region of the secondary section, on which the sensor element is arranged, have a certain areal extent, which is not negligible, so that it can not be assumed that a point-shaped sensor element. In this case, a plane parallelism of such a surface of the sensor element or the corresponding region of the auxiliary section to a corresponding surface, in particular contact surface, of the heating block denotes an alignment. However, a plane-parallel alignment of such two surfaces is only one possible orientation. In particular, it is provided that the elastic web portion only allows a plane-parallel alignment between the sensor element and heating block. In other words, initially there may be a non-plane-parallel orientation and when attaching the printed circuit board to the heating block, the secondary section applies to the heating block, that there is a parallelism in plan. This alignment or change of orientation is made possible only by the elasticity of the web section.

It can therefore be provided on the base plate of the printed circuit board, the sensor element and adjust due to the elasticity of the web portion in position and alignment with the radiator. As a result, electrical connections can be achieved by corresponding electrical contacts at a corresponding point of contact, whereby electrical connectors can be avoided. The structure of the printed circuit board and the attachment of the same to the heating block for the purpose of coupling with sensor elements of the heating block can thus be made simple.

The secondary section may preferably be bent out of the main plane by at least one, preferably at least three, average thicknesses of the electronic printed circuit board, such that the secondary section in the region of the at least one electronic sensor element mounted on the secondary section is at least one of these average thicknesses, in particular at least three of these average thicknesses can be bent in a direction perpendicular to the main plane from the main plane. Thus, the printed circuit board, in particular in the region of its main section, be mounted on a body such as the heating block and on the Leiterpia- However, the sensor element which is fastened to the tine can still be changed in its position by at least one or at least three thicknesses. Thus, it is possible to provide a certain flexibility of positioning without additional element for the sensor element. Arrangement and interconnection of the electrical sensor element on the board can be done in a simple manner before mounting the boards.

For evaluating signals, in particular measured values of the sensor element, a control unit electrically connected to the sensor element is preferably provided on the main section. An electrical connection is made, in particular, via the at least one conductor track which is provided between the secondary section and the main section via the web section. Thus, it is possible to provide the sensor element and also a control on the same board, in particular to equip the board with all these elements and necessary components and still achieve flexibility in arranging the sensor element.

Preferably, the at least one sensor element is soldered as an SMD component on the circuit board. An SMD component is one that is soldered directly to a circuit board without the use of wires. The abbreviation SMD was written in English and stands for "Surface Mounted Device". In this way, the arrangement of a corresponding sensor element can be further simplified by this is arranged and soldered as an SMD component on the secondary section and can be connected via the web portion with a controller.

Preferably, the secondary section is tiltable relative to the main plane via the at least one web section in at least two directions, in particular in two orthogonal directions. Due to this tiltability in several directions, in particular a flexible possibility of aligning the auxiliary section, in particular a sensor element installed there, is to be achieved.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the secondary section is surrounded by the main section, that, in addition or instead, free cuts are provided between the secondary section and the main section and a plurality of the web sections are formed between the cutouts. In that regard, initially a conventional, for example, rectangular, board or board plate can be used. This is then provided with cutouts, so it will be made recesses that separate the secondary section of the remaining main section. However, there remain web sections that connect the secondary section with the main section. By providing these free cuts, leaving only the connection via the web sections remains, the flexibility is created, which is needed to herauszubiegen the side section of the main plane of the board.

The free cuts, and thus the resulting or remaining web portions can now be designed so that there is a corresponding flexibility. In particular, it is proposed that the web portions represent a direct or shortest connection between the subsection and the main section, thereby making as long as possible in particular the respective connection path, which creates a web portion, thereby increasing the flexibility of the connection between the minor and major section , For example. The cutouts may also be provided so that labyrinth-like web section arise. Such a labyrinth-like configuration also leads to long connecting sections between secondary section and main section, namely connecting sections which are significantly longer than the actual distance to be bridged between secondary section and main section.

Preferably, the at least one web section and / or corresponding cutouts are designed at least in sections in a labyrinth-like manner. According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the at least one of the web sections and / or the cutouts are formed wholly or partially spirally. Also, by a spiral-shaped configuration, as described above, a flexibility of the connection between the secondary section and the main section can be achieved.

Additionally or alternatively, it is proposed that the at least one web section and / or the free cuts run from the main section to the secondary section by at least 90 ° around the at least one sensor element. In addition or as an alternative, the at least one conductor track runs from the main section to the secondary section by at least 90 ^° around the at least one sensor element. This also creates a route of mechanical or electrical connection between the main and secondary sections, which is considerably longer than the actual distance between the secondary and main sections. Accordingly, the flexibility can be increased. A bend that leads to a positional deviation of the secondary section compared to the main section by only a few thicknesses of the board leads to little or even barely noticeable bends in such extended web sections. This also makes it possible to ensure that the connecting strip or connecting tracks are not damaged during the intended bending. For all embodiments, it is common for the reason that the bending of the web section can lead to a restoring force being produced which is in fact directed counter to the bend from the board, in particular the web section. This restoring force can also be used as a pressing force or pressing force of the auxiliary section against the heating block, if the printed circuit board is installed in accordance with the heating block. Preferably, a printed circuit board is used, which has a commonly used material of a board. Such a known printed circuit board is so far substantially or exclusively adapted in their form by side section and web portion are created, in particular by the described free cuts are made. Such a printed circuit board is usually made of an elastic material, so that a bend leads to a permanent counterforce.

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the secondary section forms with the web section a finger section extending in a finger-like manner from the main section in one direction. Such a finger portion may, for example, have one fifth or less of the width of the main portion and have a length which has at least 3 times, in particular at least 5 times, the value of the width of the web portion or of the finger portion. Thus, a printed circuit board can be provided which contains control units, evaluation units and / or other desired elements or assemblies in a known manner on a main section. For the provision of at least one sensor element this is provided on a slender finger-like finger portion basically at the end and is connected to corresponding elements on the main portion via corresponding conductor tracks on the finger portion.

Preferably, the at least one sensor element may be a Hall IC for receiving magnetic signals, in particular magnetic signals of a magnetic wheel for detecting a flow rate. Here, a corresponding magnetic wheel can be installed in the heating block and the printed circuit board is installed on the heating block so that the secondary section with the sensor element thereon, namely the Hall IC, is arranged immediately adjacent to the magnetic wheel, the sensor element can receive there the signals of the magnetic wheel and forward to the main section for evaluation.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the sensor element is a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the heating block. By the printed circuit board, such can be arranged at a desired position on the heating block. There, the sensor element can either directly record and measure a temperature or receive corresponding signals from an electrical component, such as a sensor, which is permanently installed on or in the heating block. For example. Resistance values of a temperature-dependent resistor, which is arranged in the heating block, can be evaluated by the sensor on the circuit board.

Another embodiment proposes that for detecting a pressure, a pressure sensor is provided, which thus forms the electrical sensor element. Also, such a pressure sensor can directly or indirectly detect a pressure, as explained in connection with the temperature sensor.

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that a test circuit is provided for checking whether an electrical contact has been made between the sensor element on the secondary section and the heating block. This test circuit comprises a first and second contact. For establishing a galvanic connection with a first or second counter contact arranged on the heating block. In this case, the test circuit is prepared to detect whether an electric current flows from the first contact point to the second contact point.

Thus, two contact points are provided at the minor portion of the printed circuit board. These are to be connected to corresponding mating contact points of the heating block, namely such that the first contact point with the first mating contact point and the second contact point with the second mating contact point are connected. It is assumed that the first and second mating contact point are electrically connected to each other. Now, if the above contact between the first and second contact point and the first and second mating contact point made, there is a galvanic connection between the first and second contact point and about the galvanic connection of the two mating contact points with each other. The test circuit checks whether an electric current flows from the first contact point to the second contact point and thereby in particular checks whether there is a contact between the first contact point and the first mating contact point and / or if there is a contact between the second contact point and the second mating contact point, because only then can an electrical contact Current flow from the first contact point to the second contact point, which also flows over the heating block.

The first contact point is preferably prepared with an evaluation unit, in particular the sensor element for evaluating a sensor or sensor part connected to the first mating contact. The first contact point and its contact to the first Gegenkontaktpunkt is therefore important for the functionality of the evaluation by the sensor element, namely information, in particular in the form of electrical signals, can be passed through this contact between the first contact point and the first mating contact point to the sensor element or evaluation on the circuit board. If this contact does not exist between the first contact point and the first counter contact point, this information can not be transmitted. Thus, by checking whether current flows between the first and second contact points, it can be checked whether this contact exists and otherwise an error message can be output.

Preferably, the second contact point may comprise a spring element in order to improve a galvanic contact between the second contact point and the second counter contact point. Thus, it can be assumed that a relatively secure contact between the second contact point and the second counter contact point can be achieved by this spring element. If it is now detected that no current flows between the first and the second contact point, it can be concluded, assuming contact between the second contact point and the second mating contact point, that there is no contact between the first contact point and the first mating contact point.

Preferably, the first contact point is an electrical positive pole and the second electrical contact point is a negative electrical pole. In that regard, at least the test circuit uses a DC current to test the contact.

Thus, it is particularly provided that the test circuit is formed so that the electric current between the first and second contact point can flow only through the first and second mating contact point when the first and second mating contact point are electrically connected to each other.

Furthermore, a heating block of a heater, in particular a heating block of a water heater is proposed, wherein the printed circuit board has a base plate having a main portion, a minor portion and at least one elastic web portion connecting the minor portion to the main portion, the minor portion, the main portion and the land portion in a relaxed state lie in a common main plane, the secondary section is equipped with at least one sensor element for receiving at least one measured variable of the heating block, the printed circuit board is attached to the heating block, that the sensor element provides a assumes ne position and by bending the web portion of the side portion in a region, in particular in the region of the at least one sensor element, on a Heizblockkörper for receiving or guiding the liquid medium, is applied.

In particular, a printed circuit board according to at least one of the embodiments described above is used. This is fastened with its main portion to the heating block, that the sensor element occupies a predetermined position at the side portion. In this case, the secondary section for the sensor element or the region of the secondary section bearing the sensor element achieves the flexibility or freedom to adapt to the heating block. In particular, it is achieved that the sensor element can assume a position outside the main plane of the board, and / or that the sensor element or the corresponding section on the secondary section can be tilted relative to the main plane of the board. It is therefore achieved a different position and deviating orientation in a simple manner, namely, allows an adaptation to the heating block.

Preferably, to compensate for heights and / or bearing tolerances of the secondary section is pressed by the radiator from the main plane. On the one hand, this can take place when the printed circuit board is fastened to the heating block, but in particular it is also a static state when the printed circuit board is fastened to the heating block or heating block body.

Additionally or alternatively, the secondary section can be pressed by a fastening means from the main plane against the Heizblockkörper. In this case, the secondary section is pressed, in particular from the main plane of the board to the heating block, in particular Heizblockkörper out.

Preferably, the heating block has first and second galvanically interconnected mating contact points prepared for galvanic contacting with the first and second contact points of the printed circuit board, respectively, when attached to the heating block body. Thus, with a fixed state of the board to the heating block, if there is no error, a galvanic contact between the first contact point and the first mating contact point and a galvanic contact between the second contact point and the second mating contact point. By way of the galvanic connection between the first and second mating contact points, the first and second contact points above are then also galvanically connected to one another. is interrupted this connection, no current can flow and it is assumed that at least one of the contacts is interrupted.

It is proposed that a heating device, in particular a continuous flow heater with a heating block, is preferably designed according to one of the described embodiments. The advantages described, in particular the cost-effective design and the avoidance of errors, are beneficial according to the heater, which can thereby be even cheaper and may have a lower susceptibility to errors.

To install a sensor on a heater block to measure a physical quantity in the heater block, a method is proposed with the following steps:

Positioning a printed circuit board equipped with at least one sensor element on a heating block,

Measuring an electrical conductivity between the printed circuit board or the sensor element and a reference element arranged on the heating block; comparing the measured electrical conductivity with a reference value or checking whether any electrical contact exists at all;

Repeating the positioning when the measured electrical conductivity deviates in magnitude by more than a predetermined value from the reference value or is about zero and / or

- Using a test circuit for checking whether an electrical contact has been made between the sensor element on the side section and the heating block.

Accordingly, a printed circuit board is positioned on the heating block and in particular also attached and then made a measurement of electrical conductivity between the printed circuit board or between the sensor element and a arranged on the heating block reference element. In this way, in particular by comparing the measured electrical conductivity with a reference value, it is possible to check whether a desired electrical contact exists. The comparison with the reference value does not necessarily have to be very precise. It may be sufficient to check whether any current is flowing when a corresponding electrical test voltage is applied.

If it is found that there is no or no sufficient electrical contact, the printed circuit board is repositioned and the check repeated. In front- Preferably, a test circuit is used for this, as described above in some embodiments.

Preferably, a printed wiring board according to at least one of the above embodiments is used and / or a heater block according to any one of the above embodiments is used.

The invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a heating block with a composite of two partial shells

Heizblockkörper.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of a heating block similar to FIG. 1 in a perspective view.

FIG. 3 shows the detail of FIG. 2 in a plan view,

FIG. 4 shows the detail of FIG. 2 in a side view.

FIG. 5 shows the detail of FIG. 2 in a further side view.

FIG. 6 shows the detail of FIG. 2 in a sectional view.

FIG. 7 shows the section of FIG. 2 in a further sectional view.

Figure 8 shows a section of a control board according to an embodiment with a finger-like extending finger portion.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a printed circuit board with a spiral-shaped web section.

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of a printed circuit board with a labyrinth-shaped web section. FIG. 11 schematically shows a section of a secondary section with a test circuit.

FIG. 12 schematically shows the side section of FIG. 11 in a front view schematically. The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, identical reference numerals are used for the same but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements can be scaled differently.

1 shows a perspective view of a heating block 100 with a Heizblock- body 102, which is composed essentially of a first sub-shell 1 'and a second sub-shell 2'. The second sub-shell 2 'is disposed substantially below the first sub-shell 1', wherein in the figure 1 in the area bottom left, the second sub-shell 2 'protrudes below the first sub-shell 1'. Between the two partial shells 1 'and 2', flow channels 104 are formed, which carry water as intended, which flows through them and can be heated in some of the flow channels 104. The heating can be done, for example, by means of heating coils, which can be electrically controlled via so-called triacs 106. The water or the heated water to be heated can flow in and out through in each case one of the water connections 108. For measuring a flow rate of the water, a receiving recess 13 'is shown, which can basically accommodate a magnetic wheel which is moved by the flowing water. The rotational speed of such a magnetic wheel thus provides information about the flow velocity of the water and thus about the flow rate. To evaluate the movement of the magnetic wheel must be detected by means of a corresponding sensor. This can be done by a Hall sensor or Hall IC, which detects the magnetic field or changed magnetic field, which is changed or generated by the movement of the magnetic wheel or by individual magnetic vanes or magnetic pins of the magnetic wheel. For arranging such a Hall sensor, a measuring receptacle 110 is provided. For measuring, such a Hall sensor is thus arranged there and connected to an evaluation circuit or control. The following figures 2 to 7 show in detail the arrangement of a sensor 11 for detecting such a magnetic wheel, which can also be generally referred to as a rotary body. However, the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 7 differ in some details from that of FIG. 1. Therefore, FIG. 1 uses the primed reference numerals 1 ', 2', and 13 'for the first subshell, the second subshell, and the bulge, for the context to illustrate the similar but not identical embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of a first partial shell 1, which is assembled with a second partial shell 2, in a perspective view. The first partial shell 1 has a first inner side 4 with a first partial cavity 8 and a first outer side 6. The second partial shell 2 has a second inner side 5 with a second partial cavity 9 and a second outer side 7. In addition, a bulge 13 can be seen, which receives a rotational body of a flow rate measurement device. The first sub-shell 1 and the second sub-shell 2 are connected to each other via a joining region 12, so that they form a cavity 3 between the two sub-cavities 8 and 9 which can also be referred to as a cavity. The cavity 3 in turn forms a water passage route.

At the first sub-shell 1, a printed circuit board 0 is arranged with a sensor 1 shown schematically. In this case, the sensor 11 detects the revolutions of a magnetic disk arranged in the cavity and attached to the rotary body in order to thus determine the flow rate of the water.

Figures 3 to 5 show the composite part shells 1 and 2 in a plan view and side view. In FIG. 5, two rows of pins 21 arranged parallel to one another can be seen in the cavity 3, which pins are fastened to a rotary body. When the cavity 3 is flowed through with water, the rotary body is set in rotation with the pins 21.

FIG. 6 shows the sectional view AA of the assembled partial shells 1 and 2 of FIG. 2. The second partial shell 2 forms a receiving space 25 in the area of the bulge 13, for receiving the rotary body 20 of a flow rate measuring device. The receiving space 25 is formed solely by the second sub-shell 2. There is no need for an additional item as a housing for the rotary body 20. The first Teilkavität 8 and the second Teilkavität 9 have in the flow direction 32 in front of the rotary body 20 each have a taper 30 and 31 of the cross section. The tapers 30 and 31 are arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another. As a result, a nozzle is formed, in which the water is accelerated and can be directed to the rotational body 20 in a targeted manner.

The rotary body 20 is arranged in the receiving space 25 or in the partial shells 1 and 2. The sensor 11 is arranged on the first outer side 6 above the rotational body 20. The rotary body 20 has a ring 21 on which ten pins 21 are arranged radially to the axis of rotation 23. The pins 21 form a small attack surface for the water flowing through, through which the body of revolution is moved. In addition, a magnetic disk 23 is arranged on the rotary body 20. The magnetic disk 23 is preferably formed of a magnetized plastic, in particular of a plastic, which includes magnetic material and / or has permanent magnetic properties. The magnetic disk 23 rotates with the rotary body 20 and thereby generates a signal in the sensor 11 representative of the flow rate. FIG. 7 shows the sectional view B-B of the assembled partial shells 1 and 2 of FIG. 1. In this case, the first partial shell 1 has two support arms 14 arranged parallel to one another which each have a pin-shaped element 15 pointing towards the rotational body 20 in the direction of the axis of rotation 24. The support arms 14 extend into the receiving space 25 and rest on one side at least partially against the second part 2.

The rotary body 20 has two central receptacles in the form of holes 16, which have approximately the same axis of rotation 24 with the central axis. In addition, the rotary body has two rings 22, which are arranged parallel to one another in the direction of the axis of rotation 24. On the rings 22, two rows of pins 21 are mounted, which are also arranged parallel to each other in the direction of the axis of rotation 24. In addition, a magnetic disk 23 can be seen, which is arranged rotationally fixed on the rotary body 20. In the receptacles 16, the pin-like elements 15 of the first sub-shell 1 engage. The rotary body 20 is thus rotatably fixed between the two support arms 14. The two support arms 14 are elastically formed so that they can be bent apart to insert the rotation body 20, as long as they are not inserted into the second sub-shell 2. In the position shown in Figure 7, inserted into the second sub-shell, the support arms 14 are prevented by the second sub-shell 2 from being bent apart again, whereby finally the rotary body 20, so the wheel 20 shown, is rotatably fixed. The printed circuit board 10, which may also be referred to as the printed circuit board 10, is subdivided into a main section 80, a secondary section 82 and a web section 84 connecting the secondary section 80 to the main section 80. This division of the printed circuit board 10 can be seen particularly well in Figures 2 and 3. The auxiliary section 82 receives the sensor 11. The sensor 11 is connected to the two conductor tracks of the side portion 82 via the web portion 84 to the main portion 80 with a control or evaluation device to be provided there. The conductor tracks and the evaluation or control device is not shown in simplified form in Figures 2 to 7. For fastening, the printed circuit board 10 in the region of its main portion 80 mounting holes 86, with which the printed circuit board 10 can be attached to a heating block, such as the heating block 100, in particular there to the Heizblockkörper 102. The side portion 82 forms here with its web portion 84 together a finger portion which extends from the main portion 80 of. This finger portion and thus the secondary portion 82 is used with the sensor 11 in the measuring receptacle 110 'to receive there signals from the magnetic wheel or rotary body 20 with magnetic disk 23 and forward via the web portion 84 to the main portion 80 for further evaluation. By the finger portion, namely the side portion 82 and web portion 84, the sensor 11 can be preassembled or pre-equipped directly on the board 0 and can be arranged when attaching the board directly to the desired position, namely in the measuring receptacle 110 '. Any inaccuracies can help to compensate for an elasticity of the finger portion, in particular of the web portion 84.

The embodiment of Figure 8 shows a printed circuit board 810 having a main portion 880, one end of which is shown open. Furthermore, a secondary section 882 is provided, which is connected via a web section 884 to the main section 880. On the secondary section 882, two conductor tracks 888 are indicated, which connect the sensor 81 to the main section 880. The printed conductors 888 run graphically on the main section 880, as it does not depend on the specific formation of a control or evaluation unit or the like to be connected thereto.

The minor portion 882, together with the land portion 884, forms a finger-like extending finger portion. This finger portion has been created by forming two cutouts 890 in the printed circuit board 810. As a result, the flexibility of the web portion 884, which thereby only rested by the way, increased and the Subsection 882, and thus the sensor 811, can thus be moved in its position according to the movement arrows 892 relative to the main section 880. The main section 880 accordingly also forms a main plane from which the sensor 811, as indicated by the movement arrows 892, can be moved out. The embodiment of Figure 9 shows a control board 910 schematically. There, a secondary section 982 is provided, which is completely surrounded by a main section 980. A connection between the secondary section 982 and the main section 980 consists of two spiral web sections 984. From the sensor 911, two conductor tracks 988 lead via one of the web section 984 to the main section 980. For reasons of clarity, the two conductor tracks 988 are shown on the web section 984 drawn a line.

The spiral embodiment of the web portions 984 shown results from corresponding free cuts 990, which are drawn hatched for the sake of clarity. The hatching should show no cut surface here. It can be seen that the embodiment of FIG. 9 provides a flexible configuration for the secondary section 982. This can in particular be moved vertically to a plane of the main section 980. Furthermore, tilting of the auxiliary section 982 is also possible.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 10, which shows a labyrinth-like web section 784. This labyrinthine land portion 784 connects the minor portion 782 to the major portion 780. Two conductive traces extend from the sensor 711 via a land portion 784 to the major portion 780. Again, the conductive traces 788 are shown on the land portion 784 by a single line. The labyrinthine configuration of the web portions 784 is achieved by free cuts 790, which are drawn here hatched for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a test circuit 40 on a finger portion 42, which may be composed of a minor portion and a land portion. Instead of a finger section 82, a secondary section with another web section is also suitable, in particular in a manner as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The finger portion 42 may also be composed of a minor portion 82 and a land portion 84 as shown in Figure 2, or a minor portion 882 and a land portion 884 as shown in Figure 8. In any case, the finger portion 42 has a sensor 44, which may correspond, for example, the sensor 11 of Figure 2. It is also possible to provide another sensor which, for example, carries out a temperature evaluation or a pressure evaluation. For driving the sensor 44, a first control line 46 is provided which, for example, can forward a positive direct current to the sensor 44 for evaluation. As a return line, a second control line 48 is provided, which is not directly connected to the sensor 44. Rather, it is connected to a second contact point 52, which may be provided with a spring 54. In order to be able to carry out an evaluation using the first and second control lines 46, 48, a current flows via the control line 46 to the sensor 44 and from there back via a first contact point 50, which is arranged below the sensor 44 and only in the figure 12 is shown. From the first contact point 50, the current then flows via the first mating contact point 56 onto a heating block 60 or the like to the second mating contact point 58 and from there to the second contact point 52 finally to the second control line 48. In this way, a corresponding control circuit can be closed. However, if a contact, in particular between the first contact point 50 and the first contact point 56, not closed, no current can flow and this can be detected as a fault.

For illustration, in FIG. 12, a first and second control current 62 and 64 are shown, which flow as intended in the first control line 46 and second control line 48, respectively. A previous second control current 66 is also shown with an arrow, which is crossed out, to explain that a corresponding return directly from the sensor 44 no longer exists and instead the second control line 48 is used as shown, in which the second control current 64 flows. Only when the contacts between the first and second contact point or mating contact point 50, 52 and 56, 58 are made, the first and second control current 62, 64 can flow. In particular, any incorrect positioning can be detected thereby, because then at least one of the contact pairs does not touch and accordingly the contact is not present and no current can flow.

Thus, a solution is now created in which even by a clever combination of the location of a Parameterabnahmestelle in the heating block, such as the measuring receptacle 110 'in the range of a magnetic wheel, and the sensor on the control unit or on the control board, an arrangement without additional components , how strands, plugs or additional board, is created. For this purpose, these two elements are spatially arranged so that the sensor on the circuit board or printed circuit board directly to said parameter acceptance point, in particular a take-off point of the there Parameters contacted electrically or mechanically. Connecting elements such as strands and connectors can thus be omitted. The proposed solution can in principle be used in all devices in which a control device is not arranged at such parameter acceptance points or parameter acceptance points, but can now be arranged.

In particular, a flow detection, ie detection of the flow rate or flow rate without additional components, such as connecting elements such as strands, plugs, potting compound and / or interfaces, can thereby be created on a control unit.

By using a SMD Hall IC, it can be soldered directly to the printed circuit board or printed circuit board, avoiding connectors such as connectors and leads. For the Hall IC to detect the magnetic field changes of the corresponding rotating magnetic wheel, there must be an exact spatial proximity between the two components, namely between the magnetic wheel and the Hall IC. By a correspondingly meaningful arrangement of the magnetic wheel in Heizblockkörper and the Hall IC on the control board, in particular the control device, this arrangement can be created without additional components. Thus, the position of the Hall IC has been moved in the immediate vicinity of the magnetic wheel over the prior art by one or more elastic webs on the printed circuit board. In particular, this also cost savings can be achieved.

Claims

claims

An electronic circuit board (10) for controlling and / or monitoring a heating block (100) having a heater for heating a liquid medium

a base plate having a main portion (80), a minor portion (82), and at least one resilient land portion (84) connecting said minor portion (82) to said major portion (80)

the main portion (80) is provided for attachment to or on the heating block (100),

at least one connecting track (88) extends from the main section (80) over the web section (84) to the secondary section (82) on the base plate,

the secondary section (82), the main section (80) and the web section (84) are in a relaxed state in a common main plane, the secondary section (82) is equipped with at least one sensor element (11) for receiving at least one measured variable of the heating block (100) is, the side portion (82) via the at least one web portion (84) so elastically connected to the main portion (80) that the secondary portion (82) can be bent over a bending of the web portion (84) from the main plane, without the at least one connecting track (88) is damaged thereby to adjust the at least one sensor element (11) in position and / or orientation to the heating block (100).

Electronic printed circuit board (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the electronic printed circuit board (10) has an average thickness and that the secondary section (82) can be bent over the web section (84) by at least one, preferably at least three average thicknesses from the main plane, so that the secondary section (82) in the region of at least an electronic sensor element (11) mounted on the secondary section (82) can be bent out of the main plane by at least one thickness, in particular by at least three thicknesses in a direction perpendicular to the main plane. Electronic printed circuit board (10) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

for evaluating signals, in particular measured values of the sensor element (11) on the main section (80), a control electronically connected to the sensor element (11) is provided, wherein the electrical connection (88) takes place in particular via the at least one conductor track (88).

Electronic printed circuit board (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the at least one sensor element (11) is soldered as an SMD component on the printed circuit board (10).

the secondary section (82) is tiltable relative to the main plane (80) via the at least one web section (84) in at least two directions, in particular in two orthogonal directions.

the secondary section (82) is surrounded by the main section (80) and / or free cuts (90) are provided between the secondary section (82) and the main section (80) and a plurality of the web sections (84) are formed between the cutouts (90).

the at least one web section (84) and / or the cutouts (90) are configured in whole or in part as labyrinthine and / or spiral, and / or from the main section (80) to the secondary section (82) at least 90 ° about the at least one sensor element (11 ) and / or that at least one conductor track (88) extends from the main section (80) to the secondary section (82) at least 90 ° around the at least one sensor element (11).

the minor portion (82) forms with the land portion (84) a finger portion finger-like extending from the major portion (80) in one direction.

9. Electronic printed circuit board (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the at least one sensor element (11)

a Hall IC for receiving magnetic signals, in particular magnetic signals of a magnetic wheel for detecting a flow rate is, is a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the heating block (100) and / or

a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the heating block (100).

10. Electronic printed circuit board (10) according to one of the preceding claims,

marked by

a test circuit (40) for checking whether electrical contact has been made between the sensor element (11) on the minor section (82) and the heater block (100), and the test circuit (40) comprises first and second contact points (50, 52) at the minor portion (82) for making a galvanic connection with first and second mating contact points (56, 58) disposed on the heating block (100), respectively, and the test circuit (40) is prepared to detect if an electrical current is flowing from the first Contact point (50) to the second contact point (52) flows.

11. Electronic printed circuit board (10) according to claim 10,

characterized in that

the first contact point (50) is prepared with an evaluation unit and / or the sensor element (11) for evaluating a sensor (1) or sensor part connected to the first mating contact point (56), the second contact point (52) has a spring element (54), for improving the galvanic contact between the second contact point (52) and the second mating contact point (58),

the first contact point (50) forms an electrical positive pole and the second electrical contact point (52) forms a negative electrical pole and / or the test circuit (40) is designed such that the electrical current between the first and second contact points (50, 52) only via the first and second mating contact point (56, 58) can flow when the first and second mating contact point (56, 58) are galvanically connected to each other. Heating block (100) of a heater for heating a liquid medium with attached electronic circuit board (10), wherein

the printed circuit board comprises a base plate having a main portion (80), a minor portion (82) and at least one resilient land portion (84) connecting the minor portion (82) to the main portion (80), the minor portion (82), the major portion (80) and the web section (84) lie in a relaxed state in a common main plane, the secondary section (82) is equipped with at least one sensor element (11) for receiving at least one measured variable of the heating block (100), the printed circuit board (10) is thus attached to the heating block ( 100) is fixed, that the sensor element (11) occupies a designated position and

by a bend of the web portion (84) of the secondary portion (82) in a region, in particular in the region of the at least one sensor element (11) on a Heizblockkörper (102) for receiving or guiding the liquid medium, is present.

Heating block (100) according to claim 12,

characterized in that

in particular to compensate for height and / or position tolerances

the subsection (82) is pushed out of the main plane by the heater block body (102), or

the subsection (82) is pressed against the heater block body (102) by a main plane fastener.

Heating block (100) according to claim 12 or 13,

characterized in that

a printed circuit board (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is used and optionally the heating block (100) having a first and second galvanically interconnected mating contact point (56, 58) for galvanic contacting with the first and second contact point (50, 52) ,

Heater (100), in particular instantaneous water heater, with a heating block (100) according to one of Claims 12 to 14. A method of installing a sensor (11) on a heater block (100) for measuring a physical quantity, comprising the steps of:

Positioning a equipped with at least one sensor element (11)

Printed circuit board (10) on a heating block (100),

Measuring an electrical conductivity between the printed circuit board (10) or the sensor element (11) and a reference element arranged on the heating block (100),

Comparing the measured electrical conductivity with a reference value or checking if there is any electrical contact at all and repeating the positioning if the measured electrical conductivity deviates in magnitude by more than a predetermined value from the reference value and / or about zero and / or

Use of a test circuit (40), in particular as described in claims 10 and 11, for checking whether an electrical contact has been established between the sensor element (12) on the secondary section (82) and the heating block (100).

17. The method according to claim 16,

characterized in that

a printed circuit board (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is used, and / or that a heating block (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14 is used.