Housing for a heating device of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for a heating device of a vehicle, in particular a caravan or motor caravan, wherein the heating device is designed to heat air and water. The housing has a housing volume for receiving the assemblies of the heating device. The housing is divided along a separating plane into a housing lower shell and a housing upper shell. The housing additionally has a separating wall which is arranged in the housing volume and by means of which the housing volume is divided into a first housing sub-volume and a second housing sub-volume. The housing sub-volumes are designed to separately receive different assemblies of the heating device.

Description

[0001] Housing for a vehicle heater

[0002] The invention relates to a housing for a heater of a vehicle, in particular a caravan or motor caravan.

[0003] Recreational vehicles, such as caravans (mobile homes) or motorhomes (mobile homes), are typically equipped with a heater for heating the interior air and water. Such heaters for combined heating of air and water are also known as combination heaters (or combo heaters for short) and are powered by gas, gasoline, or diesel.

[0004] Combination heaters, for example, are marketed by the applicant under the name "Combi D" and typically feature a warm air assembly and a warm water assembly. The warm air assembly comprises a recirculation fan for conveying the air to be heated, a combustion air fan for conveying the combustion air, and a heat exchanger for transferring heat to the air and water to be heated. The actual heat generation takes place in a combustion unit with a flame tube and burner provided within the heat exchanger. The warm water assembly comprises a water tank and, if appropriate, other components, such as a pump unit, a valve unit, or the like.Conventional combination heaters have a housing with a housing volume in which the aforementioned components or at least the recirculation fan, the combustion air fan, the heat exchanger together with the combustion unit arranged in the heat exchanger and the water tank are accommodated.

[0005] DE 10 2017 119 077 A1 discloses a vehicle heater with a heater housing. The heater housing defines an airflow chamber for the air to be heated and has an inlet area for the air to enter the airflow chamber and an outlet area for the air to exit the airflow chamber. A combustion chamber assembly is arranged in the heater housing. Furthermore, a heat exchanger area is provided in the heater housing, in which a heat exchanger housing extending longitudinally in the heater housing is arranged.

[0006] DE 198 55 065 A1 discloses a heater housing with a shell construction. The heater housing comprises a lower housing base part with an upper inclined opening and a cover that can cover the inclined opening and extends over part of the axial length of the heater housing. The object of the invention is to provide a housing for a vehicle heater that has improved properties compared to the prior art.

[0007] This object is achieved by providing a housing having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. The wording of the claims is incorporated into the description by reference.

[0008] The housing according to the invention is provided for a heater for heating air and water in a vehicle, in particular a caravan or motorhome, and has a housing volume designed to accommodate at least one recirculation fan, a combustion air fan, a heat exchanger, which preferably comprises an integrated combustion unit with a flame tube and a burner, and a water tank of the heater. The housing is divided along a parting plane into a lower housing shell and an upper housing shell. The parting plane extends along a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the housing. The lower housing shell and the upper housing shell thus lie opposite one another along a vertical axis of the housing. The upper housing shell and the lower housing shell are separably joined together along the parting plane and enclose the housing volume.The housing further comprises a partition wall arranged within the housing volume and extending along the longitudinal and vertical axes. The housing volume is divided by the partition wall into a first housing sub-volume and a second housing sub-volume. The first housing sub-volume and the second housing sub-volume are separated from one another by the partition wall. The first housing sub-volume is configured to accommodate at least the recirculation fan, the combustion air fan, and the heat exchanger (including any combustion unit integrated into the heat exchanger). The second housing sub-volume is configured to accommodate at least the water tank.

[0009] The housing according to the invention enables simplified assembly and repair of the heater. Furthermore, mutual thermal, fluidic, or other interference between the components of the warm air assembly and the warm water assembly is prevented.

[0010] Simplified assembly and repair are achieved by dividing the housing into two parts: the upper housing shell and the lower housing shell. During assembly, the heater components can be ergonomically and time-savingly inserted into the lower housing shell with the upper housing shell removed. They can then be securely fixed between the two housing shells by placing the upper housing shell on the lower housing shell. In the event of a repair, the heater components are easily accessible after removing the upper housing shell from the lower housing shell.

[0011] The partition wall is provided to shield the warm air and warm water assemblies from one another. The partition wall divides the total housing volume enclosed between the upper housing shell and the lower housing shell into the aforementioned first housing sub-volume and the second housing sub-volume. The two housing sub-volumes are spatially separated from one another by the partition wall. This prevents the water tank and any other components of the warm water assembly from being thermally affected or even overloaded by the heat generated by the warm air assembly. Conversely, it also prevents the air flow of the recirculation fan from being aerodynamically impaired by the geometric properties of the water tank or other components of the warm water assembly. Separating the housing volume by means of the partition wall therefore also allows the two housing sub-volumes to be optimized based on different criteria.For example, the first housing part volume can be optimized with regard to its flow properties.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the parting plane extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis and / or a horizontal central longitudinal plane of the housing. In this case, the two housing shells can also be referred to as half-shells (lower housing half-shell, upper housing half-shell). The dividing wall is preferably orthogonal to the parting plane and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis. In a preferred embodiment, the dividing wall is arranged along the transverse axis approximately at the level of a vertical central longitudinal plane of the housing, whereby the housing volume is divided into two approximately equal-sized sub-volumes and consequently the first housing sub-volume and the second housing sub-volume are approximately the same size.

[0013] The partition wall forms a spatial, mechanical, thermal and / or fluidic separation between the first housing sub-volume and the second housing sub-volume. In a preferred embodiment, the first housing sub-volume and the second housing sub-volume are separated from one another in a fluid-tight manner by means of the partition wall. The partition wall can have passages for fluid or other lines extending between the first housing sub-volume and the second housing sub-volume. When the heater is fully assembled, such passages are preferably closed in a fluid-tight manner by cross-sections of the aforementioned lines. Alternatively or additionally, such passages can be located so high with respect to the vertical axis that a leakage from the second housing sub-volume into the first housing sub-volume is not possible under normal conditions.In one embodiment, the partition wall is formed by an additional single-piece or multi-piece housing component arranged between the upper housing shell and the lower housing shell. In a preferred embodiment, the partition wall is formed by sections of the lower housing shell and / or the upper housing shell.

[0014] Position and direction specifications used in this description, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side” and the like, refer to a proper installation position of the housing.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the partition wall is divided along the dividing plane into a lower partition wall section and an upper partition wall section. The lower partition wall section is formed integrally with the housing lower shell. The upper partition wall section is formed integrally with the housing upper shell. When the housing lower shell and the housing upper shell are joined together, the lower partition wall section and the upper partition wall section are also joined together along the dividing plane. The joint between the housing upper shell and the housing lower shell and / or the lower partition wall section and the upper partition wall section preferably comprises a tongue and groove joint.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first housing sub-volume forms a flow channel for the air to be heated. The flow channel extends longitudinally along, preferably parallel to, the longitudinal axis between an air inlet and at least one air outlet. The air inlet opens from an environment into the first housing sub-volume and thus into the flow channel. The at least one air outlet opens from the flow channel and thus the first housing sub-volume into the environment. The air inlet and the at least one air outlet are each formed on the lower housing shell and / or the upper housing shell. The flow channel is fluidically separated from the second housing sub-volume by means of the partition wall and can therefore be designed to be particularly advantageous and optimized with regard to its fluidic properties.

[0017] Preferably, the air inlet is arranged on a front side and the at least one air outlet is arranged on a rear side of the housing, wherein the front side and the rear side lie opposite one another along the longitudinal axis. Further preferably, the air inlet is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, preferably coaxial with the flow channel. The at least one air outlet is preferably angled by 90° to the longitudinal axis and is thus oriented vertically upwards or horizontally to the side. In a preferred embodiment, several differently oriented air outlets are provided, for example two vertical air outlets and two horizontal air outlets, wherein the vertical air outlets can preferably each be oriented upwards and the two horizontal air outlets can be oriented horizontally in a common lateral direction or in opposite lateral directions.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the flow channel has a cross-section with a round basic shape and is at least partially cylindrical along the longitudinal axis between the air inlet and the air outlet. Particularly advantageous flow properties are achieved by the round cross-section of the flow channel. The round cross-section is viewed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the basic shape of the cross-section is circular, and the flow channel is consequently elongated with a circular-cylindrical basic shape between the air inlet and the air outlet. The circular and / or circular-cylindrical design achieves further improved flow properties.Preferably, the cross section has a round, in particular circular, basic shape, as well as the cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical, longitudinal extension, at least in the area of ​​the air inlet and / or recirculation fan. In the area of ​​the heat exchanger, the basic shape is preferably adapted to an outer contour of the heat exchanger, preferably a rectangular basic shape, in particular a square basic shape. The basic shape, adapted to the outer contour of the heat exchanger, allows for better heat transfer to the air to be heated.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cross-section of the flow channel, starting from the air inlet, is variable along the longitudinal axis such that the flow channel, in a longitudinal section and / or when viewed toward the parting plane, is designed like a nozzle and has a nozzle section arranged downstream of the air inlet. Due to the nozzle section arranged downstream of the air inlet, the flow channel has particularly advantageous flow properties. In particular, the nozzle section counteracts unwanted recirculation of air drawn through the air inlet by the recirculation fan. Furthermore, pressure losses are minimized. When the heater is assembled, the recirculation fan is preferably arranged within the nozzle section.The nozzle-shaped design of the flow channel results from a variable dimensioning of the cross-section of the flow channel along the longitudinal axis. Starting from the diameter of the air inlet, the cross-section initially expands to a maximum value and then continuously decreases from this maximum value to a smaller value. The nozzle section preferably occupies between 40% and 60%, more preferably approximately 50%, of the total length of the flow channel.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the dividing plane forms a horizontal central longitudinal plane of the flow channel and the air inlet, with the flow channel having a mirror-symmetrical basic shape with respect to the central longitudinal plane. The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to any nozzle section of the flow channel. Particular advantages are achieved by the mirror-symmetrical design of the flow channel with respect to the dividing plane. In a preferred embodiment, the flow channel is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the air inlet lying in the central longitudinal plane.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lower housing shell has a bearing structure arranged in the second housing sub-volume, which is designed to support the water tank. Furthermore, the upper housing shell has a spring structure arranged in the second housing sub-volume and located opposite the bearing structure along the vertical axis. The spring structure is designed to press the water tank onto the bearing structure with elastic preload along the vertical axis. The bearing structure allows for positionally accurate support and forms defined load paths between the water tank and the lower housing shell. The spring structure ensures that the water tank is held between the lower housing shell and the upper housing shell without play when the housing is closed (upper housing shell placed on the lower housing shell and joined together).For this purpose, the spring structure is elastically flexible and, when the housing is closed, generates a spring force that acts on the water tank and presses it against the bearing structure along its vertical axis. An additional fixed stop prevents excessive deformation of the spring structure. Preferably, the bearing structure is formed integrally with the lower housing shell, i.e., an integral component of the lower housing shell. Preferably, the spring structure is formed integrally with the upper housing shell, i.e., an integral component of the upper housing shell.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bearing structure has a concave bearing contour that is complementary to a convex outer contour of the water tank. When the water tank is accommodated, its outer contour therefore lies flat on the complementary bearing contour. The water tank has, in particular, an oval, preferably circular, outer contour. In this case, the bearing contour is curved in an arc shape, preferably in the shape of a circular arc. In a further embodiment of the invention, the spring structure has at least one rib that projects along the vertical axis from an inner wall of the housing upper shell and, when the water tank is accommodated, presses against an upper side of the water tank in an elastically prestressed manner. The rib is elastically yielding and, when the housing is closed, is elastically deformed, in particular bent and / or compressed, under the influence of the upper side of the water tank.The restoring force of the rib caused by the elastic deformation presses the water tank onto the bearing structure. It is understood that the spring structure can also have more than one such rib.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing lower shell has a stop structure arranged in the second housing sub-volume and a further spring structure opposite the stop structure along the longitudinal axis. The stop structure forms a stop for the water tank along the longitudinal axis. The further spring structure is designed to press the water tank against the stop structure in an elastically prestressed manner along the longitudinal axis. The stop structure and the further spring structure allow the water tank to be received and stored in a positionally accurate and play-free manner along the longitudinal axis. The stop structure and the spring structure are preferably each formed integrally with the housing lower shell, i.e. each is an integral component of the housing lower shell.Preferably, the stop structure forms a stop for a first end of the water tank, and the additional spring structure acts on a second end of the water tank, which is opposite the first end along the longitudinal axis. The water tank is held in a form-fitting manner between the stop structure and the additional spring structure along the longitudinal axis.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the additional spring structure has at least one rib that protrudes along the vertical axis from an inner wall of the housing base and, when the water tank is received, presses against a front end of the water tank. The stop structure is arranged on an opposite front end of the water tank. When the water tank is received, the at least one rib is elastically deformed, in particular bent and / or compressed, under the influence of the water tank. The restoring force of the rib resulting from the elastic deformation presses the water tank against the stop structure along the longitudinal axis.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lower housing shell has a lower heat exchanger receiving structure arranged in the first housing sub-volume, and the upper housing shell has an upper heat exchanger receiving structure arranged in the first housing sub-volume. The upper and lower heat exchanger receiving structures serve to support the heat exchanger. In particular, the upper heat exchanger receiving structure and the lower heat exchanger receiving structure are configured to positively receive the heat exchanger along the longitudinal axis. When the housing is closed, the heat exchanger is held positively along the vertical axis between the upper housing shell and the lower housing shell, in particular between the upper heat exchanger receiving structure and the lower heat exchanger receiving structure.

[0026] The upper and lower heat exchanger support structures allow for simplified assembly and storage of the heat exchanger. For assembly, the heat exchanger is placed onto the lower heat exchanger support structure when the housing is open (upper housing shell removed from the lower housing shell). This positions the heat exchanger in relation to the lower housing shell and secures it in a form-fitting manner at least along the longitudinal axis, preferably also along the transverse axis. When the housing is closed, the upper heat exchanger support structure rests on the heat exchanger and additionally fixes it along the longitudinal axis, preferably also along the transverse axis. Along the vertical axis, the heat exchanger is held in a form-fitting manner between the upper and lower heat exchanger support structures and thus between the upper housing shell and the lower housing shell.The lower heat exchanger support structure is preferably formed integrally with the housing lower shell, i.e., an integral component of the housing lower shell. This preferably also applies, mutatis mutandis, to the upper heat exchanger support structure.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lower housing shell has a lower recirculation fan receiving structure arranged in the first housing sub-volume, and the upper housing shell has an upper recirculation fan receiving structure arranged in the first housing sub-volume. The lower and upper recirculation fan receiving structures serve to receive and support the recirculation fan of the heater. In particular, the upper recirculation fan receiving structure and the lower recirculation fan receiving structure are configured to positively accommodate the recirculation fan along the longitudinal axis. When the housing is closed, the recirculation fan is held positively along the vertical axis between the upper housing shell and the lower housing shell, in particular between the upper recirculation fan receiving structure and the lower recirculation fan receiving structure.

[0028] During assembly of the heater, the recirculation fan is placed onto the lower recirculation fan mounting structure with the housing open. This positions the recirculation fan in relation to the housing lower shell and holds it in a form-fitting manner along the longitudinal axis, preferably also along the transverse axis. The housing upper shell is then placed onto the housing lower shell and joined to it. The upper recirculation fan mounting structure is placed onto the recirculation fan, whereby the latter is additionally fixed in a form-fitting manner along the longitudinal axis and optionally also along the transverse axis. Preferably, the lower recirculation fan mounting structure is formed in one piece with the housing lower shell, i.e. is an integral part of the housing lower shell. This preferably also applies, mutatis mutandis, to the upper recirculation fan mounting structure.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing lower shell has a receiving groove that extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis and is designed to receive a cable harness. The cable harness runs from the environment into the housing and at least partially in the receiving groove. By being accommodated in the receiving groove, the cable harness is protected from direct thermal or other influences from the heater components arranged in the housing volume. In addition, the receiving groove provides a defined routing path for the cable harness, which counteracts incorrect assembly. Preferably, the receiving groove is arranged in the region of the first housing sub-volume and / or runs along a section of the first housing sub-volume intended to accommodate the heat exchanger and / or combustion air blower. In this case, the receiving groove primarily serves to thermally shield the cable harness.To fix the cable harness, the receiving channel can be provided with locking lugs.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing upper shell has a cover section. The cover section lies opposite the receiving channel along the vertical axis. When the housing is closed, the receiving channel is openably closed by the cover section. The cover section allows for further improved shielding of the cable harness. In this embodiment, the receiving channel is arranged directly below the parting plane with respect to the vertical axis. The cover section is arranged directly above the parting plane. When the housing upper shell and housing lower shell are joined together, the cover section rests on an upper edge of the receiving channel arranged in the parting plane and closes the receiving channel off from the first housing part volume.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing lower shell has at least four connecting sections, which are arranged in pairs on outer sides of the housing lower shell that are opposite one another along the transverse axis and are each designed for a positive and / or non-positive connection to a mounting rail for mounting the housing on the vehicle. The connecting sections allow simplified vehicle-side installation. For this purpose, the connecting sections can each be connected to a mounting rail. The connecting sections can in principle have any shape suitable for the present purpose. Preferably, the connecting sections are each arranged at the level of an underside of the housing lower shell with respect to the vertical axis. Each of the outer sides of the housing lower shell that are opposite one another along the transverse axis has two of the four connecting sections.On each of the outer sides, the two respective connecting sections are arranged spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the connecting sections are each formed integrally with the housing bottom shell, i.e., are an integral part of the housing bottom shell.

[0032] The invention further relates to a kit comprising a housing according to the preceding embodiment and comprising at least two mounting rails. The kit can also be referred to as a construction kit. The mounting rails of the kit according to the invention are designed for attachment to a mounting surface provided for this purpose on the vehicle and, in the attached state, extend longitudinally along the transverse axis of the housing beneath the housing lower shell. The mounting rails are each extend longitudinally between a first end and a second end and each have a flat support surface on which the housing lower shell is supported along the vertical axis in the assembled state. The first ends and the second ends are each designed to form the positive and / or non-positive connection with the connecting sections of the housing lower shell. The mounting rails are preferably made of metal, preferably as a sheet metal formed component.For installation in the vehicle, the housing is placed on the already mounted mounting rails and then slid along the transverse axis over the support surfaces of the mounting rails until the opposite first and second ends of the mounting rails are positioned at the level of the connecting sections. After this and / or during this process, the connecting sections are connected to the ends of the mounting rails.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first ends of the mounting rails each have an upper side flush with the support surface and a receiving bore extending along the vertical axis, and the connecting sections each have a through-bore extending continuously along the vertical axis. The receiving bores and the through-bores are designed to form a screw connection between the first end of the respective mounting rail and the respective connecting section. Due to the flush design of the upper side of the first end, the housing can be placed on the upper side of the mounting rails in the region of the first ends when attached to the mounting rails and can be pushed over the support surfaces of the mounting rails without snagging or other impairment.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second ends each have a clamping section with a receiving recess in which the respective connecting section is held in a form-fitting manner along the transverse axis on one side when the housing is in the assembled state and is clamped in a form-fitting manner along the vertical axis. When the housing is in the assembled state, the clamping sections of the second ends and the respective connecting sections each form a clamping connection. The clamping connection acts along the vertical axis. Along the transverse axis, the clamping section acts as a stop on one side. This specific design of the second ends eliminates the need for separate connecting elements, such as screws. This significantly simplifies the installation of the housing on the vehicle.The second ends of the mounting rails can also be positioned in close proximity to a wall or corner of the vehicle interior, as they do not need to be directly accessible manually for mounting the housing.

[0035] The invention also relates to a heater for a vehicle, in particular a caravan or motorhome. The heater according to the invention is designed to heat air and water and has a housing as described above, a warm air device, and a warm water device. The warm air device has at least one recirculation fan, a combustion air fan, and a heat exchanger, which is preferably assigned a combustion unit that has a burner and a flame tube. The warm water device has at least one water tank. The warm air device is arranged in the first housing sub-volume. The warm water device is arranged in the second housing sub-volume. The warm water device and the warm air device are separated from one another by the partition wall. When the housing is closed, the upper housing shell is placed onto the lower housing shell and detachably joined to it.When the housing is closed, the recirculation fan, the combustion air fan, the heat exchanger, and the water tank are held in a form-fitting manner along the vertical axis between the lower housing shell and the upper housing shell. The form-fitting fixation between the lower housing shell and the upper housing shell with respect to the vertical axis eliminates the need for separate fastening devices intended for this purpose. This significantly simplifies the construction, assembly, and repair of the heater. Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a housing of a heater for heating air and water in a vehicle,

[0037] Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the heater including the housing according to Fig. 1 and with components of a warm air assembly, with components of a warm water assembly and with mounting rails for mounting the housing on the vehicle,

[0038] Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the housing with a lower housing shell and a housing upper shell,

[0039] Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the housing along a transverse plane,

[0040] Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the housing along a vertical longitudinal plane and in the region of a first housing part volume which is designed to accommodate the warm air assembly,

[0041] Fig. 6 is a further schematic sectional view of the housing along a transverse plane and in the region of a second housing part volume which is designed to accommodate the hot water assembly,

[0042] Fig. 7 a detailed view A according to Fig. 6,

[0043] Fig. 8 a detailed view B according to Fig. 6,

[0044] Fig. 9 is a further schematic sectional view of the housing together with the water tank of the hot water assembly and along a vertical longitudinal plane in the area of ​​the second housing part volume,

[0045] Fig. 10 is a further schematic sectional view of the housing together with a heat exchanger of the warm air assembly and along a transverse plane in the region of the first housing part volume, Fig. 11 is a detailed view C according to Fig. 10,

[0046] Fig. 12 is a further schematic sectional view of the housing together with a

[0047] Recirculation fan of the warm air assembly and along a vertical longitudinal plane in the area of ​​the first housing volume,

[0048] Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view of the housing lower shell together with the heat exchanger arranged in the first housing part volume and a cable harness,

[0049] Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the housing in a state connected to the mounting rails,

[0050] Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view of one of the mounting rails,

[0051] Fig. 16 is a further schematic sectional view of the housing together with the mounting rails along a transverse plane,

[0052] Fig. 17 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary installation situation in a corner area of ​​a vehicle interior,

[0053] Fig. 18 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a housing according to the invention with a main housing and an attachment housing with differently oriented air outlets,

[0054] Fig. 19 the housing according to Fig. 18 in a schematic plan view,

[0055] Fig. 20 shows a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a housing according to the invention with a main housing and an alternatively designed attachment housing,

[0056] Fig. 21 is a schematic plan view of the housing according to Fig. 20,

[0057] Fig. 22 shows a perspective detailed view of a specifically designed air outlet with a ball-jointed outlet element,

[0058] Fig. 23 the air outlet according to Fig. 22 in a schematic longitudinal section, Fig. 24 in a schematic perspective view another specifically designed air outlet with a throttle device,

[0059] Fig. 25 the air outlet according to Fig. 24 in a schematic longitudinal section and

[0060] Fig. 26 in perspective view of the heat exchanger together with the

[0061] (removed and turned over) upper housing shell in an exemplary service situation.

[0062] Fig. 1 shows a housing 2 of a heater 1, which is shown in detail in Fig. 2. The heater 1 is intended for heating air and water in a recreational vehicle, for example, a caravan (mobile home) or a motorhome (mobile home). The heater 1 serves to heat the interior air and the consumption water of the recreational vehicle and can therefore also be referred to as a combination heater.

[0063] In the embodiment shown, the heater 1 comprises the housing 2, a recirculation fan 3, a combustion air fan 4, a heat exchanger 5 and a water tank 6.

[0064] The recirculation fan 3, the combustion air fan 4 and the heat exchanger 5 are part of a warm air assembly of the heater 1.

[0065] The water tank 6 is part of a hot water assembly of the heater 1.

[0066] The recirculation fan 3 is designed to convey the air to be heated and has a fan wheel 31, a fan motor 32, and a fan holder 33 (see also Fig. 12). The fan motor 32 drives the fan wheel 31. The fan holder 33 serves to hold the recirculation fan 3 in the housing 2.

[0067] The combustion air blower 4 serves to convey the combustion air and exhaust gases in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0068] The heat exchanger 5 serves to transfer the generated heat to the air and water to be heated. Heat is generated by means of a combustion unit integrated into the heat exchanger 5 with a flame tube and burner (not visible in the figures), and by the combustion of a gaseous liquid fuel, such as liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, or diesel. For transferring the generated heat to the water to be heated, appropriate lines, in particular pipes (not shown), through which the water to be heated is passed, can be integrated into the heat exchanger 5. Due to the integration of the combustion unit into the heat exchanger 5, the combustion unit can be assigned to the warm air assembly of the heater 1.

[0069] The water tank 6 serves as a reservoir for the heated water.

[0070] In the embodiment shown, the warm air assembly also includes an electronic component 7 with a circuit board assembly 71 and a circuit board holder 72. The circuit board assembly 71 comprises various electronic components for controlling the heater 1. The circuit board holder 72 serves to hold the circuit board assembly 71 in the housing 2.

[0071] In the embodiment shown, the hot water assembly also has a pumping device 8 which is configured in a manner known to the person skilled in the art to convey the water to be heated and / or heated and is fluidly connected to the water tank 6.

[0072] The mentioned components of the warm air assembly and the warm water assembly are accommodated in the assembled state of the heater 1 in the housing 2, more precisely: in a housing volume V of the housing 2.

[0073] The housing 2 has a specific design which offers particular advantages with regard to simplification of the construction, assembly and repair and with regard to other properties of the heater 1.

[0074] The housing 2 has a longitudinal axis X, a transverse axis Y, and a vertical axis Z, each of which is aligned orthogonally to one another. The housing 2 has a parting plane E that extends along the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y and along which the housing 2 is divided into a lower housing shell 21 and a higher housing shell 22. The lower housing shell 21 and the upper housing shell 22 lie opposite one another along the vertical axis Z. The housing volume V is enclosed between the lower housing shell 21 and the upper housing shell 22. In other words: the lower housing shell 21 and the upper housing shell 22 form the housing volume V.

[0075] In the embodiment shown, the parting plane E is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y. In addition, the parting plane E is arranged centrally of the housing 2 with respect to the vertical axis Z. The lower housing shell 21 and the upper housing shell 22 are therefore approximately the same height in the present case and each occupy approximately half of the total height of the housing 2, so that in the embodiment shown, one can also speak of housing half-shells (lower housing half-shell, upper housing half-shell).

[0076] When assembling the heater 1, the components of the warm air assembly and the warm water assembly are inserted into the lower housing shell 21 when the housing 2 is open, i.e. with the upper housing shell 22 removed. When the housing 2 is closed, the lower housing shell 21 and the upper housing shell 22 are detachably joined together, whereby in principle any type of detachable joint can be used for this purpose. In the present case, a tongue and groove joint NF (see Fig. 4) with additional screw fastening is provided. When the housing 2 is closed, the components of the warm air assembly and the warm water assembly are fixed in relation to the vertical axis Z solely by the joint between the lower housing shell 21 and the upper housing shell 22.This eliminates the need for separate fastening of the components along the vertical axis Z and the separate fastening means required for this purpose, which significantly simplifies the construction, assembly and repair of the heater 1.

[0077] The housing 2 also has a partition wall 23 (see in particular Fig. 4). The partition wall 23 is arranged in the housing volume V and extends along the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z. The housing volume V is divided by the partition wall 23 into a first housing sub-volume V1 and a second housing sub-volume V2. The two housing sub-volumes V1, V2 are separated from each other by the partition wall 23.

[0078] When the heater 1 is assembled, the warm air assembly, specifically the recirculation fan 3, the combustion air fan 4, and the heat exchanger 5, are arranged and housed in the first housing sub-volume V1. The warm water assembly, specifically the water tank 6, is arranged and housed in the second housing sub-volume V2. The partition wall 23 prevents unwanted mutual interference between the warm air assembly and the warm water assembly. For example, the partition wall 23 thermally shields the water tank 6 from heat radiation emanating from the heat exchanger 5. Conversely, the warm air assembly is sealed by the partition wall 23 against any leakage from the water tank 6.

[0079] The partition wall 23 extends continuously along the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z over a total length and a total height of the housing volume V. In other words, the partition wall 23 is closed and, in the embodiment shown, only has line passages (without reference symbols) required for the interaction between the warm air assembly and the warm water assembly. These line passages are filled with cable, hose and / or pipe cross-sections in the assembled state of the heater 1 and are thus sealed. In the embodiment shown, to simplify the installation of the said lines in the area of ​​the partition wall 23, not only through-holes but instead slots are provided, the free cross-section of which remaining after the line has been inserted is closed by means of inserts provided for this purpose (without reference symbols in Fig. 2).In the specific embodiment shown, said inserts form a section of the partition wall 23.

[0080] In the embodiment shown, the partition wall 23 is arranged with respect to the transverse axis Y approximately at the height of a vertical central longitudinal plane of the housing 2. As a result, the housing volume V is divided approximately in half by the partition wall 23, and the two housing sub-volumes V1, V2 are approximately the same size or at least the same width.

[0081] In the embodiment shown, the housing 2 has a cuboid basic shape, although this does not have to be the case in all embodiments. In the present case, the housing 2 extends between a front side located along the longitudinal axis X and at the front with respect to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1 and a rear side opposite along the longitudinal axis X. Along the transverse axis Y, the housing 2 extends in the present case between a left outer side with respect to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1 and a right outer side opposite along the transverse axis Y. Along the vertical axis Z, the housing 2 extends in the present case between an upper side located along the vertical axis Z and at the top with respect to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1 and a lower side opposite along the vertical axis Z.

[0082] In the embodiment shown, the housing 2 further comprises an air inlet 24, a plurality of air outlets 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, a cold water inlet 26a, a hot water outlet 26b, a combustion air passage 27 and a fuel inlet 28 (see in particular Fig. 1).

[0083] The air inlet 24 opens from the environment U into the first housing subvolume V1 and serves as an inlet for the air to be heated. In the embodiment shown, the air inlet 24 is formed in sections on the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22. The housing lower shell 21 has a lower air inlet recess 24', and the housing upper shell 22 has an upper air inlet recess 24", which form an overall cross-section of the air inlet 24 when the housing 2 is closed. In the embodiment shown, the air inlet 24 is provided with a fan grille 9.

[0084] The air outlets 25a to 25d each serve as outlets for the heated air, which can be distributed to different areas of the vehicle via corresponding air ducts. In the embodiment shown, a total of four air outlets 25a to 25d are present, which can also be referred to as the first air outlet 25a, second air outlet 25b, third air outlet 25c, and fourth air outlet 25d. The air outlets 25a, 25b, and 25c are formed on the upper housing shell 22. The remaining air outlet 25d is formed on the lower housing shell 21. The air outlets 25a, 25b are oriented upward along the vertical axis Z. The air outlets 25c, 25d are oriented on a common side along the transverse axis Y. It is understood that, depending on the installation situation of the heater 1, other positioning and / or orientations of the air outlets 25a to 25d are possible.

[0085] The air inlet 24 and the plurality of air outlets 25a to 25d are arranged at opposite ends of the housing 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis X, ie at the front and at the rear.

[0086] The cold water inlet 26a is formed in the present case on the housing lower shell 21 and serves as the inlet for the water to be heated. The cold water inlet 26a accommodates a cold water line 81 of the pumping device 8 (see Fig. 2). The hot water outlet 26b is formed in sections on the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22 and serves as the outlet for the heated water. The hot water outlet 26b accommodates a hot water line 82 of the pumping device 8. The housing lower shell 21 has a lower hot water outlet recess 26b' and the housing upper shell 22 has an upper hot water outlet recess 26b", wherein said recesses form an overall cross-section of the hot water outlet 26b when the housing 2 is closed. The cold water inlet 26a and the hot water outlet 26b extend between the environment U and the second housing subvolume V2.In the embodiment shown, the cold water inlet 26a and the hot water outlet 26b are arranged together with the air inlet 24 on a front side of the housing 2 located along the longitudinal axis X.

[0087] The combustion air passage 27 is formed in the present case on the upper housing shell 22 and opens from the environment U into the first housing sub-volume V1. The combustion air passage 27 serves as an inlet for the fresh combustion air required for the operation of the heater 1 for the aforementioned combustion unit of the heat exchanger 5 (not shown in detail), and as an outlet for any combustion exhaust gases that arise. In the assembled state, the combustion air passage 27 accommodates a pipe-in-pipe connection piece 51 of the heat exchanger 5. In the embodiment shown, the combustion air passage 27 is arranged on an upper side of the housing 2 located at the top along the vertical axis Z.

[0088] The fuel inlet 28 opens from the ambient air into the first housing volume V1 and serves as an inlet for a fuel, such as gas, gasoline, or diesel. When assembled, the fuel passage 28 is aligned with a connection piece 41 of the combustion air blower 4. The fuel passage 28 is located on the top side of the housing 2.

[0089] In the embodiment shown, the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22 are each made of a plastic material. Production is carried out by injection molding. The housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22 are each formed as a single piece. This does not preclude, for example, the attachment of a cover, a cover, or the like to the housing upper shell 21, as is the case here (see Fig. 1, without reference numerals).

[0090] In the embodiment shown, the partition wall 23 is divided along the parting plane E into a lower partition wall section 211 and an upper partition wall section 221 (see in particular Fig. 4). The lower partition wall section 211 is formed integrally with the housing lower shell 21. The upper partition wall section 221 is formed integrally with the housing upper shell 22. When the housing 2 is closed, the lower partition wall section 211 and the upper partition wall section 221 are detachably joined together. For this purpose, a tongue and groove connection NF is also provided between the partition wall sections 211, 221 in the embodiment shown. In this case, the housing lower shell 21 is provided at its upper edge and / or the parting plane E with a tongue F, which also extends along the lower partition wall section 211.The housing upper shell 22 is provided at its lower edge and / or the parting plane E with a groove N, which also extends along the upper parting wall section 221.

[0091] As a result of the present half-division of the housing 2 by means of the parting plane E into the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22, the two housing partial volumes V1, V2 are also divided approximately equally between the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22 (see in particular Fig. 4). In particular, the housing lower shell 21 forms a lower first housing partial volume half VT and a lower second housing partial volume half V2'. The housing upper shell 22 forms an upper first housing partial volume half V1" and an upper second housing partial volume half

[0092] V2”.

[0093] Due to the spatial separation into the first housing sub-volume V1 on the one hand and the second housing sub-volume V2 on the other, the two housing sub-volumes V1 and V2 can be optimized with regard to specific requirements and the function of the components to be accommodated. This applies in particular to the first housing sub-volume V1, which, in the embodiment shown, has a flow-optimized design with regard to the conveyance of the air to be heated.

[0094] As shown in particular in Fig. 5, the first housing sub-volume V1 forms a flow channel S. The flow channel S is elongated between the air inlet 24 and the plurality of air outlets 25a to 25d, which are designated by the generalizing reference numeral 25 in Fig. 5. The flow channel S forms an air-conducting connection between the air inlet 24 and the plurality of air outlets 25. During operation of the heating device 1, air to be heated (cold air AK) flows through the air inlet 24 into the first housing sub-volume V1 / the flow channel S, is heated there via the heat exchanger 5 and leaves the flow channel S / the first housing sub-volume V1 via the air outlet 25 in heated form, ie as warm air AW.

[0095] In the embodiment shown, the flow channel S has a cross-section Q with a round, specifically circular, basic shape G at least in the region of the air inlet 24 and the recirculating air fan 3 (see in particular Fig. 4). Consequently, the flow channel S is longitudinally extended at least in sections, particularly along the recirculating air fan 3, with a cylindrical, specifically circular-cylindrical, basic shape between the air inlet 24 and the plurality of air outlets 25.

[0096] In the area of ​​the heat exchanger 5, the flow channel S has a cross-section adapted to an outer contour of the heat exchanger 5, which in the embodiment shown is rectangular, in particular square (see in particular Fig. 10).

[0097] The circular basic shape G of the cross-section Q in the area of ​​the air inlet 24 and the recirculation fan 3, and the square basic shape of the cross-section in the area of ​​the heat exchanger 5, is achieved by a corresponding shaping of the inner walls 212, 222 of the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22. The inner walls 212, 222 can also be referred to as the lower inner wall 212 and the upper inner wall 222. It is understood that the cross-section Q is not exactly circular or exactly square, since the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22 can be provided with built-in components / structures in the area of ​​the first housing sub-volume V1 that do not serve solely for air conduction.

[0098] Fig. 5 shows that the cross-section Q, starting from the air inlet 24, is variable at least in sections along the longitudinal axis X. By changing the cross-section Q, the flow channel S is designed in the manner of a nozzle D. In other words, the flow channel S has a nozzle section SD. The nozzle section SD is immediately downstream of the air inlet 24. The nozzle section SD is elongated between a nozzle inlet D1 and a nozzle outlet D2 along the longitudinal axis X. The nozzle inlet D1 coincides with the air inlet 24. The nozzle outlet D2 is an imaginary outlet and describes the geometric end of the nozzle-like design with respect to the longitudinal axis X. In the embodiment shown, the nozzle section SD takes up approximately 50% of a total length of the flow channel S projected onto the longitudinal axis X.Away from the nozzle section SD, the lower inner wall 212 and the upper inner wall 222 are each substantially straight and longitudinally parallel to one another.

[0099] In the sectional view according to Fig. 5, the flow channel S is formed between the lower inner wall 212 of the housing lower shell 21 and the upper inner wall 222 of the housing upper shell 22. In the region of the nozzle section SD, the lower inner wall 212 and the upper inner wall 222 are each curved outward, with a respective radius of the curvature being variable over the longitudinal axis X. The sections of the lower and upper inner walls 212, 222 that are curved in the region of the nozzle section SD can also be referred to as the lower curvature section 2121 and the upper curvature section 2221.

[0100] In the embodiment shown, the parting plane E forms a horizontal central longitudinal plane M of the flow channel S and the air inlet 24. The air inlet 24 and the flow channel S are therefore coaxial. The flow channel S is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the parting plane E / the central longitudinal plane M, and in particular to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis L of the air inlet 24 located in the central longitudinal plane M. The nozzle-shaped design of the flow channel S is therefore not only in the sectional plane of Fig. 5, but also circumferentially around the longitudinal axis L (see also Fig. 12).

[0101] In the embodiment shown, the housing lower shell 21 has a bearing structure 213 arranged in the second housing sub-volume V2 (see in particular Figs. 6, 7). The housing upper shell 22 has a spring structure 223 arranged in the second housing sub-volume V2 (see in particular Figs. 6, 8).

[0102] The bearing structure 213 is configured to accommodate the water tank 6. In the assembled state, the water tank 6 is supported downwards along the vertical axis Z on the bearing structure 213. The bearing structure 213 is an integral component of the housing bottom shell 21.

[0103] Furthermore, the bearing structure 213 has a concave, specifically arcuately curved, bearing contour 2133. The bearing contour 213 is complementary to a convex, specifically oval, outer contour 61 of the water tank 6. In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the bearing contour is curved in a circular arc and serves to accommodate a circularly cylindrical water tank.

[0104] In the present case, the bearing contour 213 is formed by bearing blocks 2131, 2132 arranged opposite one another along the transverse axis Y, which can also be referred to as left bearing blocks 2131 and right bearing blocks 2132 (see Fig. 13). The bearing blocks, or more precisely: bearing block pairs 2131, 2132, are each arranged on a lower inner wall 216 of the housing bottom shell 21, which delimits the second housing subvolume V2, and protrude upward therefrom along the vertical axis Z. A bottom side 611 of the water tank 6 rests on the bearing blocks 2131, 2132.

[0105] The spring structure 223 is configured to elastically preload the water tank 6 downwards along the vertical axis Z onto the bearing structure 213. This ensures that the water tank 6 is held with as little play as possible with respect to the vertical axis Z when the housing 2 is closed. When the housing 2 is closed, the spring structure 223 is elastically compressed and / or bent under the action of the water tank 6. The elastic restoring force (reaction force) resulting from this deformation of the spring structure 223 presses the water tank 6 downwards toward the housing bottom shell 21.

[0106] In the embodiment shown, the spring structure 223 has at least one rib 2231, which projects downwards along the vertical axis Z from an upper inner wall 226 of the housing upper shell 22, which delimits the second housing sub-volume V2 (see Fig. 8). When the housing 2 is closed, a front end of the rib 2231 presses against the outer contour 61, specifically against an upper side 612, of the water tank 6. In the embodiment shown, the spring structure 223 has several such ribs. Furthermore, the housing lower shell 21 in the present case has a stop structure 214 arranged in the second housing sub-volume V2 and a further spring structure 215 opposite the stop structure 214 along the longitudinal axis X (see in particular Fig. 9).

[0107] The stop structure 214 forms a stop for the water tank 6 along the longitudinal axis X. When received, the stop structure 214 contacts a front end 62 of the water tank 6 with respect to the longitudinal axis X. The further spring structure 215 is configured to press the water tank 6 against the stop structure 214 in an elastically prestressed manner along the longitudinal axis X. This ensures that the water tank 6 is mounted with as little play as possible, also with respect to the longitudinal axis X. When the water tank 6 is inserted into the housing bottom shell 21, the further spring structure 215 is elastically deformed, for example, compressed and / or bent, under the influence of the water tank 6. The reaction force resulting from this deformation acts on the water tank 6 and presses it axially against the stop structure 214.

[0108] In the embodiment shown, the further spring structure has at least one rib 2151 that projects upwards along the vertical axis Z from the lower inner wall 216 of the housing base 21. When the water tank 6 is received, the rib 2151 presses against a rear end 63 of the water tank 6.

[0109] The stop structure 214 and the further spring structure 215 are each an integral part of the housing bottom shell 21.

[0110] To accommodate and support the heat exchanger 5, the housing lower shell 21 has a lower heat exchanger receiving structure 217, and the housing upper shell 22 has an upper heat exchanger receiving structure 227 (see in particular Figs. 10, 11, and 3). The two heat exchanger receiving structures 217, 227 are each arranged in the first housing subvolume V1. The lower heat exchanger receiving structure 217 is an integral part of the housing lower shell 21. The upper heat exchanger receiving structure 227 is an integral part of the housing upper shell 22.

[0111] The two heat exchanger receiving structures 217, 227 are configured to positively receive the heat exchanger 5 along the longitudinal axis X. In the embodiment shown, a positive fit is also formed along the transverse axis Y. In the closed state of the housing 2, the heat exchanger 5 is held in a positive fit along the vertical axis Z between the lower heat exchanger receiving structure 217 and the upper heat exchanger receiving structure 227 and thus between the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22.

[0112] In the present case, the lower heat exchanger support structure 217 is formed by four support elements

[0113] 2171, which are arranged on the lower inner wall 212 of the housing lower shell 21 and protrude therefrom along the vertical axis Z. The upper heat exchanger receiving structure 227 is accordingly formed by four upper receiving elements 2272, which are arranged on the upper inner wall 222 of the housing upper shell 22 and protrude downward therefrom along the vertical axis Z (see also Fig. 5). The four receiving elements are arranged opposite one another in pairs along the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y. The arrangement of the lower and upper receiving elements 2171, 2272 is coordinated with the design of the heat exchanger 5 to be accommodated.

[0114] In the embodiment shown, the heat exchanger 5 has a specifically designed heat exchanger housing 52 with an approximately square outer contour (see Figs. 10, 13). The heat exchanger housing 52 has receiving struts 521 that project radially outward with respect to a longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger 5. Specifically, eight receiving struts 521 are provided here, which, when the heat exchanger 5 is received, each interact with one of the receiving elements 2171, 2172. There are four front and four rear receiving struts with respect to the longitudinal axis X, which are arranged offset by 90° from one another around the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger 5. The longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger 5 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis L of the air inlet 24 and thus also with respect to the flow channel S.

[0115] As shown in particular in Fig. 11, the receiving struts 521 are each provided with an insulating element 53 at their radially outer ends. The receiving struts 521 are indirectly connected to the respective receiving element 2171 via the insulating elements 53.

[0116] 2172. The insulation elements 53 are made of an elastomer material, which in this case is silicone. The insulation elements 53 ensure vibration-isolated support of the heat exchanger 5 in the housing 2. Furthermore, the insulation elements 53 provide thermal insulation. This counteracts thermal overload of the heat exchanger support structures 217, 227 and thus of the housing 2.

[0117] In the embodiment shown, the housing lower shell 21 has a lower recirculation fan receiving structure 218. The housing upper shell 22 has an upper recirculation fan receiving structure 228 (see in particular Figs. 5, 12). The two recirculation fan receiving structures 218, 228 are arranged in the first housing sub-volume V1 and serve to receive and support the recirculation fan 3. The lower recirculation fan receiving structure 218 is an integral component of the housing lower shell 21. The upper recirculation fan receiving structure 228 is an integral component of the housing upper shell 22. Both recirculation fan receiving structures 218, 228 are arranged in the nozzle section SD of the flow channel S. The lower recirculation fan receiving structure 218 is arranged on the lower inner wall 212 and projects upwards therefrom along the vertical axis Z.The upper recirculation fan mounting structure 228 is arranged on the upper inner wall 222 of the housing upper shell 22 and projects downwards therefrom along the vertical axis Z.

[0118] For mounting on the housing 2, the recirculation fan 3 has the aforementioned fan holder 33. The fan holder 33 and the recirculation fan mounting structures 218, 228 are designed to match one another.

[0119] In the present case, the fan holder has two lower receiving feet 331 and two upper receiving feet 332 (see in particular Fig. 12). Accordingly, the lower recirculation fan receiving structure 218 has two (lower) receiving recesses 2181 configured to receive the lower receiving feet 331. The upper recirculation fan receiving structure 228 has two (upper) receiving recesses 2281 configured to receive the upper receiving feet 332.

[0120] During assembly, the recirculation fan 3 is inserted into the housing lower shell 21 with the housing 2 in the open state, whereby the lower mounting feet 331 are each inserted into one of the lower mounting recesses 2181. When the housing upper shell 22 is placed on top, the upper mounting feet 332 are inserted into the upper mounting recesses 2281. When the housing 2 is closed, the fan holder 33 and thus the recirculation fan 3 are positively secured with respect to the vertical axis Z between the housing lower shell 21 and the housing upper shell 22.

[0121] In the embodiment shown, the housing lower shell 21 additionally has a receiving groove 219 (see in particular Fig. 13). The receiving groove 219 is designed to receive a cable harness KS of the heater 1. In the assembled state, the cable harness KS is connected to the circuit board arrangement 71 (see Fig. 2). The receiving groove 219 extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis X laterally of the heat exchanger 5 and serves to shield the cable harness KS from the thermal effects of the warm air assembly. In the present case, the receiving groove 219 extends longitudinally between a first end 2191 and a second end 2192 at the level of the parting plane E along the left outer side of the housing lower shell 21. In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the receiving groove is instead extended longitudinally in / on the partition wall 23. In a further embodiment not shown in the figures, the receiving groove is arranged below the parting plane E.

[0122] In this case, the receiving groove 219 is recessed downwards along the vertical axis Z into the upper edge of the housing base 21.

[0123] When the housing 2 is closed, the receiving groove 219 is closed off from the first housing subvolume V1 by means of a cover section of the housing upper shell 22, which is not shown in detail in the figures. The aforementioned cover section is arranged at the level of the parting plane E at the lower edge of the housing upper shell 22 and in the region of the left outer side of the housing upper shell 22.

[0124] For fastening the heater 1 in the interior of the mentioned recreational vehicle, the housing 2 has four connecting sections 2110 (see in particular Fig. 13).

[0125] The connecting sections 2110 are each designed for positive and / or non-positive connection with one of the mounting rails 10 (see Fig. 2, 14 to 17).

[0126] Two mounting rails 10 are required to secure the housing 2 to the vehicle. The housing 2 and the two mounting rails 10 form a kit.

[0127] When mounted on the vehicle, the mounting rails 10 extend longitudinally parallel to one another along the transverse axis Y and are arranged below the housing bottom shell 21 with respect to the vertical axis Z. The housing 2 is supported on the mounting rails 10 along the vertical axis Z and is fixed to the mounting rails 10 along the longitudinal axis X, the transverse axis Y, and the vertical axis Z in a manner described in more detail below.

[0128] The connecting sections 2110 are arranged in pairs on the outer sides of the housing 2 opposite one another along the transverse axis Y and are each an integral part of the housing bottom shell 21. The connecting sections 2110 are each formed at the level of the underside of the housing 2 on the housing bottom shell 21 and each protrude outward along the transverse axis Y. The connecting sections 2110 can also be referred to as a connecting foot.

[0129] The mounting rails 10 are each between a first end 101 and a second end

[0130] 102 and each have a flat support surface 103 oriented upwards along the vertical axis Z. In the assembled state, the housing bottom shell 22 is on the support surface

[0131] 103. The support surface 103, taken alone, does not form any form fit with the housing bottom shell 21 along the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y. It serves solely for support along the vertical axis Z.

[0132] For attachment to a designated mounting surface of the vehicle, the mounting rails 10 each have a first fastening tab 104, a second fastening tab 106, and a third fastening tab 105. The first fastening tab 104 is arranged at the first end 101. The second fastening tab 106 is arranged at the second end 102. The third fastening tab 105 is arranged centrally between the two ends 101, 102 with respect to the longitudinal extent of the mounting rail 10. The fastening tabs 104, 105, 106 are located away from the support surface 103 along the vertical axis Z. The first fastening tab 104 and the second fastening tab 106 are each provided with through-holes (without reference numerals) via which the mounting rail 10 can be screwed firmly to the aforementioned mounting surface.

[0133] The first end 101 has a flat upper side 1011 aligned flush with the support surface 103, into which a receiving bore 1012 is formed. The second end 102 has a clamping section 1021 with a receiving recess 1022. The clamping section 1021 is designed, with respect to a viewing direction along the longitudinal axis X of the housing 2, in the form of a groove open in the direction of the first end 101.

[0134] To attach the housing 2, the housing bottom shell 21 is placed onto the mounting rails 10 and, starting from their respective first ends 101, is pushed along the transverse axis Y over the support surface 103. The clamping sections 1021 form a type of stop for the respective connecting sections 2110, wherein the connecting sections 2110 are arranged in the respective receiving recess 1022 in the fully advanced state and are held in a form-fitting manner upwards with respect to the vertical axis Z. The connecting sections 2110 arranged on the opposite outer side of the housing 2 are arranged at the level of the first ends 101 in the fully advanced state of the housing 2. For screw fastening to the receiving bores 1012, the connecting sections 2110 each have a through-bore 2111 (see Figs. 13, 16). In addition, the connecting sections 2110 each have side cheeks 2112 opposite one another along the longitudinal axis X (see Fig.14, 16). The clamping sections 1021 of the mounting rails 10 engage between the side walls 2112 in the fastened state, whereby the housing 2 is positively secured along the longitudinal axis X in the region of the second ends 102.

[0135] The aforementioned kit comprising housing 2 and mounting rails 10 allows for simple and space-saving installation, as shown by way of example in Fig. 17. In the exemplary installation situation shown there, the housing 2 is mounted in a corner area of ​​the vehicle. Due to the specific design of the second ends 102 with the respective clamping section 1021, fastening the housing 2 with separate fastening means in the area of ​​the side vehicle wall (without reference symbol) is unnecessary. The second ends 102 do not need to be directly manually accessible in order to mount the housing 2 on the mounting rails. Accessibility in the area of ​​the first ends 101 is sufficient.

[0136] Figs. 18 and 19 show a housing arrangement with a main housing 2' and an add-on housing 2a. The main housing 2' is essentially identical in design and function to the previously described housing 2. The main difference is a different arrangement of the air outlets 25aa, 25ba, 25ca, 25da. These are arranged on the add-on housing 2a. The add-on housing 2a is detachably connected to the main housing 2'.

[0137] Figs. 20 and 21 show the main housing 2' together with an alternatively designed add-on housing 2b. The add-on housing 2b differs from the add-on housing 2a shown in Figs. 18 and 19 by the different orientation of the air outlets 25ab, 25bb, 25cb, 25db.

[0138] The main housing 2' and the two add-on housings 2a, 2b together form a kit. The kit allows for the air outlets to be oriented according to the installation situation of the heater 1. To adjust the orientation of the air outlets, the two add-on housings 2a, 2b, which can also be referred to as the first add-on housing 2a and 2b, can be optionally connected to the main housing 2' in an air-conducting manner.

[0139] In Fig. 22, a specific embodiment of an air outlet 25 is shown in detail. The configuration shown in Fig.

[0140] The specific configuration shown in Fig. 25 may be provided on one or more of the air outlets 25a to 25d of the housing 2, the air outlets 25aa to 25da of the attachment housing 2a and / or one of the air outlets 25ab to 25db of the attachment housing 2b.

[0141] Specifically, the air outlet 25 has an outflow element 251 that is movably mounted relative to the housing 2 and / or the attachment housing 2a, 2b. For this purpose, the outflow element 251 is provided with a ball joint surface 2511 that is movably mounted on a bearing seat 252 of the housing 2 (or the attachment housing 2a, 2b) in a ball-and-socket manner. The bearing seat 252 is provided with a complementary ball joint surface 2521. In this way, an orientation R of the air outlet 25 can be adapted to a particular installation situation of the heater 1.

[0142] Figs. 24 and 25 show another specifically designed air outlet 25. The specific design of the air outlet 25 can be provided, for example, at the air outlets 25a to 25d of the housing 2, the air outlets 25aa to 25da of the add-on housing 2a, and / or the air outlets 25ab to 25db of the add-on housing 2b.

[0143] To distribute the heated air as needed, the air outlet 25 has a throttle device 253. The throttle device 253 serves to control the throttling of the mass flow of heated air that can be discharged through the air outlet 25. In this case, the throttle device 253 has an actuator 2531 and a throttle valve 2533. The throttle valve 2533 is arranged in the air outlet 25 and can be adjusted between a fully closed position and a fully open position by means of the actuator 2531. For this purpose, the throttle valve 2533 can be adjusted about a rotational axis 2532. In the fully open position, the throttle valve 2533 is vertically elongated with respect to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 25, so that the air outlet 25 is closed by the throttle valve 2533. In the fully open position, the throttle valve 2533 is aligned horizontally so that the air outlet 25 is exposed.If, for example, all four air outlets 25a to 25d of the housing 2 shown in Fig. 1 are equipped with such a throttle device 253, the distribution of warm air via the air outlets 25a to 25d can be controlled particularly as needed. Control can be automatic, for example, via temperature sensors at various positions in the vehicle's interior, or manual.

[0144] Fig. 26 shows an exemplary service situation in which the upper housing shell 22 is removed from the lower housing shell 21 and placed upside down on a floor or work surface not further indicated. In this upside-down position, the upper first housing part volume half V1" and the upper second housing part volume half V2" each point upward.

[0145] In the service situation shown, the heat exchanger 5 has been removed from the housing bottom shell 21, with the heat exchanger housing 52 oriented vertically. The heat exchanger housing 52 has circumferential ribbing with heat exchanger fins 522, which serve to increase the surface area and thus improve heat transfer in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0146] In order to be able to safely store the heat exchanger 5 in a removed state during servicing, the upper housing shell 22 has a receiving ribbing 229. Starting from the configuration shown in Fig. 26, the heat exchanger 5 can be displaced vertically downwards relative to the upper housing shell 22 and deposited in the upper second housing volume half V2" so that the receiving ribbing 229 engages with the heat exchanger ribs 522. This secures the heat exchanger 5 against tipping over and ensures that any electrical heating elements integrated into the heat exchanger 5 are not damaged. This securing or improved mounting of the heat exchanger 5 simplifies servicing and helps to prevent consequential damage caused by the heat exchanger 5 tipping over.

[0147] In the embodiment shown, the receiving rib 229 is arranged in the region of the upper partition wall section 221 and has a plurality of vertically extending receiving ribs 2291 that are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis X. Additionally or alternatively, such a receiving rib can be provided on the inner wall of the upper housing shell 22 opposite the upper partition wall section 221 in order to enable even better tilt protection, wherein the number of vertically extending receiving ribs can differ from the number of vertically extending receiving ribs 2291 of the receiving rib 229 arranged in the region of the upper partition wall section 221. Between the vertically extending receiving ribs 2291, one or more horizontally extending support ribs 2292 are preferably provided, which serve as an improved support for the heat exchanger 5 during servicing.A horizontally extending support rib 2292 can be provided between each two vertically extending receiving ribs 2291. The one or more support ribs 2292 extend along the longitudinal axis X. Viewed in the vertical direction, the horizontally extending support ribs 2292 are lower than the vertically extending receiving ribs 2291. The horizontally extending support ribs 2292 form part of the receiving rib system 229, wherein the number of support ribs 2292 assigned to the upper partition wall section 221 can differ from the number of support ribs assigned to the opposite inner wall of the housing upper shell 22. The illustrated design of the receiving rib system 229 is to be understood as purely exemplary.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Housing (2) for a heater (1) of a vehicle, in particular a caravan or motor home, wherein the heater (1) is designed to heat air and water, the housing (2) having a housing volume (V) which is designed to accommodate at least one recirculation fan (3), a combustion air fan (4), a heat exchanger (5) and a water tank (6) of the heater (1), a parting plane (E) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and a transverse axis (Y) of the housing (2) and along which the housing (2) is divided into a housing lower shell (21) and an upper housing shell (22) which is opposite along a vertical axis (Z), wherein the housing upper shell (22) and the housing lower shell (21) are detachably joined together along the parting plane (E) and enclose the housing volume (V), and a partition wall (23) which is arranged in the housing volume (V) and along the longitudinal axis (X) and the vertical axis (Z),and by means of which the housing volume (V) is divided into a first housing sub-volume (V1) and a second housing sub-volume (V2), wherein the first housing sub-volume (V1) and the second housing sub-volume (V2) are separated from one another by means of the partition wall (23), wherein the first housing sub-volume (V1) is designed to accommodate at least the recirculation fan (3), the combustion air fan (4) and the heat exchanger (5), and wherein the second housing sub-volume (V2) is designed to accommodate at least the water tank (6).

2. Housing (2) according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall (23) is divided along the parting plane (E) into a lower partition wall section (211) which is formed integrally with the housing lower shell (21), and an upper partition wall section (221) which is formed integrally with the housing upper shell (22).

3. Housing (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first housing sub-volume (V1) forms a flow channel (S) for the air to be heated, wherein the flow channel (S) is elongated along the longitudinal axis (X) between an air inlet (24) which is formed on the housing lower shell (21) and / or the housing upper shell (22) and opens into the first housing sub-volume (V1) from an environment (U), and at least one air outlet (25a to 25d) which is formed on the housing lower shell (21) and / or the housing upper shell (22) and opens into the environment (U) from the first housing sub-volume (V1).

4. Housing (2) according to claim 3, wherein the flow channel (S) has a cross-section (Q) with a round, preferably circular, basic shape (G) and is elongated at least in sections cylindrical, preferably circular-cylindrical, along the longitudinal axis (X) between the air inlet (24) and the air outlet (25a to 25d).

5. Housing (2) according to claim 4, wherein the cross section (Q) of the flow channel (S) starting from the air inlet (24) along the longitudinal axis (X) is variable such that the flow channel (S) is designed in the manner of a nozzle (D) in a longitudinal section and / or when viewed in the direction of the parting plane (E) and has a nozzle section (SD) arranged downstream of the air inlet (24).

6. Housing (2) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the dividing plane (E) forms a horizontal central longitudinal plane (M) of the flow channel (S) and the air inlet (24), and wherein the flow channel (S) has a basic shape (G) which is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal plane (M), preferably rotationally symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis (L) of the air inlet (24) lying in the central longitudinal plane (M).

7. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing lower shell (21) has a bearing structure (213) arranged in the second housing sub-volume (V2) for supporting the water tank (6), and wherein the housing upper shell (22) has a spring structure (223) arranged in the second housing sub-volume (V2) and opposite the bearing structure (213) along the vertical axis (Z), which is designed to press the water tank (6) along the vertical axis (Z) in an elastically prestressed manner onto the bearing structure (213).

8. Housing (2) according to claim 7, wherein the bearing structure (213) has a concave, in particular arcuately curved, preferably circularly curved, bearing contour (2133) which is complementary to a convex, in particular oval, preferably circular, outer contour (61) of the water tank (6).

9. Housing (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the spring structure (223) has at least one rib (2231) which projects along the vertical axis (Z) from an inner wall (226) of the housing upper shell (22) and which, in the received state of the water tank (6), presses in an elastically prestressed manner onto an upper side (612) of the water tank (6).

10. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing lower shell (21) has a stop structure (214) arranged in the second housing part volume (V2) and a further spring structure (215) opposite the stop structure (214) along the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the stop structure (214) forms a stop for the water tank (6) along the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the further spring structure (215) is designed to press the water tank (6) along the longitudinal axis (X) against the stop structure (215) in an elastically prestressed manner.

11. Housing (2) according to claim 10, wherein the further spring structure (215) has at least one rib (2151) which projects along the vertical axis (Z) from an inner wall (216) of the housing lower shell (21) and which, in the received state of the water tank (6), presses against a front end (63) of the water tank (6).

12. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing lower shell (21) has a lower heat exchanger receiving structure (217) arranged in the first housing part volume (V1) and the housing upper shell (22) has an upper heat exchanger receiving structure arranged in the first housing part volume (V1) (227), wherein the upper heat exchanger receiving structure (227) and the lower heat exchanger receiving structure (217) are designed to receive the heat exchanger (5) in a form-fitting manner along the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the heat exchanger (5) is held in a form-fitting manner along the vertical axis (Z) between the upper heat exchanger receiving structure (227) and the lower heat exchanger receiving structure (217) and thus between the housing upper shell (22) and the housing lower shell (21) in the closed state of the housing (2).

13. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing lower shell (21) has a lower recirculation fan receiving structure (218) arranged in the first housing part volume (V1) and the housing upper shell (22) has an upper recirculation fan receiving structure arranged in the first housing part volume (V1) (228), wherein the upper recirculation fan receiving structure (228) and the lower recirculation fan receiving structure (218) are designed to receive the recirculation fan (3) in a form-fitting manner along the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the recirculation fan (3) is held in a form-fitting manner along the vertical axis (Z) between the upper recirculation fan receiving structure (228) and the lower recirculation fan receiving structure (218) and thus the housing upper shell (22) and the housing lower shell (21) in the closed state of the housing (2).

14. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing lower shell (21) has a receiving groove (219) which extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis (X) and is designed to receive a cable harness (KS).

15. Housing (2) according to claim 14, wherein the housing upper shell (22) has a cover section which lies opposite the receiving groove (219) along the vertical axis (Z) and by means of which the receiving groove (219) is openably closed in the assembled state of the housing upper shell (22) and the housing lower shell (21) with respect to the first housing part volume (V1) and / or the second housing part volume (V2).

16. Housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing lower shell (21) has at least four connecting sections (2110) which are arranged in pairs on opposite outer sides of the housing lower shell (21) along the transverse axis (Y) and are each designed for positive and / or non-positive connection to a mounting rail (10) for mounting the housing (2) on the vehicle.

17. Kit with a housing (2) according to claim 16 and with at least two mounting rails (10) which are designed for fastening to a horizontal mounting surface of the vehicle and, in the fastened state, are longitudinally extended along the transverse axis (Y) of the housing (2) below the housing lower shell (21), wherein the mounting rails (10) are each longitudinally extended between a first end (101) and a second end (102) and have a flat support surface (103) on which the housing lower shell (21) is supported along the vertical axis (Z) in the vehicle-mounted state, and wherein the first ends (101) and the second ends (102) are each designed to form the positive and / or non-positive connection with the connecting sections (2110) of the housing lower shell (21).

18. Kit according to claim 17, wherein the first ends (101) of the mounting rails (10) each have an upper side (1011) aligned flush with the support surface (103) and a receiving bore (1012) extending along the vertical axis (Z), and wherein the connecting sections (2110) each have a through-bore (2111) extending along the vertical axis (Z) and configured to form a screw connection with the receiving bores (1012) of the first ends (101) of the mounting rails (10).

19. Kit according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the second ends (102) each have a clamping section (1021) with a receiving recess (1022) in which the respective connecting section (2110) is held in a form-fitting manner on one side along the transverse axis (Y) and is clamped in a form-fitting manner along the vertical axis (Z) in the vehicle-mounted state of the housing (2).

20. Heating device (1) for a vehicle, in particular a caravan or motor caravan, with a housing (2) according to one of claims 1 to 16, a warm air device which has at least one recirculation fan (3), a combustion air fan (4) and a heat exchanger (5), and with a warm water device which has at least one water tank (6), wherein the warm air device is arranged in the first housing part volume (V1), and wherein the warm water device is arranged in the second housing part volume (V2) and is separated from the warm air device by means of the partition wall (23).

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