Manifold for heating / cooling system

Abstract

A manifold (1) for a heating / cooling system is described, which manifold (1) comprises a sleeve (2) having at least one opening (3, 4) in the wall and a fixture (5) having a connection geometry (6) for mounting at least one functional component of the system to the sleeve (2), and which fixture is arranged around the opening (3, 4). The mounting of the manifold for a heating / cooling system should be facilitated. To this end, the fixture (5) comprises at least two parts (7, 8), which are connected by means of screws (9, 10) outside the sleeve (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manifold for a heating / cooling system, the manifold including a sleeve and a fixing device, the sleeve having at least one opening in its wall, the fixing device having a connection geometry for mounting at least one functional component of the system to the sleeve, and the fixing device being arranged around the opening. Background Technology

[0002] Such manifolds are known, for example, from EP 1 426 695 A1. In this reference, the fixing device comprises two parts in the form of tubular metal elements, which are inserted into opposing openings in a sleeve and connected to each other by means of a threaded connection, one tubular element having a male thread and the other having a female thread. When the parts of this fixing device are connected, they must rotate relative to each other, which can be detrimental to the O-rings used to form a seal between the parts of the fixing device and the sleeve. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to facilitate the installation of manifolds used in heating / cooling systems.

[0004] This objective is achieved by a manifold of a heating / cooling system as described at the beginning, wherein the fixing device comprises at least two components connected by at least one connecting element outside the sleeve.

[0005] In this way, only one component of the fixing device can be inserted into the opening in the sleeve, that is, the component of the fixing device is installed on one side of the sleeve. Another component of the fixing device can then be installed from the other side of the sleeve, so that the sleeve is ultimately held or even clamped between the components of the fixing device. The connection between the components of the fixing device is achieved by means of at least one connecting element, which can be, for example, a screw, arranged parallel to the circumferential tangent of the sleeve if the sleeve has a circular cross-section. Such a screw is easy to insert, thus simplifying installation. The sleeve can be made of metal, and the fixing device can be made of plastic. Other connecting elements can be used, such as snap-fit ​​connections, strips, rivets, etc.

[0006] In embodiments of the invention, the at least two components form a closed assembly around the sleeve. In other words, the fixing device forms a closed loop around the sleeve, which provides high stability for the fixing device and its connection to the sleeve.

[0007] In embodiments of the invention, the two components of the fixing device are mounted on opposite sides of the sleeve in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the sleeve can be loaded in one direction, preferably in the direction along which the central axis of the opening is oriented. Thus, sufficient force can be used to press the components of the fixing device against the sleeve to ensure adequate tightness. However, in most cases, a sealing device will also be provided.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the two components of the fixing device includes a protrusion extending into the sleeve. This protrusion can then accommodate at least one functional component of the system, guiding the functional component within a certain movement area of ​​the sleeve.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve includes a circumferential wall having two openings opposite each other, wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion of a first component of the fixing device, and a second component of the fixing device includes a second protrusion extending into the interior of the sleeve. Because the openings in the sleeve are arranged opposite each other, the protrusions are oriented toward each other and form a tubular section that receives a channel or portion of a channel, such that the functional component or multiple functional components can be accommodated within the channel. This channel can be used to guide fluid out of or into the sleeve in a controlled manner.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the first protrusion contacts the second protrusion. In other words, the channel has a through wall, wherein the wall may have an opening that allows fluid to enter the channel in a controlled manner from the inside of the sleeve.

[0011] In embodiments of the invention, the functional component is movably mounted to a fixed geometry. This functional component can be used, for example, to control fluid flow from a sleeve to a heating or cooling circuit connected to the sleeve. This is particularly useful when the manifold is used in a floor heating system, especially as a forward manifold. The functional component or multiple functional components can be formed or included as part of a pre-set device.

[0012] In embodiments of the invention, the functional component is movable transversely to the longitudinal extension of the sleeve. When the sleeve has a circular cross-section, the functional component can be positioned at different locations along the diameter of the sleeve to adjust certain characteristics of the flow through the manifold, or to adjust certain characteristics of the flow from the manifold to other components of the cooling or heating system. When the sleeve has other cross-sections, these positions are simply arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension of the sleeve.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the functional component is a first functional component and interacts with a control opening in the second functional component. The control opening allows fluid to enter from the sleeve into the channel formed by the two components of the fixed device. When the first functional component is movable, it can more or less open or close the control opening to control the fluid flow through the opening. Therefore, the first functional component, cooperating with the second functional component, can be used as a preset device.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the first functional component is held in the fixing device in a non-rotatable manner, and the second functional component is mounted to the fixing device in a rotatable manner, wherein the first and second functional components are connected by a threaded connection. This threaded connection is only a connection between the functional components, not a connection between the fixing devices. When the second functional component rotates, this rotational motion is converted into a translational motion of the first component. The first component can then be displaced over the opening to change the flow resistance through the opening.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the second functional component includes a tubular section extending through the first functional component. Therefore, the first functional component is guided a considerable length outside the second functional component. Furthermore, the first functional component can be surrounded by a protrusion of a component of the fixing device, allowing it to be guided within the gap between the two components. This provides considerable stability, enabling precise adjustment of the position of the first functional component relative to the second functional component.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing device includes at least one rib or groove parallel to the direction of movement of the first functional component, the rib or groove engaging with a corresponding groove or rib of the first functional component. The engagement between the rib and the groove is a simple way to allow translational movement of the first functional component while simultaneously preventing rotational movement of the first functional component.

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing device includes a sealing ring, and the first functional component has a first end position and a second end position. The first end position contacts the sealing ring and closes the control opening, while in the second end position, the control opening is fully open. When the first functional component contacts the sealing ring, no fluid flows from the sleeve through the fixing device. For example, when one or more functional components are used to form a preset device, the preset device is closed at this position of the first functional component. When the first functional component is in the second end position, there is substantially no additional throttling caused by the control opening.

[0018] In embodiments of the invention, the threaded connection has a pitch that translates a rotation of less than 360 degrees of the second functional component into a stroke between two end positions. Therefore, an adjustment knob can be used that rotates back and forth between a single stop that limits the knob's rotation in both directions. Such a thread can also be achieved by means of a multi-turn thread having multiple interlocking threads, for example two, preferably four or six interlocking threads.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing device is provided with a connector. This connector allows connection between the manifold and the forward or return line of a heating or cooling system. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A portion of the manifold of the heating / cooling system is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view is shown of the passage through the manifold and the fixture installed to the manifold;

[0023] Figure 3 An exploded view showing the components with different functions. Figure 1 manifold;

[0024] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the pre-set device is shown;

[0025] Figure 5 The preset device is shown in a cross-sectional perspective view;

[0026] Figure 6 A portion of the fixing device is shown;

[0027] Figure 7 The manifold with preset devices is shown from the outside;

[0028] Figures 8 to 10 The preset devices are shown in different preset positions. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 A portion of a heating / cooling system manifold 1 is shown, the manifold including a sleeve 2 having openings 3 and 4 on opposite sides of its circumferential wall. A mounting device 5 is attached to the sleeve 2. The mounting device 5 includes a connection geometry 6 for mounting at least one functional component of the system to the sleeve 2. The mounting device 5 is arranged around the openings 3 and 4.

[0030] In this example, the fixing device 5 is formed by two parts 7 and 8, which are installed onto the sleeve 2 from opposite directions (i.e., substantially along the diameter of the sleeve 2). The two parts 7 and 8 form a closed assembly around the sleeve 2, that is, in the areas of the openings 3 and 4, the sleeve 2 is completely enclosed by the fixing device 5.

[0031] The two parts 7 and 8 of the fixing device 5 are connected by screws 9 and 10, which are arranged on the outside of the sleeve and oriented substantially parallel to the tangent of the sleeve 2. Other connecting elements, such as snap-fit ​​elements, strips, rivets, etc., can be used.

[0032] The sleeve 2 can be made of metal, while the two parts 7 and 8 of the fixing device 5 can be made of, for example, plastic.

[0033] The first component 7 includes a first protrusion 11 that inserts into the opening 3 of the sleeve 2. The second component 8 includes a second protrusion 12 that passes through the second opening 4 and inserts into the interior of the sleeve 2. The two protrusions 11 and 12 overlap each other to form a channel 13 (or tube), which is closed except for the opening 14, which is only located at the opening 3. Figures 4 to 6 and Figures 8 to 10 As shown in the diagram. The opening 14 is in Figure 2 It is not visible in the sectional view.

[0034] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates that multiple different functional components can be mounted onto the mounting device 5. These functional components can be a plug 114, a simple preset device 115, a more advanced preset device 116, or a preset device 117 with a flow meter 118. Additionally, a functional component can be a venting connection 119. All functional components can be connected to the sleeve 2 via the same mounting device 5.

[0035] Figures 4 to 10 The manifold 1 connected to the preset device 116 is shown. For use with... Figures 1 to 3 The same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same elements.

[0036] Figure 6 A portion of the fixing device is shown, particularly a first protrusion 11 and a second protrusion 12 having an opening 14. It can be seen that the second protrusion 12 includes a plurality of ribs 15, 16 extending parallel to its longitudinal extension, and the function of these ribs 15, 16 will be explained in conjunction with some of the other accompanying drawings.

[0037] The first functional component 17 is arranged in the fixing device 5, particularly in the second component 8 of the fixing device, and specifically within the second protrusion 12. The first functional component 17 has a shape on its outer side that corresponds to... Figure 6 The grooves corresponding to ribs 15 and 16 shown (in) Figure 4 (Not visible in the middle). The fit between the groove and the ribs 15 and 16 results in the first functional component 17 being able to move translationally within the second protrusion 12, while preventing rotational movement of the first functional component 17. An O-ring 18 is arranged between the first functional component 17 and the second protrusion 12 to prevent any leakage between the first functional component 17 and the second protrusion 12.

[0038] The second functional component 19 is rotatably mounted to the first component 7 of the fixing device 5. The second functional component 19 includes a control opening 20. Furthermore, the second functional component 19 includes a protruding thread 21 that engages with the concave thread 22 of the first functional component 17. A channel is provided inside the tubular section 24 of the second functional component.

[0039] When the second functional component 19 rotates and the first functional component 17 is held in the second component 8 of the fixing device 5 in a non-rotatable manner, the rotational motion of the second functional component 19 is converted into the translational motion of the first functional component 17. In other words, the first functional component 17 moves with the second functional component 19, so that the first functional component 17 can more or less close or open the control opening 20.

[0040] Furthermore, the second functional component 19 includes a sealing ring 23, and the first functional component 17 has a first end position that contacts the sealing ring 23. This position is... Figure 10 As shown in the diagram, the contact between the first functional component 17 and the sealing ring 23 forms a fluid-tight seal, preventing fluid from the inside of the sleeve 2 from propagating into the channel 24 formed inside the second functional component 19. In this position of the first functional component 17, the preset device 116 is completely closed.

[0041] Figure 8 The position of the first functional component 17 is shown, in which the control opening 20 is opened to its maximum. This position is the second end position. Figure 9 The first functional component 17 is shown in an intermediate position, in which the control opening 20 is partially open, allowing a reduced flow of fluid to flow from the inside of the sleeve 2 through the channel 24 inside the second functional component 19.

[0042] As can be seen, especially Figure 4As can be seen, the first functional component 17 is held between the second protrusion 12 and the second functional component 19, so that the position of the first functional component 17 can be adjusted with high precision.

[0043] The preset device 116 includes an adjustment knob 25 connected to the second functional component 19 and capable of rotation of slightly less than 360 degrees. For this purpose, the first component 7 of the fixing device 5 includes a stop 26, and the adjustment knob 25 includes another stop 27. The stop 26 of the fixing device 5 is rotatable between two end positions defined by the two end positions of the stop 27. When the adjustment knob 25 rotates between these two end positions, the first functional component 17 is threadedly connected to the two end positions (…). Figure 8 and Figure 10 The ability to translate between these parameters makes the preset settings for the heating / cooling system very simple.

[0044] The mounting device 5 may be equipped with a connector 28, which simplifies the connection to the forward or return pipeline of the heating / cooling system.

[0045] All functional components 114-119 and connectors can be held in the fixing device 5 by means of snap rings 29, 30 or other similar spring-like elements. Even elements like hair clips can be used, and such elements do not have to be spring-biased.

Claims

1. A manifold (1) of a heating / cooling system, which manifold comprises a sleeve (2) having at least one opening (3, 4) in the wall and a fixture (5) having a connection geometry (6, 29, 30) for mounting at least a functional component (114-119) of the system to the sleeve (2), and the fixture (5) is arranged around the opening (3, 4), characterized in that, The fixing device (5) comprises at least two parts (7, 8) which are connected by means of at least one coupling element (9, 10) outside the sleeve (2), at least one of the two parts (7, 8) of the fixing device (5) comprising a protrusion (11, 12) which extends inside the sleeve (2).

2. The manifold of claim 1, wherein, The at least two parts (7, 8) form a closed assembly around the sleeve (2).

3. The manifold of claim 1, wherein, The two parts (7, 8) of the fixing device (5) are mounted on opposite sides of the wall of the sleeve (2).

4. The manifold of claim 1, wherein, The sleeve (2) comprises a circumferential wall with two openings (3, 4) opposite each other, wherein the protrusion (11) is a first protrusion of a first part (7) of the fixing device (5) and a second part (8) of the fixing device (5) comprises a second protrusion (12) which extends into the interior of the sleeve (2).

5. The manifold of claim 4, wherein, The first protrusion (11) contacts the second protrusion (12).

6. The manifold of claim 1, wherein, A functional part (17) is movably mounted to the fixing device (5).

7. The manifold of claim 6, wherein, The functional part (17) is movable transversely to the longitudinal extension of the sleeve (2).

8. The manifold of claim 6, wherein, The functional part is a first functional part (17) and interacts with a control opening (20) in a second functional part (19).

9. The manifold of claim 8, wherein, The first functional part (17) is held in the fixing device (5) in a rotationally fixed manner and the second functional part (19) is mounted to the fixing device (5) in a rotationally movable manner, wherein the first functional part (17) and the second functional part (19) are connected by means of a threaded connection (21, 22).

10. The manifold of claim 9, wherein, The second functional part (19) comprises a tubular section (24) which extends through the first functional part (17).

11. The manifold of claim 9, wherein, The fixing device (5) comprises at least one rib (15, 16) or groove parallel to the movement direction of the first functional part (17), which rib or groove cooperates with a corresponding groove or rib of the first functional part (17).

12. The manifold of claim 9, wherein, The fixing device (5) comprises a sealing ring (23) and the first functional part (17) has a first end position in which it contacts the sealing ring (23) and closes the control opening (20) and a second end position in which the control opening (20) is open to a maximum.

13. The manifold of claim 12, wherein, The threaded connection (21, 22) has a pitch which converts a rotation of less than 360 degrees of the second functional part (19) into a stroke of the first functional part (17) between the two end positions.

14. The manifold of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The fixing device (5) is provided with a connection piece (28).

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