Method for opening the housing of an instantaneous water heater, housing for an instantaneous water heater, instantaneous water heater and use of a display unit

Abstract

A method for opening a housing (2) of an instantaneous water heater (1), comprising a display unit (6), is proposed, comprising at least the following steps: a) Detaching and removing the display unit (6) by means of a tool-free detachable connection from a receiving area (5) thereof in a front part (3) of the housing (2), b) Releasing a fastening element (7) to open the housing (2) in the receiving area (5) of the display unit (6), which became accessible during the performance of step a), and c) Removing the front part (3) of the housing (2). Furthermore, a housing (2) for an instantaneous water heater (1) and an instantaneous water heater (1), as well as the use of a display unit (6), are proposed. The invention enables simple manufacturing and many design options for the housing (2) of an instantaneous water heater (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for opening a housing of a continuous flow heater, a housing for a continuous flow heater and a continuous flow heater.

[0002] Electric instantaneous water heaters can be used very flexibly to heat domestic water because they only require an electrical power supply and also require very little installation space. The devices typically have a heating block designed to heat a volume flow of water. The desired water temperature can be achieved by regulating the outlet temperature or by controlling it based on the inlet temperature (with a known temperature spread of the heating block). When regulating the outlet temperature, a control of the mass flow of water flowing through the heating block is usually used. This control regulates the mass flow according to the desired outlet temperature when the instantaneous water heater is operating at its rated power.

[0003] Such instantaneous water heaters typically have a significant rated output to heat a sufficient flow rate of water, for example, for a shower. This high output requires significant currents, often in conjunction with a three-phase power supply. This can pose a significant risk to health or life if the casing is opened by unqualified persons. Therefore, the casing of such an instantaneous water heater can usually only be opened with a tool. In several countries, this is also required by law.

[0004] Furthermore, a water heater's nameplate should be accessible without tools and securely attached to the heater, especially on parts that cannot be lost. This may also be required by law.

[0005] These specifications place considerable demands on the design of an instantaneous water heater's housing, which must also meet aesthetic requirements. This is especially true since an instantaneous water heater is usually installed in a freely accessible location in the room in which it is used, usually a bathroom or kitchen, and is therefore a piece of furniture. Visible fasteners for opening the instantaneous water heater, such as screws, nuts, or similar, can detract from the overall visual appearance and be perceived as unpleasant. The same applies to a nameplate on the instantaneous water heater.

[0006] An arrangement of fastening elements or the nameplate on a side surface limits the installation options, for example in a niche or in a corner, and is therefore also unfavorable.

[0007] It is known to provide a cover on a housing that can be removed without tools and conceals the fasteners for opening the housing as well as the nameplate. In addition to disadvantages regarding the visual appearance, this solution requires additional costs for the production of the cover itself and the fastening devices for the cover. Furthermore, the cover and housing are usually made of different plastics or batches and can therefore exhibit different aging behavior, which diminishes the visual appearance.

[0008] Based on this, the object of the invention is to propose a method for opening a housing of an instantaneous water heater, a housing for an instantaneous water heater, an instantaneous water heater, and a display unit that at least partially overcome the described problems of the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes an opening method that can be performed using only a tool and a housing that can be designed to be visually appealing and cost-effective. Furthermore, the housing should meet the aforementioned requirements regarding the need for a tool for opening and the arrangement of the rating plate.

[0009] The invention is also intended to at least not significantly increase the complexity of a continuous flow heater or its housing, but possibly even reduce it, require only minor structural changes and / or enable easy integration into an existing production process.

[0010] These objects are achieved by the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the solution proposed here are specified in the independent patent claims. It is pointed out that the features listed in the dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0011] A method for opening a housing of a continuous flow heater having a display unit contributes to this, comprising at least the following steps: a) Loosening and removing the display unit by means of a tool-free detachable connection from a receiving area of ​​the same in a front part of the housing, b) releasing a fastening means arranged in the receiving area to open the housing, which became accessible during the implementation of step a), and c) Remove the front part of the housing.

[0012] Steps a), b), and c) can be performed at least once in the specified order. This procedure is primarily intended to ensure safe opening of the instantaneous water heater, which can only be done with a tool. At the same time, the procedure enables a particularly simple housing construction, combined with the possibility of a particularly simple and attractive design. The procedure should be performed as needed, especially by qualified personnel.

[0013] The instantaneous water heater may be a known instantaneous water heater. It may have a fluid channel leading from a cold water inlet to a hot water outlet and may include a heating block, a flow sensor, and means for determining its thermal output. Cold water flowing into the cold water inlet can be heated by the heating block and flow out through the hot water outlet and fed to a tapping point, for example, a faucet in a sink or shower. The heating block may include at least one heating element that can convert electrical current into heat to transfer it to the fluid flowing through the fluid channel. In particular, several heating elements may be provided, which are switched and thus activated via power switches, for example, TRIACs (TRIode for Alternating Current). For this purpose, the instantaneous water heater may include a control and regulation device.The heating elements can in particular be arranged in such a way that they come into close proximity or direct contact with the fluid flowing through the fluid channel.

[0014] The control and regulation device can regulate an outlet temperature, determined by a temperature sensor in the hot water outlet of the instantaneous water heater based on the electrical power of the heating elements. The instantaneous water heater can also include a temperature sensor in the cold water inlet and a flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid channel. The flow sensor can be a mass flow or volume flow sensor. The outlet temperature can be predefined or entered by a user via an input device.

[0015] The instantaneous water heater can be particularly suitable for providing hot water for use in a building, for example, using a tap as a draw-off point. For this purpose, the instantaneous water heater can have an output in the range of 5 kilowatts to 35 kilowatts.

[0016] The instantaneous water heater can comprise a housing, which in particular has a back plate with which the instantaneous water heater can be attached to a wall and to which the essential assemblies and components, such as the heating block and its cold water inlet and hot water outlet, can be attached and arranged. The back plate can also form parts of the side surfaces of the housing. The back plate often comprises a lower housing surface, in which the connection for a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, as well as an electrical connection, can be arranged, or is connected to this in one piece. In addition, the housing can comprise a front part, which can be detachably connected to the back plate and encloses the components arranged on the back plate. In addition, the housing can comprise further side parts, which can be connected to the back plate, for example.at least partially formed by it or inserted between the back plate and the front part.

[0017] The front part comprises a receiving area for the display unit. The receiving area can, in particular, be designed as a recess, so that a received display unit forms a plane with the front part as far as possible. In particular, at least one fastening means for the front part or for connecting the front part to a rear panel of the housing and / or a rating plate of the instantaneous water heater can be arranged in the receiving area.

[0018] The nameplate can display important device-specific information about the instantaneous water heater, such as its power output, serial number, and / or type designation. Such nameplates and their placement are required by law in many countries.

[0019] The display unit of the instantaneous water heater can be configured to display operating data of the instantaneous water heater and also enable the input of operating parameters. The display unit can therefore comprise one or more buttons and / or be designed as a touchscreen. Such a display unit is often also referred to as a human machine interface (HMI). The screen of the display unit can, for example, be a liquid crystal display of any suitable type. An operating parameter to be entered can, for example, be a desired outlet temperature of the hot water. The operating data to be displayed can be a set and / or achieved outlet temperature, an operating mode, and / or error messages.The display unit may have a front side with the screen and also a housing rear side, which may include fastening means for releasably connecting to the receiving area of ​​the front part of the housing.

[0020] One idea of ​​the invention is to use the display unit as a cover for at least one fastening element of the front panel to the rear panel. This allows for a very simple housing design, with only the front panel and the display unit as visible components. The monolithic front panel can also be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0021] According to step a), the display unit can be released and removed from its receiving area in the front part of the housing using a tool-free, removable connection. The tool-free, removable connection can be any connection; for example, the display unit can be hung or attached with a clip and / or Velcro fastener.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the release of the display unit in step a) can be initiated by pressing the display unit in a pressing direction, and the display unit can then be folded forward and removed in a removal direction. The pressing direction can, in particular, lie essentially in a normal direction of the display surface, and the removal direction can be upward and forward (relative to an installation position of the instantaneous water heater).

[0023] Such a connection / fastening can be referred to as a push-push connection (or heart-curve mechanism or ballpoint pen functional principle) and can be implemented by connecting elements that include a spring that can press the display unit into the fastened position. By pressing on the display unit in the pressure direction, the spring can be tensioned and a hook element released so that the display unit, initiated by the spring force, can now fold out forwards. A push-push lock can, for example, be implemented in such a way that a connecting element, e.g. in the manner of a locking pin, is locked in a defined end position simply by pressing an actuating button; whereby when pressed and released again, the locking pin is unlocked again and automatically retracted. For this purpose, the display unit can be accommodated in a rotatable bearing in the receiving area.After unfolding, the display unit can be removed from the rotating bearing in the removal direction.

[0024] According to step b), a fastening means for opening the housing in the receiving area, which became accessible during step a), can be released. The release can be performed, in particular, using a tool. To prevent unauthorized persons from opening the housing, the fastening means can be designed to be opened only with a special tool. The fastening means can be one or more screw connections. These can have a special screw drive profile to prevent unauthorized persons from opening the housing.

[0025] According to step c), the front part of the housing can be removed, thus opening the housing. The front part can be removed, in particular, from the front, which advantageously also allows the housing to be opened if the instantaneous water heater is installed in a niche or corner of a room.

[0026] The display unit can comprise a connecting cable that electrically connects the display unit to the instantaneous water heater, in particular to a control and regulation device of the instantaneous water heater. The connecting cable can have a strain relief to prevent damage when performing step a) or when inserting the display unit. The strain relief can, for example, be a grommet, which is arranged in particular in the area of ​​the connection to the control and regulation device or a circuit board of the instantaneous water heater, as well as in the area of ​​the connection to the display unit or a circuit board thereof. The grommet can also protect the electrical connection against water, in particular against jets of water from any direction (protection class IP25).

[0027] According to one embodiment, the front part can be removed in step c) by releasing a hooking mechanism. For this purpose, the front part can be anchored, in particular hooked, into the rear plate. The front part can be released by a predetermined movement of the same, for example, by pulling in the lower area (lower edge). The pulling can be performed in a pulling direction that largely corresponds to the normal to the front direction, i.e., forward and possibly partially upward relative to the installation position of the instantaneous water heater.

[0028] Closing, inserting, and securing the front panel can be accomplished by reversing the process steps. The front panel can be placed or hooked onto the back panel or the instantaneous water heater, then at least one fastener can be anchored in the receiving area, and the display unit can be inserted and secured.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, a housing for an instantaneous water heater is also proposed. This housing can have a receiving area for a display unit, which is configured to allow the display unit to be inserted and removed therein by means of a push-push mechanism. Furthermore, at least one fastening means for releasing a front part of the housing is arranged in the receiving area. When a display unit is inserted into the receiving area, the at least one fastening means is concealed by the display unit and thus not visible from the outside. Advantageously, the housing therefore has no visible fastening points or means, nor any covers or caps for fastening means, whereby the number of components of the housing can be reduced.

[0030] According to one embodiment, a rating plate for the instantaneous water heater can also be arranged in the receiving area. The rating plate can be permanently or non-destructively connected to the housing and can be concealed by a display unit installed in the receiving area.

[0031] According to a further aspect, a continuous flow heater is proposed, comprising a housing as proposed here.

[0032] According to a further aspect, the use of a display unit of an instantaneous water heater for covering at least one fastening means for securing a front part of the housing or for opening the housing is also proposed. The display unit can also be used to cover a rating plate of the instantaneous water heater. For this purpose, the display unit can be inserted into a receiving area of ​​the front part of the housing and, in particular, can be secured by means of a push-push mechanism.

[0033] The details, features, and configurations discussed in connection with the method may also occur in a housing, a continuous-flow heater, and / or the use proposed here, and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made in full to the explanations therein for a more detailed characterization of the features.

[0034] Thus, a method for opening a housing of an instantaneous water heater, a housing for an instantaneous water heater, an instantaneous water heater, and a use of a display unit are provided here, which at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, the method, the housing, the instantaneous water heater, and the use at least contribute to demonstrating a simply constructed and easy-to-open housing for an instantaneous water heater, which eliminates the need to cover fastening means or a nameplate in the visible area. Therefore, a housing proposed here has a small number of components and allows a high degree of design freedom.

[0035] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments cited. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and combine them with other components and findings from the present description. In particular, it should be noted that the figures, and in particular the proportions shown, are only schematic. They show: Fig. 1: a front part of a housing of a flow heater proposed here, Fig. 2: a receiving area of ​​the front part of the instantaneous water heater, Fig. 3: a sectional view of the instantaneous water heater during the implementation of a method proposed here, and Fig. 4: another sectional view of the instantaneous water heater during the implementation of a method proposed here.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, a front part 3 of a housing 2 of a flow heater 1 proposed here. A display unit 6 insertable into a receiving area 5 of the front part 3 is shown in a state removed from the front part 3. The display unit 6, when inserted into the front part 3, covers at least one fastening means 7 for fastening the front part 3 to the flow heater 1 or a rear plate 4 ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) of the instantaneous water heater 1.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows, by way of example, a more detailed representation of the receiving area 5 of the front part 3. The receiving area 5 can have the fastening means 7 for fastening the front part 3 to the rear plate 4. After the display unit 6 has been inserted into the receiving area 5, the fastening means 7 can be covered by the display unit 6 so that it is no longer visible from the outside. In addition, a type plate 8 can be attached in the receiving area 5. The type plate 8 can display device data of the instantaneous water heater 1, for example the specific type of the instantaneous water heater 1, its rated power, a serial number of the instantaneous water heater 1. The type plate 8 can also be covered by the display unit 6 inserted into the front part 3.

[0038] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the housing 2 of the flow heater 1 during the implementation of step a) of a method proposed here. Fig. 3, a push-push mechanism is triggered by pressure in a pressure direction 9 on the upper area of ​​the display unit 6. This causes the display unit 6 to fold out forward. The display unit 6 can be rotated about a rotation axis that is positioned in a lower area of ​​the display unit. Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 4, the display unit 6 can be removed in a removal direction 10.

[0039] Subsequently, step b) of the method proposed here can be performed, namely, the fastening means 7 is loosened and removed. In a subsequent step c), the front part can now be removed, opening the housing 2 and making components of the instantaneous water heater 1 accessible for inspection or repair work. List of reference symbols 1 instantaneous water heater 2 housings 3 Front part 4 Back plate 5 Recording area 6 Display unit 7 Fasteners 8 Type plate 9 Print direction 10 Removal direction

Claims

[1] Method for opening a housing (2) of a continuous flow heater (1) having a display unit (6), comprising at least the following steps: a) Detaching and removing the display unit (6) by means of a tool-free detachable connection from a receiving area (5) thereof in a front part (3) of the housing (2), b) releasing a fastening means (7) for opening the housing (2) in the receiving area (5) of the display unit (6), which became accessible when carrying out step a), and c) Remove the front part (3) of the housing (2). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the release of the display unit (6) in step a) is initiated by a pressure in a pressure direction (9) on the display unit (6), and the display unit (6) then folds out forwards and can be removed in a removal direction (10). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) a screw connection as a fastening means (7) is released. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step c) a hooking mechanism is actuated to remove the front part (3) of the housing (2). [5] Housing (2) for a continuous flow heater (1), comprising a receiving area (5) for a display unit (6), adapted to be inserted and removed by means of a push-push mechanism. [6] Housing (2) according to claim 5, wherein a fastening means (7) for opening the housing (2) is arranged in the receiving area (5) of the display unit (6) in such a way that the latter is covered by the display unit (6) when it is inserted. [7] Housing (2) according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein a type plate (8) is arranged in the receiving area (5) of the display unit (6) in such a way that it is covered by the display unit (6) when it is inserted. [8] Housing (2) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the housing (2) is made of plastic. [9] Instantaneous water heater (1), comprising a housing (2) according to one of claims 5 to 8. [10] Use of a detachable display unit (6) of a continuous flow heater for covering a fastening means (7) for opening the housing (2) and / or for covering a type plate (8) of the continuous flow heater (1).

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