Radiators and methods for installing a radiator

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiator (1) comprising a heat exchanger (2), a fan (3) wherein the fan (3) is arranged in the radiator (1) and configured to generate an airflow (6) through the heat exchanger (2), and retaining elements (10) each having a recess (11) open on one side into which the heat exchanger (2) can be inserted or is inserted, wherein the recesses (11) are arranged and configured to hold the heat exchanger (2) in a target position without fasteners. The invention further relates to a method for installing a radiator (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a radiator and a method for installing a radiator.

[0002] The long-standing trend towards heat pumps in the field of heat generators increasingly requires the use of radiators in residential and commercial buildings, which are particularly efficient at low flow temperatures and can meet the required heat demand.

[0003] In addition to underfloor heating, fan coil units or so-called heat pump radiators are typically used here. Both products allow for wall mounting similar to a conventional radiator. The fans, especially blowers, built into these devices increase convection within the heat exchanger, thus increasing output at low operating temperatures.

[0004] A heat pump radiator is known, for example, from EP 1 462 748 A1. There, the heat pump radiator consists of a heat exchanger provided in an open housing, which essentially comprises one or more tubes on which one or more rows of fins are provided at intervals between each other, the distance between the fins being at least three millimeters, and wherein at least one fan is provided above the heat exchanger, which draws air through the heat exchanger.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of improving a radiator and a method for installing a radiator.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a radiator with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0007] In particular, a radiator is provided comprising a heat exchanger, a blower, wherein the blower is arranged in the radiator and is configured to generate an airflow through the heat exchanger, and retaining elements, each having a recess open on one side into which the heat exchanger can be inserted or is inserted, wherein the recesses are arranged and configured to hold the heat exchanger in a target position without fasteners.

[0008] Furthermore, in particular a method for installing a radiator is provided, wherein the radiator is designed according to one of the embodiments described in this disclosure, wherein the heat exchanger is arranged in the holding elements without tools or fasteners.

[0009] The proposed radiator and method allow the heat exchanger to be installed within the radiator without tools or fasteners. Specifically, the heat exchanger is held in place within the radiator without any fasteners, both when installed and during operation. This significantly simplifies installation, as no tools are required to position the heat exchanger. This is achieved by providing retaining elements, each with a recess open on one side, into which the heat exchanger can be inserted or is already inserted. The recesses are arranged and designed to hold the heat exchanger in a target position without the need for fasteners. In particular, the heat exchanger is held in the target position solely by these retaining elements.In particular, the heat exchanger is held in the target position solely by means of the recesses in the retaining elements.

[0010] The radiator may be designed so that the heat exchanger is positioned within it in such a way that an end face of the heat exchanger, exposed to the airflow, is angled within the radiator. In other words, air emanating from the fan at one time strikes different parts of the end face at different times. The end faces of the heat exchanger are specifically positioned at an acute angle to the front and back of the radiator, respectively. This angled design allows for a larger surface area through which air flows, even with a reduced radiator depth. In particular, the angled heat exchanger enables the use of a radiator with conventional dimensions, meaning a depth comparable to that of standard radiators.This allows for increased performance with a standard installation depth.

[0011] The heat exchanger comprises, in particular, a coil or at least one convection plate. The coil includes, for example, one or more pipes through which a heating or cooling medium is circulated. Flat fins are arranged, for example, on these pipes, along which air is guided and heat exchange occurs either towards the air (heating operation) or towards the fins (cooling operation). The at least one convection plate is, for example, arranged on a heating plate. Air is guided along the at least one convection plate, and heat exchange occurs either towards the air (heating operation) or towards the at least one convection plate (cooling operation).

[0012] The blower is specifically designed to generate an airflow. For this purpose, the blower is supplied with an electrical voltage. The blower can, for example, comprise one or more fans. A fan can be, for example, an axial fan, a cross-flow fan, or a radial fan (centrifugal fan). The blower, and in particular its speed, is controlled and / or regulated by a control unit. The blower is typically located below the heat exchanger, specifically at a predetermined distance below the heat exchanger. However, the blower can also be located above the heat exchanger.

[0013] The radiator is, in particular, a fan-assisted convector. The radiator is, in particular, a fan-assisted heat exchanger. The radiator enables, in particular, both heating and cooling operation. The radiator is, in particular, mounted near the floor on a wall. The radiator is, in particular, a heat pump radiator. The radiator may also include a control unit and / or an operating unit. The control unit is, in particular, designed to control the radiator, depending on the operating state (heating or cooling), such that the direction of the airflow corresponds to the respective operating state. For this purpose, the control unit, for example, queries and / or receives information about the operating state and generates corresponding control signals. Furthermore, the radiator may include an interface for remote control and / or for connection to a building management system.

[0014] Furthermore, the radiator also includes, in particular, a (radiator) housing. The housing includes, in particular, a front (housing front wall), a back (housing rear wall), a (particularly at least partially open) top and a (at least partially open) bottom, as well as a right side and a left side (side walls).

[0015] It may be designed so that the shape of the recesses at least partially follows the outer shape of the heat exchanger. This allows for an increase in the area where the heat exchanger is in mechanical contact with the retaining element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the recesses are open upwards when the radiator is installed. This allows the heat exchanger to be inserted into the recesses from above. It is particularly possible that one direction of the opening of the recesses has only an upward vector component. Specifically, it is possible that the recesses are open obliquely upwards when the radiator is installed. The heat exchanger can then be inserted into the recesses obliquely from above and positioned within them, or removed from the recesses obliquely upwards.

[0017] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is fixed in the recesses of the retaining elements solely by gravity and held in position by the retaining elements. This ensures that the heat exchanger is securely held in the recesses of the retaining elements. Specifically, the heat exchanger is inserted into the recesses of the retaining elements in the direction of gravity, with a lower end of the recess preventing further movement of the heat exchanger once it has reached this lower end and made mechanical contact with it.

[0018] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is designed symmetrically with respect to a contact area where it is in contact with the retaining elements when arranged within them, such that the heat exchanger can be rotated 180° within the retaining elements. This allows the heat exchanger to be arranged in at least two configurations within the retaining elements. In particular, the symmetry is defined with respect to a right and a left side and / or with respect to lateral ends, especially an end face or longitudinal side of the heat exchanger. The symmetry can, in particular, relate only to the contact areas.

[0019] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger has a side-mounted flow connection and a side-mounted return connection. The heat exchanger is designed so that by rotating it 180° and rotating its position in the mounting elements, the connection side of the flow and return connections can be changed. This simplifies radiator installation, as the radiator can be flexibly configured with respect to one of the connection sides of the flow and / or return connections during installation. This flexible configuration option eliminates the need for fixed-configuration radiator variants, thus reducing development, planning, and storage costs. Overall, the radiator's flexibility with regard to potential application scenarios is increased.

[0020] In one embodiment, two retaining elements are provided, the retaining elements being arranged in the heating element such that their respective positions coincide with the lateral ends of the heat exchanger. This allows the heat exchanger to be securely held in position with the fewest possible retaining elements.

[0021] In one embodiment, the retaining elements are each formed as a sheet metal part with a recess. This allows the retaining elements to be manufactured in a particularly simple manner, for example, by stamping the sheet metal part and the recess. The retaining elements can, for example, be designed as sheet metal parts arranged perpendicular to a front and a rear wall of the radiator housing. The sheet metal parts can also contribute to and / or improve the mechanical stability of the radiator.

[0022] In one embodiment, the retaining elements and / or the heat exchanger each have guide means designed to facilitate movement for positioning the heat exchanger in the retaining elements and / or removing it from the retaining elements. This supports and simplifies the movement necessary to position the heat exchanger in the recesses of the retaining elements. Removing the heat exchanger, for example, to rotate or reconfigure connections, is also supported and simplified. The guide means on the retaining elements and / or the heat exchanger can be designed to be complementary to each other.

[0023] In one embodiment, the edges of the recesses are protected, at least partially, by edge protection profiles. This protects the heat exchanger from the sharp edges of the recesses. If the retaining elements are made of sheet metal (e.g., with a wall thickness of 1.25 mm), the edges of the recess may be sharp. Both when inserting the heat exchanger, as it moves along the edges, and during operation of the radiator due to slight vibrations of the heat exchanger caused by the water flow, the use of edge protection profiles prevents damage to the heat exchanger, as the heat exchanger is not in direct contact with the edges. In particular, this prevents damage to the (softer) copper tubes of the heat exchanger.Edge protection profiles are provided, in particular, in those areas of the edge of the recesses that come into contact with the heat exchanger. The edge protection profiles are, for example, made of plastic and / or comprise a plastic component.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the figures. These show: Fig. 1a a schematic representation to illustrate an embodiment of the radiator (especially in heating mode); Fig. 1b a schematic representation to illustrate an embodiment of the radiator (especially in cooling mode); Fig. 2a a schematic representation to illustrate one embodiment of the retaining element; Fig. 2b a schematic representation to illustrate one embodiment of the retaining element; Fig. 3a a schematic representation to illustrate an exemplary configuration of the radiator; Fig. 3b a schematic representation to illustrate an exemplary configuration of the radiator; Fig. 4 A schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the method for installing a radiator.

[0025] The Fig. 1a and Fig. Figure 1b shows schematic representations of a basic structure of an embodiment of the radiator 1. The radiator 1 comprises a heat exchanger 2 and a fan 3. In the example shown, the heat exchanger 2 comprises a register including a pipe 4, on which fins 5 projecting from it are arranged. A heating or cooling medium is conveyed through the pipe 4. Alternatively, the heat exchanger 2 can also include convection plates arranged on a heating plate. The fan 3 is arranged in the radiator 1 and configured to generate an airflow 6 through the heat exchanger 2. The airflow 6 has a flow direction 7 and is guided past the fins 5, whereby the temperature of the air changes from T1 to T2. The radiator 1 can, in particular, be a heat pump radiator.

[0026] The radiator 1 is specifically designed so that the flow direction 7 of the airflow 6 generated by the fan 3 is opposite to the flow direction 7 during heating operation during cooling operation. The radiator 1 may, for this purpose, have a control device 8 which is configured to control and / or regulate the fan 3 such that the flow direction 8 of the airflow 6 generated by the fan 3 is opposite to the flow direction 7 during heating operation during cooling operation.

[0027] The opposing flow directions 7 are in the Fig. 1a (especially heating operation) and Fig. 1b (especially cooling operation) shown.

[0028] It may be provided that the flow direction 7 is used during heating operation ( Fig. 1a, T1 <T2) von unten nach oben und die Strömungsrichtung 7 beim Kühlbetrieb ( Fig. 1b, T1>T2) is directed from top to bottom.

[0029] It can be provided that the blower comprises 3 axial fans, with the heating element 1 being configured to change the direction of rotation of the axial fan rotors in order to reverse the flow direction 7. This is shown in the Fig. 1a and Fig. Figure 1b schematically illustrates the direction of rotation of the axial fan rotors. Fig. 1a (especially heating operation) opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotors of the axial fans in the Fig. 1b (especially cooling operation). In particular, the axial fans are controlled by the control unit 8 such that the direction of rotation is reversed. For example, the polarity of an operating voltage of the axial fans can be changed for this purpose. By way of example, the blower 3 can have several axial fans, for example five or six, but in principle there can also be more or fewer axial fans.

[0030] The radiator 1 further comprises retaining elements 10, each having a recess open on one side into which the heat exchanger 2 can be inserted or is inserted, the recesses being arranged and configured to hold the heat exchanger 2 in a target position without fasteners. In particular, the retaining elements 10 hold the heat exchanger in the target position without fasteners.

[0031] In the embodiments shown in the figures, it is particularly provided that two retaining elements 10 are provided, wherein the retaining elements 10 are arranged in the heating element 1 such that a respective position of the retaining elements 10 coincides with the lateral ends 16 of the heat exchanger 2. The lateral ends 16 refer in particular to the end faces or longitudinal sides of the heat exchanger 2.

[0032] The Fig. 2a and Fig. Figure 2b shows schematic representations to illustrate one embodiment of the retaining element 10. For this purpose, the retaining element 10 is compared to the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b in the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b shown in a side view. Fig. Figure 2a shows a state in which the heat exchanger 2 is not attached to or located in the holding element 10. Fig. Figure 2b shows a state in which the heat exchanger 2 (in a target position) is arranged on or in the retaining element 10. The recess 11 is in the retaining element 10 ( Fig. 2a) formed. The heat exchanger 2 is held in the target position by the retaining element 10 without the need for fasteners. The target position is reached, in particular, when the heat exchanger 2 is completely inserted into the recess 11. The shape of the recess 11 follows, in particular, an outer shape of the heat exchanger 2.

[0033] It may be intended that the recesses 11 are open at the top when the radiator 1 is installed. This is shown schematically in the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b shown. The recess 11 has an opening 12 at the top, through which the heat exchanger 2 can be pushed into the recess 11 and through which the heat exchanger 2 can be removed from the recess 11.

[0034] It can be provided that the heat exchanger 2 is fixed in the recesses 11 of the retaining elements 10 solely by gravity and is held in position by the retaining elements 10. This is achieved in particular by a lower edge of the recess 11 preventing movement of the heat exchanger 2 in the direction of gravity and by the heat exchanger 2 being fixed in the recess 11 by its own weight.

[0035] In particular, it may be provided that a (main) extension direction 13 of the recess 11 has an acute angle to a front or a back side of the radiator. This allows an area in which gravity-driven fixation takes place to be enlarged, since the heat exchanger 2, in addition to the lower edge of the recess 11, also rests against a side of the recess 11 and is additionally held in position by it.

[0036] It can be provided that the heat exchanger 2 is symmetrical with respect to a contact area where the heat exchanger 2 is in contact with the retaining elements 10 when arranged in the retaining elements 10, such that an arrangement of the heat exchanger 2 in the retaining elements can be rotated by 180°.

[0037] It may be provided that the heat exchanger 2 has a side flow connection 14 ( Fig. 2a) and a lateral return connection 15 ( Fig. 2a) has, wherein the heat exchanger 2 is configured such that by rotating the heat exchanger 2 by 180° and rotating its arrangement in the retaining elements 10, one of the respective connection sides of the flow connection 14 and the return connection 15 can be changed. After the rotation by 180°, the flow connection 14 and the return connection 15 would be, with reference to the one in the Fig. 2a shown example lies on the side facing away from the viewer and is no longer visible in the illustration shown.

[0038] The Fig. 3a and Fig. Figure 3b illustrates the two configurations of the radiator, although the radiator is only partially shown. Fig. Figure 3a shows a configuration where the flow connection 14 and the return connection 15 are located on the left side of the radiator. Fig. Figure 3b shows a configuration where the flow connection 14 and the return connection 15 are located on the right side of the radiator. The radiator is the same in both configurations; only the orientation of the heat exchanger 2 has been changed as described above. For example, if the radiator is delivered in the configuration shown in the Fig. 3a is shown, but it should be mounted in the configuration shown in the Fig. As shown in 3b, the heat exchanger 2 is removed from the retaining elements 10 (see 3b). Fig. 2a), rotated 180° about a vertical axis V and reinserted into the recesses of the retaining elements 10 until they reach the target position. No tools are required to change the configuration. Securing the heat exchanger 2 is also unnecessary.

[0039] The retaining elements 10 may each be designed as a sheet metal part in which the recess 11 is formed. The sheet metal part can be produced, in particular, by stamping, whereby the recess 11 is punched out of the sheet metal. The sheet metal part is then arranged and fastened in a suitable manner in a housing of the radiator 1, for example, perpendicular to a rear wall of the radiator 1, as shown schematically in the figures.

[0040] It may be provided that the retaining elements 10 and / or the heat exchanger 2 each have guide means 17 ( Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b) which are designed to perform a movement for arranging the heat exchanger 2 in the holding elements 10 and / or for removing the heat exchanger 2 from the holding elements 10. In the Fig. 2a and Fig. In the embodiment of the retaining elements 10 shown in 2b, the guide means 17 comprise a one-sided insertion aid in the form of a projection extending beyond the opening 12 on one side, which allows the heat exchanger 2 to be placed against the opening 12 of the recess 11 on one side for insertion into it and to be pushed along it and guided by it in the direction of the opening 12 of the recess 11.

[0041] As a guiding means 17, alternatively or additionally, for example a funnel-shaped widening can be provided at the upper end of the opening 11, which supports and guides the insertion of the heat exchanger 1 into the recess 11.

[0042] It may be provided that the edges of the recesses 11 are protected at least in sections by means of edge protection profiles 18 ( Fig. 2a) are protected. The edge protection profile 18 shown surrounds the edge of the recess 11, which is provided in the retaining element 10. In particular, those areas of the edges that can come into contact with the heat exchanger 2 are covered and protected by an edge protection profile 18.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the method for installing a radiator. The radiator is designed according to one of the embodiments described in this disclosure. In particular, the method involves modifying the connection configuration of a flow connection and a return connection.

[0044] In process step 100, the radiator is mounted on a wall at the desired installation location. For example, the flow and return connections should be located on the right-hand side after installation. However, in the delivered state, the connections are located on the left-hand side ( Fig. 3a).

[0045] In process step 101, the heat exchanger is removed from the holding elements without tools by pulling it upwards out of the recesses.

[0046] In process step 102, the heat exchanger is rotated by 180° along a vertical axis so that the flow connection and the return connection are located on the right side after rotation.

[0047] In process step 103, the heat exchanger is positioned in the retaining elements without tools or fasteners by inserting it into the recesses from above and pushing it downwards until the target position is reached. The flow and return connections are now positioned on the right side as desired ( Fig. 3b).

[0048] If the connection configuration needs to be changed in the opposite direction, this is done in an analogous manner. Reference symbol list 1 radiator 2 heat exchangers 3 blowers 4 Pipeline 5 slats 6 Airflow 7 Flow direction 8 Control unit 10 retaining elements 11 recess 12 Opening 13. Direction of extension 14 Flow connection 15 Return connection 16 side end 17 Management tools 18 Edge protection profile 20 Front 21 Back 100-103 process steps T1 temperature T2 temperature V Vertical axis QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 462 748 A1

[0004]

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