Bearing component for flow sensor, flow assembly and building services device

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing for a flow sensor of a domestic appliance, a flow measuring unit of a domestic appliance and a domestic appliance.

[0002] For domestic appliances or household devices, such as instantaneous water heaters, with a liquid supply, it is necessary to be able to determine the flow rate of the liquid through the appliance or household appliance. This is typically done using a flow sensor.

[0003] DE 10 2008 043 613 A1 shows a household appliance with a liquid supply. A flow sensor is provided to measure the flow rate through the household appliance. The flow sensor has an impeller located in a housing. The housing is coupled to a liquid-carrying channel. The housing consists of a base body and a cover.

[0004] DE 200 05 327 U1 shows an instantaneous water heater with an impeller flow meter. An impeller is housed in a housing consisting of a base body and a cover.

[0005] DE 20 2013 009 831 U1 shows a domestic appliance with a vane flow meter and a closure unit on a cover, which enables simplified installation of the flow sensor.

[0006] DE 2012 013 347 A1 discloses a flow sensor comprising a sensor body mounted in a pipe, rotatable perpendicular to the flow direction. The sensor body is rotatably mounted on a partial shell with two elastic support arms.

[0007] DE 103 25 722 C1 discloses a test sensor designed as a paddle wheel for monitoring extinguishing media flowing in pipeline systems, which is set in rotary motion by means of a drive unit.

[0008] Flow sensors, especially impellers, are subjected to high stresses throughout their service life. Typically, the impellers are mounted in specially designed bearing shells that are integrally formed with the fluid channel in which the flow sensor measures the flow.

[0009] It is known to manufacture the housings of flow units in domestic appliances, such as instantaneous water heaters, from fiber-reinforced, particularly glass-fiber-reinforced, plastics to achieve the advantages associated with these materials. Particularly in poor water quality, i.e., particularly in water with a high chloride content, this can lead to increased wear and abrasion of the rotating impellers, thus shortening the service life of the domestic appliance.

[0010] Against this background, one object of the present invention was to ensure the durability of flow sensors of domestic appliances regardless of the water quality.

[0011] The object is achieved according to the invention by a bearing component of an impeller of a flow sensor having the features of claim 1.

[0012] Accordingly, a bearing component of a flow sensor, in particular an impeller, of a domestic appliance, in particular an instantaneous water heater, is proposed, wherein the flow sensor has an axis which, in the installed state, is substantially perpendicular to a flow direction of a fluid channel of the domestic appliance. The bearing component is formed in one piece and has two interconnected legs. Two opposing axle receptacles are contained in the bearing component, wherein the two axle receptacles are spaced from one another in such a way that, in a state of the bearing component, they correspond to an extension of the axis of the flow sensor. The two legs are designed to be elastic in such a way that, for inserting the flow sensor, a distance between the axle receptacles can be increased.

[0013] Advantageously, the shaft mount is mounted on one leg for both ends of the flow sensor's axes, and the shaft mount is mounted on the opposite leg. Furthermore, the legs advantageously correspond to the extension of the flow sensor's axis when the bearing component is in a relaxed state.

[0014] The bearing component according to the invention ensures that the flow sensor, in particular the impeller, is not mounted directly in the housing of the domestic appliance, for example, the flow owner. The housing of the domestic appliance is usually made of polyamide or similar materials that are fiber-reinforced and therefore cause rapid abrasion of the flow sensor in poor water quality, for example. The poor water quality dissolves the fibers from the material, resulting in significant abrasion of the flow sensor. By arranging the bearing component according to the invention between the flow sensor and the housing of the domestic appliance, the flow sensor is mounted in the bearing component and not in the housing of the domestic appliance.

[0015] The one-piece design of the bearing component allows for straightforward assembly. In particular, the elastic design of the bearing component's legs allows the impeller to be clamped between the legs, preventing the flow sensor from falling out.

[0016] According to the invention, the two legs are connected at a first end and at an opposite second end, wherein the axle receptacles are formed substantially centrally between the first end and the second end, such that the distance between the axle receptacles is increased when a compressive force is exerted between the first end and the second end.

[0017] The bearing component can be designed to be closed, for example, in the shape of a diamond. In this preferred embodiment, the two legs are connected at a first end and an opposite second end, e.g., in the shape of a diamond.

[0018] By compressing two opposite ends of the legs towards each other in this case, the axle mounts spread apart so that there is sufficient space in the space between the axle mounts of the two legs to accommodate the flow sensor. By releasing the force exerted on the ends of the legs, the axle mounts return to their relaxed position so that the flow sensor is securely held between the axle mounts. Compared to the open design, i.e. a design in which the legs are only connected to each other at a first end and extend from there in different directions towards the axle mounts, the installation of the flow sensor in the bearing component is simplified in this design.

[0019] According to the invention, the bearing component is designed symmetrically around the axis connecting the axle mounts. This prevents incorrect assembly, for example, by inserting the bearing component in reverse. Both directions of use are then equally possible.

[0020] The invention is further achieved by a flow assembly for a domestic appliance, which has a bearing component described according to the first aspect and a flow sensor, in particular an impeller, with an axis, wherein the axis of the flow sensor is received between axis receptacles of the bearing component.

[0021] The flow assembly according to the invention can therefore be installed into the housing of the domestic appliance in a single step, just like previously known flow sensors. Because the bearing component securely holds the flow sensor between the axle mounts of the legs, it is impossible for the flow sensor to fall out.

[0022] Preferably, the material of the flow sensor matches the material of the bearing component. By using the same material for the bearing and the mounted element, a reliable and high-quality bearing arrangement is possible. In particular, the sliding properties of the bearing are durable and not subject to rapid wear, as is the case with a direct bearing on the housing, for example.

[0023] Preferably, at least one of the bearing component and the flow sensor comprises or consists of a polyketone. Polyketone has proven particularly resistant to poor water quality, for example, with high chlorine levels. Materials other than polyketone, such as POM, are also possible.

[0024] Particularly preferably, neither the bearing component nor the flow sensor has fibers to reinforce the material, as these can increase abrasion and reduce the service life.

[0025] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a domestic appliance, in particular an instantaneous water heater. The domestic appliance has a housing comprising a base body, a cover, and a channel. The domestic appliance further comprises a flow assembly according to the invention. The base body and / or the cover has a receiving space for receiving the bearing component, such that the flow sensor accommodated in the bearing component protrudes at least partially into the channel when the bearing component is accommodated in the receiving space.

[0026] The mounting space fixes the position of the bearing component relative to the channel. While the bearing component maintains a fixed position, the flow sensor, which is mounted in the bearing component, can rotate around its axis with low friction and determine the flow through the channel.

[0027] The manufacturing concept of the existing building services devices requires only minimal adjustments; the steps of inserting the flow sensor into the housing and closing the housing with the cover remain the same. Only the sensor component to be used is changed: it already includes a bearing and is not exclusively housed in the housing.

[0028] Preferably, the cover is designed to fix the bearing component accommodated in the receiving space.

[0029] The housing preferably comprises or is made of polyamide; in particular, the housing preferably comprises or is made of fiber-reinforced polyamide. Polyamide, and in particular fiber-reinforced polyamide, is durable, heat-resistant, and therefore particularly suitable for household appliances, especially instantaneous water heaters.

[0030] Advantageously, the distance between the two opposite axis mounts for the two ends of the axes of the flow sensor can be advantageous in a relaxed state of the bearing component of an extension of the axis of the flow sensor or also in a tensioned state of the bearing component.

[0031] Advantageously, the bearing component is prepared in a preloaded state to accommodate the axle, whereby the bearing component is then inserted into the receiving space in an unloaded state after the axle has been installed.

[0032] Alternatively, the bearing component remains at least slightly tensioned even when the axle is installed and is inserted into the receiving space in a tensioned state.

[0033] When inserted into the receiving space, the bearing component advantageously remains in an at least slightly preloaded state or the preloaded state is advantageously removed by insertion into the receiving space, wherein the bearing component in particular snaps into the receiving space.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the bearing component rests in the receiving space in a clamped or unclamped state, with the axle remaining largely unloaded in the bearing component, particularly axially. The distance between the axle mounts is at least greater than or equal to the length of the axle, whereby the axle is mounted axially largely stress-free, advantageously without any axial pressure on the axle mounts.

[0035] Further advantages and exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the attached figures. Herein: Figure 1 schematically and exemplarily a flow sensor, Figure 2schematically and exemplarily a bearing component according to the invention, Figure 3 schematically and exemplarily the bearing component according to the invention is inserted into a housing of a domestic appliance. Figure 4 Bearing component with legs arranged on both sides Figure 5 Top view of bearing component with legs on both sides Figure 6 Base body with holder for bearing component

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic and exemplary flow sensor 200 in the exemplary form of an impeller, as is known to be used to determine the flow rate, for example, in an instantaneous water heater. In this example, the flow sensor 200 has the actual impeller elements 210 and a magnetic element 220. By means of the impeller elements 210, the flow sensor 200 rotates about an axis 230.

[0037] On both sides of the axis 230, the flow sensor 200 has axle journals 232, which were previously mounted directly in the housing of a building services device.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows schematically and exemplarily a bearing component 300 for supporting a flow sensor 200, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown. The bearing component 300 has two legs 310 and 320, at each end of which there is an axle mount 312, 322.

[0039] The axle mounts 312, 322 each have a recess 314, 324 into which the respective axle pins 232 of the flow sensor 200 are received. To mount the flow sensor 200 in the bearing component 300, the legs 310, 320 are spread apart so that the distance between the axle mounts 312 and 322 is increased. The flow sensor 200 can then be inserted between the axle mounts 312, 322. After release, the bearing component 300 returns to its original position, so that the flow sensor 200 is securely received in the bearing component 300.

[0040] For secure fixing within the housing of the domestic appliance, the bearing component 300 further comprises, in this example, two optional fixing collars 316, 326 which are matched to the housing and which may not be provided or may be designed differently in other housing designs.

[0041] In this embodiment, the bearing component 300 is made in one piece from a polyketone. The flow sensor 200 is also made from a polyketone. By using the same material for the flow sensor 200 and the bearing component 300, durable sliding properties of the axle mount and the flow sensor 200 are ensured. In particular, the materials are preferably not fiber-reinforced to reduce abrasion in chlorinated waters.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows schematically and exemplarily the flow assembly composed of bearing component 300 and flow sensor 200 inserted into a building services device 1.

[0043] The domestic appliance 1 comprises a housing 100 with a base body 120. An opening 112 provides access to a fluid channel for the insertion of the flow assembly. The opening 112 is closed with a cover (not shown). To improve clarity, only the axis 230 of the flow sensor 200 is shown, which extends between the bearing receptacles of the bearing component 300.

[0044] It can be seen that only the bearing component 300, which does not rotate, is in contact with the housing 100. The axle 230, however, is supported exclusively in the bearing component 300 and thus rotates with low friction. In this embodiment, the legs 310, 320 are inserted downward into the plane of the drawing into the opening 112. In other embodiments, a horizontal design of the bearing component 300, i.e., in the plane of the drawing, is also possible.

[0045] The final position of the bearing component 300 is fixed by applying the cover. Alternatively, it is also possible to mount the flow assembly in the cover before it is placed on to close the opening 112.

[0046] In Figure 4 and 5 A bearing component 300 is designed with four legs 310, 320, 330, 340. Recesses 314, 324 are provided on two legs each to support the flow sensor 200. This results in a closed ring of connected legs 310, 320, 330, 340, on which the optional fixing collars 316, 326 are formed.

[0047] The legs 310, 320, 330, 340 are elastic or flexible, so that the flow sensor 200 can be pressed apart during an assembly process, particularly at the recesses 314, 324, so that the flow sensor 200 fits between them and can be inserted into the bearing component 300. When the flow sensor 200 is inserted into the recesses 314, 324, the legs 310, 320, 330, 340 spring back, and the flow sensor 200 is rotatably mounted in the recesses 314, 324. The bearing component 300 with the installed flow sensor 200 can then be inserted into a receptacle 111 of the base body 100 of the instantaneous water heater. The cover holds the bearing body 300 in the base body 100 and closes the opening 112 in a watertight manner, so that the flow sensor 200 is at least partially mounted in the water channel of the domestic appliance, in particular the instantaneous water heater.

[0048] A holder 111 for the bearing component 300 is in Figure 6 shown. A receptacle 111 is arranged around the opening 112 and has a space 113, 114 for the fixing collars 316, 326. Fastening devices 115, 116 serve to secure the cover (not shown), which is attached to the base body 120.

Claims

1. Bearing component (300) of a flow sensor (200), in particular of an impeller, of a building services appliance (1), in particular of an instantaneous water heater, wherein the flow sensor (200) has an axle (230) which in the installed state is substantially vertical to a direction of flow of a fluid channel of the building services appliance (1), wherein the bearing component (300) is configured in one piece and comprises at least two legs (310, 320) connected to one another, wherein two opposing axle receptacles (312, 324) are contained in the bearing component, wherein the two axle receptacles (312, 324) are spaced apart in such a way that their distance corresponds to an expansion of the axle (230) of the flow sensor (200) in a state of the bearing component (300), wherein the two legs (310, 320) are configured to be elastic in such a way that, for the purpose of inserting the flow sensor (200) between the axle receptacles (312, 324), a distance between the axle receptacles (312, 324) can be increased, characterised in that the two legs (310, 320) are connected at a first end and at an opposite second end, wherein the axle receptacles (312, 324) are configured substantially centrally between the first end and the second end, such that the distance between the axle receptacles (312, 324) is increased when a compressive force is applied between the first end and the second end, and / or that the bearing component (300) is configured to be symmetrical around the axle connecting the axle receptacles (312, 324).

2. Bearing component (300) according to claim 1, wherein the first axle receptacle (312) is attached to a first leg (310) for the two ends of the axles (230) of the flow sensor (200), the second axle receptacle (324) is attached opposite to a second leg (320), and the distance between the axle receptacles (312, 324) on the legs (320, 324) in a relaxed state of the bearing component (300) corresponds to an expansion of the axle (230) of the flow sensor (200).

3. Flow assembly for a building services appliance (1), comprising a bearing component (300) according to any one of the preceding claims and a flow sensor (200), in particular an impeller, having an axle, wherein the axle of the flow sensor (200) is accommodated between the axle receptacles (312, 322) of the bearing component (300).

4. Flow assembly according to claim 3, wherein a material of the flow sensor (200) and the bearing component (300) is the same.

5. Flow assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one bearing component (300) and flow sensor (200) comprises or consists of a polyketone.

6. Building services appliance (1), in particular an instantaneous water heater, having a casing (100) which has a base body (120), a cover and a channel, and a flow assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the base body (120) and / or the cover has an accommodating space (112) for accommodating the bearing component (300), such that the flow sensor (200) accommodated in the bearing component (300) projects at least partially into the channel when the bearing component (300) is accommodated in the accommodating space (112).

7. Building services appliance according to claim 6, wherein the cover is configured to fix the bearing component (300) accommodated in the accommodating space (112).

8. Building services appliance according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the casing (100) comprises or consists of polyamide, in particular fibre-reinforced polyamide.