ELECTRIC RADIATOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric heating element according to the preamble of claim 1. The heating element serves to heat rooms or parts of rooms in a building and can in particular be designed as a designer heating element or as a radiator.

[0002] Such radiators are common. They can be purely electric, requiring only electrical energy which is converted into heat by an electric heating element, or combined radiators. These combined radiators are connected to a central heating system and are heated by a medium warmed by the system, while also featuring an additional electric heating element to convert electrical energy into heat. In combined radiators, the electric heating element is typically used as supplementary heating, providing electric heating, particularly during the transitional seasons of spring and autumn, when the central heating system is either already switched off or still off.

[0003] A combined radiator with flow and return connections for a circulating heating medium, in which an electric heating element is arranged in a distribution pipe or collector pipe of the radiator, is known, for example, from DE 20 2006 007 968 ​​U1. The electric heating element thus comes into direct contact with the circulating heating medium.

[0004] From DE 299 18 763 U1, a combined radiator is known in which an electric heating element is attached to an outer surface of the radiator. Due to the external mounting of the electric heating element, sealing problems when routing the cables for the electric heating element are avoided.

[0005] From EP 1 584 873 A1, a heating system is known in which an electrically operated surface heating element is attached to a heating element, in particular one through which a heating medium flows. The electrically operated surface heating element is attached to the back of the curved heating element via a protective cover, a housing cover, and retaining elements.

[0006] A combined heating element is also known from DE 10 2005 002 840 A1, which is at least partially filled with a heating medium or through which a heating medium can flow, and to which an electric heating element is attached externally. The attachment of the electric heating element can be either material-bonded, in particular by gluing, or force-fitted via clamping means.

[0007] From DE 10 2008 043 893 A1, an electric heating device is known in which several electric heating elements, together with an insulating resin mounting component, several electrode plates, several heat-radiating fins, and an upper and a lower frame, are stacked one on top of the other to form a heating stack body. The components of the heating stack body are held together by two compression springs, which are attached to the outside of the heating stack body from both sides.

[0008] From DE 27 38 036 A1, a heating element for a room heating system is known, which has at least two plate-shaped hollow bodies arranged parallel to each other at a distance from one another, which form a receiving space for receiving a heat transfer fluid, wherein at least one electrically heated heating rod runs on its underside in a heating rod chamber, which is surrounded on its outside by the heat transfer fluid, while its interior is separated from the receiving space for the heat transfer fluid.

[0009] From EP 2 251 612 A1 an electric heating element is known in which a heat transfer fluid is heated by an electric heating resistance which is arranged in a tube closed at both ends.

[0010] Adhesive bonding can be problematic at higher temperatures or on certain surfaces, such as painted bases. In particular, the holding power of the adhesive bond can weaken over time. Furthermore, separating the electrical heating element from the base, for example during repairs or at the end of the heater's lifespan, involves considerable effort when using an adhesive bond.

[0011] These problems do not occur with a force-fit attachment of the electric heating element. Attaching the electric heating element to the base body via clamping elements allows for a long service life as well as particularly easy assembly and disassembly.

[0012] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electric heating element with an improved force-fit attachment of the electric heating resistance to the base body.

[0013] This problem is solved according to the invention by an electric heating element according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and expedient further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, or the figures.

[0014] In an electric radiator for heating rooms, in which at least one clamping body presses an electric heating resistance forcefully against a base body, an electric radiator according to claim 1 is provided according to the invention.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the contact surface of the base body (20) and / or the clamping body (60) is convexly curved, and the clamping body (60) has a pressure rib (62) that is spring-elastically bendable in the transverse direction and comprises a pressure surface that rests against the electrical heating resistor (40), wherein the clamping body (60) is curved according to the convex surface of the contact surface.

[0016] In other words, this means that the electrical heating resistance is attached to at least one convex contact surface of the base body.

[0017] A significant advantage of the embodiment according to the invention is that the electrical heating resistance, which only covers a partial area of ​​the surface of the base body and therefore has a very high heating power density, is optimally positioned against the contact surface of the base body and is advantageously held securely pressed against it over its entire extent.

[0018] Another significant advantage is that the clamping element also optimally rests against the back of the electrical heating resistor facing away from the base body, so that, with a good thermally conductive material for the clamping element, heat can also be optimally dissipated from the back of the electrical heating resistor and advantageously transferred to the base body.

[0019] Advantageously, the electrical heating resistor (40) is essentially held on the base body (20) of the radiator by the clamping body (60), so that no further fastening means are required.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if the clamping element is held to the base body in a form-fitting and force-fit manner. This ensures particularly simple and quick assembly.

[0021] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is proposed that a first region of the clamping element engages behind a first projection that the base body has. Preferably, the clamping element rests against the first projection with its first region, which projects laterally beyond the contact surface, in a direction at least approximately perpendicular to the contact surface. In this way, the clamping element can be held on the base body particularly easily.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous if a second area of ​​the clamping body also engages behind a second projection that the base body additionally has. Preferably, the clamping body also rests against the second projection with the second area, which extends laterally beyond the contact surface, in a direction at least approximately perpendicular to the contact surface. Advantageously, the second projection of the clamping body is located on the side opposite the first projection with respect to the contact surface for the electrical heating element. By having two projections of the base body engaged by different areas of the clamping body, a particularly simple and simultaneously very secure force-fit fastening of the clamping body to the base body can be achieved under elastic deformation of the clamping body.

[0023] Preferably, the first projection and / or the second projection can each be formed by a longitudinally extending rib of the base body that projects laterally towards the contact surface.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the base body has a third projection or contact area against which the clamping element rests in a direction at least approximately parallel or tangential to the contact surface, while engaging behind the first and second projections. This prevents unintentional lateral displacement of the clamping element, thus reliably ensuring the engagement of the two projections and, consequently, the positive locking connection. It is especially beneficial if the base body has at least one fluid-filled chamber and / or at least one channel through which a heating fluid flows, connected to a supply and return connection of the radiator.

[0025] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the base body is a metallic profile. In an advantageously longitudinally elongated profile, projections for attaching the clamping element can be formed particularly easily.

[0026] Preferably, the base body consists of an extruded aluminum profile, which is characterized by good thermal conductivity at a low weight.

[0027] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the clamping element be formed by a sheet metal, in particular by an elastic aluminum sheet. In this way, the clamping element can exhibit the spring-like properties (elasticity) required for applying the clamping force. Furthermore, a sheet metal with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, can particularly effectively absorb the heat radiating from the back of the electrical heating element and conduct it to the base body, so that the electrical heating element is effectively cooled by the clamping element.

[0028] Preferably, the clamping body is formed by a longitudinally extended elastic sheet metal strip or a longitudinally extended elastic sheet metal profile.

[0029] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the clamping element has at least one retaining rib angled away from the pressure rib. The pressure rib can possess the elasticity required for pressing the heating element against it and is preferably convexly curved. In this way, the retaining rib, in particular a free edge of the retaining rib, can form a first region that engages behind a first projection of the base body, while the pressure rib, in particular a free edge of the pressure rib, forms a second region that engages behind a second projection of the base body. Advantageously, the retaining rib can also come into contact with a third projection or a contact area of ​​the base body, so that the clamping element is secured against unintentional lateral displacement and the engagement of the two projections of the base body by the retaining rib and the pressure rib is reliably ensured.

[0030] It is particularly advantageous for the elasticity of the pressure ridge forming the contact surface if the height of the at least one retaining ridge is less than the width of the pressure ridge. Preferably, the retaining ridge is angled at 90° from the pressure ridge.

[0031] According to a first preferred embodiment, the retaining web has at least one transverse slot that divides the retaining web into at least two retaining flaps. Advantageously, the transverse slot extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the sheet metal profile. In this way, the retaining flaps of the retaining web can be particularly easily positioned behind a projection of the base body.

[0032] According to a second preferred embodiment, the retaining web has a plurality of transverse slots that divide the retaining web into a corresponding plurality of retaining prongs. This makes it even easier to position the individual retaining prongs behind a projection of the base body. Preferably, only a single clamping element is provided. Alternatively, however, two or more clamping elements can be arranged to press the electrical heating element against the base body.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous if the flexible electrical heating element is made of an elastic, i.e., easily mechanically deformable, material. This ensures optimal and full-surface contact of the heating element with the base body when pressed down by the clamping element.

[0034] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the heating element is surrounded by a plastic casing. Especially if the heating element is designed to be easily mechanically deformable, the casing is also advantageously made of an elastic, i.e., easily bendable or deformable, plastic.

[0035] Advantageously, the electrical heating element is a PTC heating element. As self-regulating dynamic heating elements, PTC heating elements automatically reduce their power output by increasing their resistance when a certain temperature threshold is reached, which is why they are particularly well-suited for heating applications.

[0036] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0037] They show: Figure 1: Perspective exploded view of the components of an electric heating element according to the invention, and Figure 2: Cross-section through the heating element made of Figure 1 in its fully assembled state.

[0038] The Figure 1 and 2 Figure 1 shows an electric heating element 10, designed to be used as a radiator in a building to heat a room. It can be attached to a building wall (not shown in detail) with its rear side R. It comprises three main components: a base body 20, an electric heating element 40, and a clamping element 60. In its fully assembled state, the electric heating element 40 is attached to the base body 20 solely by frictional connection, as it is pressed firmly against the base body by the clamping element 60. Figure 2 ).

[0039] The base body 20 consists here of an extruded aluminum profile, whose essentially rectangular cross-section in Figure 2 The following is an example. In addition to seven closed hollow chambers and two chambers open towards the rear R, it comprises a contact surface 22 for the heating element 40, which is offset into the aluminum profile relative to the rear R in the direction of the front V. The base body 20 is axially symmetrical with respect to an inner central web 24 extending perpendicular to the front V, with the contact surface 22 also being centrally located or axially symmetrical to the central web 24. The contact surface 22 is thus surrounded on both longitudinal sides by a profile section 26 projecting towards the rear R. According to the present invention, the contact surface 22 has a profile that is slightly convex towards the rear R.

[0040] On the rear side R of each of the two profile areas 26, a first web 28 projects towards the other profile area 26, which is continued internally by a longer web 30 angled at 90° and projecting rearward behind the rear side R. Together, the two webs 28 and 30 form an L-shaped cross-section on the facing sides of each of the two profile areas 26.

[0041] Starting from the first webs 28 running along the rear side R of the base body 20, a second web 32 follows on both sides, offset inwards towards the contact surface 22, and a third web 34 is located slightly above the contact surface 22. These webs 32 and 34 also extend laterally, parallel to the rear side R, towards the respective other profile area 26. The second web 32 is narrower than the first web 28, and the third web 34 is narrower than the second web 32.

[0042] The mutually facing webs 28 and 34 each form a first and second projection, behind which a side edge of the clamping body 60 can be clamped to press the heating resistor 40 against the contact surface 22.

[0043] The clamping element 60 is formed by an elongated aluminum sheet with good thermal conductivity. It comprises a flat pressure rib 62 and a flat retaining rib 64 angled at 90° to it, giving the clamping element 60 an overall L-shaped cross-section. The pressure rib 62 is wider than the retaining rib 64 and is slightly spring-flexible in the transverse direction. The pressure rib 62 forms a contact surface that, in the fully assembled state, rests against the electrical heating element 40.

[0044] The retaining web 64 contains a plurality of transverse slots 66, which are oriented transversely to the longitudinal extent of the sheet metal profile and divide the retaining web 64 into a plurality of retaining prongs 68. In the fully assembled state, the free end edges of the pressure web 62 on one side and of the retaining web 64 or the retaining prongs 68 on the other each engage behind a projection formed by a web 28 and 34.

[0045] Due to the subdivision of the retaining web 64 into the numerous retaining prongs 68, these can be pressed sequentially and particularly easily behind the projection formed by a web 28, after the free end edge 70 of the pressure web 62 has first been positioned under the web 34 on the opposite side. When the retaining prongs 68 are pressed behind the projection formed by the web 28, the pressure web 62 is curved according to the convex surface of the contact surface 22, thereby generating the clamping force required to hold the heating element 40 securely. Simultaneously, the resulting curvature of the pressure web 62 causes the retaining prongs 68, which project laterally beyond the contact surface 22 at right angles, to be pressed behind the projection formed by the web 28, where their central portion abuts the rib 32 of the base body 20.Since the free end edge of the pressure rib 62 on the opposite side of the contact surface 22 simultaneously rests against a profile wall of the base body 20 located below the rib 34, an unintentional lateral displacement of the clamping body 60 cannot occur, so that the clamping body 60 and thus also the electrical heating resistor 40 is securely fixed to the base body 20.

[0046] The electrical heating element 40, implemented here as a self-regulating dynamic PTC heating element, is designed in the form of a flat strip whose length corresponds at least substantially to the length of the base body 20 and the clamping body 60. It is surrounded on both sides by a plastic casing, which, like the electrical heating element 40 itself, consists of an elastic, slightly mechanically flexible material. In this way, the electrical heating element 40, together with the plastic casing, can deform flexibly and easily adapt over its entire surface to the curvature defined by the convex contact surface 22.

[0047] The installation of the electric radiator 10 proceeds as follows: First, the electrical heating resistor 40 is placed on the convex contact surface 22 of the base body 20, then the clamping body 60 is attached by first inserting the free end edge 70 of the pressure bridge 62 under a bridge 34 of the base body 20, after inserting the end edge 70 the pressure bridge 62 is bent in a transverse direction over the heating resistor 40 lying on the convex contact surface 22 and fixed behind the bridge 28 by snapping the individual retaining prongs 68 on the opposite side.

[0048] Due to the elastic tension generated by the curvature of the pressure rib 62 to adapt to the convex contact surface 22 of the L-shaped clamping body 60, the retaining prongs 68 hold securely behind the projection formed by the rib 28.

[0049] The result is a perfect, permanently stable clamping of the heating element 40 to the base body 20 of the electric radiator 10. Neither bonded fasteners nor screws are required. Furthermore, the heat emitted from the rear side of the heating element 40, facing away from the contact surface 22, is conducted to the base body 20 via the aluminum clamping element 60 and is thus also available for the desired heating of the room.

Claims

1. An electric radiator (10) for heating rooms, comprising a base body (20) and an electric heating resistor (40) held thereon, at least one clamping body (60) being held on the base body (20) in a form-locked manner, and the base body (20) and / or the clamping body (60) having a convexly curved bearing surface (22) against which the electric heating resistor (40) rests, characterized in that the electric heating resistor (40) is pressed by at least one clamping body (60) against the base body (20) and rests over its entire extension against the bearing surface of the base body (20) and is held pressed thereon, the bearing surface of the base body (20) and / or of the clamping body (60) being pressed against the electric heating resistor (40) in a force-fit manner.

2. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (20) has at least one first protrusion (34), which a first region (70) of the clamping body (60) latchingly engages.

3. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the base body (20) has at least one second protrusion (28), which a second region (64) of the clamping body (60) latchingly engages.

4. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the base body (20) has a third protrusion (32) or a bearing region against which the clamping body (60) rests.

5. The electric radiator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (20) is a metallic profiled body, and in particular an extruded aluminum profile.

6. The electric radiator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping body (60) is a formed by a metal sheet, and in particular by an aluminum sheet.

7. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping body (60) is a formed by a metal sheet strip or a profiled metal sheet.

8. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the clamping body (60) comprises a pressure ledge (62), having a pressing surface, and at least one retaining ledge (64) angled in relation thereto.

9. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the height of the at least one retaining ledge (64) is smaller than the width of the pressure ledge (62).

10. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the retaining ledge (64) has at least one transverse slot, which divides the retaining ledge (64) into at least two retaining flaps.

11. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the retaining ledge (64) has a plurality of transverse slots (66), which divide the retaining ledge (64) into a plurality of retaining prongs (68).

12. The electric radiator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating resistor (40) is flat and has a contact surface that is pressed against the base body (20).

13. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the heating resistor (40) is flexible.

14. The electric radiator (10) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the heating resistor (40) is surrounded by an in particular flexible plastic jacket.