Condensate drain device for a heater and heater

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a condensate drain device for a heating appliance and a heating appliance.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a device for draining aqueous condensate produced during the combustion of oil or gas in condensing boilers. In gas or oil condensing boilers, aqueous condensate forms due to the cooling of the exhaust gas below the dew point. The condensate is drained from the appliance via an internal siphon. This internal siphon acts as a kind of system barrier, allowing the condensate to drain away while simultaneously preventing exhaust gas from escaping. An external hose can be connected to the siphon on the appliance, which then discharges the condensate into the domestic wastewater system.

[0003] The installation of condensing boilers typically requires a pressure-neutral condensate drain. This is achieved by connecting a hose to the boiler's siphon / condensate drain and directing it downwards into an open sanitary siphon. From there, the condensate flows into the building's wastewater system. However, this requirement is sometimes not met. For example, the boiler's condensate drain is sometimes connected airtight (without an intervening sanitary siphon) at a single connection point to the drains of a washing machine and / or dishwasher. This can cause washing machine and / or dishwasher water to be forced back into the boiler during the drain cycle, potentially leading to damage.

[0004] DE9307833U1 describes a condensate drain for condensate collectors on condensing boilers with a spherical float and closure element. CN204784991U describes a drain valve for condensate from motors with a spherical float. CN111765640A describes a wall-mounted stove with a condensate collector that has a float and a first protrusion that prevents the closure of a first water inlet into the condensate collector when the float touches it. EP3567295A1 describes a siphon in which a float with a stop pin is arranged. DE112019004000T5 describes a condensate separator for gas stoves with a backflow preventer that prevents air from flowing back.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome, at least in part, the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, it aims to ensure a pressureless drainage of condensate from a condensing boiler and – even in the case of incorrect installation – to prevent liquid backflow from other household appliances into the boiler. Preferably, it also aims to prevent wastewater from escaping into the installation room.

[0006] This problem is solved by a condensate drain device for a heating appliance according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. The features listed in the claims can be combined with one another as desired, in particular with features of other claims, the description, or the figures. The description explains the invention and presents further exemplary embodiments, especially in connection with the figures.

[0007] This is aided by a condensate drain device for a heating appliance, which includes at least an inlet nozzle, a backflow preventer and a drain siphon.

[0008] Preferably, the condensate drain device is designed as a module and / or a unit that can be attached outside the heating appliance or to an external condensate drain provided therein. In particular, the inlet nozzle is configured so that it can be fixed to one end of the condensate drain, which itself may be equipped with means for fastening. Preferably, a pressure-neutral inlet (inlet funnel) for the condensate from the heating appliance is provided, which is achieved in particular by attaching a condensate hose leading from the heating appliance to / from the inlet nozzle, which is atmospherically connected to the surroundings.

[0009] In a (typical) flow direction of the condensate through the condensate drain device, the sequence specified here is observed, so that the inlet nozzle is flowed through first, then the backflow preventer, and finally the drain siphon. The individual components—inlet nozzle, backflow preventer, and drain siphon—can be directly adjacent to one another, and it is also possible that they at least partially overlap.

[0010] The backflow preventer is designed to allow liquid flow through it in only one direction, and in particular to prevent or block an opposing liquid flow. The backflow preventer is specifically self-contained; for example, no electric actuator or similar device is required. It is preferred that the backflow preventer is essentially sensitive only to the direction of liquid flow. The backflow preventer can be implemented with an automatic valve that is permeable only in the direction of condensate drainage (drainage direction). If liquid flows against the drainage direction (towards the heater), the valve closes.

[0011] The drain siphon is specifically designed to create a gas and odor barrier. The drain siphon can be a tubular siphon or (preferably) a bottle siphon. In a bottle siphon, a section of pipe terminates in a bottle-shaped container that (always) contains liquid. This liquid prevents gases from passing through. Due to its shallow depth, the bottle siphon offers advantages during installation.

[0012] The backflow preventer comprises a closure element that is movable by means of a liquid flowing through the condensate drain. The closure element can, in particular, be a float. The closure element can be guided within the backflow preventer and be movable in and against the direction of condensate flow. Rotation of the closure element within the backflow preventer can be enabled or blocked. The closure element is permeable to condensate and therefore has, in particular, at least one opening. The closure element can be designed like a plate with a single, in particular central, opening of a predetermined diameter. "Diameter" here is always to be understood as the largest opening width, since an opening need not be circular, but may be.

[0013] Two end stops are provided for the closure element (or its movement), each with different flow openings for the liquid. Adjacent to the inlet nozzle, a (first) stop is formed, creating one or more (first) flow openings with a (first) diameter. Adjacent to the outlet siphon, a (second) stop is formed, creating one or more (second) flow openings with a (second) diameter. The closure element also forms one or more (third) flow openings with a (third) diameter. When the closure element is in contact with one (second) stop, at least one flow opening overlaps with at least one flow opening of the stop, allowing liquid to flow through the closure element and the (second) stop in this position.This (open) state is assumed by the closure element (independently) when no liquid is flowing and / or when liquid is flowing onto the closure element in the direction of flow. Preferably, when the closure element is in contact with the other (first) stop, no flow opening is positioned overlapping with a flow opening of the stop, and therefore liquid cannot flow through the closure element and the (first) stop in this situation. This (blocking) state is assumed by the closure element (independently) when liquid is flowing onto the closure element against the (usual) direction of flow.

[0014] One of the stops (here, the second one adjacent to the drain siphon) can be designed with a pipe section that projects into a container section of the drain siphon. The pipe section can project into the container section of the drain siphon by at least 50%, and in particular by at least 50%, of its length. In this way, a bottle trap can be formed. The pipe section can be located directly adjacent to a (central) flow opening of the (second) stop, and in particular, can be formed as a single unit with it. The pipe section can taper conically.

[0015] The backflow preventer and the drain siphon can be screwed together. For this purpose, sections of the backflow preventer and the drain siphon can be designed with a threaded section (internal or external) on their circumference, which can be engaged with each other. It is possible that the backflow preventer is formed with an upper and a lower part, between which the closure element is inserted or can be placed. Preferably, in this case, the upper and lower parts are also screwed together (in the same way). Additional connecting means for forming this screw connection are preferably not provided.

[0016] According to another aspect, a heating appliance is proposed which has a condensate drain comprising a condensate drain device of the type disclosed herein and which discharges into a building's wastewater pipe. This specifically describes an installed configuration of the condensate drain device.

[0017] The heating appliance is in particular an oil or gas-fired condensing boiler with exhaust gas aftertreatment, in which the exhaust gas is cooled (possibly temporarily or partially) to below the dew point, so that aqueous condensate is formed and is then drained from the heating appliance.

[0018] The invention and its technical context will now be explained in detail with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are schematic and are not intended to limit the invention. Individual features from the figures may be extracted and combined with facts from the description or other figures, unless explicitly excluded here.

[0019] They represent: Fig. 1: a heating device with a condensate drain, Fig. 2: an exploded view of a variant embodiment of the condensate drain device, Fig. 3: a permitted flow through the condensate drain device, Fig. 4: a blocked flow through the condensate drain device.

[0020] Fig. 1 Figure 2 illustrates a heating appliance 2 equipped with an exhaust gas heat exchanger 22, whereby the condensate produced is first collected in a condensate tray 21 and then discharged via a condensate drain 13. Part of the condensate drain is a condensate drain device 1 disclosed herein. The water flowing through this condensate drain device 1 is then discharged to a wastewater line 14 of a housing. It is possible that a siphon (not shown here) is provided in the heating appliance 2, which is part of the condensate drain 13.

[0021] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a variant embodiment of a condensate drain device 1. Fig. 3 und 4 The figures show the assembled state, once in the passage position and once in the blocking position. Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate that the description can be taken from other figure descriptions, although this is not mandatory.

[0022] Up in Fig. 1 The figure shows a hose that can represent the end of a condensate drain 13 of the heating device or a connection thereto. The hose end can be fixed in a funnel-shaped inlet nozzle 3. The inlet nozzle 3 has several rib-like clamping elements 15 that can exert a clamping effect on the circumferential surface of the hose from the outside. The clamping elements 15 can have a further radially inward extension in the insertion direction of the hose in order to adjust or increase the clamping force over the insertion depth. It is also possible that a stopper 24 is provided to limit the insertion depth. The inlet nozzle 3, the clamping elements 15, and optionally the stopper 24 are preferably manufactured as a single piece, in particular from plastic.

[0023] The backflow preventer 4 is located below. The inlet nozzle 3 and the backflow preventer 4 can be precisely fitted together by means of a bayonet connection 23.

[0024] The backflow preventer 4 is designed in three parts and comprises a backflow preventer upper part 4 (O) and a backflow preventer lower part 4 (U). The upper part of the backflow preventer 4 includes a first stop 7 that spans (completely) the diameter or flow cross-section, or closes it, with the exception of the two first flow openings 9 located eccentrically or near the circumference. Adjacent to the first stop 7, towards the lower part of the backflow preventer 4, a (first) threaded section 19 is provided internally.

[0025] Below is shown a round, plate-shaped closure element 6, which forms a single, central, third flow opening 11. The outer diameter of the closure element 6 corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of a channel section formed adjacent to the lower part of the backflow preventer 4.

[0026] The lower part 4 (U) of the backflow preventer is again designed in the form of a pipe section, with an (internal) channel section for receiving and guiding the closure element 6 in a region towards the upper part. A further threaded section 19 for screwing it to the upper part is provided on the outside of the channel section. A collar-shaped second stop 8 is provided centrally, forming a single, central, second flow opening 10. The diameter of the second flow opening 10 can be larger than the diameter of the third flow opening 11 of the closure element 6. Adjacent to the second flow opening 10, a pipe section 12 extending downwards towards the drain siphon 5 is provided. Concentrically around this pipe section 12, but not over its entire length, the lower part has another threaded section 19 for screwing it to the drain siphon 5.

[0027] Further below, the drain siphon 5 is shown, which has an internal threaded section 19 for forming a screw connection with the backflow preventer 4. Below this, the container section 20 is designed, for example, in the form of a cylinder with a base 25. This base is dimensioned so that it can accommodate at least part of the pipe section 12 of the backflow preventer 4. Spaced apart from the base 25, a lateral, downwardly inclined outlet 16 is formed in the circumferential wall of the container section 20. This outlet is positioned at a height such that it is laterally adjacent to the projecting pipe section 12 when the parts are joined or screwed together, as can also be seen from the sketched overhang 17. Fig. 3 This illustrates the point.

[0028] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows the assembled state of the condensate drain device 1, with the arrows illustrating the direction of water flow. When water or condensate flows through the condensate drain device 1 along the usual outlet direction 18, this flow pushes the sealing element 6 against the second stop 8. The respective flow openings 9 and 10 overlap and together form a passage for the water. This allows the water to flow through the non-return valve 4 and be discharged via the drain siphon 5 and the outlet 16.

[0029] In the (undesired) event that a liquid enters the non-return valve 4 from the outlet 16 via the drain siphon 5, the sealing element 6 floats up and is pressed against the first stop 7. Since the first flow openings 9 of the first stop 7 and the third flow opening 11 of the sealing element 6 do not overlap, all flow openings 9 and 11 are closed, and the further flow of the liquid is blocked. The non-return valve 4 is therefore designed as a self-acting valve that is only permeable in the direction of the condensate drain (drainage direction 18). If a liquid flows against the drainage direction (towards the heater), the valve closes. Reference symbol list

[0030] 1 Condensate drain device 2 Heater 3 Inlet nozzle 4 Backflow preventer 5 Drain siphon 6 Closure element 7 First stop 8 Second stop 9 First flow opening 10 Second flow opening 11 Third flow opening 12 Pipe section 13 Condensate drain 14 Wastewater pipe 15 Clamping element 16 Outlet 17 Protrusion 18 Drainage direction 19 Threaded section 20 Tank section 21 Condensate tray 22 Exhaust gas heat exchanger 23 Bayonet connection 24 Stopper 25 Base

Claims

1. Condensate drain device (1) for a heating appliance (2), comprising an inlet connection (3), a non-return valve (4) and a drain siphon (5), wherein the non-return valve (4) comprises a closure element (6) which is movable by means of a liquid flowing through the condensate drain device (1) and through which the liquid can flow, wherein it has at least one third flow-through opening (11), characterised in that two stops (7, 8) are provided for the closure element (6), which have flow-through openings (9, 10) for the liquid that differ from one another, wherein a first stop (7) is formed adjacent to the inlet connection (3), which forms at least one first flow-through opening (9) with a first diameter, and a second stop (8) is formed adjacent to the drain siphon (5), which forms at least one second flow-through opening (10) with a second diameter. a first stop (7) is formed adjacent to the inlet connection (3), which stop forms at least one first flow-through opening (9) with a first diameter, and a second stop (8) is formed adjacent to the drain siphon (5), which stop forms at least one second flow-through opening (10) with a second diameter, wherein, when the closure element (6) is placed against the second stop (8), at least one of the third flow openings (11) is positioned so as to cover at least one second flow opening (10) of the second stop (8), so that the liquid can flow through the closure element (6) and the second stop (8).

2. . Condensate drain device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that when the closure element (6) is placed against the first stop (7), no third flow-through opening is positioned so as to cover a first flow-through opening of the first stop (7) and therefore a liquid cannot flow through the closure element (6) and the first stop (7) in this situation.

3. . Condensate drain device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the closure element (6) is designed in the manner of a plate with a single, in particular central, third flow-through opening (11).

4. . Condensate drain device (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that one of the stops (7, 8) is designed with a pipe section (12) that protrudes into a container section (20) of the drain siphon (5).

5. . Condensate drain device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the non-return valve (4) and the drain siphon (5) can be screwed together.

6. . Heating appliance (2) comprising a condensate drain (13) which comprises a condensate drain device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and opens into a waste water pipe (14) of a housing.