Electric radiator with side electrical connection

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator with a collector and radiant elements connected to the collector.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to such a radiator further comprising a heating element disposed inside said radiator. Such a radiator may be of the towel-drying type. Documents GB2451256A and US2008 / 138054 A1 disclose such radiators.

[0003] Various radiator configurations exist that include two manifolds and elongated radiant elements, each mechanically and fluidically connected to the manifolds. There are also radiators with a single manifold mechanically and fluidically connected to the radiant elements. These elongated radiant elements typically extend transversely to the manifold(s).

[0004] The manifold(s) and radiant elements form a heating circuit that receives a heating fluid. The radiator also includes a heating element located within a manifold to heat the heating fluid inside the heating circuit. This heating element is electrically powered. It is generally located at one end of the lower section of a manifold. The heating element thus extends along the length of the manifold.

[0005] The radiator also includes an electrical connection so that the heating element can be powered by connecting it to an electrical power source. This electrical connection opens at the end of the manifold, extending from the heating element.

[0006] The first type of radiator is the simple electric radiator, i.e., without the possibility of connecting to a heating water circuit. In this case, the heating fluid remains confined inside the radiator.

[0007] An example of such a simple electric radiator can be seen in figures 1 et 2 A radiator 10 comprises two manifolds 12 and a plurality of radiant elements 14. A heating element 16 is disposed at a lower end 13 of a manifold 12 with an electrical connection 18 connected to this heating element 16. The heating element 16 and the electrical connection 18 extend along a main extension direction A of the manifold 12. A control box 20 is disposed at this lower end 13. The control box 20 is replaced by a protective device for the electrical connection when the radiator does not have a control box 20 or when it is located remotely.

[0008] This type of electric radiator arrangement necessarily includes a control box 20 or a protective device protruding from the lower end 13 of the manifold. In this position, the risk of damage to the control box 20, the protective device, and / or the electrical connection is significant. The control box 20, the protective device, and / or the electrical connection thus form an unsightly protrusion on the lower part of the radiator 10, disrupting the radiator's rectangular profile. This protrusion can also cause handling and packaging difficulties.

[0009] A second type of radiator is a dual-energy radiator. The heating fluid can be heated by means of an electric heating element and an external hot water circuit. In this case, the radiator also includes a heating element to heat the heating fluid inside the manifold(s) and radiant element(s). The radiator further includes an inlet and an outlet fitting that allow the heating fluid to circulate through it. These inlet and outlet fittings connect the radiator to a hot water circuit. The two heating energy sources are therefore the electrical energy supplied by the heating element and the thermal energy supplied by the hot water entering the radiator.

[0010] An example of such a dual-energy heating radiator can be seen in figure 3 The radiator 10 comprises two collectors 12 and radiant elements 14. Similar to the example of figures 1 et 2 The heating element 16 and the electrical connection 18 are arranged at the lower end 13 of a manifold 12. The radiator 10 also includes a first inlet or outlet connection 22 arranged at a lower end 13 of the other manifold 12 opposite the manifold 12 receiving the heating element 16. A second inlet or outlet connection 24 is also connected to one of the radiant elements 14 via a circulation duct 26.

[0011] The major drawback of this second type of radiator is that it requires the addition of a circulation duct to connect the second inlet or outlet fitting 24 to the heating circuit of the radiator 10. This addition is costly and increases the number of manufacturing operations required to produce the radiator.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a collector radiator and radiant elements with a more robust, more aesthetic and less expensive arrangement in a dual energy radiator configuration.

[0013] To this end, the invention proposes a dual-energy radiator according to claim 1, the radiator comprising at least one manifold extending along a principal direction and a plurality of elongated radiant elements which are each mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one manifold, said at least one manifold and the plurality of elongated radiant elements forming a heating circuit configured to receive a heating fluid, said radiator further comprising a heating element for the heating fluid disposed inside said at least one manifold and / or one of the radiant elements, and an electrical connection disposed through a wall of said at least one manifold, said electrical connection being electrically connected to the heating element to provide an electrical power supply to said heating element,said at least one manifold comprising at least two end walls and at least one side wall extending along the main direction between the end walls, the electrical connection opening at said at least one side wall.

[0014] Arranging the electrical connection and the heating element so that the electrical connection opens onto a side wall of the manifold frees up the end of the manifold. Thus, in a simple electric radiator configuration, which is not part of the invention, the risks of damage to the electrical connection, the heating element, the control box, and / or the protective device are limited, and the rectangular profile of the radiator is preserved.

[0015] In the dual-energy radiator configuration according to the invention, the absence of an electrical connection at the end of the manifold allows for a hydraulic connection to be placed at the end of this manifold. Thus, according to the invention, each manifold includes a hydraulic connection at its lower end.

[0016] Furthermore, the lateral positioning of the electrical connection reduces its visibility to the user, thus improving the radiator's aesthetics. The risks associated with the electrical connection are also reduced because it is less accessible to the user.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the electrical connection extends along a connection direction transverse to the main direction.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the heating element is supported by the electrical connection.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the electrical connection opens at at least one side wall of the manifold. Thus, the electrical connection opens at an external wall of the manifold.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the heating element can extend along the main direction A, along a manifold, or transversely to the main direction A, along a radiant element.

[0021] In one embodiment, the heating element extends along a radiant element and at least partially across a manifold. The heating element thus extends in a direction perpendicular to the main direction A. In this embodiment, the electrical connection is positioned opposite the radiant element. An opening is formed opposite this radiant element to allow the heating element to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to the main direction A of the manifold.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the heating element is not in contact with the end walls of said at least one manifold.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the radiator, said at least one side wall of said at least one manifold comprises a front portion and a rear portion, the radiant elements being connected to said manifold at the front portion, said electrical connection opening between the front portion and the rear portion so as to open behind the radiant elements.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the heating element extends along the main direction.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the radiator, said electrical connection comprises a fixing ring fixed to said at least one side wall and a support member for the heating element disposed between the heating element and the fixing ring, said support member and the fixing ring forming an internal channel for the passage of at least one electrical cable from the heating element to the outside of said at least one manifold.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the radiator, it also includes a first and a second hydraulic connection allowing the radiator to be connected to a heating water circuit.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the radiator, one of the first and second hydraulic fittings is disposed at an end wall of said at least manifold to permit circulation of the heating fluid through one of the first and second hydraulic fittings along the main direction.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the radiator, one of the first and second hydraulic fittings is fixed to said at least one manifold at the level of a lower end wall.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the radiator, comprising a first and a second manifold, the first manifold extending along the main direction, the plurality of elongated radiant elements being each connected mechanically and fluidically to said first and second manifolds, the first and second manifolds and the plurality of elongated radiant elements forming the heating circuit, the heating element being disposed inside said first manifold, the electrical connection opening at the level of a side wall of the first manifold, each of the first and second manifolds carrying one of the first and second hydraulic connections.

[0030] In one radiator design, the heating element is either a heating cartridge or a tubular heating element. The heating element is therefore generally a cylinder inserted into a manifold or along a radiant element. In this case, the heating element is not a heating cable running through the manifold and / or the radiant elements. Brève description des figures

[0031] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain the nature of the invention and how it can be implemented. Regarding the accompanying figures: [ fig. 1 ] There figure 1 represents a front view of a simple electric radiator known from the prior art, including a control box. fig. 2 ] There figure 2 represents a partial transparent and perspective view of a simple electric radiator known from the prior art, detailing the arrangement of a heating element and an electrical connection located at the lower end of a manifold. fig. 3 ] There figure 3 represents a front view of a dual-energy radiator known from the prior art, including hydraulic fittings and an electrical connection located at the end of a radiator manifold. fig. 4 ] There figure 4 represents a detailed transparent and perspective view of a simple electric radiator including an electrical connection opening onto a side wall of a manifold. fig. 5 ] There figure 5 represents a detailed cross-sectional view of the electrical connection and the heating element of the figure 4 . [ fig. 6 ] There figure 6 represents a front view of a dual energy radiator according to the invention comprising an electrical connection opening at the level of a side wall of a manifold and a hydraulic connection disposed at each of the lower ends of a manifold. Description de mode(s) de réalisation

[0032] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the concept of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all the drawings. However, this concept of the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are offered so as to make this description complete and to communicate the scope of the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0033] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Moreover, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0034] With reference to the figure 4 A radiator 30 comprises a manifold 32 extending along a principal direction A. The radiator 30 also comprises a plurality of elongated radiant elements 34, each mechanically and fluidically connected to at least one manifold 32. The radiant elements 34 may extend transversely to the manifold 32 or perpendicularly to the manifold 32.

[0035] The manifold 32 and the plurality of radiant elements 34 form a heating circuit configured to receive a heating fluid. This heating fluid can be water or oil. Additives can be added to the heating fluid.

[0036] The manifold 32 comprises a lower end wall 40, an upper end wall (not shown), and a side wall 42 extending between the lower end walls 40 and the upper end walls. The lower end walls 40 and the upper end walls correspond to a plug or fitting disposed across the end of the manifold 32. The manifold 32 is, in fact, a tube having an opening at each end. Therefore, the term "lower or upper end wall" refers to the wall or part obstructing one of these openings.

[0037] The side wall 42 can be cylindrical as shown in figure 4 or flat. Thus, the manifold 32 can have a circular, square, or rectangular cross-section. Generally, the manifold can be of any shape extending along the principal direction A, allowing for the mechanical and fluidic connection of the radiating elements 34.

[0038] The side wall 42 defines a front portion 44, a rear portion 46, and at least two side portions 48 arranged between the front portions 44 and rear portions 46. When the manifold 32 is a cylinder with a circular cross-section, the front portion 44, rear portion 46, and side portion 48 are adjacent cylinder portions that together form a cylinder. When the manifold 32 has a square or rectangular cross-section, the front portion 44, rear portion 46, and side portion 48 are faces of that square or rectangle.

[0039] The radiating elements 34 can be mechanically and fluidly connected to the collector 32 at the face portion 44 or at a side portion 48 of the lateral wall 42. When the radiating elements 34 are connected to the face portion 44, they can extend in front of said collector 32, as shown in figure 4 .

[0040] The radiator 30 also includes a heating element 36 for the heating fluid. The heating element 36 is located inside the manifold 32. The heating element 36 is an electric element. The heating element 36 extends along the main direction A.

[0041] The radiator 30 further includes an electrical connection 38 electrically connected to the heating element 36. The electrical connection 38 is intended to be connected to an electrical power source to supply the heating element 36 with electrical energy.

[0042] The electrical connection 38 is arranged to open at the side wall 42 of the manifold. Thus, the lower end 33 is free of the electrical connection 38. In a simple electric radiator configuration, this frees the lower end wall 40. In a dual-energy radiator configuration according to the invention, this allows a hydraulic connection to be placed at this lower end wall 40, as shown in the figure. figure 6 .

[0043] The electrical fitting 38 is fixed to the manifold 32 at an opening 50 formed in the manifold 32.

[0044] The electrical connection 38 extends transversely to the manifold 32, i.e., to the main direction A. The electrical connection 38 extends along a connection direction B. This connection direction B corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the opening 50 made in the manifold 32 and through which the electrical connection 38 extends. The connection direction B is transverse to the main direction A, preferably perpendicular to this main direction A.

[0045] The electrical connection 38 preferably extends along a portion of the side 48 of the side wall 42. Thus, when the radiant elements 34 are connected to the front portion 44 of the side wall 42, the electrical connection can be positioned behind the radiant elements 34, specifically between a supporting wall on which the radiator 30 is mounted and the radiant elements 34. This allows the electrical connection 38 to be concealed for aesthetic purposes. When the radiator 30 has two manifolds, the electrical connection 38 preferably terminates between the two manifolds. When the radiator 30 has a single manifold 32 with radiant elements 34 extending primarily along one side of this manifold 32, the electrical connection 38 preferably terminates on that same side of the manifold 32.

[0046] With reference to the figure 5 The heating element 36 is supported by the electrical connection 38. In other words, the weight of the heating element 36, as well as any potential forces applied to it, are borne by the electrical connection 38. These forces are transmitted by the electrical connection 38 to the manifold 32 at the opening 50 where the electrical connection 38 is attached to the manifold 32. The heating element 36 is thus not in contact with the lower end walls 40 and upper end walls of at least one manifold 32. In other words, the heating element is mounted on the side wall 42 by means of the electrical connection 38.

[0047] The electrical connection 38 includes a fixing ring 52 attached to the side wall 42 and a support member 54 for the heating element 36. The support member 54 is positioned between the heating element 36 and the fixing ring 52. The fixing ring 52 and the support member 54 form an elbow allowing a connection along the connection direction B and the heating element 36 to extend along the main direction A. The fixing ring 52 extends along the connection direction B, and the support member 54 extends along the main direction A.

[0048] The fixing ring 52 and the support member 54 form an internal channel 56 for the passage of at least one electrical cable 58 from the heating member 36 to the outside of said at least one manifold 32.

[0049] The support member 54 is, for example, screwed to the fixing ring 52.

[0050] This two-part configuration of the electrical connection 38 allows for easy assembly by inserting the heating element 36 connected to the support element 54 along the main direction A through the open end 33 of the manifold 32. The support element 54 is positioned opposite the opening 50. The fixing ring 52 is then inserted along the connection direction B through the opening 50 to be fixed to the support element 54.

[0051] With reference to the figure 6 One embodiment is presented. The 30 radiator is a dual-energy radiator.

[0052] The radiator 30 of the figure 6 incorporates all the features and advantages described in connection with the 30 radiator of the figures 4 And 5 The radiator 30 of the figure 6 includes an additional manifold and two hydraulic fittings allowing the radiator to be connected to a heating water circuit.

[0053] The radiator 30 comprises a first manifold 32 and a second manifold 62. The elongated radiant elements 34 are each mechanically and fluidically connected to the first 32 and second 62 manifolds. The first 32 and second 62 manifolds and the plurality of elongated radiant elements 34 form the heating circuit. The heating element 36 is located inside the first manifold 32. The electrical connection 38 terminates at the side wall 42 of the first manifold 32.

[0054] The radiator 30 of the figure 6 It further includes a first 64 and a second 66 hydraulic fittings to allow the connection of the radiator 30 to a heating water circuit. Each of the first 32 and second 62 manifolds carries one of the first 64 and second 66 hydraulic fittings. In particular, the first hydraulic fitting 64 is located at the lower end wall 40 of the first manifold 32, and the second hydraulic fitting 66 is located at a lower end wall 63 of the second manifold 62.

[0055] The arrangement of the electrical connection 38, opening at the side wall 42 of the first manifold 32, thus frees the lower end wall 40 so that the first hydraulic connection 64 can be positioned there. It is no longer necessary to add a circulation conduit as in the example of the figure 3 for the assembly and connection of the first hydraulic fitting 64.

Claims

1. Radiator (30) comprising at least one manifold (32) extending along a main direction (A) and a plurality of elongate radiating elements (34) that are each mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one manifold (32), said at least one manifold (32) and the plurality of elongate radiating elements (34) forming a heating circuit configured to receive a heating liquid, said radiator (30) further comprising a heating member (36) for the heating liquid that is disposed inside said at least one manifold (32) and / or one of the radiating elements (34), and an electrical connector (38) disposed through a wall of said at least one manifold (32), said electrical connector (38) being electrically connected to the heating member (36) to supply electrical power to said heating member (36), said at least one manifold (32) comprising at least two end walls (40) and at least one lateral wall (42) extending along the main direction (A) between the end walls (40), the electrical connector (38) opening at said at least one lateral wall (42), characterized in that the radiator is a dual-energy radiator and in that each manifold (32) comprises at its lower end a hydraulic connector (64, 66).

2. Radiator (30) according to Claim 1, wherein the electrical connector (38) extends along a connection direction (B) transverse to the main direction (A).

3. Radiator (30) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating member (36) is borne by the electrical connector (38) .

4. Radiator (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating member (36) has no contact with the end walls of said at least one manifold (32).

5. Radiator (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one lateral wall (42) of said at least one manifold (32) comprises a front portion (44) and a rear portion (46), the radiating elements (34) being connected to said manifold (32) at the front portion (44), said electrical connector (38) opening between the front portion (44) and the rear portion (46) so as to open behind the radiating elements (34).

6. Radiator (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating member (36) extends along the main direction (A).

7. Radiator (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electrical connector (38) comprises a fastening ring (52) fastened to said at least one lateral wall (42) and a support member (54) for the heating member (36) disposed between the heating member (36) and the fastening ring (52), said support member (54) and the fastening ring (52) forming an internal channel (56) for passage of at least one electrical cable (58) from the heating member (36) to the outside of said at least one manifold (32).

8. Radiator (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first (64) and a second (66) hydraulic connectors allowing connection of the radiator (30) to a heating water circuit.

9. Radiator (30) according to Claim 8, wherein one of the first (64) and second (66) hydraulic connectors is disposed at an end wall (40) of said at least one manifold (32) to allow circulation of the heating liquid through one of the first (64) and second (66) hydraulic connectors along the main direction (A).

10. Radiator (30) according to Claim 9, wherein one of the first (64) and second (66) hydraulic connectors is fastened to said at least one manifold (32) at a lower end wall (40).

11. Radiator (30) according to one of Claims 8 to 10, comprising a first (32) and a second (62) manifolds, the first manifold (32) extending along the main direction (A), the plurality of elongate radiating elements (34) each being mechanically and fluidically connected to said first (32) and second (62) manifolds, the first (32) and second (62) manifolds and the plurality of elongate radiating elements (34) forming the heating circuit, the heating member (36) being disposed inside said first manifold (32), the electrical connector opening at a lateral wall (42) of the first manifold (32), each of the first (32) and second (62) manifolds bearing one of the first (64) and second (66) hydraulic connectors.