Ventilating radiator with radiating plates for heating an environment

Abstract

The ventilating radiator (1) with radiating plates (3) comprises a longitudinal block (5') formed by a succession of modular fans (5a) running along an upper end of a gap (4) between the radiating plates (3), at least two adjacent modular fans (5a) are rigidly connected to one another by a corresponding pair of opposite primary connectors (19) structurally separated and independent each coupled by means of a coupling fin (21) to a corresponding radiating plate (3), the primary connectors (19) have a body extending longitudinally downwards for engagement under the two adjacent modular fans (5a).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiant plate radiator for heating an environment, equipped with at least one fan unit.

[0002] A radiator of this type generally comprises two vertical radiant plates each presenting a heating fluid circuit comprising an upper horizontal manifold, a lower horizontal manifold and vertical channels connecting the upper horizontal manifold and the lower horizontal manifold.

[0003] One or more sets of fans can be placed in the gap between the two facing radiant plates, which clearly improves the thermal yield of the radiator.

[0004] Fan assemblies can be supported in various ways, e.g. bonded with belts or welded to radiator plates by means of special metal sheets.

[0005] The first solution may give rise to unwanted noise, while the second solution makes it impossible to remove the fan assembly for inspection, repair or replacement.

[0006] DE 10 2020 208201A 1 illustrates a fan assembly support system with brackets that pass through the gap between the radiant plates and rest on the upper horizontal manifold of the two radiant plates.

[0007] This solution, although very practical in that it allows the fan unit to be installed later, has the undoubted drawback that the support brackets obstruct the forced convective flow of air vertically through the gap between the radiant plates, with the logical consequence that the radiator's thermal yield is in any case penalised.

[0008] The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to realise a radiant plate radiator that can eliminate the complained of technical drawbacks of the known technique.

[0009] Within this technical task, one aim of the invention is to improve the thermal yield of a radiant plate radiator equipped with one or more fan assemblies.

[0010] Another purpose of the invention is to simplify the assembly of a radiant plate radiator equipped with one or more fan assemblies.

[0011] Not the least purpose of the invention is to decrease the noise level of a radiant plate radiator equipped with one or more fan assemblies.

[0012] The technical task, as well as these and other purposes, according to the present invention are achieved by realising a ventilating radiator with two or more radiating plates for heating an environment, comprising a longitudinal blockformed by a succession of modular fans which extends along an upper end of a gap between two of said radiating plates, characterised in that at least two adjacent modular fans of said block are rigidly connected to one another by a corresponding pair of opposite primary connectors structurally separated and independent each coupled to a corresponding radiating plate, said primary connectors having a body which extends longitudinally downwards until engaging below said two adjacent modular fans.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the radiator comprises at least one upper connector and at least one lower connector positioned between said two radiating plates and suitable for connecting said two radiating plates to an external source of a heating fluid, wherein each radiating plate has an upper horizontal manifold, a lower horizontal manifold and vertical channels connecting the upper horizontal manifold and the lower horizontal manifold, each primary connector having at least one coupling fin extending from said body upwards for coupling to the upper horizontal manifold of the radiating plate.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment the radiator comprises a power supply and control unit and a support frame for the power supply and control unit, positioned in said gap and presenting first means of attachment to said upper and / or lower connection and second means of attachment of said at least one fan assembly.

[0015] In a preferred way of realising the radiator, said support frame extends along one side of said two radiating plates.

[0016] In a preferred way of realising the radiator said longitudinal block of modular fans protrudes from an upper base of said support frame.

[0017] In a preferred way of realising the radiator, said power supply and control unit includes a user interface housed on said upper base.

[0018] In a preferred way of realising the radiator, said frame includes a tubular upright that extends below said upper base.

[0019] In a preferred way of realising the radiator, said power supply and control unit includes an electrical transformer housed within said tubular upright.

[0020] In a preferred way of realising the radiator, said second means of attachment include a pair of opposing secondary connectors that rigidly connect a modular end fan of said block to said frame. In a preferred way of realising the radiator, said first means of attachment comprise at least one quick-coupling element.

[0021] In a preferred way of realising the radiator, at least one quick coupling element is formed by an elastic fork.

[0022] Advantageously, the opposing primary connectors, being structurally separate and independent, can be entirely confined adjacent to the corresponding radiating plate.

[0023] The special design of the opposing primary connectors, which embrace the adjacent modular fans by extending below them, allows for a stable and secure attachment without the need to create a connecting bridge between the opposing primary connectors, which, if provided, would considerably restrict the passage of air flow triggered by the fan assembly(s).

[0024] The special design of the opposing primary connectors, which avoids the provision of the aforementioned connection bridge, improves the thermal yield even more due to the fact that no thermal energy is wasted, which by conduction and convection would necessarily but useslessly heat said connection bridge.

[0025] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive form of execution of the radiating plate radiator according to the invention, illustrated by way of illustration and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the radiator, in exploded view, and an enlarged detail of the lower and upper fittings; Figure 2 shows the support frame; Figure 3 shows in detail some parts of the radiator, in exploded view, at the upper corner of the radiator where the upper base of the frame is located; Figure 4 shows parts of the radiator in detail, at the lower corner of the radiator where the lower base of the frame is located; Figure 5 shows the attachment area of the modular fan block to the frame, and two enlarged details C and D of it; Figure 5a shows the separate modular fans; Figure 6 shows in detail the area where the modular fan block is attached to the frame; Figure 6a shows the modular fans of Figure 6, but separate; Figure 7 shows in detail the attachment area of the modular fan block to the frame, where the fans conform to a third way of realisation; Figure 7a shows the modular fans of Figure 7, but separate.

[0026] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, a radiator for heating an environment is shown with the overall reference number 1.

[0027] The radiator 1 is of the type known to comprise a power supply and control unit 2, at least two vertical radiant plates 3 facing each other separated by a gap 4 where one or more fan units 5 are positioned.

[0028] In the solution shown as an example only, there are only two radiator plates 3 and two fan assemblies 5.

[0029] If necessary, as shown, a corrugated sheet 20 can be attached to the side of each radiating plate 3 facing the gap 4 to increase convective exchange.

[0030] Each radiating plate 3 is formed of two half-shells joined together along appropriate perimeter and internal junction lines to form a shell that delimits a heating fluid circuit comprising an upper horizontal manifold 6, a lower horizontal manifold 7 and vertical channels 8 connecting upper horizontal manifold 6 and lower horizontal manifold 7.

[0031] The radiator 1 has at its corners at least one upper hydraulic fitting 9 and at least one lower hydraulic fitting 10 positioned in the gap 4 between the two radiating plates 3.

[0032] Fittings 9, 10 are for connecting the two radiant plates 3 to an external heating fluid source, not shown, e.g. the domestic water supply.

[0033] The fittings 9 and respectively 10 are of the 'T' type and have a central tubular section 9a and respectively 10a oriented horizontally in the longitudinal direction parallel to the two radiating plates 3 and two coaxial lateral tubular sections 9b and respectively 10b oriented horizontally in the orthogonal direction to the two radiating plates 3.

[0034] Each section 9b of upper fitting 9 is connected to the upper manifold 6 of a corresponding radiating plate 3, and each section 10b of lower fitting 10 is connected to the lower manifold 8 of a corresponding radiating plate 3.

[0035] Radiator 1 has an outer casing that includes a front panel 11 and side panels 12 covering the two radiant plates 3, an upper grille 13 and a lower grille 14.

[0036] The radiator also has a thermostatic actuator 15 connected via a power cable 16 to the power and control unit 2.

[0037] Each fan group 5 is formed of modular fans 5a joined side by side in succession.

[0038] The modular fans 5a of all planned fan assemblies 5 form a longitudinal 5' block of modular fans 5a running along one upper end of the gap 4 between the radiator plates 3 .

[0039] The number of fan groups 5 and the number of modular fans 5a in each fan group 5 is chosen in such a way that the block 5' covers a more or less extensive section of the upper end of the gap 4 between radiant plates 3, at the limit the entire upper end of the gap 4 between radiant plates 3.

[0040] It should be noted that in the case of more than one fan assembly 5 connected in succession, the adjacent fan assemblies 5 can be rigidly connected to each other by means of suitable spacers 18, as shown.

[0041] The adjacent modular fans 5a are rigidly connected via a corresponding pair of opposite primary connectors 19, more precisely a front primary connector 19 that connects the adjacent modular fans 5a at the front, and a rear primary connector 19 that connects the adjacent modular fans 5a at the rear.

[0042] The opposite primary connectors 19 are advantageously structurally separated and independent. The opposing primary connectors 19 are located on the inner sides of the radiant plates 3 and, as they occupy the gap 4 for only a marginal portion of the distance between the two radiant plates 3, they do not interfere in substance with the forced air flow generated by the fans 5a.

[0043] Advantageously, the primary connectors 19 have a body that extends longitudinally downwards and engages below the adjacent modular fans 5a.

[0044] Each primary connector 19 is coupled by means of at least one coupling fin 21 to a corresponding radiating plate 3.

[0045] The at least one coupling fin 21, typically a single one, extends upwards from the primary connector body 19 for attachment to the upper horizontal manifold 6 of the radiating plate 3.

[0046] In practice, in each pair of primary connectors 19, the upper fin 21 of the front primary connector 19 rests against the front radiating plate 3 on the side of the upper horizontal manifold 6 projecting within the gap 4, and similarly the upper fin 21 of the rear primary connector 19 rests against the rear radiating plate 3 on the side of the upper horizontal manifold 6 projecting within the gap 4.

[0047] The rest of the fin 21 of each pair of primary connectors 19 on the inner projection of the upper horizontal manifolds 6 results in adequate support of the block 5' of modular fans 5a.

[0048] We refer to the solution illustrated in Figures 5, 5a. Each primary connector 19 has means of quick coupling to adjacent modular fans 5a, e.g. elastically yielding teeth 22 engaged in snap-in seats 23 provided on adjacent modular fans 5a.

[0049] The body of the primary connector 19 has a main portion 24 of a conjugate shape to the fans 5a, in the specific case a "C" shape so as to engage with the adjacent modular fans 5a until engagement of the teeth 22 in the seats 23 is achieved.

[0050] The body of the primary connector 19 also has a secondary portion 25, in this case of an "L" shape, which extends inferiorly from the main portion 24 and serves as a support shelf for the power cable 16.

[0051] Let us now refer to the solution illustrated in Figures 6, 6a. Each primary connector 19 has means of quick coupling to adjacent fans 5a, e.g. special pins 26.

[0052] Pins 26 engage in appropriate seats 30 of primary connector 19 and in seats 27 that are formed at the corners of adjacent modular fans 5a and are aligned with seats 30 of primary connector 19. The body of the primary connector 19 has a main portion 28 of a conjugate shape to the fans 5a, in this case a "C" shape , so that it can engage on them until alignment between the seats 27, 30. The body of the primary connector 19 also has a secondary portion 29, in this case shaped like an inverted 'F', which extends inferiorly from the main portion 28 and serves as a support for the power cable 16.

[0053] The seats 30 are formed on both the main portion 28 and the secondary portion 29 of the primary connector body 19.

[0054] Seats 30 comprise a closed upper slot, a closed lower slot and two intermediate slots open on opposite sides.

[0055] Special pins 26 have a flanged head 31 and a deformable central protrusion 32, e.g. made of rubber.

[0056] The flanged head 31 of the pin 26 clamps against the upper side of the fan 5a while the central protrusion 32 of the pin 26 clamps against the lower side of the main portion 28 of the primary connector body 19.

[0057] Let us now refer to the solution illustrated in Figures 7, 7a. Each primary connector 19 has means of attachment with screws 33 to adjacent fans 5a.

[0058] The body of the primary connector 19 has an inverted 'V' shape and is arranged between the sides of the adjacent 5a fans, which in this case are slightly spaced apart.

[0059] Each leg 34 of the inverted 'V' body terminates at the bottom with a shelf 35 supporting a corner of a fan 5a.

[0060] The shelf 35 has a hole 36 aligned with a hole 37 in the fan 5a for the introduction of the fastening screw 33.

[0061] Finally, shelf 35 has hooks 38 on the underside for supporting the power cable 16.

[0062] The radiator 1 comprises a frame 17 supporting the supply and control unit 2, positioned in the gap 4 between the radiating plates 3.

[0063] The frame 17 has first attachment means to the upper and / or lower fitting 9, 10 and second attachment means of the fan assembly(s) 5.

[0064] The second attachment means advantageously allow precise, stable and repeatable positioning of the modular fan block 5' in the gap 4 between the radiator plates 3.

[0065] The second means of attachment comprise a pair of opposing secondary connectors 39 that rigidly connect the modular end fan of block 5' to frame 17.

[0066] The structure of the secondary connectors 39 can retrace that of the primary connectors 19. With reference to the solution illustrated in Figures 5, 5a, the structure of the secondary connector 39 is identical to that of the primary connector 19, while from a functional point of view one of the teeth 22 is fixed by bolt 40 to the frame 17.

[0067] With reference to the solution illustrated in Figures 6, 6a, the structure of the secondary connector 39 is identical to that of the primary connector 19, while from a functional point of view, one of the special pins 26 is replaced by a bolt 41 for fastening the secondary connector 39 to the frame 17.

[0068] With reference to the solution illustrated in Figures 7, 7a, the structure of the secondary connector 39 comprises a 'Z'-shaped body defining an upper horizontal arm bolted to the frame 17 and a lower horizontal arm on which rests a corner of the fan 5a fixed by means of a screw.

[0069] The support frame 17 extends along one side of the two radiator plates 3.

[0070] The support frame 17 includes an upper base 41 from which the 5' block of modular fans 5a protrudes.

[0071] The power supply and control unit 2 includes a user interface 42 housed on the upper base 41 of the frame 17.

[0072] Frame 17 also includes a tubular upright 43 that extends below the upper base 41.

[0073] The power supply and control unit 2 includes an electrical transformer (not shown) housed inside the tubular upright 43 of frame 17.

[0074] The first fasteners include at least one quick-coupling element .

[0075] The quick coupling element is formed in particular by an elastic fork 44.

[0076] In the case shown, there are two upper elastic forks 44 which are engaged on the side tubular sections 9b of the upper fitting 9 and two lower elastic forks 44 which are engaged on the side tubular sections 10b of the lower fitting 10.

[0077] For the safe locking of the frame 17, the two upper elastic forks 44 have a different engagement and disengagement direction, e.g. substantially vertical, than the two lower elastic forks 44, e.g. substantially horizontal.

[0078] To install the frame 17, it is necessary to first proceed with the engagement of the two upper elastic forks 44 while keeping the frame 17 slightly inclined, and only then to straighten the frame 17, taking advantage of the possibility of the two upper elastic forks 44 to rotate on the side tubular sections 9b of the upper fitting 9, until the engagement of the two lower elastic forks 44 is completed.

[0079] In the illustrated case, there is a grooved coupling connection of the two upper elastic forks 44 to the upper base 41 of frame 17 and a grooved coupling connection of the two lower elastic forks 44 to the tubular upright 43 of frame 17.

[0080] Due to the special construction of the radiator, the block 5' of modular fans 5a can be preassembled and then easily installed in radiator 1.

[0081] The ventilating radiant with radiating plates thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements.

[0082] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A ventilating radiator (1) having two or more radiating plates (3) for heating an environment, comprising a longitudinal block (5') formed by a succession of modular fans (5a) extending along an upper end of a gap (4) between two of said radiating plates (3), characterised in that at least two adjacent modular fans (5a) of said block (5') are rigidly connected to one another by a corresponding pair of opposite primary connectors (19) structurally separated and independent each coupled to a corresponding radiating plate (3), said primary connectors (19) having a body extending longitudinally downward until engaging below said two adjacent modular fans (5a).

2. Radiator (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one upper fitting (9) and at least one lower fitting (10) positioned between said two radiating plates (3) and adapted to connect said two radiating plates (3) to an external source of a heating fluid, wherein said each radiating plate (3) has an upper horizontal manifold (6), a lower horizontal manifold (8) and vertical channels (9) connecting said upper horizontal manifold (6) to said lower horizontal manifold (8), characterised in that said each primary connector (19) has at least one coupling fin (21) extending from said body upwards for coupling on said upper horizontal manifold (6) of said radiating plate (3).

3. Radiator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a power supply and control unit (2) and a frame (17) supporting the power supply and control unit (2), said frame (17) being positioned in said gap (4) and presenting first means of attachment to said upper and / or lower fittings (9, 10) and second means of attachment of said block (5') of modular fans (5a).

4. Radiator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said support frame (17) extends along one side of said two radiating plates (3).

5. Radiator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said longitudinal block (5') of modular fans (5a) protrudes from an upper base (41) of said support frame (17).

6. Radiator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said power supply and control unit (2) includes a user interface (42) housed on said upper base (41).

7. Radiator (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that said frame (17) includes a tubular upright (43) extending below said upper base (41).

8. Radiator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said power supply and control unit (2) includes an electrical transformer housed within said tubular upright (43).

9. Radiator (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that said second means of attachment comprise a pair of opposing secondary connectors (39) rigidly connecting a terminal modular fan (5a) of said block (5') of modular fans (5a) to said frame (17).

10. Radiator (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterised in that said first means of attachment comprise at least one quick coupling element.

11. Radiator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said at least one quick coupling element is formed by an elastic fork (44).

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