Electric radiator with additional circulation duct connected to a radiant element

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiator comprising: - at least one manifold (32), - a plurality of elongated radiant elements (34) each mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one manifold (32), said at least one manifold (32) and the plurality of elongated radiant elements (34) forming a heating circuit configured to receive a heating fluid, - a heating element (36) for the heating fluid disposed inside said at least one manifold (32) for heating the heating fluid, - an additional circulation duct (54) fluidically connected to the heating circuit, the additional circulation duct (54) forming an inlet or outlet for the heating fluid, characterized in that the additional circulation duct (54) is mechanically and fluidically connected to one of the plurality of elongated radiant elements (34). Figure for the abstract: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Electric radiator with additional circulation conduit connected to a radiant element

[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 member arranged inside said radiator. Such a radiator may be of the towel dryer type.

[0003] Various configurations of radiators are known which comprise two collectors and elongated radiant elements which are each mechanically and fluidically connected to the collectors. There are also radiators comprising a single collector mechanically and fluidically connected to the radiant elements. These elongated radiant elements generally extend transversely to the collector(s).

[0004] The collector(s) and the radiant elements form a heating circuit receiving a heating fluid. The radiator also comprises a heating member arranged in a collector for heating the heating fluid inside the heating circuit. This heating member is electrically powered. It is generally arranged at a lower end of a collector.

[0005] The present invention relates to a dual heating energy radiator having a first electrical configuration and a second configuration connected to a heating water circuit.

[0006] In the first configuration, the heating fluid is circumscribed in the heating circuit of the radiator and heated by means of the heating member. In this first configuration, the heating fluid does not exit the radiator.

[0007] In a second configuration, the radiator is fluidically connected to a heating water circuit. The heating fluid is heated outside the radiator and circulates through the radiator. The radiator includes an inlet connection and an outlet connection allowing a heating fluid to circulate through the radiator.

[0008] An example of such a dual heating energy radiator is visible in Figures 1 and 2. The radiator 10 comprises a first 11 and a second 12 collectors as well as radiant elements 14 extending transversely to the first 11 and second 12 collectors. The radiator 10 comprises a first hydraulic inlet or outlet connection 22 arranged at a lower end 13 of the first collector 11. The radiator 10 also comprises a second hydraulic inlet or outlet connection outlet 24 arranged at the end of an additional circulation conduit 26 fluidically and mechanically connected to the second collector 12. The arrows arranged near the first 22 and second 24 hydraulic inlet or outlet connections illustrate the possible direction of circulation of a heating fluid when the radiator is connected to a heating water circuit. A heating member 16 is arranged inside the second collector 12, at the lower end 15. An electrical connection 18 electrically connected to the heating member 16 is arranged at this lower end 15.

[0009] A major drawback of these known dual heating energy radiators is that the additional circulation duct is difficult to assemble to the collector, particularly due to the lack of accessibility. The installation and welding of this additional circulation duct to the collector are therefore not easy and require great precision from an operator. Painting this area of ​​the radiator is also made difficult by this lack of accessibility.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a radiator with a collector and radiant elements having an arrangement making it easier to assemble the radiator, in particular the additional circulation duct.

[0011] For this, the invention proposes a radiator comprising: - at least one collector, - a plurality of elongated radiant elements which are each mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one collector, said at least one collector and the plurality of elongated radiant elements forming a heating circuit configured to receive a heating fluid, - a heating fluid heating member arranged inside said at least one collector to heat the heating fluid, - an additional circulation conduit fluidly connected to the heating circuit, the additional circulation conduit forming an inlet or outlet orifice for the heating fluid, characterized in that the additional circulation conduit is mechanically and fluidically connected to one of the plurality of elongated radiant elements.

[0012] Connecting the additional circulation duct to an elongated radiant element rather than to a collector improves accessibility to the periphery of this additional duct. This makes it easier to install and weld this additional circulation duct. Painting is also made easier thanks to this better accessibility.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the latter comprises a first and a second hydraulic inlet or outlet connector for the heating fluid, the first inlet or outlet connection being formed by the additional circulation conduit.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the latter comprises a first collector receiving the heating member and a second collector having a collector end carrying said second heating fluid inlet or outlet connection, the first and second collectors being fluidically and mechanically connected to the plurality of elongated radiant elements.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the first collector has a collector end carrying an electrical connection electrically connected to the heating member to provide an electrical power supply to said heating member.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the additional circulation conduit extends at least partially along said at least one collector.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the additional circulation conduit comprises: - a first portion extending along said at least one collector and configured to be connected to a heating water circuit, - a second portion extending perpendicular to the first portion and attached to one of the plurality of elongated radiant elements.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the radiator, each elongated radiant element defines a connection face, each elongated radiant element being mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one collector and to said additional circulation conduit at said connection face.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the elongated radiant elements are arranged parallel to one another, the plurality of elongated radiant elements comprising a lower elongated radiant element and an upper elongated radiant element each arranged at one end of the plurality of elongated radiant elements, the additional circulation conduit being mechanically and fluidically connected to one of the lower and upper elongated radiant elements.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the radiator, the latter further comprises an elongated cover element arranged parallel to the plurality of elongated radiant elements, said elongated cover element being not fluidically connected to the heating circuit, the additional circulation conduit extending at least partially behind said elongated cover element.

[0021] The invention also proposes a method of manufacturing a radiator as described above, said method comprising a step of welding the additional circulation conduit to one of the elongated radiant elements. Brief description of the figures

[0022] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the appended figures:

[0023] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of an electric radiator dual heating energy known from the prior art comprising an additional circulation conduit connected to a collector.

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a partial and detailed view of the additional conduit of circulation connected to the radiator manifold of [Fig.l].

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a front view of a known dual energy radiator of the prior art comprising hydraulic connections and an electrical connection disposed at the end of a radiator manifold.

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a detailed view in transparency and in perspective of a simple electric radiator according to the invention comprising an electrical connection opening at a side wall of a collector. Description of embodiment(s)

[0027] The inventive concept is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, this inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this description is complete, and communicates the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

[0028] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrence of the phrase "in an embodiment" at various locations 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. Furthermore, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0029] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a radiator 30 comprises a first 31 and a second 32 collector extending along a main direction A. The radiator 30 also comprises a plurality of elongated radiant elements 34. The elements elongated radiants 34 may extend perpendicular to the first 31 and second 32 collectors. Alternatively, one or more elongated radiant elements 34 may extend in a direction having an angular offset with at least one of the first 31 and second 32 collectors.

[0030] The elongated radiant elements 34 are mechanically and fluidically connected to the first 31 and second 32 collectors. In particular, each of the first 31 and a second 32 collectors is mechanically and fluidically connected to at least one elongated radiant element 34, preferably to at least two elongated radiant elements 34. According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], all of the elongated radiant elements 34 are fluidically and mechanically connected to each of the first 31 and second 32 collectors.

[0031] According to a variant, the radiator 30 can also comprise a single collector among the first 31 and second 32 collectors.

[0032] The first 31 and second 32 collectors extend parallel to each other in [Fig. 3]. Alternatively, the first 31 and second 32 collectors may extend along non-parallel directions. The first 31 and second 32 collectors may also extend within the same plane or extend within different planes angularly offset from each other. The first 31 and second 32 collectors may be rectilinear or extend along a curvilinear path.

[0033] The first 31 and second 32 collectors and the plurality of radiant elements 34 form a heating circuit configured to receive a heating fluid. This heating fluid may be water or even an oil. Additives may be added to the heating fluid.

[0034] Each of the first 31 and second 32 collectors comprises a lower end wall 40, an upper end wall 41 and a side wall 42 extending between the lower 40 and upper end walls. The lower 40 and upper 41 end walls correspond to a plug or a connector disposed across the end of the collector. Indeed, each of the first 31 and second 32 collectors is a tube comprising an orifice at each end. The term "lower or upper end wall" therefore means the wall or part obstructing one of these orifices.

[0035] The side wall 42 may be cylindrical or flat. Thus, the first 31 and second 32 collectors may be of circular, square or rectangular section. Generally, the first 31 and second 32 collectors may be of any shape extending along the main direction A allowing the mechanical and fluidic connection of the radiant elements 34.

[0036] The side wall 42 defines a face portion 44, a rear portion 46 and at least two side portions 48 arranged between the face 44 and rear 46 portions. When the first 31 or second 32 collectors is a cylinder of circular section, the face 44, rear 46 and side 48 portions are adjacent cylinder portions together forming a cylinder. When the first 31 or second 32 collectors has a square or rectangular section, the face 44, rear 46 and side 48 portions are faces of this square or rectangle.

[0037] The radiant elements 34 may be mechanically and fluidically connected to the first 31 and second 32 collectors at the face portion 44 or a side portion 48 of the side wall 42. When the radiant elements 34 are connected to the face portion 44, they may extend in front of the first 31 and second 32 collectors, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0038] The radiator 30 also comprises a heating member 36 for the heating fluid. The heating member 36 is arranged inside the second collector 32. The heating member 36 is an electrical member. The heating member 36 extends along the main direction A.

[0039] The radiator 30 further comprises an electrical connection 38 electrically connected to the heating member 36. The electrical connection 38 is intended to be connected to a source of electrical energy to supply the heating member 36 with electrical energy.

[0040] The electrical connection 38 is arranged so as to open at the level of the lower end wall 40 of the second collector 32.

[0041] The radiator 30 comprises a first 50 and a second 52 hydraulic connectors to allow the radiator 30 to be connected to a heating water circuit. These first 50 and second 52 hydraulic connectors allow the heating water to enter and exit when the radiator 30 is connected to the heating water circuit. The first 50 and second 52 hydraulic connectors can be used indifferently as an inlet or outlet for the heating water fluid. Thus, the direction of circulation of the heating water inside the radiator 30 can be chosen indifferently.

[0042] The first hydraulic connection 50 is arranged at an additional circulation conduit 54 fluidly and mechanically connected to an elongated radiant element 34. The additional circulation conduit 54 is thus fluidly connected to the heating circuit. The additional circulation conduit 54 forms an inlet or outlet orifice for the heating fluid to or from this heating circuit.

[0043] The additional circulation conduit 54 preferably extends at least partially along one of the first 31 and second 32 collectors. The additional circulation conduit 54 can thus extend at least partially along the main direction A.

[0044] According to a configuration illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the additional circulation duct 54 comprises a first portion 56 extending along one of the first 31 and second 32 collectors. In particular, the additional circulation duct 54 extends here along the main direction A parallel to the first 31 and second 32 collectors. The first portion 56 is configured to be connected to a heating water circuit. The additional circulation duct 54 also comprises a second portion 58 extending perpendicular to the first portion 56 and fixed to one of the plurality of elongated radiant elements 34.

[0045] Each elongated radiant element 34 defines a connection face 60. The elongated radiant elements 34 are mechanically and fluidically connected to at least one of the first 31 and second 32 collectors at this connection face 60. The additional circulation conduit 54 is also mechanically and fluidically connected to the connection face 60 of an elongated radiant element 34.

[0046] This connection face 60 of the elongated radiant elements 34 is preferably oriented towards the rear of the radiator 30 so as to arrange all of the junctions between parts and therefore the contours assembled by welding at the rear of the radiator 30. When the elongated radiant elements 34 have a rectangular section as in Figures 3 and 4, the connection face 60 is preferably the rear face of the elongated radiant elements 34. The rear of the radiator 30 is intended to face a wall or a support once the radiator 30 is installed.

[0047] The additional circulation conduit 54 is preferably connected to the elongated radiant element 34 forming an edge of the plurality of elongated radiant elements 34. Thus, when the plurality of elongated radiant elements 34 comprises a lower elongated radiant element 34' and an upper elongated radiant element 34” each arranged at one end of the plurality of elongated radiant elements 34, the additional circulation conduit 54 is mechanically and fluidically connected to one of the lower elongated radiant elements 34' and upper elongated radiant elements 34”. The additional circulation conduit 54 is preferably arranged near one of the first 31 and second 32 collectors. More preferably, the additional circulation conduit 54 is arranged near the second collector 32 carrying the heating member 36.

[0048] The second hydraulic connection 52 is arranged at a lower end of the first manifold 31. In particular, the second hydraulic connection 52 is formed at the lower end wall 40 of the first manifold 31. The lower end of the first manifold 31 can thus be connected to a heating water circuit.

[0049] The heating water from the heating water circuit can thus enter the radiator via the first hydraulic connection 50 arranged at the level of the additional circulation conduit 54 and exit the radiator 30 via the second hydraulic connection 52.

[0050] The radiator 30 may further comprise an elongate cover element 62 disposed parallel to the plurality of elongate radiant elements 34. This elongate cover element 62 is not fluidly connected to the heating circuit of the radiator. In other words, the elongate cover element 62 is not fluidly connected to either the elongate radiant elements 34 or one of the first 31 and second 32 manifolds.

[0051] The elongated cover element 62 has the function of hiding the first 50 and second 52 hydraulic connections as well as the electrical connection 38. In other words, the first 50 and second 52 hydraulic connections extend at least partially behind the elongated cover element 62, preferably without the first 50 and second 52 hydraulic connections protruding from this elongated cover element 62 in a plane perpendicular to the main extension axis of the elongated cover element 62.

[0052] The elongated cover element 62 preferably has the same shape and dimensions as the elongated radiant elements 34. The elongated cover element 62 is attached to one or more elongated radiant elements 34.

Claims

Claims

1. Radiator (30) comprising: - a first and a second collector (31, 32), - a plurality of elongated radiant elements (34) which are each mechanically and fluidically connected to the first and second collectors (31, 32), the first and second collectors (31, 32) and the plurality of elongated radiant elements (34) forming a heating circuit configured to receive a heating fluid, - a heating member (36) for the heating fluid arranged inside the second collector (31, 32) to heat the heating fluid, - an additional circulation conduit (54) fluidically connected to the heating circuit, the additional circulation conduit (54) forming an inlet or outlet orifice for the heating fluid, - a first (50) and a second (52) hydraulic inlet or outlet connector for the heating fluid,the first hydraulic inlet or outlet connection (50) being formed by the additional circulation conduit (54) and the first collector having a collector end carrying said second hydraulic inlet or outlet connection (52) for heating fluid.,

2. A radiator (30) according to claim 1, wherein the second manifold (32) has a manifold end carrying an electrical connector (38) electrically connected to the heating member (36) for providing electrical power to said heating member (36).

3. Radiator (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the additional circulation conduit (54) extends at least partially along said at least one collector (31, 32).

4. Radiator (30) according to claim 3, wherein the additional circulation conduit (54) comprises: - a first portion (56) extending along said at least one collector (31, 32) and configured to be connected to a heating water circuit, - a second portion (58) extending perpendicular to the first portion (56) and fixed to one of the plurality of elongated radiant elements (34).

5. Radiator (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each elongate radiant element (34) defines a connection face (60), each elongate radiant element (34) being mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one collector (31, 32) and to said additional circulation conduit (54) at said connection face (60).

6. A radiator (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate radiant elements (34) are arranged parallel to one another, the plurality of elongate radiant elements (34) comprising a lower elongate radiant element (34') and an upper elongate radiant element (34”) each arranged at one end of the plurality of elongate radiant elements (34), the additional circulation conduit (54) being mechanically and fluidically connected to one of the lower (34') and upper (34”) elongate radiant elements.

7. A radiator (30) according to claim 6, further comprising an elongate cover element (62) disposed parallel to the plurality of elongate radiant elements (34), said elongate cover element (62) being fluidically unconnected to the heating circuit, the additional circulation conduit (54) extending at least partially behind said elongate cover element (62).

8. A method of manufacturing a radiator (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising a step of welding the additional circulation conduit (54) to one of the elongated radiant elements (34).

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