SENSOR HOLDER, TEMPERATURE MEASURING OR MONITORING DEVICE FOR LIQUID CONTAINER, AND CONTAINER COMPRISING THE SAME.

Abstract

The invention relates to a support (1) for temperature measuring or monitoring sensor(s) (2), intended to be mounted at least partially in a dip tube (3), said support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic, with at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic stress and / or friction, at least one sensor (2) and for housing at least one adjoining part of its connection cable (6). Support device (1) characterized in that the elongated and profiled body (4) comprises, at one of its ends, a part (7) in the form of a plate formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of said body (4) and comprising at least one through-orifice (8) aligned with said at least one groove (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of liquid containers, in particular those regulated in temperature, such as hot water tanks, as well as their accessories and equipment, and has as its objects, a support device for temperature measuring or monitoring sensor(s), a temperature measuring or monitoring device for liquid container, a liquid container comprising at least one such measuring device and its manufacturing method.

[0002] Many embodiments of thermoregulated liquid containers, such as hot water tanks, are already known and they generally comprise an internal wall forming a sealed reservoir, an external wall forming a covering envelope and an intermediate layer of insulating material located between the two aforementioned walls and usually formed by expansion and solidification of a foaming mixture injected into the interstitial volume between the two walls. These containers traditionally have a circular cylindrical shape and also comprise a temperature measuring or monitoring device, associated with temperature regulation and display means which exploit the signals it delivers.

[0003] These temperature measuring or monitoring devices comprise, in many cases, a dip tube, of the glove finger type, at least one temperature measuring or monitoring sensor and a support device comprising an elongated and profiled body made of plastic. The or each sensor is received with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction in at least one housing in the form of a longitudinal groove of said elongated body, as well as at least one adjoining part of its connecting cable. This support device is at least partially mounted with fitting into the dip tube with contact of the or each sensor with the wall of said tube and this tube is mounted on the container in such a way that it passes through the two walls of the latter and that at least one closed front portion of the dip tube is located in the tank to be in contact with the liquid present in the latter.

[0004] Such temperature measuring and monitoring devices are known, for example, from documents DE 298 20 671 and EP 3 842 774.

[0005] However, the installation on containers of these known types of temperature measuring and monitoring devices, in particular, entails the additional implementation of covers and / or separate fixing means. In addition, condensation phenomena affecting the metal parts of these devices may occur, in particular due to the absence of closure on the outside of the plunger finger, and burrs resulting from the expansion of the insulating foam may appear.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome at least the main of these drawbacks.

[0007] To this end, the main subject of the invention is a support device for temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s), intended to be mounted at least partially in a dip tube, said support device comprising an elongated and profiled body made of plastic, with at least one housing in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic stress and / or friction, at least one sensor and for housing at least one adjoining part of its connection cable, support device characterized in that the elongated and profiled body comprises, at one of its ends, a plate-shaped part formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body and comprising at least one through-orifice aligned with said at least one groove.

[0008] The invention also relates to a temperature measuring and monitoring device and a liquid container comprising such a support device.

[0009] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1A] et [Fig. 1B ] are respectively perspective and top views of a liquid container, of the hot water tank type, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] represents a sectional view along AA of the container of the figure 1B ; [ Fig. 3 ] represents detail B of the figure 2 on a different scale, showing a temperature measuring and monitoring device according to the invention mounted on the container; [ Fig. 4 ] is a sectional view along CC and at another scale of detail B of the figure 2 ; [ Fig. 5A] et [Fig. 5B ] are perspective views in two different directions of a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the device for measuring the figures 3 et 4 ; [ Fig. 6 ] represents detail B of the figure 2 on a different scale, showing a measuring device according to a constructive variant of the invention mounted on the container; [ Fig. 7A] et [Fig. 7B ] are perspective views in two different directions of a second embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the device for measuring the figure 6 ; [ Fig. 8 ] represents detail B of the figure 2 on a different scale, showing a measuring device according to another constructive variant of the invention mounted on the container; [ Fig. 9A] et [Fig. 9B ] are perspective views in two different directions of a third embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the device for measuring the figure 8 ; [ Fig. 10 ] represents detail B of the figure 2 on a different scale, showing a measuring device according to another constructive variant of the invention mounted on the container; [ Fig. 11A] et [Fig. 11B ] are perspective views in two different directions of a fourth embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the device for measuring the figure 10 ; [ Fig. 12 ] represents a sectional view along AA of the container of the figure 1B in accordance with another embodiment of the temperature measuring and monitoring device; [ Fig. 13 ] represents detail B of the figure 2 at a different scale, showing more precisely the temperature measuring and monitoring device mounted on the container; [ Fig. 14A ] And [ Fig. 14B ] are perspective views in two different directions of a fourth embodiment of a support device according to the invention forming part of the device for measuring and monitoring the temperature of the figure 12 ; [ Fig. 15A] et [Fig. 15B ] are respectively perspective and sectional views of a spacer piece acting as a sealed wall pass-through and a through-mounting bearing, for the temperature measuring and monitoring device forming part of the container shown figures 2 à 4 .

[0010] THE figures 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 And 14show, in relation to the other figures and in accordance with different embodiments of the invention, a support device (1) for temperature measuring or monitoring sensor(s) (2), intended to be mounted at least partially in a dip tube (3), said support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic material, with at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic stress and / or friction, at least one sensor (2) and for housing at least one adjoining part of its connection cable (6).

[0011] According to the invention, the elongated and profiled body (4) comprises, at one of its ends (4'), a plate-shaped part (7) formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of said body (4) and comprising at least one through-orifice (8) aligned with said at least one groove (5).

[0012] Thanks to these provisions, the invention provides a support device (1) in the form of a single piece and of simple construction, making it possible to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above. In addition to its functions as a cover and shutter, the plate-shaped body (7) also serves, on the one hand, as a stop for precise and wedged positioning of the device, on the other hand, as an aid for handling and introducing the device, and, finally, as a cable guide and guide. Furthermore, said perforated plate (7) can also contribute favorably to maintaining the sensor (2) - cable (6) assembly(s) in position following their pre-assembly on the support device (1), before their introduction into a dip tube (3).

[0013] Advantageously, the elongated and profiled body (4) comprises at least two, preferably three, longitudinal grooves (5), of identical or different sections and distributed angularly around the longitudinal axis (AL), each advantageously housing a sensor (2), the plate-shaped part (7) comprising as many through-orifices (8), each of which is aligned with a groove (5) respectively.

[0014] In order to ensure that the sensor (2) and, where appropriate, its cable (6) are held in a releasable position, preferably under elastic stress, the or each housing (5) comprises at least one site (5') for clip-mounting a sensor (2). These clips (5') can be directly molded into the grooves (5) and constitute excess thicknesses making it possible to ensure that the sensors (2) are in contact with the internal face of the metal wall of the dip tube (3) at least at these locations.

[0015] Although other shapes are possible, and also depending on appearance and aesthetic criteria, the plate-shaped part (7) preferably has a circular, therefore discoidal, shape.

[0016] In order to prevent foam spilling from the inside to the outside (visible on the container cladding) and water infiltration from the outside to the inside of the dip tube (3), the plate-shaped part (7) advantageously comprises a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) constituting or ending in a lip seal. This skirt or lip deforms elastically and can thus match the external shape of the container (14) on which the support device (1) is mounted.

[0017] Alternatively, said part (7) may comprise a peripheral compression seal, mounted in a groove for example.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic of the invention and as shown in the figures 8 , 10 et 11 , the support device (1) may also comprise a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and against the plate-shaped part (7), and where appropriate inside a peripheral skirt (9) of this part (7), said washer (10) elastically closing the through-orifice or orifices (8) of said plate-shaped part (7).

[0019] This washer (10) may, if necessary, be added to a skirt (9) forming a peripheral sealing lip and have cross- or star-shaped cutouts complementary to the shape of the section of the elongated body (4) with the grooves (5).

[0020] In order to ensure easy assembly and secure attachment of the support device (1) in the dip tube (3) and on the container (14), without requiring an additional part, it may be provided that the plate-shaped part (7) comprises, on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), hooks (11) formed in one piece with this part (7) ( figures 4 et 5B ). These hooks (11) can in particular come into engagement with a spacer piece (17) provided with complementary attachment sites (17').

[0021] In order to be able to easily move the support device (1) in rotation around the axis (AL), for example for the purpose of orienting the sensors (2) or engaging or disengaging the aforementioned hooks (11) relative to their sites, it may be provided that the plate-shaped part (7) comprises on its face (7") opposite the elongated body (4) at least one attachment site (12) for driving this part (4) in rotation around the longitudinal axis (AL) of the elongated body (4) (see figure 5A ). These sites can for example be prominent, rotationally oriented formations such as Vs or chevrons.

[0022] The invention also relates, as shown by way of examples, to figures 1 à 3 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 et 13 , a device (13) for measuring or monitoring temperature for a liquid container (14), in particular of the hot water tank type. This device (13) comprises a dip tube (3), of the glove finger type, at least one temperature measuring or monitoring sensor (2) and a support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic, said or each sensor (2) being received with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction in at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove of said elongated body (4), as well as at least one adjoining part of its connection cable (6), said support device (1) being at least partially mounted with fitting into the dip tube (3) with contact of the or each sensor (2) with the wall of said tube (3).

[0023] According to the invention, this measuring or tracking device (13) is characterized in that the support device (1) is a support device as described above.

[0024] In accordance with a favorable embodiment of the invention, the measuring or monitoring device (13) comprises at least two, advantageously three, sensors (2), which may or may not be identical and are each housed in a corresponding longitudinal groove (5). In the presence of three sensors (2), the latter may, for example, be used as follows: a first sensor provides a measurement signal for regulation, a second sensor provides a measurement signal for display, and a third sensor provides a measurement signal constituting a redundant safety or verification measure.

[0025] In accordance with a first constructive variant, illustrated on the figures 3 , 6 , 8 And 10 in particular, the elongated and profiled body (4) is located entirely in the dip tube (3).

[0026] In accordance with a second constructive variant, illustrated on the figure 13 , only a part of the elongated and profiled body (4) is located in the dip tube (3), at least the part receiving the sensor(s) (2).

[0027] The invention also relates, as shown in the figures 1, 2 And 12, on a liquid container (14), in particular a hot water tank, comprising an internal wall forming a sealed reservoir (15), an external wall forming a covering envelope (15') and an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) located between the two aforementioned walls (15, 15'), for example a polyurethane foam. This container (14) is equipped with at least one device (13) for measuring or monitoring temperature comprising a dip tube (3), of the glove finger type, at least one sensor (2) for measuring or monitoring temperature and a support device (1) with an elongated and profiled body (4) receiving said or each sensor (2) in at least one housing (5), as well as at least one adjoining part of its connection cable (6).The support device (1) is at least partially mounted with interlocking in the dip tube (3), with the or each sensor (2) being brought into contact with the internal wall of said tube (3), and the temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) is installed on said container (14) in such a way that it passes through the two walls (15, 15') of the latter and that at least one closed front portion (3') of the dip tube (3) is located in the tank (15).

[0028] According to the invention, the or each temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) is a device as described above and the plate-shaped part (7) of the or each support device (1) forming part of the or each temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) bears, preferably under pressure, against the external face of the covering envelope (15').

[0029] This results in an assembly that is not only mechanically wedged and watertight, but also has an aesthetic appearance.

[0030] In accordance with a favorable construction, illustrated for example on the figures 15 , in relation to the figures 3, 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 And 13, the liquid container (14) may comprise a spacer piece (17) arranged between the inner and outer walls (15 and 15') and acting as a sealed wall pass-through and a through-mounting bearing for the temperature measuring and monitoring device (13), this piece (17) delimiting a sealed volume around the part of the dip tube (3) and / or the elongated and profiled body (4) extending between these two walls (15 and 15'). This piece (17) in particular prevents any possible leakage of expanding foaming mixture when producing the layer of insulating material (16) between the tank and the wall, for example by means of a double sealing barrier (concentric compression joints - see figures 15A et 15B ) around the passage holes of the dip tube (3) at the level of the internal and external walls (15 and 15').

[0031] As is evident from the figures 3 à 5 And 15considered together, it may be provided that the plate-shaped part (7) comprises, on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), at least two hooks (11) formed in one piece with this part (7), and that the spacer piece (17) comprises a hooking site (17') for said hooks (11), for example in the form of a cut-out plate, so as to jointly produce a removable bayonet connection, lockable and unlockable by rotation of said plate-shaped part (7), said hook (11)-site (17') connection ensuring application by elastic stress of the plate-shaped part (7) against the external wall forming a covering envelope (15') in the locked state of said connection. The rotation between the locked position and the unlocked position may for example be 90°.The cut plate forming the attachment site (17') may be made of a material having a density / hardness greater than the material of the rest of the part, although possibly of the same nature.

[0032] As indicated previously, it may further be provided that the plate-shaped part (7) has a circular shape and comprises a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) constituting or ending in a lip seal and possibly containing a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and between the external wall forming a covering envelope (15') and the plate-shaped part (7).

[0033] The sizing of the hooks (11) is advantageously such that the skirt (9) is applied under pressure against the covering wall (15') in the locked state of the support device (1): it deforms elastically and follows the external curve of this wall. These hooks (11) also participate in holding the measuring device (13) in place in the event of force exerted on the cables (6), for example in the case of hooking by a person passing near the container.

[0034] Finally, the invention relates to a manufacturing method essentially consisting of providing a sealed tank (15), equipped with the various connections for heating and the supply and discharge of liquid, installing a dip tube (3) and a spacer piece (17) with a passage suitable for the tube (3), providing and slipping onto said tank (15) an external wall forming a covering envelope (15'), which has suitable passage openings for the connections and the dip tube (3) and / or the spacer piece (17), installing upper (18) and lower (18') covers to close the covering envelope (15'), and injecting a foaming material intended to expand and form an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) between the two aforementioned walls (15, 15'), for example a polyurethane foam.

[0035] According to the invention, this method also consists of putting in place by introduction through the spacer piece (17) and by at least partial fitting into the dip tube (3), and possibly locking in position by rotation, a support device (1) as described previously, which is equipped with at least one, preferably several, temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s) (2).

[0036] This manufacturing process makes it possible to produce the container (14) described above.

[0037] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Support device (1) for temperature measuring or monitoring sensor(s) (2), intended to be mounted at least partially in a dip tube (3), said support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic, with at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove for receiving, preferably with retention by elastic stress and / or friction, at least one sensor (2) and for housing at least one adjoining part of its connection cable (6), support device (1) characterized in that the elongated and profiled body (4) comprises, at one of its ends (4'), a plate-shaped part (7) formed in one piece with it, extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (AL) of said body (4) and comprising at least one through-orifice (8) aligned with said at least one groove (5).

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe elongated and profiled body (4) comprises at least two, preferably three, longitudinal grooves (5), of identical or different sections and distributed angularly around the longitudinal axis (AL), each advantageously housing a sensor (2), the plate-shaped part (7) comprising as many through-orifices (8), each of which is aligned with a groove (5) respectively.

3. Support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the or each housing (5) comprises at least one site (5') for clip-mounting a sensor (2).

4. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) has a circular shape and comprises a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) constituting or ending in a lip seal.

5. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatit also comprises a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and against the plate-shaped part (7), and where appropriate inside a peripheral skirt (9) of this part (7), said washer (10) elastically closing the through-orifice or orifices (8) of said plate-shaped part (7).

6. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) comprises on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4) hooks (11) formed in one piece with this part (7).

7. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) comprises on its face (7") opposite the elongated body (4) at least one attachment site (12) for driving this part (4) in rotation around the longitudinal axis (AL) of the elongated body (4).

8. Device (13) for measuring or monitoring temperature for liquid container (14), in particular of the hot water tank type, comprising a dip tube (3), of the glove finger type, at least one temperature measuring or monitoring sensor (2) and a support device (1) comprising an elongated and profiled body (4) made of plastic, said or each sensor (2) being received with retention by elastic constraint and / or friction in at least one housing (5) in the form of a longitudinal groove of said elongated body (4), as well as at least one adjoining part of its connection cable (6), said support device (1) being at least partially mounted with fitting into the dip tube (3) with contact of the or each sensor (2) with the wall of said tube (3), measuring or monitoring device (13) characterized in that the support device (1) is a support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Measuring or monitoring device (13) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least two, advantageously three, sensors (2), identical or not and each housed in a corresponding longitudinal groove (5).

10. Measuring or monitoring device (13) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that only a part of the elongated and profiled body (4) is located in the dip tube (3), at least the part receiving the sensor(s) (2).

11. Liquid container (14), in particular a hot water tank, comprising an internal wall forming a sealed reservoir (15), an external wall forming a covering envelope (15') and an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) located between the two aforementioned walls (15, 15'), for example a polyurethane foam, said container (14) being equipped with at least one device (13) for measuring or monitoring temperature comprising a dip tube (3), of the glove finger type, at least one temperature measuring or monitoring sensor (2) and a support device (1) with an elongated and profiled body (4) receiving said or each sensor (2) in at least one housing (5), as well as at least one adjoining part of its connection cable (6), said support device (1) being at least partially mounted with fitting into the dip tube (3), this with bringing the or each sensor (2) into contact with the internal wall of said tube (3),the temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) being installed on said container (14) in such a way that it passes through the two walls (15, 15') of the latter and that at least one closed front portion (3') of the dip tube (3) is located in the tank (15), container (14), characterized in that the or each temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) is a device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, and in that the plate-shaped part (7) of the or each support device (1) forming part of the or each temperature measuring or monitoring device (13) is supported, preferably under pressure, against the external face of the covering envelope (15').

12. Liquid container (14) according to claim 11, characterized in thatit comprises a spacer piece (17) arranged between the internal and external walls (15 and 15') and acting as a sealed wall pass-through and through-mounting bearing for the temperature measuring and monitoring device (13), this piece (17) delimiting a sealed volume around the part of the dip tube (3) and / or the elongated and profiled body (4) extending between these two walls (15 and 15').

13. Liquid container (14) according to claim 12, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (7) comprises, on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), at least two hooks (11) formed in one piece with this part (7) and in thatthe spacer piece (17) comprises a hooking site (17') for said hooks (11), for example in the form of a cut-out plate, so as to jointly produce a removable bayonet connection, lockable and unlockable by rotation of said plate-shaped part (7), said hook (11)-site (17') connection ensuring application by elastic stress of the plate-shaped part (7) against the external wall forming a covering envelope (15') in the locked state of said connection.

14. Liquid container (14) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in thatthe plate-shaped part (7) has a circular shape and comprises a peripheral skirt (9) on its face (7') adjoining the elongated body (4), said skirt (9) constituting or ending in a lip seal and possibly containing a sealing washer (10) mounted on the elongated body (4) and between the external wall forming a covering envelope (15') and the plate-shaped part (7).

15. A method of manufacturing a liquid container (14) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, essentially consisting of providing a sealed tank (15), equipped with the various connections for heating and supplying and discharging liquid, installing a dip tube (3) and a spacer piece (17) with a passage suitable for the tube (3), providing and slipping onto said tank (15) an external wall forming a covering envelope (15'), which has suitable passage openings for the connections and the dip tube (3) and / or the spacer piece (17), installing upper (18) and lower (18') covers to close the covering envelope (15'), and injecting a foaming material intended to expand and form an intermediate layer of insulating material (16) between the two aforementioned walls (15, 15'), for example a polyurethane foam, process characterized in thatit also consists of putting in place by introduction through the spacer piece (17) and at least partial fitting into the dip tube (3), and possibly locking in position by rotation, a support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is equipped with at least one, preferably several, temperature measurement or monitoring sensor(s) (2).