Heat exchanger unit and retrofit unit

Abstract

A heat exchanger unit (10) is used to heat fresh water by means of heat from waste water, in particular from a shower or bathtub. Said heat exchanger unit has a heat exchanger (2) and a distribution element (3) which forms an outer wall of a siphon and conducts draining waste water via the heat exchanger (2). The heat exchanger (2) and distribution element (3) have an elongate shape. The heat exchanger unit (10) has a supporting body (8) which extends along the heat exchanger unit (10) in the longitudinal direction, is positioned to absorb vertical forces from a channel covering (7) of the heat exchanger unit (10) and is supported at its two longitudinal ends so as to dissipate vertical forces.

Description

[0001] HEAT EXCHANGER UNIT AND RETROFIT UNIT

[0002] The invention relates to the field of heat exchangers for heating fresh water using heat from wastewater, particularly in a shower or bathtub. It relates to a heat exchanger unit and a retrofit unit for use in the heat exchanger unit.

[0003] WO 2015 / 106362 A1, also published as US 2016 / 0341490 A1 and US 10,072,897 B1, shows a heat exchanger unit for installation in a wastewater channel, for example, in a shower tray. It features an elongated heat exchanger over which wastewater flows along its length. This also necessitates an elongated design of the entire heat exchanger unit. This, in turn, places special demands on the dissipation of vertical loads compared to conventional round drains or drain connections. Sealing against sewer gases generally requires that the geometry of a channel body and the sealing elements arranged therein be coordinated. This makes the design of the channel body complex.

[0004] CN 207 079 699 U and CN 106 759 814 B show an elongated heat exchanger unit with a distribution element for distributing wastewater through a heat exchanger, and a funnel leading into the distribution element. The funnel and a cover plate are supported along their entire circumference, i.e., both at their two longitudinal ends and along their two longitudinal sides, on a channel body. The lateral support makes it difficult to achieve the slimmest possible shape.

[0005] A possible object of the invention according to a first aspect is to provide a heat exchanger unit and / or a retrofit unit that allows for a slimmer and / or lower-profile design. A heat exchanger unit and a retrofit unit according to the first aspect of the invention achieve at least one of these objects.

[0006] A possible object of the invention according to a second aspect is to provide a simplified seal for an insert in a substantially rectangular gutter body. At least one of these objects is achieved by a sealing body according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0007] The inventions according to the first and second aspects can be realized independently of each other, or in combination with each other.

[0008] According to the first aspect, there is a heat exchanger unit with the following properties:

[0009] The heat exchanger unit is used to heat fresh water using wastewater heat, particularly in a shower or bathtub. It comprises: • at least one heat exchanger designed for connection to a fresh water supply,

[0010] • and a distribution element which forms an outer wall of a siphon and is arranged to distribute draining waste water via the at least one heat exchanger,

[0011] • wherein the at least one heat exchanger and the distribution element have an elongated shape,

[0012] The heat exchanger unit has a support body which

[0013] • extends longitudinally along the at least one heat exchanger unit,

[0014] • is arranged to absorb vertical forces from a gutter cover of the heat exchanger unit, and

[0015] • is supported at both its longitudinal ends to dissipate vertical forces.

[0016] By providing support at the longitudinal ends, support in the other area is eliminated. This allows the width of the heat exchanger unit to be kept small. This is particularly the case when the heat exchanger and other elements such as the funnel and distribution element occupy the space within a gutter body, leaving no room to support the gutter cover. Any other solution would require supporting the gutter cover along the side walls of the gutter body, which would compromise the width of the heat exchanger unit. The gutter cover must be reliably supported to meet specified load-bearing standards.

[0017] Support at a longitudinal end can be understood as meaning that the support is provided in an area at a longitudinal end that extends up to a maximum of one-fifth, in particular one-sixth, in particular one-eighth, of the length of the support body. Alternatively or additionally, this can be understood as meaning that the support is provided at connecting pieces at the longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger.

[0018] In some embodiments, the support body is supported only at its two longitudinal ends to dissipate vertical forces. This does not preclude a very small portion of vertical forces being absorbed at points other than the longitudinal ends. In other words, the support at the two longitudinal ends accounts for the majority of occurring vertical forces, for example, at least 90 percent, in particular at least 95 percent, of a vertical force acting on the gutter cover or the support body in the center of the heat exchanger unit.

[0019] The support body can be supported by directly resting the support body on a supporting body and / or by resting a molded body combined with the support body on a supporting body. A supporting body can be part of the heat exchanger, in particular a heat exchanger end piece of the heat exchanger.

[0020] In embodiments, the support body comprises: a horizontal cover section, a first lateral support section and a second lateral support section, which adjoin the cover section laterally and run substantially vertically and extend in the longitudinal direction of the support body.

[0021] In particular, it may be the case that the cover section and the two support sections are formed in one piece as a formed sheet metal part.

[0022] This allows a simple and stable construction of the support body to be realized by having an inverted U-profile that bridges the entire length of the heat exchanger and supports the gutter cover over the entire length of the heat exchanger unit.

[0023] In embodiments, the support body is made from a sheet metal blank exclusively by cutting, punching, and forming such as embossing or bending, in particular from sheet steel.

[0024] In embodiments, the support body is supported at its two longitudinal ends on heat exchanger end pieces of the heat exchanger in order to dissipate vertical forces, in particular with a play in the transverse direction, in particular with a play of at least one millimeter, in particular at least two millimeters.

[0025] The support clearance can be used to compensate for tolerances in the manufacturing of the various components.

[0026] In embodiments, the support body is provided for draining wastewater into a funnel of the siphon.

[0027] This gives the support body a dual function, also forming part of the wastewater channel. This simplifies the design and allows the overall height of the heat exchanger unit to be kept low.

[0028] In embodiments, it is the case that the support body is connected to a funnel that leads waste water into the siphon, in particular

[0029] • wherein either the funnel is formed by a combination of the support body with a shaped body, in particular wherein a first wall section of the funnel is formed by a support section of the support body, and a second wall section of the funnel is formed by a part of the shaped body; • or wherein the funnel is formed as part of a shaped body attached to the support body.

[0030] In embodiments, the molded body is molded onto the support body.

[0031] The molded body is manufactured by injection molding onto the support body, which may also involve overmolding the support body. This typically occurs by placing the support body into an injection mold and introducing the material that forms the molded body in a flowable form. The material can be, for example, a plastic that subsequently solidifies, or a rubber that is subsequently vulcanized. Suitable materials include EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) or a thermoplastic (TPE, thermoplastic elastomer).

[0032] This manufacturing method allows for a free design of the support body as a metal molded part. Elements that cannot be produced by forming the metal part can be realized using the molded part. For example, gaps and / or holes left in the metal part during production can be filled by the molded part. The support body fulfills the function of mechanical support, and other functions can be realized using the molded part, simplifying the design and manufacture of the support body.

[0033] In some embodiments, the molded body is attached to the support body with snap connections. In particular, elastic snap elements of the molded body can snap into corresponding openings in the support body.

[0034] In embodiments, it is the case that one or more sieve elements are arranged in an inlet region of the funnel, wherein the sieve elements are inserted in the molded body and held by the molded body, in particular wherein the sieve elements are manually removable and insertable.

[0035] The molded body thus creates a mechanical connection between the support body and the sieve elements, simplifying the design of the support body. Furthermore, depending on the application, the funnel can be operated with or without the sieve elements and their sieving effect. If the funnel is designed as part of the elastic molded body, the sieve elements are inserted into elastic retaining elements, allowing them to be inserted or removed without the need for tools.

[0036] In embodiments, it is the case that the support body has a circumferential seal, in particular a funnel seal for sealing an inlet area of ​​the siphon with respect to an outlet area, in particular wherein the funnel seal is injection-molded onto the support body.

[0037] In embodiments, the funnel seal is injection-molded onto the support body and formed integrally as part of the molded body.

[0038] In embodiments, at least one funnel wall, the funnel seal, and upper support sections are produced by injection molding or overmolding the support body, in particular in one piece as part of a single molded body.

[0039] In embodiments, the funnel seal has an oversize of approximately two millimeters with respect to a channel body into which the funnel seal is to be inserted.

[0040] In embodiments, it is the case that the funnel seal has corner seals for sealing against inner corners of a gutter body, wherein the following applies to a corner seal in a non-assembled state: • sections of the funnel seal adjacent to the corner seal and an outer edge of these sections run relative to each other at a first angle, typically at a right angle,

[0041] • In the area of ​​the corner seal, the funnel seal is widened and the outer edges of the funnel seal meet at a smaller angle than the first angle.

[0042] Sections of the funnel seal adjacent to the corner seal run parallel to corresponding sides of a gutter body intended for use with the funnel seal. The angle between the corresponding sides of the gutter body is therefore equal to the first angle.

[0043] This has the effect that when the support body or just the molded body with the funnel seal is installed in the gutter body, the seal has a greater oversize in the area of ​​the corner seals than in the adjacent areas. As a result, the funnel seal is compressed more strongly in the area of ​​the corner seals, resulting in a stronger pressing force between the funnel seal and the gutter body, which improves the sealing effect in the corners. When inserting a body with the funnel seal, the funnel seal is generally pushed upwards, and in the area of ​​the corner seals, it is pushed upwards and bent even further, whereby the corner seals nestle against the inner wall of the gutter body and seal against it.

[0044] In embodiments, the angle in the corners is 90°, and the outer edges of the funnel seal meet at an angle between 80° and 86°, in particular at an angle of 84°.

[0045] This design of the corner seals allows the element with the funnel seal to be inserted from above into a box-shaped gutter body with vertical side walls. The funnel seal, including the corner seals, is deformed, bent upwards, and compressed at the side walls. It clings to the side walls, even at the inner corners of the gutter body, thus ensuring a tight seal. It is not necessary to provide any special structures on the gutter body to interact with the funnel seal.

[0046] In embodiments, it is the case that for a corner seal, the following applies: the corner seal has a stiffening element which counteracts a deformation of the outer corner during assembly, in particular wherein the stiffening element is a stiffening rib arranged on an upper side and / or on an underside of the corner seal and running into the corner.

[0047] During installation, typically when inserting into the gutter body, this increases the pressure force of the corner seal.

[0048] In embodiments, the stiffening rib runs at least approximately along an angle bisector of the corner of the corner seal.

[0049] In embodiments, it is the case that in a cross-section normal to the angle bisector, the corner seal has a W-shaped course.

[0050] This also means an upside-down "W." Additional stiffening ribs may also be present extending from the corner, and the corner seal may continue the W-shape in a zigzag cross-section. In all cases, the effect is that the cross-section undergoes a defined deformation upon compression during assembly, similar to the compression of a section of a bellows.

[0051] In embodiments, the support body has upper support sections on its upper side for supporting a gutter cover, and the upper support sections are distributed along the longitudinal direction of the support body. In particular, between the upper support sections of the support body and the gutter cover, there are upper support sections of the molded body, which are molded together with the funnel, in particular integrally with the funnel.

[0052] This means that the gutter cover is supported at several points, transferring vertical loads to the support body. The gutter cover is supported in a central area, viewed transversely. Support at the edges is not required. The gutter cover can be positioned above the support body with a circumferential slot, which serves as an inlet for wastewater.

[0053] In embodiments, it is the case that in at least one upper support section in a central region along the longitudinal direction, the upper support section of the support body and / or the upper support section of the molded body is arranged lower than in the other upper support sections, in particular by between one and four millimeters lower.

[0054] This means that in the event of a point load in the middle of the gutter cover, this load is not applied exclusively to a central support section, but is distributed among the remaining support sections. In some embodiments, an upper support surface of the upper support section of the molded body is the same height as the other support sections, but the upper support section of the support body is lower than the other support sections. Consequently, there is more elastic material across the entire height of the two support sections, and the central support section is more flexible than the others.

[0055] In some embodiments, the funnel is arranged in the distribution element. In particular, the funnel has support elements on an outer side, in particular vertically extending spacing ribs, which maintain a distance between this outer side and an opposite inner wall of the distribution element.

[0056] The siphon, the funnel and the distribution element each extend longitudinally along the heat exchanger unit.

[0057] In embodiments, the heat exchanger unit comprises a channel body through which wastewater is intended to flow, wherein the heat exchanger, the support body and the distribution element are arranged in the channel body, and wherein the channel body has an elongated shape.

[0058] The channel body can be installed and connected to a building. The remaining elements can then be installed and replaced as needed. The funnel seal seals the inlet area of ​​the channel body from the outlet area.

[0059] The retrofit unit is particularly intended for use in a heat exchanger unit as described above. It comprises a support body,

[0060] • the support body has an elongated shape,

[0061] • the support body has a cover section;

[0062] • the support body has a first lateral support section and a second lateral support section, which are laterally adjacent to the cover section and run substantially at a right angle to the cover section and extend in the longitudinal direction of the support body.

[0063] In particular, the cover section and the two support sections are formed as a single piece as a bent sheet metal part. In embodiments, the support body in the retrofit unit is connected to a funnel that runs essentially parallel to the two support sections. In particular,

[0064] • either the funnel is formed by a combination of the support body with a shaped body, in particular wherein a first wall section of the funnel is formed by a support section of the support body, and a second wall section of the funnel is formed by a part of the shaped body;

[0065] • or the funnel is designed as part of a shaped body attached to the support body.

[0066] In some embodiments, the molded body is molded onto the support body in the retrofit unit.

[0067] In some embodiments, the support body in the retrofit unit has a circumferential seal, in particular a funnel seal. In particular, the funnel seal is molded onto the support body.

[0068] According to the second aspect, a sealing body with the following properties is present:

[0069] The sealing body is intended for use in a heat exchanger unit as described above. It comprises: a circumferential seal, in particular a funnel seal, for sealing an inlet area of ​​the heat exchanger unit with respect to an outlet area of ​​the heat exchanger unit, wherein the funnel seal has corner seals for sealing against the inner corners of a channel body, wherein for a corner seal in a non-assembled state, a corner seal applies in each case:

[0070] • sections of the funnel seal adjacent to the corner seal and an outer edge of these sections run relative to each other at a first angle, typically at a right angle, • in the area of ​​the corner seal the funnel seal is widened and the outer edges of the funnel seal meet at an angle smaller than the first angle.

[0071] In some embodiments, the following applies to a corner seal: the corner seal has a stiffening element that counteracts deformation of the outer corner during installation. In particular, the stiffening element is a stiffening rib arranged on a top and / or bottom side of the corner seal and extending into the corner.

[0072] In embodiments, the stiffening rib runs along an angle bisector of the corner of the corner seal.

[0073] In embodiments, it is the case that, in a cross-section normal to the angle bisector, the corner seal has a W-shaped course.

[0074] An "elongated shape" is understood to be the shape of an element whose extension, when projected onto a horizontal plane in a first direction, also called the longitudinal direction, has a maximum extension that is at least three times, in particular at least four times, and in particular at least five times as large as the extension in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction, also called the transverse direction. The extension in the longitudinal direction is called the length, and the extension in the transverse direction is called the width.

[0075] This applies, for example, to elements such as the heat exchanger unit, the heat exchanger, the distribution element, the funnel, the support body, the molded body and the channel cover.

[0076] The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" here, as elsewhere in the text, refer to the operating state and installed state of the element, respectively. In some embodiments, the length of the channel body is between 30 and 90 centimeters and the width between 5 and 15 centimeters.

[0077] Further preferred embodiments emerge from the dependent patent claims.

[0078] The subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. They show schematically:

[0079] Figure 1 - 2 a heat exchanger unit in an exploded view and a longitudinal section;

[0080] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part of the longitudinal section;

[0081] Figure 4 shows a cross section through the heat exchanger unit;

[0082] Figures 5 - 6 show a combination of a support body with a molded body in an exploded view and combined;

[0083] Figure 7 shows a cross section through this combination;

[0084] Figure 8 is a partially sectioned view of this combination;

[0085] Figure 9-11 Views of an end section of this combination;

[0086] Figure 12-15 Sections through a corner seal.

[0087] In principle, identical or similarly functioning parts in the figures are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0088] The heat exchanger unit 10 shown in Figures 1 - 4 comprises the following elements:

[0089] • A channel body 1 carries wastewater from an inlet area 11 through the heat exchanger unit 10 to a discharge area 12 and into a discharge nozzle 13 in a sewer pipe (not shown). The channel body 1 accommodates or supports the other elements and positions them relative to each other. The positioning must remain stable despite alternating mechanical and thermal loads, particularly to ensure tightness against wastewater and sewer gases.

[0090] • During operation of the heat exchanger unit 10, cold fresh water flows through a heat exchanger 2 and warm wastewater flows over it. Heat exchanger end pieces 21 form deflections between the tubes of the heat exchanger 2 and are connected to connectors 9.

[0091] • The connecting pieces 9, for example made of a Cu-Zn alloy, form a passage for fresh water to and from the heat exchanger 2, and corresponding connections for pipes on the outside of the gutter body 1 and for the heat exchanger 2 on the inside. The connecting pieces 9 serve to connect to a supply or a forwarding of fresh water. The heat exchanger end pieces 21 can be removably mounted on the connecting pieces 9 so that the heat exchanger 2 can be disassembled for cleaning or replacement. The connecting pieces 9 are typically supported by the gutter body 1 and / or in the surrounding material of a floor in which the gutter body 1 is installed.

[0092] • A gutter cover 7 is designed as a flat plate and forms a visible part of the heat exchanger unit 10. They are made of stainless steel, for example. The gutter cover 7 can have through-holes and / or be arranged with a circumferential gap in the heat exchanger unit 10 through which wastewater can flow into the inlet area 11.

[0093] • A support body 8 supports the gutter cover 7 and absorbs vertical forces acting on the gutter cover 7. The support body 8 is essentially only supported at its ends, which enables a slim design of the heat exchanger unit 10. In particular, the support body 8 is supported on the heat exchanger end pieces 21. Typically, the support body 8 is an unformed, typically bent sheet metal part, in particular made of sheet steel, with a horizontally running cover section 80 and two essentially vertically running support sections 81, 82. The support sections stiffen the support body 8 against vertical loads. They enable the absorption of vertical forces and their dissipation via end regions of the support body 8. In other embodiments, the support body 8 is made of plastic, with basically the same shape but with thicker walls compared to a sheet metal part.

[0094] • A molded body 6 is connected to the support body 8, in particular, molded onto it. The molded body 6 can implement a number of functions that cannot be implemented with the support body 8, or that can only be implemented with great effort.

[0095] • A distribution element 3 forms, on the one hand, an outer wall of a siphon and, on the other hand, distributes the wastewater evenly along the heat exchanger 2. The wastewater runs via an overflow 31 onto an uppermost pipe and then over further pipes of the heat exchanger 2. The overflow 31 can be supported on pipes of the heat exchanger 2.

[0096] • A funnel 4 forms an inner part of the siphon and guides the wastewater from the inlet area 11 into the distribution element 3. A funnel seal 45 forms a seal against an inner wall of the channel body 1 and thus prevents sewer gases from escaping from the outlet area 12 into the inlet area 11 and thus into the environment.

[0097] • A sieve element 5 with through-holes 52 acts as a sieve to retain impurities in the wastewater, such as hair, before it flows into the funnel 4. The sieve element 5 can be a perforated sheet made of metal or plastic.

[0098] In summary, the function of the described elements is essentially such that an inlet area 11, a siphon and an outlet area 12 are arranged in the channel body, through which wastewater flows one after the other and in this order when the heat exchanger 2 is in operation. The inlet area 11 is in air exchange with the environment above the heat exchanger unit 10 and the outlet area 12 is in air exchange with the outlet nozzle 13, which is intended for connection to a sewer system. The siphon area prevents air exchange between the inlet area and the outlet area and allows the flow of liquid from the inlet area to the outlet area. The siphon area is limited at the bottom by the distribution element 3, which forms an overflow 31, where draining wastewater is retained and distributed via at least one heat exchanger 2.

[0099] Viewed in the cross-section of Figure 4, the funnel 4 is formed by the first support section 81 of the support body 8 and a funnel wall 41 formed on the molded body 6. The funnel wall 41 is spaced from a wall section of the distribution element 3 by means of spacer ribs 42 (see also Figure 5). The wastewater flows between this wall section and the funnel wall 41 and between the spacer ribs 42 upwards to the overflow 31. The spacer ribs 42 maintain a distance between this wall section and the funnel wall 41.

[0100] The distribution element 3 with the overflow 31 can be formed from a metal or plastic. In some embodiments, the overflow 31 has a series of grooves with raised portions between them. The distribution element 3 has support elements 33 that support the overflow 31 on the heat exchanger 2 and thus define the position of the overflow 31 relative to the uppermost tube of the heat exchanger 2.

[0101] The cross-section further shows a buffer element 48 arranged on one of the support sections 82. The buffer element 48 supports the second support section 82 of the support body 8 against the inner wall of the channel body 1 and prevents the support body 8 from tipping under one-sided loading. On the opposite side, the first support section 81 is supported on the wall of the channel body via the wall of the distribution element 3, thus preventing the support body from tipping in the other direction. The cross-section further shows a circumferential funnel seal 45. The funnel seal 45 is deformed when the support body 8, with the molded-on funnel seal 45, is pushed into the channel body 1 and forms a seal against the inner wall of the channel body 1. It can be part of the molded body 6. The channel cover 7 rests on upper support sections 69 of the molded body 6, which in turn rest on upper support sections 89 of the support body 8.A central support section 89 of the support body 8 is arranged slightly lower than the other support sections 89 of the support body 8 (see Fig. 2).

[0102] By combining the support body 8 with the shaped body 6, functions that would otherwise have to be formed on the support body 8 can be realized by the shaped body 6. The shape of the support body 8 can thus be kept simple, which simplifies its production. In particular, the support body 8 can be produced from a sheet metal blank exclusively by cutting, punching or drilling, and forming such as embossing or bending. With the shaped body 6, for example, functions such as sealing against the channel body 1, holding sieve elements 5, forming the funnel 4, elastic support on the heat exchanger end pieces 21, and elastic support of the channel cover 7 can be realized.

[0103] The combination, according to Figures 5-8, of a support body with a molded body shows, in addition to the elements already described:

[0104] • An arrangement of a series of sieve elements 5. The sieve elements 5 are inserted into correspondingly shaped cutouts of the molded body 6. With an elastic molded body 6, the sieve elements 5 can typically be inserted manually by deforming the molded body 6. The sieve elements 5 have through-holes 52 through which the wastewater can pass, retaining contaminants.

[0105] • Retaining rings 53 suspended from the support body 8 allow the support body 8 to be removed by pulling it out of the channel body 1 in a vertical direction. • Sealing ribs 43, which counteract an undesirable flow of wastewater past the overflow 31.

[0106] • Corner seals 44 in an unassembled state.

[0107] In Figure 7, the cross section shows a section through the funnel wall 41 and a view of a spacing rib 42 located behind the cutting plane, in contrast to Figure 4, which shows a section through a spacing rib 42. Likewise, Figure 7 shows a section through a sieve element 5, whereas Figure 4 shows the section through upper support sections 69 of the molded body 6 and upper support sections 89 of the support body 8.

[0108] Figures 7 and 11 show elements for supporting the combination of shaped body 6 and support body 8 on the heat exchanger end pieces 21. A support element 88 of the support body 8 is, for example, formed integrally on the support body 8, e.g., as a bent part of the support body 8. In the assembled state, the support section 88 rests on part of the heat exchanger end piece 21. A support element 68 of the shaped body 6 is formed integrally with the shaped body 6. In the assembled state, it also rests on the heat exchanger end piece 21. The two support elements 68, 88 allow play between the heat exchanger end piece 21 and the support body 8 or shaped body 6, respectively, so that they can adapt to the shape of the channel body 1 and be moved into position by the spring force of the funnel seal 45.The two support elements 68, 88 rest, as seen with respect to the connecting piece 9, in the longitudinal direction on opposite sides of the connecting piece 9 on the heat exchanger end piece 21.

[0109] The support body, either on its own or in combination with the shaped body 6, and possibly with other elements, can serve as a retrofit unit. A retrofit unit can be inserted into an existing, already installed gutter body 1 and replace an existing funnel and elements for supporting a gutter cover. Thanks to the circumferential funnel seal 45 and the corner seals 44, it can be installed into a box-shaped gutter body 1 with vertical walls without any additional structural measures.

[0110] Figures 9-11 show views of one end section of this combination. The circumferential funnel seal 45 runs in sections that come into contact with the side walls of the channel body 1 during assembly, corresponding to the shape of the side walls, in this case in a straight line. Areas of the funnel seal 45 in such sections that are adjacent to corner seals 44 are marked in Figure 9 with arrows running parallel to them. In the area of ​​the corner seals 44, the funnel seal 45 widens out, and in the corner, the edges of the seal converge at a smaller angle than the angle between the adjacent sections. For example, the angle is approximately 84°. Thus, any excess of the seal with respect to an interior space (rectangular in this example) of the channel body 1 is even greater in the corners than in the adjacent sections.As a result, the corner seal 44 is deformed more, which leads to a higher contact pressure against the inner wall and improves the sealing.

[0111] A stiffening rib 47 is located essentially along the angle bisector of the corner and the corner seal 44. This stiffens the material of the corner seal 44 against upward bending during installation and enhances the sealing effect. The figures show a stiffening rib 47 located above the corner seal 44, but a stiffening rib 47 can also be located below or above and below, and / or at a different angle to the corner. Multiple or differently shaped elements can also be provided to stiffen the corner seal 44.

[0112] Figures 12-15 show sections through a corner seal. In at least one section, and in a cross-section essentially normal to an angle bisector of the corner and the corner seal 44, the corner seal 44 has a W-shaped cross-section. This defines and predetermines a partial folding of the corner seal 44 by compressing the shape analogous to a section of a bellows.

[0113] What the previously described embodiments have in common is that the channel body 1 can be installed in the building, the fresh water pipes can be connected, and a leak test can be performed with the heat exchanger 2 inserted before a shower surface is installed. Later, during operation of the heat exchanger unit 10, the heat exchanger 2 can be removed from the heat exchanger unit 10, serviced, or replaced. For this purpose, the channel body 1 can be opened and closed reversibly or non-destructively.

[0114] The embodiments described so far show heat exchanger units, each comprising a heat exchanger with a row of stacked heat exchanger tubes. The invention can also be implemented in principle with other heat exchangers, e.g., those with two or more rows of stacked heat exchanger tubes, or with offset heat exchanger tubes. In particular, heat exchangers as described in the aforementioned WO 2015 / 106362 A1 and US Pat. No. 10,072,897 B1 can also be used. Multiple heat exchangers can also be arranged one after the other in the transverse and / or longitudinal directions in the same channel body.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Heat exchanger unit (10) for heating fresh water by means of heat from waste water, in particular in a shower or bathtub, comprising at least one heat exchanger (2) provided for connection to a fresh water supply, as well as a distribution element (3) which forms an outer wall of a siphon and is arranged for distributing draining waste water via the at least one heat exchanger (2), wherein the at least one heat exchanger (2) and the distribution element (3) have an elongated shape, characterized in that the heat exchanger unit (10) has a support body (8) which • extends longitudinally along the at least one heat exchanger unit (10), • is arranged to absorb vertical forces from a channel cover (7) of the heat exchanger unit (10), • is supported at both its longitudinal ends to dissipate vertical forces.

2. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the support body (8) comprises: • a horizontal deck section (80); • a first lateral support section (81) and a second lateral support section (82), which adjoin the cover section (80) laterally and run substantially vertically and extend in the longitudinal direction of the support body (8); in particular, the cover section (80) and the two support sections (81, 82) are formed in one piece as a bent (formed) sheet metal part.

3. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support body (8) is supported at its two longitudinal ends for dissipating vertical forces on heat exchanger end pieces (21) of the heat exchanger (2), in particular with a play in the transverse direction, in particular with a play of at least one millimeter, in particular at least two millimeters.

4. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support body (8) is provided for draining waste water into a funnel (4) of the siphon.

5. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support body (8) is connected to a funnel (4) which leads waste water into the siphon, in particular • wherein either the funnel (4) is formed by a combination of the support body (8) with a shaped body (6), in particular wherein a first wall section of the funnel (4) is formed by a support section (81, 82) of the support body (8), and a second wall section of the funnel (4) is formed by a part of the shaped body (6); • or wherein the funnel (4) is formed as part of a shaped body (6) attached to the support body (8).

6. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 5, wherein the molded body (6) is injection-molded onto the support body (8).

7. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein one or more sieve elements (5) are arranged in an inlet region of the funnel (4), wherein the sieve elements (5) are inserted in the molded body (6) and held by the molded body (6), in particular wherein the sieve elements (5) are manually removable and insertable.

8. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support body (8) has a circumferential seal, in particular a funnel seal (45) for sealing an inlet region (11) of the siphon with respect to an outlet region (12), in particular wherein the funnel seal (45) is injection-molded onto the support body (8).

9. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 8, wherein the funnel seal (45) has corner seals (44) for sealing against inner corners of a channel body (1), wherein for a corner seal (44) in a non-assembled state, the following applies: • sections of the funnel seal (45) adjacent to the corner seal (44) and an outer edge of these sections extend relative to each other at a first angle, typically at a right angle, • in the area of ​​the corner seal (44) the funnel seal (45) is widened and the outer edges of the funnel seal (45) meet at a smaller angle than the first angle.

10. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 9, wherein the following applies to a corner seal (44): the corner seal (44) has a stiffening element (43) which counteracts a deformation of the outer corner during assembly, in particular wherein the stiffening element is a stiffening rib (47) arranged on an upper side and / or on an underside of the corner seal (44) and running into the corner.

11. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 10, wherein the stiffening rib (47) extends at least approximately along an angle bisector of the corner of the corner seal (44).

12. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, in a cross-section normal to the angle bisector, the corner seal (44) has a W-shaped profile.

13. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support body (8) has on its upper side upper support sections (89) for supporting a channel cover (7), and the upper support sections (89) are distributed along the longitudinal direction of the support body (8), in particular wherein between the upper support sections (89) of the support body (8) and the channel cover (7) there are upper support sections (69) of the molded body (6), which are molded together with the funnel (4), in particular in one piece with the funnel (4).

14. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to claim 13, wherein in at least one upper support section in a central region along the longitudinal direction, the upper support section (89) of the support body 8 and / or the upper support section (69) of the shaped body (6) is arranged lower than in the other upper support sections, in particular by between one and four millimeters lower.

15. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims depending on claim 4 or 5, wherein the funnel (4) is arranged in the distribution element (3), in particular wherein the funnel (4) has support elements on an outer side, in particular vertically extending spacing ribs (42), which maintain a distance between this outer side and an opposite inner wall of the distribution element (3).

16. Heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a channel body (1) which is intended to be flowed through by waste water, wherein the heat exchanger (2), the support body (8) and the distribution element (3) is arranged in the channel body (1), and wherein the channel body (1) has an elongated shape.

17. Retrofit unit, in particular for use in a heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a support body (8), wherein • the support body (8) has an elongated shape, • the support body (8) has a cover section (80); • the support body (8) has a first lateral support section (81) and a second lateral support section (82), which adjoin the cover section (80) laterally and run substantially at a right angle to the cover section (80) and extend in the longitudinal direction of the support body (8); in particular, the cover section (80) and the two support sections (81, 82) are formed in one piece as a bent sheet metal part.

18. Retrofit unit according to claim 17, wherein the support body (8) is connected to a funnel (4) which runs substantially parallel to the two support sections (81, 82), in particular • wherein either the funnel (4) is formed by a combination of the support body (8) with a shaped body (6), in particular wherein a first wall section of the funnel (4) is formed by a support section (81, 82) of the support body (8), and a second wall section of the funnel (4) is formed by a part of the shaped body (6); • or wherein the funnel (4) is formed as part of a shaped body (6) attached to the support body (8).

19. Retrofit unit according to claim 18, wherein the molded body (6) is injection-molded onto the support body (8).

20. Retrofit unit according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the support body (8) has a circumferential seal, in particular a funnel seal (45), in particular wherein the funnel seal (45) is injection-molded onto the support body (8).

21. Sealing body for use in a heat exchanger unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16, comprising a circumferential seal, in particular a funnel seal (45), for sealing an inlet area (11) of the heat exchanger unit (10) with respect to a discharge area (12) of the heat exchanger unit (10), wherein the funnel seal (45) has corner seals (44) for sealing against inner corners of a channel body (1), wherein for a corner seal (44) in a non-assembled state, a corner seal (44) applies in each case: • sections of the funnel seal (45) adjacent to the corner seal (44) and an outer edge of these sections extend relative to each other at a first angle, typically at a right angle, • in the area of ​​the corner seal (44) the funnel seal (45) is widened and the outer edges of the funnel seal (45) meet at a smaller angle than the first angle.

22. Sealing body according to claim 21, wherein the following applies to a corner seal (44): the corner seal (44) has a stiffening element (43) which counteracts a deformation of the outer corner during assembly, in particular wherein the stiffening element is a stiffening rib (47) arranged on an upper side and / or on an underside of the corner seal (44) and running into the corner.

23. Sealing body (10) according to claim 22, wherein the stiffening rib (47) runs along an angle bisector of the corner of the corner seal (44).

24. Sealing body (10) according to one of claims 21 to 23, wherein, in a cross-section normal to the angle bisector, the corner seal (44) has a W-shaped profile.

Images