EP2194331A2 - Domestic continuous-flow heater - Google Patents

Abstract

The house area instantaneous water heater (16) has a line (1) with a flow channel (3) for supplying a flowing medium (M). The heating device has a coil (5) for producing a magnetic alternating field and a radiator heated by the magnetic alternating field, where the radiator is brought in a flow channel.

Description

The invention relates to a home-range instantaneous water heater for passing a flowable medium and with a heater for heating the medium and a household appliance with such a home-range instantaneous water heater.

For heating air, liquor or water, it is generally known in the household sector to provide instantaneous water heaters which have a conduit for passing a flowable medium and a heating means for heating the medium. For example, the heater may consist of a burner which heats the line with a gas-assisted flame and above that the flowable medium. Also known is the use of a heating device in the form of a current-carrying resistance wire which heats up and heats the wire wrapped by the resistance wire and above it the medium contained therein.

In the household sector various devices are known, which have a home-range instantaneous water heater, which heats or heats the flowable medium based on such a technique.

Generally known are JP 2004-135998 . JP 2005-177331 or US 5,724,750 Washing machines, tumble dryers or combined laundry dryers, in which a ferromagnetic laundry drum is heated by means of an alternating magnetic field. For this purpose, at least one or more coils for generating the alternating magnetic field are arranged outside the laundry drum. Due to the laundry load of the laundry drum, the laundry drum at a high rotational speed during a spin cycle in vibrations, which run the laundry drum out of control. Due to this, it is disadvantageously required that the induction coils for generating the alternating magnetic field are arranged at a large distance from the drum. In order to heat the drum sufficiently, therefore, correspondingly large electrical currents must be applied to the coils.

Also well known is the use of induction heaters in cookers for heating food.

In the field of building services for physical "descaling" also known to cause by magnetic alternating fields, a conversion of water contained in "lime" in a lime form, which does not settle in pipes.

In addition, induction furnaces for heating metals are generally known from plant engineering.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a home-range instantaneous water heater, which is particularly reliable, safe and energy-saving operable.

This object is achieved by means of a home-range instantaneous heater and a household appliance according to the respective independent claim. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

The home-range instantaneous heater has a line with at least one flow channel for passing a flowable medium (liquid and / or gas), as well as a heater for heating the medium, wherein the heating means for generating an alternating magnetic field, a coil and further at least one having the alternating magnetic field heatable radiator.

Such an arrangement thus exploits that a primary energy, which is provided by the coil as a primary winding, is transmitted by magnetic induction in the secondary-side mounted radiator. Utilizing the transformer or eddy current principle, heat is generated in the radiators and transferred from them to the adjacent medium. By the inductive power transmission from the coil to the radiator, a power loss can be kept low, which can operate such a water heater energy saving.

The primary energy source (coil) and the radiator or radiators are electrically isolated from each other (galvanically isolated) so that can be dispensed with contacts and cables for the transmission of electricity to the area to be heated. As a result, a low-priced and more corrosion-resistant construction is achieved. It is particularly advantageous that electrical components are arranged far away from any fluid-carrying components and thus a contact protection of live parts is ensured, which increases the reliability. Another advantage is the possible conversion of the water contained in the "lime" in a lime form, which is no longer on device surfaces such. As radiators, attaches, which further increases the reliability.

Such a home-range instantaneous water heater can be used in particular in a household appliance such as a hot water instantaneous water heater, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a washer-dryer or a dishwasher. In principle, such a domestic hot water heater but also household installations such as heating or sanitary concern.

For particularly low-loss energy transfer to the radiator or the coil is operated by means of a resonant converter or constitutes a part thereof.

The at least one heating element can be introduced into the at least one flow channel, since in this way a large-area contact surface with the flow medium can be achieved in a structurally simple manner. For this purpose, the at least one radiator may in particular have a plurality of individual radiators, which advantageously leave a sufficient gap for the flow medium. Accordingly, the ratio of the surface, which is in contact with the medium to be heated, and the internal volume of the radiator, adjustable to obtain a high heat transfer rate and thus a low response time. Particular preference is given to individual heaters having a spherical basic shape, since these allow a volume of space and, between the balls, a passage volume for the medium in a particularly advantageous embodiment. In addition, balls have a relatively smooth and vortex-inhibiting surface.

For heating on the basis of the eddy current principle, the at least one heating element can have an electrically conductive single heating element. For particularly high energy absorption of the single heater may comprise a ferromagnetic material, preferably iron-based (ferrite, steel, etc.).

To realize a transformer coupling, which corresponds to an inductive coupling between a separable primary part and the secondary part of a transformer, the at least one radiator can have at least one secondary winding ("secondary coil"), in particular a short-circuited secondary winding. By the magnetic alternating field generated by the coil ("primary coil"), a current is generated in the secondary coil, whose winding may have one or more windings, which is converted into heat due to the short circuit. In particular, in this case, a resonant converter is advantageously used. For particularly effective heat generation, the secondary coil has a resistance heating wire as a winding wire. Alternatively or additionally, the coil may be provided with heating resistors as a load. The radiator may have a plurality of individual radiators each having a secondary coil or a plurality of secondary coils.

For effective power consumption, the at least one radiator having a coil core of a ferrite-containing material, for. B. in the form of a shell core.

The coil for generating the alternating magnetic field may be arranged for easy production and obtaining a high reliability outside a wall of the conduit. Thus, the flow channel is not or at least not substantially shielded for heating the radiator by the wall, the wall is advantageously at least partially or partially formed free of an electrically conductive material, for. B. made of plastic. As a result, the alternating magnetic field can penetrate substantially undisturbed into the flow region with the at least one heating element located therein.

According to a further, but also combinable embodiment of the at least one radiator is at least partially formed as a part of the wall. In this sense, of course, a plurality of spaced apart wall sections of a wall of the conduit may be formed as such a radiator, ie electrically conductive, in particular metallic, especially ferromagnetic material. An advantage of such arrangements is an external thermal shield, so that the heat generated in the wall regions of the conduit is preferably emitted only in the direction of the medium through which the conduit flows. The wall may also have heating, projecting into the at least one flow channel heat transfer elements such as longitudinal ribs, etc.

The medium may in particular comprise air, water or a lye, as it is used as a working medium or as a heat transfer medium in the home.

In particular, if the at least one heating element can come into contact with moisture, ie in particular is arranged within the flow region of the medium, it advantageously has corrosion protection. Corrosion protection is particularly useful, since ferromagnetic materials tend to oxidize or "rusting". In particular, in the case of lines through which water or a liquor flows as the medium, coating on the outside of the radiator with corrosion protection is therefore advantageous. Alternatively or additionally, at least the flow medium exposed areas of the radiator may consist of a stainless material.

In a particularly preferred domestic range instantaneous water heater, the conduit is tubular and externally wound with an inductor coil as the coil, and a heating area with the at least one radiator is within the coil-wrapped area in the wall and / or in the at least one flow channel educated.

FIG 1

zeigt eine erste Ausführungsform eines bevorzugten Hausbereich-Durchlauferhitzers in teilweiser Schnittansicht und

FIG 2

eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Hausbereich-Durchlauferhitzers in Schnittansicht.

In the following figures, the invention will be described schematically with reference to exemplary embodiments. Here are the same or equivalent elements provided with the same reference numerals for clarity.

FIG. 1

shows a first embodiment of a preferred domestic range water heater in partial sectional view and

FIG. 2

a second embodiment of a domestic range water heater in a sectional view.

The basis FIG. 1 Hausbereich instantaneous water heater 16, shown by way of example, of a laundry drying apparatus (washer-dryer or tumble dryer) H has a tubular conduit 1. The line 1 has a wall 2, which has a flow channel. 3 encloses. The outer surface of the wall 2 is wrapped with a coil 5, which generates an alternating magnetic field in the volume enclosed by it upon application of an alternating current and thus serves as an induction coil. At their ends, in each case a flange 4 is formed on the wall 2, which serves as Abrutschschutz for a coil 5. The wall 2 is made of a non-conductive material, for. As plastic, designed to provide the electromagnetic alternating field generated by the coil 5 as low as possible shielding.

Arranged in the flow channel 3 of the line 1 as a radiator is a plurality of spherically shaped individual radiators 6, which have been produced as separate bodies. The individual heaters 6 are made of a material which heats up when the alternating current is applied by means of the coil 5 due to eddy currents induced therein. While the material may generally be an electrically conductive material, particularly a metal, to achieve high efficiency, a ferromagnetic or high ferromagnetic material is used, particularly a corrosion protected ferrous material.

A control device 8 as control and regulating electronics serves to receive a power provided by a power supply connection 9 and to apply an alternating current to the coil 5 via coil connection lines 10 such that the coil 5 generates the alternating magnetic field in the flow channel 3 in the region of the heating elements 6 and Heating element 6 is heated or heated. When flowing around the heated radiator 6, the medium also warms M. At the output region of the line 1, a temperature sensor 7 is arranged in or on the flow channel 3, which serves to detect the output temperature of a medium M, which flows through the interior 3 in the direction of the temperature sensor 7 and while the radiator 6 lapped. Preferably, the control device 8 is designed to regulate a temperature by means of a detected by the temperature sensor 7 and applied via a signal line 11 to the control device 8 temperature signal.

Preferably, the individual radiator 6 are provided with a corrosion protection 12, which may be formed for example as a coating.

To connect the line 1 to an external line system, the line 1 preferably at the two front ends in each case a pipe socket 13, through which the medium M is introduced into the flow channel 3 or discharged on the opposite side of the flow channel 3.

The water heater 17 off FIG. 2 shows up on the radiator 6 ^{* the} same components as the water heater 16 FIG. 1 , why opposite FIG. 1 especially the radiator 6 ^{* is} described in detail.

Instead of a plurality of spherical radiator is in this embodiment now along the flow channel 3 extending and from the wall 2 for flushing with the medium sufficiently spaced radiator 6 ^* , in the cavity 18 are strung together several Einzelheizkörper 19. The individual heaters 19 each have a shell core 14 made of ferrite material, in which a short-circuited secondary winding 15 is housed. While an alternating magnetic field is applied to the secondary windings 15, these are heated and thereby heat the ferrite core 14. The ferrite cores 14 in turn heat the radiator 6 ^* , and this the flow medium M.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

Thus, the various embodiments are designed combinable. For example, a variety of individual radiators can be installed FIG. 1 each be wrapped with secondary windings. Also, instead of a single elongated ferrite-containing body 14, an arrangement of a plurality of such bodies can be arranged behind one another or next to one another in the interior 3.

The individual radiator shown as an example FIG. 1 must not be spherical, but may also be shaped differently, z. B. disc-shaped or annular.

According to an alternative, not shown embodiment, which in principle can also be combined with the two described embodiments ausgestaltbar, also the wall or at least a portion of the wall be configured as the radiator. For this purpose, the wall 2 then corresponding electrically conductive, in particular ferromagnetic, sections or is formed as a whole ferromagnetic, so that the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 5 heats the wall of the line. In such an embodiment, a heat-reflecting and / or heat-insulating layer is preferably arranged on the outside of the wall, in order to allow as complete a transfer of the heat as possible in the direction of the interior and of the medium.

While an arrangement of a cylindrical tube is described above as the wall with a coil that winds this arrangement, in principle also differently dimensioned configurations are possible. Instead of a circular tube, it is also possible to use an angular, elliptical or otherwise shaped conduit system. The coil does not necessarily have to be wound around the line 1, but in principle can also be configured from a multiplicity of individual coil conductors arranged laterally on the wall or adjacent to the wall. The coil may, with a corresponding electrical insulation, also be disposed within the wall or be integrated into the wall, for. B. be poured.

Also, the coils and coil cores can be configured differently, for. B. with a material other than a ferrite for a bobbin.

As an alternative to a corrosion coating can already be the base material corrosion resistant, z. As stainless steel, and it can be dispensed with a coating.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

heater

2

wall

3

flow channel

4

flange

5

Kitchen sink

6, 6 *

radiator

7

temperature sensor

8th

control device

9

Power connector

10

Coil cord

11

signal line

12

corrosion protection

13

pipe socket

14

ferrite-containing body

15

secondary winding

16

Heater

17

Heater

18

cavity

19

single radiator

H

Laundry drying device

M

fluid medium

Claims (10)

House area water heater (16; 17), comprising - A line (1) with at least one flow channel (3) for passing a fluid medium (M) and a heating device (5, 6; 5, 6 *) for heating the medium (M) in the line (1), characterized in that - The heating device (5, 6, 5, 6 *) at least one coil (5) for generating an alternating magnetic field and at least one heatable by the alternating magnetic field heating body (6, 6 *). Home-range instantaneous water heater (16; 17) according to claim 1, in which the at least one heating element (6; 6 *) is introduced into at least one flow channel (3). Home-range instantaneous water heater (16) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one heating element (6; 6 *) has an electrically conductive, in particular metallic, single heating element (6). Home-range instantaneous water heater (17) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one heating element (6 *) has at least one secondary winding, in particular short-circuited secondary winding (15). Home-range instantaneous water heater (17) according to Claim 4, in which the at least one heating body (6 *) has at least one coil core (14) made of a ferrite-containing material. Domestic continuous flow heater (16; 17) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coil (5) for generating the alternating magnetic field outside a wall (2) of the conduit (1) is arranged and the wall (2) at least partially free of a electrically conductive material is formed. Domestic instantaneous water heater according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one radiator is at least partially formed as a part of the wall (2) of the conduit (1). A home-range instantaneous water heater (16; 17) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the medium (M) is air, water or a liquor. Home-range instantaneous water heater (16; 17) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - The conduit (1) is tubular and externally wound with the coil (5) for generating the alternating magnetic field, and - The radiator (6, 6 *) is disposed within the area of the coil (5) wrapped. Domestic appliance (H), in particular hot water instantaneous water heater, washing machine, tumble dryer, washer-dryer or dishwasher,
characterized, that
the household appliance has at least one such home-range instantaneous water heater (16; 17).

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