EP3702695B1 - Continuous flow heater for heating a liquid and method for controlling the continuous flow heater - Google Patents

Continuous flow heater for heating a liquid and method for controlling the continuous flow heater Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3702695B1
EP3702695B1 EP19160119.4A EP19160119A EP3702695B1 EP 3702695 B1 EP3702695 B1 EP 3702695B1 EP 19160119 A EP19160119 A EP 19160119A EP 3702695 B1 EP3702695 B1 EP 3702695B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flow
heating
continuous
channels
liquid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP19160119.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3702695A1 (en
Inventor
Christian Koch
Klaus Beck
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gerdes Holding GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Gerdes Holding GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gerdes Holding GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Gerdes Holding GmbH and Co KG
Priority to PL19160119T priority Critical patent/PL3702695T3/en
Priority to EP19160119.4A priority patent/EP3702695B1/en
Priority to CN202010129097.1A priority patent/CN111623523B/en
Publication of EP3702695A1 publication Critical patent/EP3702695A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3702695B1 publication Critical patent/EP3702695B1/en
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
    • F24H9/2014—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using electrical energy supply
    • F24H9/2028—Continuous-flow heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/18—Arrangement or mounting of grates or heating means
    • F24H9/1809—Arrangement or mounting of grates or heating means for water heaters
    • F24H9/1818—Arrangement or mounting of electric heating means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/10—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium
    • F24H1/101—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply
    • F24H1/102—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply with resistance
    • F24H1/103—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply with resistance with bare resistances in direct contact with the fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/10—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the purpose of the control
    • F24H15/128—Preventing overheating
    • F24H15/132—Preventing the operation of water heaters with low water levels, e.g. dry-firing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
    • F24H15/238—Flow rate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/355—Control of heat-generating means in heaters
    • F24H15/37—Control of heat-generating means in heaters of electric heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/0005—Details for water heaters
    • F24H9/001—Guiding means
    • F24H9/0015—Guiding means in water channels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
    • F24H9/2014—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using electrical energy supply

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flow heater for heating a liquid, comprising a heating cartridge with at least one fluid-permeable channel arrangement, the channel arrangement being formed by a plurality of electrically heated heating channels set up for heating the liquid, by unheated empty channels and by flow deflection channels.
  • the invention also relates to a method for controlling a flow heater.
  • Such water heaters are well known, for example from the document DE 8332914 an electrically heated water heater with a channel body made of plastic. All heating channels are aligned vertically.
  • document DE1265380B shows a water heater according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for controlling a water heater according to the preamble of claim 13.
  • the disadvantage is that, especially when drawing small quantities of hot water, air can accumulate in the duct arrangement, which is particularly in the upper areas of the duct arrangement and / or accumulates in the overhead flow deflection channels. If these accumulations of air expand to the extent that they reach into the respective heating channels, the lack of contact with the liquid results in local overheating of the heating coil and ultimately its destruction.
  • a water heater with the features mentioned at the outset in that at least one of the empty channels is arranged between at least two of the heating channels by means of the flow deflection channels and each of the heating channels is aligned in an operational mounting position of the water heater in such a way that the liquid flow direction of each of the heating channels is at least points essentially against the force of gravity.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention has the advantage that reliable operation is always guaranteed in that the heating channels - even with only a low volume flow through the channel arrangement - are always filled with liquid to such an extent that there is no local overheating of the heating coil in the heating channels .
  • the heating channels are always completely filled with liquid even when flowing through with only a small volume flow. Any air bubbles present in the liquid rise upwards against the force of gravity due to their lower density in the liquid and collect at most in an upper position of the flow deflection channels. Air advantageously collects only in the area of the empty ducts and / or the flow deflection ducts, but not in the heating ducts.
  • An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the flow deflecting channels for deflecting the direction of liquid flow through 180 ° are U-shaped. A complete deflection of the liquid flow direction by 180 ° is achieved by means of the flow deflection channels. In this way it is achieved that all heating channels are traversed in the manner described above against the force of gravity.
  • a preferred development of the invention is characterized in that each of the empty channels is aligned in the operational assembly position of the flow heater in such a way that the liquid flow direction of each of the empty channels is at least essentially in the direction of gravity. In this way it is achieved that the liquid flows in the empty channels with the force of gravity, while the air components in the empty channels can remain in the areas not filled with the liquid and thus do not endanger the heating coil in the heating channels.
  • the instantaneous water heater is designed as a bare wire instantaneous water heater, each of the heating channels being designed for the arrangement at least one bare wire heating coil. At least one of the bare wire heating coils is preferably arranged in each of the heating channels. It is also possible that, depending on the desired device configuration, some of the heating channels remain unequipped, i.e. no bare wire heating coils are arranged in them.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least the idle channels are designed as an electrical insulation path between two bare wire heating coils of different electrical potential. In this way, each heating channel is electrically isolated from the other heating channels by the idle channel connected in between.
  • This offers the advantage that the bare wire heating coils can be interconnected as required, since any potential differences may arise between the respective bare wire heating coils due to the insulation paths formed between the respective bare wire heating coils.
  • At least one unheated flow channel is arranged upstream of the first of the heating channels in the liquid flow direction.
  • the unheated flow channel fulfills the function of an insulating section. The maximum leakage current that flows against earth potential is limited in this way to a specified maximum current.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one unheated follow-up channel is arranged after the last of the heating channels in the direction of liquid flow.
  • the function of the follow-up channel is analogous to that of the feed channel.
  • the unheated follow-up channel forms the required insulation path to the water outlet of the water heater.
  • the instantaneous water heater further comprises an assembly device which is designed to mount the instantaneous water heater in the operational assembly position.
  • a preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the assembly device and / or the instantaneous water heater includes an assembly aid by means of which the alignment of the instantaneous water heater in the operational assembly position can be recognized by the fitter.
  • the assembly aid can be designed, for example, as a wall support which is set up to be initially positioned and fastened to a wall in order to then hang the rear wall of the instantaneous water heater housing into it. It is also possible that the assembly aid consists of markings on the rear wall of the housing or the housing cover of the water heater so that the correct installation position, namely in the operational assembly position, can be easily recognized by the fitter.
  • the instantaneous water heater comprises a control device, the control device having at least one position sensor for detecting the installation position of the instantaneous water heater and being designed to compare the detected installation position with the specified operational installation position. In addition, if a difference between the detected installation position and the operational installation position is greater than a predefined maximum permissible deviation, the control device is set up to adapt a minimum flow volume on the basis of the installation position.
  • the instantaneous water heater further comprises a control device which is designed and set up to detect initial start-up and / or a lack of liquid in the duct arrangement and, if this is detected, to block the heating of the heating ducts from being switched on for a specified switch-on blocking period.
  • a control device which is designed and set up to detect initial start-up and / or a lack of liquid in the duct arrangement and, if this is detected, to block the heating of the heating ducts from being switched on for a specified switch-on blocking period. This ensures that the liquid flows through the channel arrangement for the duration of the predetermined switch-on blocking period without the heating of the heating channels being switched on.
  • This offers the advantage that the channel arrangement is flushed through with the liquid for a sufficiently long time in order to flush air present in the channel arrangement out of the channel arrangement.
  • a further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control device comprises a flow sensor for measuring the volume flow of the liquid flowing through the channel arrangement, and is designed to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels until a predetermined minimum flow volume is reached when the initial start-up is detected.
  • the aforementioned volume flow detection and blocking of the heating of the heating channels until the predetermined minimum flow volume is reached offers the advantage that it is ensured that a defined minimum volume of the liquid is initially allowed to flow through the channel arrangement.
  • the minimum flow volume is preferably two to three times the volume of the heating channels, the empty channels and the flow deflection channels of the channel arrangement. This ensures that a large part of the air previously located in the duct arrangement is removed from it.
  • control device is designed to determine, by integrating the recorded volume flow over time, a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement since the initial start-up or restart and to compare this with the specified minimum flow volume in order to achieve the Switching on the heating of the heating channels to block.
  • the object is achieved by a corresponding method with the features mentioned at the beginning, by detecting the volume flow of the liquid flowing through the channel arrangement by means of a flow sensor and, when the initial start-up is detected, blocking the activation of the heating of the heating channels to to achieve a predetermined minimum flow volume by means of a control device
  • a further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized by integrating the recorded volume flow over time to determine a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement since the initial start-up or restart and comparing the total flow volume with the specified minimum flow volume in order to switch on the To block the heating of the heating channels.
  • the installation position of the instantaneous water heater is detected by means of a position sensor of the control device, the detected installation position is compared with the specified operational installation position and, if a difference between the detected installation position and the operational installation position is greater than a preset maximum permissible deviation, the minimum flow volume is based adapted to the installation position. If an installation position deviating from the specified operational installation position is recognized, the minimum volume is increased by up to 0.5 liters per minute, for example.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary channel arrangement 10 of a heating cartridge - not shown in the drawing - of the flow heater according to the invention.
  • the flow heater is set up to heat a liquid 16 which passes through the fluid-permeable channel arrangement 10 in the direction of liquid flow 11.
  • the channel arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of heating channels 12.
  • four heating channels are shown as an example.
  • the present invention is not limited to the number of heating channels 12 shown. Rather, it is possible to arrange practically any number of the heating channels 12 in series, depending on requirements.
  • the heating channels 12 can also be arranged parallel to one another.
  • the heating channels 12 preferably have heating coils 13, by means of which the liquid 16 is electrically heated as it flows through the heating channels 12.
  • the duct arrangement 10 further comprises unheated empty ducts 14 and flow deflecting ducts 15. At least one of the empty ducts 14 is arranged between each two of the heating ducts 12. In other words, the heating ducts 12 are never connected directly to one another in series via the flow deflection ducts from a fluidic point of view, but rather separated from one another by at least one empty duct arranged between two of the heating ducts 12.
  • the heating channels 12 of the instantaneous water heater according to the invention are aligned and arranged in the instantaneous water heater in such a way that the liquid 16 flows through each of the heating channels 12 counter to or essentially counter to gravity. In other words, the liquid flow direction 11 in each of the heating channels 12 points against the force of gravity.
  • Fig. 2 is shown by way of example how the liquid 16 is distributed in the heating channel 12 and the empty channels 14 when only a small volume flow flows through the fluid-permeable channel arrangement.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention it is possible with the instantaneous water heater according to the invention to withdraw only small amounts of water per time in tap operation. If the volume flow through the channel arrangement 10 is correspondingly low, then the No longer regulate the flow rate within the channel arrangement 10 in order to transport air which is present in the channel arrangement 10 or which has accumulated due to air bubbles in the liquid 16 with the liquid flow out of the channel arrangement 10.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is also designed to be operated with only a low flow rate, preferably with a volume flow of less than 0.8 liters per minute, less than 1.5 liters per minute, or with a volume flow of less than 2.5 liters per minute. In the event that the installation position deviates from the specified operating installation position, this minimum flow volume can be increased by means of the control device, for example by up to 0.5 liters per minute.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is advantageously set up in such a way that when the liquid 16 to be heated flows through the channel arrangement against gravity, the heating channels 12 are completely filled with the liquid to be heated, at least in the area in which the heating coils 13 are arranged.
  • any air bubbles present in the liquid 16 rise against gravity due to their lower density compared to the liquid 16 and collect in an upper region 18 of one of the flow deflecting channels 15.
  • the operating pressure as well as the size of the volume flow determined by the dispensing line, air-filled areas 17 of different dimensions are formed.
  • the heating channels 12, and in particular those areas of the heating channels 12 which have heating coils 13, are always filled with liquid.
  • a column of liquid arises in the lower region 20 of the flow deflecting channel 15, while the region 17 above is filled with air.
  • the flow deflecting channels 15 are preferably U-shaped and designed to deflect the liquid flow direction 11 by 180 °.
  • the heating channel inlets 22 are thus each in a lower position 23, while the heating channel outlets 21 are each in an upper position 24.
  • the empty channels 14 are consequently aligned in the operational assembly position of the instantaneous water heater in such a way that the liquid flow direction 11 of each of the empty channels 14 points in the direction of gravity 25 or essentially in the direction of gravity 25.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is further preferably designed and set up as a bare wire instantaneous water heater.
  • at least one heating coil 13, which is designed as a bare wire heating coil, is arranged in each of the heating channels 12.
  • the empty channels 14 are advantageously designed as insulation sections, so that the heating coil 13 and its potential-carrying electrical connections 26 are insulated from one another.
  • the heating coil 13 with its electrical connections 26 to various electrical potentials. Because the empty channel 14 is always present around one of the heating channels 12 on the inlet and outlet side, it is not necessary, for example, with two adjacent heating channels 12 at the lower position 23 or the upper position 24, the electrical connections 26 of the two heating coils 13 on the same side to put on the same electrical potential. This enables a multitude of possibilities for supplying the heating coil 13 of the heating channels 12 with electrical energy.
  • the idle channels 14 are thus designed as an electrical insulation path between two of the bare wire heating coils with different electrical potentials.
  • At least one unheated flow channel 27 is arranged upstream of the first heating channel 12a in the direction of flow of liquid 11.
  • five flow channels 27 can be arranged in front of the first heating channel 12a.
  • the number of flow channels 27 depends in particular on the required length of the insulation path in order to comply with the specification of a maximum permissible leakage current.
  • 11 after the last of the heating channels in the direction of liquid flow are also preferred at least one unheated follow-up channel 28 is arranged.
  • the flow channels 27 and the follow-up channels 28 can - as shown in the drawing - be connected to one another by means of the flow deflection channels 15.
  • the housing of the instantaneous water heater according to the invention which consists, for example, of a housing rear wall and an at least partially removable housing cover.
  • the instantaneous water heater comprises at least one assembly device, by means of which the instantaneous water heater can be mounted in the operational assembly position.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is mounted on a wall as a wall unit.
  • the operational assembly position describes the position and orientation of the instantaneous water heater in the assembled state, in which the instantaneous water heater is properly operated.
  • the mounting device can be designed, for example, as a wall support element that is fastened to the wall.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is suspended with its rear side in this assembly device and thus fixed in the operational assembly position.
  • the assembly device and / or the instantaneous water heater comprises an assembly aid which is set up to make the correct alignment of the instantaneous water heater in the operational assembly position recognizable for the fitter.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention further comprises a control device - not shown in the drawing.
  • This control device is designed and set up to recognize an initial start-up and / or a lack of liquid in the channel arrangement 10.
  • the control device comprises storage means set up for this purpose as well as a microprocessor, by means of which the initial start-up of the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is recognized.
  • the instantaneous water heater according to the invention has sensor elements for detecting the lack of water, for example in the form of a volume flow sensor.
  • the control device is further designed to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels 12 for a predetermined switch-on blocking period in the event of detection.
  • the predetermined switch-on blocking period is preferably dimensioned such that the channel arrangement 10 is initially completely flowed through, so that all of the heating coils 13 are completely surrounded by the liquid 16.
  • the control device is preferably further designed to recognize the installation position of the instantaneous water heater.
  • the control device comprises at least one position sensor, for example in the form of an acceleration sensor, by means of which the control device detects the installation position in the earth's gravity field.
  • the control device is designed to compare the detected installation position with the specified operational installation position. If the difference between the detected installation position and the optimal operational installation position is greater than a specified maximum permissible deviation, the control device prevents the water heater from being put into operation and optionally indicates the incorrect alignment of the water heater to the user via a display.
  • control device allows the water heater to operate, but does not switch on the heating of the heating channels until the volume flow flowing through the channel arrangement 10 is greater than a predetermined minimum volume flow when operating in misalignment.
  • the predetermined minimum volume flow is selected by the manufacturer to be so large that it is sufficient to safely transport air in the duct arrangement 10 out with the liquid flow.
  • the duct arrangement 10 comprises a flow measuring device, for example a flow measuring turbine.
  • the control device further preferably comprises a flow sensor for measuring the volume flow of the liquid 16 flowing through the channel arrangement 10.
  • the control device is further designed to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels 12 until a predetermined minimum flow volume is reached when the initial start-up is detected. In this way, the exact amount of liquid that has already flowed through the channel arrangement 10 is recorded. The heating of the heating channels 12 is only released after the predetermined minimum flow volume has been reached.
  • the control device is also designed, in particular, to determine, by integrating the recorded volume flow over time, a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement 10 since the initial start-up or the restart. Furthermore, the control device is designed to compare this determined liquid volume with the predefined minimum flow volume and thus to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels 12 until this predefined minimum flow volume is reached.
  • the method according to the invention for controlling the water heater with the aforementioned features includes detecting an initial start-up and / or a lack of liquid in the duct arrangement 10, blocking the heating of the heating ducts 12 for a predetermined switch-on blocking period in the event of detection.
  • the volume flow of the liquid 16 flowing through the channel arrangement 10 is preferably detected by means of a flow sensor and, when the first start-up is detected, the activation of the heating of the heating channels 12 is blocked by a control device until a predetermined minimum flow volume is reached.
  • the recorded volume flow is recorded over the time to determine a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement 10 since the initial start-up or restart and to compare the flow volume with the specified minimum flow volume in order to switch on the heating of the heating channels 12 until the specified minimum volume is reached lock.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Instantaneous Water Boilers, Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses, And Control Of Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft einen Durchlauferhitzer zum Erwärmen einer Flüssigkeit, umfassend eine Heizkartusche mit mindestens einer fluidgängigen Kanalanordnung, wobei die Kanalanordnung durch eine Mehrzahl zum Erwärmen der Flüssigkeit eingerichteter elektrisch beheizter Heizkanäle, durch unbeheizte Leerkanäle sowie durch Strömungsumlenkkanäle gebildet ist.The present invention relates to a flow heater for heating a liquid, comprising a heating cartridge with at least one fluid-permeable channel arrangement, the channel arrangement being formed by a plurality of electrically heated heating channels set up for heating the liquid, by unheated empty channels and by flow deflection channels.

Des Weiteren betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Durchlauferhitzers.The invention also relates to a method for controlling a flow heater.

Derartige Durchlauferhitzer sind hinlänglich bekannt, beispielsweise geht aus dem Dokument DE 8332914 ein elektrisch beheizter Durchlauferhitzer mit einem aus Kunststoff bestehenden Kanalkörper hervor. Sämtliche Heizkanäle sind vertikal ausgerichtet.Such water heaters are well known, for example from the document DE 8332914 an electrically heated water heater with a channel body made of plastic. All heating channels are aligned vertically.

Dokument DE1265380B zeigt einen Durchlauferhitzer gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 und ein Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Durchlauferhitzer gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 13. Nachteilig ist, dass insbesondere beim Zapfen geringer Brauchwassermengen sich Luft in der Kanalanordnung ansammeln kann, die sich insbesondere in oben liegenden Bereichen der Kanalordnung und/oder den oben liegenden Strömungsumlenkkanälen ansammelt. Dehnen sich diese Luftansammlungen soweit aus, dass sie bis in den jeweiligen der Heizkanäle hineinreichen, kommt es auf Grund des fehlenden Kontakts mit der Flüssigkeit zu lokalen Überhitzungen der Heizwendel und schließlich zu deren Zerstörung.document DE1265380B shows a water heater according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for controlling a water heater according to the preamble of claim 13. The disadvantage is that, especially when drawing small quantities of hot water, air can accumulate in the duct arrangement, which is particularly in the upper areas of the duct arrangement and / or accumulates in the overhead flow deflection channels. If these accumulations of air expand to the extent that they reach into the respective heating channels, the lack of contact with the liquid results in local overheating of the heating coil and ultimately its destruction.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, einen Durchlauferhitzer vorzuschlagen, der auch bei dem Vorhandensein von Luftblasen in der zu erwärmenden Flüssigkeit stets einen zuverlässigen Betrieb gewährleistet. Des Weiteren ist es Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung einen Durchlauferhitzer vorzuschlagen, der einen Zapfbetrieb mit nur geringem Durchflussvolumen ermöglicht. Des Weiteren besteht die Aufgabe darin, ein Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Durchlauferhitzers vorzuschlagen.It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a flow heater which always ensures reliable operation even in the presence of air bubbles in the liquid to be heated. Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to propose an instantaneous water heater which enables tapping operation with only a small flow volume. Another object is to propose a method for controlling a flow heater.

Die Aufgabe wird durch einen Durchlauferhitzer mit den eingangs genannten Merkmalen dadurch gelöst, dass mindestens zwischen jeweils zwei der Heizkanäle mittels der Strömungsumlenkkanäle mindestens einer der Leerkanäle angeordnet ist und jeder der Heizkanäle in einer Betriebsmontageposition des Durchlauferhitzers derart ausgerichtet ist, dass die Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung jedes der Heizkanäle zumindest im Wesentlichen entgegen der Schwerkraft weist.The object is achieved by a water heater with the features mentioned at the outset in that at least one of the empty channels is arranged between at least two of the heating channels by means of the flow deflection channels and each of the heating channels is aligned in an operational mounting position of the water heater in such a way that the liquid flow direction of each of the heating channels is at least points essentially against the force of gravity.

Der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer weist den Vorteil auf, dass stets ein zuverlässiger Betrieb gewährleistet ist, in dem die Heizkanäle - auch bei nur geringem Volumenstrom durch die Kanalanordnung - stets soweit mit Flüssigkeit gefüllt sind, dass es keinesfalls zu einer lokalen Überhitzung der Heizwendel in den Heizkanälen kommt. Durch die Ausrichtung sämtlicher der Heizkanäle derart, dass diese entgegen der Schwerkraft durchströmt werden, also die Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung in jedem der Heizkanäle entgegen der Schwerkraft weist, findet auch beim Durchströmen mit nur einem geringen Volumenstrom stets eine vollständige Flüssigkeitsfüllung der Heizkanäle statt. Etwaige in der Flüssigkeit vorhandene Luftblasen steigen aufgrund ihrer geringeren Dichte in der Flüssigkeit entgegen der Schwerkraft nach oben auf und sammeln sich allenfalls in einer oberen Position der Strömungsumlenkkanäle. Vorteilhafterweise sammelt sich Luft ausschließlich im Bereich der Leerkanäle und/oder der Strömungsumlenkkanäle, nicht jedoch in den Heizkanälen.The instantaneous water heater according to the invention has the advantage that reliable operation is always guaranteed in that the heating channels - even with only a low volume flow through the channel arrangement - are always filled with liquid to such an extent that there is no local overheating of the heating coil in the heating channels . By aligning all of the heating channels in such a way that they are flowed through against gravity, i.e. the direction of flow of liquid in each of the heating channels is against gravity, the heating channels are always completely filled with liquid even when flowing through with only a small volume flow. Any air bubbles present in the liquid rise upwards against the force of gravity due to their lower density in the liquid and collect at most in an upper position of the flow deflection channels. Air advantageously collects only in the area of the empty ducts and / or the flow deflection ducts, but not in the heating ducts.

Eine zweckmäßige Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Strömungsumlenkkanäle zur Umlenkung der Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung um 180° U-förmig ausgebildet sind. Mittels der Strömungsumlenkkanäle wird eine vollständige Umlenkung der Flüssigkeitsströmungsrichtung um 180° erzielt. Auf diese Weise wird erreicht, dass alle Heizkanäle in der zuvor beschriebenen Weise entgegen der Schwerkraft durchströmt werden.An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the flow deflecting channels for deflecting the direction of liquid flow through 180 ° are U-shaped. A complete deflection of the liquid flow direction by 180 ° is achieved by means of the flow deflection channels. In this way it is achieved that all heating channels are traversed in the manner described above against the force of gravity.

Eine bevorzugte Weiterbildung der Erfindung zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass jeder der Leerkanäle in der Betriebsmontageposition des Durchlauferhitzers derart ausgerichtet ist, dass die Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung jedes der Leerkanäle zumindest im Wesentlichen in Schwerkraftrichtung weist. Auf diese Weise wird erreicht, dass die Flüssigkeit in den Leerkanälen mit der Schwerkraft strömt, während die Luftanteile in den Leerkanälen in den nicht mit der Flüssigkeit gefüllten Bereichen verbleiben können und so nicht zu einer Gefährdung der Heizwendel in den Heizkanälen führt. Weiter bevorzugt ist der Durchlauferhitzer als Blankdrahtdurchlauferhitzer ausgebildet, wobei jeder der Heizkanäle zur Anordnung mindestens eine Blankdrahtheizwendel ausgebildet ist. Vorzugsweise ist in jedem der Heizkanäle mindestens eine der Blankdrahtheizwendeln angeordnet. Auch ist es möglich, dass in Abhängigkeit der gewünschten Gerätekonfiguration einige der Heizkanäle unbestückt bleiben, also in diesen keine Blankdrahtheizwendeln angeordnet sind.A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that each of the empty channels is aligned in the operational assembly position of the flow heater in such a way that the liquid flow direction of each of the empty channels is at least essentially in the direction of gravity. In this way it is achieved that the liquid flows in the empty channels with the force of gravity, while the air components in the empty channels can remain in the areas not filled with the liquid and thus do not endanger the heating coil in the heating channels. More preferred the instantaneous water heater is designed as a bare wire instantaneous water heater, each of the heating channels being designed for the arrangement at least one bare wire heating coil. At least one of the bare wire heating coils is preferably arranged in each of the heating channels. It is also possible that, depending on the desired device configuration, some of the heating channels remain unequipped, i.e. no bare wire heating coils are arranged in them.

Eine weitere zweckmäßige Ausbildung der Erfindung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest die Leerlaufkanäle als elektrische Isolationsstrecke zwischen jeweils zwei Blankdrahtheizwendeln verschiedenen elektrischen Potenzials ausgebildet sind. Auf diese Weise ist jeder Heizkanal gegenüber den weiteren Heizkanälen durch den dazwischengeschalteten Leerlaufkanal elektrisch gegeneinander isoliert. Dies bietet den Vorteil, dass die Verschaltung der Blankdrahtheizwendeln wahlfrei erfolgen kann, da auf Grund der gebildeten Isolationsstrecken zwischen den jeweiligen Blankdrahtheizwendeln beliebige Potenzialdifferenzen auftreten dürfen. Mittels des unbeheizten Vorlaufkanals wird die erforderliche Isolationsstrecke zum Wassereinlauf des Durchlauferhitzers bereitgestellt, so dass der über den Vorlaufkanal fließende Ableitstrom einen vorgegebenen Maximalwert nicht überschreitet.Another expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least the idle channels are designed as an electrical insulation path between two bare wire heating coils of different electrical potential. In this way, each heating channel is electrically isolated from the other heating channels by the idle channel connected in between. This offers the advantage that the bare wire heating coils can be interconnected as required, since any potential differences may arise between the respective bare wire heating coils due to the insulation paths formed between the respective bare wire heating coils. By means of the unheated flow channel, the required insulation distance to the water inlet of the flow heater is provided, so that the leakage current flowing through the flow channel does not exceed a predetermined maximum value.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist in Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung vor dem ersten der Heizkanäle mindestens ein unbeheizter Vorlaufkanal angeordnet. Der unbeheizte Vorlaufkanal erfüllt die Funktion einer Isolationsstrecke. Der maximale Ableitstrom, der gegen Erdpotenzial fließt, wird auf diese Weise auf einen vorgegebenen Maximalstrom begrenzt.According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one unheated flow channel is arranged upstream of the first of the heating channels in the liquid flow direction. The unheated flow channel fulfills the function of an insulating section. The maximum leakage current that flows against earth potential is limited in this way to a specified maximum current.

Eine weitere zweckmäßige Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung nach dem letzten der Heizkanäle mindestens ein unbeheizter Nachlaufkanal angeordnet ist. Die Funktion des Nachlaufkanals entspricht in analoger Weise der des Vorlaufkanals.Another expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one unheated follow-up channel is arranged after the last of the heating channels in the direction of liquid flow. The function of the follow-up channel is analogous to that of the feed channel.

In analoger Weise bildet der ungeheizte Nachlaufkanal die erforderliche Isolationsstrecke zum Wasserauslauf des Durchlauferhitzers. Mittels der Montageeinrichtung ist es möglich, den Durchlauferhitzer in der geforderten Betriebsmontageposition auf besonders einfache Weise auszurichten und zu montieren. Auf diese Weise wird sichergestellt, dass in jedem Fall eine lagegerechte Montage erfolgt und die zuvor genannte Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung in jedem der Heizkanäle entgegen der Schwerkraft oder im Wesentlichen entgegen der Schwerkraft ausgerichtet ist.In an analogous manner, the unheated follow-up channel forms the required insulation path to the water outlet of the water heater. By means of the assembly device, it is possible to align and assemble the instantaneous water heater in the required operating assembly position in a particularly simple manner. In this way it is ensured that in each case a correctly positioned assembly and the aforementioned Liquid flow direction is aligned in each of the heating channels against gravity or substantially against gravity.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausbildung der Erfindung umfasst der Durchlauferhitzer weiter eine Montageeinrichtung, die zur Montage des Durchlauferhitzers in der Betriebsmontageposition eingerichtet ist.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the instantaneous water heater further comprises an assembly device which is designed to mount the instantaneous water heater in the operational assembly position.

Eine bevorzugte Weiterbildung der Erfindung zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass die Montageeinrichtung und/oder der Durchlauferhitzer eine Montagehilfe umfasst, anhand derer die Ausrichtung des Durchlauferhitzers in der Betriebsmontageposition für den Monteur erkennbar ist. Die Montagehilfe kann beispielsweise als Wandträger ausgebildet sein, die eingerichtet ist, zunächst an einer Wand positioniert und befestigt zu werden, um anschließend die Rückwand des Durchlauferhitzergehäuses in dieser einzuhängen. Auch ist es möglich, dass die Montagehilfe aus Markierungen an der Gehäuserückwand oder der Gehäusehaube des Durchlauferhitzers besteht, so dass für den Monteur die korrekte Einbaulage, nämlich in der Betriebsmontageposition, auf einfache Weise erkennbar ist.A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the assembly device and / or the instantaneous water heater includes an assembly aid by means of which the alignment of the instantaneous water heater in the operational assembly position can be recognized by the fitter. The assembly aid can be designed, for example, as a wall support which is set up to be initially positioned and fastened to a wall in order to then hang the rear wall of the instantaneous water heater housing into it. It is also possible that the assembly aid consists of markings on the rear wall of the housing or the housing cover of the water heater so that the correct installation position, namely in the operational assembly position, can be easily recognized by the fitter.

Gemäß der Erfindung umfasst der Durchlauferhitzer eine Steuereinrichtung wobei die Steuereinrichtung mindestens einen Lagesensor zur Erkennung der Einbaulage des Durchlauferhitzers und ist ausgebildet, die erfasste Einbaulage mit der vorgegebenen Betriebsmontageposition zu vergleichen. Zudem ist die Steuereinrichtung eingerichtet, sofern eine Differenz zwischen erfasster Einbaulage und der Betriebsmontageposition größer als eine vorgegebene maximal zulässige Abweichung ist, ein Mindestdurchflussvolumen auf Basis der Einbaulage anzupassen. Auf diese Weise wird stets sichergestellt, dass entsprechend der tatsächlichen Einbaulage des Durchlauferhitzers eine ausreichende Durchströmung der Heizkanäle gewährleistet ist, um auch bei einer nicht exakten Ausrichtung der Heizkanäle in Schwerkraftrichtung sicherzustellen, dass stets der erforderliche Mindestvolumenstrom durch die Heizkanäle strömt, um eine Ansammlung von Luft bzw. Luftblasen in den Heizkanälen sicher zu verhindern.According to the invention, the instantaneous water heater comprises a control device, the control device having at least one position sensor for detecting the installation position of the instantaneous water heater and being designed to compare the detected installation position with the specified operational installation position. In addition, if a difference between the detected installation position and the operational installation position is greater than a predefined maximum permissible deviation, the control device is set up to adapt a minimum flow volume on the basis of the installation position. In this way, it is always ensured that, depending on the actual installation position of the instantaneous water heater, sufficient flow through the heating ducts is guaranteed in order to ensure that the required minimum volume flow always flows through the heating ducts, even if the heating ducts are not precisely aligned in the direction of gravity, in order to avoid an accumulation of air or to reliably prevent air bubbles in the heating ducts.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausbildung der Erfindung umfasst der Durchlauferhitzer weiter eine Steuereinrichtung, die ausgebildet und eingerichtet ist, eine Erstinbetriebnahme und/oder einen Flüssigkeitsmangel in der Kanalanordnung zu erkennen und im Erkennungsfall ein Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle für eine vorgegebene Einschaltsperrdauer zu sperren. Auf diese Weise wird sichergestellt, dass für die Dauer der vorgegebenen Einschaltsperrdauer die Flüssigkeit durch die Kanalanordnung fließt, ohne dass die Heizung der Heizkanäle dabei eingeschaltet ist. Dies bietet den Vorteil, dass die Kanalanordnung hinreichend lange mit der Flüssigkeit durchspült wird, um in der Kanalanordnung vorhandene Luft aus der Kanalanordnung heraus zu spülen.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the instantaneous water heater further comprises a control device which is designed and set up to detect initial start-up and / or a lack of liquid in the duct arrangement and, if this is detected, to block the heating of the heating ducts from being switched on for a specified switch-on blocking period. This ensures that the liquid flows through the channel arrangement for the duration of the predetermined switch-on blocking period without the heating of the heating channels being switched on. This offers the advantage that the channel arrangement is flushed through with the liquid for a sufficiently long time in order to flush air present in the channel arrangement out of the channel arrangement.

Eine weitere zweckmäßige Ausbildung der Erfindung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Steuereinrichtung einen Durchflusssensor zur Volumenstromerfassung der durch die Kanalanordnung strömenden Flüssigkeit umfasst, und ausgebildet ist, bei erkannter Erstinbetriebnahme das Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle bis zum Erreichen eines vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumens zu sperren. Die genannte Volumenstromerfassung und Sperrung der Beheizung der Heizkanäle bis zum Erreichen des vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumens bietet den Vorteil, dass sichergestellt wird, zunächst ein definiertes Mindestvolumen der Flüssigkeit durch die Kanalanordnung fließen zu lassen. Vorzugsweise beträgt das Mindestdurchflussvolumen das zwei- bis dreifache Volumen der Heizkanäle, der Leerkanäle und der Strömungsumlenkkanäle der Kanalanordnung. So ist sichergestellt, dass ein Großteil der zuvor in der Kanalanordnung befindlichen Luft aus dieser entfernt wird.A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control device comprises a flow sensor for measuring the volume flow of the liquid flowing through the channel arrangement, and is designed to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels until a predetermined minimum flow volume is reached when the initial start-up is detected. The aforementioned volume flow detection and blocking of the heating of the heating channels until the predetermined minimum flow volume is reached offers the advantage that it is ensured that a defined minimum volume of the liquid is initially allowed to flow through the channel arrangement. The minimum flow volume is preferably two to three times the volume of the heating channels, the empty channels and the flow deflection channels of the channel arrangement. This ensures that a large part of the air previously located in the duct arrangement is removed from it.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Steuereinrichtung ausgebildet, durch Integration des erfassten Volumenstromes über die Zeit ein Durchflussvolumen des seit der Erstinbetriebnahme oder Wiederinbetriebnahme durch die Kanalanordnung geflossenen Flüssigkeitsvolumens zu ermitteln und dieses mit dem vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumen zu vergleichen, um bis zum Erreichen des vorgegebenen Mindestvolumens das Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle zu sperren.According to a further preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to determine, by integrating the recorded volume flow over time, a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement since the initial start-up or restart and to compare this with the specified minimum flow volume in order to achieve the Switching on the heating of the heating channels to block.

Dies bietet den Vorteil das auf besonders einfache Weise mittels der vorhandenen Volumenstromerfassung rechnerisch das bereits durch die Kanalanordnung geflossene Flüssigkeitsvolumen bestimmt werden kann, um so das Sperren bzw. Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle nach Durchströmung mit dem Mindestdurchflussvolumen zu gewährleisten.This offers the advantage that the volume of liquid that has already flowed through the channel arrangement can be computed in a particularly simple manner by means of the existing volume flow recording, in order to ensure that the heating channels are blocked or switched on after the flow has reached the minimum flow volume.

Des Weiteren wird die Aufgabe durch ein entsprechendes Verfahren mit den eingangs genannten Merkmalen gelöst, durch Erfassen des Volumenstromes der durch die Kanalanordnung strömenden Flüssigkeit mittels eines Durchflusssensors und bei erkannter Erstinbetriebnahme Sperren der Einschaltung der Beheizung der Heizkanäle bis zum Erreichen eines vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumens mittels einer SteuereinrichtungFurthermore, the object is achieved by a corresponding method with the features mentioned at the beginning, by detecting the volume flow of the liquid flowing through the channel arrangement by means of a flow sensor and, when the initial start-up is detected, blocking the activation of the heating of the heating channels to to achieve a predetermined minimum flow volume by means of a control device

Eine weitere zweckmäßige Ausbildung der Erfindung ist gekennzeichnet durch Integrieren des erfassten Volumenstromes über die Zeit zur Ermittlung eines Durchflussvolumens des seit der Erstinbetriebnahme oder Wiederinbetriebnahme durch die Kanalanordnung geflossenen Flüssigkeitsvolumens und Vergleichen des Gesamtdurchflussvolumens mit dem vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumen, um bis zum Erreichen des vorgegebenen Mindestvolumens das Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle zu sperren.A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized by integrating the recorded volume flow over time to determine a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement since the initial start-up or restart and comparing the total flow volume with the specified minimum flow volume in order to switch on the To block the heating of the heating channels.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung wird die Einbaulage des Durchlauferhitzers mittels eines Lagesensors der Steuereinrichtung erkannt, die erfasste Einbaulage mit der vorgegebenen Betriebsmontageposition verglichen und, sofern eine Differenz zwischen erfasster Einbaulage und der Betriebsmontageposition größer als eine vorgegebene maximal zulässige Abweichung ist, das Mindestdurchflussvolumen auf Basis der Einbaulage angepasst. Wird eine von der vorgegebenen Betriebsmontageposition abweichende Einbaulage erkannt, wird beispielsweise das Mindestvolumen um bis zu 0,5 Liter pro Minute erhöht.According to an advantageous development of the invention, the installation position of the instantaneous water heater is detected by means of a position sensor of the control device, the detected installation position is compared with the specified operational installation position and, if a difference between the detected installation position and the operational installation position is greater than a preset maximum permissible deviation, the minimum flow volume is based adapted to the installation position. If an installation position deviating from the specified operational installation position is recognized, the minimum volume is increased by up to 0.5 liters per minute, for example.

Die sich aus dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren ergebenden Vorteile sind bereits im Zusammenhang mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Durchlauferhitzer im Detail beschrieben worden. Zur Vermeidung von Wiederholungen wird auch im Zusammenhang mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren auf die zuvor gemachten Ausführungen verwiesen.The advantages resulting from the method according to the invention have already been described in detail in connection with the instantaneous water heater according to the invention. To avoid repetition, reference is also made to the statements made above in connection with the method according to the invention.

Weitere bevorzugte und/oder zweckmäßige Merkmale und Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen und der Beschreibung. Besonders bevorzugte Ausführungsformen werden anhand der beigefügten Zeichnung näher erläutert. In der Zeichnung zeigt:

Fig. 1
eine schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Kanalordnung des erfindungsgemäßen Durchlauferhitzers und
Fig. 2
eine schematische Ansicht eines Heizkanals mit Strömumgsumlenckanälen und unbeheizten Leerkanälen.
Further preferred and / or useful features and configurations of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing shows:
Fig. 1
a schematic view of an exemplary channel arrangement of the flow heater according to the invention and
Fig. 2
a schematic view of a heating duct with flow reversal ducts and unheated empty ducts.

Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Kanalordnung 10 einer - in der Zeichnung nicht gezeigten - Heizkartusche des erfindungsgemäßen Durchlauferhitzers. Der Durchlauferhitzer ist zum Erwärmen einer Flüssigkeit 16 eingerichtet, die die fluidgängige Kanalanordnung 10 in Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung 11 passiert. Wie in Fig. 1 gezeigt, umfasst die Kanalanordnung 10 mehrere Heizkanäle 12. In Fig. 1 sind beispielhaft vier Heizkanäle gezeigt. Die vorliegende Erfindung ist jedoch nicht auf die gezeigte Anzahl an Heizkanälen 12 beschränkt. Vielmehr ist es möglich, praktisch eine beliebige Anzahl der Heizkanäle 12 bedarfsabhängig in Serie anzuordnen. Auch können die Heizkanäle 12 parallel zueinander angeordnet werden. Die Heizkanäle 12 weisen vorzugsweise Heizwendeln 13 auf, mittels derer die Flüssigkeit 16 beim Durchströmen der Heizkanäle 12 elektrisch beheizt wird. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary channel arrangement 10 of a heating cartridge - not shown in the drawing - of the flow heater according to the invention. The flow heater is set up to heat a liquid 16 which passes through the fluid-permeable channel arrangement 10 in the direction of liquid flow 11. As in Fig. 1 As shown, the channel arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of heating channels 12. In Fig. 1 four heating channels are shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the number of heating channels 12 shown. Rather, it is possible to arrange practically any number of the heating channels 12 in series, depending on requirements. The heating channels 12 can also be arranged parallel to one another. The heating channels 12 preferably have heating coils 13, by means of which the liquid 16 is electrically heated as it flows through the heating channels 12.

Die erfindungsgemäße Kanalanordnung 10 umfasst weiter unbeheizte Leerkanäle 14 sowie Strömungsumlenkkanäle 15. Zwischen jeweils zwei der Heizkanäle 12 ist jeweils mindestens einer der Leerkanäle 14 angeordnet. Anders ausgedrückt sind die Heizkanäle 12 niemals unmittelbar miteinander in Serie über die Stromumlenkungskanäle aus strömungstechnischer Sicht geschaltet, sondern jeweils durch mindestens einen zwischen zwei der Heizkanäle 12 angeordneten Leerkanal voneinander getrennt.The duct arrangement 10 according to the invention further comprises unheated empty ducts 14 and flow deflecting ducts 15. At least one of the empty ducts 14 is arranged between each two of the heating ducts 12. In other words, the heating ducts 12 are never connected directly to one another in series via the flow deflection ducts from a fluidic point of view, but rather separated from one another by at least one empty duct arranged between two of the heating ducts 12.

Die Heizkanäle 12 des erfindungsgemäßen Durchlauferhitzers sind derart in dem Durchlauferhitzer ausgerichtet und angeordnet, dass jeder der Heizkanäle 12 entgegen oder im Wesentlichen entgegen der Schwerkraft von der Flüssigkeit 16 durchströmt wird. Anders ausgedrückt weist die Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung 11 in jedem der Heizkanäle 12 entgegen der Schwerkraft.The heating channels 12 of the instantaneous water heater according to the invention are aligned and arranged in the instantaneous water heater in such a way that the liquid 16 flows through each of the heating channels 12 counter to or essentially counter to gravity. In other words, the liquid flow direction 11 in each of the heating channels 12 points against the force of gravity.

Die sich daraus ergebenden technischen Vorteile sollen anhand der Fig. 2 im Folgenden näher erläutert werden. In Fig. 2 ist beispielhaft gezeigt, wie sich die Flüssigkeit 16 in dem Heizkanal 12 sowie den Leerkanälen 14 verteilt, wenn nur ein geringer Volumenstrom durch die fluidgängige Kanalanordnung fließt.The resulting technical advantages should be based on the Fig. 2 are explained in more detail below. In Fig. 2 is shown by way of example how the liquid 16 is distributed in the heating channel 12 and the empty channels 14 when only a small volume flow flows through the fluid-permeable channel arrangement.

Wie im Folgenden erläutert wird, ist es mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Durchlauferhitzer möglich, im Zapfbetrieb auch nur geringe Wassermengen pro Zeit zu entnehmen. Ist der Volumenstrom durch die Kanalanordnung 10 entsprechend gering so reicht in der Regel die Strömungsgeschwindigkeit innerhalb der Kanalanordnung 10 nicht mehr aus, um in der Kanalanordnung 10 vorhandene oder sich auf Grund von in der Flüssigkeit 16 befindlichen Luftblasen ansammelnde Luft mit dem Flüssigkeitsstrom aus der Kanalanordnung 10 zu transportieren. Der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer ist also eingerichtet, auch bei nur geringem Durchflussvolumenstrom betrieben zu werden, vorzugsweise bei einem Volumenstrom kleiner 0,8 Liter pro Minute, kleiner 1,5 Liter pro Minute, oder bei einem Volumenstrom kleiner 2,5 Liter pro Minute. Im Fall einer erkannten Einbaulagenabweichung von der vorgegebenen Betriebsmontageposition kann dieses Mindestdurchflussvolumen mittels der Steuereinrichtung erhöht werden, beispielsweise um bis zu 0,5 Liter Pro Minute.As will be explained in the following, it is possible with the instantaneous water heater according to the invention to withdraw only small amounts of water per time in tap operation. If the volume flow through the channel arrangement 10 is correspondingly low, then the No longer regulate the flow rate within the channel arrangement 10 in order to transport air which is present in the channel arrangement 10 or which has accumulated due to air bubbles in the liquid 16 with the liquid flow out of the channel arrangement 10. The instantaneous water heater according to the invention is also designed to be operated with only a low flow rate, preferably with a volume flow of less than 0.8 liters per minute, less than 1.5 liters per minute, or with a volume flow of less than 2.5 liters per minute. In the event that the installation position deviates from the specified operating installation position, this minimum flow volume can be increased by means of the control device, for example by up to 0.5 liters per minute.

Bekanntermaßen führen Luftansammlungen im Bereich der Heizwendel 13 zu lokaler Überhitzung derselben, was bis zur Zerstörung der Heizwendel 13 führen kann. Vorteilhafterweise ist der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer so eingerichtet, dass beim Durchströmen der Kanalanordnung mit der zu erwärmenden Flüssigkeit 16 entgegen der Schwerkraft die Heizkanäle 12 zumindest in dem Bereich, in dem die Heizwendeln 13 angeordnet sind, vollständig mit der zu erwärmenden Flüssigkeit gefüllt sind.As is known, accumulations of air in the area of the heating coil 13 lead to local overheating of the same, which can lead to the destruction of the heating coil 13. The instantaneous water heater according to the invention is advantageously set up in such a way that when the liquid 16 to be heated flows through the channel arrangement against gravity, the heating channels 12 are completely filled with the liquid to be heated, at least in the area in which the heating coils 13 are arranged.

Etwaige in der Flüssigkeit 16 vorhandene Luftblasen steigen auf Grund ihrer geringeren Dichte im Vergleich zu der Flüssigkeit 16 entgegen der Schwerkraft auf und sammeln sich in einem oberen Bereich 18 eines der Strömungsumlenkkanäle 15. In Abhängigkeit der Menge an mit der Flüssigkeit 16 mitgeführter Luft, des Betriebsdrucks sowie der Größe des durch die Zapfleitung bestimmten Volumenstroms bilden sich luftgefüllte Bereiche 17 unterschiedlicher Ausdehnung aus.Any air bubbles present in the liquid 16 rise against gravity due to their lower density compared to the liquid 16 and collect in an upper region 18 of one of the flow deflecting channels 15. Depending on the amount of air entrained with the liquid 16, the operating pressure as well as the size of the volume flow determined by the dispensing line, air-filled areas 17 of different dimensions are formed.

Ist der die Kanalanordnung 10 durchfließende Volumenstrom der Flüssigkeit 16 - wie zuvor beschrieben - so gering, dass die Flüssigkeit 16 nur über einen Teilbereich der Querschnittsfläche der Leerkanäle 14 strömt, so fließt die Flüssigkeit 16 jeweils in den Leerkanälen 14 insbesondere an der Innenwandung 19 der Leerkanäle 14 in Richtung der Schwerkraft und sammelt sich in einem unteren Bereich 20 des jeweiligen Strömungsumlenkkanals 15. Erfindungsgemäß wird so erreicht, dass die Heizkanäle 12, und insbesondere diejenigen Bereiche der Heizkanäle 12, die Heizwendeln 13 aufweisen, stets flüssigkeitsgefüllt sind. In den Leerkanälen 14 stellt sich - wie zuvor beschrieben -jeweils in dem unteren Bereich 20 des Strömungsumlenkkanals 15 eine Flüssigkeitssäule ein, während der darüberliegende Bereich 17 mit Luft gefüllt ist.If the volume flow of the liquid 16 flowing through the channel arrangement 10 - as described above - is so low that the liquid 16 only flows over a partial area of the cross-sectional area of the empty channels 14, the liquid 16 flows in each of the empty channels 14, in particular on the inner wall 19 of the empty channels 14 in the direction of gravity and collects in a lower region 20 of the respective flow deflection channel 15. According to the invention, the heating channels 12, and in particular those areas of the heating channels 12 which have heating coils 13, are always filled with liquid. In each of the empty channels 14 - as described above - a column of liquid arises in the lower region 20 of the flow deflecting channel 15, while the region 17 above is filled with air.

Vorzugsweise sind die Strömungsumlenkkanäle 15 U-förmig ausgebildet und eingerichtet, die Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung 11 um 180° umzulenken. Damit befinden sich die Heizkanaleinläufe 22 jeweils in einer unteren Position 23, während sich die Heizkanalausläufe 21 jeweils in einer oberen Position 24 befinden.The flow deflecting channels 15 are preferably U-shaped and designed to deflect the liquid flow direction 11 by 180 °. The heating channel inlets 22 are thus each in a lower position 23, while the heating channel outlets 21 are each in an upper position 24.

Die Leerkanäle 14 sind folglich in der Betriebsmontageposition des Durchlauferhitzers derart ausgerichtet, dass die Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung 11 jedes der Leerkanäle 14 in Schwerkraftrichtung 25 oder im Wesentlichen in Schwerkraftrichtung 25 weist.The empty channels 14 are consequently aligned in the operational assembly position of the instantaneous water heater in such a way that the liquid flow direction 11 of each of the empty channels 14 points in the direction of gravity 25 or essentially in the direction of gravity 25.

Weiter bevorzugt ist der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer als Blankdrahtdurchlauferhitzer ausgebildet und eingerichtet. Hierzu ist in jedem der Heizkanäle 12 mindestens eine Heizwendel 13, die als Blankdrahtheizwendel ausgebildet ist, angeordnet. Die Leerkanäle 14 sind vorteilhafterweise als Isolationsstrecken ausgebildet, so dass die Heizwendel 13 sowie deren potenzialführenden elektrischen Anschlüsse 26 voneinander isoliert sind.The instantaneous water heater according to the invention is further preferably designed and set up as a bare wire instantaneous water heater. For this purpose, at least one heating coil 13, which is designed as a bare wire heating coil, is arranged in each of the heating channels 12. The empty channels 14 are advantageously designed as insulation sections, so that the heating coil 13 and its potential-carrying electrical connections 26 are insulated from one another.

Vorteilhafterweise ist es so möglich, die Heizwendel 13 mit ihren elektrischen Anschlüssen 26 wahlfrei an verschiedene elektrische Potenziale anzuschließen. Auf Grund des stets um jeweils einen der Heizkanäle 12 einlauf- und auslaufseitig vorhandenen Leerkanals 14 ist es nicht erforderlich, beispielsweise bei zwei benachbarten Heizkanälen 12 an der unteren Position 23 oder der oberen Position 24 die auf derselben Seite liegenden elektrischen Anschlüsse 26 der beiden Heizwendeln 13 auf dasselbe elektrische Potenzial zu legen. Dies ermöglicht eine Vielzahl von Möglichkeiten, die Heizwendel 13 der Heizkanäle 12 mit elektrischer Energie zu versorgen. Die Leerlaufkanäle 14 sind also als elektrische Isolationstrecke zwischen zwei der Blankdrahtheizwendel verschiedenen elektrischen Potenzials ausgebildet.It is advantageously possible in this way to connect the heating coil 13 with its electrical connections 26 to various electrical potentials. Because the empty channel 14 is always present around one of the heating channels 12 on the inlet and outlet side, it is not necessary, for example, with two adjacent heating channels 12 at the lower position 23 or the upper position 24, the electrical connections 26 of the two heating coils 13 on the same side to put on the same electrical potential. This enables a multitude of possibilities for supplying the heating coil 13 of the heating channels 12 with electrical energy. The idle channels 14 are thus designed as an electrical insulation path between two of the bare wire heating coils with different electrical potentials.

Wie in Fig. 1 gezeigt, ist in Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung 11 vor dem ersten Heizkanal 12a mindestens ein unbeheizter Vorlaufkanal 27 angeordnet.As in Fig. 1 As shown, at least one unheated flow channel 27 is arranged upstream of the first heating channel 12a in the direction of flow of liquid 11.

Wie in Fig. 1 gezeigt, können beispielsweise fünf Vorlaufkanäle 27 vor dem ersten Heizkanal 12a angeordnet sein. Die Anzahl der Vorlaufkanäle 27 richtet sich insbesondere nach der erforderlichen Länge der Isolationsstrecke, um die Vorgabe eines maximal zulässigen Ableitstromes einzuhalten. Weiter bevorzugt sind in analoger Weise in Flüssigkeitsdurchströmungsrichtung 11 nach dem letzten der Heizkanäle mindestens ein unbeheizter Nachlaufkanal 28 angeordnet. Die Vorlaufkanäle 27 sowie die Nachlaufkanäle 28 können - wie in der Zeichnung gezeigt - mittels der Strömungsumlenkkanäle 15 untereinander verbunden sein.As in Fig. 1 shown, for example, five flow channels 27 can be arranged in front of the first heating channel 12a. The number of flow channels 27 depends in particular on the required length of the insulation path in order to comply with the specification of a maximum permissible leakage current. In an analogous manner, 11 after the last of the heating channels in the direction of liquid flow are also preferred at least one unheated follow-up channel 28 is arranged. The flow channels 27 and the follow-up channels 28 can - as shown in the drawing - be connected to one another by means of the flow deflection channels 15.

In der Zeichnung nicht gezeigt ist das Gehäuse des erfindungsgemäßen Durchlauferhitzers, das beispielsweise aus einer Gehäuserückwand und einer zumindest teilweise abnehmbaren Gehäusehaube besteht. Der Durchlauferhitzer umfasst mindestens eine Montageeinrichtung, mittels derer der Durchlauferhitzer in der Betriebsmontageposition montierbar ist. In der Regel wird der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer als Wandgerät an einer Wand montiert.Not shown in the drawing is the housing of the instantaneous water heater according to the invention, which consists, for example, of a housing rear wall and an at least partially removable housing cover. The instantaneous water heater comprises at least one assembly device, by means of which the instantaneous water heater can be mounted in the operational assembly position. As a rule, the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is mounted on a wall as a wall unit.

Die Betriebsmontageposition bezeichnet die Position und Ausrichtung des Durchlauferhitzers im montierten Zustand, in der der Durchlauferhitzer ordnungsgemäß betrieben wird. Die Montageeinrichtung kann beispielsweise als Wandträgerelement ausgebildet sein, das an der Wand befestigt wird. Der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer wird in einem zweiten Schritt in diese Montageeinrichtung mit seiner Rückseite eingehängt und so in der Betriebsmontageposition fixiert. Weiter bevorzugt umfasst die Montageeinrichtung und/oder der Durchlauferhitzer eine Montagehilfe, die eingerichtet ist, die korrekte Ausrichtung des Durchlauferhitzers in der Betriebsmontageposition für den Monteur erkennbar zu machen.The operational assembly position describes the position and orientation of the instantaneous water heater in the assembled state, in which the instantaneous water heater is properly operated. The mounting device can be designed, for example, as a wall support element that is fastened to the wall. In a second step, the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is suspended with its rear side in this assembly device and thus fixed in the operational assembly position. More preferably, the assembly device and / or the instantaneous water heater comprises an assembly aid which is set up to make the correct alignment of the instantaneous water heater in the operational assembly position recognizable for the fitter.

Der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer umfasst weiter eine - in der Zeichnung nicht gezeigte - Steuereinrichtung. Diese Steuereinrichtung ist ausgebildet und eingerichtet, eine Erstinbetriebnahme und/oder einen Flüssigkeitsmangel in der Kanalanordnung 10 zu erkennen. Die Steuereinrichtung umfasst hierzu eingerichtete Speichermittel sowie ein Mikroprozessor, mittels derer die Erstinbetriebnahme des erfindungsgemäßen Durchlauferhitzers erkannt wird. Zum Erkennen eines Flüssigkeitsmangels in der Kanalanordnung 10 weist der erfindungsgemäße Durchlauferhitzer Sensorelemente zur Wassermangelerkennung, beispielsweise in Form eines Volumenstromsensors auf. Die Steuereinrichtung ist weiter ausgebildet, im Erkennungsfall ein Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle 12 für eine vorgegebene Einschaltsperrdauer zu sperren. Die vorgegebene Einschaltsperrdauer wird vorzugsweise so bemessen, dass die Kanalanordnung 10 zunächst vollständig durchströmt wird, so dass sämtliche der Heizwendeln 13 vollständig von der Flüssigkeit 16 umgeben sind.The instantaneous water heater according to the invention further comprises a control device - not shown in the drawing. This control device is designed and set up to recognize an initial start-up and / or a lack of liquid in the channel arrangement 10. The control device comprises storage means set up for this purpose as well as a microprocessor, by means of which the initial start-up of the instantaneous water heater according to the invention is recognized. To detect a lack of liquid in the channel arrangement 10, the instantaneous water heater according to the invention has sensor elements for detecting the lack of water, for example in the form of a volume flow sensor. The control device is further designed to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels 12 for a predetermined switch-on blocking period in the event of detection. The predetermined switch-on blocking period is preferably dimensioned such that the channel arrangement 10 is initially completely flowed through, so that all of the heating coils 13 are completely surrounded by the liquid 16.

Vorzugsweise ist die Steuereinrichtung weiter ausgebildet, die Einbaulage des Durchlauferhitzers zu erkennen. Hierzu umfasst die Steuereinrichtung mindestens einen Lagesensor, beispielsweise in Form eines Beschleunigungssensors, mittels dessen die Steuereinrichtung die Einbaulage im Schwerkraftfeld der Erde erfasst. Die Steuereinrichtung ist ausgebildet, die erfasste Einbaulage mit der vorgegebenen Betriebsmontageposition zu vergleichen. Ist die Differenz zwischen erfasster Einbaulage und der optimalen Betriebsmontageposition größer als eine vorgegebene maximal zulässige Abweichung, verhindert die Steuereinrichtung eine Inbetriebnahme des Durchlauferhitzers und weist den Anwender optional über eine Anzeige auf die fehlerhafte Ausrichtung des Durchlauferhitzers hin. Alternativ lässt die Steuereinrichtung den Betrieb des Durchlauferhitzers zu, schaltet jedoch die Beheizung der Heizkanäle erst dann ein, wenn der durch die Kanalanordnung 10 fließende Volumenstrom größer als ein vorgegebener Mindestvolumenstrom bei Betrieb in Fehlausrichtung ist. Der vorgegebene Mindestvolumenstrom wird herstellerseitig in jedem Fall so groß gewählt, dass dieser ausreicht, um in der Kanalanordnung 10 befindliche Luft sicher mit dem Flüssigkeitsstrom heraus zu transportieren. Zur Messung des Volumenstromes umfasst die Kanalanordnung 10 eine Durchflussmesseinrichtung, beispielsweise eine Durchflussmessturbine.The control device is preferably further designed to recognize the installation position of the instantaneous water heater. For this purpose, the control device comprises at least one position sensor, for example in the form of an acceleration sensor, by means of which the control device detects the installation position in the earth's gravity field. The control device is designed to compare the detected installation position with the specified operational installation position. If the difference between the detected installation position and the optimal operational installation position is greater than a specified maximum permissible deviation, the control device prevents the water heater from being put into operation and optionally indicates the incorrect alignment of the water heater to the user via a display. Alternatively, the control device allows the water heater to operate, but does not switch on the heating of the heating channels until the volume flow flowing through the channel arrangement 10 is greater than a predetermined minimum volume flow when operating in misalignment. The predetermined minimum volume flow is selected by the manufacturer to be so large that it is sufficient to safely transport air in the duct arrangement 10 out with the liquid flow. To measure the volume flow, the duct arrangement 10 comprises a flow measuring device, for example a flow measuring turbine.

Weiter bevorzugt umfasst die Steuereinrichtung einen Durchflusssensor zur Volumenstromerfassung der durch die Kanalanordnung 10 strömenden Flüssigkeit 16. Die Steuereinrichtung ist weiter ausgebildet, bei erkannter Erstinbetriebnahme das Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle 12 bis zum Erreichen eines vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumens zu sperren. Auf diese Weise wird exakt erfasst, welche Flüssigkeitsmenge bereits durch die Kanalanordnung 10 geströmt ist. Erst nach Erreichen des vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumens wird die Beheizung der Heizkanäle 12 freigegeben.The control device further preferably comprises a flow sensor for measuring the volume flow of the liquid 16 flowing through the channel arrangement 10. The control device is further designed to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels 12 until a predetermined minimum flow volume is reached when the initial start-up is detected. In this way, the exact amount of liquid that has already flowed through the channel arrangement 10 is recorded. The heating of the heating channels 12 is only released after the predetermined minimum flow volume has been reached.

Die Steuereinrichtung ist weiter insbesondere dazu ausgebildet, durch Integration des erfassten Volumenstromes über die Zeit ein Durchflussvolumen des seit der Erstinbetriebnahme oder der Wiederinbetriebnahme durch die Kanalanordnung 10 geflossenen Flüssigkeitsvolumens zu ermitteln. Weiter ist die Steuereinrichtung ausgebildet, dieses ermittelte Flüssigkeitsvolumen mit dem vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumen zu vergleichen und so bis zum Erreichen dieses vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumens das Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle 12 zu sperren.The control device is also designed, in particular, to determine, by integrating the recorded volume flow over time, a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement 10 since the initial start-up or the restart. Furthermore, the control device is designed to compare this determined liquid volume with the predefined minimum flow volume and thus to block the switching on of the heating of the heating channels 12 until this predefined minimum flow volume is reached.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Steuerung des Durchlauferhitzers mit den zuvor genannten Merkmalen umfasst das Detektieren einer Erstinbetriebnahme und/oder eines Flüssigkeitsmangels in der Kanalanordnung 10, Sperren der Beheizung der Heizkanäle 12 für eine vorgegebene Einschaltsperrdauer im Erkennungsfall.The method according to the invention for controlling the water heater with the aforementioned features includes detecting an initial start-up and / or a lack of liquid in the duct arrangement 10, blocking the heating of the heating ducts 12 for a predetermined switch-on blocking period in the event of detection.

Vorzugsweise wird der Volumenstrom der durch die Kanalanordnung 10 strömenden Flüssigkeit 16 mittels eines Durchflusssensors erfasst und bei erkannter Erstinbetriebnahme der Einschaltung der Beheizung der Heizkanäle 12 bis zum Erreichen eines vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumens mittels einer Steuereinrichtung gesperrt.The volume flow of the liquid 16 flowing through the channel arrangement 10 is preferably detected by means of a flow sensor and, when the first start-up is detected, the activation of the heating of the heating channels 12 is blocked by a control device until a predetermined minimum flow volume is reached.

Weiter bevorzugt wird der erfasste Volumenstrom über die Zeit zur Ermittlung eines Durchflussvolumens des seit der Erstinbetriebnahme oder Wiederinbetriebnahme durch die Kanalanordnung 10 geflossenen Flüssigkeitsvolumens und Vergleichen des Durchflussvolumens mit dem vorgegebenen Mindestdurchflussvolumen erfasst, um bis zum Erreichen des vorgegebenen Mindestvolumens das Einschalten der Beheizung der Heizkanäle 12 zu sperren.More preferably, the recorded volume flow is recorded over the time to determine a flow volume of the liquid volume that has flowed through the channel arrangement 10 since the initial start-up or restart and to compare the flow volume with the specified minimum flow volume in order to switch on the heating of the heating channels 12 until the specified minimum volume is reached lock.

Claims (15)

  1. Continuous-flow heater for heating a liquid (16), comprising
    a heater cartridge with at least one fluidic channel arrangement (10), wherein the channel arrangement (10) is formed by a plurality of electrically heated heating channels (12) adapted for heating the liquid (16), by unheated empty channels (14) and by flow deflecting channels (15), wherein at least one of the empty channels (14) is arranged between at least two each of the heating channels (12) by means of the flow deflecting channels (15) and each of the heating channels (12) is aligned in a predefined operational mounting position of the continuous-flow heater such that the liquid through-flow direction (11) of each of the heating channels (12) is at least substantially counter to gravitational force,
    characterized in that the continuous-flow heater comprises a control device having at least one positional sensor to detect the installation position of the continuous-flow heater and the control device is configured to compare the detected installation position with the predefined operational mounting position, and, if a difference between the detected installation position and the operational mounting position is greater than a predefined maximum admissible deviation, is adapted to adjust a minimum flow volume based on the installation position.
  2. Continuous-flow heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow deflecting channels (15) are configured in a U shape for deflecting the liquid through-flow direction (11) by 180°.
  3. Continuous-flow heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the empty channels (14) is aligned in the operational mounting position of the continuous-flow heater such that the liquid through-flow direction (11) of each of the empty channels (14) is at least substantially in the gravitational force direction (25).
  4. Continuous-flow heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the continuous-flow heater is configured as a bare wire continuous-flow heater and is configured for the arrangement of at least one bare wire heater coil in each of the heating channels (12).
  5. Continuous-flow heater according to claim 4, characterized in that at least the empty channels (14) are configured as an electrical insulation path between two each of the bare wire heater coils of different electrical potential.
  6. Continuous-flow heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one unheated preflow channel (27) is arranged upstream of the first of the heating channels (12a) in the liquid through-flow direction (11).
  7. Continuous-flow heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one unheated afterflow channel (28) is arranged downstream of the last of the heating channels (12b) in the liquid through-flow direction (11).
  8. Continuous-flow heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a mounting device adapted for mounting the continuous-flow heater in the operational mounting position.
  9. Continuous-flow heater according to claim 8, characterized in that the mounting device and/or the continuous-flow heater comprises a mounting aid, by means of which the fitter is able to identify the alignment of the continuous-flow heater in the operational mounting position.
  10. Continuous-flow heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the control device is configured and adapted to detect an initial commissioning and/or a lack of liquid in the channel arrangement (10) and, in case of detection, to lock out any switch-on of the heating of the heating channels (12) for a predefined switch-on lock-out time.
  11. Continuous-flow heater according to claim 10, characterized in that the control device comprises a flow sensor for detecting the flow volume of the liquid (16) flowing through the channel arrangement (10) and is configured to lock out switch-on of the heating of the heating channels (12), on detection of initial commissioning, until a predefined minimum flow volume has been reached.
  12. Continuous-flow heater according to claim 11, characterized in that the control device is configured, by integrating the detected flow volume over time, to determine a flow volume of the volume of liquid that has flowed through the channel arrangement (10) since initial commissioning or recommissioning, and to compare this with the predefined minimum flow volume, in order to lock out switch-on of the heating of the heating channels (12) until the predefined minimum flow volume has been reached.
  13. Method for controlling a continuous-flow heater according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising detecting an initial commissioning and, in the event of detection, locking out the heating of the heating channels (12) for a predefined switch-on lock-out time, characterized by
    detecting the installation position of the continuous flow heater by means of a positional sensor of the control device, comparing the detected installation position with the predefined operational mounting position and, if a difference between the detected installation position and the operational mounting position is greater than a predefined maximum admissible deviation, adjusting the minimum flow volume on the basis of the installation position.
  14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by detecting the flow volume of the liquid (16) flowing through the channel arrangement (10) by means of a flow sensor and, in the event of initial commissioning being detected, locking out the switch-on of the heating of the heating channels (12) until a predefined minimum flow volume is reached, by means of a control device.
  15. Method according to claim 14, characterized by integrating the detected flow volume over time to determine a flow volume of the volume of liquid that has flowed through the channel arrangement (10) since initial commissioning or recommissioning and comparing the flow volume with the predefined minimum flow volume, in order to lock out switch-on of the heating of the heating channels (12) until the predefined minimum volume is reached.
EP19160119.4A 2019-02-28 2019-02-28 Continuous flow heater for heating a liquid and method for controlling the continuous flow heater Active EP3702695B1 (en)

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PL19160119T PL3702695T3 (en) 2019-02-28 2019-02-28 Continuous flow heater for heating a liquid and method for controlling the continuous flow heater
EP19160119.4A EP3702695B1 (en) 2019-02-28 2019-02-28 Continuous flow heater for heating a liquid and method for controlling the continuous flow heater
CN202010129097.1A CN111623523B (en) 2019-02-28 2020-02-28 Continuous heater for heating liquid and method for controlling the same

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DE1265380B (en) * 1960-08-08 1968-04-04 Alfred Eckerfeld Electrically heated instantaneous water heater
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DE102008011117A1 (en) * 2008-02-26 2009-08-27 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Device for detecting air bubbles in a fluid flowing through the heater and a method for such a device
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DK2840404T3 (en) * 2013-08-20 2016-06-27 Gerdes Ohg Electric blanket water heater and method for controlling the same

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CN111623523A (en) 2020-09-04

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