THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRIC HEATING APPARATUS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus, such as for instance of the kind used in conjunction with radiators or similar heaters.

[0002] These electric heating apparatuses are generally known to usually comprise a cartridge-type electric heating element that is provided of an outer threading in order to be capable of being installed by being screwed on in a support body, which may for instance be constituted by a radiator.

[0003] In correspondence of a head-side end portion of such an electric heating element, from the element itself there are protruding substantially axial electric terminals that are connected, for example by means of fast-on connection devices, to complementary electric contacts that are provided in a temperature control device adapted to be connected to the power supply. In particular, this temperature control device has a substantially box-like structure formed by two appropriately shaped half-shells, which are then coupled together, i.e. against each other so as to clamp, upon said heating element having been screwed on in its support body, the head-side end portion of the heating element itself therebetween.

[0004] These prior-art solutions, however, are associated with a number of drawbacks. In particular:

• they are time and labour intensive and, therefore, expensive to assemble on an industrial scale;
• the assembly itself must be carried out by appropriately skilled personnel with the use of appropriate tools, so that it must be completed at the factory, which practically means that the final user must necessarily be supplied with a duly pre-assembled unit comprising the heating element, the temperature control device and the support body;
• such a pre-assembled unit turns necessarily out as being undesirably bulky, so that it gives rise to problems related to storage and transport;
• during transport and/or handling of the pre-assembled units, the temperature control devices are subject to easily occurring breakdowns, owing to their being provided with a not so much robust plastic structure;
• even maintaining and/or repairing the thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatuses themselves imply performing a number of undesirably complicated, awkward and expensive operations, which must anyway be carried out by adequately skilled personnel.

[0005] In conclusion, traditional solutions turn out as being fully unsatisfactory.

[0006] It therefore is a purpose of the present invention to provide a thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus that is effective in substantially minimizing the above-mentioned drawbacks of prior-art solutions.

[0007] Namely, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus, which is capable of being quickly and conveniently assembled even by unskilled personnel and, therefore, is capable of also being assembled directly in the field, without having to necessarily be pre-assembled at the factory, i.e. the original manufacturing site.

[0008] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus of the above cited kind, which is capable of being stored, handled, transported and possibly even repaired in a safe, reliable and convenient manner, while minimizing the risks for component parts to suffer accidental breakdowns.

[0009] According to the present invention, these aims are reached in a thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus embodying the characteristics as recited in the appended claims.

[0010] Anyway, features and advantages of the present invention can be more readily understood from the description that is given below by mere way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a partially cross-sectional and partially see-through exploded side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
• Figures 2 is a cross-sectional, enlarged-scale view of a pair of component parts illustrated in Figure 1, in an assembled state thereof.

[0011] With reference to the Figures, the thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to the present invention mainly comprises an electric heating element 1 of the cartridge type, which extends along a main axis 2.

[0012] At a head-side end portion 3 thereof, said heating element 1 is provided, in a per sè known manner, with electric terminals 4 protruding therefrom in a substantially axial direction, i.e. parallel to each other and adjacent to said main axis 2.

[0013] Said electric terminals 4 are preferably of the male type, comprising respective metal tabs featuring an adequate mechanical strength , and are preferably surrounded by a cylindrical protection portion 5 protruding axially. This protective portion is provided with one or more axial projections 15 diametrically opposing each other, whose role will be explained in greater detail further on.

[0014] Close to the head-side end portion 3 thereof, the electric heating element 1 is provided with a threaded portion 6, by means of which it is capable of being assembled its intended site of use by being screwed on in a support body 7, which may for instance be formed by a radiator. In any case, the heating element 1 can be screwed on in the support body 7 thereof in an extremely simple manner, while of course taking any casual angular position around the main axis 2. In other words, upon the heating element 1 having been screwed on, the electric terminals 4 thereof end up by taking a casual angular orientation.

[0015] On the other hand, the electric terminals 4 of the heating element 1 must be connected to complementary electric contacts 8 provided in a temperature control apparatus that is schematically indicated at 9 in the Figures.

[0016] This temperature control device 9 may comprise electronic and/or electromechanical control and adjustment means of a per sè known type (not shown in the Figures), and is adapted to be connected to the power supply via conductor leads 10. In any case, the temperature control device 9 has a substantially box-like structure that must be installed, in a juxtaposed arrangement with respect to the heating element 1, with a definite orientation. It can be readily appreciated that this definite orientation is in contrast with the afore cited casual angular orientation of the heating element 1, so that it is not suited to allow for a simple mutual coupling of the heating element itself and the device 9.

[0017] According to a feature of the present invention, this problem is overcome by arranging the electric terminals 4 or the contacts 8 in correspondence of angular adaptation means 11 that enable the heating element 1 and the temperature control device 9 to be mechanically and electrically coupled together in an axial direction, whereby any possible angular displacement of said electric terminals 4 and said complementary contacts 8 with respect to each other is automatically compensated for.

[0018] In the example being described here, in particular, the complementary contacts 8 are attached inside said angular adaptation means 11, wherein these means are substantially in the shape of a cup-like member that is mounted, in a freely rotatable manner about the axis 2, in a corresponding receptacle provided within the temperature control device 9. The capability of said cup-like member 11 to freely rotate with respect to the device 9 is ensured, to a sufficient purpose-fitting extent as this will be better described further on, by the flexibility of the conductor leads 10 that substantially extend in a slack manner from said contacts 8 to the outside of said device 9 (through a specially provided opening 12).

[0019] The cup-like member 11 is oriented with the open end portion 13 thereof facing outwards and is preferably so sized as to be able to accommodate the cylindrical portion 5 of the heating element 1, so as to bring about a mutual mechanical coupling of the component parts 1 and 9 constituting the thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus of the present invention.

[0020] The cup-like member 11 comprises at least an impression 14, or similar recess, which extends axially from the edge 13 with at least an inclined-plane portion 16 that joins with an axial portion 17 adapted to slidably receive an axial projection 15 of the heating element 1.

[0021] In a preferred manner, on the cup-like member 11 there are provided two impressions 14, or similar recesses, that are so arranged as to diametrically oppose each other, in which each one of said impressions is adapted to slidably cooperate with a respective axial projection 15 of the heating element 1, and each one of said impressions further comprises two convergent inclined planes 16, which are provided for centering purposes and join with an axial portion 17.

[0022] In any case, the angular positions of the various elements are such that, when the projections 15 of the heating element are aligned with the axial portions 17 of the impressions 14, the electric terminals 4 come to lie in alignment with the complementary contacts 8, too.

[0023] In a preferred manner, in correspondence of the edge 13 thereof, each impression 14 extends for an angular length of 90°, so that, when the device 9 (which is oriented in a manner responding to installation needs) is brought axially near the heating element 1 (which is oriented in a casual manner, as this has already been explained above), each impression 14 will reliably and certainly be engaged by a corresponding projection 15.

[0024] In the quite probable case that, at first, the terminals 4 are angularly staggered or displaced with respect to the contacts 8, each projection 15 will slidably engage an inclined plane 16 of a corresponding impression 14. As a result, during a first axial length along which the heating element 1 and the device 9 are brought close to each other for coupling, the interaction of the projections 15 and the inclined planes 16 with each other causes the cup-like member 11 to rotate about the axis 2 until the projections 15 come to lie in alignment with respective axial portions 17 of the impressions 14. As this has already been explained above, this is the geometrical condition in which also the axial alignment of the electric terminals 4 with the complementary contacts 8 takes place. On the other hand, the relative sizing of the component parts will be calculated in such a manner as to ensure that, in this geometrical condition, no coupling is able to come about between said terminals 4 and adjacent contacts 8 yet.

[0025] At this point, as the heating element 1 is further approached to the device 9 along a subsequent axial length, the projections 15 are able to slide along the axial portions 17 of the impressions 14 and, at the same time, the electric terminals 4 get inserted on to the complementary contacts 8, thereby completing an effective electric and mechanical connection of said terminals with said contacts, as well as of the whole heating element 1 and the temperature control device 9.

[0026] As already hinted above, the mechanical attachment of the devices 1 and 9 to each other is advantageously strengthened by the geometrical coupling, i.e. the fitting of shapes, of said cylindrical portion 5 in the cup-like member 11.

[0027] In all cases, it can be readily appreciated that said cup-like member 11, as arranged between the heating element 1 and the temperature control device 9, constitutes a very simple and effective member that enables the relative angular position of the parts that must be coupled electrically and/or mechanically with each other to be adapted automatically.

[0028] This most advantageously enables the heating element 1 and the temperature control device 9 to be manufactured separately, i.e. as separate assemblies, under resulting benefits in terms of storage and transport advantages. Furthermore, the final assembly of the whole thermostatically controlled heating apparatus can be completed quickly, conveniently and reliably even by unskilled personnel. All it takes is in fact screwing the heating element 1 on in the support body 7 in an angularly casual position thereof and, then, coupling the device 9 axially to the end portion 3 of the same heating element.

[0029] It will of course be appreciated that the thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus that has been described above by mere way of example, may be the subject of a number of modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0030] So, for instance, the angular adaptation member 11 may be rotatably mounted on the heating element 1, rather than the device 9.

[0031] In addition, on the heating element 1 there may be provided female-type contacts 8, whereas complementary male-type terminals 4 would in this case be provided in the angular adaptation member 11.

[0032] There may be also provided a safety feature constituted by a peripheral groove 18, or the like, provided on the cup-like member 11 and adapted to cooperate with a fixed check means 19 provided on the box-like member 9. This groove 18 has a limited angular extension, e.g. 90°, defined by opposed shoulders 20 that are adapted to act as respective angular stop means when they come to abut against said check means 19. This arrangement 18-20 is effective in preventing excessive accidental torsional strains from being imposed to the flexible conductor leads 10, thereby ensuring the proper operating state thereof.

Claims

1. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus comprising a cartridge-type electric heating element that extends along a main axis and is provided, at an end portion thereof, with substantially axial electric terminals adapted to be connected to complementary electric contacts provided in a temperature control device capable of being connected to a power supply and adapted to be mounted in a substantially aligned arrangement with respect to said electric heating element in a casual relative angular position about said axis, characterized in that said electric heating element (1) and said temperature control device (9) are adapted to be coupled to each other both electrically and mechanically in the axial direction under interposition of angular adaptation means (11) carrying said electric terminals (4) or said complementary electric contacts (8) and adapted, when moved along a first axial coupling length, to ensure the mutual angular alignment of said electric terminals and said electric contacts (4, 8), and adapted to also enable the same electric terminals and complementary electric contacts (4, 8) to electrically and mechanically couple with each other when moved along a subsequent axial coupling distance.

2. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said angular adaptation means comprise a cup-like member (11) which is mounted, in a freely rotatable manner about said axis (2), on said temperature control device (9), and comprises at least an impression (14), or the like, extending axially with at least an inclined centering portion (16) that joins with an axial portion (17), said impression being adapted to slidably engage an axial projection (15) that is integral with said electric heating element (1).

3. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said angular adaptation means comprise a cup-like member (11) which is mounted, in a freely rotatable manner about said axis (2), on said electric heating element (1), and comprises at least an impression (14), or the like, extending axially with at least an inclined centering portion (16) that joins with an axial portion (17), said impression being adapted to slidably engage an axial projection (15) that is integral with said temperature control device (9).

4. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, when said projection (15) is aligned with said axial portion or length (17) of the impression (14), said electric terminals (4) are aligned with the complementary electric contacts (8), too.

5. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said impression (14) extends for a maximum angular length of approx. 90°

6. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said electric terminals (4) or said complementary electric contacts (8) provided in said cup-like member (11) are adapted to be connected to a power supply via flexible conductor leads (10) that allow for said cup-like member (11) to rotate about said axis (2).

7. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said cup-like member (11) is adapted to accommodate a corresponding cylindrical portion (5), which protrudes from the electric heating element (1) by substantially surrounding said electric terminals (4), in such a manner as to bring about a mutual mechanical coupling of the heating element (1) with the temperature control device (9).

8. Thermostatically controlled electric heating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises limit stop means (19-20) adapted to limit the rotation of said cup-like member (11) so as to prevent said flexible conductor leads (10) from being imparted excessive torsional strains.

Ansprüche

1. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvorrichtung, die ein kartuschenartiges elektrisches Heizelement umfasst, dass sich entlang einer Hauptachse erstreckt und an einem Endabschnitt desselben mit im Wesentlichen axialen elektrischen Anschlüssen versehen ist, die so eingerichtet sind, dass sie mit komplementären elektrischen Kontakten verbunden werden, die in einer Temperatursteuereinrichtung vorhanden sind, die mit einer Stromquelle verbunden werden kann und so eingerichtet ist, dass sie in einer im Wesentlichen fluchtenden Anordnung in Bezug auf das elektrische Heizelement in einer wechselnden relativen Winkelposition um die Achse herum angebracht wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elektrische Heizelement (1) und die Temperatursteuereinrichtung (9) so eingerichtet sind, dass sie miteinander sowohl elektrisch als auch mechanisch in der axialen Richtung unter Einfügung einer Winkel-Anpassungseinrichtung (11) verbunden werden können, die die elektrischen Anschlüsse (4) oder die komplementären elektrischen Kontakte (8) trägt und so eingerichtet ist, dass sie, wenn sie über eine erste axiale Verbindungslänge bewegt wird, die Winkelausrichtung der elektrischen Anschlüsse und der elektrischen Kontakte (4, 8) zueinander gewährleistet, und so eingerichtet ist, dass sie diese elektrischen Anschlüsse und komplementären elektrischen Kontakte (4, 8) befähigt, elektrisch und mechanisch miteinander verbunden zu werden, wenn sie über einen folgenden axialen Verbindungsabstand bewegt werden.

2. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Winkelanpassungseinrichtung ein schalenförmiges Element (11) umfasst, das um die Achse (2) frei drehbar an der Temperatursteuereinrichtung (9) angebracht ist, und wenigstens eine Vertiefung (14) oder dergleichen umfasst. die sich axial mit wenigstens einem geneigten Zentrierabschnitt (16) erstreckt, der sich an einen axialen Abschnitt (17) anschließt, wobei die Vertiefung so eingerichtet ist, dass sie gleitend mit einem axialen Vorsprung (15) in Eingriff kommt, der integral mit dem elektrischen Heizelement (1) ausgebildet ist,

3. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvomchtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Winkelanpassungseinrichtung ein schalenförmiges Element (11) umfasst, das um die Achse (2) frei drehbar an dem elektrischen Heizelement (1) angebracht ist, und wenigstens eine Vertiefung (14) oder dergleichen umfasst, die sich axial mit wenigstens einem geneigten Zentrierabschnitt (16) erstreckt, der sich an einen axialen Abschnitt (17) anschließt, wobei die Vertiefung so eingerichtet ist, dass sie gleitend mit einem axialen Vorsprung (15) in Eingriff kommt, der integral mit der Temperatursteuereinrichtung (9) ausgebildet ist.

4. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, wenn der Vorsprung (15) auf den axialen Abschnitt bzw. die Länge (17) der Vertiefung (14) ausgerichtet ist, die elektrischen Anschlüsse (4) ebenfalls auf die komplementären elektrischen Kotakte (8) ausgerichtet sind.

5. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Vertiefung (14) über eine maximale Winkellänge von ungefähr 90° erstreckt.

6. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elektrischen Anschlüsse (4) oder die komplementären elektrischen Kontakte (8), die in dem schalenartigen Element (11) vorhanden sind, so eingerichtet sind, dass sie über flexible Leiter (10), die es ermöglichen, dass sich das schalenförmige Element (11) um die Achse (2) dreht, mit einer Stromquelle verbunden werden.

7. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das schalenförmige Element (11) so eingerichtet ist. dass es einen entsprechenden zylindrischen Abschnitt (5) aufnimmt, der von dem elektrischen Heizelement (1) vorsteht, indem es die elektrischen Anschlüsse (4) im Wesentlichen so umgibt, dass eine mechanische Verbindung des Heizelementes (1) mit der Temperatursteuervorrichtung (9) hergestellt wird.

8. Thermostatisch gesteuerte elektrische Heizvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3. dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie Grenzanschlageinrichtungen (19-20) umfasst, die so eingerichtet sind, dass sie die Drehung des schalenartigen Elementes (11) begrenzen, um zu verhindern, dass die flexiblen Leiter (10) zu starken Torsionsbelastungen ausgesetzt sind.

Revendications

1. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique, comprenant un élément chauffant électrique de type cartouche qui s'étend le long d'un axe principal et qui est pourvu, à une partie d'extrémité de celui-ci, de bornes électriques sensiblement axiales conçues pour être connectées à des contacts électriques complémentaires disposés dans un dispositif de régulation de température pouvant être connecté à une alimentation électrique et conçu pour être monté dans un agencement sensiblement aligné par rapport audit élément chauffant électrique, dans une position angulaire relative ordinaire autour dudit axe, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément chauffant électrique (1) et ledit dispositif de régulation de température (9) sont conçus pour être couplés l'un à l'autre, à la fois par voies électrique et mécanique, suivant la direction axiale sous l'interposition de moyens d'adaptation angulaire (11) portant lesdites bornes électriques (4) ou lesdits contacts électriques complémentaires (8) et conçus, lorsqu'ils sont déplacés le long d'une première longueur de couplage axial, pour assurer l'alignement angulaire mutuel desdites bornes électriques et desdits contacts électriques (4, 8), et conçus pour permettre également à ces bornes électriques et contacts électriques complémentaires (4, 8) d'être couplés, par voies électrique et mécanique, les uns avec les autres lorsqu'ils sont déplacés le long d'une distance de couplage axiale subséquente.

2. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'adaptation angulaire comprennent un élément en forme de coupe (11) qui est monté, de manière librement rotative autour dudit axe (2), sur ledit dispositif de régulation de température (9), et comprend au moins un évidement (14), ou analogue, s'étendant axialement avec au moins une partie de centrage inclinée (16) qui se réunit à une partie axiale (17), ledit évidement étant conçu pour être en prise, en coulissement, avec une saillie axiale (15) qui est d'un seul tenant avec ledit élément chauffant électrique (1).

3. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'adaptation angulaire comprennent un élément en forme de coupe (11) qui est monté, de manière librement rotative autour dudit axe (2), sur ledit élément chauffant électrique (1), et comprend au moins un évidement (14), ou analogue, s'étendant axialement avec au moins une partie de centrage inclinée (16) qui se réunit à une partie axiale (17), ledit évidement étant conçu pour être en prise, en coulissement, avec une saillie axiale (15) qui est d'un seul tenant avec ledit dispositif de régulation de température (9).

4. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que, lorsque ladite saillie (15) est alignée avec ladite partie ou longueur axiale (17) de l'évidement (14), lesdites bornes électriques (4) sont alignées, également, avec les contacts électriques complémentaires (8).

5. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit évidement (14) s'étend sur une longueur angulaire maximale de 90° environ.

6. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdites bornes électriques (4) ou lesdits contacts électriques complémentaires (8) disposés dans ledit élément en forme de coupe (11) sont conçus pour être connectés à une alimentation électrique par l'intermédiaire de conducteurs flexibles (10) qui permettent audit élément en forme de coupe (11) de tourner autour dudit axe (2).

7. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément en forme de coupe (11) est conçu pour recevoir une partie cylindrique correspondante (5), qui fait saillie à partir de l'élément chauffant électrique (1) en entourant sensiblement lesdites bornes électriques (4), de manière à engendrer un couplage mécanique mutuel de l'élément chauffant (1) avec le dispositif de régulation de température (9).

8. Appareil de chauffage électrique régulé par voie thermostatique selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de butée de fin de course (10-20) conçus pour limiter la rotation dudit élément en forme de coupe (11) afin d'empêcher lesdits conducteurs flexibles (10) d'être soumis à des efforts de torsion excessifs.

Drawing