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EP-4493860-B1 - CAP ELEMENT WITH CENTERING MECHANISM

EP4493860B1EP 4493860 B1EP4493860 B1EP 4493860B1EP-4493860-B1

Inventors

  • Kieffer, Damien
  • Chassagnard, Benjamin
  • ANTOINE, Florian

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230307

Claims (15)

  1. Cap element (5) for a heating device (2), the heating device (2) including a water tank (3) located in a casing (4), wherein the cap element (5) is placeable on or in the casing (4) for closing said casing (4), the cap element (5) comprising: a centering mechanism integrated in or removable from the cap element (5), the centering mechanism having a deformable structure (6) for causing the cap element (5) to be centered relative to the water tank (3) upon exerting a mechanical pressure on said deformable structure (6) characterized in that the deformable structure (6) is located at a central portion (11) of the cap element (5).
  2. Cap element (5) according to any one of claim 1, characterized in that : a. the deformable structure (6) is arranged in a cavity of the cap element (5); and/or b. the deformable structure (6) is attachable to the cap element (5).
  3. Cap element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the deformable structure (6) comprises a plurality of protruding portions (8) moving away from each other when subjected to the mechanical pressure.
  4. Cap element (5) according to claim 3, characterized in that a. the protruding portions (8) are arranged equidistant from each other; and/or b. the protruding portions (8) have each an external surface (9) and tapered internal edge surfaces (10).
  5. Cap element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deformable structure (6) is made of expanded plastic, in particular expanded polystyrene or expanded polypropylene.
  6. Cap element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a. the deformable structure (6) is radially deformable in response to the mechanical pressure; or b the deformable structure (6) is laterally deformable in response to the mechanical pressure; or c the deformable structure (6) is deformable in compression in response to the mechanical pressure.
  7. Cap element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the deformable structure (6) comprises at least a recess (13).
  8. Cap element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a. the deformable structure (6) has a circular cross-section; or b. the deformable structure (6) has a polygonal cross-section, or c. the deformable structure (6) has a truncated conical cross-section shape and is arranged to fit into a further recess (17) in the cap element, which further recess (17) has a truncated conical cross-section shape.
  9. Heating device system comprising: a heating device (2), in particular a heat pump water heater; and a cap element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the heating device (2) comprises a casing (4) and a water tank (3) located in the casing (4), and wherein the cap element (5) is placeable on or in the casing (4) and closing said casing (4), the cap element (5) being in particular a support for a heat pump, wherein the cap element (5) comprises a centering mechanism (1) integrated in, or removable from, the cap element, the centering mechanism (1) having a deformable structure (6) for causing the cap element (5) to be centered relative to the water tank (3) upon exerting a mechanical pressure on said deformable structure (6) and characterized in that the deformable structure (6) is located at a central portion (11) of the cap element (5).
  10. Heating device system according to claim 9, characterized in that a. the deformable structure (6) is configured to be in contact with an upper portion (12) of the water tank (3); and/or b. the deformable structure (6) is configured to surround a protruding element (13) of the water tank (3), in particular a tube or a pin; and/or c. the deformable structure (6) is deformable on the water tank's (3) side or is deformable on an opposite side to the water tank's (3) side.
  11. Heating system according to claim 9, characterized in that the heating device (2) further comprises an insulating material (14) arranged in a space (7) between the water tank (3) and the casing (4), the insulating material (14) causing a direct or indirect mechanical stress on the deformable structure (6).
  12. Heating system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that : a. the mechanical pressure is exerted on the cap element (5) in response to the generation of an insulating material (14) produced in a space (7) between the water tank (3) and the casing (4); and/or b. the mechanical pressure is exerted on the cap element (5) on the opposite direction to a mechanical stress exerted on the cap element (5) by the insulating material (14); and/or c. the mechanical pressure exerted on the cap element (5) is greater than a mechanical stress exerted on the cap element (5) by the insulating material (14).
  13. Use of the cap element (5) according to one of clams 1 to 8 with a heating device (2), in particular a heat pump water heater.
  14. Heating device system comprising: a heating device (2), in particular a heat pump water heater, wherein the heating device (2) comprises a casing (4) and a water tank (3) located in the casing (4), and a cap element (5) that is placeable on or in the casing (4) and closing said casing (4), the cap element (5) being in particular a support for a heat pump, and wherein the water tank (3) comprises a centering mechanism (1) which has a deformable structure (6) for causing the cap element (5) to be centered relative to the water tank (3) upon exerting a mechanical pressure on said deformable structure (6) and characterized in that the deformable structure (6) is located at a central portion (11) of the cap element (5).
  15. Heating device system according to claim 14, characterized in that a. the water tank (3) comprises a centering part (16), wherein the centering mechanism is mounted on the centering part and/or in that b. the cap element (5) comprises a recess (17) for receiving the centering mechanism (1)

Description

The invention relates to a cap element for a heating device and to a heating device system comprising said cap element. Also, the invention relates to a use of said cap element with a heating device, in particular a heat pump water heater. Additionally, the invention relates to a heating device system. A heating device like a heat pump is a device able to warm a closed space of a building or to warm domestic hot water by transferring thermal energy from a source to another. An air-source heat pump water heater is a device using the heat pump technology to use energy from air to heat the domestic water contained in a tank. A hot water tank for the production of hot water for heating or domestic hot water is composed of two main elements: a tank and a thermal insulation. The thermal insulation is usually achieved by one of two means: the installation of parts around the tank (adhesive foam parts, adhesive insulation etc.) or the injection of insulating foam into an outer casing. Insulating foam injection is achieved by injecting chemical components that react together via a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction causes the solid produced to expand to such an extent that the volume of foam obtained is much greater than the volume of the components injected separately. The injection process is a complex one and many factors create variability in the volume required and the volume injected, i.e., tank geometry tolerance, casing geometry tolerance, ambient air temperature, temperature of the chemical components of the insulation, concentration of the components, nature of the components, precision of the injection machine, temperature of the tank, surface condition of the tubes, etc. Among these elements, the tolerance of tank height and casing height are major elements. Indeed, a difference of a few millimeters on one of these heights can lead to a lack of insulation, leaks in the insulation, lifting of the tank or aesthetic defects. Also, it is noted that during the foaming process, the pressure is not exerted evenly all around the tank. This requires to center it on its external circumference in order to maintain the verticality. To solve these problems, it is possible to provide a large clearance and allow the tank to rise several millimeters during foam expansion. This can lead to a lack of insulation foam at the bottom and can cause the tank to be out of alignment with the vertical, thereby impacting on a reduction of the thermal performance of the product. According to another solution, it is possible to install additional fittings prior to insulation injection by checking the most suitable fitting for each product. This solution requires a control of each product, reduces the standardization of the process and requires a technical analysis for each product. Also, this solution contributes to the risk of a forgotten additional part, resulting in an unusable product due to an insulation foam leakage. In addition, it is possible to add a foam that deforms in compression to compensate tolerance fluctuations. However, if the foam does not deform very much, there is a risk of leakage of the insulation foam during injection. Also, in the case where the foam is strongly compressed, there is a risk of deformation or breakage of the parts on which it lies on. DE9419611U1 describes an arrangement in which the central position of a water tank is bolstered within a casing by the use of centering elements positioned at the rim of an upper edge of the tank. The centering elements may be positioned discretely and radially, or may be provided as a circular rim construction, and maintain the position of the central water tank during filling of the casing with thermal insulation. DE1934770U also describes a system in which a tank is bolstered within a casing by the use of bolstering elements, in this case four radially positioned cams created as extensions of a tank cover. DE1299832B describes a water tank, reinforced at its base, and which is easily closed with a self-retaining plastic lid comprising a flange-like formed outer structure which interacts with a circular bead with hook-shaped cross-section at the outer rim of the upper edges of the tank opening. EP2110619A2 describes a body with water storage space provided with a lid comprising locking pieces positioned at its outer rim and which interact with a rim on the upper opening rim of the body with water storage space. EP3462103A1 describes a hot water supply unit with a heating construction situated on top of a water tank with thermal insulation and with a support plate positioned between the tank and the heater. The support plate includes an outer section with recess arranged to interact with a circular protrusion situated along the outer rim of the thermal insulation arranged around the water tank. None of these solutions give full satisfaction. It is therefore desirable to obtain a way to efficiently thermally isolate the water tank with foam injection taking