AU2022268319A1

AU2022268319A1 - Domestic hot water system

Info

Publication number: AU2022268319A1
Application number: AU2022268319A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rainer Eberlein; Dominik Goluke
Original assignee: Stiebel Eltron GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Stiebel Eltron GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2021-12-20
Filing date: 2022-11-09
Publication date: 2023-07-06
Also published as: CN116294183A; DE102021133804A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a DHW system (10) which comprises a water supply line (310) for water that is to be heated and a DHW heater (100). The DHW heater (100) includes an inlet (110) which is coupled to the water supply line (310). Water flowing through the water 5 supply line (310) is heated and dispensed at an outlet (120). The DHW system (10) includes at least one DHW outlet (400, 410, 420, 430) and a valve unit which is coupled to the outlet (120) and/or to the inlet (110) of the DHW heater (100). The valve unit (200) is adapted to interrupt the current of water flowing through the DHW heater (100). A single water line (320) for the water heated by the DHW heater (100) is provided between the at least one 10 DHW outlet (400-430) and the valve unit (200) or the outlet (120) of the DHW heater (100), so that the water heated by the DHW heater (100) exits unmixed at the DHW outlet (400 430). (Fig. 1) T-I 0 Liz T-1 CN 00 O O* O O 0 N ON o- I I I I I oI 0 0 m% m |r4 L__________

Description

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Stiebel Eltron GmbH & Co.KG Dr.-Stiebel-Strasse 33, 37603 Holzminden, Germany

Domestic Hot Water System

The present application relates to a DHW system.

DHW systems for providing domestic hot water for showering, bathing or washing hands are sufficiently well known. To achieve this, a DHW heater, such as an instantaneous water heater, is provided. The domestic hot water is supplied to the respective fittings in a shower, a washbasin or a bathtub through a DHW line. In the fitting, the domestic hot water is then mixed with cold water according to the user's wishes to obtain the required domestic hot water at the required temperature in the outlet of the fitting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a DHW system which allows a more cost effective and more comfortable option of providing domestic hot water.

Said object is achieved by a DHW system according to claim 1.

In one aspect of the present invention, a DHW heater, such as an instantaneous water heater, is provided. A valve unit is provided at the outlet of the DHW heater, which opens or closes the outlet of the DHW heater.

The DHW heater may provide a target flow rate and a target output temperature at its outlet. Water having a set flow rate and a set temperature may thus be provided at the outlet of the instantaneous water heater. The outlet of the instantaneous water heater is indirectly or directly coupled to the valve unit. The outlet of the valve unit may be coupled to a DHW outlet through a water line. The valve unit is coupled to the outlet of the DHW heater only and is not coupled to a cold water inlet. The valve unit thus serves to transfer water that has already been brought to the right temperature to a DHW outlet through connected water lines.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is no mixing of water between the outlet of the instantaneous water heater and a water outlet (fitting, shower head). Therefore, only a sin gle water line needs to be laid between the instantaneous water heater and the DHW outlet. The cold water line that is often laid in other respects may be omitted. This is advantageous in that it reduces the complexity of the installation. As a result, the costs for the DHW system may be reduced.

However, the DHW system according to the invention may also be installed subsequently. In such a case, the cold water line that was previously run to the fitting may be disconnected and removed where applicable.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve unit may be provided at the inlet of the instantaneous water heater, i.e. in the cold water supply line, and/or at the outlet of the instantaneous water heater, i.e. in the output water pipe. If the valve unit includes multiple valves or if multiple valve units are provided, they may be provided at the outlet of the instantaneous water heater. The valve unit serves to stop the cold water from flowing in or to stop the domestic hot water from flowing out. Therein, the valve unit may, for example, be controlled by an operating control at the DHW outlet. An operating control may be a fitting or an electric and/or electronic operating unit. In one aspect of the invention, an elec tronic operating control may be provided for switched valves. The fitting is coupled to the outlet of the instantaneous water heater (hydraulically and) in a non-switched manner.

In one aspect of the present invention, the operating unit can be used to set a required temperature and a required flow rate at the water outlet. These two target values form the basis for controlling the instantaneous water heater with regard to its flow rate and its output temperature.

In one aspect of the present invention, the outlet of the valve unit may be coupled to a washbasin fitting through a DHW line. In addition, the washbasin fitting may optionally have a cold water connection.

The DHW system according to the invention may be used to provide cold water (while the instantaneous water heater is off) or domestic hot water (while the instantaneous water heater is on) at the water outlet through the single DHW line between the instantaneous water heater and the DHW outlet.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve unit includes a valve which may be opened and completely closed. When the valve is completely closed, water should no longer be able to flow through the water line between the instantaneous water heater and the DHW outlet. The valve may be designed as a solenoid valve. Alternatively, the valve may be designed as a motorised valve having an electric motor for opening and closing it.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve unit may be provided directly at the outlet of the instantaneous water heater. Alternatively, the valve unit may also be provided spaced apart from the outlet of the DHW heater. For example, the valve unit may be provided in closer proximity to a water outlet than to the outlet of the instantaneous water heater. For example, this may represent a shower area.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve unit may be integrated into an enclosure of the instantaneous water heater, either at the outlet or the inlet of the instantaneous water heater. If multiple valve units are provided, these are arranged at the outlet.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the instantaneous water heater may, for exam ple, be arranged in the shower area. Alternatively, the instantaneous water heater may also be provided at a different location in a residential unit.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve unit may have a plurality of valves. Herein, the valve unit may, for example, include an inlet and a plurality of outlets each of which may be opened or closed by the valves. This allows using a single valve unit for controlling multiple water outlets.

Advantageously, at least one pressure draw-off point is pressurised at least temporarily or permanently. Advantageously, the pressure draw-off point is pressurised while the instan taneous water heater is open. Advantageously, the instantaneous water heater may be open permanently or, advantageously, temporarily as well, using a valve such as a motor ised valve or a solenoid valve of the instantaneous water heater.

In one embodiment, the at least one pressure draw-off point that is temporarily or perma nently under pressure of the water is advantageously connected to the valve unit through a pressurised water line. Advantageously, the valve unit includes at least one outlet that does not contain any valve and is permanently open. The valve unit for the at least one directly pressurised outlet is not switched by a valve but is always open, wherein any water valve is provided at a tapping point in the pressure draw-off point. Thus, a water line running to the pressure draw-off point is under water pressure, and the water is drawn off by open ing the water valve of the pressure draw-off point. Thus, the advantageous valve unit in cludes a plurality of valve-switched outlets and at least one valveless open outlet that is not switched in the valve unit. From the valveless open outlet, the pressurised water line then runs to the pressure draw-off point where the water valve is arranged, for example at the tapping point of a draw-off fitting of a washbasin.

Further embodiments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

In the following, advantages and embodiments will be explained in more detail with refer ence to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to a first em bodiment;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to a third em bodiment;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to a fourth em bodiment;

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to a fifth em bodiment;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to a sixth em bodiment;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the hydraulic components of the DHW system according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of energy supply for the DHW system ac cording to the invention; and

Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of communication in a DHW system accord ing to the invention.

Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 each show a schematic representation of a DHW system according to the invention. The DHW system 10 may have multiple areas. Notably, the DHW system 10 may have a shower area 20 as first area, a first area 30 with a fitting 430 and a second area 40 with a DHW heater 100. The DHW system 10 includes a water supply line 310 which is coupled to an inlet 110 of the DHW heater 100, more specifically the instantaneous water heater. The water is heated in the DHW heater 100 and leaves it at the outlet 120. A valve unit 200 may be indirectly or directly provided at the outlet 120. The valve unit 200 includes an inlet 210 and at least one outlet 220. Heated water flows out from the outlet 120 of the DHW heater 100 and is directed into the valve unit 200. The valve unit 200 may include one or more valves 230, 240. Using the valves 230, 240, a volume flow coming out of the valve unit 200 can be interrupted. Herein, a valve may optionally be provided for each out going port so that the respective ports can be controlled individually. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a valve to open or close all of the outlets. A DHW line 320 is provided at the outlet 220 of the valve unit 200. The DHW line 320 may be coupled to various water outlets 400 (head shower 410, hand shower 420). Thus, water that has previously flown through the DHW line 320 exits at the water outlets 400. Therefore, only one line is provided between an outlet of the valve unit 200 and the water outlet 410, 420. A cold water line 310 is therefore not necessary.

The DHW system 10 includes an operating unit 500 which can, for example, be arranged in the shower area or, alternatively, in or at an enclosure of the DHW heater. The operating unit 500 may be used to set a target temperature and a target flow rate. These values are transferred to the DHW heater 100 which then sets the temperature and the flow rate ac cordingly. The operating unit 500 may further be used to control the valves to open and close them. The operating unit 500 may be designed as an electronic operating control and/or as a draw-off point (shower head, fitting).

Fig. 1 shows the valve unit 200 as an independent unit, and the valve unit 200 may, for example, be provided in the second area 40 of the instantaneous water heater, i.e. the valve unit 200 is provided outside of the shower area 20.

In Fig. 2, the valve unit 200 is, for example, provided in the shower area 20. As a result, a line 330 between the DHW heater 100 and the valve unit 200 has a longer length. On the other hand, however, this also causes the length of the water line 320 between the valve unit 200 and the water outlets 410, 420, 430 to be shorter.

Optionally, the operating unit 500 may be provided on or at the valve unit 200.

In Fig. 3, the valve unit 200 may be integrated into or at the DHW heater 100. Herein, the valve unit 200 may, for example, be provided at the inlet 110 or at the outlet 120. As is the case with the other embodiments, only one water line 320 is provided between the valve unit 200 and each of the respective water outlets 410, 420, 430.

In Fig. 4, the instantaneous water heater is not provided in the DHW heater area 40 but in the shower area 20. As a result, the lines between the DHW heater 100 and the water outlets 410, 420 become shorter. The valve unit 200 may be provided as an external unit or integrated into the DHW heater 100. The operating unit 500 may further be designed as a separate unit or as part of the DHW heater 100. Herein, the operating unit 500 may be integrated into the enclosure of the DHW heater 100. The connection between the external operating unit 500 and the DHW heater may be a wireless or a wired connection.

In one aspect of the present invention, the water supply line 310 may be coupled to a cold water line. Alternatively or additionally, the water in the supply line 310 may also be brought to the right temperature beforehand. For example, this can be achieved in combination with a solar thermal system or in combination with other heat exchangers for preheating the water in the supply line 310.

In Fig. 5, the DHW heater 100 is provided in the shower area. The operating control 500 may be arranged either in or at the DHW heater. Alternatively, the operating unit may also be provided in the shower area 20 separately from the DHW heater 100.

In Fig. 6, the DHW heater is provided in the shower area 20. The valve unit 200 may be designed as a separate unit or as part of the DHW heater. A DHW line 320 is provided at the outlet 220 of the valve unit 200. The DHW line 320 may include a junction branching into two arms 321, 322 which may be coupled to the water outlets 410, 420. This is advan tageous in that the length of the water line 320 may be reduced as compared to the above embodiments which each provide a complete water line 320 between an outlet of the valve unit 200 and a water outlet 410, 420.

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a DHW system according to the invention. Fig. 7 shows the operating unit 500, the DHW heater 100, the valve unit 200, as well as a separate fitting 430. The operating unit 500 may include a first operating control 510 for switch-on and switch-off, a second operating control 520 for setting the flow rate, a third operating control 530 for setting the temperature, a fourth operating control 540 for selecting the water outlet, and a fifth operating control 550 for selecting an eco mode. Optionally, the operating unit 500 may be used for representing operating parameters, consumption data and/or costs. The operating unit 500 may include a transmitter/receiver so that it can be controlled by an app on a smart device. It is further possible to enable voice control. The operating unit 500 is coupled to the DHW heater 100, for example an instantaneous water heater, either in a wireless or a wired manner. In turn, the DHW heater 100 is coupled to the valve unit 200 via its outlet 120. The DHW heater 100 includes an inlet 110 which is coupled to the supply line 310. In the instantaneous water heater, the water is heated to a target tem perature and, if necessary, a target flow rate is set. The water exits the DHW heater 100 through the outlet 120 and flows into the valve unit 200 which has a first valve and a second valve 230, 240. Alternatively, multiple valves or a single valve may be provided. The valves 230, 240 may then open or close the line 320 so that domestic hot water may flow out of the outlet of the instantaneous water heater and to an appropriate water outlet point 400. Only one DHW line is provided between the valve unit 200 and the DHW outlet 400. A cold water line is therefore no longer necessary. A mixing valve 431 is associated with the sep arate fitting 430 in order to mix domestic hot water from line 320 with the cold water from line 310. The outlet of said mixing valve is then used as an outlet of the fitting 430.

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the hydraulic components of the DHW system ac cording to the invention. The DHW heater 100 includes an inlet 310 and an outlet 120. The inlet 110 is connected to a supply line 310. The outlet 120 of the DHW heater 100 is coupled to an inlet 210 of the valve unit 200 and delivers a flow of domestic hot water, i.e. at a target temperature and a target flow rate. The valves 230, 240 can be used to stop the water that has already been brought to the right temperature or let it flow out of the outlet 120 of the DHW heater 100. Each of the lines 320 may be coupled to a water outlet 400.

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of energy supply for the DHW system according to the invention. The operating unit 500 may include a port (permanent connection with suitable IP protection) for AC supply or a battery or an accumulator for DC supply. A direct current voltage of, for example, 12 volts may be provided between the operating unit 500 and the DHW heater 100 for signal transmission purposes. The DHW heater 100 may be connected to a 230-volt (permanent) connection or to a 400-volt three-phase connection. The valve unit 200 having the valves 230, 240 may be supplied with power either through alternating voltage or through direct voltage.

Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of communication in a DHW system according to the invention. Fig. 10 specifically focuses on the communication between the operating unit 500, the DHW heater 100 and the valves 230, 240.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve unit may be provided at, in, behind or near the DHW heater 100. Optionally, the valve unit may also be provided at the inlet of the DHW heater 100. The operating unit 500 may be provided in a shower area or in the first area. Optionally, the operating unit may set a target temperature, a target flow rate and select one of the draw-off points. Further, the operating unit 500 may be adapted to switch the DHW heater 100 on and off.

The DHW system 10 according to the invention is advantageous in that the DHW heater 100 that is specifically designed as an instantaneous water heater allows setting of the target temperature to the nearest degree. As a result, showering convenience can be in creased by setting the temperature to the nearest degree, irrespective of outside influ ences.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve unit includes solenoid valves which may be closed completely.

List of reference symbols

10 DHW system

20 Shower area

30 First area

40 Second area

100 DHW heater

110 DHW heater inlet

120 DHW heater outlet

200 Valve unit

210 Valve unit inlet

220 Valve unit outlet

230 First valve

240 Second valve

310 Water supply line / cold water line

320 DHW line

321 Arm

322 Arm

330 Line

400 Water outlets

410 Head shower

420 Hand shower

430 Fitting

431 Mixing valve

500 Operating unit

510 Operating control

520 Second operating control

530 Third operating control

540 Fourth operating control

550 Fifth operating control

Claims

1. A DHW system (10), comprising a water supply line (310) for water that is to be heated; a DHW heater (100) having an inlet (110) that is coupled to the water supply line (310), for heating the water flowing through the water supply line (310) and for dispensing the heated water to an outlet (120); at least one DHW outlet (400, 410, 420, 430); a valve unit (200) that is coupled to the outlet (120) and/or the inlet (110) of the DHW heater (100) and adapted to interrupt the current of water flowing through the DHW heater (100); wherein a single water line (320) for the water heated by the DHW heater (100) is provided between the at least one DHW outlet (400-430) and the valve unit (200) or the outlet (120) of the DHW heater (100), so that the water heated by the DHW heater (100) exits unmixed at the DHW outlet (400-430).

2. The DHW system (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an operating unit (500) for setting a target temperature and a flow rate and/or for selecting a draw-off point (400); wherein the DHW heater (100) is designed to dispense domestic hot water having the target temperature and target flow rate at its outlet (120).

3. The DHW system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve unit (200) is designed to open and close the outlet (120) of the DHW heater (100) in order to enable or disable a flow of domestic hot water; wherein the valve unit (200) includes at least one valve (230, 240) that is able to completely close the outlet (120).