• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The valve controller comprises a means for attaching the valve controller to a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning apparatus, and a locking member 27 for locking the valve controller to the apparatus. The locking member is rotatable between a locking and releasing configuration. The valve controller may comprise a housing 3 on which a temperature control dial (5, figure 1A) is located and a plurality of resilient fingers 19. The means for attaching may comprise an adaptor 11 having a screw threaded portion 17 and a circumferential groove 25. The fingers may engage with the groove in a snap-fit to releasably secure the housing to the adaptor. The locking member may comprise a collar having a plurality of apertures 31 and a plurality of shielding elements 29. When the housing is secured to the adaptor, the collar may be disposed around the adaptor and within the housing (see figure 5) so that the shielding elements cover the fingers, thereby preventing movement of the fingers, i.e. locking configuration. The collar may be rotated by rotation of a tab 33 so that the apertures are disposed over the fingers, thereby permitting movement of the fingers, i.e. releasing configuration.
    公开号:NL2010153A
    申请号:NL2010153
    申请日:2013-01-21
    公开日:2013-08-08
    发明作者:Michael Shelley
    申请人:Honeywell Technologies Sarl；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    A VALVE CONTROLLERTechnical Field
    The present invention relates to valve controllers for heating, ventilation, or airconditioning (HVAC) apparatus, and especially, but not exclusively, to ThermostaticRadiator Valves (TRVs).
    Background of the Invention
    Valve controllers for heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) apparatusare well known Valve controllers typically control operation of an associated valve independence on an external input. A Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) controls hotwater flow through a radiator valve in dependence on the local temperature, and is anexample of such a valve controller.
    Valve controllers are often supplied as separate items from the HVAC apparatus,either for fitting during installation of the HVAC apparatus, or for retro-fitting toexisting HVAC apparatus. Some known valve controllers may be difficult and/or timeconsuming to fit. It is desirable to provide a valve controller that mitigates or removesthis disadvantage.
    Some known valve controllers use a valve adaptor assembly to enable the valvecontroller to be fitted to HVAC apparatus. However, these adaptor assemblies tend tobe relatively bulky. This is undesirable, especially in today’s market where consumerstend to prefer smaller, more discrete valve controllers.
    Summary of the Invention
    According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve controllerfor controlling a valve on a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus,the valve controller comprising: a means for attaching the valve controller to the HVAC apparatus, and a locking member for locking the valve controller to the HVAC apparatus, wherein the locking member is rotatable, preferably manually rotatable, betweena releasing configuration, and a locking configuration. Such an arrangement mayenable the valve controller to be securely fitted to the apparatus relatively easily and/orquickly. The valve controller is arranged such that the locking member requires only arotation to move between the locking configuration and the releasing configuration.
    The valve controller is preferably arranged such that the locking member does notrequire a translation, such as axial movement, between the locking configuration andthe releasing configuration. Such an arrangement is simple to use because it onlyrequires a single (rotational) movement to lock in place.
    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve controllerfor controlling a valve on a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus,the valve controller comprising: an adaptor element for fitting to the HVAC apparatus, a plurality of resilient fingers for engaging the adaptor element in a snap fit tothereby couple the valve controller to the valve on the HVAC apparatus, and a locking assembly for locking the valve controller to the HVAC apparatus, thelocking assembly being operable between a releasing configuration, and a lockingconfiguration. Such an arrangement has been found to facilitate construction of arelatively small valve controller that can be easily and securely attached to the HVACapparatus.
    In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the resilient fingers arearranged to engage the adaptor element in a snap fit. The fingers may, for example,snap fit over the adaptor and engage one side of that adaptor. More preferably, theadaptor element comprises a groove for receiving at least one of the fingers in the snapfit. Thus, the adaptor may provide a surface into which the fingers engage irrespectiveon the structure surrounding the adaptor. The valve controller is preferably arranged toprevent relative translational movement between the adaptor and the fingers when thefingers are engaged with the adaptor. For example the fingers may engage a groove inthe adaptor in a snug-fit.
    The adaptor element may be ring-shaped (i.e. have a substantially circular cross-section). In embodiments in which the adaptor also comprises a groove, the groovemay extend circumferentially around the adaptor. That groove may be arranged toreceive the plurality of fingers in the snap fit.
    The adaptor element may be screw-threaded for cooperation with a correspondingscrew thread on the HVAC apparatus. Such an arrangement facilitates a secureattachment between the apparatus and the adaptor. The screw-thread is preferably onan interior surface of the adaptor which is arranged to engage an external screw-threadon an external surface of part of the HVAC apparatus.
    Some features of the second aspect of the invention may be present in the firstaspect of the invention. In particular, the means for attaching the valve controller of thefirst aspect to the HVAC apparatus, may comprise a plurality of resilient fingers forattaching the valve controller to the apparatus by way of a snap fit. The plurality ofresilient fingers may be arranged in accordance with those of the second aspect of theinvention. The valve controller preferably comprises a housing and the resilient fingersmay be integrally formed in the housing. The locking member is preferablysubstantially fixed in the axial direction (i.e. along the primary axis of the valvecontroller) relative to the resilient fingers. The locking member may be only rotatable,relative to the resilient fingers, and not otherwise moveable.
    The locking assembly in the valve controller of the second aspect of the inventionmay comprise a locking member for locking the valve controller to the HVACapparatus, wherein the locking member is operable between a releasing configuration,and a locking configuration. The locking member may be rotatable, and morepreferably manually rotatable. The locking member may be arranged in accordancewith the locking member of the first aspect of the invention.
    In embodiments of the present invention in which the controller comprises alocking member and a plurality of resilient fingers, the locking member may, in thelocking configuration, be arranged to prevent movement of the fingers out of the snapfit. In the releasing configuration the resilient fingers may be moveable into/out of thesnap fit. During operation of the valve controller, the valve controller may besubjected to a force that urges the controller off the HVAC apparatus. For example, ifthe valve controller is actuating the valve of the HVAC apparatus downwardly, it maybe subjected to a reaction force that urges the controller upwardly off the apparatus(and thus urges the fingers out of the snap fit). The locking member is preferablyarranged to block movement of the fingers out of the snap fit. The locking member ispreferably arranged to block any movement of the fingers out of the snap fit. Thelocking member may be arranged such that when the fingers are urged out of the snap fit, at least some of the urging force is reacted into the locking member. This limits thestress on the resilient fingers. The locking member may be arranged to transfer at leastsome of the urging force into a third structure, such as a housing of the valve controller.
    The locking member may comprise a shielding element, and in the lockingconfiguration the shielding element may be located adjacent the fingers to prevent themovement out of the snap fit. In the releasing configuration the shielding element maybe located remotely from the fingers, such that the fingers are allowed into/out of thesnap fit. The locking member may comprise a plurality of apertures, and in thereleasing configuration the apertures may be located adjacent the fingers to allowmovement of the fingers into/out of the snap fit. In embodiments in which the lockingmember comprises both a shielding element and a plurality of apertures, the aperturesmay be disposed between adjacent parts of the shielding element. The locking memberis preferably ring-shaped. The shielding element and apertures may extendcircumferentially around the locking member. The apertures may be in the form ofrecesses in the locking element, but more preferably the apertures extend all the waythrough the locking element.
    The locking element preferably comprises a means for receiving manualactuation. For example, the locking element may comprise a protruding tab arrangedsuch that a user can actuate the locking member between the releasing and lockingconfigurations by moving (for example pushing) the tab in a particular direction. Thelocking member may be rotatably mounted on the housing of the valve controller.
    The valve controller of the present invention may be for use on any HVACapparatus. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve controller is aThermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV). The disadvantages solved or mitigated by thepresent invention are especially applicable to TRVs.
    According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method offitting a valve controller to a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC)apparatus, comprising the steps of: attaching the valve controller to the HVAC apparatus, and rotating a lockingmember in the valve controller from a releasing configuration to a lockingconfiguration.
    According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method offitting a valve controller to a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC)apparatus, comprising the steps of: fitting an adaptor element to the HVAC apparatus, engaging a plurality of resilient fingers with the adaptor element in a snap fit,such that the valve controller is coupled to the valve on the HVAC apparatus, andoperating a locking member from a releasing configuration to a lockingconfiguration to lock the valve controller to the HVAC apparatus.
    It will be appreciated that any features described with reference to one aspect ofthe invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention, and vice versa.For example any features described with reference to the first aspect may be equallyapplicable to the second aspect. Any features described with reference to the firstaspect may also be equally applicable to the third or fourth aspects.
    Description of the Drawings
    Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:
    Figures la to lc are perspective views of a TRV in accordance with a firstembodiment of the invention;
    Figure Id is a perspective view of the TRV in Fig lc with the housing removed;Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the TRV of the first embodimentshowing the housing and an adaptor;
    Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the TRV of the first embodimentshowing the housing and a locking member;
    Figures 4a and 4b are perspective views of the housing with the locking memberinstalled, Fig 4a showing the housing in phantom; and
    Figure 5 is a section view of the housing, locking member and adaptor of the firstembodiment of the invention.
    Detailed Description
    Figures la to Id are perspective views of a Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) 1in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The TRV 1 comprises a housing 3 on which a temperature control dial 5 is mounted. The TRV is arranged tocontrol the temperature of a radiator to which it is connected (not shown) independence on the local temperature and on the desired temperature set by the controldial 5. The TRV 1 comprises an LCD display 7 on which data (not shown) such as thelocal and target temperatures, and the heating timing periods may be displayed. Threeprogram buttons 9 are located adjacent the display 7 and enable a user to program TRV1. The internal mechanism for actuating the valve on the radiator is visible in FigureId which is a perspective view of the TRV from below, with the housing 3 removed.TRV actuating mechanisms per se are, of course, well known and are therefore notdiscussed in more detail in the present application.
    The TRV 1 comprises an adaptor element 11 for fitting the TRV 1 to a radiator.The adaptor 11 and its relationship to other parts of the TRV 1 will now be describedwith reference to Figures 2 and 5.
    Referring first to Figure 2, the adaptor element 11 is ring-shaped with a taperingedge 13. A portion of the internal surface of the adaptor 11 has a screw-threadedportion 17 for mating with a corresponding external screw thread on a radiator. Theadaptor 11 can therefore be securely fixed to the radiator on which the TRV is to beused.
    The widest portion of the adaptor 11 has a serrated edge 15a which mates with acorrespondingly serrated internal surface 15b on the TRV housing 3 such that relativerotation between the housing 3 and adaptor 11 is prevented (although the serratedsurfaces do not, of course, prevent longitudinal movement of the adaptor 11 into/out ofthe housing 3).
    During installation of the TRV, the adaptor 11 (together with some associatedother parts not shown in Figure 2) is typically screw-fitted to the radiator (around theradiator valve). The remainder of the TRV is then placed over the adaptor 11 such thatthe complementary serrated portions cooperate as described above.
    The first embodiment of the invention provides a compact means for quickly andeasily fastening the adaptor 11 to the remainder of the TRV. Specifically, the housing3 includes three resilient fingers 19 integrally formed on the internal surface thereof.
    All the fingers are spaced 120 degrees apart and only one finger 19 is visible in theperspective view of figure 2. The finger extends from a base 21 and by virtue of theresiliency of the housing material, the upper portion of each finger can be pushed outwardly a small amount under sufficient force. The upper portion of each fingercomprises a protruding ridge 23 with a sloped outer face. This enables the fingers toengage the adaptor in a snap fit when the adaptor and housing are brought together.More particularly, the fingers are pushed outwardly and then snap fit into thecircumferential groove 25 in the adaptor. The end of each finger 19 forms a snug-fit inthe groove, and thus relative translational movement between the housing 3 and adaptor11 is prevented (when the fingers are in the groove). The snap fit is also visible inFigure 5 which is a cross-section view showing one of the fingers 19 engaging thegroove 25 on the adaptor 9.
    This arrangement facilitates construction of a relatively small valve controller. Italso facilitates the quick and easy installation of the TRV onto the radiator.
    Referring now to Figures 3, 4a and 4b, the TRV of the first embodiment of theinvention also comprises a locking member 27 for locking the TRV 1 to the radiator.The locking member 27 is in the form of a locking ring comprising a shielding element29, three apertures 31 and a manually operable tab 33 which protrudes from thehousing 3. In use, the locking member 27 is located in an annular space formedbetween two portions of the housing 3, and is rotatably moveable therein. The lockingmember 27 may be so rotated by a user pushing on slider 32 (see Figures lc and Id)which in turn pushes the protruding tab 33 (see Figs 4a and 4b) to which the slider 32 isconnected.
    The locking member 27 is operable to a locking configuration as is shown inFigure 4a. In the locking configuration, the shielding element 29 is located adjacent,and outwardly of, the fingers 19. In such a configuration, the fingers 19 and shieldingelement 29 are such that the shielding element physically blocks all outward movementof the fingers 19.
    The locking member 27 is also operable to a releasing configuration (not shown).In the releasing configuration the locking member 27 is rotated a small amount suchthat the apertures 31 are located adjacent, and outwardly of, the fingers 19. In such aconfiguration, the fingers 19 and apertures 27 are such that the locking member nolonger blocks outward movement of the fingers 19 and thus allows the fingers 19 tosnap fit into, and out of, engagement with the adaptor 11.
    During fitting of the TRV 1, the locking member 27 is placed in the releasingconfiguration to enable the fingers 19 to engage the adaptor 11. The locking member is then rotated (using the slider 32/tab 33) to the locking configuration such that the TRVis securely fixed to the radiator. Such an arrangement enables the TRV to be securelyfitted to the apparatus relatively easily and quickly.
    During operation of the TRV, when the TRV actuates the valve of the radiatordownwardly, it is subjected to a reaction force that urges the TRV upwardly off theradiator. It thus urges the fingers 19 out of the snap fit with the adaptor 11. Theshielding elements 29 of the locking member 27 block outward movement of thefingers 19 and thus the urging force is reacted into the locking member 27. This limitsthe stress on the fingers 19 ensuring they are less susceptible to breakage. The lockingmember in turn is also arranged to transfer at least some of the urging force into thehousing 3 of the TRV 1.
    Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to aparticular embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which haveknown, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are hereinincorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims fordetermining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as toencompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integersor features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenientor the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1]
    A valve controller for controlling a valve on a heating, ventilating, or air handling (HVAC) device, the valve controller comprising: a plurality of resilient fingers for attaching the valve controller to the HVAC device by a snap connection, and a lock means for locking the valve controller means relative to the HVAC device, the locking means being manually rotatable between a release configuration in which the resilient fingers are movable in / out of the snap connection, and a locking configuration in which the locking means is arranged to move the fingers out of prevent the click connection.
    [2]
    Valve controller according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is substantially mounted in the axial direction with respect to the resilient fingers.
    [3]
    3. Valve controller for controlling a valve on a heating, ventilation, or air handling (HVAC) device, the valve controller comprising: an adapter element suitable for being installed on the HVAC device, a plurality of resilient fingers adapted to be applied to to engage the adapter element in a snap connection to thereby couple the valve controller to the valve on the HVAC device, and a locking member for locking the valve controller relative to the HVAC device, the locking member being operable between a releasing configuration and a locking configuration.
    [4]
    Valve controller according to claim 3, wherein the adapter element comprises a groove for receiving at least one of the fingers in the snap connection.
    [5]
    Valve controller according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the adapter element is threaded, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding thread on the HVAC device.
    [6]
    Valve controller according to any of claims 3-5, wherein in the locking configuration the locking member is arranged to prevent the fingers from moving out of the snap connection.
    [7]
    Valve controller according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the locking member is arranged such that, in the locking configuration, when the fingers are forced out of the snap connection, at least a portion of the urging force is applied reactive to the locking member.
    [8]
    Valve controller according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the locking member comprises a shielding element, and in the locking configuration, the shielding element is located adjacent to the fingers to prevent movement from the snap connection.
    [9]
    Valve controller according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the locking member comprises a plurality of openings, and in the releasing configuration, the openings are located near the fingers to allow for the movement of devingers in / out of the snap connection.
    [10]
    The valve controller of claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the openings are located between adjacent portions of the shielding element.
    [11]
    Valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the HVAC device is a radiator and the valve controller is a thermal radiator valve (TRV).
    [12]
    A method for installing a valve controller on a heating, ventilating, or air handling (HVAC) device, comprising steps of: attaching the valve controller to the HVAC device using a plurality of resilient fingers engaged in a snap connection rotating a locking member in the valve controller from a release configuration in which the resilient fingers are movable in / out of the snap connection, to a locking configuration in which the locking member is oriented to prevent the fingers from moving out of the snap connection.
    [13]
    A method for installing a valve controller on a heating, ventilating, or air handling (HVAC) device, comprising steps of: installing an adapter element on the HVAC device, and engaging a plurality of resilient fingers on the adapter element a snap connection, such that the valve controller is coupled to the valve on the HVAC device, and operating a locking member from a releasing configuration to a locking configuration to lock the valve controller relative to the HVAC device.
    [14]
    14. Valve controller as described herein with reference to the figures.
    类似技术:
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    KR20070089599A|2007-08-31|A thermostatic setting device for valves in room heating and conditioning systems
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    GB201201004D0|2012-03-07|
    DE102013100089A1|2013-07-25|
    GB2498573A|2013-07-24|
    GB2498573B|2018-08-08|
    NL2010153B1|2018-04-16|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US5505226A|1995-02-12|1996-04-09|Breth; Newton R.|Raised actuator mount|
    DE19706736C1|1997-02-20|1998-06-04|Honeywell Ag|Motor-based actuator for central heating thermostatic valves|
    DE10109644A1|2001-02-27|2002-09-26|Behr Thermot Tronik Gmbh|Device for attaching an actuator or a thermostatic head to a valve|
    DE102004063421A1|2004-12-23|2006-08-17|Honeywell Technologies S.A.R.L.|Thermostat controller for radiator valves|
    KR101090374B1|2008-12-23|2011-12-07|남성정밀 주식회사|Automatic thermostatic control valve|
    DK2372203T3|2010-03-29|2012-12-17|Siemens Ag|Coupling in an actuator with a valve using a holding element which engages in a recess|US20210071794A1|2019-09-05|2021-03-11|Computime Ltd.|Mounting Mechanism for Thermostatic Devices|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    GB1201004.7A|GB2498573B|2012-01-20|2012-01-20|A valve controller|
    GB201201004|2012-01-20|
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