End Line Assembly for a Heating Device of a Vehicle Fit for Habitation

Abstract

The invention relates to an end line assembly (10) for a heating device (30) of a vehicle (42) fit for habitation, in particular a caravan, motorhome or ship, comprising: at least one exhaust-gas pipe portion (16-1, 16-2) for leading away exhaust gases of an associated burner of the heating device (30); at least one combustion air pipe portion (18) for feeding combustion air to an associated burner of the heating device (30), the exhaust-gas pipe portion (16-1, 16-2) and the combustion air pipe portion (18) being parallel to one another and immovable in a sleeve portion (20), the outside (22) of which delimits the line assembly (10) with respect to the surroundings.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A vehicle fit for habitation, comprising: a heating system with a heating device configured to heat air inside the vehicle and/or to heat water, wherein the heating device is configured to discharge exhaust gases of one or more burners and to feed combustion air to the one or more burners, wherein the heating device comprises an end line assembly, wherein the end line assembly comprises at least one exhaust gas pipe section configured to discharge exhaust gases of an associated burner of the heating device and at least one combustion air pipe section configured to feed combustion air to an associated burner of the heating device, wherein the at least one exhaust gas pipe section and the at least one combustion air pipe section are provided relatively parallel to one another and immovable in a sleeve section, an outside of which delimits the end line assembly from the surroundings, wherein the heating device is accommodated within a compartment separated from an interior by a covering means, wherein the compartment is designed as an underfloor compartment underneath a floor of the interior, wherein the end line assembly is arranged completely outside the interior of the vehicle, wherein the end line assembly comprises a line end piece having a side facing away from the heating device and that forms an outlet for the at least one exhaust gas pipe section and the at least one combustion air pipe section, wherein the end line assembly comprises an extension piece which includes at least one bent line section arranged between a first extension section and a second extension section, wherein the first extension section is, related to a direction of flow of exhaust gas, arranged up-stream of the at least one bent line section, wherein the end line assembly comprises a line adapter directly or indirectly connected to the heating device, on which the line end piece or the extension piece is removably mounted.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the end line assembly comprises at least two exhaust gas pipe sections separated fluidically from one another.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the extension piece comprises a fastening means such that the second extension section is fixable on a wall of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the extension piece comprises a first bent line section arranged between the first extension section and the second extension section, and a second bent line section which is, related to the direction of flow of exhaust gas, arranged downstream on the second extension section.

15. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the first extension section and the second extension section are aligned orthogonally to one another.

16. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the line end piece is configured, related to the direction of flow of exhaust gas, to be mounted on the extension piece downstream of the second extension section.

17. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein at least one flexible exhaust gas pipe section and at least one flexible combustion air pipe section are arranged fluidically between the heating device and the end line assembly.

18. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the line end piece or the extension piece is removably mounted in a plug style connection.

19. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the vehicle is a caravan, motor home or ship.

Description

[0026] In the following text, the invention is exemplarily and non-restrictingly described in more detail based on various embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and simplified plan view (FIG. 1A) and an associated sectional view (FIG. 1B) according to section line B-B of a first example of a line end piece of an end line assembly;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic and simplified plan view (FIG. 2A) and an associated sectional view (FIG. 2B) according to section line B-B of a second example of a line end piece of an end line assembly;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a schematic and simplified plan view (FIG. 3A) and an associated sectional view (FIG. 3B) according to section line B-B of a third example of a line end piece of an end line assembly;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic and simplified plan view (FIG. 4A) and an associated sectional view (FIG. 4B) according to section line B-B of a first example of an extension piece of an end line assembly;

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematic and simplified plan view (FIG. 5A) and an associated sectional view (FIG. 5B) according to section line B-B of a second example of an extension piece of an end line assembly;

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a schematic and simplified view of a vehicle fit for habitation, on which, by way of example, a line end piece or an extension piece is arranged on an end line assembly;

[0033] FIG. 7 shows schematic representations of possible configurations of an end line assembly in partial FIGS. A) to F).

[0034] In all subsequent figures, a direction of flow SA of exhaust gas is characterized by a correspondingly designated arrow. The direction of flow SV of combustion air sucked in from the surroundings is opposite to the direction of exhaust gas flow SA.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic and simplified form, an end line assembly 10 for a heating device of a vehicle fit for habitation. The following description relates both to the plan view (FIG. 1A) and to the sectional view (FIG. 1B). The line assembly 10 includes a line end piece 12 which, in the example shown, is arranged in a wall 14, for example, a wall of the vehicle fit for habitation or a wall of a compartment within which the heating device is accommodated.

[0036] The line end piece 12 includes a first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 for discharging exhaust gases. Furthermore, the line end piece 12 includes a second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2. A combustion air pipe section 18, which serves to feed combustion air to an associated burner of the heating device, is arranged underneath the two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2. In this process, the two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and the combustion pipe section 18 are provided relatively parallel to one another and immovable in a sleeve section 20. The outside 22 of the sleeve section 20 delimits the line assembly from the surroundings. In this example, the line end piece 12 is designed in such a manner that it also includes a cover plate 24 in which the outlets of the various pipe sections 16-1, 16-2, 18 are formed and which serves to cover an opening 26 provided in the wall 14, within which the line end piece 12 is accommodated.

[0037] Further exhaust gas pipe sections 16-3 or combustion pipe sections 18-1 can be connected to the line end piece 12. These line sections 16-3, 18-1 can be designed rigid or flexible. Preferably, the pipe sections 16-3 and 18-1 are designed in such a manner that the line end piece 12 can be easily connected to its pipe sections 16-1, 16-2, 18, in particular, by forming a plug connection. It is also conceivable that flexible pipe sections 16-3, 18 are mounted on the line end piece 12 by means of pipe clips not shown therein.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows again, in a schematic and simplified form, an end line assembly 10 for a heating device of a vehicle fit for habitation. The following description relates both to the plan view (FIG. 2A) and to the sectional view (FIG. 2B). The line assembly 10 includes a line end piece 12 which, in the example shown, is arranged in a wall 14, for example, a wall of the vehicle fit for habitation or a wall of a compartment within which the heating device is accommodated.

[0039] The line end piece 12 includes a first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 for discharging exhaust gases. Furthermore, the line end piece 12 includes a second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2. The two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 are surrounded by a combustion air pipe section 18, which serves to feed combustion air to an associated burner of the heating device. In this process, the two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and the combustion pipe section 18 are provided relatively parallel to one another and immovable.

[0040] In contrast to FIG. 1, for example, the combustion air pipe section 18 forms the sleeve section 20 shown separately in FIG. 1. The outside 22 of the combustion air pipe section 18 delimits the line assembly 10 from the surroundings. In this example, the line end piece 12 is designed in such a manner that it also includes a cover plate 24 in which the outlets of the various pipe sections 16-1, 16-2, 18 are formed and which serves to cover an opening 26 provided in the wall 14, within which the line end piece 12 is accommodated.

[0041] The two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 are connected to the surrounding combustion air pipe section 18 by means of brace-like elements 28. In the example shown, each exhaust gas pipe section 16-1, 16-2 is supported on the combustion air pipe section 18 by means of three braces 28. Further exhaust gas pipe sections 16-3, 16-4 or combustion pipe sections 18-1 can be connected to the line end piece 12. These line sections 16-3, 16-4, 18-1 can be designed rigid or flexible. The pipe sections 16-3, 16-4 and 18-1 are preferably designed in such a manner that the line end piece 12 can be easily connected to its pipe sections 16-1, 16-2, 18, in particular, by forming a plug connection. It is also conceivable that flexible pipe sections 16-3, 16-4, 18-1 are mounted on the line end piece 12 by means of pipe clips not shown therein.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows again, in a schematic and simplified form, an end line assembly 10 for a heating device of a vehicle fit for habitation. The following description relates both to the plan view (FIG. 3A) and to the sectional view (FIG. 3B). The line assembly 10 includes a line end piece 12 which, in the example shown, is arranged in a wall 14, for example, a wall of the vehicle fit for habitation or a wall of a compartment within which the heating device is accommodated.

[0043] The line end piece 12 includes a first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 for discharging exhaust gases. Furthermore, the line end piece 12 includes a second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2. The two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 are surrounded by a combustion air pipe section 18, which serves to feed combustion air to an associated burner of the heating device. In this process, the two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and the combustion pipe section 18 are provided relatively parallel to one another and immovable. In this example, the exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and the combustion air pipe section 18 are arranged concentrically to one another. In this process, the first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 has a circular cross section. The second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2 is, in the cross section, arranged annularly around the first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1. The combustion air pipe section 18 is, in the cross section, arranged annularly around the second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2.

[0044] As in the example of FIG. 2 (and in contrast to the example of FIG. 1), the combustion air pipe section 18 forms the sleeve section 20 shown separately in FIG. 1. The outside 22 of the combustion air pipe section 18 delimits the line assembly 10 from the surroundings. In this example, the line end piece 12 is designed in such a manner that it also includes a cover plate 24 in which the outlets of the various pipe sections 16-1, 16-2, 18 are formed and which serves to cover an opening 26 provided in the wall 14, within which the line end piece 12 is accommodated.

[0045] The two exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 are connected to the surrounding combustion air pipe section 18 or to one another by means of brace-like elements 28. In the example shown, the first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 is supported on the second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2 by means of three braces 28. The second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2 is again supported on the combustion air pipe section 18 by means of three braces 28. Further exhaust gas pipe sections 16-3, 16-4 or combustion pipe sections 18-1 can be connected to the line end piece 12. These line sections 16-3, 16-4, 18-1 can be designed rigid or flexible. The pipe sections 16-3, 16-4 and 18-1 are preferably designed in such a manner that the line end piece 12 can be easily connected to its pipe sections 16-1, 16-2, 18, in particular, by forming a plug connection. It is also conceivable that flexible pipe sections 16-3, 16-4, 18-1 are mounted on the line end piece 12 by means of pipe clips not shown therein.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows again, in a schematic and simplified form, an end line assembly 10 for a heating device 30 (indicated by dotted lines) of a vehicle fit for habitation. The following description relates both to the plan view (FIG. 4A) and to the sectional view (FIG. 4B). The line assembly 10 includes an extension piece 32 which, in the example shown, is arranged along a wall 14 and an underside 34, for example, a wall and an underside of the vehicle fit for habitation.

[0047] The extension piece 32 includes a first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 for discharging exhaust gases. The exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 is surrounded by a combustion air pipe section 18, which serves to feed combustion air to an associated burner of the heating device 30. In this process, the exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 and the combustion pipe section 18 are provided relatively parallel to one another and immovable. In this example, the exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 and the combustion air pipe section 18 are arranged concentrically to one another. In this process, the first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 has a circular cross section. The combustion air pipe section 18 is, in the cross section, arranged annularly around the first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1.

[0048] In this example, the indicated heating device 30 is accommodated underfloor within a compartment 36. A line end piece 112, which is modified compared to FIGS. 1 to 3, is located in a side wall 38 of the compartment 36. The modified line end piece 112 usually forms the free end of the end line assembly 10, so that exhaust gases are emitted underfloor, i.e. underneath the floor of the vehicle or of the vehicle superstructure fit for habitation, and correspondingly also combustion air is sucked in underfloor. In an alternative—not shown—embodiment, the heating device 30 is designed in such a manner that it itself is mounted underfloor and therefore free of a compartment.

[0049] Under certain circumstances, it can be desirable that the exhaust gas does not effuse underfloor, but at another site which especially is not underfloor and which preferably is located higher than the modified line end piece 112. To that end, the extension piece 32 can be optionally used. In this process, it is envisaged that the extension piece can be connected to the modified line end piece 112, if required.

[0050] In the present example, the extension piece 32 includes a first extension section 32-1 and a second extension section 32-2. The two extension sections 32-1, 32-2 are connected to one another by means of a bent line section 32-3. As can easily be seen from the representation of FIG. 4B, the first extension section 32-1 and the second extension section 32-2 are arranged essentially orthogonally to one another. Another bent line section 32-4 can connect to the second extension section 32-2. The extension sections can be formed together in one piece so that the extension piece 32 is an integral component. Alternatively, the extension sections also can be pluggable, so that the extension piece 32 can, disassembled into individual extension sections, be carried along in the vehicle fit for habitation.

[0051] A fastening means 40 can be provided in an upper area of the extension piece 32, for example, in the second extension section 32-2. The fastening means 40 especially serves to secure the extension piece 32 on the wall 14 of the vehicle. The fastening means 40 can, for example, be designed as a suction cup, which is mounted on the extension piece 32 and the suction side of which is brought into contact with or is in contact with the wall 14.

[0052] Also other types of fastening means are conceivable, one especially thinks of fastening means where complementary fastening elements are provided on the extension piece 32 and the wall 14, through which a form-fit and/or force-fit connection can be produced, if required. For example, a kind of eyelet or opening is provided on the wall 14, into which a hook element mounted on the extension piece 32 can be hooked. Furthermore, also a snap-on connection, for example, with a snap-on element projecting from the extension piece 32 which can be releasably engaged with a snap-on opening provided on the wall 14, is possible as the fastening means.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows again, in a schematic and simplified form, an end line assembly 10 for a heating device 30 (indicated by dotted lines) of a vehicle fit for habitation. The following description relates both to the plan view (FIG. 5A) and to the sectional view (FIG. 5B). The line assembly 10 includes an extension piece 32 which, in the example shown, is arranged along a wall 14 and an underside 34, for example, a wall and an underside of the vehicle fit for habitation.

[0054] The extension piece 32 has a first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 and a second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2 for discharging exhaust gases. The exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 are surrounded by a combustion air pipe section 18, which serves to feed combustion air to an associated burner of the heating device 30. In this process, the exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and the combustion pipe section 18 are provided relatively parallel to one another and immovable. In this example, the first exhaust gas pipe section 16-1 and the second exhaust gas pipe section 16-2 are arranged side by side and accommodated within the combustion air pipe section 18.

[0055] With regard to further features of the extension piece 32 and its arrangement, reference is made to the description regarding FIG. 4, which is also applicable to the example of FIG. 5. Accordingly, further reference numerals are stated in FIG. 5, which, however, have been described with regard to FIG. 4.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, it is pointed out that the various arrangements of exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and combustion air pipe sections 18, such as side by side, on top of one another, into one another, concentric, can be implemented both for the line end pieces 12 and for the extension piece 32. This means that each arrangement shown for a line end piece 12 can be implemented for an extension piece 32 or vice-versa. This, naturally, also applies to the line end piece 112 shown in FIG. 5.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a highly simplified and schematic view of a vehicle 42 fit for habitation, in this case a motor home. The arrangement of a line end piece 12 of an end line assembly is shown, by way of example, in a side wall 14 of the vehicle 42 fit for habitation. The line end piece 12 shown corresponds to the example of FIG. 2. Instead of the line end piece 12 of FIG. 2, also other line end pieces 12 can be arranged on the vehicle 42, such as the line end pieces of FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0058] Furthermore, the arrangement of an extension piece 32 of the end line assembly is shown, by way of example, in FIG. 6. The extension piece 32 of FIG. 5 is, by way of example, shown with two exhaust gas pipe sections. As has already been explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the extension piece 32 is connected or connectable to a heating device arranged underfloor, which is provided on an underside 34 of the vehicle 42 or of the vehicle super-structure. Naturally, also the extension piece 32 according to FIG. 4 can be provided on a vehicle 42.

[0059] Even if the line end piece 12 and the extension piece 32 are shown together on the vehicle 42 in FIG. 6, it is pointed out that usually both are not provided on the same vehicle. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the line end piece 12 and the extension piece are not shown true to scale in relation to the vehicle 42. Rather, they are drawn magnified for the purpose of better understanding.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows, purely schematically, various embodiments or configurations of an end line assembly 10 with regard to an associated heating device 30 in partial FIGS. A) to F).

[0061] According to FIG. 7A, the line end piece 12 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) is connected to the heating device 30 by means of flexible pipes 44. In this process, the flexible pipes 44 are routed in such a manner that a corresponding connection to the exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and the combustion air pipe section 18 can be enabled in the line end piece 12. In the example of FIG. 7A), the line end piece 12 can, for example, be inserted according to FIGS. 2 and 3. In such a configuration, the end line assembly only includes the line end piece 12.

[0062] According to FIG. 7B, a line adapter 46 is mounted on the line end piece 12, which is then connected to the flexible pipes 44. In this process, the line adapter 46 is particularly designed in such a manner that the line end piece 12 can be plugged onto the line adapter. In such a configuration, the end line assembly includes the line adapter 46 and the line end piece 12. In this process, plugging-in is an example of a rapid fastening system. An alternative comprises, for example, a bayonet system.

[0063] According to FIG. 7C, an extension piece 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is mounted on flexible pipes 44 by means of a line adapter 46. The line adapter shown therein can also be designed or understood as a line end piece 112 within the meaning of FIG. 5. In such a configuration, the end line assembly 10 includes the line adapter 46 or the line end piece 112 and the extension piece 32.

[0064] According to FIG. 7D, also a configuration is conceivable where a line adapter 46 is directly mounted on the heating device, and the extension piece 32 is provided on the line adapter 46. As in the example of FIG. 7C, the line adapter 46 can also be designed as a line end piece within the meaning of FIG. 5. In such a configuration, the end line assembly 10 includes the line adapter 46 or the line end piece 112 and the extension piece 32.

[0065] According to FIGS. 7E and 7F, individual lines 44-1, 44-2, 44-3 connected to a heating device 30 can be connected to a line adapter 46. The line adapter can then be connected to a line end piece 12 (FIG. 7F) or an extension piece 32 (FIG. 7E). In this process, the line adapter 46 is designed in such a manner that the individual lines 44-1, 44-2, 44-3 on the side of the heating device are fluidically merged in such a manner that the line end piece 12 or the extension piece 32 can, at the end of the line adapter 46, be connected to the arrangements of exhaust gas pipe sections 16-1, 16-2 and combustion air sections 18 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. In a configuration according to FIG. 7E, the end line assembly 10 includes the adapter 46 or the line end piece 112 and the extension piece 32. In a configuration according to FIG. 7F, the end line assembly 10 includes the adapter 46 and the line end piece 12.