DEVICE FOR CENTRAL CONTROL OF WATER, HEAT AND ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION IN A HOUSE

Abstract: Device for centrally controlling water, heat and electrical functions in a house, where the device having the shape of a cabinet (2) comprising connections for the external water supply to the house and the internal water distribution, preferably arranged in lower and upper portions of the cabinet, a water heater being arranged in the cabinet and the junction box for the house being arranged in the cabinet when the cabinet is installed, whereby the rear portion of the junction box (1) protruding into or facing the cabinet and comprising sockets (3) for connection of electrical units in the cabinet by means of normal electrical plugs.

Description: Device for central control of water, heat and electricity distribution in a house The present invention is related to a device for central supply of and control of functions related to water, heat and electricity in a house. To exploit the possibility which today are present within heat recovery it may be desireable to arrange units for controlling water, air and electricity near each other or even in a common central unit, such as for air condition, hot water, central heating and electrical power supply. For construction of a house usually a separate electrical power supply is used, normally of the three-phase type, during the construction period. The junction box for the electrical power supply during construction normally experiences a rough treatment and in many cases must be replaced during this period, sometimes several times. Towards the end of the construction period the electrical power is connected with the future junction box of the house whereafter the electrical installation as such is completed. The junction box for three- phase electrical current, however, normally is not connected for use in the house only for the construction period. In many cases, however it would be desireable to maintain a three-phase power 5 supply in the house for supply of electric power for example to an electrical kettle for the central heating or a water heater with large effect. With the device according to the present invention as defined by the features stated in the claims, this advantage is o achieved as well as further advantages which will be presented in the following description. In the drawing, Fig. 1 schematically discloses the device according to the present invention, adapted to be arranged towards a wall for connecting the device to the junction box of 5 the house, Fig. 2 discloses a front view of the device having the front cover removed and Fig. 3 discloses schematically a vertical section along III-III in Fig. 2. The device according to the present invention has the shape of a cabinet 2 adapted for mounting in a house and comprising in its lower part 4 and if desired also in its upper part, connections for pipes as well as an electrical kettle and a hot water heater 5. The lower part 4 is open in its rear wall in such a way that pipes 6 protuding up from the floor near a wall may be arranged in the lower part 4 when the cabinet is placed against the wall. In this connection it is desireable to provide the cabinet with wheels such that the cabinet as such may be moved towards the wall and at later occasions when repair works are to be performed, easily may be pulled away from the wall. Simultaneously with arranging the cabinet against the wall, a rear part 3 of a junction box 1 which is cast in the wall, will be arranged protuding into the cabinet 2 through an opening corresponding to the junction box, whereby the cabinet is connected with the junction box, with a sealed connection. The function box 1 also may have a straight rear -wall provided with sockets and facing the cabinet. For the purpose of the construction period, the same junction box is mounted at an early stage of the construction in the wall whereby the rear part 3 of the box is provided with plug socket for three-phase electrical power and the junction box during this period is sealed of to the other side of the wall. With this principal according to the present invention, special electrical conduits for the electrical kettle, the water heater and possibly other units in or on the cabinet 2, are not necessary. As described below, a possibility for three-phase electrical supply in the cabinet 2 hereby is provided by means of sockets on the rear part 2 which was used during the construction period and which are present within the upper part of the cabinet. The junction box 1 as such is inserted in an opening in a wall, through which the electrical power supply to the house normally is guided. Preferably the power supply and the junction box 1 is mounted in the wall at an early stage of the construction period, the junction box thereby being used as a three-phase electrical current supply. A cover is closing the rear side of the junction box 1 during the construction period and is removed by completion of the house to function as the normal junction box of the house. The cabinet 2 is a premanufactured unit for quick and simple connection to the main supply for water and water piping in the house as well as pipes for heating, which pipes protrude from the floor in the -lower part 4 of the cabinet 2 and is connected with the cabinet by suitable fittings. This principal ensures a quick mounting. The pipes protuding from the floor are cast in a frame thereby ensuring the relative positions of the different pipes. By making the junction box part of the cabinet 2 there is no need for special electrical conduits to the water heater 5 or other electrical units in connection with the cabinet 2, which may be supplied with electrical power by means of standard plug sockets, preferably providing the units with three- phase current. By mounting the junction box in a wall at an early stage of the construction period, providing the box with a current meter and necessary protection which by completion of the house are to be used as normal components in the general junction box of the house, it is possible already during the construction period to use electrical power on the same conditions as after completion of the house namely as normal the supply to the house as such and above all. Use of special components during the construction period is avoided. Such components will later be used in the normal junction box of the house. Sealed junction box as such preferably may be arranged in a light wall or other wall type without further sealing, or enclosures. As disclosed in Fig. 3 a frame 7 is cast in the floor having accurate positions for the different pipes 6 protruding from the floor thereby enabling a standarized connection to the water heater and possibly heat exchanger in the cabinet 2. Hh a special embodiment of the present invention, the frame 7 may be connected with the junction box 1 by means of profiles 8 in such a way that the posisition of the junction box 1 is fixed when the frame 7 is cast in the floor thereby also ensuring correct distance between the frame 7 and the junction box 1 to fit into the cabinet 2. Furthermore the junction box 1 in this way may be used even before the wall 4 is erected. Preferably a refrigerator compressor for a refrigerated room and a central unit for the air condition may be mounted in or on the cabinet 2 thereby avoiding a special conduit for electrical supply. With the device according to the present invention, the different parts in and on the cabinet may be replaced by unskilled persons as only standard electrical sockets are used.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i m s 1. Device for central controlling water, heat and electrical functions in a house, CHARACTERIZED IN the device having the shape of a cabinet (2) comprising connections for the external water supply to the house and the internal water distribution, preferably arranged in a lower and upper portions of the cabinet, a water heater being arranged in the cabinet and the junction box for the house being arranged in the cabinet when the cabinet is installed, whereby the rear portion of the junction box (1) protuding into or facing the cabinet and comprising sockets (3) for connection of electrical units in the cabinet by means of normal electrical plugs. 2. Device according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN the junction box being inserted in and through a wall, protuding with its rear portion into the cabinet, whereby the front side of the junction box after the construction period, provides the normal junction for the house, possibly after removing a sealed cover for protection during the construction period.

Inventors: HARDENG ARILD, HARDENG, ARILD
Applicants: HARDENG ARILD, HARDENG, ARILD
Application year: 1990
Main classification: F24H9
IPC codes: F24H9