ES2981785T3 - Pipe connection piece for ventilation pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe connection piece (1) for connection to a ventilation pipe is described, which comprises a tubular hollow body (10) made of an elastic polymer foam material comprising a first connection region defining a first connection opening (13) which is designed to receive a ventilation pipe, wherein the first connection region has a first circumferential inner rib (11) and a second circumferential inner rib (12) arranged between the first inner rib (11) and the connection opening (13), wherein the first inner rib (11) has a greater height than the second inner rib (12). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Pipe connection piece for ventilation pipe

Technical scope

The present invention relates to a pipe connection piece for building ventilation technology, as well as to a use and a method for manufacturing such a pipe connection piece.

State of the art

In ventilation technology, pipes are often connected to each other using plug-in connections, such as plug-in sleeves, or connected to a ventilation component. To create a sufficiently strong and stable connection, clamps or similar fastening elements are used to securely connect the pipe to a plug-in sleeve. Alternatively, material-pull connections are possible, but are less preferred due to lack of solubility. In ventilation technology, the pipes used serve to supply and evacuate supplementary air and warm or cold exhaust air into or out of the building. To prevent interruptions and loss of efficiency, it must be ensured that all fluid ducts and ventilation are hermetically sealed. To increase the tightness of plug-in connections, for example, seals, in particular sealing rings, are used.

JP 2002 144846 A discloses a connection structure for an air duct of a vehicle air conditioning system.

Document DE 20 2011 003 955 U1 discloses an adapter for connecting air ducts to a ventilation apparatus, an air distribution device and/or the like.

Representation of the invention

Connections known in the prior art are often complex to assemble, since separate fixing elements and/or additional assembly steps are necessary to ensure a secure and leak-tight connection.

The general objective of the present invention is therefore to further develop the state of the art in the field of pipe connections in building ventilation technology and preferably to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art in whole or in part. In a first aspect, this objective is achieved by a pipe connection piece for connection to a ventilation pipe according to independent claim 1. Such a pipe connection piece comprises a tubular hollow body made of an elastic polymer foam material. The hollow body has a first connection area, which is designed to accommodate a ventilation pipe, in particular to enclose it peripherally. The first connection area of the tubular hollow body defines a first connection opening. Furthermore, the first connection area has a first peripheral inner rib, i.e. surrounding the longitudinal axis of the first reception area, and a second peripheral inner rib, i.e. surrounding the longitudinal axis of the first reception area. The second inner rib is arranged between the first inner rib and the connection opening, in particular along or in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the first connection area. In addition, the first inner rib has a greater height than the second inner rib. The arrangement of the first and second inner ribs ensures, on the one hand, easy insertion of a ventilation pipe and, on the other hand, leads to a firm but releasable connection between the ventilation pipe and the pipe connection piece. No additional fastening elements are required to secure the pipe.

In general, the first connection region has an inner wall. This inner wall includes an inner surface. The person skilled in the art understands that the first and second inner ribs are each formed radially inwardly from the inner wall in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the first connection region. The height of the respective rib is given by the maximum elevation of the respective inner rib from the flat inner surface. The term "greater height" is to be understood in particular in such a way that the first and second ribs are configured such that, due to the greater height, the first rib can exert a tighter form fit and thus a greater force effect on a tube with a constant circumference than the second rib.

The person skilled in the art understands that the term "rib" means an elongated reinforcing structure which rises from the flat inner surface of the pipe connection piece adjacent to the rib. A rib thus forms an elevation, in particular both the rib and the flat inner surface of the pipe connection piece adjacent to the rib being accessible from the inside of the pipe connection piece. A rib can thus make contact with a pipe inserted into the first connection opening. Furthermore, a rib is a local elevation, i.e. from the location of the maximum elevation, the rib descends in both directions of the longitudinal axis to the level of the flat inner surface of the pipe connection piece.

In some embodiments, the inner surface of the first connection zone is configured planar except for the first and second inner ribs. Therefore, the inner surface of the first connection zone cannot have additional elevations, except for the first and second inner ribs.

The longitudinal axis of the first connection zone is usually parallel to the direction of fluid flow and, in particular, may be arranged perpendicular to the open plane of the connection opening.

The connection opening may have different shapes or contours. For example, it may have an oval, rectangular, round and in particular circular contour. In general, the first connection region may also have an oval, rectangular, round and in particular circular contour in cross section, perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis or the flow direction. In this case, the first and second inner ribs may each be designed to run radially circumferentially.

The tubular hollow body can define either a linear fluid path or a curved fluid path.

In some embodiments, the first connection zone only has exactly two ribs.

In some embodiments, the tube connection piece may have multiple connection openings. In this case, a further connection opening may also have a first and/or a second inner rib or may be designed without a rib.

In some embodiments, the diameter of the connection openings is between 50 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 100 mm and 120 mm.

In some embodiments, the total open area through the first connection opening, and optionally <each additional connection opening, may be 0.25 dm>2 <up to 2 dm2, especially 0.5 dm>2 <up to 1.5 mm2.>

In some embodiments, the first inner rib and the second inner rib each have a height of at least 1.00 mm, in particular at least 1.50 mm, in particular at least 2.00 mm, in particular at least 2.30 mm.

In some embodiments, the first inner rib and the second inner rib each have a height of a maximum of 4.00 mm, in particular a maximum of 3.50 mm, in particular a maximum of 3.00 mm, in particular a maximum of 2.50 mm. Such a rib height is advantageous in that the pipe connection part can be produced in one piece, in particular with the aid of molded foams, without the need for particularly complex molding tools, since the ribs can yield elastically through the use of an elastic polymer foam from which the pipe connection part is made, without being damaged during demolding. After demolding, the ribs return to the desired original shape due to the elasticity of the material.

In some embodiments, the first inner rib and the second inner rib each have a height of 1.00 mm to 4.00 mm, in particular 1.50 mm to 3.50 mm, in particular 2.00 mm to 3.00 mm, in particular 2.30 mm to 2.80 mm, in particular 2.30 mm to 2.50 mm. In combination with a connection opening with a diameter and/or open total surface as described above, such rib heights allow, on the one hand, easy insertion of the tube and, at the same time, a firm connection of the tube to the connection piece, without the tube being able to unintentionally slip out of the first connection region.

In some embodiments, the difference between the height of the first inner rib and the height of the second inner rib is between 0.10 mm and 1.00 mm, in particular between 0.10 mm and 0.50 mm, in particular between 0.15 mm and 0.30 mm. This difference is advantageous because, on the one hand, it ensures easy insertion of the tube and at the same time a firm hold of the tube in the first connection part.

In some embodiments, the distance between the second inner rib and the first connection opening is 3 mm to 10 mm, preferably >6 mm to >8 mm. The relatively close arrangement of the second inner rib relative to the first connection opening facilitates insertion of the ventilation tube.

In some embodiments, the first inner rib and the second inner rib in the cross section of the longitudinal axis of the first connection zone each have a distal and proximal inclination angle of less than 90°, in particular less than 80°, relative to the inner surface of the first connection zone.

In some embodiments, the first inner rib and the second inner rib in the cross section of the longitudinal axis of the first connection zone each have a distal and proximal inclination angle of 30° to 55°, in particular 40° to 50°, in particular 45°, with respect to the inner surface of the first connection zone. Typically, the lateral and proximal inclination angles of the first inner rib may be of the same size. Equivalently, the lateral and proximal inclination angles of the second inner rib may be of the same size. The person skilled in the art understands that the proximal inclination angle of the first rib is the one that is furthest from the connection opening in cross section along the longitudinal axis of the first connection zone and the distal inclination angle of the first rib is the one that is arranged closer to the connection opening than the corresponding proximal inclination angle. Equivalently, the proximal inclination angle of the second rib is that which is furthest from the connection opening in cross section along the longitudinal axis of the first connection region and the distal inclination angle of the first rib is that which is arranged closer to the connection opening than the corresponding proximal inclination angle. Such inclination angles have the advantage that, particularly in in-mold foaming, demolding is possible during production without the demolding causing the formed internal ribs to break or otherwise be damaged, and yet a firm connection to a tube can be achieved.

In some embodiments, the pipe connection piece is formed in one piece. Compared to a multi-part connection piece, this enables, on the one hand, faster and thus more efficient production and, on the other hand, reduces the occurrence of leaks and increases the structural stability of the pipe connection piece. In particular, the pipe connection piece can be manufactured by in-mold foaming.

In some embodiments, the first connection region forms a tube stop for contacting a ventilation tube inserted into the first connection opening, in particular for contacting the distal end of the ventilation tube. The tube stop may delimit the first connection region proximally, while the latter may be delimited distally by the first connection opening. The first and second inner ribs are arranged, in particular along the longitudinal axis, between the tube stop and the first connection opening. It is understood by those skilled in the art that a tube stop may in particular have a narrowing of the cross section of the hollow body.

In some embodiments, the tube stop has a distance of 20 mm to 40 mm, in particular 25 mm to 37 mm, in particular 25 mm to 30 mm, to the first inner rib along the longitudinal axis of the first connection region. This provides sufficient space for additional sealing devices, such as a sealing ring. The combination of a sealing ring and the rib arrangement according to the invention is advantageous because together they enable a higher tightness of the connection. These sealing rings can be made, for example, of an elastomeric material, in particular with high adhesive properties.

In some embodiments, a sealing zone, in particular for arranging a sealing ring, is provided between the pipe stop and the first connection opening. In particular, the sealing zone may be arranged between the pipe stop and the first inner rib.

In some embodiments, the tubular hollow body comprises a second connection zone which is different from the first connection zone and defines a second connection opening. This may be structurally similar or identical to the first end zone. The second connection zone is also designed to accommodate a ventilation pipe, in particular to enclose it peripherally. Such a second connection zone has a first peripheral inner rib and a second peripheral inner rib arranged between the first inner rib and the second connection opening, the first inner rib having a greater height than the second inner rib. Such embodiments are advantageous, for example, for connecting two ventilation pipes.

The first connection opening and the second connection opening may have the same dimensions or have different dimensions. They may have a total open area and/or a diameter of the same size, or a total open area and/or a diameter of different sizes. Furthermore, the shape of the first and second connection openings may be the same or different.

In general, the first inner rib and the second inner rib of the second connection zone may have one or more of the characteristics of the first inner rib and the second inner rib of the second connection zone described herein.

In some embodiments, the tubular hollow body is made of expanded polypropylene. Expanded polypropylene has the advantage of light weight, good stability and high tightness.

In some embodiments, the Young's modulus of the elastic polymeric foam material is between 200 and 500 MPa.

In some embodiments, the density of the elastic polymeric foam material is between 55 g/L and 80 g/L, preferably between 60 g/L and 70 g/L. While lower densities, for example 40 to 45 g/L, provide satisfactory results in terms of tightness, at a fluid pressure of 250 Pa an output flow rate of 0.04 m3/h is observed and at 1000 Pa an output flow rate of 0.12 m3/h. On the other hand, at a density higher than 55 g/L, especially at 60 g/L at a fluid pressure of 250 Pa, an output flow rate of 0 m3/h and at 1000 Pa an output flow rate of 0.01 m3/h is observed without increasing the weight too much.

In a second aspect of the invention, the general objective is achieved by a method for manufacturing a pipe connection piece according to one of the embodiments described herein by means of in-mold foaming. The method here includes: pouring a polymeric material into a molding tool, in-mold foaming the polymeric material to form a pipe connection piece according to one of the embodiments described herein and demolding the foamed pipe connection piece. It is understood that the molding tool is designed such that a pipe connection piece can be manufactured according to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the molding tool may have a tubular cavity with two peripheral grooves of different depth, which serve to form the first and second inner ribs of the first connection region.

In a third aspect of the invention, the general object is achieved by a set of parts comprising at least one pipe connection piece according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein and a ventilation pipe. The ventilation pipe can in particular be a corrugated ventilation pipe, which has the advantage that the first and second inner ribs can engage peripherally in the corrugated ventilation pipe and thus ensure a better hold of the corrugated ventilation pipe. The ventilation pipe and/or the first connection region are designed such that the ventilation pipe can be accommodated in the first connection region, in particular by surrounding it peripherally.

In some embodiments, the assembly of parts may additionally include one or more sealing rings. Preferably, one or more sealing rings are configured such that they can be arranged in the sealing zone between the first connection opening and the tube stop.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the general objective is achieved by using a pipe connection piece according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein to form a pipe connection.

Brief explanation of the figures

Aspects of the invention are explained in more detail using the exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures and the associated description.

<Figure>1<shows a cross section of a tube connector according to the invention according to an embodiment of the invention;

<Figure>2<shows a perspective view of a tube connection piece according to the invention according to another>embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of the inner ribs of a pipe connection piece according to the invention according to an embodiment of the invention.

Ways of carrying out the invention.

1 shows a cross section along the longitudinal axis A of a pipe connecting piece 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The pipe connecting piece 1 comprises a tubular hollow body 10 made of an elastic polymeric material. This has a first connection region, which extends from the connection opening 13 along its longitudinal axis A to the pipe stop 14. The first connection region has <a first peripheral inner rib> 11 <and a second peripheral inner rib> 12 <.>

The second inner rib 12 is arranged along the longitudinal axis A between the first inner rib 11 and the connection opening 13. The height of the first rib 11 is greater than the height of the second rib 12. The pipe connecting piece 1 also has the second connection region, which is different from the first connection region and defines a second connection opening 23, which is located between the second connection opening 23 and the second pipe stop 24. In the embodiment shown, the second connection region has <a first peripheral inner rib> 21 <and a second peripheral inner rib> 22 <arranged between the first> inner rib 21 and the second connection opening 23, the first inner rib 21 having a greater height <than the second inner rib> 22 <.>

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a pipe connection piece 1 according to the invention according to another embodiment of the invention. This differs structurally from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 by a different contour of the first connection opening 13. Furthermore, the pipe connection piece does indeed have a second connection region with the second connection opening 23, but in the embodiment shown this is rib-free, i.e. rib-free.

3 shows an enlarged detail of a first connection region with the first connection opening 13 of a tube connection part 1 according to the invention. The first connection region has a first inner rib with a height H1 and a second inner rib with a height H2 arranged between the first inner rib and the first connection opening 13. The height H1 is greater than the height H2. Furthermore, the respective distal inclination angle a2 is shown on the second inner rib. This is generally defined between the inner surface 15 of the inner wall and the approximate tangent T2. In the present embodiment, the tangent T2 is located in cross section at the inflection point of the second inner rib. The respective proximal inclination angle a1 is shown on the first inner rib. This is generally defined between the inner surface 15 of the inner wall and the approximate tangent T1. In the present embodiment, the tangent T1 is located in cross section at the inflection point of the first inner rib.

Claims (14)

1. Pipe connecting piece (1) for connection to a ventilation pipe, comprising a tubular hollow body <(>10<) made of an elastic polymeric foam material comprising a first connection zone defining> a first connection opening (13), which is configured to accommodate a ventilation pipe, the first <connection zone having a first peripheral inner rib (>11<) and a second peripheral inner rib (>12<)> arranged between the first inner rib (11) and the connection opening (13), the first inner rib (>11<) having a greater height than the second inner rib (>12<), the first inner rib (>11<) and the second inner rib (>12<) being a respective elongated reinforcing structure rising from the flat inner surface of the pipe connecting piece which is joined to the inner rib, the first inner rib descending (>11<) and the second inner rib (>12<) respectively from the location of the maximum elevation in both directions of the longitudinal axis (A) of the first connection zone to the level of the flat inner surface of the pipe connection piece. 2. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first inner rib (11) and the second inner rib (12) each have a height of between 1.00 mm and 4.00 mm, in particular between 2.00 mm and 3.00 mm. 3. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the difference between the height of the first inner rib (>11<) and the height of the second inner rib (>12<) is between> 0.10<mm and> 1.00<mm, in particular> between 0.15 mm and 0.30 mm. 4. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first inner rib (11) and the second inner rib (12) each have a distal inclination angle and a proximal inclination angle (a>1<, a>2<) of, respectively, 30° to 55°, in particular 40° to 50°, relative to the inner surface (15) of the first connection region in a cross section of the longitudinal axis (A) of the first connection region. 5. Pipe connection piece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe connection piece <(>1<) is formed in one piece.> 6<. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connection region forms a pipe stop (14) for contacting a ventilation pipe inserted into the first connection opening (13). <7. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to claim> 6<, wherein the pipe stop (14) has a distance of 20 mm> to 40 mm, in particular 25 mm to 30 mm to the first inner rib (11) along the longitudinal axis (A) of the first connection zone. 8<. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to one of claims>6< or 7, in which a sealing zone is provided between the pipe stop (13) and the first connection opening, in particular for arranging a sealing ring. 9. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular hollow body (10) comprises a second connection region which is different from the first connection region and defines a second connection opening (23) and which is designed to accommodate a ventilation pipe, the second connection region having a first peripheral inner rib (>21<) and a second peripheral inner rib (>22<) arranged between the first inner rib (21) and the second connection opening (23), the first inner rib (>21<) having a greater height than the second inner rib (>22<), the first inner rib (>21<) and the second inner rib (>22<) being a respective elongated reinforcing structure rising from the flat inner surface of the pipe connecting piece which is connected to the inner rib, the first inner rib (>21<) descending. and the second inner rib (>22<) respectively from the location of the maximum elevation in both directions> of the longitudinal axis of the second connection zone to the level of the flat inner surface of the pipe connection piece. 10. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular hollow body (10) is made of expanded polypropylene. 11. Pipe connecting piece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic polymeric foam material has a density of 55 g/L to 80 g/L, in particular 60 g/L to 70 g/L. 12. Method for producing a pipe connection piece (1) according to one of the preceding claims by means of in-mold foaming, comprising: pouring a polymeric material into a molding tool, in-mold foaming the polymeric material to form a pipe connection piece according to one of the preceding claims and demolding the in-mold foamed pipe connection piece. 13. Assembly comprising at least one pipe connection piece (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 and a ventilation pipe, preferably a corrugated ventilation pipe, the ventilation pipe and/or the first connection region being designed such that the first connection region can accommodate the ventilation pipe. 14. Use of a pipe connection piece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to form a pipe connection.