WO2009083228A1 - Connecting element for a conduit system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting sleeve (3) and a connecting element (1) for a conduit system. The connecting element (1) can be coupled to at least one pipe (50) of the conduit system and comprises an internal sleeve and a press-on sleeve (3). The supporting sleeve (5) for a connecting element for a conduit system has at least one circumferential groove (7.1, 7.2) for receiving a sealing ring (9.1, 9.2) as well as a profiled external surface, the profiled section of which has a certain depth TP and a certain length LG. The ratio between the total length LG of the profiled section and the depth TP of a profiled section ranges from 20 to 2, preferably from 6 to 3.

Description

 Connection element for a line system

The invention relates to a support sleeve and a connection element for a

Line system which can be coupled to at least one pipe of the conduit system, wherein the connection element has an inner sleeve and a compression sleeve.

Support sleeves and connection elements for line systems, which can be coupled with at least one pipe of the conduit system, have become known from a variety of writings.

For example, EP 1 288 554 shows a connection element in which a support sleeve and a compression sleeve are provided. By pressing, for example, a radial compression of the outer compression sleeve on the

Pipe end is caused a deadlock. For example, this is possible using a pressing tongs. By pressing, holding forces are generated due to plastic deformation. A disadvantage of the embodiment according to EP 1 288 554 is that the tube, which is introduced into the connection element, bears directly against the support sleeve. There is thus a contact between the support sleeve and the tube. This has the disadvantage that due to the contact between the metal in the pipe to be connected and the metal of the support sleeve contact corrosion can occur. Furthermore, it is necessary in such systems to carry out an equipotential bonding.

EP 1 267 113 likewise shows a connection element for a line system with a support sleeve and a compression sleeve. In order to further increase the tightness of such a connection system, EP 1 267 113 proposes to prevent the ingress of dirt with a protective element in the region of the connection element in order to avoid leaks in the region of the connection element caused by such dirt particles. This is also the case with the system according to EP 1 267 113 to be connected pipe directly to the support sleeve, so that even in this system contact corrosion can not be prevented and also an equipotential bonding is necessary.

The support sleeves known from the prior art, such as EP 1 267 113 or EP 1 288 554, have the disadvantage that the tubes pressed with these support sleeves do not have a sufficient longitudinal force fit and slide the tubes out of the support sleeve. On the other hand, have support sleeves that have a sufficient longitudinally strong on insufficient tightness.

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

In a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a support sleeve for a connection element for a piping system comprising at least one circumferential groove for receiving a sealing ring and an outer surface with a profiling, wherein the profiling has a depth and a length and the ratio of Total length of the profiling to the depth of a profiling in the range in the range 20 to 2, preferably in the range 6 to 3. For example, the depth of the profiling is 0.65 mm and its length is 5 mm, so that the ratio of total length 5 mm to depth is 0.65 mm = 7.69. It is preferred if, in the case of a rotationally symmetrical support sleeve, the profile has a first rising region in the direction of the sealing ring in the longitudinal section and a second region extending substantially flat therealong. Such a contour has the advantage that a tube pressed with this contour can perfectly conform to the support sleeve or the fitting in the flat, expiring region. In this way, a high and reliable tightness is achieved. On the other hand, the ascending areas provide longitudinally cut tips that can dig into the tube. As a result, the required axial force is shown. It is particularly advantageous if the Support sleeve more than one, for example, has two sealing rings and at least two profiles according to the invention.

In a further aspect of the invention, a connection element for a line system which can be coupled to at least one pipe of the line system is provided, wherein the connection element has a support sleeve and a compression sleeve and the compression sleeve at least partially encloses the support sleeve in the mounted state. The connecting element according to the invention is characterized in that a retaining ring is provided on the outside of the support sleeve, wherein the retaining ring is at the same time stop ring for the male pipe. When using plastic composite pipes, in which a metal core is surrounded by a plastic jacket, it can be prevented by means of the retaining ring, that the exposed at the pipe end metal core comes into contact with the compression sleeve.

By introducing the retaining ring then a contact corrosion, which could occur between the metal core and ferrule and / or support sleeve can be prevented. Furthermore, the retaining ring is a potential barrier.

A contact of the pipe end with metal core to the ferrule and / or support sleeve is avoided by the retaining ring. In this way it is ensured that even when installed, that is in the compressed state, between the ferrule and / or the support sleeve and the built-in tube, a potential barrier is formed. Furthermore, then can be safely prevent contact corrosion. The retaining ring is made of a non-conductive material, in particular a plastic, for example polyethylene, polypropylene or polybutylene.

In addition to the retaining ring, a stop ring may additionally be provided on the outside of the compression sleeve. Preferably, such a stop ring

On openings, which make it possible to visually determine whether the pipe to be connected sufficiently far into the connecting element, formed from Press sleeve and support sleeve is inserted. Preferably, the stop ring is designed as a guide element for a pressing tool, which serves to press the compression sleeve onto the support sleeve and thus to achieve a jamming of the tube in the connection element. In order to ensure a sufficient jamming and a longitudinal force fit and tightness of the connection element, it is provided that the support sleeve has a contour. The contour of the support sleeve may have at least one circumferential groove for receiving a sealing element. Preferably, however, two circumferential grooves for receiving two sealing elements are provided.

Furthermore, the contour can have a profiling on the outer surface of the support sleeve, in particular in the form of grooves, for example with a triangular cross-section with a steeply rising region and a flat tapering region in longitudinal section. When pressing the profiling engages punctiform in the form of triangular grooves in the inner wall of the pipe to be fastened with the connection element and thus secures the longitudinal force fit. Due to the long expiring flat section, the tube can conform to the contour and seal after compression, i. in the assembled state is ensured. Both the support sleeve and the compression sleeve can be designed either as a metal element or as a plastic element. In the support sleeve come as materials in particular brass or plastic into consideration, in the compression sleeve, a stainless steel, steel or plastic.

Can be used, the connection element according to the invention in a variety of pipes, especially plastic pipes or composite pipes made of plastic and a metal, such as plastic-metal-plastic composite pipes. The connection element can be used in particular in pipes for liquid media, such as water in the area of the radiator connection, the water supply, in the entire sanitary area, in the area of underfloor heating. A use for gaseous media such as gas supply lines or compressed air lines is possible. It is particularly advantageous to use the mounting system in plastic-metal-plastic composite pipes, in which the metal core of the multilayer composite pipe consists of a less noble metal than the material of the support sleeve, for example, the metal of the multilayer composite pipe is aluminum. Here is ensured by the invention that there is no contact corrosion at the pipe ends.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figures.

Show it:

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through an inventive connecting element without inserted tube; in which the retaining ring rests against the compression sleeve,

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through an inventive connecting element with inserted tube, but not yet compressed compression sleeve;

3 shows a longitudinal section of a plan view through a compression sleeve.

FIG. 1 shows a connection piece according to the invention in a first embodiment. The connecting element 1 according to the invention comprises a compression sleeve 3 and a support sleeve 5. The support sleeve 5 is formed substantially kreiszylindermantelelförmig. The support sleeve 5 comprises two axially spaced from each other, the cylinder axis circumferential grooves 7.1, 7.2, in the

Sealing elements, for example, O-rings 9.1, 9.2 can be inserted. The depth T _{D of} the groove 7.1, 7.2 is in one embodiment, for example, 1 mm. The region of the outer surface of the support sleeve 5 is further provided with a contour, that is, a profiling in the form of grooves 11. The shape of the grooves 11.1, 11.2 has two areas in the longitudinal section of the body rotationally symmetrical about the axis RA, a first rising area 12.1, 12.2 with triangular cross-section and a length Li and a second expiring flat area with a length L ₂ on. The length of the entire profiling is then LG = Li + L ₂ . In a first exemplary embodiment, L _{1 is} 3 mm and L _{2 is} 2 mm, so that a total length LG of 5 mm results. Preferably, the ratio of the length of the first region to that of the second region is between 0.5 and 2. The depth of the entire profiling is T _P.

For example, the depth T _p is 0.65 mm. According to the invention then the ratio of total length of the profiling to the depth of the profiling in the range in the range 20 to 2, preferably in the range 6 to 3. This is on the one hand, an axial displacement of an inserted between the compression sleeve and the support sleeve composite tube (not shown) in reliably prevents a direction of insertion indicated by the arrow 13 direction, on the other hand, the tube fits snugly against the support sleeve. According to the invention, a preferably annular retaining element 30 is provided on the outer surface of the support sleeve. The retaining ring 30 also serves as a stop for the tube to be inserted. In the case shown in FIG. 1, the holding ring 30 designed as a plastic element serves as a potential barrier, since a direct abutment of the compression sleeve 3 on the support sleeve 5 and in particular of a tube end with a metal core on the compression sleeve 3 or the support sleeve 5 is reliably avoided, also in FIG compressed state in which the plastic tube rests against the seals 9.1, 9.2 and partially at the teeth of the triangular portion 12.1, 12.2, which ensure a longitudinally strong. Furthermore, the insertion depth of the tube with the help of the viewing window 20, which are introduced into a circumferential guide ring 40, be securely controlled.

If the compression sleeve is pressed, for example with the aid of a pressing tool, the tube (not shown) does not rest against the support and / or compression sleeve, but a potential barrier is interposed between the metal in the plastic tube, for example aluminum, for the press, which is preferably in the form of a metal part - or support sleeve made. Since there is no conductive connection between the compression sleeve on the one hand, the support sleeve and the pipe to be pressed with the support sleeve, on the other hand, it is certainly possible to avoid contact corrosion. Furthermore, the retaining ring acts as potential separation. A separate one Equipotential bonding is therefore not necessary. The retaining ring 30 receives the compression sleeve 3 in a groove 32.

Furthermore, a guide ring 40, for example for a pressing tool, is arranged on the outside of the compression sleeve 3. The guide ring 40 includes for visual inspection, introduced openings 20th

FIG. 2 shows a connecting element according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with inserted tube still before being pressed. The pipe 50, which is connected by means of the connecting element 1, may be a plastic pipe or a plastic composite pipe. In composite plastic pipes composite pipes are possible, which include as a soul, for example, a copper pipe or aluminum pipes and which are surrounded by a plastic, such as polyethylene. Particularly preferred are multilayer composite pipes, which can easily be bent by hand and remain in the desired shape without springback. Multilayer composite pipes, which are made with aluminum pipes, are butt-welded or overlap welded aluminum multilayer composite pipes. The internal aluminum tube significantly reduces the thermal expansion compared to conventional plastic pipes and corresponds approximately to that of metal pipes. The preferred multilayer composite pipes used are also coated with polyethylene. The inner tube is preferably made of polyethylene. Due to the inner tube of polyethylene, there is no material removal or deposition due to the low roughness of the plastic, which prevent the pipe cross-section. The support sleeves are preferably made of a stress-free annealed brass and therefore particularly resistant to corrosion. The smooth hard surfaces of the brass support sleeves prevent erosion, noise and deposition.

FIG. 2 shows the beginning of a mounting of a pipe with a connection element 1 according to the invention. First, the tube 50 to be connected quickly to shortly before the retaining ring 30 between the compression sleeve. 3 and support sleeve 5 introduced. Between the retaining ring and tube 50 preferably remains a gap 200, ie the tube 50 is not directly on the retaining ring 30 at. The same components as in the preceding figures are identified by the same reference numerals. Whether the tube to be connected to the intended location, that is inserted to the intended location shortly before the stop ring in the compression sleeve can be optically controlled by means of the openings 20 which are introduced into the stop and guide ring. After the tubes have been inserted into the position shown in FIG. 2, the pressing tool (not shown) is placed over the entire course of the compression sleeve on the guide ring 40 arranged on the outside of the compression sleeve and the compression sleeve is pressed in the area marked P, so that the in the intermediate space between the support sleeve and compression sleeve introduced tube 50 is clamped to the support sleeve, so that on the one hand, a tight connection between the tube 50 and the support sleeve 5 is formed, on the other hand, a longitudinal displacement of the tube 50 is avoided due to the contour after the pressing process.

FIG. 3 once again shows a longitudinal view of a compression sleeve 3. It can also be seen the retaining ring 30, which ensures a precise fit of the compression sleeve 3 on the support sleeve 5. It is also possible to see the guide ring 40 arranged on the outside of the compression sleeve, which has openings 20 in the area shown, for example round openings, which ensure a visual inspection of the inserted tube. The retaining ring 30 ensures a potential barrier and thus a corrosion inhibition. Furthermore, the tube end 150 of an inserted tube and the intermediate space 200, which is formed between tube end 150 and retaining ring 30, can be seen.

The system according to the invention can be used in any type of pipe connections both metal and plastic pipes or plastic composite pipes. Plastic and plastic composite pipes are preferably used in the field of water pipes, radiator connections, floor heating but also of non-liquid media such as compressed air or gas. The invention for the first time specifies a system in which a potential barrier is reliably provided, so that corrosion due to different potentials of the materials used can be avoided.

Claims

claims 1. Support sleeve (3) for a connection element for a line system solved, the at least one circumferential groove (7.1, 7.2) for receiving a sealing ring (9.1, 9.2) and an outer surface with a profiling, wherein the profiling has a depth T _P and a length LG and the ratio of total length L _G of profiling to the depth T _{P of} a profiling in the range in the range 20 to 2, preferably in Range 6 to 3 is located. 2. Support sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that the profiling a first rising portion (12.1, 12.2) and a substantially flat extending adjoining the second region (13.1, 13.2). 3. connection element (1) for a conduit system which can be coupled to at least one tube (50) of the conduit system, wherein the connecting element has a support sleeve (5) and a compression sleeve (3) and the compression sleeve (3) in the assembled state at least partially Support sleeve (5) encloses, characterized in that a retaining ring (30) on the outside of the support sleeve (5) between the compression sleeve (3) and support sleeve (5) is provided. 4. Connection element according to claim 3, characterized in that a guide ring (40) on the outside of the compression sleeve (3) is provided. 5. Connecting element according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the retaining ring (30) is a plastic ring, in particular of polyethylene, polypropylene or polybutylene. 6. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the guide ring (40) has openings (200). 7. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the guide ring (40) is designed as a guide element for pressing tools. 8. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the support sleeve (5) has at least one circumferential groove (7.1, 7.2) for Receiving a sealing element (9.1, 9.2). 9. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the supporting sleeve (5) has an outer surface with a profiling. Having 10. Connecting element according to claim 9, characterized in that the profiling a first rising portion (12.1, 12.2) and a substantially flat extending adjoining the second region (13.1, 13.2). 11. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the supporting sleeve (5) is designed as a metal element. 12. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the supporting sleeve (5) is designed as a plastic element. 13. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the compression sleeve (3) is designed as a metal element. 14. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the compression sleeve (3) is designed as a plastic element. 15. Connection element according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the tube (50) is a plastic pipe or a composite pipe. 16. Connection element according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the support sleeve is a support sleeve according to one of claims 1 to 2.