DE102010033824B4 - Electrically heatable media line - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrically heatable media line (1), consisting of a fluid line (2) with electric heating means (4) distributed over its outer circumference and a sheathing (6) made of a helically bonded material wound around the fluid line (2) with the heating means (4) overlapping Band material, wherein the covering (6) consists of at least two band windings (8, 10) each running helically without overlapping, a first band winding (8) running with a winding pitch designed in such a way that free, uncovered areas (12) are present and a second tape winding (10) is wound with such a tape width and a winding pitch designed in such a way that the free areas (12) between the turns of the first tape winding (8) and adjacent edge areas of the windings of the first tape winding (8) are covered.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrically heatable media line, having the features of claim 1.

In such media lines, it is known to cover heating means distributed over the outer circumference of the fluid line with a self-adhesive adhesive tape, in that the adhesive tape including the heating means, which are usually formed by helically running heating wires, is wound helically around the fluid line with a covering at the edges.

For this example on the EP 0 080 811 B1 and the U.S. 2003/0007789A1 as well as the corresponding one U.S. 6,738,566 B2 referred.

Usually, an electrically heatable media line with a longer length is prefabricated first - practically as "endless material" - in order to later assemble line sections with different lengths and then connect the line ends to line connectors and/or to certain units. In this case, the electrical heating means must then be exposed in the end regions of the line in order to be able to electrically connect them to supply lines and/or to other heating means, for example heating means of line connectors to be connected.

the DE 103 44 137 A1 discloses an electrically heatable media line, in which a heating wire is arranged on an inner plastic layer, which in turn is wrapped with an insulating tape. This tape is wound without overlapping in such a way that the individual windings of the tape lie against one another.

Furthermore, from the GB 1 578 125 A a media line is known in which two superimposed heating wire windings, which are wound with opposite pitch, are arranged around the media line. It is also known from this publication that the individual windings lie against one another, ie they are wound without any spacing.

From the DE 197 37 676 C1 is an unheated plastic hose, especially for shower, known. Here, two metal-colored bands are arranged in different circumferential planes of the hose, with z. B. a colorless tube is applied, or the outer winding is arranged on a plastic profile, which engages between the turns of the lower band.

Due to the previously customary adhesive tape sheathing, the heating means can be exposed at one end of the line by pulling off and unwinding a piece of the adhesive tape. At the other end of the line, however, there is the problem that unwinding the adhesive tape is not possible or only very difficult, cumbersome and time-consuming due to the marginal tape overlap and can usually only be carried out with the aid of a (cutting) tool. However, this can lead to damage to the heating means.

The present invention is based on the object of improving a heatable media line in such a way that simplified assembly with increased process reliability, reduced expenditure of time and overall more cost-effectively can be carried out.

This is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent claim 1 . Advantageous design features of the invention are contained in the dependent claims and in the subsequent description.

According to the invention, therefore, the covering consists of at least two windings of tape, each of which runs helically without overlapping. A first strip winding runs with a winding pitch designed in such a way that there are free areas between adjacent turns that are not covered by the first winding. In addition, according to the invention (at least) a second tape winding is then wound with such a tape width and a winding pitch designed in such a way that at least the free areas between the turns of the first tape winding and also adjacent edge areas of the turns of the first tape winding , are covered.

Due to this configuration according to the invention, the electrical heating means can be exposed in a simple manner during cable assembly in both end areas of a section cut to length, by first removing a piece of the second (outer) tape winding and then a piece of the first (inner) tape, which is thus completely exposed in the end area - Wrapping is deducted and unwound. This is equally easy at both ends of the line because each winding does not overlap. No special (cutting) tools are required, so that mechanical damage to the heating means is avoided and a high level of process reliability is guaranteed overall.

It is also advantageous if the different tape windings are also optically different are distinguishable from one another by having different exterior surfaces, such as different colors and/or patterns. As a result, the individual layers of the tape cover can be identified more easily during assembly and removed one after the other.

In a preferred embodiment, each tape wrapping consists of a self-adhesive adhesive tape with a strip-shaped carrier tape made of a suitable plastic (e.g. film) or a textile material (e.g. fabric) and an adhesive layer at least on one side made of a self-adhesive by pressing, d . H. pressure sensitive adhesive. As an alternative to this, however, it is also possible to use a non-adhesive tape material in that first an adhesive, in particular a spray adhesive, and then the tape windings are applied to the fluid line provided with the heating means.

As far as the electric heating means are concerned, these consist in particular of at least one heating wire running helically over the fluid line. The heating wire can be wound directly onto the outer surface of the fluid line. Alternatively, the fluid line can also be surrounded by a line sleeve and the/each heating wire can be arranged on this line sleeve. The heating wire can have any winding course, namely - based on the course direction of the tape windings - with the same or opposite winding direction (pitch). In addition, the/each heating wire can be wound with a winding pitch that is constant or non-constant over the length of the fluid line. As a result, for example, the fluid line can be subjected to different heat outputs in zones. In addition, a type of wire reservoir can be formed by winding more closely in preferred division areas of the fluid line, in order to provide a sufficient length of wire for the electrical connection.

• 1 eine stark vergrößerte Seitenansicht eines Abschnittes einer erfindungsgemäßen Medienleitung in einer ersten Ausführung, die bereichsweise mit und bereichsweise ohne Umhüllung dargestellt ist,
• 2 einen Ausschnitt aus 1 in einer geringfügigen Abwandlung,
• 3 einen Längsschnitt durch die Medienleitung gemäß 2,
• 4 eine Seitenansicht ähnlich 2 in einer weiteren Ausführungsvariante,
• 5 einen Längsschnitt analog zu 3, jedoch für die Ausführung der Medienleitung gemäß 4,
• 6 eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Medienleitung in einer weiteren Ausführungsform und in einem Zwischenzustand während der Fertigung mit einer Teil-Umhüllung und
• 7 eine Seitenansicht der Medienleitung gemäß 6 bereichsweise mit vollständiger Umhüllung und in einer Ausführungsvariante.

The invention is to be explained in more detail below on the basis of some preferred exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing. show:

• 1 a greatly enlarged side view of a section of a media line according to the invention in a first embodiment, which is shown in some areas with and in some areas without a sheath,
• 2 a snippet 1 in a slight modification,
• 3 according to a longitudinal section through the media line 2 ,
• 4 a side view similar 2 in another variant,
• 5 a longitudinal section analogous to 3 , but for the execution of the media line according to 4 ,
• 6 a side view of a media line according to the invention in a further embodiment and in an intermediate state during production with a partial covering and
• 7 a side view of the media line according to FIG 6 partially with complete encapsulation and in one design variant.

In the various figures of the drawing, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numbers.

In the drawing, a section of an electrically heatable media line 1 is shown in each case. This media line 1 consists of an inner fluid line 2, which is a pipe or hose line, in particular made of plastic. The fluid line 2 has electric heating means 4 distributed over its outer circumference and a covering 6, the covering 6 consisting of a strip material wound helically (helically) with the heating means 4 overlapping the fluid line 2 and glued on.

According to the invention, the cover 6 now consists of at least two tape windings 8 and 10, each of which runs helically over the length of the fluid line 2 without overlapping. The first tape winding 8 runs with a winding pitch designed in such a way that there are free areas 12 between adjacent windings that are not covered by the winding 8 (see 6 ). The second or at least one second tape winding 10 is then wound with such a tape width and a winding pitch designed in such a way that at least the free areas 12 between the turns of the first winding 8, but in particular also adjacent edge areas of the turns of the first tape - Wrapping 8, are covered. This is best seen in the sectional views in 3 and 5 to recognize. In this embodiment described, both strip windings 8 and 10 have the same slope, with the second winding 10 following the course of the free areas 12 not covered by the first winding 8 .

In order to be able to visually distinguish the tape windings 8, 10 from one another, they have optically different outer surfaces, in particular different colors and/or surface patterns. In the drawing figures 1, 2, 4 and 7 this is indicated by the fact that the first winding 8 are shown without a pattern and the second winding 10 hatched.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the existing tape windings 8, 10, but in particular each tape winding 8, 10, consists of a suitable self-adhesive tape.

The heating means 4 consist of at least one heating wire 14 running helically over the fluid line 2. As shown by way of example in FIG 1 and 7 is shown, an embodiment with (at least) two preferably non-intersecting heating wires 14a and 14b running with the same pitch can also be provided.

In the embodiments according to 1 until 5 runs the / each heating wire 14 or 14a, 14b with a tape windings 8, 10 corresponding gradient. In particular, each heating wire 14; 14a, 14b at least with--in relation to the tape windings 8, 10--be wound in the same pitch direction and preferably also with the same pitch spacings. As a result, each heating wire 14; 14a, 14b covered by one of the tape windings 8, 10 over its entire course. For this purpose, reference is also made to the longitudinal sections in 3 and 5 referred.

According to 6 and 7 alternatively, the/each heating wire 14; 14a, 14b can also be wound with an opposite gradient relative to the tape windings 8, 10, so that the tape windings 8, 10 cross over the/each heating wire.

As an alternative to the preferred embodiments shown, it is also possible to wind the/each heating wire with gradients that differ over the length of the fluid line 2 . The same can then also apply to the respective tape winding 8, 10.

It should also be mentioned that the heating means 4 can be arranged directly on the fluid line 2 . In an alternative that is not shown, the fluid line 2 can also have a line sleeve on which the heating means 4 are then arranged.

Due to the configuration according to the invention, the media line 1 can be prefabricated in a greater length. Any sections can then be cut off, which are then to be connected with line connectors, not shown. For this purpose, the heating means 4 can be easily exposed at both ends of the line by first removing one end of the outer wrapping 10, which also completely exposes the inner wrapping 8 in the end area of the line, so that it can be removed just as easily.

Claims (8)

Electrically heatable media line (1), consisting of a fluid line (2) with electric heating means (4) distributed over its outer circumference and a sheathing (6) made of a helically bonded material wound around the fluid line (2) with the heating means (4) overlapping Band material, wherein the covering (6) consists of at least two band windings (8, 10) each running helically without overlapping, a first band winding (8) running with a winding pitch designed in such a way that free, uncovered areas (12) are present and a second tape winding (10) is wound with such a tape width and a winding pitch designed in such a way that the free areas (12) between the turns of the first tape winding (8) and adjacent edge areas of the turns of the first tape winding (8) are covered. Media line after claim 1 , characterized in that the tape windings (8, 10) have optically different outer surfaces, in particular different colors and/or patterns. Media line after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least one of the tape windings (8, 10) consists of a self-adhesive tape. Media line after one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the heating means (4) consist of at least one heating wire (14) running helically over the fluid line (2), in particular of at least two heating wires (14a, 14b) preferably running without crossing. Media line after claim 4 , characterized in that the / each heating wire (14; 14a, b) with a tape windings (8, 10) corresponding gradient is wound. Media line after claim 5 , characterized in that the/each heating wire (14; 14a, b) is wound at least with the same pitch direction in relation to the tape windings (8, 10) and preferably also with the same pitch distances, so that the/each heating wire (14; 14a , b) is covered over its entire course by one of the tape windings (8, 10). Media line after claim 4 , characterized in that the / each heating wire (14; 14a, b) is wound with an opposite gradient relative to the tape windings (8, 10). Media line after one of Claims 4 until 7 , characterized in that the/each heating wire (14; 14a, 14b) is wound with a gradient that changes over the length of the fluid line (2).

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