DE102015002790A1 - Fluid line, in particular water line - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid line, in particular a water line, for connection to a device for interrupting a fluid flow in the fluid line, with an inner line leading to the fluid flow and an outer line or outer layer surrounding the inner line, firmly connected to the inner line and at least two between the The inner line and the outer line arranged, substantially over the entire length of the fluid line extending sensor electrodes, wherein the sensor electrodes are connected to an evaluation of the device for interrupting the fluid flow, or with a running of electrically conductive plastic inner conduit which is fluid-tightly isolated on the inner surface and with its ends to an evaluation of the device for interrupting the fluid flow can be connected. This fluid line is characterized in that the outer conduit consists of a material which is permeable to the fluid, in particular water, to a limited extent. In particular, this is realized in that the outer line consists of a vapor-permeable material for water vapor, preferably with a water vapor diffusion resistance according to DIN EN ISO 12572 of at least 2 and at most 100.

Description

The invention relates to a fluid conduit, in particular a water conduit, having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Technological background of the present invention are devices for interrupting a fluid flow in a fluid line, in particular a water line, commonly known as Wasserstopvorrichtungen. These are used, for example, for water-conducting household appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines.

The invention relates to a fluid line, which can be used in conjunction with such a device, in particular a water stop device. Such a fluid line has an inner line leading to the fluid flow and an outer line surrounding the inner line and firmly connected to the inner line. The outer line can not be an independent line, but only a continuous outer layer applied to the inner line. Here and below, the term outer line should always be understood to mean that it also includes an outer layer on the inner line.

Essential for a fluid line which is suitable for connection to a device for interrupting a fluid flow in the fluid line is the arrangement of sensor means, in particular at least two sensor electrodes between the inner line and the outer line, which preferably extend at least substantially over the entire length of the fluid line , These sensor electrodes are usually dry between the inner line and the outer line. If there is a leak in the inner pipe, moisture enters the space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe and a particular electrical characteristic changes, for example, the web resistance between the sensor electrodes decreases. This can be evaluated in a transmitter of the device for interrupting the fluid flow to which the sensor means or two sensor electrodes are connected, as a measurement signal, which then ultimately leads to the interruption of the fluid flow in the now defective fluid line.

Fluid lines of the type in question are often as flexible hoses, smooth tubes or corrugated hoses, executed with different profiles and made of different materials, in particular of plastics. Such a fluid line must be provided at both ends with corresponding fittings, so that not only the hydraulic connection, but also the electronic circuit-technical connection to the evaluation of the device is guaranteed safe.

The teaching of the present invention is based on a fluid line ( US 5,969,618 ) in which between the inner line and the outer line two sensor electrodes are arranged in the form of electrical wires, which can be connected to a transmitter. The two wires are made of non-insulated copper wire. They are then connected in practice to a low voltage source. The inner pipe is here a smooth hose made of plastic or rubber or mixtures thereof, as well as the choice of material for the outer line.

The known fluid line only works reliably if a leak, for example a hole, occurs only in the inner line, but not correspondingly in the outer line. Only then does the fluid, which flows in the inner pipe, distribute itself into the intermediate space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, where it can contact the sensor electrodes and provide the necessary signal triggering. Then, when a leak occurs simultaneously and substantially congruently in the inner lead and the outer lead and does not happen exactly where the lead wires forming the sensor electrodes are, the fluid, especially the water, does not reach the sensor electrodes no signal is triggered even though there is a damage causing leak.

The previously indicated problem has already been recognized. In a so far optimized fluid line ( DE 19 044 039 A1 ) are first the typical sensor electrodes, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid line extending or helically wound on the inner line of the fluid line, between the inner line and outer line. In addition, here in the direction from the inside to the outside under the sensor electrodes, tapes are wound from a nonwoven material which swells when moisture enters with opposite direction of impact. Thus, this nonwoven material has a relatively high capillarity and, accordingly, fluid leaking from a leak in the inner conduit also largely enters the nonwoven material when that leak in the inner conduit is more or less congruent with a leak in the outer conduit. Fluid is thus sucked by this virtually continuous leak by means of the bands consisting of nonwoven material in the circumferential direction of the fluid line in the space between the inner line and outer line, so that the sensor electrodes are achieved in any case.

The above-indicated, with regard to the reaction to a continuous leak optimized fluid line is structurally relatively expensive. Accordingly, the invention has the object, a To provide comparable powerful fluid line, which has a simpler structure.

The above object is achieved by a fluid line according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

It is preferably provided that the outer conduit is made of or constructed of a material which is permeable to a limited extent to the fluid in question, in particular water.

In the solution according to the invention, it is possible to dispense with the tapes, which are described in the previously explained state of the art, of nonwoven material which swells when moisture enters. Nevertheless, it is possible to detect a leak through the inner pipe and the outer pipe metrologically. In any case, the exiting fluid wets the outer pipe on its outer side in some areas. Since the outer line according to the invention consists of a material which is permeable to the fluid to a limited extent, so enters the fluid from the outside again in the space between the outer line and inner line and contacted there the sensor means, in particular the sensor electrodes or alternatively, for example, the inner line of electrical conductive plastic.

Thus, according to the invention, a targeted, precisely set leak of the outer line with respect to the fluid is used in order to reliably ensure the desired sensor function or leak detection.

Of course, when designing the external line, you must ensure that the simple atmospheric humidity of the ambient atmosphere does not lead to the triggering of evaluation electronics by selecting the material and the manufacturing process.

According to a particularly preferred teaching, it is provided that the outer line of a vapor-permeable material for water vapor, preferably with a water vapor diffusion resistance DIN EN ISO 12572 of at least 2 and at most 100. As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that the outer conduit consists of an open-pored material of high capillarity.

In the alternative described above, one uses basically a similar material as in the additional intermediate layer in the above-described prior art, but does not use this material in an additional intermediate layer, but as a material of the outer line itself. However, despite the open porosity of the Rather make sure that it is a non-swelling material.

The recommended material for the outer line is a thermoplastic elastomer, ie a TPE plastic.

Most preferably, the teaching of the invention is recommended for a fluid line in the form of a flexible smooth tube or corrugated tube.

As regards the embodiment of a device for interrupting the fluid flow in the fluid line with which the fluid line according to the invention can be used in connection, reference may be made to the Applicant's patent application 10 2015 002 011.0 filed on 20 February 2015.

In the following, the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating only preferred exemplary embodiments. In the drawing shows

1 a perspective view of a preferred device for interrupting a fluid flow in a fluid line,

2 a first embodiment of a fluid line according to the invention for connection to a device according to 1 .

3 a further embodiment of a fluid line, but shown without the outer line,

4 Yet another embodiment of a fluid line, also shown without the outer line.

1 shows in a perspective view a preferred embodiment of a device 1 for interrupting a fluid flow 2 in a fluid line 3 or in a fluid line 3 , Such a device 1 as shown here is typically known as a water stop device.

The device 1 sits in 1 at a typical angle valve 4 into which the fluid flow 2 , here a stream of water, as indicated by the arrow, enters from the house water line. The device 1 is with an evaluation electronics 5 equipped with individual elements of the device 1 connected is. More specifically, for the disclosure of these details, which, however, is not decisive in the teaching of the present invention, reference is made to the above-mentioned parallel patent application "fluid line, especially water pipe" of the applicant.

It is essential that to the in 1 illustrated device 1 a fluid line 3 connected. In the illustrated embodiment, it is designed as a smooth hose Water pipe. The invention relates to the design of the fluid line 3 ,

2 to 4 show three different embodiments of the fluid conduit according to the invention 3 ,

In 2 is the fluid line 3 completely shown, on the right in a partially cutaway side view, left in a front view.

The fluid line according to the invention 3 has here first an inner line 6 that the fluid flow 2 in the fluid line 3 leads.

The inner pipe 6 is from an outside line 7 Surrounded with the inner pipe 6 connected is. The firm connection of the outer line 7 with the inner pipe 6 can be realized in different ways. For this, reference may be made to the general state of the art.

The outside line 7 can also be designed in the form of an outer layer, on the inner pipe 6 has been applied by any type of coating process, for example extruded or sprayed on.

In the following, the terminology "outer line" will always be used, but it should also cover the variant of an applied outer layer.

In the in 2 illustrated first preferred embodiment is further provided that the fluid line 3 with a particular electrical sensor means or sensor means, preferably at least two between the inner conduit 6 and the outside line 7 arranged sensor electrodes 8th is provided, which is preferably substantially over the entire length of the fluid line 3 run.

The sensor means or sensor electrodes 8th In any case, should be so far over the length of the fluid line 3 that they are present wherever the risk of leakage in the inner pipe 6 and possibly also the outside line 7 consists. In addition, the sensor electrodes must or should be 8th be arranged so that they are connected to the transmitter 5 the device 1 can be connected.

Depending on the size and diameter of the fluid line 3 can use multiple sensor electrodes 8th be provided, preferably arranged in pairs.

In 2 one sees in the local preferred embodiment left a total of eight pairs of sensor electrodes 8th ,

In 3 you can see the sensor electrodes 8th even though essentially over the entire length of the fluid line 3 extending, but not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid line 3 arranged but helically wound on the inner pipe 6 the fluid line 3 , Here is the outside line 7 omitted for the sake of illustration.

In 4 one sees an alternative of a fluid line according to the invention 3 in which the inner pipe 6 consists of an electrically conductive plastic or forms a sensor means or is integrated therein. Preferably, the inner pipe 6 or the sensor means generally to the fluid flow 2 towards, so on the inner surface, fluid-tight isolated. Is in 4 by an exaggerated thick coating 6 ' indicated. But the insulation can also be in the inner pipe 6 be integrated. Similarly, by the illustration in 4 hinted that in the material of the inner pipe 6 electrically conductive or conductivity producing limited deposits 8th' located, for example, carbon fibers etc.

The outside line 7 the fluid line 3 is thus only in the embodiment of 2 exemplified, but in the same way for the 3 and 4 relevant and intended.

According to the invention it is provided that the outer line 7 - At least in regions or in total - is permeable to the fluid to a limited extent or in particular consists of or is made of a material which is permeable to the fluid, in particular water, to a limited extent.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the permeability to the fluid is realized in that the outer line 7 from a water vapor permeable material, preferably with a water vapor diffusion resistance DIN EN ISO 12572 of at least 2 and / or not more than 100, or is manufactured. In this area, for example, polyurethane foams, but also TPE plastic materials.

The thickness of the outside line 7 can vary widely. When executing the outside line 7 as an outer layer, on the inner pipe 6 or sensor means or sensor electrodes 8th is externally applied as a kind of coating or forms a shell, in particular, a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm is recommended.

In addition to the water vapor permeability to a certain extent or alternatively, the outside line may 7 also consist of an open-pored material high capillarity or be manufactured and / or be designed to be flexible. Then, the lateral distribution effect for the fluid already explained in the introduction to the description also results, especially water, which is through a in the inner pipe 6 and the outside line 7 consistent leak flows out.

In any case, the construction according to the invention leads the fluid line 3 to that the sensor means or sensor electrodes 8th a corresponding signal to the transmitter 5 or change a particular electrical characteristic or measured value, so that a fluid leakage or wetting of the sensor means or sensor electrodes 8th is detectable in particular by the evaluation electronics.

This also applies to execution according to 4 with an electrically conductive inner line 6 , in which then corresponding in particular the given in the longitudinal direction of the web resistance or other measured value due to the fluid or water access through the outer line 7 or with appropriate capillarity or transverse conductivity for the fluid in the outer pipe 7 is lowered.

Even with the constellation according to the invention, it is preferred that the fluid line 3 is designed as a flexible smooth hose or corrugated hose.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

fluid flow

3

fluid line

4

angle valve

5

evaluation

6

inside line

6

coating

7

outside line

8th

sensor electrodes

8th'

insoles

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 5969618 [0006]
• DE 19044039 A1 [0008]

Cited non-patent literature

• DIN EN ISO 12572 [0015]
• DIN EN ISO 12572 [0042]

Claims (5)

Fluid line ( 3 ), in particular water pipe, preferably for connection to a device ( 1 ) for interrupting a fluid flow ( 2 ) in the fluid line ( 3 ), with a fluid flow ( 2 ) leading inner pipe ( 6 ) and one the inner line ( 6 ), with the inner pipe ( 6 ) permanently connected external line ( 7 ) or outer layer and with a sensor means for the particular electrical detection of wetting by the fluid and / or for connection to an evaluation ( 5 ) of the device ( 1 ), with at least two between the inner pipe ( 6 ) and the outside line ( 7 ), substantially over the entire length of the fluid line ( 3 ) extending sensor electrodes ( 8th ), wherein the sensor electrodes ( 8th ) to an evaluation electronics ( 5 ) of the device ( 1 ) for interrupting the fluid flow ( 2 ) can be connected, or with an inner line made of electrically conductive plastic ( 6 ), which is fluid-tightly isolated on the inner surface and with its ends to an evaluation ( 5 ) of the device ( 1 ) for interrupting the fluid flow ( 2 ), characterized in that the outer line ( 7 ) is permeable to a limited extent to the fluid, in particular water, or consists of or is made of a material which is permeable to a limited extent to the fluid, in particular water, in particular so that fluid can flow through the outer conduit ( 7 ) or from the outside the sensor means, the sensor electrodes ( 8th ) or the electrically conductive plastic for detecting a fluid outlet or entry can wet. Fluid line according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer line ( 7 ) consists of a material which is permeable to water vapor, preferably with a water vapor diffusion resistance according to DIN EN ISO 12572 of at least 2 and / or at most 100, or is produced. Fluid line, in particular water line according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer line ( 7 ) is made of or made of an open-pore material with high capillarity. Fluid line according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer line ( 7 ) is made of a TPE plastic material (thermoplastic elastomer) or is made. Fluid line according to one of claims 1 to 4, that the fluid line ( 3 ) is designed as a flexible smooth hose or corrugated hose.

Images