EP4055675A1

EP4055675A1 - Corrugated tube comprising an information carrier

Info

Publication number: EP4055675A1
Application number: EP20723091.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dr. Benno FONROBERT; Markus GÖTZ; Marcos LÓPEZ; Julien Stefan REUTIMANN; Marvin Sander; Alexej Urban
Original assignee: Janico Holding Ag
Current assignee: SIRESCA AG
Priority date: 2019-11-04
Filing date: 2020-04-29
Publication date: 2022-09-14
Also published as: CH716761A2; CH716761B1; WO2021089198A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a corrugated tube, on which the outer surfaces and/or flanks of portions having a larger diameter are serially numbered. Also disclosed is a method for determining the length of a corrugated tube and for identifying a corrugated tube.

Description

Corrugated pipe with information carrier

Technical area

The invention relates to a tube and a tube with an information carrier. In particular, the invention relates to a corrugated pipe or a corrugated hose, as is known from DE 10 2017 209 509, for example. The corrugated pipe can be a plastic corrugated pipe for sheathing utilities such as cables or pipes. The invention also relates to a corrugated pipe with an information carrier and a method for applying an information carrier to a corrugated pipe. The invention also relates to a method for operating the corrugated pipe and a device for carrying out the aforementioned method.

Corrugated pipes can consist of a thermoplastic plastic material in a known manner, it being possible for such corrugated pipes to be produced in an extrusion process. The peculiarity of corrugated pipes is that they alternate in sections between two different outside diameters over the length, so that a section of smaller outside diameter is replaced by a section of larger outside diameter, which is followed by a section of smaller outside diameter.

Corrugated pipes are usually used as empty pipes in the shell; After the corrugated pipe has been laid, for example, under plaster, in concrete or in drywall, further lines are drawn into these as utility carriers, e.g. data cables or power supply cables.

Corrugated pipes can also consist of a material other than plastic, such as metal. Corrugated pipes can also be used not only as empty conduits in the shell, but also for applications in the areas of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, cooling and / or sanitary. In these applications, corrugated pipes can be provided for carrying liquid or gaseous media, such as air, water or coolant. Corrugated pipes in systems or automobile construction can also be provided to guide a power cable on the one hand and a cooling medium to cool the power cable on the other. State of the art

The use of corrugated pipes in the shell for the subsequent pulling in of lines is associated with a number of disadvantages. These include the fact that the well-known individual corrugated pipes cannot be distinguished from one another, so that after installation, e.g. after plastering or concreting walls and ceilings, or after completion of drywall construction, it is not known where and from one in the wall Distribution point or distribution box (starting point of the corrugated pipe) leads the outgoing corrugated pipe, for example in which room (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) it arrives (target point of the corrugated pipe). It is known from the prior art to use corrugated pipes with different colors (colored through or marked in color) so that based on the color of the corrugated pipe starting from this color at the starting point of the corrugated pipe on the destination of the corrugated pipe with the same color can be inferred . This use of different colors for corrugated pipes is very disadvantageous, however, since it results in increased logistics expenditure, for example for the storage and transport of these differently colored pipes and also during the installation of the same.

Furthermore, it is not known how long the distance between two points or between the beginning of the corrugated pipe and the end of the corrugated pipe, i.e. between the starting point of the corrugated pipe and the target point of the corrugated pipe, so that the length of the lines to be subsequently drawn into the corrugated pipe is not or their length for the planning of the lines to be subsequently drawn in is only known very imprecisely or needs to be estimated.

For this purpose, it is also known from the prior art to pull a cord, tape or thread into the laid corrugated pipe and then to determine the length of the corrugated pipe based on the length of the cord. This procedure is very error-prone and complex. Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to equip corrugated pipes with electronic marking chips integrated in sections, for example RFID chips or magnetic tags, with regular spacing from one another and to use these marking chips to pass through a measuring device for length measurement. This process is very complex and very expensive due to the use of the electronic marking chips. In addition, it is very disadvantageous here that the readability of these electronic marking chips cannot be guaranteed over the long lifetimes of up to several decades required in the construction industry. Presentation of the invention

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a novel corrugated pipe which makes it possible in a very simple manner to clearly determine the starting point and / or the target point of the corrugated pipe even after the installation of the same. It is a further object of the invention to provide a new type of corrugated pipe, the length of which between the starting point and the target point of the corrugated pipe can be determined very easily and permanently even after installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for producing the corrugated pipe according to the invention. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for operating the corrugated pipe according to the invention and a device for carrying out the method.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of the independent claims 1, 9 and 15. Advantageous embodiments are in each case the subject matter of the dependent claims. According to the invention, a corrugated pipe comprises at least one section with a larger diameter. This section with a larger diameter has a first flank surface, a second flank surface and an outer surface. In addition, the corrugated pipe comprises at least one further section of smaller diameter with a further outer surface. At least one information carrier is applied to the outer surface of the larger diameter section, and / or at least one information carrier is applied to the further outer surface of the further smaller diameter section, and / or at least one information carrier is applied to the first flank surface of the larger diameter section, and / or or at least one information carrier is applied to the second flank surface of the larger diameter section.

One advantage of the corrugated pipe according to the invention is that (for example after the corrugated pipe has been installed in a shell) the starting point and / or the target point of the corrugated pipe can be clearly determined.

A section with a larger diameter is to be understood as meaning a section which has a diameter which is larger than the average diameter of the corrugated pipe. Correspondingly, a further section with a smaller diameter is to be understood as a section that has a diameter which is smaller than the average diameter of the corrugated pipe. Consequently, the section with a larger diameter also has a larger diameter than the further section with a smaller diameter.

The information carrier can be a known information carrier, such as an optical, electronic, and / or magnetic information carrier. An optical information carrier is to be understood in particular as a visible information carrier, i. H. an information carrier that is visible to the human eye and / or with the aid of an optical device. The outer surface of a larger diameter section, the further outer surface of a further smaller diameter section, the first flank surfaces of a larger diameter section and the second flank surfaces of a larger diameter section are each part of the outer surface of the corrugated pipe. The at least one information carrier is therefore attached to one or more parts of the outer surface of the corrugated pipe.

In a particular embodiment, at least one information carrier is applied only to the outer surface of the larger diameter section.

In a further particular embodiment is only on the first flank surface of the section with a larger diameter and the second

At least one information carrier is applied to the flank surface of the larger diameter section.

In a further particular embodiment, both on the

Outer surface of the larger diameter section as well as on the first flank surface of the larger diameter section and the second

The following table provides an overview of all possible designs. Each line of the table corresponds to a possible implementation. The "X" indicates on which surface or on which surfaces the at least one

Information carrier is applied. “Outer surface” means an outer surface of a section with a larger diameter, while a “further outer surface” is Another outer surface of a further section of smaller diameter is meant. The at least one information carrier is applied to the respective surface in such a way that all of its information can be read out, even if only the respective surface is viewed.

In a further particular embodiment, if present, carry the at least one information carrier on the outer surface of the larger diameter section and, if present, the at least one information carrier on the further outer surface of the smaller diameter section and, if present, the at least one information carrier on the first flank surface of the section with larger diameter and, if present, the at least one information carrier on the second flank surface of the section with larger diameter each have the same information. Or in other words: in each line of the table above, all information carriers each carry the same information. The advantage of this is that regardless of a viewing angle and / or the

Position or alignment of a detection device that can easily read and / or detect at least one information carrier.

Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable that the information carriers that are listed in a row in the above table carry different information. In a further particular embodiment, the at least one information carrier of the outer surface of the larger diameter section, and / or the at least one information carrier of the further outer surface of the further smaller diameter section, and / or the at least one information carrier on the first flank surface of the section is with larger diameter, and / or the at least one information carrier on the second flank surface of the section with larger diameter each formed by alpha numeric characters, and / or by bar codes, and / or by QR codes. In particular, all information carriers are formed by alpha-numeric characters and / or by bar codes and / or by QR codes.

Such information carriers can be produced and applied particularly easily. In addition, they can be read and / or recorded particularly easily.

Alpha-numeric characters are also to be understood as meaning characters that consist only of digits or only of letters.

Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable for the information carriers to be in the form of electronic or magnetic information carriers.

In a further particular embodiment, if present, the at least one information carrier of the outer surface of the larger diameter section and / or, if present, the at least one information carrier of the further outer surface of the further smaller diameter section and / or, if present, the at least one information carrier on the first flank surface of the section with larger diameter and / or, if present, the at least one information carrier on the second flank surface of the section with larger diameter in each case arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the corrugated pipe. Or in other words, each information carrier is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the corrugated pipe.

In this way, the available space on the outer surface of the larger diameter section and / or the space on the further outer surface of the smaller diameter section can be used optimally. In addition, information carriers arranged in this way are easier for the user to read. An information carrier which is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the corrugated pipe is to be understood as an arrangement of the information carrier, the reading direction of which is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the corrugated pipe. If the information carrier is, for example, a barcode that is read, for example, from left to right or right to left, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the bars of the barcode, this barcode should be arranged on the corrugated tube in such a way that the reading direction of the barcode is arranged in the circumferential direction of the corrugated pipe and not in the longitudinal direction of the corrugated pipe, or in other words, the individual bars of the barcode are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the corrugated pipe.

Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable to arrange the information carriers parallel to a longitudinal axis of the corrugated pipe.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one information carrier of the outer surface of the larger diameter section of a first length section and the at least one other information carrier of another outer surface of the larger diameter section of a second length section carry information that differs from the information of the other information carrier differs. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one information carrier of a further outer surface of the further section of smaller diameter of a first length section and the at least one other information carrier of another further outer surface of the further section of smaller diameter of a second length section carry information that differs from the information of the respective other information carrier . Additionally or alternatively, the at least one information carrier on the first flank surface of the larger diameter section of a first length section and the at least one other information carrier on a first flank surface of the larger diameter section of a second length section carry information that differs from the information of the other information carrier differs. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one information carrier on the second flank surface of the larger-diameter section of a first length section and the at least one other information carrier on a second flank surface of the larger-diameter section of a second length section carry information that differs from the information of the other information carrier differs. Or in other words, the information carriers in a first length of the corrugated pipe carry a different information than the information carrier in a second length of the corrugated pipe.

This makes it particularly easy to clearly determine the starting point and the target point of the corrugated pipe. The first length section and the second length section of the corrugated pipe can be adjacent length sections, or else length sections between which there are one or more other length sections.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the information of the information carriers that are located in the first length section does not differ from the information of the other information carriers that are located in the second length section.

In a further particular embodiment, the information carriers of adjacent length sections have continuous information.

For example, the information carriers of a first length section of the corrugated pipe according to the invention have the final number “1” or “A”, while the information carriers of a second length section of the corrugated pipe according to the invention have the final number “2” or “B”, and while the information carriers of a third Length section of the corrugated pipe according to the invention have the last digit “3” or “C”. It is therefore particularly easy to determine the distance between a starting point and a target point of the corrugated pipe when the length of a length section is known. The length of a length section can be known, for example, from the production of the corrugated pipe.

It is also possible that not every length section has an information carrier, but for example only every second or every fifth length section. It is advantageous here if information carriers spaced apart in this way also have continuous information, that is to say that neighboring information carriers carry continuous information. However, it is also conceivable that the information carriers spaced apart as described above have such information that increases in steps of two or five. Overall, however, it is particularly advantageous that adjacent information carriers carry continuous information regardless of the distance between the two adjacent information carriers. Information carriers that are arranged within a length section and each have the same information should not be understood as "adjacent information carriers" in the above sense.

In a further particular embodiment, the at least one information carrier extends over two adjacent length sections of the corrugated pipe.

In this embodiment, the at least one information carrier which extends over two adjacent length sections of the corrugated pipe advantageously carries different information than another information carrier which extends over two other adjacent length sections. In this case, adjacent information carriers, that is to say the at least one information carrier and the other information carrier, again preferably have continuous information. This has the advantage that fewer different information carriers are required per unit length of the corrugated pipe, which in turn means that each information carrier can be made shorter, that is to say more space-saving. In addition, the corrugated pipe can be manufactured more quickly because fewer information carriers have to be applied per unit length. Another advantage arises when the at least one information carrier is, for example, a barcode. In this case, after the corrugated pipe has been cut, an information carrier carrying the same information is located at each of the two ends of the corrugated pipe in the region of the at least one information carrier, which extends over two adjacent length sections of the corrugated pipe. This in turn has advantages later when driving the corrugated pipe.

If the at least one information carrier extends over two adjacent length sections of the corrugated pipe, it is possible that the next length section of the corrugated pipe adjoining it (or the next two or next three) does not carry an information carrier, and the length section of the corrugated pipe adjoining it (or the next two) carry another information carrier, etc., with the at least one information carrier and the other information carriers advantageously each have continuous information.

In a further particular embodiment, the corrugated pipe has a casing. The at least one information carrier is attached to an outer surface of the envelope.

[0047] Likewise, any other information carrier, which is arranged, for example, on a different length section of the corrugated pipe, is then also attached to the outer surface of the envelope.

Such corrugated pipes with a casing are particularly suitable for outdoor installations, in particular for solar and photovoltaic systems. In particular, the casing can be a protective plastic jacket. This plastic protective jacket can be UV stabilized and non-flame propagating. Furthermore, the plastic protective sheath can consist of modified PVC with a highly smooth inner layer.

The casing is therefore also to be understood as a casing. Preferably, the at least one information carrier is on one

Outer surface of the larger diameter section is arranged because the casing of the corrugated pipe does not necessarily have to follow the flanks of the corrugated pipe exactly, but can have flatter flanks.

But it is also possible that the at least one information carrier is arranged on an outer surface of the envelope which is located in the further section of smaller diameter and / or which is located on a first envelope flank surface of the larger diameter section, and or which is located on the second envelope flank surface of the larger diameter section. It is particularly advantageous if the at least one information carrier extends on the outer surface of the casing over two length sections of the corrugated pipe.

The covering is an outer covering of the corrugated pipe. Alternatively, the at least one information carrier can also be arranged directly on the uncovered corrugated pipe if, for example, the cover is transparent.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a corrugated pipe according to the invention. The method comprises the step of reading out the at least one information carrier of a first length section of the corrugated pipe.

Advantageously, the at least one information carrier of a first length section of the corrugated pipe is read out, which is located, for example, at the beginning of the corrugated pipe. A starting point of the corrugated pipe can then be determined in this way.

In a particular embodiment, the method for operating a corrugated pipe additionally includes the step of reading out the at least one other information carrier of a second length section of the corrugated pipe, and in particular also the step of calculating the length of the corrugated pipe. Advantageously, the at least one other information carrier of a second length of the corrugated pipe is read out, which is located, for example, at one end of the corrugated pipe in which the at least one information carrier of a first length of the corrugated pipe was previously read, which is located at the beginning of the corrugated pipe is located. If the length of the corrugated pipe is known, the length of a cable to be pulled in or a pipe to be pulled into the corrugated pipe can be estimated well, which enables such lines or cables to be assembled in advance.

In a further particular embodiment, the method for operating a corrugated pipe additionally comprises the step of storing the information of the information carriers read out, and the step of assigning the

Information carrier for a starting point and a target point of a corrugated pipe.

It is thus possible to assign a starting point or a destination point of a corrugated pipe to the information carriers, or vice versa. It is also possible to determine the length of this corrugated pipe. The step of assigning the information carriers to a respective starting point and a target point of a corrugated pipe advantageously includes the step of exchanging data with a CAD planning tool.

In a further particular embodiment, the method for operating a corrugated pipe additionally comprises the step of assigning the position of the information carrier to the information read out from the respective information carrier.

This enables, on the one hand, an assignment of each starting point and destination point of a corrugated pipe to a room in a building, or even to a specific point in a room in a building, such as a distribution box, a junction box, a switch, or a socket . On the other hand, an assignment of a utility or a type of utility to a corrugated pipe is possible, that is, an assignment of energy such as electricity or an assignment of a data connection such as LAN to a corrugated pipe. This step of assigning the position of the information carrier to the read information of the respective information carrier also advantageously includes the step of exchanging data with a CAD planning tool.

In a further particular embodiment, the method for operating a corrugated pipe additionally comprises the step of lengthening the corrugated pipe. This has the advantage that, for example, an already started laying of a corrugated pipe can be continued, even if it should meanwhile become clear that the part of the corrugated pipe with which the laying was started is too short.

Advantageously, the method for operating a corrugated pipe also has the step of joining different corrugated pipes. This step is required if, for example, as in the construction of a tunnel, corrugated pipes are laid from two different starting points, which are then connected to one another at a common meeting point, i.e. are to be joined together. The method for operating a corrugated pipe advantageously also has the option of documenting a large number of data relating to the corrugated pipe, in particular to save, such as the length of the corrugated pipe, notes on the corrugated pipe, the history of the corrugated pipe (log book function), the status (such as "planned", "in progress" or "completed"). Such information can also be transmitted in whole or in part to the CAD planning tool, so that completely laid corrugated pipes can be shown in green, for example, in the plan on the CAD planning tool. However, it is also possible to transmit the planning data from the CAD planning tool to a device for carrying out the method in such a way that completely laid corrugated pipes can be shown in green on a display of the device.

The position data and / or the user carrier or the user carrier type can also be transmitted by the CAD planning tool. However, it is also possible to enter the position of an information carrier manually into a device for carrying out the method or to read it in using a position marker arranged in the vicinity of the information carrier.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method for operating a corrugated pipe according to the invention. The device has an information carrier reading device for reading out the information carriers. In addition, the device has a memory for storing the information that has been read out. In addition, the device has a computing unit designed to run application software. The device according to the invention can be designed, for example, as a smartphone. Such a smartphone usually has a camera with which the information carriers of the corrugated pipe can be read out. It also has a memory in which the information read out can be saved. In addition, the memory of a smartphone is suitable for storing application software. This application software can then be executed on a computing unit of the smartphone to assign the starting and destination points of one or more corrugated pipes and to determine the length of one or more corrugated pipes. In addition, the smartphone can have an interface via which data can be transferred from or to a CAD planning tool, such as, in particular, position data from planned start and destination points of corrugated pipes.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention can have a data interface to a database of the manufacturer of the corrugated pipe. For each information carrier and / or for areas of information carriers, the Associated production data of the corrugated pipe such as batch number, date of manufacture, length of the pipe, material, color, manufacturing process are transmitted to the device according to the invention and stored there.

This has the advantage that such information need not be contained in the information carriers in addition to continuous information or otherwise have to be arranged on the corrugated pipe.

It is also possible that the device additionally or exclusively has a data interface to a server, which in turn has interfaces to a database of the manufacturer of the corrugated pipe and to a CAD planning tool of a planner in which all laying and usage data of the corrugated pipe available.

The application software is designed so that the method according to the invention for operating the corrugated pipe can be carried out on the device according to the invention. The device advantageously also has a display and a

Input device. The display and input device can advantageously be designed as a touch display. For example, the previously mentioned notes can be entered using the input device. The notes and other information can be documented by storing them in the memory of the device.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a corrugated pipe according to the invention. The at least one information carrier is embossed, printed on, or applied by laser marking onto the corrugated pipe.

Advantageously, all information carriers are embossed, printed or applied by laser marking onto the corrugated pipe.

The manufacturing method according to the invention allows automated and inexpensive manufacture of the corrugated pipe according to the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims. Brief description of the drawings

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiments show:

1 shows a corrugated pipe according to the invention in a plan view; 2 shows a first flank surface of the corrugated pipe according to the invention;

3 shows a second flank surface of the corrugated pipe according to the invention and

4 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the corrugated pipe with barcodes.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

The corrugated pipe according to the invention is distinguished by a special information carrier. Starting from Figure 1, the corrugated pipe 100 shows in a known manner sections with a smaller diameter 5 with an associated first pipe section length 7 and alternately thereon sections of larger diameter 4 with an associated second pipe section length 6. Furthermore, the corrugated pipe according to the invention shows an outer surface 1 of the larger diameter sections 4.

According to the invention, at least one information carrier 11 is applied to the outer surface 1 of at least one section of larger diameter 4. A plurality of information carriers 11 are preferably applied to this surface 1. The multiple information carriers 11 are particularly preferably applied at the same angular distances, for example three information carriers 11 with an angular distance of 120 ° to one another or six information carriers 11 with an angular distance of 60 ° to one another (not shown). Furthermore, according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, on the first

At least one information carrier 31 is applied to the flank surface of the at least one section of larger diameter 3. Several information carriers 31, 32, 33 are preferably applied at the same angular intervals, for example three information carriers 31, 32, 33 with an angular distance of 120 ° to each other.

Furthermore, according to the invention (not shown), at least one information carrier is applied to the second flank surface of the at least one section of larger diameter 2, which, according to the illustration in FIG. 1, is opposite the first flank surface 3. A plurality of information carriers are preferably applied at the same angular distances, for example three information carriers with an angular distance of 120 ° from one another.

The information carriers can be formed by alpha-numerical information that can be visually detected by a person without any further aids, for example characters from the ASCII code or numbers in the binary or decimal system according to the example in FIGS. 1, 2 or 3. Furthermore, the information carriers can are formed by machine-readable representations such as known bar codes or QR codes. In a particularly preferred embodiment, visually detectable and machine-readable information carriers are combined with one another on the respective surfaces. Thus, according to the invention, an alpha-numeric specification (e.g. a number) can be mapped in direct proximity to a bar code, so that information on the information carrier can thus be read out either by a person without further aids or by means of machines. Thus, a user can either without further aids or with a

Information carrier reading device read out all relevant information of a corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention with simple means. An information carrier reading device can be a QR code or a bar code scanner, even in the simplest case the camera of a smartphone with a corresponding software application installed on the smartphone. Reading out the

The information carrier can be done by simply photographing or scanning.

The inventive corrugated pipe 100 comprises length sections 50, 50 'or 50 "(and continuously), which is each defined in its length by a first pipe section length 7 and a second pipe section length 6. According to the invention, it is provided that the information carrier, such as the Information carriers 11, 31, 32, 33 from FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as the information carriers (not shown) of the second flank surface 2 of a section 50 each carry the same information, for example show the same number. Another section 50 'has information carriers which carry different information than that of section 50, that is to say for example show a different number. It is thus provided according to the invention that the at least one information carrier 11 of an outer surface 1 and the at least one other information carrier 11 'of another outer surface 12 carry information that differs from the information of the other information carrier in each case.

In a preferred manner, the information carriers of adjacent length sections 50 and 50 ‘(and continuously) have information in a consecutive manner, e.g. in the case of numerical representation, the number is continuously increased by the value 1 for each section.

According to the invention, each individual length section 50, 50 ‘, 50 ″ (and continuously) is provided with its own information. In the manner shown, according to the invention, a consecutive number is applied to each length section, see FIG. When assembling and cutting the corrugated pipe is known in

Way each cut in the area of the sections with smaller diameter 5, so that in a ready-made corrugated pipe the first flank surface 3 and second flank surface 2 '(see Figures 1 and 3) remain essentially undamaged. The information carriers of the surface 2 ‘are shown in FIG. The

Information carriers 21, 22 and 23 are arranged analogously to those of the surface 2, but according to the invention they carry different information. According to FIG. 1, the transition takes place, for example, from area 2 to 2 over five section steps, so that this results in a number increased by five units as information on the information carriers (see figures).

The information carriers 11, 19, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33 can be applied according to the invention to the corrugated pipe 100 in various ways. In one embodiment, the information carriers are applied by embossing units, preferably heated embossing units, particularly preferably automatic heated numbering embossing units. According to the invention, it is provided that the information carriers are applied by printing processes, preferably by printing processes in which the colors contain special additives such as metal particles or have UV markers. According to the invention it is provided that the information carriers are applied by etching. According to the invention, it is particularly preferred to apply the information carriers by laser marking. According to the invention, the information carriers are preferably applied directly after the extrusion process of the corrugated pipe 100 in direct succession, then in an inline process before assembly or packaging.

With the corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention, using the first method according to the invention, it is possible to determine its length even after installation. This is done by reading the information carrier 11, 31, 32 or 33 at a starting point of the corrugated pipe 100 and by reading the information carrier 11 ', 21, 22 or 23 at a target point of the corrugated pipe 100. Due to the consecutive numbering of the sections 50, 50 ', 50' '(and continuously) the number of sections between the two aforementioned ends of the corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention can thus be determined as the difference between these numbers. Using the known length of the sections 50 as the sum of the first and second pipe section lengths 6 and 7, the length of the corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention between the two ends can be calculated from this by simple multiplication. The possible length measurement error, for example, due to the bending of the corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention or due to errors during assembly, is negligible compared to the actual length.

With the corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention, it is also possible, by using a special embodiment of the method according to the invention, to clearly determine the starting point and the target point of the corrugated pipe after installation in a shell. For this purpose, at a starting point, for example the distribution box in the basement of a building, that of the visible or detectable information carriers 11, 31, 32, 33 of a corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention is noted. At a target point, for example in a distribution box in the kitchen of a building, that of the visible or detectable information carriers 11 ', 21, 22, 23 of a corrugated pipe 100 according to the invention is noted. This information can then be saved, for example in a database or in the building's planning tool. This means that they are available for further planning or installation work. Via a plausibility comparison between a length of the corrugated pipe 100 measured according to the method according to the invention on the one hand and on the other hand according to the expected length according to a building or installation plan and the use of the consecutive numbering of the information carriers on the other hand, a destination point can be assigned to a starting point.

If, for example, when reading out the at least one information carrier of a first length 50 of the corrugated pipe, the information "12" is determined, and when reading out the at least one other information carrier of a second length 50 'of the corrugated pipe, the information "23" is determined, and If the information “24” and “44” are determined when reading out the other information carriers of the further length sections 50 ”(etc.), a first starting point can be assigned to the smallest value“ 12 ”and a first destination point to the next higher value“ 23 ” a first corrugated pipe are assigned. Correspondingly, the next higher value “24” following the first target point can be assigned a second starting point and the next higher value “44” can be assigned a second target point of a second corrugated pipe. It is also possible to determine the lengths of the corrugated pipes from the differences in the values at the starting points and the target points.

The information carrier can also serve as an unambiguous identification of the pipe, for example as a batch number or as a feature for the time of production. Furthermore, the information carrier can carry information about further corrugated pipe properties, for example about the material / plastic material used, about additives for fire retardancy, diameter, wall thickness, etc. The application of the information carrier to the corrugated pipe according to the invention

100 allows a subsequent identification of the same between a starting point and a destination, for example when the building wall is opened later for renovation or repair work.

4 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment with a barcode 11, 19, 21, 31 which extends over two adjacent length sections 50, 50 'of the corrugated pipe 100 and of course carries one and the same information over its entire extent. In this case, the reading direction of the barcode is from top to bottom or bottom to top, i.e. perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the corrugated pipe 100. Accordingly, the individual bars of the barcode are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the corrugated pipe.

The barcode 11, 19, 21, 31 is advantageously applied to the corrugated tube using an inkjet method or by laser marking. If the corrugated pipe is bent slightly in the process, the barcode 21, 31 can be applied particularly easily to the flanks 2, 3 of the corrugated pipe. It should be noted, however, that the barcode 21, 31 on the flanks 2, 3 is optional if the barcode 11, 19 is attached to the outer surface 1 and the further outer surface 8.

In order to keep the number of different barcodes required (ie barcodes that carry different information) as low as possible, in the present exemplary embodiment the two length sections 50 ″, 50, ″ following to the right are designed without information carriers. Only the length sections 50 ″ ″, 50 ″ following further to the right have a further barcode 11 ′, 19 ′, which in turn can also extend to the flanks 2 ′, 3 ′ as described above. The fact that the left barcode 11, 19, 21, 31 carries different information than the right barcode 11 ', 19' is indicated by the fact that the bottom bar of the two barcodes is different. On the left side in the adjacent length sections 50, 50 'the bottom line of the barcode 11, 19, 21, 31 is represented by a thin line, while on the right barcode 11', 19 'in the two adjacent length sections 50 "", 50. the bottom line is represented by a thick line.

In the present example, the two length sections 50 ″, 50 ″ are designed without information carriers. However, it is just as possible that only one length section, or none at all, or three or more length sections following one another, are designed without information carriers. It is also not absolutely necessary for the barcode 11, 19, 21, 31 to extend exactly over two adjacent length sections 50, 50 'of the corrugated pipe 100. It is just as possible that it starts before and stops before, or starts before and stops later, or starts later and stops later, or starts later and stops before. The information carriers 11, 19 are adjacent to the others

Information carriers 11 ', 19' arranged. The information carriers 11, 19 and the information carriers 11 ', 19' carry continuous information, ie the information of the information carriers 11 ', 19' is, for example, one higher than the information of the information carriers 11, 19.

List of reference symbols

Outer surface of a section with a larger diameter 1, 12

Further outer surface of a further section of smaller diameter 8, 18

Second flank surface of a section of larger diameter 2, 2 ‘First flank surface of a section of larger diameter 3, 3‘

Section with larger diameter 4 Section with smaller diameter 5 Second pipe section length 6 First pipe section length 7 Information carrier on an outer surface 11, 11 ‘

Information carrier on a further outer surface 19, 19 ‘

Information carrier on a second flank surface 21, 22 or 23 Information carrier on a first flank surface 31, 32, 33 Length section 50, 50, 50 ", 50‘ ", 50" ", 50. Corrugated pipe 100

Claims

1 corrugated pipe (100) with at least one section of larger diameter (4) with a first flank surface (3, 3 ') of the section with larger diameter and a second flank surface (2, 2') of the section with larger diameter and an outer surface (1, 12) of the larger diameter section and at least one further smaller diameter section (5) with a further outer surface (8, 18), characterized in that at least one information carrier (11, 11 ') is located on the outer surface (1, 12) of the larger diameter section. is applied, and / or that on the further outer surface (8, 18) of the further section smaller

At least one information carrier (19, 19 ') is applied to the diameter (5), and / or that at least one information carrier (31, 32, 33) is applied to the first flank surface (3, 3') of the larger diameter section, and / or that at least one information carrier (21, 22, 23) is applied to the second flank surface (2, 2 ') of the larger diameter section.

2 corrugated pipe (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one information carrier (11, 11 ‘) of the outer surface (1, 12) of the

Section of larger diameter and / or the at least one information carrier (19, 19 ') of the further outer surface (8, 18) of the further section of smaller diameter and / or the at least one information carrier (31, 32, 33) on the first flank surface (3, 3 ') of the section with a larger diameter and / or the at least one information carrier (21, 22, 23) on the second flank surface (2, 2') of the section with a larger diameter, in each case by alphanumeric characters and / or by bar Codes and / or QR codes. Corrugated pipe (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, if present, the at least one information carrier (11, 11 ') of the outer surface (1, 12) of the larger diameter section and / or, if present, the at least one information carrier (19, 19 ') of the further outer surface (8, 18) of the further section of smaller diameter and / or, if present, the at least one information carrier (31, 32, 33) on the first flank surface (3, 3') of the section with larger diameter and / or, if present, the at least one information carrier (21, 22, 23) are arranged on the second flank surface (2, 2 ') of the section with a larger diameter, in each case perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the corrugated pipe. Corrugated pipe (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, if present, the at least one information carrier (11, 11 ') of the outer surface (1, 12) of the larger diameter section and, if present, the at least one information carrier (19, 19 ') the further outer surface (8, 18) of the further section of smaller diameter and, if present, the at least one information carrier (31, 32, 33) on the first flank surface (3, 3') of the section with larger diameter and, if present , the at least one information carrier (21, 22, 23) on the second flank surface (2, 2 ') of the section with larger diameter each carry the same information. Corrugated pipe (100) according to one of the preceding claims comprising length sections (50, 50 ', 50 ", 50'", 50 "", 50.), characterized in that the at least one information carrier (11) of the outer surface (1) of the section is larger Diameter of a first length section (50) and the at least one other information carrier (11 ') of another outer surface (12) of the larger diameter section of a second length section (50', 50 ",

50 '“, 50“ “, 50.) and / or the at least one information carrier (19) of a further outer surface (8) of the further section of smaller diameter of a first length section (50) and the at least one other information carrier (19 ') of another further outer surface (18) of the further section of smaller diameter of a second length section ( 50 ', 50 ", 50'", 50 "", 50.) and / or the at least one information carrier (31, 32, 33) on the first flank surface (3) of the section with a larger diameter of a first length section (50) and the at least one other information carrier on a first flank surface (3 ') of the larger-diameter section of a second

Length section (50 ', 50 ", 50'", 50 "", 50.) and / or the at least one information carrier (21, 22, 23) on the second flank surface (2) of the section with a larger diameter of a first length section (50 ) and the at least one other information carrier on a second flank surface (2 ') of the section with a larger diameter of a second length section (50', 50 ", 50 '", 50 "", 50.) carry information that differs from the information of the other information carrier. Corrugated pipe (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the information carriers of adjacent length sections (50, 50 ', 50 ", 50'", 50 "", 50.) have continuous information. Corrugated pipe (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one information carrier (11, 19, 21, 31) extends over two adjacent length sections (50, 50 ') of the corrugated pipe. Corrugated pipe (100) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a cover and characterized in that the at least one information carrier is attached to an outer surface of the cover. 9 A method for operating a corrugated pipe according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of

Reading out the at least one information carrier (11, 19, 31, 32, 33) of a first length section (50) of the corrugated pipe (100).

10. The method according to the preceding claim, additionally comprising the steps

Reading out the at least one other information carrier (11 ‘, 19‘, 21, 22, 23) of a second length section (50 ‘, 50‘ ", 50" ", 50th) of the corrugated pipe (100), and in particular

Calculate the length of the corrugated pipe.

11. The method according to the preceding claim additionally comprising the steps

Saving the information of the read information carriers and assigning the information carriers to a starting point and a destination point of a corrugated pipe. 12 The method according to the preceding claim additionally comprising the step of

Assignment of the position of the information carrier to the read information of the respective information carrier. 13. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, additionally comprising the step of lengthening the corrugated pipe.

Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 9-13 having an information carrier reading device for reading out the information carrier, a memory for storing the information read out, and a computing unit designed to assign the starting and destination points of the corrugated pipe and designed to determine the length of the corrugated pipe. Method for producing a corrugated pipe (100) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the at least one information carrier (11, 19, 21, 31) is embossed, printed or applied by laser marking onto the corrugated pipe.