NL2015447B1

NL2015447B1 - Modular building channel assembly for central piping.

Info

Publication number: NL2015447B1
Application number: NL2015447A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Joannes Norbertus Lichtenberg Josephus; Zonneveld Ton; Bakker Mark; Faber Linde; Verschuur Patrick; Venema Erik
Original assignee: Pipelife Nederland Bv
Priority date: 2015-09-16
Filing date: 2015-09-16
Publication date: 2017-04-03

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of an improved modular building channel assembly for central piping and a hollow conduct for said modular building channel assembly. The modular design provides for an easy installation of central piping and optional further conducts and elements and provides an assembly that is easy adaptable in a later stage.

Description

Title Modular building channel assembly for central piping FIELD OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general construction of buildings and houses is characterized in that a builder and specifically an installer can not finish building or installing in one go. It is typical that a first floor is built, than an installer installs conducts, creates provisions like drilling and milling openings and slits, than a next floor is built, and so on. Next plasterers and tilers finish wall, floor and ceiling surfaces in which all the conducts are covered and then again the installers appear on site to pull wiring into the conduct system and to install sockets and switches. Conducts are in view of both process of installation and physical form integrated and interwoven with building constructions, such that an installer needs to visit a building site at least several times for contributing his share to a building or a house, or the like. Due to (further) fragmentation of the work into smaller parts, and typically relating to unwanted smaller parts, the work becomes less efficient and more costly. In addition these smaller work parts may typically relate to involving less than a day work, such as only a few hours. So a skilled person can only work a few hours per day, at the best, in such situations.

The term "building" is used in the present description to relate to a physical construction for living (a house, an apartment, a cottage), for working, for producing, for sports, and for activities, with walls, a roof, and having one or more floors .

In a finished building, it is not easy to relocate conducts or to add conducts. Quite often conducts are provided in milled slits, which slits are present in stone-like walls or floors. After introducing the conducts in the slits the slits are typically closed with mortar or the like. A different and often used method is wherein conducts are incorporated in concrete walls, floors or ceilings; thereby these conducts are fixed into place and present in a fixed not re-locatable location .

From the above it is clear that an installer can not finish his work in one go, or likewise in a limited number (less than 10) of larger sub-parts of the work. The term "installer" may refer anyone who is involved in building and constructing installations in a building, such as by installing conducts, such as an electrician, a plumber, etc. In fact an each installer is forced, by the building process, to align his work with the status of construction of the building and to be present again and again either to do his work such as by placing conducts, or to prepare next steps/phases in his work, such as by making slits for future conducts.

From the above it is also clear that the way of working has as a consequence that e.g. conducts are fixed and adaptation thereof in a later stage is limited. Such may be a serious issue, for instance if a building needs to be adapted in order to facilitate the changing users process or even gets a different purpose, e.g. from office to living. Recent developments indicate that such optional adaptation is required now and in future. It is noted that a building is typically built for use over a long period of time, e.g. 50-100 years. If an option of adaptation of an existing building is limited, or costly, or absent, a consequence may be that the building is demolished; such buildings are not flexible in terms of potential uses. In an alternative approach users may have to accept that the building is not as functional or efficient as it could be. Effectively the user than adapts to the limitations of a building, whereas a more optimal situation would be where the building can be modified in view of the requirements of a new user. In such cases there is a tension between expectation of a user and factual status of a building, which tension may result in users leaving the building, vacancy of the building, demolition of the building, and social problems in the neighborhood.

Apart from the above inefficiency for the installer and the inflexibility of the building such is also not a sustainable way of operating, especially since production of concrete and the like attributes significantly to the carbon diox ide loading of the atmosphere. During use of such a building, after leaving the building as well as during demolition much more waste is produced than is considered necessary.

Prior art building techniques rely largely on milling of slits and incorporating conducts, though developments have been evolved relating to supporting the building process, limiting the number of times an installer has to come to a building site for installing and to making a building more flexible in terms of future uses. Known developments relate to special conduct floors, such as Infra+ or slimline floors, so-called Wing-floors, and the so-called VBI-conduct floor. Likewise wall elements are used having a hollow core or hollow tube openings, possibly in combination with hollow plinth systems. The idea here is to incorporate conducts during a building process or later on into such elements. Examples of such products are the so-called Cable-stud wall and the Faay-wall.

In the past often empty conducts were installed in order to provide for an option of adding e.g. cabling in a later stage, such as cabling for an audio or home cinema installation. An example hereof is the so-called Elux system. Empty conducts may be installed in horizontal mode (floors, walls) or in vertical mode (walls). Upon closer inspection such empty conducts effectively relate to an (one) expected future use, in order to facilitate cabling therefor. In case of another future use these conducts are typically not located at the right spot. Such conducts are typically only suitable for cabling. In this respect it is noted that different types of conducts, having a more stiff characteristics, can not be introduced in a later stage through the empty conducts, the more as these conducts typically involve bends and the like and introducing as well as picking up these latter conducts is not possible.

Typically conduct systems are configured (or can be configured) in such a way that per floor a sub-system is present. In a central rising conduct towards a central branching point main conducts are brought to a floor, and the sub-systems are connected to the central branching point. These typically relate to building conducts that consume space, which space is limited, and which conducts are not incorporated in building elements as walls. In addition such conducts may form a source of noise disturbance between (vertically) adjacent floors. In view of fires and forming compartments such conducts also relate to weak spots.

Hence there is a need for an improved and more efficient system and method for installing a central piping, which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art, without jeopardizing functionality and potential advantages thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to an assembly according to claim 1, a hollow conduct according to claim 21, and a method according to claim 25 or 26.

The present assembly is dedicated to functioning as a central piping system. The piping system is intended for transferring an item, such as water, electricity, information, etc. from one point in a building to a next point.

As a building typically comprises more than one floor during the transfer the item may pass a ceiling/floor. The present system relates to a centralized system; it may be a single system, or multiple systems, such as parallel systems. The assembly provides a channel for transferring the item, the channel being largely or fully closed, at least at some sections thereof. Typically a further conduct, such as an electricity cable, is used within said channel. The present assembly is modular, such that it can be extended and adapted to a given situation with ease. The hollow conducts used in the assembly may have any length. Typically standard lengths are used, such as conducts of 30 cm -5m. If a flexible conduct or tube is used, said flexible conduct may be adapted to a given length, e.g. by cutting the conduct to the appropriate length. Typically the present assembly comprises a vertical central conduct.

In the modular assembly two main elements can be distinguished, a hollow conduct for bridging larger vertical or horizontal distances, and a floor passage element for bridging a floor section of a building. In addition or as an alternative the floor passage element may be used in a space at a height in between a floor and a ceiling, e.g. when primary access opening are required at said height. For the hollow conducts standard conducts may be used. Together the present assembly forms and largely or fully separates a space from the environment. This space is a passage way e.g. for the above items.

In view of the passage an inner diameter of the conducts and floor passage elements is 3-100 cm. For very thin cables, such as electricity, in certain cases 3 cm would be sufficient, whereas for thick or voluminous transfer 100 cm could be required, such as in large buildings. In view of standard application the inner diameter may be 5, 7.9, 9.0, 10, 15, 20 or 25 cm. A length of the present floor passage element may be from 15-300 cm, preferably 20-200 cm, more preferably 30-150 cm, even more preferably 40-120 cm, such as 60-100 cm; typically a standardized length may be used. The floor passage element can be from slightly thicker than a floor to an element that extends up to 150 cm from a floor (above or below). If the present element is somewhat longer an even better acoustic damping is obtained and also fire retardation may be improved. For non-SI countries similar dimensions in inches may be appropriate (also for further dimensions).

For access to the central piping at least two primary access openings are provided. These primary access openings are spaced apart, typically at least 10 cm, typically in a vertical direction. More often the primary access openings are spaced apart such that a first opening is on a first floor and a second opening on a second floor, or at different locations on a same floor (e.g. a metering cupboard and a first floor). The primary access openings have a surface area allowing access to the central piping space; depending on the item to be transferred the access opening needs to be smaller or larger, typically in a range of 1-100 cm2, preferably 2-50 cm2, such as 3-20 cm2. The openings may have a circular cross-section, such as with a diameter of e.g. 2 cm, or any other suitable form, such as rectangular. The primary access openings may comprise a tubular part, having a length of 0.5-20 cm, preferably 1-15 cm, such as 2-10 cm, e.g. 5-7 cm.

The present assembly provides an easy adaptable and flexible system, allowing installation in one building process step. Both vertical and horizontal conducts, and combinations, can be provided. The present assembly uses limited space which is easy accessible, during building and also thereafter. The present assembly can be incorporated in an existing building structure, can easily be incorporated in a cupboard, stair case segment etc., does not compromise an integrity of the building structure, does not jeopardize fire safety, is not a source for noise, and is fully functional.

The present assembly using elements of limited size can be installed during a building process by others, such as constructors, and can be "filled" in a later stage with appropriate items, such as cabling, hoses for water or air, etc.

Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Advantages of the present invention are detailed throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to an assembly according to claim 1.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly each hollow conduct comprises two or more primary access openings (310), typically one to the left and one to the right, when viewed from the front or the back. If required even more primary access opening per hollow conduct can be provided, such as 3-8. So depending on an intended use of e.g. a room more or less openings can be provided. As the assembly may be located at different locations of e.g. the room, access openings may be provided to the left, to the right, or a combination thereof.

If the present assembly is located in a corner the access openings may be provided under a relate angle with respect to one and another, such as an angle of 90 degrees. Likewise the access openings may be directed in such an angle.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly the primary access openings (310) are located opposite of one and another, preferably at one side of the hollow conduct, such as the back side. In view of further conducts being attached to the central assembly such may offer advantages in terms of installation and aesthetics.

In an exemplary embodiment the present assembly comprises vertical conducts (200), horizontal hollow conducts (200), or a combination thereof. Therewith relevant parts of a building can be connected with one and another, in terms of transferring items.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly comprises parallel conducts (200), preferably physically separated parallel conducts. Sometimes more conducts are needed, or several items need to be separated from one and another, such as water and electricity or high and low voltage cabling, and hence several parallel systems are provided.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly the assembly connects at least two of a floor (510), a crawl space (520), a meter cupboard (530), a technical space (540), a central heating space (540), a solar panel (550), a solar heating system (550), and a heat exchanger; hence the present system is flexible and adaptable.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly just below or just above a floor at least one primary access opening is provided, such as from 5-20 cm above or below, preferably just outside sight or providing access to a plinth or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly comprises a removable closing element for the primary access opening, such as a cap which can be attached with a click or screw like system. It is preferred to over-dimension a system, hence providing more access openings than strictly or in first instance needed and closing these opening temporarily with e.g. a cap.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly the at least two conducts and/or at least one floor passage element are made from plastic, such as PE, PP, PVC, or PPS and preferably a plastic which is free of halogens.. An example of conducts is the so-called kabelflex. The plastic used may have further characteristics, such as good thermal insulation properties, fire resistance, fire retardation, etc. The further characteristics may also be, or in addition be, provided by a further layer, such as a coating provided on an inside of the conducts or passage element. The coating may also relate to a material that forms a foam upon heating and thereby closes a space .

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly the conducts and at least one floor passage element have a cross sectional shape individually selected from circular, rec- tangular, square, triangular, multigonal, such as hexagonal and octagonal, and irregular. Depending on the exact location one may vary said cross-sectional shape, or combine various shapes. For instance in a corner a triangular of rectangular shape may be used. In view of production circular shapes may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment the present assembly is for connecting at least one of low voltage or low power electrical conducts (400), high voltage or high power electrical conducts (400), heating conducts, and water conducts, preferably electrical conducts. Typically not-compatible conducts are physically separated from one and another.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly comprises at least one connection to a hollow conduit in a floor or in a ceiling, or to a conduct skirting board, or to a plinth. As such further branching can be established.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly the floor passage element is double walled, e.g. in view of noise, of fire etc.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly an insulation material is provided in between the double walls, such as a thermal, noise, and/or fire resistant insulation material. Examples are rock wool, foam, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly at least one hollow conduct is double walled.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly an inner wall comprises at least two openings (240). These openings may be used to enter or exit cables or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly an inner wall comprises openings having a total openings area of 1-49% of an inner wall surface area. The inner wall may be used for guiding, e.g. for a so-called extension spring. After the extension spring has reached its destination and a cable is provided thereafter the cable may be moved to a main part of the conduct, e.g. through said openings.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly a double wall is formed by a cuff. The cuff may e.g. function as a fire repellant element by closing an opening between floors when being heated.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly comprises an guiding tube, the guiding tube having a diameter of 1-5 cm, at least one tertiary access opening (610), and a slit with a width of 0.0-1 cm. The slit may be used to move a cable from the guiding tube to a central part of the conduct. The guiding tube is preferably large enough to allow passage of an extension spring or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present assembly the guiding tube at the location of the primary conduct access openings is partly or fully absent, having a surface area at said location which is for 51-100% free of material. Thereby the guiding tube allows for easy access at said locations.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a floor passage element (300) for the present modular building channel assembly, comprising a hollow part having an inner diameter (Di) of 3-100 cm and forming at least one hollow space (11), a first and second entry (320), and two primary access openings (310) having a surface area of 1-100 cm2, wherein the primary access openings are located opposite of one and another, preferably at one side of the hollow conduct.

In an exemplary embodiment of the floor passage element the two primary access openings and the first and second entry are located perpendicular to one and another.

In an exemplary embodiment of the floor passage element at an intersection of the hollow conduct and primary access opening an upwards curved enlargement and/or a an downwards curved enlargement is provided. Such an enlargement provides extra guidance when bringing e.g. a cable into the present floor passage element or when exiting such a cable.

In an exemplary embodiment of the floor passage element comprising at least one internal edge of 0.2-1 cm for confining a floor passage element, and typically two located above and below the primary access openings. As such it is secured that the access openings are accessible.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to a method of installing an assembly according to the invention, comprising the steps of providing a water tight building, installing the assembly, and installing further conducts attached to the assembly. In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to a method of adapting an assembly according to the invention, comprising the steps of providing at least one further hollow conduct, floor passage element or further conduct to the assembly, and connecting at least one of low voltage electrical conducts (400), high voltage electrical conducts (400), heating conducts, and water conducts, preferably electrical conducts.

The invention is further detailed by the accompanying figures and examples, which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

EXAMPLES/EXPERIMENTS

The invention although described in detailed explanatory context may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying examples and figures.

SUMMARY OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a sub-part of the present assembly.

Figure 2 shows a house and the present assembly.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of a house with the present assembly (fig. 3a} and a rectangular hollow conduct 200 having secondary access openings 350.

Fig. 4a,b show worked open versions of the present hollow conduct .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a sub-part of the present assembly. Therein a floor passage element 300 passes a floor. The hollow conducts 200 can be entered into the floor passage element 300 from a top side and a bottom side in this figure. The floor passage element is typically slightly longer than a thickness of a floor, such as 20-100 cm. The primary access openings 310 may be provided including a removable closing element (not shown).

Figure 2 shows a house and the present assembly. Therein several building elements such as floors 510, a crawl space 520, a meter cupboard 530, a central heating space 540, a solar panel 550 , and a solar heating system 550 (as alternative or in addition to the solar panel) are shown, connected by the present assembly 100 consisting of various cou- pled hollow conducts and floor passage elements.

Figure 3 a shows a cross section of a house with a vertical conduct passing through floors and the roof. In the conduct secondary openings are provided at locations where conducts such as horizontal plinths, gutters, and the like may be provided. The secondary access openings may relate to the same or may be similar to the present primary access openings. In an alternative or in addition the secondary access openings may provide easy access over a larger surface area, compared to the primary access openings. It is noted that the precise layout of the secondary openings may be somewhat different from the primary access openings. Conducts may be provided just above a floor, just below a ceiling, at a strategic height above the floor, just underneath a roof or roofing element, and combinations thereof. The assembly can be provided against a wall, can be incorporated into a wall, or in a corner. Fig. 3D shows a floor passage element incorporated into a roof section, e.g. for connecting a solar panel.

Fig. 4a,b show worked open versions of the present hollow conduct. An inner tubing element 220 is provided with openings 240, such as perforations or slits. The inner tubing element is surrounded, or at least partially surrounded, by an outer wall. In between an insulation material 230, such as mineral wool, may be provided. If the hollow conduct passes a floor, as in the case of the floor passage element, a fire retardant coating or material may be provided. Likewise an external cuff may be provided for closing an opening in a floor. The above functions may also be combined. Similar considerations and embodiments apply to the floor passage element.

In the figures the following items are shown: 100 Assembly 200 hollow conduct 210 inner wall 220 outer wall 230 insulation material 240 opening in inner wall 300 floor passage element 310 primary access opening 320 first and/or second entry to floor passage element 350 secondary access openings 400 low or high power electrical conducts 510 floor 520 crawl space 530 meter cupboard 540 central heating space 550 solar panel 550 solar heating system (as alternative or in addition to the solar panel) 610 tertiary access opening 11 hollow space

Di Inner diameter hollow conduct D distance between two primary access openings The invention although described in detailed explanatory context may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

It should be appreciated that for commercial application it may be preferable to use one or more variations of the present system, which would similar be to the ones disclosed in the present application and are within the spirit of the invention .

The following section is added to support searching of the prior art of the patent.

Claims

A modular building channel assembly (100) for central conduit pipes comprising at least two hollow conduits (200), at least one floor passage element (300), wherein the pipes and the floor passage element have an inner diameter (Di) of 3-100 cm, preferably 5-25 cm, such as 7.5-9.0 cm, and form at least one cavity and a passage (11), and wherein the assembly comprises at least two main access openings (310) which are at a distance (d) of at least 10 cm apart, with each main access opening having an area of 1-100 cm 2, preferably 2-50 cm 2, such as 3-20 cm 2.

The assembly of claim 1, wherein each hollow conduit comprises two or more main access openings (310).

The assembly of claim 2, wherein the main access openings (310) are positioned opposite each other, preferably on one side of the hollow conduit.

Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises vertical pipes (200), horizontal hollow pipes (200), or a combination thereof.

Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising parallel lines (200), preferably physically separated parallel lines.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly comprises at least two of a floor (510), a crawl space (520), a meter cupboard (530), a technical room (540), a solar panel (550), a solar heating system -tem (550), and connects a heat exchanger.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one main access opening is provided just below or just above a floor.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a removable closing element for the main access opening.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least two pipes and the at least one floor passage element are made of plastic.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conduits and the at least one floor passageway element have a cross-sectional figure selected from round, rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal, such as hexagonal and octagonal, and irregular.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, for connecting at least one of low voltage or low power electrical lines (400), high voltage or high power electrical lines (400), heating lines, and water lines, preferably electrical lines.

12. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising at least one connection with a hollow pipe in a floor or ceiling, or with a pipe skirting, or with a skirting.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the floor passage element is double-walled.

Assembly according to claim 13, wherein an insulating material is provided between the double walls.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one hollow pipe is double-walled.

An assembly according to any of claims 13-15, wherein an inner wall comprises at least two openings (240).

17. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 13-15, wherein an inner wall comprises openings with a total opening area of 1-49% of an inner wall surface.

An assembly according to any of claims 13-15, wherein a double wall is formed by a sleeve.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a guide tube, the guide tube having a diameter of 1-5 cm, at least one tertiary access opening (610), and a notch with a width of 0.0-1 cm has.

An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the guide tube is partially or completely absent at the location of the main conduit access openings, with an area at said location which is 51-100% free of material.

A floor passage element (300) for a modular building channel assembly according to any of claims 1-20, which comprises a hollow portion with an inner diameter (Di) of 3-100 cm and that at least one hollow space (11), a forming a first and second entrance (320), and two main access openings (310) having an area of 1-100 cm 2, the main access openings being placed opposite each other, preferably on one side of the hollow conduit.

The floor passage element of claim 21, wherein the two main access openings and the first and second entrance are perpendicular to each other.

Floor passage element according to one of claims 21 or 22, wherein an upward bending magnification and / or a downward bending magnification is provided at an intersection of the hollow pipe and main access opening.

The floor passage element according to any of claims 21-23, which comprises at least one internal edge of 0.2-1 cm for constraining a floor passage element.

A method of mounting an assembly according to any of claims 1-20, which comprises the steps of providing a watertight building, mounting the assembly, and mounting other conduits attached to the assembly.

A method of arranging an assembly according to any of claims 1-20, comprising the steps of providing at least one other hollow conduit, floor passage element or other conduit to the assembly, and connecting at least one of low voltage electrical lines (400), high-voltage electrical lines (400), heating lines, and water lines, preferably electrical lines.