Pipeline system with plurality of branches

Abstract

A main line (1) for distributing or collecting a medium, in particular a temperature control medium, has a main pipe (2) and at least three branches (3, 4). The branches (3, 4) are connected to the main pipe (2), and wherein the branches (3, 4) are each assigned to an opening (5, 6) of the main pipe (2) and are connected to the respective assigned openings (5, 6). The main tube (2) comprises an axis A and defines an axial direction. The main tube (2) and / or the at least one branch (3, 4) comprises an elastomer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a main line for dispensing or collecting a medium, in particular a tempering medium, for example for a drive battery of a vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a line system comprising such a main line, an application of such a main line or such a line system and a method for producing such a main line. BACKGROUND

[0002] Such a main line is disclosed in CN 117317437 A. The main branch of the main line flows a medium in the form of a tempering medium into or out of the main line. The main line is located in a housing of the drive battery and has a plurality of secondary branches which are arranged in the housing. The secondary branches are connected to plate-shaped, hollow-constructed and upright heat exchangers which extend inside the housing along the longitudinal extension of the drive battery and cool or heat the battery cells as required.

[0003] According to CN 117317437 A, the tempering medium flow after the heat exchangers reaches a second secondary branch of a second main line. The second main line also comprises a second main line and a second main branch. The tempering medium flows from the second secondary branch into the second main line, from there into the second main branch and finally out of the housing of the drive battery. When switching from cooling mode to heating mode or vice versa, the flow direction of the tempering medium is reversed. The two main lines together form a line system which itself is part of a fluid system. The fluid system can in particular also have a tank and / or a pump and / or a heat sink and / or a heat source for the tempering medium.

[0004] The heat exchangers, which are preferably made of aluminum in practice, are usually manufactured by a different supplier than the line system, which is generally predominantly made of plastic. Due to the narrow interior space of the housing, the sometimes quite large number of secondary branches, sometimes more than ten secondary branches per main line, and the interplay of the plurality of components or suppliers (battery housing, heat exchanger, line system), the line system needs to have a high degree of precision or the secondary branches need to have a high degree of tolerance when engaging with the heat exchanger.

[0005] It is therefore known in practice to provide the branches or secondary branches with short bellows sections, whereby the secondary branches are given a greater degree of flexibility and are able to meet the tolerance requirements when engaging the secondary branches with the heat exchanger without any problems. For this purpose, the bellows section of the secondary branch is connected with an engagement portion on the main line side and a line connector on the heat exchanger side. The engagement portion serves to achieve a preferably materially bonded connection between the main line and the bellows section of the secondary branch. The line connector serves to achieve a connection between the bellows section of the secondary branch and the heat exchanger. SUMMARY

[0006] According to the procedure known from practice, three welding operations are required for the production of each sub-branch (welding of the junction portion to the bellows section and welding of the pipe connector to the bellows section). The sub-branch or the junction portion is then connected to the main pipe by a third welding operation. Furthermore, the three portions of the sub-branch are produced separately. This procedure known from practice is therefore associated with high production costs. It is therefore an object of the present application to reduce the production costs for a main pipe or a pipe system.

[0007] This object is achieved by a main pipe for the distribution or collection of a medium, in particular a temperature-regulating medium, wherein the main pipe has a main pipe and at least three branches, wherein the branches are connected to the main pipe, wherein each branch is assigned to one opening of the main pipe and is connected to the respectively assigned opening, wherein the main pipe comprises an axis and defines an axial direction, characterized in that the main pipe and / or at least one of the branches comprises an elastomer.

[0008] The present application is based on the insight that an elastomer enables a greater flexibility of the main pipe or the branches. As a result, the main pipe can be installed significantly more simply into a narrow housing. As a result, the bellows section of the branch or sub-branch can be dispensed with, so that the sub-branch can consist of only one uniquely injection-molded portion. This portion, in particular the pipe connector, can be connected to the main pipe, for example, by welding and can also have a coupling section for a releasable connection to a heat exchanger. As a result of the elastomer in the main pipe, only one welding operation and only one injection molding are required for each branch. As a result, production costs are reduced and the object stated in the introduction is achieved.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the bellows section of the branch of the prior art known from practice can preferably be replaced by a bellows-free branch comprising an elastomer or be additionally provided with an elastomer, so that a particularly flexible branch is achieved. As a result, the handling of the branch is significantly improved, in particular when installing or maintaining / repairing.

[0010] The term "axial" preferably refers to the axis or central axis of the main pipe. It is possible that the main pipe is curved, so that the axial direction depends on the axial position of the main pipe. The particular axial direction suitably comprises a plurality of radial directions and / or circumferential directions or tangential directions. As a result, in the case of a curved main pipe, not only the axial direction, but also the radial directions and the circumferential directions depend on the position. Suitably, the directional descriptions "axial", "radial" and "tangential" are each directed at a particular position or a particular section of the main pipe. These directional descriptions can be similarly applied to the sub-branches and / or the main branch.

[0011] The openings of the main pipe for joining the branches can be arranged on the end face and / or in the circumferential outer face of the main pipe. The circumferential outer face of the main pipe can have one bellows section or a plurality of bellows sections and preferably at least one bellows-free section. Preferably, the circumferential outer face comprises at least some and preferably all of the openings assigned to the branches.

[0012] According to a very preferred embodiment, one of the branches is a main branch, wherein at least one of the branches is a secondary branch, wherein preferably the inner diameter of the main branch and / or of the main pipe is at least axially locally greater than the inner diameter of the at least one secondary branch or of a section of the at least one secondary branch. The inner diameter of the at least one secondary branch can be smaller than the inner diameter of the main branch only at one location and can in particular be configured as a throttle. This serves to guide the tempering medium as pressure-optimally as possible.

[0013] The main pipe preferably comprises at least 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 branches. It is possible that at least 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 branches are secondary branches. It is possible that the main pipe comprises only one main branch. Suitably, at least one or only one opening is a main opening. Advantageously, at least 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 openings are secondary openings. Preferably, at least one secondary opening or a plurality of secondary openings of the main pipe is assigned to at least one secondary branch or to a plurality of secondary branches. The main opening of the main pipe is preferably assigned to the main branch. It is advantageous if the net area of one secondary opening or of one of a plurality of secondary openings is smaller than the net area of the main opening.

[0014] Suitably, the main pipe comprises at least one branch section and / or at least one intermediate section. Preferably, a branch section comprises one and in particular only one branch or secondary branch or main branch. Preferably, the axial extension of a branch section is the same as the axial extension of a branch / main branch / secondary branch or as the maximum axial extension of one of the branches of the branch section. Advantageously, the number of branch sections corresponds to the number of branches or secondary branches.

[0015] Suitably, at least one intermediate section is arranged in the axial direction between two, preferably directly adjacent, branch sections. The at least one intermediate section is preferably configured branch-free. Advantageously, the number of intermediate sections corresponds to the number of branches or secondary branches minus 1. It is possible that the intermediate sections are at least partially and preferably completely configured bellows-free.

[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the main tube is configured in one piece, preferably at least in a layered monolith, and particularly preferably in a complete monolith. Thereby a permanent fluid tightness is achieved. Furthermore, thereby a relatively low manufacturing effort is achieved for the manufacture of the main tube line or the main tube. The main tube or the tube wall of the main tube can have only one layer at least axially partially and preferably along the entire length. The main tube or the tube wall can have a plurality of layers. The length of the main tube is advantageously at least 20 cm or 30 cm or 50 cm or 70 cm or 90 cm. Preferably, the main tube comprises plastic and preferably has at least 50 wt.% or 70 wt.% or 90 wt.% plastic. The plastic is preferably a thermoplastic and can for example have a polyamide and / or a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0017] It is possible that the main tube line comprises at least one end cap or two end caps. This allows to provide a main tube of arbitrary length, which can be manufactured from a profile extruded tube. One end cap or a plurality of end caps is / are preferably inserted into the main tube, in particular on one or both axial ends. Advantageously, one end cap or a plurality of end caps seals the main tube in axial direction. One end cap or a plurality of end caps is / are preferably connected with the main tube material-lockingly.

[0018] The term "in one piece" preferably means that the main body can only be divided into two or more segments in a destructive manner, for example by cutting. As an example for being in one piece a tube with a plurality of co-extruded layers can be used, which is configured in one piece, but not configured as a monolith over the entire tube wall. The term "monolith" preferably means a main body formed from only one melt. For example, an injection molded main body with only one plastic melt is a main body configured as a monolith. Thus, a multi-layer co-extruded tube is configured as a layered monolith and also as a monolith overall or over the entire tube wall, but not as a monolith over the entire tube wall. The reason is that each tube layer is provided with its own melt. The different tube layers can be seen particularly at the layer interfaces by means of a microscope or other imaging methods.

[0019] Preferably, the weight proportion of the elastomer is at least 30% or 40% or 50% or 60% or 70% or 80%. This ensures a good flexibility of the main tube. The elastomer is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer and particularly preferably a thermoplastic vulcanizate. Advantageously, the elastomer is or comprises an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). Preferably, the elastomer has a polypropylene. Very particularly preferably, the elastomer comprises an EPDM and a polypropylene or comprises an EPDM in a polypropylene matrix.

[0020] Preferably, the main pipe has at least one lateral gate on its outer side and preferably a plurality of lateral gates. This is a hallmark of the manufacture of the main pipe by means of chain links, which allows a cost-advantageous manufacture of the main pipe. In particular, a forming mold with a chain or chain links is relatively advantageous. The lateral gate can also be a hallmark of the 3D blow molding method, which allows a variety of variants to be realized when manufacturing the main pipe. In the case of the 3D blow molding method, components such as end caps can be integrated into the main pipe. It is possible that at least one and preferably two lateral gates are arranged in particular between the two branches or sub-branches. It is possible that the lateral gate is arranged at the axially middle third of the middle section. Preferably, the lateral gate is arranged at the axially outer third of the middle section. Preferably, a first lateral gate is arranged at the first axially outer third of the middle section and a second lateral gate is arranged at the second axially outer third of the middle section.

[0021] Advantageously, the main pipe comprises at least one longitudinal gate and in particular two longitudinal gates, which extend in the axial direction or parallel to the axis on the outer side of the main pipe. Preferably, the two longitudinal gates are diametrically opposite one another. Each longitudinal gate is suitably formed by the forming of a branch section when the chain links of the two chains abut one another. Each longitudinal gate is thus a hallmark of the manufacture of the branch section by means of chain links, whereby a cost-advantageous manufacture is achieved.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one opening or sub-opening or main opening is formed by a joint, wherein, in the cross section of the main pipe, the joint preferably at least partially, in particular radially outwardly, protrudes relative to the outer surface of the main pipe. This establishes a simple possibility for connecting the branch to the main pipe. This in particular allows an easy connection of a relatively large number of simply held sub-branch standard parts to the main pipe. The term "protrudes" in particular refers to an outward bulge of the wall of the main pipe, which can be seen in the cross section of the main pipe. Suitably, the joint protrudes radially outwardly or inwardly relative to the outer surface of the circumferential peripheral surface of the main pipe. The joint is preferably configured annularly and in particular circularly. It is possible that the joint protrudes radially inwardly relative to the pipe wall or the outer surface of the main pipe. It is possible that the joint does not protrude radially inwardly or radially outwardly in the radial direction, so that the joint is suitably limited to the assigned opening in the main pipe. Advantageously, the joint is configured such that a circular joint section of the branch or sub-branch or main branch can be fixed on the joint. Advantageously, the lowest point of the joint protrudes radially outwardly relative to the outer surface or the circumferential peripheral surface of the main pipe by at least 1 / 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 3.5 / 4 millimeters. Suitably, the highest point of the joint protrudes outwardly in the radial direction from the outer surface of the circumferential peripheral surface of the main pipe by at most 20 millimeters or 15 millimeters or 10 millimeters or 8 millimeters or 6 millimeters.

[0023] Advantageously, the at least one branch or sub-branch comprises a connector or a pipe connector, wherein preferably the pipe connector comprises an engagement section and the engagement section is connected, in particular material-locked and particularly preferably by welding, with the main pipe or with the assigned sub-opening or with an assigned engagement joint of the main pipe. By connecting the pipe connector directly with the main pipe, a welding operation can be dispensed with, so that only one welding operation is required for each sub-branch. In particular, it is thereby possible to dispense with the following pipe sections of the sub-branch, which themselves have to be connected on one side with the respective pipe connector and on the other side with the engagement portion, whereby the engagement portion can finally be connected with the main pipe in the last welding operation.

[0024] The pipe connector preferably comprises a pipe connector body and a seal or in particular a sealing ring. The pipe connector body is particularly preferably configured in one piece and in particular monolithically. Advantageously, the pipe connector body comprises an engagement section and / or a coupling section and / or an intermediate section. Preferably, the engagement section of the pipe connector body is connected, in particular material-locked and particularly preferably by welding, with the main pipe or the opening or the sub-opening or the engagement joint or the pipe section.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the at least one branch or sub-branch comprises a pipe section and / or an engagement portion or engagement section and / or a pipe connector. The higher manufacturing effort provides the advantage that the flexibility of the engagement is significantly increased. The engagement portion or engagement section can be configured in one piece and in particular monolithically. Suitably, the pipe section is connected, in particular material-locked and preferably by welding, with the pipe connector. It is possible that the pipe section is connected, in particular material-locked and preferably by welding, with the engagement portion. The engagement portion or engagement section is suitably connected, in particular material-locked and preferably by welding, with the main pipe or one of the openings or the engagement joint of the main pipe.

[0026] One pipe section or a plurality of pipe sections can have an (preferably thermoplastic) elastomer. One pipe section or a plurality of pipe sections can be configured in one piece and preferably monolithically and be manufactured, for example, by injection molding. One pipe section or a plurality of pipe sections can be connected, in particular by welding, with the main pipe at a first end, so that advantageously no engagement portion is required. One pipe section or a plurality of pipe sections can be connected, in particular by welding, with the pipe connector at a second end.

[0027] Advantageously, the at least one branch comprises a coupling section for connecting, preferably releasably, to a fluid component. The fluid component is preferably an integral part of the drive battery. Very advantageously, the pipe connector or the pipe connector body or the coupling section has at least one and preferably two snap-in elements for snap-in connection to the fluid component. Thereby, by providing only one pipe connector it is possible to connect a further fluid component, for example a heat exchanger of the drive battery, to the main pipe. This allows a quick and easy connection of the fluid components to the main pipe. Advantageously, the at least one branch or the sub-branch has a connector or a pipe connector, wherein the sub-branch or the connector or the pipe connector or the pipe connector body comprises a coupling section for connecting, preferably releasably, to a fluid component, in particular to a drive battery.

[0028] The at least one snap-in element is advantageously configured to have a spring elasticity. Advantageously, the at least one snap-in element is designed as a snap-in arm, which preferably has a snap-in claw. The snap-in claw can be embedded in a complementary recess of the fluid component.

[0029] Preferably, the two snap-in arms are diametrically opposite to each other with respect to the axis of the coupling section. The longitudinal extension of the at least one snap-in arm preferably extends parallel to the axis of the coupling section. Preferably, the at least one snap-in arm is spring- elastically movable in radial direction.

[0030] Very preferably, the pipe connector has a sealing or a sealing ring. Advantageously, the pipe connector or the pipe connector body or the coupling section of the pipe connector body comprises a circumferential sealing groove, into which the sealing or the sealing ring is inserted. Preferably, the coupling section has an outer side, in which the sealing groove is arranged. Advantageously, the at least one snap-in element is arranged radially outside of the sealing groove or the sealing. Suitably, the sealing and the at least one snap-in element define a gap between themselves in radial direction, into which a complementary coupling section of a fluid component to be connected to the pipe connector can be inserted.

[0031] Advantageously, the at least one sub-branch or the at least one pipe connector or the at least one pipe connector body or the at least one pipe section or the at least one engagement portion or the at least one engagement section of the at least one sub-branch comprises plastic or at least 50% or 70% or 90% by weight of plastic.

[0032] It is possible that the main pipe comprises at least one bellows section and preferably at least two or more bellows sections. Thereby, the flexibility of the main pipe is further improved. The term "bellows section" preferably refers to a section having a repeatedly alternating inner diameter and / or outer diameter. In a longitudinal section of the bellows section, the profile of the inner diameter and / or the outer diameter can for example be configured sinusoidal, rectangular or sawtooth-shaped, whereby the term "bellows-like" preferably does not only extend to sinusoidal profiles.

[0033] Preferably, the at least one intermediate section or at least one or each intermediate section of the at least one intermediate section comprises at least one and preferably only one bellows section. Advantageously, one bellows section or a plurality of bellows sections is only assigned to one intermediate section or a plurality of intermediate sections or is only a constituent part of an intermediate section and in particular is not a constituent part of a branch section. It is possible that an intermediate section has at least one non-bellows subsection.

[0034] Very advantageously, the at least one branch section overlaps in the axial direction one of the openings or the assigned opening. Thereby a smooth and in particular cylindrical wall without alternating outer or inner diameter is achieved, so that the opening is better adapted to the connection to the branch. Preferably, at least 50% or 70% or 90% or 95% of the axial extension of the opening or the main opening or the secondary opening overlaps in the axial direction the assigned branch section. Preferably, the branch section is configured non-bellows at least partially and preferably completely circumferentially along at least one axial subsection. It is possible that the subsection of the main pipe or the branch section distal to the opening or the section of the main pipe opposite to the opening can be configured bellows-like. Preferably, at least 50% or 70% or 90% or 95% of the axial extension of the main opening overlaps in the axial direction the assigned branch section.

[0035] Very preferably, the at least one bellows section or the intermediate section is arranged in the axial direction between two openings or each bellows section is located between two openings, respectively. Advantageously, the main pipe comprises at least 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 branch sections. Very preferably, the number of branch sections corresponds to the number of branches or the number of secondary branches. It is possible that the number of intermediate sections corresponds to the number of branches minus one or the number of secondary branches minus one. Advantageously, a main branch is assigned to one branch section, which is at the same time assigned to one secondary branch. Preferably, at least one opening is completely surrounded in the axial direction by a non-bellows region.

[0036] The object mentioned in the introduction is achieved by a pipe system for distributing and collecting tempering media, wherein the pipe system comprises a first main pipe according to the application, wherein the pipe system has a second main pipe according to the application. This leads to the effect that the main pipe functions for the entire pipe system. The second main pipe preferably has a second main branch and / or a second main pipe and / or a second secondary branch. It is possible that the second main pipe has the features of the main pipe according to the application and preferably all features of the main pipe according to the application.

[0037] The object set out at the outset is achieved by the use of a main line or of a line system according to the application for temperature control of mobile or stationary devices and in particular of mobile or stationary batteries. The mobile battery is preferably a drive battery of a vehicle. The main line or line system is particularly advantageous for drive batteries, since these usually have a plurality of heat exchangers through which the temperature control medium flows in parallel. The stationary device can be a dispensing device or a battery storage, for example a battery storage for providing uninterruptible power supply for critical devices or a battery storage for stabilizing the grid voltage. The medium is preferably a temperature control medium. The medium / temperature control medium can be configured in liquid and / or gaseous form. The medium / temperature control medium can only exist in liquid form.

[0038] The object set out at the outset is achieved by a method for producing a main line, in particular a main line according to the application, wherein the main line has a main line and at least three branches, wherein the branches are connected to the main line, wherein each branch is connected to one opening of the main line, wherein the main line is preferably produced from an extruded tube or a co-extruded tube.

[0039] The preferred extrusion allows particularly advantageous shaping tools. Suitably, the tube is extruded through an extruder. It is possible for the tube to be extruded in one layer only or in a multi-layer co-extrusion. It is possible for the tube to be a preform which is placed in a blow-moulding tool. Preferably, the blow-moulding tool shapes the tube into a main line.

[0040] Preferably, a shaping tool for producing at least one branch section and / or intermediate section on the main line is connected downstream of the extruder. Preferably, the tube extends integrally from the extruder to the shaping tool or to the shaping region of the shaping tool. According to another embodiment, the tube is wound after extrusion, then stored in the wound state and then conveyed to the shaping tool.

[0041] Advantageously, the shaping tool comprises two chains, each having a plurality of chain links. Suitably, the two chains move in a loop. Advantageously, the loop directions of the two chains are opposite to one another. Preferably, the chain links of the two chains or of the looping chains are stopped in the shaping region against respectively opposite chain links of the respectively other chain. Suitably, the chain links of the two chains have the same speed and movement direction in the shaping region as the main line. Advantageously, an internal pressure is applied to the tube in the shaping region of the shaping tool during shaping.

[0042] Advantageously, a cutting tool is connected downstream of the shaping tool in the direction of travel of the main line. The cutting tool suitably comprises a cutting element which cuts the end seal section of the joining joint of the main line. Advantageously, a separating tool is connected downstream of the cutting tool. The separating tool suitably cuts the tube and separates it into a plurality of main lines. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] The application will be explained below with the aid of five figures and two examples. In the schematic drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 a perspective view of a main line according to the application is shown,

[0045] Figure 2 an enlarged detail in Figure 1 is shown,

[0046] Figure 3 a longitudinal section of the main line in Figure 1 is shown,

[0047] Figure 4 a side view of the main line in Figure 1 is shown, but without the secondary branches and in an enlarged view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] According to Figure 1 , the main line 1 according to the application comprises one main pipe 2 and a plurality of branches 3, 4. The plurality of branches 3, 4 suitably comprises one main branch 3 and a plurality of secondary branches 4. The main line 1 is preferably configured for guiding a temperature-regulating medium through the main branch 3 to the main pipe 2, from where it is distributed onto the plurality of secondary branches 4. Preferably, the plurality of secondary branches 4 is connected with a corresponding plurality of heat exchangers, which are for example located inside a drive battery of a vehicle.

[0049] The heat exchangers, which are not shown here, can for example be elements of a plate-shaped, hollow construction made of aluminium. However, the heat exchangers can also be elements of a flat, corrugated and hollow construction. Furthermore, the heat exchangers can for example also be designed as tube-shaped. Very preferably, the heat exchangers are located inside the drive battery or inside the housing of the drive battery. Suitably, the main line 1 is also arranged inside the housing of the drive battery.

[0050] Suitably, a further main line 1 is arranged behind the heat exchangers in the flow direction, which further main line is preferably configured identically to the main line 1. The further main line can have equally as many secondary branches, so that the further main line collects the temperature-regulating medium from the plurality of heat exchangers in the main pipe of the further main line and transports it therefrom to a further main branch. The two main lines 1 preferably together form a line system which ensures a temperature regulation of the drive battery with as large an area as possible.

[0051] Suitably, the pipe system is configured such that the tempering medium can flow in two directions, thereby providing a cooling mode and a heating mode for cooling or heating the drive battery. With identical main pipes 1 before and after the heat exchanger, in addition to the lower manufacturing costs, the same main pipes 1 also mean that the tempering medium experiences similar fluidic resistance in both flow directions, which can be advantageous from a structural design point of view or can bring about simplifications in system simulation and design.

[0052] The two main pipes 1 of the pipe system can be arranged diametrically opposite one another with respect to the heat exchanger. According to one embodiment, the main pipe 1 and the further main pipe are located on the same side of the heat exchanger or in close proximity. It is possible for the heat exchanger to be configured such that the tempering medium first experiences a supply section inside one heat exchanger and then flows back to the main pipe along a return section inside the same heat exchanger.

[0053] In combination Figure 1 It is preferred that the main pipe 2 has a plurality of branch sections 8. The branch sections 8 are suitably alternating with the intermediate sections 7 along the axis A of the main pipe 2. It is very preferred that the sub-branches 4 and / or the main branches 3 are connected to a branch section 8, respectively. Suitably, only one sub-branch 4 is provided per branch section 8. It is possible that one of the sub-branches 4 and the main branch 3 are connected to the same branch section 8.

[0054] In this embodiment, the main branch 3 comprises a joint body 20, a pipe section 21 and / or a pipe connector 22. The fluid flow can then be guided to the outside of the housing of the drive battery, which is likewise not shown here, by a further pipe connected to the main branch 3 or the pipe connector 22, which is not shown here either. The pipe connector 22 can in particular be configured as a quick connector or a connector with a snap element.

[0055] It is possible that the joint body 20 is fixed to the pipe section 21 and / or the main pipe 2 material-lockingly and in particular by welding. Suitably, the main pipe 2 comprises a main opening 5 to which the joint body 20 is connected. The main opening 5 can in particular be formed by an opening projection, which preferably protrudes radially outward with respect to the preferably oval or cylindrical outer surface of the main pipe 2.

[0056] In this embodiment, the main pipe 2 has a closed pipe end 27 on at least one of the two axial ends and advantageously on both axial ends, respectively. Preferably, the main pipe 2 has a sub-opening 6 on at least one branch section 8, preferably on a plurality of branch sections 8 and very particularly preferably on all branch sections 8. Suitably, each sub-branch 4 is connected to each sub-opening 6.

[0057] The joint of the sub-branch 4 to the main pipe 2 or the sub-opening 6 is preferably formed by a material-locking connection, in particular by welding. It is possible that the joint of the sub-branch 4 to the main pipe 2 or the sub-opening 6 is formed by a material-locking connection, in particular by welding. Figure 2The sub-branch 4 is shown enlarged. The sub-opening 6 is preferably formed by a (in particular annular and preferably circular-annular) joining tab 16. The joining tab 16 preferably protrudes with respect to the outer surface of the main pipe 2 (which can be configured, for example in cross-section, elliptical, circular or polygonal), for example by 3 millimeters.

[0058] In this embodiment, one sub-branch 4 or some or all of the sub-branches 4 are advantageously and according to Figure 2 comprises only one pipe connector 9. The pipe connector 9 preferably has a pipe connector body 26 and / or a seal 13. The seal 13 can be configured as a sealing ring and / or comprise an elastomer. The pipe connector body 26 advantageously has a joining section 10, an intermediate section 14 and / or a coupling section 11. Suitably, the intermediate section 14 is arranged between the joining section 10 and the coupling section 11 and is advantageously configured hollow in order to fluidically connect the joining section 10 with the coupling section 11. The pipe connector body 26 or the coupling section 11 can in particular be configured as a male plug element. Preferably, the seal 13 or the sealing ring is arranged on the outside of the coupling section 11.

[0059] The pipe connector 9 or the pipe connector body 26 advantageously comprises at least one snap element 12 and preferably comprises two snap elements 12 and in particular two snap arms. In this embodiment, the pipe connector 9 or the pipe connector body 26 comprises two snap arms which are arranged diametrically opposite one another, which extend with their longitudinal extent preferably parallel to the coupling section 11. The pipe connector 9 or the pipe connector body 26 can have one snap element base 15, to which the two snap elements 12 are preferably connected. In this embodiment, the joining section 10 of the pipe connector 9 or the pipe connector body 26 is connected to the joining tab 16 of the main pipe 2 materially and preferably by welding. The pipe connector body 26 is preferably configured as one piece and in particular monolithically.

[0060] Figure 3 The longitudinal section of the main pipe 2 and of the pipe connector 9 or the pipe connector body 26 shown in the middle illustrates how the sub-branch 4 or the pipe connector 9 can be connected to the main pipe 2. Advantageously, the joining section 10 of the pipe connector 9 comprises an outer wall and / or an inner wall. Preferably, the joining section 10 has a recess 19 (in particular a slot) for accommodating the joining tab 16. Preferably, the outer wall and / or the inner wall of the joining section 10 forms the recess 19 or the slot.

[0061] The joining tab 16 of the main pipe 2 in the form of a preferably annular flange can be inserted into or arranged in the recess 19 or the slot of the pipe connector 9. It is possible that the joining tab 16 inserted into the recess 19 enables the fixation of the pipe connector 9 on the main pipe 2 by welding (for example by laser welding or spin welding).

[0062] In this embodiment, the main pipe 2 is manufactured by extrusion from a single-layer pipe. Due to the extrusion, the cross section of the pipe / main pipe is constant at this point in time also along the longitudinal extension. The continuously extruded pipe or main pipe 2 can then reach a forming die, not shown here, which is used to manufacture the intermediate section 7 and the branch sections 8, including the joining joints 16 or the main opening 5 with the end seal sections 17 which have not yet been cut.

[0063] The forming die can in particular have two encircling chains, each with a plurality of chain links (in Figure 4 dashed lines). The two chains are suitably moved with the same beat, which corresponds to the movement speed of the pipe or main pipe 2. Preferably, each chain link of the two chains abuts at the opposite chain link of the respective other chain upon reaching the main pipe in the process of forming, so that the pipe or main pipe 2 is pressed therebetween and assumes the predetermined shape of the forming face of the chain links. To this end, the pipe or main pipe 2 can be subjected to a certain pressure from the inside, so that the corresponding shape accuracy is achieved.

[0064] At the point where one chain link and the opposite chain link of the respective other chain abut against each other, a small longitudinal gate is usually formed on the outside of the pipe or main pipe 2, which extends in the axial direction. Suitably, the pipe or main pipe 2 comprises at least one longitudinal gate and preferably two longitudinal gates on its outside. The two longitudinal gates are preferably arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the axis A.

[0065] According to Figure 4 , respectively two axially adjacent chain links of one chain suitably form a chain link transition 18a, 18b, wherein in Figure 4 dashed lines. Suitably, the main pipe 2 comprises a plurality of transverse gates, which are in particular formed by respectively two axially consecutive chain links of the two chains and are located at the position of the chain link transitions 18a, 18b. It can be seen that the axial extension of the intermediate section 7 can be greater than the axial extension of the chain links. It is possible that the axial extension of one branch section 8 is smaller than the axial extension of the associated chain link.

[0066] In Figure 4 , the pipe or main pipe 2 of this embodiment is not shown with the line connectors 9. The arcuate elements shown in dashed lines can be the end seal sections 17 through which the secondary openings 6 are formed. After the pipe or main pipe 2 has passed through the forming die, it is suitably guided past a cutting tool, not shown here, which cuts the end seal sections 17 from the joining joints 16. Thereafter, the continuously manufactured pipe can be repeatedly severed by means of a separating tool, not shown here, so that main pipes 2 of a defined length are formed from the continuously manufactured pipe.

[0067] The second embodiment of the main line 1 according to the application is essentially identical to the first embodiment, wherein it differs from the first embodiment in that the main pipe 2 has a plurality of bellows sections. Preferably, each intermediate section 7 comprises at least one and preferably exactly one bellows section. In the second embodiment, the bellows sections are assigned exclusively to the intermediate sections 7 or are exclusively constituent parts thereof and in particular are not constituent parts of the branch sections 8. The intermediate sections 7 of this embodiment have one non-bellows sub-section each at their axial end portions. The branch sections 8 are preferably configured to be non-bellows.

[0068] The bellows sections are preferably manufactured by corresponding links which are suitably configured differently than the links in Figure 4 The axial extent of the intermediate sections 7 can be greater than the axial extent of the bellows sections or of the links associated therewith. The branch sections 8 are preferably constituted by links, wherein the axial extent of the links can be greater than the axial extent of the branch sections 8, see Figure 4 .

[0069] List of reference signs

[0070] 1 main line

[0071] 2 main pipe

[0072] 3 main branch

[0073] 4 secondary branch

[0074] 5 main opening

[0075] 6 secondary opening

[0076] 7 intermediate section of 2

[0077] 8 branch section of 2

[0078] 9 line connector of 4

[0079] 10 joint section of 26

[0080] 11 coupling section of 26

[0081] 12 engagement element of 26, 29

[0082] 13 seal of 4

[0083] 14 intermediate section of 26

[0084] 15 engagement element base of 26

[0085] 16 joint of 2

[0086] 17 cut end seal section

[0087] 18a, b link transition

[0088] 199, 10, 26 recess for 16

[0089] 203 engagement body

[0090] 213 pipe segment

[0091] 223 pipe connector

[0092] 269 pipe connector body

[0093] 27 closed pipe end

[0094] A axis

Claims

1. A main line (1) for dispensing or collecting a medium, in particular a tempering medium, wherein The main line (1) has a main pipe (2) and at least three branches (3, 4), wherein the branches (3, 4) are connected to the main pipe (2), wherein the branches (3, 4) are respectively assigned to one opening (5, 6) of the main pipe (2) and are connected to the respectively assigned opening (5, 6), wherein the main pipe (2) comprises an axis A and defines an axial direction, characterized in that the main pipe (2) and / or at least one of the branches (3, 4) comprises an elastomer.

2. The main pipe line (1) according to claim 1, wherein One of the branches (3, 4) is a main branch (3), wherein at least one of the branches (3, 4) is a secondary branch (4), wherein preferably the inner diameter of the main branch (3) and / or of the main pipe (2) is at least axially locally greater than the inner diameter of the at least one secondary branch (4).

3. The main pipe (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The main pipe (2) is configured in one piece, preferably at least in a layered whole, and particularly preferably in a complete whole.

4. The main pipe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The proportion by weight of the elastomer is at least 30% or 50% or 70%.

5. The main pipe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein At least one of the openings (5, 6) or the secondary opening (6) is formed by a joint connection (16), wherein the joint connection (16) protrudes, preferably at least locally, in particular radially outward, with respect to the outer surface of the main pipe (2) in the cross section of the main pipe (2).

6. The main pipe line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein At least one of the branches (3, 4) or the secondary branch (4) has a connector (9, 22) or a line connector (9), wherein preferably the line connector (9) comprises a joint section (10) and the joint section (10) is connected, in particular material-locked and particularly preferably by welding, to the main pipe (2) or to the assigned secondary opening (6) or to the assigned joint connection (16) of the main pipe (2).

7. The main pipe line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The main pipe (2) comprises at least one bellows section (25) and preferably at least two bellows sections (25).

8. A pipe system for dispensing and collecting a medium, in particular a tempering medium, wherein The line system comprises a first main line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the line system has a second main line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Use of a main line according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or of a line system according to claim 8 for temperature conditioning of mobile or stationary devices, preferably for temperature conditioning of mobile or stationary batteries, more preferably for temperature conditioning of drive batteries of vehicles.

10. A method for manufacturing a main line (1), in particular a main line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The main line (1) has a main pipe (2) and at least three branches (3, 4), wherein the branches (3, 4) are connected to the main pipe (2), wherein the branches (3, 4) are respectively connected to one opening (5, 6) of the main pipe (2), wherein preferably the main pipe (2) is manufactured from an extruded or co-extruded tube.

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