Pipeline system with plurality of branches

Abstract

The invention relates to a main line (1) for distributing or collecting a medium, in particular a temperature control medium, comprising a main pipe (2) and at least three branches (3, 4). The branches (3, 4) are connected to a main pipe (2), where the main pipe (2) comprises an axis (A) and defines an axial direction. At least one of the branches (3, 4) has a line connector (5) and a pipe section (6). And the first end of the pipe section (6) is connected with the main pipe (2). And the second end of the pipe section (6) is connected with the pipeline connector (5). The first end and preferably the second end of the pipe section (6) are integrally connected to the main pipe (2). The invention also relates to a line system comprising such a main line, to the use of such a main line and to a method for producing such a main line.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a main line for dispensing or collecting a medium and in particular a tempering medium, comprising a main pipe and at least three branches, wherein the branches are connected to the main pipe, wherein the main pipe comprises an axis A and defines an axial direction, wherein at least one of the branches comprises a pipe connector and a pipe section, wherein a first end of the pipe section is connected to the main pipe, wherein a second end of the pipe section is connected to the pipe connector. The invention further relates to a line system comprising the main line, an application of the main line and a method for manufacturing the main line. BACKGROUND

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

[0003] According to CN 117317437 A, the tempering medium, after flowing through the heat exchangers, reaches a second secondary branch of a second main line. The second main line also comprises a second main pipe and a second main branch. The tempering medium flows from the second secondary branch into the second main pipe, from there into the second main branch and finally out of the housing of the drive battery. When switching from a cooling mode to a 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 a component of a fluid system. The fluid system can in particular also have a reservoir and / or a pump and / or a heat sink and / or a heat source for the tempering medium.

[0004] In practice, the heat exchangers, which are preferably made of aluminum, are usually manufactured by a supplier who is different from the supplier of the line system which is generally predominantly made of plastic. Due to the narrow space inside the housing, the in some cases quite large number of secondary branches (sometimes more than ten secondary branches per main pipe) and the interplay of the components or suppliers (battery housing, heat exchangers, line system), very high precision of the line system or tolerance requirements for the joining of the secondary branches to the heat exchangers are required.

[0005] It is therefore known in practice that the secondary branches are provided with a short bellows section, whereby the secondary branches obtain a greater flexibility and the tolerance requirements for the joining of the secondary branches to the heat exchangers can be met without any problems. For this purpose, the bellows section of the secondary branch is connected to a joining portion on the main pipe side and to a pipe connector on the heat exchanger side. The joining portion serves for a preferably material-locked connection between the main pipe and the bellows section of the secondary branch. The pipe connector serves for the 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 manufacture of each sub-branch (welding of the joint portion to the bellows section, and welding of the pipe connector to the bellows section). The sub-branch or joint portion is then connected to the main pipe by a third welding operation. Furthermore, the three portions of the sub-branch are manufactured separately. This procedure known from practice is therefore associated with high manufacturing costs. It is therefore an object of the present application to reduce the manufacturing costs of a main pipe or pipe system.

[0007] This object is achieved by a main pipe for dispensing or collecting a medium and in particular a tempering medium, wherein the main pipe comprises a main pipe and at least three branches, wherein the branches are connected to the main pipe, wherein the main pipe has an axis A and defines an axial direction, wherein at least one of the branches has a pipe connector and a pipe section, wherein a first end of the pipe section is connected to the main pipe, wherein a second end of the pipe section is connected to the pipe connector, characterized in that the first end and preferably the second end of the pipe section is integrally connected to the main pipe.

[0008] The present application is based first and foremost on the recognition that a sub-branch with a pipe section offers greater flexibility or tolerance for the connection to a further guided portion, such as a heat exchanger. However, this flexibility in the prior art is at the expense of high manufacturing costs due to the multiple (welded) connections of the pipe section to the main pipe.

[0009] It has been found that the integral connection of the pipe section to the main pipe saves at least one welding and / or crimping connection per branch and thus significantly reduces the manufacturing costs of the main pipe. Since the main pipe can have up to 10 to 20 branches, a correspondingly large number of connection operations is avoided. The integral connection is in particular preferably achieved by blow molding, so that only one further de-flashing operation and in particular only one further welding operation for the respective pipe connector per branch is required after the blow molding operation. Furthermore, the proportion of rejects due to error-prone (welded) connections is avoided, thereby also reducing the manufacturing costs. The object stated at the outset is thus achieved by the present application.

[0010] Manufacturing such a main pipe or such a main pipe system with integral sub-branches from one large-area preform by means of a bellows section and in particular by selecting a material that offers greater flexibility, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, and subsequently cutting off the excess (flash) allows a cost-optimized method while achieving a high positional tolerance of the sub-branches.

[0011] The term "axial" preferably means the axis or central axis of the main pipe. It is possible that the main pipe is curved or even has an optimized or non-circular cross section, so that the axial direction depends on the axial position of the main pipe. In the case of a cross section that is optimized in shape, it is also possible to make the most of narrow parts of the installation space. The axial direction in accordance with the purpose includes a plurality of radial directions and / or circumferential directions or tangential directions. Thus, in the case of a curved main pipe, not only the axial direction is position-dependent, but also the radial direction and the circumferential direction. In accordance with the purpose, the directional specifications "axial", "radial" and "tangential" each refer to a specific position or a specific section of the main pipe. These directional specifications can be applied analogously to the secondary branch and / or the main branch.

[0012] The term "one-piece" preferably means in the following that the one-piece object can only be divided into two or more segments in a destructive manner, for example by cutting. A tube with a plurality of co-extruded layers can be used as an example of one-piece, which, although one-piece, is not monolithically constructed over the entire tube wall.

[0013] The term "monolithic" preferably means an object formed from only one melt. For example, an object injection molded from only one plastic melt is a monolithically constructed object. A multi-layer co-extruded tube is therefore monolithically constructed in layers and one-piece overall or over the entire tube wall, but not monolithically constructed over the entire tube wall. A layer of a multi-layer tube is monolithically and in particular completely monolithically constructed along the tube. The reason for this is that each layer is assigned to a respective melt. The different layers can in particular be seen by means of a microscope or by means of other imaging methods at the interface between layer and layer. The term "monolithic" preferably includes objects that are "monolithically constructed in layers" and objects that are "completely monolithically constructed". The expression "monolithic connection" preferably means that at least one layer and preferably all layers of the main pipe at least partially and preferably completely extend onto the tube segment or (in particular in the axial direction) continuously constitute the tube segment.

[0014] According to one particularly preferred embodiment, the tube segment of the at least one branch or of the at least one secondary branch or of the main branch has an axial extension of at least 22 mm or 25 mm or 30 mm or 40 mm or 50 mm. This gives the branch a higher flexibility and enables good manufacture by blow molding. According to one particularly preferred embodiment, the tube segment of the at least one branch or of the at least one secondary branch or of the main branch has an axial extension of at most 200 mm or 150 mm or 100 mm or 80 mm.

[0015] According to a very preferred embodiment, one of the branches is the main branch. Advantageously, at least one of the branches is a secondary branch. 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 at only one location and in particular be configured as a throttle. This serves to guide the tempering medium as pressure-optimized as possible. The term "inner diameter" preferably means the smallest inner diameter of the main pipe or of the main branch or of the respective secondary branch.

[0016] The main pipe line preferably comprises at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 branches. It is possible that at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 branches are secondary branches. It is possible that the main pipe line comprises only one main branch. Advantageously, the main pipe comprises at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 openings. It is expedient that at least one or only one opening is a main opening. Advantageously, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 openings are secondary openings. Preferably, at least one secondary opening or a plurality of secondary openings of the main pipe are 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 that 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.

[0017] It is possible that the main pipe comprises at least one closed pipe end or two closed pipe ends. This indicates that the main pipe or the main pipe line is preferably manufactured by means of a blow molding method. The one closed pipe end or the plurality of closed pipe ends is preferably integrally connected with the middle third section or the middle fifth section of the main pipe and more preferably with one another.

[0018] Preferably, the main pipe has an opening or a secondary opening or a primary opening. In accordance with the destination, each opening is assigned to a branch or each secondary opening is assigned to a secondary branch or the primary opening is assigned to a primary branch. Advantageously, the main pipe or at least one branch comprises a transition section which constitutes a transition from the main pipe to the pipe section. At least one branch preferably has an axial direction in the region of the transition section which is different from the main pipe. According to one particularly preferred embodiment, at least one opening or secondary opening or primary opening is formed by a transition section, wherein the transition section protrudes, preferably at least locally (in particular radially outward), in the cross section of the main pipe with respect to the preferably cylindrical outer surface of the main pipe. The term "protrudes" in particular means that in the cross section of the main pipe, an outward bulge of the wall of the main pipe can be seen. In accordance with the destination, the transition section protrudes radially outward or inward with respect to the outer surface of the circumferential peripheral surface of the main pipe. The transition section is preferably configured annularly and in particular circularly. Advantageously, the lowest point of the transition section protrudes radially outward with respect to the outer surface or circumferential peripheral surface of the main pipe by at least 1 mm or 1.5 mm or 2 mm or 2.5 mm or 3 mm or 3.5 mm or 4 mm. The transition section is advantageously configured as a corrugation-free tube. In accordance with the destination, the highest point of the transition section protrudes outward in the radial direction at a distance of at most 20 mm or 15 mm or 10 mm or 8 mm or 6 mm from the outer surface of the circumferential peripheral surface of the main pipe.

[0019] Advantageously, at least one or more or all branches or secondary branches or primary branches comprise a connector or a pipe connector. The pipe connector of at least one secondary branch or primary branch preferably comprises a pipe connector body and / or a seal. The seal is preferably configured as a sealing ring and advantageously has an elastomer. 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 seal or sealing ring is fitted. Preferably, the sealing groove is arranged on the inside of the coupling section.

[0020] The pipe connector body is particularly preferably configured as a one-piece and in particular monolithic. The pipe connector body preferably has a plastic and is preferably manufactured by means of injection molding. Preferably, the pipe connector body is configured as a one-piece and in particular monolithic. Advantageously, the pipe connector body comprises a joining section and / or a coupling section and / or an intermediate section. The joining section of the pipe connector is preferably connected (in particular material-locked and particularly preferably by welding) to the pipe section of at least one branch.

[0021] The coupling section of the line connector is preferably configured to form a (preferably releasable) fluid-tight connection with the fluid component. The fluid component is preferably an integral part of the drive battery. Very advantageously, the line connector or the line connector body or the coupling section has at least one or two snap-in elements for snap-in connection with the fluid component. Thereby, by providing only one line connector, another fluid component, for example a heat exchanger of the drive battery, can be expediently connected with the main line. Preferably, the line connector has a stopper. The stopper advantageously comprises at least one snap-in element. The stopper is preferably configured in the shape of a U or an O. The stopper can have plastic and / or metal or metal wire. The at least one snap-in element is advantageously configured to have spring elasticity. Advantageously, the at least one snap-in element is configured as a snap-in arm. Preferably, the at least one snap-in arm is spring- elastically movable in the radial direction.

[0022] Advantageously, the at least one branch or sub-branch or main branch or at least one tube section or main tube comprises plastic. Preferably, the at least one branch or sub-branch or main branch or at least one tube section or main tube has at least 50% or 70% or 90% by weight of plastic. The plastic is preferably of the type of thermoplastic and may, for example, have polyamide and / or thermoplastic elastomer.

[0023] Especially particularly preferably, the main tube is configured as one piece, preferably monolithic or at least layered monolithic, and particularly preferably completely monolithic, especially in the axial length of 50% or 70% or 90% or 100% of the main tube. Thereby, a long-lasting fluid tightness is achieved. Furthermore, thereby a relatively low manufacturing effort is achieved in the manufacture of the main line or main tube. The main tube advantageously has a length of at least 20 cm or 30 cm or 50 cm or 70 cm or 90 cm. The tube wall of the main tube or the main tube can have only one layer over an axial length of 50% or 70% or 90% or 100% of the main tube. The tube wall of the main tube or the main tube can have a plurality of layers over an axial length of 50% or 70% or 90% or 100% of the main tube.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the tube section of the at least one branch is configured as one piece, preferably monolithic or at least layered monolithic, and particularly preferably completely monolithic, especially in the axial length of 50% or 70% or 90% or 100% of the tube section. Thereby, a long-lasting fluid tightness is achieved. Furthermore, thereby a relatively low manufacturing effort is achieved in the manufacture of the main line or sub-branch. The tube section can have only one layer over an axial length of 50% or 70% or 90% or 100% of the tube section. The tube section can have a plurality of layers over an axial length of 50% or 70% or 90% or 100% of the tube section.

[0025] Very preferably, the pipe section of the at least one branch is integrally, preferably monolithically or at least partially monolithically and particularly preferably completely monolithically connected with the main pipe. This forms a particularly good connection between the at least one branch and the main pipe and is achieved in an efficient manner by blow molding. The branch advantageously comprises a transition section which connects the main pipe with the pipe section. The transition section conforms to the first end of the pipe section which is assigned to the at least one branch. The transition section of the branch is preferably integrally connected with the main pipe and with the pipe section or the second end of the pipe section.

[0026] Advantageously, a further branch of the at least three branches has a further pipe section. This further pipe section is particularly preferably integrally connected with the main pipe. Very preferably, the pipe section of the at least one branch is integrally connected with the further pipe section of the further branch. Preferably, all branches each have one pipe section and these pipe sections are integrally connected with one another.

[0027] It is possible for the main pipe and / or the at least one branch to comprise at least one bellows section and preferably at least two or more bellows sections. Thereby, the flexibility of the main pipe line is increased. The term "bellows section" preferably means a section which has 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" preferably extends not only to sinusoidal profiles.

[0028] In accordance with the object, the at least one branch comprises only one bellows section. Advantageously, the main pipe has at least 2 or 3 bellows sections. Preferably, the main pipe comprises at least one non-bellows section or at least 2 or 3 or 4 non-bellows sections. The number of non-bellows sections of the main pipe is preferably one more than the number of bellows sections of the main pipe. In accordance with the object, the bellows sections and the non-bellows sections of the main pipe alternate with one another in the axial direction. Very preferably, each branch is at least partially and preferably without exception assigned to or connected to one or more non-bellows sections of the main pipe. Preferably, at least one bellows section is configured without a branch.

[0029] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the main pipe and / or the at least one branch has an elastomer. This makes it significantly easier for the main pipe or the branch to be installed in a narrow surrounding environment due to the flexibility of the elastomer. Preferably, the proportion of the elastomer by weight is at least 30% or 40% or 50% or 60% or 70% or 80%. The elastomer is preferably thermoplastic and particularly preferably thermoplastic vulcanizate. Advantageously, the elastomer comprises ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). Preferably, the elastomer has polypropylene. Particularly particularly preferably, the elastomer comprises EPDM and polypropylene or comprises EPDM in a polypropylene matrix.

[0030] The object stated in the introduction is achieved by a pipe system for distributing and collecting a temperature control medium, 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 extends the function of the main pipe to the entire pipe system. The second main pipe preferably has a second main branch and / or a second main pipe and / or a second sub-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.

[0031] The object stated in the introduction is achieved by the use of a main pipe according to the application or a pipe system according to the application for temperature control of mobile or stationary devices, in particular mobile or stationary batteries. The mobile battery is preferably a drive battery of a vehicle. The main pipe or the pipe system is particularly advantageous for drive batteries, since drive batteries usually have a plurality of heat exchangers through which the temperature control medium flows in parallel. The stationary device can be a distribution 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.

[0032] The object stated in the introduction is achieved by a method for producing a main pipe, in particular a main pipe according to the application, wherein the main pipe comprises a main pipe and at least three branches, wherein the branches are connected to the main pipe, wherein at least one of the branches has a pipe connector and a pipe section, wherein a first end of the pipe section is connected to the main pipe, wherein a second end of the pipe section is connected to the pipe connector, wherein the main pipe is preferably produced together with the at least one pipe section by blow molding.

[0033] In order to achieve the object, a preform is placed in a blow mold from which the main pipe is produced. The preform can be produced, for example, by injection molding. The preform advantageously comprises at least one feed opening for blow molding gas, in particular air or an air mixture. It is possible that the preform comprises preformed protrusions which, during blow molding, form the shape of one or several branches. Advantageously, at least one or several or all other protrusions or branches are closed during blow molding and are provided with a cover at the respective end. The respective cover is preferably integrally connected to the respective branch or main pipe. In order to achieve the object, at least one cover is cut off from the associated branch after blow molding. Advantageously, after cutting off the at least one cover, a pipe connector is fixed, preferably by welding, to the branch of the cut-off cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] The application is explained below by means of an embodiment with the aid of two figures.

[0035] Figure 1 a perspective view of a main line according to the application is shown; and

[0036] Figure 2 a longitudinal section of a part of the main line in Figure 1 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In Figure 1 a main line according to the application is shown over its entire length. In this embodiment, the main line 1 comprises a main pipe 2, a main branch 3 and a total of 12 secondary branches 4. The branches 3, 4 are preferably connected to the circumferential outer surface of the main pipe 2, respectively. Preferably, the pipe end 18 of the main pipe 2 is configured closed. Advantageously, the pipe end 18 of the main pipe 2 is integrally connected to the circumferential outer surface of the main pipe 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the main line 1 is arranged inside the housing of the drive battery at the first end face end. Preferably, a second main line, not shown here, is located inside the housing at the opposite end of the drive battery. In accordance with the object, the tempering fluid flows through the line connector 5 into the pipe section 6 of the main branch 3 and from there into the main pipe 2. In accordance with the object, the tempering fluid flows from the main pipe 2 into the secondary branches 4 and from there out through the drive battery all the way to the not shown main line at the other end of the drive battery.

[0039] In accordance with Figure 1 , the main pipe 2 preferably comprises at least one bellows section 7 and advantageously a plurality of bellows sections 7. In accordance with the object, one bellows-free section 8 is arranged between two bellows sections 7 of the main pipe 2, respectively. Advantageously, the bellows sections 7 are characterized by a higher flexibility than the bellows-free sections 8, which greatly simplifies the installation of the main line 1 in a narrow space, for example in the housing of the drive battery of a vehicle.

[0040] Preferably and shown in Figure 1 , the main branch 3 is assigned to or connected to one bellows-free section 8 of the main pipe 2. Advantageously, the main branch pipe 3 comprises a pipe section 6 and a line connector 5. Preferably, the pipe section 6 comprises a bellows section 9 and preferably at least one (preferably bellows-free) connection section 10 for connection to the line connector 5. The line connector 5 can be connected to the connection section 10 by welding, which will also be explained below. Advantageously, the branches 3, 4 or the main branch 3 or the secondary branches 4 comprise a transition section 11, which marks the transition from the main pipe 2 to the pipe section 6 of the main branch 3, see the explanation of Figure 2 below.

[0041] From Figure 1As can be seen, the secondary branch 4 is configured analogously to the primary branch 3. The secondary branch 4 preferably comprises a pipe section 6 and a pipe connector 5. The pipe section 6 and the pipe connector 5 of the secondary branch 4 are designed analogously to the pipe section 6 and the pipe connector 5 of the primary branch 3, but differ, in particular, in the net internal diameter. Preferably, the net internal diameter of the secondary branch 4 is smaller than the net internal diameter of the primary branch 3. Preferably, the net internal diameter of the main pipe 2 is larger than the net internal diameter of the secondary branch 4 and / or of the primary branch 3.

[0042] The pipe section 6 of the secondary branch 4 is preferably connected to the pipe connector 5 of the secondary branch 4 by welding. The pipe section 6 of the secondary branch 4 can have a bellows section 9. Advantageously, the secondary branch 4 comprises a transition section 11, which constitutes a transition between the main pipe 2 and the pipe section 6 of the secondary branch 4. Preferably, the pipe section 6 of the secondary branch 4 comprises a connection section 10. Advantageously, the pipe connector 5 of the secondary branch 4 is connected to the connection section 10 of the secondary branch 4.

[0043] In Figure 2 is shown exemplarily and enlarged Figure 1 In the embodiment, the pipe wall of the pipe section 6 of the main pipe 2, of one secondary branch 4 or of multiple or all secondary branches 4 and / or of the pipe section 6 of the primary branch 3 is configured as only a single layer.

[0044] Advantageously, the transition section 11 of the pipe section 6 of one secondary branch 4 or of multiple / all secondary branches 4 and / or of the primary branch 3 is integrally connected to the main pipe 2 and preferably to the bellows section 9. Advantageously, the connection section 10 is integrally connected to the bellows section 9 or to the transition section 11 of the pipe section 6 of the secondary branch 4 and / or of the primary branch 3. Particularly particularly preferably, the connection section 10 of the pipe section 6 of one secondary branch 4 or of multiple secondary branches 4 and / or of the primary branch 3 is integrally connected to the main pipe 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the main pipe 2 is manufactured together with the branches 3, 4 by blow molding. Thereby, a very long pipe section 6 of one secondary branch 4 and / or of multiple secondary branches 4 can be produced, which is integrally connected to the main pipe 2. In this embodiment, each branch 3, 4, with the exception of one branch 3, 4, is provided with a cover after the blow molding operation, which is cut off after the blow molding operation. Only the pipe end 18 of the main pipe remains closed. In this embodiment, during the blow molding operation, air is blown into the main pipe 1 through the primary branch 3. After the cutting-off operation of the cover on the secondary branch 4, the branches 3, 4 are each connected to the respective pipe connector 5 by welding.

[0046] In this embodiment, the pipe connector 5 of one secondary branch 4 or of multiple / all secondary branches 4 and / or of the main branch 3 preferably comprises the stopper 16, the seal 17, the seal holder 19 and / or the pipe connector body 12. Advantageously, the pipe connector body 12 is of plastic and is preferably of one-piece construction by injection molding. The pipe connector body 12 can have a coupling section 13, an engagement section 14 and / or an intermediate section 15.

[0047] The coupling section 13 is advantageously configured for connection with a complementary coupling element, in particular a plug. The intermediate section 15 can be configured straight or curved. In other embodiments, the pipe connector 5 can be configured non-releasable or designed as a male plug. In particular, the pipe connector 5 of the secondary branch 4 or of the main branch 3 can be designed according to any design requirements.

[0048] The engagement section 14 of this embodiment is configured as a hollow cylindrical receptacle for insertion of the pipe section 6, which preferably has an internal shoulder for the pipe section 6 to abut against. However, the engagement section 14 of the pipe connector 5 of the secondary branch 4 and / or of the main branch 3 can also be configured for insertion of the pipe section 6.

[0049] It is possible that the secondary branch 4 or the main branch 3 has a connection site 20, which can be configured as a weld seam, for example. The weld seam of this embodiment is produced by laser welding. Advantageously, the pipe connector 5 of one secondary branch 4 or of multiple secondary branches 4 or of the main branch 3 comprises a pigment, which is at least partially transparent to the laser beam of the laser welding, so that the laser beam penetrates all the way to the interface between the material of the engagement section 14 of the pipe connector 5 and the material of the connection section 10 of the pipe section 6.

[0050] List of reference signs

[0051] 1 main pipe

[0052] 2 main pipe

[0053] 3 main branch

[0054] 4 secondary branch

[0055] 5 pipe connector of 3, 4

[0056] 6 pipe section of 3, 4

[0057] 7 bellows section of 2

[0058] 8 non-bellows section of 2

[0059] 9 bellows section of 6

[0060] 10 connection section of 6

[0061] 11 transition section of 3, 4

[0062] 12 Coupling section of 5

[0063] 13 Coupling section of 5, 12

[0064] 14 Engagement section of 5, 12

[0065] 15 Intermediate section of 5, 12

[0066] 16 Catching element of 5

[0067] 17 Seal of 5

[0068] 18 Pipe end of 2

[0069] 19 Seal holder

[0070] 20 Connection point

[0071] A Axis

Claims

1. A main line (1) for dispensing or collecting a medium, in particular a tempering medium, wherein The main line (1) comprises a main pipe (2) and at least three branches (3, 4), wherein the branches (3, 4) are connected with the main pipe (2), wherein the main pipe (2) comprises an axis A and defines an axial direction, wherein at least one of the branches (3, 4) has a line connector (5) and a pipe section (6), wherein a first end of the pipe section (6) is connected with the main pipe (2), wherein a second end of the pipe section (6) is connected with the line connector (5), characterized in that the first and preferably the second end of the pipe section (6) is integrally connected with the main pipe (2).

2. The main pipe line (1) according to claim 1, wherein The pipe section (6) has an axial extension of at least 25 mm or 30 mm or 40 mm.

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

4. The main pipe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The pipe section (6) of the at least one branch (3, 4) is configured in one piece, preferably in one body or at least in a layered one body, and particularly preferably in a complete one body.

5. The main pipe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The pipe section (6) of the at least one branch (3, 4) is integrally, preferably in one body or at least in a layered one body and particularly preferably in a complete one body, connected with the main pipe (2).

6. The main pipe line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The main pipe (2) and / or the at least one branch (3, 4) has a corrugated pipe section (7, 8).

7. The main pipe line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The main pipe (2) and / or the at least one branch (3, 4) has an elastomer.

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 pipe (1), in particular a main pipe (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 with the main pipe (2), wherein at least one of the branches (3, 4) has a line connector (5) and a pipe section (6), wherein a first end of the pipe section (6) is connected with the main pipe (2), wherein a second end of the pipe section (6) is connected with the line connector (2), wherein preferably the main pipe (2) is blow-molded together with the at least one pipe section (6).

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