Sealing element for cable penetrations

Abstract

Sealing element (1) for cable penetrations, comprising a pipe section (11) and a plate section (12), wherein the pipe section projects from the plate section and the pipe section (11) encloses a channel (111) which penetrates the plate section (12) at a penetration opening (121), wherein at least a first region of the plate portion (12) consists of a first elastomer and at least a first region of the tube portion (11) consists of a second elastomer which is different from the first elastomer, and wherein in a transition region (23) located between the first region of the plate section and the first region of the pipe section, a first partial region (21) of the sealing element, which consists of the first elastomer, and a second partial region (22) of the sealing element, which consists of the second elastomer, adjoin one another, wherein the sealing element is one piece.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present description relates to a sealing element of the type characterized in the claims.TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUNDAt locations where pipes of any kind are passed through or into structural elements of buildings, for example ceilings, floors or walls of buildings, sealing elements are often used in order to prevent, for example, the penetration of water into or through the structural elements, for example into the interior of buildings. A typical application is for the passage of pipes or cables through roofs. Frequently used sealing elements or sealing collars comprise a base plate on which a pipe element is placed. Different requirements are imposed on the base plate and the pipe element. The base plate is provided to be fastened to a structure of a structure, for example a wall or a roof. This is usually done with the sealing material provided for this purpose, such as, for example. Bitumen, liquid plastic, etc. Therefore, it is necessary that the material of the base plate is suitable for a permanent connection with the different sealing materials. It is also desirable that the base plate can be well adapted to the shape of the substrate. The tubular element, on the other hand, is frequently exposed to weathering, great temperature fluctuations and solar radiation, and it should nevertheless be capable of permanently tightly enclosing an element which has been passed through. Here, it is important, for example, that the material used is resistant to weathering and stable to UV radiation, and is not brittle and permanently retains its elasticity.To meet these requirements, different elastomers are used for the base plate and the pipe element. For example, the base plate may be made of a butyl rubber, also known as IIR, and the tubular member may be made of an ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber, also known as EPDM. These two components are connected according to the prior art by vulcanization. The connecting seam produced in this case must be sufficiently robust and watertight. The production is time-consuming and thus expensive.SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PRESENT DESCRIPTIONIn the present case, a sealing element of the type mentioned at the beginning is to be specified. The sealing element is intended to meet all physical requirements imposed on a sealing element, as set forth above. The sealing element should be less expensive to produce than in the prior art.This is achieved by means of the sealing element specified in the patent claims.Further effects and advantages of the subject matter described here, whether explicitly stated or not, will become apparent to the person skilled in the art in the light of the present description.Described is a sealing element for line feedthroughs, which comprises a pipe section and a plate section. A conduit is to be understood in a broad sense as any type of conduit including, but not limited to, pipelines, cable conduits, hose lines. The pipe section abuts and protrudes from the plate section. The pipe section encloses a channel which is provided in particular for the passage of lines of any kind or other objects. The channel penetrates the plate portion at a penetration opening such that a conduit can be passed through the entire sealing member. At least a first region of the plate section consists of a first elastomer. In exemplary embodiments, the first region of the plate section comprises an outer edge of the plate section facing away from the tube section. At least a first region of the pipe section consists of a second elastomer which is different from the first elastomer. Said first region of the pipe section comprises, in exemplary embodiments, a free end of the pipe section facing away from the plate section. In particular, the first elastomer is well suited for processing with the various sealing materials and / or has properties by which the base plate can be well adapted to a substrate. The second elastomer is distinguished, for example, in particular by high weathering resistance and stability against UV radiation with sufficient elasticity. In certain embodiments, the entire panel portion is comprised of the first elastomer. In further embodiments, the entire pipe section is made of the second elastomer. In a transition region which lies between the first region of the plate section and the first region of the pipe section, a first partial region of the sealing element which consists of the first elastomer and a second partial region of the sealing element which consists of the second elastomer adjoin one another. The sealing element is formed in one piece and is furthermore in particular seamless or free from a connecting joint between the partial regions of the sealing element which consist of the different elastomers. In other words, the sealing element is not joined from parts which consist of different materials, but rather is produced as a whole during the primary forming. In this sense, the term "one-piece" is to be understood such that the sealing element is not joined from parts but rather is produced as a whole during the primary forming. This can be done in particular by means of a method of the type described below, wherein the process parameters-injection pressures and temperatures, and associated viscosities of the elastomers during the injection molding process, temporal sequence, etc.-may have to be determined and adjusted appropriately. It can be easily understood that this means an appreciable time saving, simplified logistics and thus cost advantages compared to a product in which individual and individually shaped components must be joined from the different materials. Furthermore, there is no joint which could represent a structural weak point under unfavourable circumstances, which in the prior art in turn requires increased care and process control during the joining of the individual parts and associated further costs.The described sealing element is suitable for use in a wide range of applications in which, for example, lines-cable lines, pipelines, etc.-are to be guided through walls, casings or structural elements, and also for further applications not explicitly mentioned here."A" or "an" are to be understood within the scope of the present description as an indefinite article and not as a numerical word, unless explicit reference is made to another meaning, for example by the use of "exactly one" or "exactly one".It can be provided that the first partial region of the sealing element comprises the first region of the plate section and the second partial region of the sealing element comprises the first region of the pipe section. The sealing element then comprises exactly one first partial region which consists of the first elastomer and exactly one second partial region which consists of the second elastomer.The described subject matter clearly and easily differs from a joined sealing element or a joined sealing sleeve according to the prior art. In particular, the object described in the present case does not have a seam or connecting joint at which the first partial region of the sealing element, which consists of the first elastomer, and the second partial region of the sealing element, which consists of the second elastomer, are joined. If need be, one or more pressed skins can be seen on the surface of the sealing element. These are, however, a result of the tool used. Where segments of the tool abut each other during the forming process, material can enter the joints between the tool segments and bind a press skin visible on the surface of the workpiece. However, the pressed skins and their position are independent of the transition between the different elastomers and are only visible on the surface of the sealing element due to the tool. The sealing element is free of a joining connection or without a joining connection between the first partial region of the sealing element, which consists of the first elastomer, and the second partial region of the sealing element, which consists of the second elastomer.The transition region, which lies between the first region of the plate section and the first region of the pipe section, is in particular free of other substances than the first elastomer and the second elastomer. In particular, no vulcanizing agents, adhesion promoters, adhesives or other substances are found there, by means of which the subregion of the sealing element which consists of the first elastomer and the subregion of the sealing element which consists of the second elastomer are joined, or the transition region is free of the substances mentioned. In this way, the first elastomer and the second elastomer directly adjoin one another in the transition region.In more specific embodiments, a toothing region is formed between the first sub-region of the sealing element which consists of the first elastomer and the second sub-region of the sealing element which consists of the second elastomer, that is to say in the transition region, in which toothing region one of the two elastomers forms a core which is surrounded by a sheath made of the other of the two elastomers. This toothed region can form in particular during injection molding if the elastomers used have different viscosities during the injection molding process. It may thus occur that, for example, an elastomer which has a relatively higher viscosity during the injection molding process flows further in the center of the mold cavity than at the edges, where the flow of the viscoelastic elastomer is impeded due to the friction with the wall. This elastomer thereby forms a core in the center of the mold cavity. The space between this core and the walls of the mould cavity is filled by the elastomer which has the relatively lower viscosity during the injection moulding process. Thereby, the sheath made of the elastomer having the relatively lower viscosity during injection molding is formed around the core made of the elastomer having the relatively higher viscosity during injection molding. Likewise, cases may arise in which an overlap region is formed in the transition region between the two partial regions, in which the two different elastomers overlap along the contour of the sealing element. In this overlap region, a layer of the first elastomer and a layer of the second elastomer are accordingly adjacent to one another following the contour of the sealing element, wherein, following the contour of the sealing element, the thickness of the layer of the one elastomer decreases and the thickness of the layer of the other elastomer increases until the latter assumes the entire wall or material thickness. In this case, in the aforementioned transition region, one outer side of a wall or of the material is formed by one of the two elastomers and the other outer side is formed by the other of the two elastomers. In each of the cases mentioned, a comparatively large contact surface results between the two elastomers at which high adhesion forces are effective and in which the two elastomers can crosslink, so that the transition region does not represent a structural weak point. The above-mentioned embodiments can be formed at the transition between the plate section and the pipe section depending on, for example, process control and viscosity of the materials during injection molding, and also depending on, for example, the contour of the sealing element. Further parameters not mentioned can also form an influence in this case. The skilled person is able to ascertain this within the framework of his technical knowledge.As implicitly indicated above, it can be provided in particular that the sealing element is produced by injection molding. In this case, the first elastomer and the second elastomer are introduced into the same injection mold and form the entire sealing element within the injection mold during the primary molding, such that the sealing element is at least substantially completely produced after the primary molding process and subsequent demolding, apart from possible deburring. As already mentioned several times, no joining of individual parts from the different elastomers is necessary.One of the elastomers, particularly the first elastomer, may be a butyl rubber in certain embodiments. One of the elastomers, particularly the second elastomer, may in certain embodiments be an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber. In more non-limiting specific embodiments, the first elastomer is a butyl rubber and the second elastomer is an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.In exemplary embodiments, the pipe section tapers continuously from the plate section at its inner cross section and / or at its outer cross section towards a free end. This facilitates the forming after the forming process.Furthermore, it can be provided that at least a part of the plate section has a surface structure on its surface. Thus, roughnesses, elevations, depressions or combinations thereof can be provided, which increase the adhesion during the bonding of the plate section to an underlying structure.It can likewise be provided that a transition between the plate section and the pipe section is formed by a trumpet-shaped widening of the pipe section. In this way, this transition is rounded in the form of a groove, which prevents notch effects, for example, and also facilitates production, since a material within a mold does not undergo any abrupt changes in the direction of flow during the injection molding process and cross-sectional jumps are avoided.Furthermore, a method for producing a sealing element of the type described above is also specified. The method includes providing an injection mold whose mold cavity includes a negative of the sealing member. In a region of the mold cavity which is provided for forming the plate section, the first elastomer is introduced in a flowable state, while in a region of the mold cavity which is provided for forming the tube section, the second elastomer is introduced in a flowable state. The flowable state results from the fact that the elastomers are introduced into the mold cavity under high pressure, uncrosslinked or in a state of low crosslinking of the molecular chains in the viscoelastic state. The volumes of the first elastomer to be introduced and of the second elastomer to be introduced are dimensioned such that the entire mold cavity is filled with the first elastomer and the second elastomer, as a result of which a region within the mold cavity which is filled with the first elastomer adjoins a region within the mold cavity which is filled with the second elastomer. The first elastomer and the second elastomer are then converted into their rubber-elastic state by crosslinking the elastomers. Depending on the material and the field of application, the crosslinking can be effected by different processes, which can comprise heat supply, irradiation, etc. The sealing element thus formed is subsequently removed from the injection mold. The necessary process parameters for the injection molding process can be determined by a person skilled in the art through experiments or on the basis of his technical knowledge. The processes suitable for crosslinking and the process control required are material-dependent and accessible to the skilled worker, and can be determined specifically in detail by experiments.In particular, a sealing element is also disclosed in this connection, which is produced by such a method. This is distinguished in that the sealing element is produced as a whole during the primary forming process, i.e. it is joined in one piece and not from separately formed individual parts. Embodiments of such sealing elements are described above, and examples are explained in more detail below in the exemplary embodiments.The above specific embodiments may be combined with each other. Further embodiments of the teaching of this document which are not specifically disclosed are readily apparent to the person skilled in the art.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe facts presented here are explained in more detail below with reference to selected exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The following show in detail FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary sealing element of the type described; FIG. 2 shows a partial view of a section through the sealing element from FIG. 1 along a sectional plane which comprises the longitudinal axis of the tube section of the sealing element, in a first constellation of the transition region between the elastomers; and FIG. 3 shows a partial view of a section through the sealing element from FIG. 1 along a sectional plane which comprises the longitudinal axis of the tube section of the sealing element, in a second configuration of the transition region between the elastomers.Some of the drawings are highly schematic. Details not necessary for understanding the described subject matter have been omitted. Furthermore, the drawings show only selected embodiments and should not be taken to limit the subject matter described in the claims. Embodiments not shown may well be covered by the claims.EMBODIMENTSFIG. 1 shows a sealing sleeve 1 as an example of a sealing element. The sealing element or the sealing collar 1 comprises a tube section 11 and a plate section 12, The tube section 11 protrudes from the plate section 12 and encloses a channel 111 which, as can be seen in connection with FIG. 2, penetrates the plate section 12 at a penetration opening 121. In use, the sealing element 1 is slid over, for example, a conduit extending through, for example, a roof, the conduit passing through the penetration opening 121 and the channel 111. In the example mentioned, the plate section 12 is placed on the roof and fastened, for example, by means of a suitable material. It can be provided that the plate section 12 comes to lie between the sealing layers of the sealing material at least at its edge 122. A transition between the pipe section 11 and the plate section 12 is formed by a trumpet-shaped widening of the pipe section 11, as a result of which a rounded fillet 13 is formed at the transition between pipe section 11 and plate section 12. The plate section 12 can also be basically round, elliptical, oval, with rounded corners, polygonal, etc.Likewise, the cross section, in particular the inner cross section, of the pipe section 11 does not necessarily have to be circular, but can have any cross section suitable for an application. On the surface of the plate section 12, a surface structure can be arranged at least in regions on one or on both sides of the plate section, for example in the form of roughnesses, unevennesses etc., which improves the strength of, for example, an adhesive connection when connecting the plate section to the substrate.FIG. 2 shows a section through the sealing element 1 from FIG. 1, wherein the sectional plane comprises the longitudinal axis of the pipe section 11. As mentioned above, the channel 111 inside the pipe portion 11 penetrates the plate portion 12 at a penetration opening 121 and opens into the penetration opening 121, respectively. A first partial region 21 of the sealing element 1 consists of a first elastomer and, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, comprises the plate portion of the sealing element 1 starting from the edge 122 (see FIG. 1 ) and extends into the rounded groove 13 at the transition between the tube portion 11 and the plate portion 12. The first elastomer used for at least a part of the plate portion 12 is, for example, a butyl rubber. The advantages of this material for use in the plate section 12 of the sealing element 1 are set out above. A second partial region 22 of the sealing element comprises a part of the pipe section 11 starting from a free end 112 (see FIG. 1 ) of the pipe section 11 and consists of a second elastomer which is different from the first elastomer. The second partial region 22 of the sealing element 1 also comprises a first region of the pipe section (without reference sign) which consists of the second elastomer. The second elastomer is, for example, an ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber. The advantages of this material for use in the pipe section 11 of the sealing element 1 are also set out above. In a transition region 23, the first partial region 21 of the sealing element 1, which consists of the first elastomer, and the second partial region 22 of the sealing element 1, which consists of the second elastomer, abut one another. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the transition region 23 comprises a toothing region 28. the toothing region 28 comprises a core 24, which is formed by the first elastomer of the first partial region 21 of the sealing element 1. The core 24 is surrounded by a sheath 25 which is formed by the second elastomer of the second subregion 22. This geometry is formed by itself in case the sealing element 1 is produced by injection molding, as explained above. The elastomer, which has the greater viscosity during injection molding, will flow more poorly at the edge of the injection mold than in the center of the mold cavity, which is why a concave front of the viscoelastic material is formed. The core 24 shows such a geometry. The material having the relatively lower viscosity flows around the edge of the mold and thus forms the shell 25. It is understood that these processes can also be quantitatively influenced by the selection of process parameters such as, for example, the temperatures of the elastomers during the injection molding process, the pressures during the injection molding, the chronological sequence of process steps and other parameters of the injection molding process. As can be seen, there is a large contact surface between the two elastomers, which is why large adhesion forces are effective. The position of the transition region 23 can of course be influenced by the volumes of the two elastomers introduced during the injection molding. The transition region 23 can, as in the example shown, be located in the pipe section 11, but could also be arranged in the plate section 12 or in the region of the groove 13.Another constellation that can be established depending on the elastomers and process control used is illustrated in FIG. 3. This constellation differs from that shown in FIG. 2 in that an overlap region is formed in the transition region instead of a toothing region. In the overlap region, two layers 31 and 32 of the different elastomers extend next to one another along the contour of the sealing element 1. A first layer 31 consists of the elastomer, of which the partial region 21 of the plate section 12 also consists. The thickness of the first layer 31 made of the elastomer of which the first sub-region 21 consists decreases to zero towards the free end of the pipe section, while the thickness of a second layer 32 made of the elastomer of which the second sub-region 22 consists increases towards the free end of the pipe section following the contour profile of the sealing element until the layer 32 merges into the second sub-region 22 and the entire wall thickness of the sealing element consists of the elastomer of the second sub-region 22. Conversely, the thickness of the second layer 32 decreases from the free end of the pipe section to zero, while the thickness of the layer 31 increases from the free end of the pipe section following the contour of the sealing element until the layer 31 merges into the first partial region 21 and the entire wall thickness of the sealing element consists of the elastomer of the second partial region 22. The thickness decreases or increases of the layers 31 and 32 do not have to be linear as shown and likewise do not necessarily have to be monotone. This geometry is chosen as a simplified example for simplicity of the drawing. The configuration specifically shown can result, for example, if both materials have very similar viscosities during injection molding. Due to the deflection in the groove, the elastomer introduced at the plate portion flows to the radially inner region of the tube portion and forms the layer 31 there. Other constellations may also result, where applicable.Depending on the elastomers used and the process control, other constellations can also be established in the transition region between the first sub-region of the sealing element, which consists of the first elastomer, and the second sub-region of the sealing element, which consists of the second elastomer.As indicated, the sealing element 1 shown by way of example can be produced in particular by injection molding, wherein both elastomers are introduced into a single injection mold in an injection molding process. This does not exclude the elastomers being introduced in the viscoelastic state in a time-delayed manner. However, before the sealing element is formed, the partial regions 22 and 21, which consist of the different elastomers, are simultaneously located in the injection mold and are formed together as a single component. As a result, the sealing element 1 is formed in one piece during the forming process and does not have to be joined from different parts. Therefore, no other substance, such as a vulcanizing agent, adhesive, adhesion promoter, etc., is also present in the transition region 23 between the first partial region 21 which consists of the first elastomer and the second partial region 22 which consists of the second elastomer. The first and second elastomers directly adjoin one another. The sealing element produced in this way and described in the present case can be clearly distinguished from a joined sealing element. Both the inner cross section and the outer cross section of the pipe section 11 taper from the plate section 12 to the free end 112 of the pipe section, which facilitates and simplifies the molding of the sealing element 1 out of the injection mold and the pushing over a line.Although the subject matter of the present description has been explained on the basis of selected exemplary embodiments, these are not intended to limit the claimed invention. The claims include embodiments that are not explicitly shown, and embodiments that deviate from the examples shown are nevertheless covered by the claims.

Claims

Sealing element (1) for line feedthroughs, comprising a pipe section (11) and a plate section (12), wherein the pipe section protrudes from the plate section and the pipe section (11) encloses a channel (111), which penetrates the plate section (12) at a penetration opening (121), wherein at least a first region of the plate section (12) consists of a first elastomer and at least a first region of the pipe section (11) consists of a second elastomer, which is different from the first elastomer, and wherein in a transition region (23), which lies between the first region of the plate section and the first region of the pipe section, a first partial region (21) of the sealing element, which consists of the first elastomer, and a second partial region (22) of the sealing element, which consists of the second elastomer, adjoin one another, wherein the sealing element is one-piece.Sealing element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first partial region (21) of the sealing element comprises the first region of the plate section and the second partial region (22) of the sealing element comprises the first region of the pipe section.Sealing element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element is designed free of a joint connection between the first partial region (21) of the sealing element which consists of the first elastomer and the second partial region (22) of the sealing element which consists of the second elastomer.Sealing element according to the preceding claim, wherein the transition region (23) is free of other substances than the first elastomer and the second elastomer, such that the first elastomer and the second elastomer directly adjoin one another in the transition region.Sealing element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the transition region (23) and between the first partial region (21) of the sealing element which consists of the first elastomer and the second partial region (22) of the sealing element which consists of the second elastomer, a toothing region (28) is formed in which one of the two elastomers forms a core (24) which is surrounded by a sheath (25) of the other of the two elastomers.Sealing element according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein in the transition region (23) and between the first sub-region (21) of the sealing element which consists of the first elastomer and the second sub-region (22) of the sealing element which consists of the second elastomer, an overlapping region is formed in which the two different elastomers overlap along the contour of the sealing element.Sealing element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element is produced by injection molding, wherein the first elastomer and the second elastomer are introduced into the same injection mold and form the sealing element within the injection mold.Sealing element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe section (11), starting from the plate section (12), tapers continuously at its inner cross section and / or at its outer cross section towards a free end.Sealing element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the plate section (12) has a surface structure on its surface.Sealing element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transition between the plate section and the pipe section is formed by a trumpet-shaped widening (13) of the pipe section.

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