ISOLATED BUILDING SQUARE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an insulated assembly for connecting pipelines, comprising two insulation half-shells made of an insulating plastic, a housing half-shell surrounding each insulation half-shell, the housing half-shell surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the insulation half-shell, and at least one hinge connecting the housing half-shells.

[0002] Pre-insulated pipelines are typically used for applications requiring good insulation of the medium in the pipeline from the ambient conditions. For example, such pre-insulated pipelines are used for transporting coolant media. Such pre-insulated pipelines can also be used in building services engineering for air conditioning systems. An insulating layer is usually arranged around the pipe transporting the medium to reduce or suppress temperature exchange as much as possible. Pipes carrying medium that are connected with couplings are usually not insulated at the couplings or are glued with insulating material. This does not guarantee optimal insulation, and the effort required to apply the insulation is very time-consuming.

[0003] FR 2 559 874 discloses a self-regulating, thermostatically controlled heating box with quick and repeatable assembly and disassembly for heating and keeping warm devices such as flanges, valves, pumps, and piping elements. This device consists of a heated housing consisting of two parts that can be hinged together. The device can consist of an outer casing, insulation, and a heating core. The entire assembly is locked together by a quick-release system. The thermal and electrical insulation between the heating core and the outer casing is provided by a room-temperature-polymerizing foam with high temperature resistance.

[0004] DE 37 23 394 A1 discloses an insulation cassette for fittings and flanges in pipelines. The disadvantage of this solution is that the cassette halves are designed as two separate parts and require separate components for secure closure, which are often forgotten or lost.

[0005] EP 2 418 744 A1 discloses a sealing device for sealing a connector. The sealing device comprises two sealing half-shells that are inserted into a hinged housing, which is then mounted around the connector to seal it. However, this device is not suitable for insulation but serves only as a seal.

[0006] The object of the invention is to propose an insulated assembly for connecting pipelines, which enables the rapid connection of pre-insulated pipelines and fittings are well insulated and no separate parts are required to attach the insulation.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by an insulated assembly according to claim 1. The insulated assembly includes at least one quick-action coupling positively surrounded by the insulating half-shells, wherein closure elements are arranged integrally on the housing half-shells.

[0008] The insulated assembly for connecting pipelines according to the invention comprises two insulation half-shells made of an insulating plastic, a housing half-shell each surrounding an insulation half-shell, the housing half-shell surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the insulation half-shell, and at least one hinge connecting the housing half-shells. The housing half-shell surrounds the insulation half-shell only on the concavely curved outer side of the insulation half-shell. The housing half-shells are connected to one another in one piece via the hinge and are preferably made of the same material. The hinge is preferably arranged integrally between the two housing half-shells. The two housing half-shells and the hinge are preferably designed as injection-molded parts. It is particularly preferred if the housing half-shells, including the hinge, are produced by overmolding the two insulation half-shells.

[0009] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the housing half-shells with the connecting hinge are manufactured separately, preferably as one part, and the hinge is arranged integrally between the two half-shells and the two insulation half-shells are then inserted.

[0010] The insulated assembly according to the invention also has at least one quick-action coupling surrounded by the insulating half-shells in a form-fitting manner, and integrated locking elements are arranged on the housing half-shells. The quick-action coupling used is characterized by the fact that the pipe end is secured in the quick-action coupling by simply inserting it up to a stop.

[0011] It is advantageous if the closure elements are arranged as a single piece on the housing half-shells and are made of the same material. The closure elements are preferably molded directly onto the housing half-shell during injection molding.

[0012] As a result, the inventive insulated assembly does not have any additional separate parts or components, but consists exclusively of the inventive insulated assembly and can be used and installed without any additional components or parts. This prevents any components from being lost or forgotten during assembly.

[0013] A preferred embodiment has been shown for the closure elements to each comprise at least one closure tab and one closure hook, wherein the closure tab is hooked into the closure hook to close the insulated assembly. It has proven advantageous for the closure tabs to be arranged integrally on one housing half-shell and the closure hooks to be arranged integrally on the opposite housing half-shell.

[0014] Preferably, the closure tab is designed to be elastic, whereby the closure tabs can be tensioned and the achieved pre-tension of the closure tabs tightly closes the insulated assembly.

[0015] It has proven advantageous to position the closure elements at the end or outer area of ​​each connecting piece. This ensures that the insulated assembly is securely closed and does not pop open at the ends. It has also proven advantageous to position a closure tab in the branch or bend.

[0016] It has proven advantageous if the locking tab at least partially fits around the circumference of the connecting piece of the opposite housing half-shell. This ensures that the connecting pieces are at least partially wrapped around by the locking tab.

[0017] Preferably, the opposite housing half-shell is provided with tab recesses into which the locking tabs are positively received. The outer surface of the locking tabs is preferably flush with the outer surface of the housing half-shell. This ensures that the locking tab does not protrude anywhere, preventing accidental release of a locking tab.

[0018] A further preferred embodiment has been found to include a receiving ring in each connecting piece for enclosing the connected, insulated pipeline. The receiving ring serves to precisely shape the pre-insulated pipeline, as this is subject to very large tolerances. The receiving ring provides it with a precisely defined circumference, which is then positively encompassed by the two insulation half-shells. For this purpose, the insulation half-shell preferably has a concave recess that corresponds to the shape of the receiving ring and in which the receiving ring is arranged.

[0019] A preferred embodiment consists in the insulated assembly being designed as a T-piece, elbow, sleeve, or similar fitting. It is also advantageous if couplings, preferably quick-release couplings, are also arranged in the insulated assembly, analogous to the number of connecting pieces. This means that a T-piece has three couplings, preferably quick-release couplings, and an elbow has two couplings, preferably quick-release couplings, in the insulated assembly.

[0020] The insulation half-shells are preferably made of one of the plastics PUR (polyurethane), EPP (expanded polypropylene) or XPE (chemically cross-linked polyethylene), whereby the plastics are preferably formed as foam.

[0021] It has proven to be advantageous if the housing half-shells are made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomers).

[0022] A preferred embodiment has been shown to be when the insulation half-shells have interlocking sealing elements for precise positioning relative to one another and also seal the insulated assembly. Preferably, one insulated assembly has a tongue and groove connection that interlocks when folded together. These are preferably arranged along the edges of the insulation half-shells, which come to rest on one another when the two half-shells are folded together.

[0023] All design options can be freely combined with one another.

[0024] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the figures, whereby the invention is not limited to the embodiment. They show: Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional representation of a closed insulated assembly according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional representation of an opened insulated assembly according to the invention, Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional representation of an opened insulated assembly according to the invention without couplings and Fig. 4 is a three-dimensional representation of a separate insulation half-shell.

[0025] The Fig. 1The drawing shown shows a three-dimensional representation of an insulated assembly 1 according to the invention in which the two half-shells are folded together but the locking tabs 8 of the locking elements 7 are not yet hooked into the locking hooks 9. The locking tabs 8 are designed to be elastic and are molded directly onto one housing half-shell 3 and are then hooked into the locking hooks 9 of the opposite housing half-shell 3. Because the locking hooks are designed to be elastic, a pre-tension is achieved when hooking into the hooks 9. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the locking hooks are inclined, i.e. extend obliquely cylindrically. It is also advantageous if the locking elements 7 are arranged at the end of the connecting pieces 10. This ensures that the insulated assembly 1 does not spring open right up to the end, but that the half-shells lie firmly against one another.It has also proven advantageous to arrange an additional closure element 16 in the branching or bend in the bend, ensuring that the half-shells fit tightly together there as well. As shown in . Fig. 1 As can be clearly seen, it is advantageous if tab recesses 14 are arranged around the locking hooks 9, in which the locking tabs 8 are recessed when the insulated assembly 1 is closed, so that nothing protrudes that could cause the assembly 1 to open unintentionally. The depth of the tab recess 14 corresponds to the thickness of the locking tabs 8. The locking tabs 8 extend at least partially along the circumference of the opposite housing half-shell 3. Fig. 2shows the insulated assembly 1 according to the invention when it is still open. The quick-release couplings 6 which are preferably arranged therein are clearly visible, preferably one for each connection piece 10. A T-piece is shown, although an angle piece or other shaped pieces are also conceivable. The insulated assembly 1 comprises two insulating half-shells 2 which lie opposite one another and are made of an insulating plastic, preferably PUR, EPP or XPE. The assembly 1 also comprises a housing half-shell 3 which surrounds the outer circumferential surface 4 of the insulating half-shell 2. A connecting hinge 5 is arranged between the housing half-shells 3, the hinge 5 being arranged integrally on the two housing half-shells 3. For this purpose, a hinge 5 is preferably injection-molded at the same time and is made of the same material or is overmolded during the injection molding of the housing half-shells.Furthermore, the housing half-shells 3 have integrally arranged closure elements 7. The closure elements 7 are preferably formed by closure tabs 8 and closure hooks 9, with one being arranged on one housing half-shell 3 and the other on the other housing half-shell 3. The connected, insulated pipes 12 are surrounded by a receiving ring 11.

[0026] This is because the pre-insulated pipes 12 that are to be connected to the assembly 1 generally have large tolerances in their dimensions, making it impossible to ensure that the assembly 1 optimally encompasses the pipe 12. The retaining ring 11 presses the pipe 12 into a predetermined shape, ensuring it is always consistent. For this purpose, the insulation half-shell 2 preferably has a corresponding negative shape, designed as a concave recess 15, in which the retaining ring 11 is arranged in a form-fitting manner.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows the half-shells 2, 3 in a slightly open state without the quick-release couplings 6 inserted. The two insulating half-shells 2 are clearly visible, on which sealing positioning elements 13 are arranged. This ensures that the half-shells are precisely aligned with each other when the assembly 1 is closed and can no longer be displaced. The sealing positioning elements 13 are preferably designed as a tongue-and-groove connection and are arranged in the insulating half-shells 2. Fig. 4 shows a separate insulation half-shell 2 which is not yet covered by the housing half-shell 3. List of reference symbols

[0028] 1Insulated assembly 2Insulation half-shell 3Housing half-shell 4Outer circumferential surface of the insulation half-shell 5Hinge 6Quick coupling 7Closing element 8Closing tab 9Closing hook 10Connecting piece 11Receiving ring 12Connected pipe 13Sealing position elements 14Tab recess 15Concave recess 16Closing element in branch

Claims

1. Insulated subassembly (1) for connecting pipelines, containing two insulating half shells (2) made from an insulating plastics, in each case a housing half shell (3) surrounding an insulating half shell, wherein the housing half shell (3) surrounds the outer peripheral surface (4) of the insulating half shell (2), and at least one hinge (5) connecting the housing half shells (3), wherein the insulated subassembly (1) has connecting pieces (10) and contains at least one quick coupling positively surrounded by the insulating half shells (2), wherein the quick coupling is characterized in that a pipe end can be fixed simply by being inserted as far as a stop in the quick coupling, and wherein integral closure elements (7) are arranged on the housing half shells (3), wherein a respective receiving ring (11) for encompassing an insulated pipeline (12) to be connected is arranged in the connecting pieces (10).

2. Insulated subassembly (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closure elements (7) are arranged in one piece on the housing half shells (3) and are made from the same material.

3. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the closure elements (7) in each case are configured at least as a closure tab (8) and a closure hook (9), wherein the closure tab (8) is hooked into the closure hook (9) for closing the insulated subassembly (1).

4. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closure tabs (8) are configured to be resilient.

5. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the closure elements (7) are arranged in each case at the end of each connecting piece (10) of the insulated subassembly (1).

6. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closure tab (8) bears at least partially around the periphery of the connecting piece of the opposing housing half shell.

7. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the insulated subassembly (1) is configured as a T-piece or angled piece, sleeve or similar shaped pieces.

8. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the insulating half shells (1) are manufactured from one of the plastics PUR, EPP or XPE.

9. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the housing half shells (3) are made from TPE.

10. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the hinge (5) is integrally formed between the two housing half shells (3).

11. Insulated subassembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the insulating half shells (2) have sealing and positioning elements (13) which can be mutually inserted into one another in order to be accurately positioned relative to one another.