ELECTRIC SURFACE TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical surface temperature control system for a floor, wall or ceiling structure.

[0002] Two different technologies are known for surface heating of a floor, wall, or ceiling structure. One is achieved by water flowing through pipes laid underground. The other is by energizing heating cables that are applied to the subfloor.

[0003] Electric underfloor heating systems are well known. They consist of so-called heating mats, such as those available at www.fussbodenheizungdirekt.de / elektroheizung. These heating mats consist of a rollable thin-layer mat, onto which heating cables for the electric underfloor heating are pre-laid and secured in a meandering pattern. These thin-layer mats with pre-laid heating cables are rolled out onto the existing subfloor, such as screed. Adhesive or mortar is applied to this thin-layer mat to bond it to the subfloor, especially screed, and to bond floor, wall, or ceiling coverings to the subfloor, especially screed.

[0004] Such heating mats for creating electric underfloor heating allow for limited flexibility in adapting to the geometry or layout of the room, as the thin-layer mat has a predetermined width. Furthermore, the pre-installed electric heating cables should not be removed, cut, or relocated from the thin-layer mat.

[0005] DE 20 2018 107 262 U1 discloses a surface temperature control system comprising a dimensionally stable, flat support formed as a hollow-chamber panel or from a polymer foam insulation layer. Applied to this support is a carrier film with a second element, which forms a hook-and-loop connection with a first element wrapped around a heating wire.

[0006] EP 2 372 041 A2 discloses a carrier plate and a method for its production. This carrier plate comprises a film-like plastic plate with a plurality of chambers formed by recesses in a flat film-like plate. A first functional layer is applied to the end faces of the recesses on an outer side of the plate, spanning the recesses. A further functional layer is applied to the opposite side of the plate, lining the upper side and the recesses.

[0007] US 2011 / 0101291 A1 discloses a laying device for laying a heating cable on a carrier plate. The heating cable is fed to a reel outside a guide rod, through which the heating cable is clipped to the carrier plate. The laying device for the heating cable is determined by the orientation of the clips.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 101 17 195 C1 discloses a laying device for installing an electrically operated surface heating system. This laying device accommodates a first roll, from which a heating wire is drawn and fed to a pressure roller. Furthermore, a second roll is provided, from which a heat-conducting foil is drawn. The heat-conducting foil is passed between the pressure roller and the heating wire to fix the heating wire to a substrate by means of the heat-conducting foil.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of proposing an electrical surface temperature control system for a floor, wall or ceiling structure, which enables a simple installation of heating cables and an individual adaptation to the size and layout of the room.

[0010] This object is achieved by an electrical surface temperature control system for a floor, wall, or ceiling structure, which comprises at least one heating cable that can be arranged on at least one carrier plate, wherein the at least one carrier plate is designed as a film-like plate made of plastic, which can be flat or profiled, and has a first plate side that is intended to rest on the substrate and a second plate side that is opposite the first and is intended to receive a contact agent that hardens to form a contact layer with the surface covering to be applied, such as mortar or adhesive, and with a first functional layer arranged on the second plate side, wherein the first functional layer arranged on the second plate side is formed from a fibrous layer and a second functional layer is provided on the heating cable at least in sections,which is formed from a hook and loop fastener, and the heating wire can be attached to the carrier plate by forming a hook-and-loop fastener between the functional layer and the second functional layer. This electrical surface temperature control system has the advantage of allowing easy installation and adaptation to the geometry or layout of the room, as well as to the distribution of heating power within the room. The carrier plate, which is preferably in the form of a sheet material, can be easily adapted to the geometry of the room by cutting it to size. The heating cable can then be laid on the carrier plate(s), whereby the heating cable path can be easily configured and freely selected. For example, a meandering positioning of the heating cable on the carrier plate can be provided.The spacing and / or size of the coils can be adjusted as desired. For example, in an area close to a window or exterior wall, the heating cables can be arranged more densely than in an area of ​​the room further away.

[0011] The carrier plate, which is a foil-like plate made of plastic, is formed with a plurality of chambers formed by depressions and / or elevations in a plane of the foil-like plate, with their outer end faces forming the first plate side and the remaining surface sections opposite forming the second plate side. Such a carrier plate further has the advantage of providing decoupling, in particular stress and / or sound decoupling, between the surface covering supported by the carrier plate and the subfloor, in particular the screed.

[0012] The carrier plate preferably has wall sections that extend between the end faces of the chambers forming the first plate side and the surface sections connecting the chambers, which form the second plate side, and that extend perpendicularly or conically tapering toward the end faces of the chambers. This creates undercut-free recesses into which the curable contact agent for securing the surface covering to the carrier plate can be easily introduced.

[0013] Furthermore, the film-like plate is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular HDPE, PE, or PP. Such film-like plates have sufficient rigidity for decoupling and can also be easily cut to size.

[0014] Furthermore, the first functional layer preferably consists of a sheet-like material and is at least partially or completely laminated, glued, or welded onto the second side of the carrier plate. This allows for easy pre-fixing of the heating cable. It also allows for improved gripping of the contact element to the foil-like plate, thus improving the surface cladding.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that in a carrier plate which has a plurality of chambers which are formed by depressions, the first functional layer is fastened to the surface sections and spans the depressions or the depressions of the chambers are lined.

[0016] Furthermore, the first functional layer is preferably formed as a felt layer, a nonwoven layer, a fibrous fabric, or a net-like fiber fabric. Synthetic fibers are preferably used.

[0017] The second functional layer, which surrounds the heating cable at least in sections, is preferably strip-shaped, so that it surrounds the heating cable in a helical or spiral shape. Alternatively, the second functional layer can also be formed by at least one longitudinal strip, which is / are aligned longitudinally with and provided on the heating cable. The longitudinal strip can partially or completely surround the sheath of the heating cable.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, the heating cable can have a sheath in which the hook tape is integrated facing outwards.

[0019] The heating cable can preferably be secured to the surface sections of the second plate side, resting on the surface sections of the second plate side and / or spanning the recesses of the chambers, on the surface sections of the second plate side that extend between the recesses. This allows for any desired routing of the heating cable on the carrier plate.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, the carrier plate can have a third functional layer on the first plate side, which preferably extends flatly, and the third functional layer is preferably a woven or nonwoven fabric. In a carrier plate with recesses, the third functional layer extends in the plane of the first plate side. This serves in particular to enable adhesion between the carrier plate and the substrate or screed. This third functional layer preferably does not line the recesses extending from the first plate side. This can thereby provide a free area of ​​mortar between the recesses, which is intended to bond the first plate side to the substrate, in particular screed.

[0021] Furthermore, the carrier plate or the carrier plate with the first functional layer on the second side of the plate, or the carrier plate with the first functional layer on the second side of the plate and the third functional layer on the first side of the plate, preferably has a height of less than four millimeters. This, together with the heating cable on which the second functional layer is provided, allows the entire electric surface temperature control system to be retrofitted to existing floors, for example, to retrofit individual rooms with electric surface temperature control.

[0022] The invention, as well as further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof, are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features shown in the description and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. They show: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical surface temperature control system, Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the electrical surface temperature control system in an installation situation, Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the electrical surface temperature control system in an installation situation, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a heating cable,

[0023] In Figure 1An electric surface temperature control system 5 is shown in perspective. This electric surface temperature control system 5 comprises at least one carrier plate 10 and at least one heating cable 6. Furthermore, the electric surface temperature control system 5 comprises a controller and / or a thermostat for operating the heating cable. This is not shown in detail.

[0024] This carrier plate 10 comprises a film-like plate 11 made of plastic, which has a plurality of chambers 12 formed by depressions 14 in the film-like plate 11. The depressions 14 of the chambers 12, which are preferably aligned on one side, have a preferably repeating arrangement in rows and columns or other predetermined patterns relative to one another. Surface sections 16 are formed between the depressions 14, which connect the chambers 12 to one another. According to the first embodiment, conically tapered wall sections 18 extend from these surface sections 16, which merge into a base 19 and, with an outer end face 21, form a first plate side 22.A woven or nonwoven fabric 23 is laminated or welded to the end faces 21 of the chambers 12, which serves to clamp the carrier plate 10 in a contact layer applied to a substrate, such as an adhesive or mortar. The woven or nonwoven fabric 23 is preferably designed as a net-like fabric, in particular as a fine-mesh grid fabric or as a perforated nonwoven fabric. Such a fabric can be made of polypropylene, for example.

[0025] Opposite the first plate side 22, a second plate side 26 is provided, which is formed by the surface sections 16 connecting the chambers 12 and the recesses 14. Applied to this plate side 26 is a first functional layer 27 made of a web-like material, which lines at least one inner side of the recesses 14 and is connected to this inner side. This first functional layer 27 is preferably also connected to the surface sections 16. The second functional layer 27 is preferably applied over the entire surface of the second plate side 26. The first functional layer 27 is preferably welded or laminated onto the film-like plate. In some cases, pressing or gluing may also be provided. Thus, the first functional layer 27 has the same contour as the second plate side 26 of the carrier plate 10.According to a first preferred embodiment, the first functional layer 27 is made of a web-like material and is formed from a fibrous layer, a fine-mesh fabric, a mesh fabric, or a nonwoven fabric, which may also be perforated. The first functional layer 27 is preferably a nonwoven fabric made, for example, of polyethylene or polypropylene. Likewise, the first functional layer 27 may include adhesion-promoting components. These may, for example, be in the form of glass fibers or granules that protrude at least partially from the surface of the first functional layer 27.

[0026] The heating cable 6 consists of a heating conductor 9, for example made of copper, and a sheath 8 that forms insulation. The sheath 8 can be made of a polymeric material. A second functional layer 7 is provided on the outer circumference of the heating cable 6. This second functional layer 7 can be a band- or strip-shaped material that is designed as a hook tape on an outer side and has a support surface on an inner side for connection to the sheath 9. This second functional layer 7 can be held to the sheath 9 by an adhesive bond. Preferably, an adhesive layer or double-sided adhesive tape is applied to the functional layer 7 opposite the hook tape. Alternatively, the sheath 8 of the heating cable 6 can have a surface that corresponds to a hook tape.Furthermore, instead of wrapping the heating cable 6 in a helical or spiral manner, the second functional layer 7, designed as a band or strip, can also be applied only longitudinally along the heating cable 6. The functional layer 7 can surround the sheath 8 partially, for example, by 60°, 90°, 180°, or the like, or completely. Two or more longitudinal strips, narrower than an outer diameter of the sheath 8, can also be provided parallel to one another on the sheath 8. These longitudinal strips can be provided parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating cable 6 or spirally circumferentially on the heating cable 6.

[0027] The heating cable 6 can be laid either along the surface sections 16 and / or spanning the recesses 14 of the support plate 10. The formation of a hook-and-loop fastener on the surface sections 16 in front of and behind the recess 14 is sufficient to fix the heating cable 6 to the support plate 10.

[0028] In Figure 2a schematic side view of the carrier plate 10 according to the invention is shown in an installed situation. An adhesive or mortar 32 is applied to a substrate 31, in particular screed. Subsequently, the film-like plate 11 with the fabric or fleece 23 is laid out on the substrate 31. The mortar 32 clamps itself into the fabric or fleece 23. The mesh size of the fabric or fleece 23 or its perforation, if provided, is designed such that when the carrier plate 10 is laid out, the mortar does not penetrate into areas 33, i.e. the free spaces formed between the chambers 12, but clamps itself to the fabric or fleece 23. This allows air circulation in these free spaces.

[0029] Subsequently, an adhesive or mortar 34 is applied to the second panel side 26. This mortar or adhesive 34 may also differ from the adhesive 32 applied to the substrate 31. The mortar or adhesive 34 is applied to the surface sections 16, the chambers 12 are filled, and the heating cable(s) 6 are surrounded by mortar or adhesive 34, so that a flat and continuous support surface is preferably formed by the mortar or adhesive 32 in order to receive and fix a surface covering 37 consisting of individual tiles or panels 36. During the filling of the chambers 12 and the spreading of the mortar or adhesive 34 onto the surface sections 16, the adhesive or mortar 34 interlocks with this first functional layer 27 due to the first functional layer 27.The installed position of the heating cable 6 on the carrier plate 10 is maintained by the hook-and-loop fastener formed between the first functional layer 27 on the carrier plate 10 and the second functional layer 7 on the heating cable. At the same time, so-called mortar stilts can be formed in the recesses 14, through which load is transferred to the substrate 31. After the plates 36 are applied to form a surface covering 37 and the adhesive or mortar 34 has hardened, joints 38 are introduced to complete the surface covering 37.

[0030] In Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of the carrier plate 10 according to the invention is shown in an installed situation. The foil-like plate 11 differs from the embodiment in Figure 1in that the chambers 12 have a vertical wall section 18 and thus form cylindrical recesses 14. Otherwise, this embodiment corresponds to the embodiment according to the Figures 1 and 2 and has the same advantages.

[0031] Alternatively to the design of the carrier plate 10 according to Figure 1 The carrier plate 10 can be designed as a film-like plate made of plastic, which is flat. This alternative embodiment of the carrier plate is thus free of elevations and / or depressions 14. This carrier plate 10 can have the first functional layer 27 on the second plate side 26. Depending on the installation situation, the first plate side 27 can be provided with a third functional layer 23, in particular a mesh-like fabric, or can remain free of a third functional layer.

[0032] The Figures 1 to 3The carrier plate shown with the recesses 14 also has the advantage that a decoupling between the surface cladding 37 and the substrate 31 or the screed floor is possible.

[0033] In Figure 4An alternative embodiment of the heating cable 6 is shown in perspective. The structure of the heating cable 6 with respect to the heating conductor 9 and the sheathing 8 corresponds to the previously described embodiment. In this embodiment, it is provided that the functional layer 7 is designed as a longitudinal strip, the width of which corresponds to an outer circumference of the sheathing 8. This second functional layer 7 completely surrounds the sheathing 8, so that along the longitudinal axis of the heating cable 6, a running joint 15 is formed by the two longitudinal sides of the second functional layer 7 designed as a longitudinal strip. This has the advantage that, compared to the spiral or helical arrangement of the second functional layer 7 when applied to the carrier element 10 according to the embodiments in Figures 1 to 3improved adhesion is achieved. This complete sheathing 8 of the heating cable 6 by the second functional layer 7 does not impair the installation direction or type of the heating cable 6, which is preferably meandering.

Claims

1. Electric surface temperature control system for a floor, wall or ceiling structure, in particular for a panel-covering wall, ceiling or bottom structure, - with at least one heating cable (16), - with at least one carrier plate (10), which has a film-like plate (11) made of plastic, which is flat or profiled, and comprises a first plate side (22), which is provided for support on a substrate (31) and comprises a second plate side (26), which is opposite the first panel side (22) and is provided for receiving a contact agent (34), such as mortar or adhesive, which can be cured to form a contact layer with the surface covering (37) to be applied, and with a first functional layer (27) arranged on the second panel side (26), - wherein the first functional layer (27) is formed from a fibrous layer, and - wherein a second functional layer (7) is provided on the heating cable (6), at least in sections, which is formed from a hook tape and the heating cable (6) can be fastened to the carrier plate (10) by the first functional layer (27) and second functional layer (7), forming a hook-and-loop fastener, characterized in that the at least one carrier plate (10), which comprises the film-like plate (11) made of plastic, is formed with a plurality of chambers (12) which are formed by depressions (14) and / or elevations from a plane of the film-like plate (11), the outer end faces (21) of which form the first plate side (22) and opposite which the second plate side (26) is formed by surface sections (16), and wall sections (18) between the end faces (21) forming the first panel side (22) and the surface sections (16) forming the second panel side (26) extend vertically or conically tapering from the surface sections (16) to the end faces (21) of the chamber (12).

2. Surface temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first functional layer (27) consists of a web-like material and is at least partially or completely laminated, glued or welded onto the second panel side (26) and preferably the first functional layer (27) is attached to the surface sections (16) formed between the recesses (14) and spans the recesses (14) or lines the recesses (14) of the chambers (12).

3. Surface temperature control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first functional layer (27) is formed from a felt, a fleece, a fibrous fabric or net-like fibrous fabric.

4. Surface temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second functional layer (7) is designed in the form of a strip and surrounds the heating cable (6) in a helical or spiral shape or is designed as at least one longitudinal strip and is fixed to the sheathing (8) of the heating cable (6) along the heating cable (6), wherein the at least one longitudinal strip at least partially surrounds the sheathing (8) of the heating cable (6) or the one longitudinal strip completely surrounds the heating cable (6), or that the second functional layer (7) is integrated on the outer circumference of a sheathing (8) of the heating cable (6).

5. Surface temperature control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating cable (6) rests on the surface sections (16) and / or can be attached to the surface sections (16) adjacent to the recesses (14), spanning the recesses (14), on the carrier plate (12), forming hook-and-loop fastener connections.

6. Surface temperature control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third functional layer (23), in particular a fabric or a fleece, is provided on the first plate side (22) of the carrier plate (10).

7. Surface temperature control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier plate (10) with the first functional layer (27) or the carrier plate (10) with the first and third functional layers (27, 23) has a height of less than four millimetres.