Elongate clamping unit

Abstract

The invention relates to an elongate clamping unit (100) comprising a casing tube (102) and at least two electrical functional units (114), each of which is received in a depression (108) introduced into the casing tube (102), wherein at least one connection channel (110) is provided which connects at least two mutually adjacent depressions (108) to each other and is designed and provided to receive at least one connection line (116) for connecting the electrical functional units (114) assigned to the two mutually adjacent depressions (108). According to the invention, the at least one connection channel (110) is designed as a connection groove open towards the outer surface (102a) of the casing tube (102) and is closable by means of at least one cover element (112).

Description

[0001] Elongated clamping unit

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an elongate clamping unit comprising a casing tube, an inner surface of which encloses an interior space of the casing tube, a plurality of clamping elements running in the longitudinal direction of the clamping unit, which are accommodated in the interior space of the casing tube, and at least two electrical functional units, in particular lighting units, each of which is accommodated in a recess made in the casing tube from an outer surface of the casing tube, wherein at least one connecting channel is provided which connects at least two adjacent recesses to one another and is designed and intended to accommodate at least one connecting line for connecting the electrical functional units assigned to the two adjacent recesses.

[0004] The jacket tube used in connection with the present invention can, for example, be a one-piece jacket tube, whereby a "one-piece jacket tube" is also understood to mean a jacket tube which is composed of a plurality of parts in the longitudinal direction and / or in the circumferential direction, provided that the parts of the jacket tube are integrally connected to one another, for example by welding. However, the parts of the jacket tube used according to the invention can also be connected to one another by mechanical connections, for example click connections. This enables, for example, the retrofitting of a jacket tube according to the invention provided with electrical functional units, whether by replacing or retaining the original jacket tube. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for reasons of clarity, the invention will be explained below using lighting units as an example.However, it is understood that other types of electrical functional units can also be used, for example sensor units.

[0005] Primarily for design reasons, it has become fashionable in recent years to illuminate elongated tensioning units, such as stay cables or hangers used in cable-stayed bridges, arched bridges, suspension bridges, towers, and similar structures. Initially, the structures were illuminated indirectly with spotlights. However, this had the disadvantage that only a small fraction of the emitted light was reflected by the respective structure or its tensioning units. Therefore, correspondingly powerful light sources had to be provided, which resulted in correspondingly high operating costs due to the associated power consumption. Furthermore, the intended design effect could not be achieved to the desired extent.

[0006] Initially, it was proposed to arrange the lighting elements directly on the clamping units, for example by attaching them to the clamping unit using clamps.

[0007] Later, the lighting elements were integrated into the clamping units. For example, WO 2018 / 072 902 A1, in its Figures 5 and 6, discloses a generic clamping unit in which the casing tube is formed with three connecting channels that project radially inward and are closed to the outer circumferential surface of the casing tube. Recesses are formed in the casing tube at predetermined intervals from the outer surface of the casing tube, into which recesses lighting units, as examples of electrical functional units, are inserted. Although it provides a particularly attractive appearance, the assembly effort required for this embodiment has proven to be excessive in practice. Firstly, the rail elements carrying the connecting cables must be inserted into the connecting channels along the entire length of the casing tube in its longitudinal direction.And secondly, care must be taken to ensure that the recesses for the lighting units are placed in the casing pipe at exactly the points where the connecting cables have the plug contacts for connecting to the lighting units.

[0008] WO 2018 / 072 902 A1 also presents another, easier-to-install solution in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, rail elements, which integrate both the lighting units and the connecting cables, are inserted into continuous grooves open toward the outer circumferential surface of the casing tube. However, the practical implementation of this embodiment has proven difficult due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of the materials used to manufacture the casing tube and the rail elements.Especially in the hotter regions of the earth, very large temperature differences often occur between the lowest temperatures at night and the highest temperatures during the day. The associated differences in the length change between the casing pipe and the rail, caused in particular by the casing pipe, can easily be in the order of 1%, in other words, up to 1 m per 100 m of the length of the tensioning unit. It should also be considered that the length of a tensioning unit can easily be 200 m or 300 m.

[0009] Based on the first-mentioned embodiment of WO 2018 / 072 902 A1, the object of the invention is to provide an elongated clamping unit of the type mentioned at the outset which is easier to assemble. According to the invention, this object is achieved by an elongated clamping unit of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the at least one connecting channel is designed as a connecting groove open towards the outer surface of the casing tube and can be closed by means of at least one cover element. In the clamping unit according to the invention, the preassembled assemblies, which comprise both the electrical functional units and the connecting lines, can thus be easily inserted from the outside into the recesses provided for them and the connecting channels connecting them and open towards the outer surface of the casing tube. Subsequently, the at least one connecting channel only needs to be closed by means of the at least one cover element.Overall, this results in a simple assembly that can be carried out entirely from the outside.

[0010] At this point, for the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that the tensioning unit according to the invention can also be a tensioning cable, for example a stay cable or a hanger, as is used in cable-stayed bridges, arched bridges, suspension bridges, towers and similar structures.

[0011] The at least one connecting line can be at least one power supply line, in particular a line for supplying electrical energy to the at least one electrical functional unit, and / or a data line for unidirectional or bidirectional data connection with the at least one electrical functional unit. Furthermore, a ground line can be provided. If the intensity and / or color of the light emitted by the lighting units is to be varied, the data line can be used for communication between a control unit and the lighting units. If status information is also to be retrieved from the lighting units, this status information can also be transmitted via the data line. Alternatively, at least one further data line can be provided for data transmission. Analogous considerations apply if the electrical functional units are sensor units.

[0012] With regard to the thermal effects mentioned above, it is additionally proposed that the distance between characteristic points of the two adjacent recesses, measured in the longitudinal direction of the jacket pipe, be dimensioned a predetermined length shorter at a given temperature than the distance between associated characteristic points of the electrical functional units assigned to the adjacent recesses when the connecting line connecting the two functional units is fully extended. This dimensioning rule ensures that the connecting line runs in a serpentine or meandering manner in the connecting channel, thus exhibiting an excess length that can be used to compensate for the different thermal expansion of the jacket pipe and the connecting line.

[0013] The characteristic points of a recess and the functional unit assigned to it are preferably selected such that they coincide when the functional unit is inserted into the recess. In the case of a circular recess, for example, the center of the circle or a transition point to an adjacent connecting channel can be selected as the characteristic point. Furthermore, the predetermined temperature can be a standard temperature, for example 20°C. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to select a different temperature as the predetermined temperature, for example the lowest temperature expected for a cold night. Finally, the predetermined length can be selected such that the completely elongated course of the connecting line is not reached even on a hot day at the highest daily temperature, but rather the connecting line still runs in a slightly serpentine or meandering manner in the connecting channel.Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the connecting line and / or the functional unit comprises / compensate length compensation means which are designed and intended to compensate for different thermal linear expansions.

[0014] With regard to the thermal effects mentioned above, it is also proposed that the at least one cover element, preferably all cover elements, be made of the same material as the jacket pipe, for example, high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This makes it easy to ensure that no or at most only very slight thermal stresses occur between the jacket pipe and the at least one cover element. In principle, however, other materials, preferably other plastics, can also be used.

[0015] In order to ensure, despite the provision of at least one cover element, an attractive appearance and advantageous aerodynamic properties of the clamping unit, a further development of the invention can provide for an outer surface of the cover element or at least one of the cover elements, preferably all of the cover elements, to essentially follow an envelope curve of the jacket tube. In the case of a jacket tube with a circular cross-section, an outer boundary surface of the at least one cover element also follows the circular line of the jacket tube's outline.

[0016] In order to be able to replace defective functional units if necessary, it is proposed that the at least one electrical functional unit be detachably connected to the casing tube of the clamping unit. For this purpose, the electrical functional unit itself can be detachably connected to the casing tube or to a base element permanently connected to it. The replacement can be carried out, for example, by means of a robot that can move autonomously along the clamping unit. The detachable connection can be made, for example, by screwing, locking, clamping, using a bayonet-type connection or the like. The permanent connection can be made, for example, by gluing, clipping, clamping, screwing or the like.

[0017] Since the functional units are connected by means of the at least one connecting line, it is further proposed in connection with the exchange of functional units that the cover element or at least one of the cover elements, preferably all cover elements, is detachably connected to the jacket tube.

[0018] For example, it can be provided that at least one of the side surfaces, preferably both side surfaces, of the connecting channel or at least one of the connecting channels is designed to be undercut, at least in sections. This undercut can be engaged by an associated projection of the at least one cover element. This can be done, for example, to create a snap-in connection between the cover element and the connecting channel.

[0019] According to one embodiment, snap-in connections can therefore be provided on both sides of the connecting channel. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide a rigid engagement element on one side of the connecting channel and a snap-in connection on the other side. In both cases, the cover element can be detached from the casing pipe again, for example, by slightly compressing it at one of its longitudinal ends in the circumferential direction of the casing pipe using a tool, such as pliers, and thereby arching it up, so that the engaging engagement behind it is released. Now one only needs to lift the end of the cover element in question out of the connecting channel in order to then be able to completely detach it from the connecting channel, progressively working towards the other longitudinal end of the cover element.This detachable engagement of the cover element and the casing pipe can be designed to be so stable that there is no risk of the cover element becoming undesirably detached from the casing pipe under the influence of wind and weather-related movements of the clamping unit.

[0020] Alternatively, the detachable connection can also be designed as a clamp connection and / or as a screw connection.

[0021] If the connecting channel is symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal center plane passing through the axis of the casing pipe, it can be produced in a simple manner by means of a milling cutter designed according to its cross-sectional shape, which is inserted into the recess previously made in the casing pipe and then guided in the longitudinal direction of the casing pipe to the adjacent recess.

[0022] In order to enable moisture, for example rainwater, to escape again in the event that it should accidentally enter the connecting channel, it is proposed that the cover element or at least one of the cover elements, preferably all of the cover elements, has an opening at at least one of its longitudinal ends or adjacent to at least one of its longitudinal ends, which opening connects the associated connecting channel to the external environment of the casing pipe.

[0023] In principle, it could be considered to use this opening as an attack point for a release tool to release the cover element from the casing pipe.

[0024] In order to accommodate not only the electrical functional unit but also other components, such as a control unit for controlling the functional unit, in the recess, it can be provided that the recess or at least one of the recesses, preferably all of the recesses, of the casing tube extends circumferentially over a greater distance than the connecting channel or at least one of the connecting channels, preferably all of the connecting channels. This measure also allows for the accommodation of a more powerful and thus larger functional unit in the recess.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the recess or at least one of the recesses may be deeper than the at least one connecting channel.

[0026] For example, the depth of the recess may be at most 95%, preferably at most 90%, more preferably at most 85%, even more preferably at most 80%, of the wall thickness of the jacket pipe.

[0027] Furthermore, the depth of the connecting channel may be at most 65%, preferably at most 60%, more preferably at most 55%, even more preferably at most 50%, of the wall thickness of the jacket pipe.

[0028] Furthermore, it is conceivable for the electrical functional unit, or at least one of the electrical functional units, to protrude beyond the envelope of the casing tube. Aerodynamically, this poses only a minor problem due to the only localized disruption of the outer circumferential surface of the casing tube. In the case of a lighting unit, it can be provided that the at least one lighting unit has integrated optics, preferably scattering optics, in order to improve the visibility of the lighting unit regardless of the viewing angle.

[0029] Although the recess advantageously has a circular outline for manufacturing reasons, other outline shapes are also conceivable, for example, a substantially oval, a substantially rectangular, or a substantially square outline. Although it is conceivable to provide a plurality of functional units distributed around the circumference of the casing tube, for many applications it is sufficient if only this one recess is provided at each longitudinal position where a recess is provided, viewed in the circumferential direction.

[0030] It may be advantageous if a majority of the, preferably all, recesses are arranged at the same circumferential position.

[0031] For aerodynamic reasons, it is advantageous if the jacket pipe has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0032] Although it is fundamentally conceivable for the at least one connecting channel to extend radially inward such that the interior of the jacket tube has a cross-section that deviates from the circular disk shape, it is advantageous for the interior of the jacket tube to have a substantially circular cross-section. In this case, the jacket tube must be designed with sufficiently thick walls that the at least one connecting channel can be formed entirely within the wall thickness.

[0033] In a manner known per se, at least one water-repellent element can be provided on the outer surface of the jacket pipe.

[0034] In this case, it has proven to be aesthetically advantageous if the ratio of the pitch or half of the pitch of the helix to the distance between adjacent depressions has a whole number or a fraction as a value.

[0035] In order to be able to provide the water-repellent effect in the region of the at least one cover element, it is further proposed that a water-repellent element protrude from the cover element or at least one of the cover elements, preferably all of the cover elements. Since the prefabricated assemblies, which comprise a plurality of electrical functional units and their connecting and connection cables, usually have a predetermined length that is shorter than the usual length of clamping units, it is proposed that the jacket tube have an opening at predetermined intervals, which leads from the interior of the jacket tube to the outside, for example to the bottom surface of a connecting channel.Through this opening, at the end of a string of functional units and connecting lines, a connecting line running inside the casing pipe can be led to the outside of the casing pipe and there connected to another string of functional units and connecting lines. In this way, there is no need to reserve cross-sectional area in the connecting channels for one or more such connecting lines. In addition, the problem of routing the connecting lines past the functional units is easily avoided. It goes without saying that the openings can be protected from the ingress of moisture or liquids, particularly rainwater, by suitable sealants. If desired, a protective channel can also be provided in the interior of the casing pipe to protect the connecting lines from contact with the clamping elements.

[0036] For the sake of completeness, it should also be noted that at least some of the tensioning elements can be designed as tensioning strands in a manner known per se. For example, the tensioning strands can be formed from seven wires and / or have a diameter of approximately 15.7 mm. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the tensioning elements to be formed from non-stranded wires that run essentially parallel to one another, with these wires preferably having a diameter of approximately 7.0 mm. Finally, it should also be added that the interior of the casing pipe, when the tensioning unit is in the ready-to-use state, can be at least partially, preferably completely, filled with a filler material, preferably an anti-corrosion material, for example wax, mortar or the like.

[0037] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It shows:

[0038] Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a clamping unit according to the invention;

[0039] Figure 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along line 11-11 in Figure 1;

[0040] Figure 3 is a partial section of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along the line III-III in Figure 1; and

[0041] Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0042] In Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a clamping unit according to the invention is generally designated 100. The clamping unit 100 comprises a casing tube 102 enclosing an interior space 104, as well as a plurality of clamping elements 106 extending in the longitudinal direction A of the clamping unit 100 or of the casing tube 102 and being received in the interior space 104 of the casing tube 102. According to the invention, the casing tube 102 has recesses 108 formed in the casing tube 102 at a plurality of, preferably equidistant, longitudinal positions, which are preferably all arranged at the same circumferential position of the casing tube 102. According to the invention, adjacent recesses 108 are connected by a connecting channel 110, which opens into one of the adjacent recesses 108 at each of its two longitudinal ends. Furthermore, cover elements 112 are provided, which serve to close the connecting channels 110.

[0043] The recesses 108 and the connecting channels 110 serve to accommodate electrical functional units 114 and the connecting lines 116 connecting them, as well as at least one connecting line (not shown). The electrical functional units 114 are preferably lighting units, for example, LED lighting units. However, they can also be sensor units.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, both the outer surface 102a and the inner surface 102b of the casing tube 102, which forms the interior space 104, have a circular cross-section. Furthermore, both the recesses 108 and the connecting channels 110 are formed entirely within the casing tube 102. In particular, the recesses 108, which are deeper in the radial direction of the casing tube 102 than the connecting channels 110, do not penetrate the inner surface 102b of the casing tube 102. This ensures that no moisture, in particular rainwater, can penetrate the interior space 104.

[0045] Furthermore, it can be seen in both Figure 1 and Figure 2 that the recesses 108 extend in the circumferential direction U of the casing tube 102 over a greater distance than the connecting channels 112 (D > d). This ensures that there is sufficient installation space for accommodating the functional units 114 and, if applicable, peripheral units associated with them, such as control units. Preferably, the functional units 114 are releasably received in the recesses so that they can be replaced in the event of a malfunction or damage. This releasable connection can be achieved, for example, by screwing, locking, clamping, using a bayonet-type connection, or the like.

[0046] Although the recesses 108 and the functional units 114 in Figure 1 have a circular shape in plan view, this is merely an example and should not be understood as limiting in any way. They could equally well have an oval, rectangular, or square shape.

[0047] Since the functional units 114 and in particular their connecting lines 116 are made of a different material than the jacket tube 102, different expansion behavior must be expected at changing temperatures. To account for this effect, the distance L between characteristic points 108a of two adjacent recesses 108, measured in the longitudinal direction A of the jacket tube 102, is dimensioned to be a predetermined length shorter at a given temperature than the distance between associated characteristic points 114a of the electrical functional units 114 assigned to the adjacent recesses 108 when the connecting line 116 connecting the two functional units 114 is fully extended. In Figure 1, this circumstance is expressed by the fact that the connecting lines 116 run in a serpentine or meandering manner in the connecting channels 110 (dotted lines).

[0048] The cover elements 112 are also detachably connected to the connecting channels 110. As can best be seen in the enlarged view of Figure 3, the cover element 112 has two locking feet 112a, whose outwardly projecting locking ends 112b engage in undercuts 110a of the connecting channel 110. To attach a cover element 112, only one of its longitudinal ends needs to be slightly pressed together so that the locking ends 112b are spaced closer together than shown in Figure 3, and they can thus be inserted into the connecting channel 110. The cover element 112 is then gradually pressed section by section into the connecting channel 110 until the locking feet 112a are fully engaged with the undercuts 110a.

[0049] To release, it is best to use a tool to grip the cover section 112c of the cover element 112 and press it together until the engagement of the locking feet 112a with the undercuts 110a is released. The cover element 112 can now be gradually pulled out of the connecting channel 110. When the tool is applied, it is helpful in the embodiment of Figure 3 that the cover section 112c is not flush with the outer circumferential surface 102a, but only rests on it. Alternatively, the cover section 112c can have an opening 112d at one of its longitudinal ends or adjacent to one of the longitudinal ends (see Figure 1), which can be used to insert a release tool, for example a release hook. In this case, the inherent elasticity of the locking feet 112a is utilized for release.

[0050] If this opening 112d is arranged at the lower end of the cover element 112 in the case of obliquely or vertically mounted clamping units 100, this opening 112d can additionally be used to allow any moisture, in particular rainwater, that may have entered the connecting channel 110 to escape again.

[0051] Figure 4 shows a slightly modified embodiment of the clamping unit according to the invention. This corresponds in its essential features to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. Therefore, in Figure 4, analogous parts are provided with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 3, but with the number 100 added. Furthermore, the clamping unit 200 of Figure 4 will be described below only to the extent that it differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, to whose description otherwise express reference is hereby made.

[0052] A first difference from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 is that the cover section 212c of the cover element 212 is flush with the outer surface 202a of the casing tube 202. Furthermore, the profile of the cover section 212c follows the circular envelope curve H of the outer surface 202a of the casing tube 202. Thus, the casing tube 202 supplemented by the cover element 212 has a perfectly circular cross-section and offers wind and weather a surface that is indistinguishable from that of a casing tube without a connecting channel.

[0053] A third difference is that the connecting line 216 is designed as a flat cable. The circular cross-section of the connecting line 116 in Figure 3 has the advantage that it can bend both radially and circumferentially of the jacket tube 102 to form the serpentine or meandering shape. However, even with the flat cable in Figure 4, where the bending direction is predetermined, sufficient length compensation between the connecting line 216 and the jacket tube 202 is possible.

[0054] As is known per se from the prior art, the clamping unit 100 according to the invention can also have at least one water-repellent element on the outer surface 102a of the casing tube 102, which element is preferably designed as a water-repellent helix. In the case illustrated in Figure 1, two water-repellent elements 120, 122 are provided, which extend helically along the outer surface 102a of the casing tube 102 with a circumferential offset of 180° and a pitch G. In the illustrated embodiment, two electrical functional units 114 are arranged within the pitch of each of the water-repellent elements 120, 122. Since two water-repellent elements 120, 122 are present, the electrical functional units 114 and the water-repellent elements 120, 122 appear to follow one another alternately.

[0055] In order to enable a continuous extension of the water-repellent elements 120, 122 also in the area of ​​the cover elements 112, these also have water-repellent projections 124 at the locations corresponding to the water-repellent elements 120, 122.

[0056] As indicated by dashed lines in Figure 3, the jacket tube 102 can have openings 130 at predetermined locations. In the event that the functional assembly formed from a plurality of functional units 114 and their connecting lines 116 is shorter than the clamping unit 100, connecting lines (not shown) can be routed through these openings 130 in the interior 104 of the jacket tube 102 to the point where two successively arranged functional assemblies adjoin one another, in order to also supply the subsequent functional assembly with power and, if necessary, data. It is understood that the opening 130 is sealed liquid-tight after the connecting line has been passed through.

Claims

Claims 1 . Elongated clamping unit (100) comprising • a jacket tube (102), the inner surface (102b) of which encloses an interior space (104) of the jacket tube (102), • a plurality of clamping elements (106) extending in the longitudinal direction (A) of the clamping unit (100) which are accommodated in the interior (104) of the casing tube (102), and • at least two electrical functional units (114), in particular lighting units, each of which is accommodated in a recess (108) made in the casing tube (102) from an outer surface (102a) of the casing tube (102), wherein at least one connecting channel (110) is provided which connects at least two adjacent recesses (108) to one another and is designed and intended to accommodate at least one connecting line (116) for connecting the electrical functional units (114) assigned to the two adjacent recesses (108), characterized in that the at least one connecting channel (110) is designed as a connecting groove open towards the outer surface (102a) of the casing tube (102) and can be closed by means of at least one cover element (112).

2. Clamping unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (L) measured in the longitudinal direction (A) of the jacket tube (102) between characteristic points (108a) of the two adjacent recesses (108) at a given temperature is shorter by a predetermined length than the distance between associated characteristic points (114a) of the adjacent recesses (108) associated electrical functional units (1 14) with the connecting line (116) connecting the two functional units (1 14) being completely elongated.

3. Clamping unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one cover element (112), preferably all cover elements (112), are made of the same material as the jacket tube (102), for example of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

4. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an outer surface (212a) of the cover element (212) or at least one of the cover elements (212), preferably all of the cover elements (212), essentially follows an envelope curve (H) of the jacket tube (202).

5. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one electrical functional unit (1 14) is detachably connectable to the casing tube (102).

6. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover element (1 12) or at least one of the cover elements (1 12), preferably all cover elements (1 12), is detachably connected to the casing tube (102).

7. Clamping unit according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the side surfaces, preferably both side surfaces, of the connecting channel (1 10) or at least one of the connecting channels (1 10) is designed to be undercut at least in sections (at 1 10a).

8. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover element (112) or at least one of the cover elements (112), preferably all cover elements (112), has at least one of its longitudinal ends or at least one of its longitudinal ends adjacent to an opening (112d) which connects the associated connecting channel (110) with the external environment of the casing tube (102).

9. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the recess (108) or at least one of the recesses (108), preferably all of the recesses (108), of the casing tube (102) extends in the circumferential direction (U) over a greater distance than the connecting channel (110) or at least one of the connecting channels (110), preferably all of the connecting channels (110).

10. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the recess (108) or at least one of the recesses (108) is deeper than the at least one connecting channel (110). 11 . Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electrical functional unit (114) or at least one of the electrical functional units (114) projects beyond the envelope curve (H) of the casing tube (102).

12. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at each longitudinal position at which a recess (108) is provided, only this one recess (108) is provided as seen in the circumferential direction.

13. Clamping unit according to claim 12, characterized in that a plurality of, preferably all, recesses (108) are arranged at the same circumferential position.

14. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the casing tube (102) has a substantially circular cross-section.

15. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the interior (104) of the casing tube (102) has a substantially circular cross-section.

16. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one water-repellent element (120, 122) is provided on the outer surface (102a) of the casing tube (102).

17. Clamping unit according to claim 16, characterized in that when the water-repellent element (120, 122) is designed as a helix, the ratio of the pitch or half the pitch of the helix to the distance between adjacent recesses (108) has an integer or a base fraction as a value.

18. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a water-repellent element (124) protrudes from the cover element (112) or at least one of the cover elements (112), preferably all of the cover elements (112).

19. Clamping unit according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the casing tube (102) has an opening (130) at predetermined intervals, which leads from the interior (104) of the casing tube (102) to the outside, for example to the bottom surface of a connecting channel (110).

Images