Holding rail for flat heating pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding rails for surface heating pipes embedded in concrete casting compound often result in uneven distribution of the concrete, leading to voids and stress cracks due to their geometry, which complicates manufacturing and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A wave-shaped profile section for the holding rail spacers improves concrete flow, with each pipe holder having a corresponding wave hump and resilient locking lugs to ensure even distribution, and additional features like fastening holes and translucent material for better assembly and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional straight profile sections are used for holding rails, then manufacturing is simple, but concrete distribution becomes uneven leading to cavities and stress cracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcrete distribution uniformityVSAvoidprofile geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by transforming the straight profile section into a wave-shaped profile with alternating crests and troughs. This curvature design eliminates sharp corners and tapered contours, enabling the liquid concrete grouting compound to flow uniformly without stagnation zones, thereby preventing cavities and stress cracks while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Manufacturing precision

If wave-shaped profile sections are used to improve concrete flow, then concrete distribution becomes homogeneous, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcrete distribution uniformityVSAvoidprofile manufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the wave-shaped profile structure: the crests serve as spacers to maintain dimensional stability, the wave shape guides concrete flow, and the integrated design eliminates the need for separate corner pieces or tapered transitions. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process despite the curved geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If corners and tapered contours are present in the profile, then manufacturing is easier, but concrete flow is impeded causing voids and cracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile fabrication simplicityVSAvoidconcrete structure integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates corners and tapered contours by implementing a continuous wave-shaped profile with smooth transitions between crests and troughs. This curvature ensures uninterrupted concrete flow paths, preventing void formation and stress concentration that would compromise the structural integrity of the hardened concrete

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves a homogeneous concrete distribution, reducing stress cracks and allowing for simpler manufacturing and assembly, while enabling the use of holding rails in exposed concrete and accommodating various pipe types, including capillary tubes and electric heating pipes.

Implementation Method 1

the flow behavior of the poured concrete can be advantageously influenced if the profile section of the holding rail assigned to the spacers is continuously undulating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow behavior:

Implementation Method 2

each having a resilient locking lug 5 projecting inwards into the pipe receptacles 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResilient: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4047276B1Holding rail for flat heating pipes
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 KE KELIT GMBH
  • EP4047276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4047276B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4047276B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A retaining rail (3) for surface heating pipes is described, comprising two longitudinal profiles (1) extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction (S) of the rail, which together form several pipe receptacles (2) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (S) of the rail and open upwards, and wherein each pipe receptacle (2) is bounded in the longitudinal direction (S) of the rail by locking lugs (5) projecting inwards into the pipe receptacles (2). To create advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that the longitudinal profiles (1) each have, on their side opposite the pipe receptacles (2), a profile section (6) extending continuously in the longitudinal direction (S) with several wave bumps (7), each of which forms spacers (9) for defining a distance between the pipe receptacles (2) and a spatial surface.