Omega Pipe Holder for Floor Heating Heat Transfer and Snap Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor heating systems face challenges in achieving optimal heat transfer and secure pipe fixation, especially in rooms with irregular shapes, due to inadequate contact and lack of easy installation methods, which affects thermal efficiency and installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with an omega-shaped design made from resilient metallic material, allowing easy insertion and expansion within grooves formed by trapezoidally angled planks, providing stable pipe fixation and optimal heat transfer without requiring specialized tooling, and can be easily manufactured and installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distribution sheet is placed in the groove to receive the water piping, then the pipe can be positioned in the groove, but the heat transfer is not optimal since the pipe contacts the distribution sheet only punctually or linearly on a reduced surface
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device features a half-rounded central section that conforms to the curved outer surface of the pipe, enabling continuous circumferential contact rather than punctual or linear contact. This curvature matching maximizes the contact surface area between the holding device and pipe, thereby optimizing heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is made of resilient material that can deform elastically to wrap around the pipe, creating a flexible conforming contact surface. This flexibility allows the holding device to adapt to the pipe's geometry and maintain optimal thermal contact across its entire perimeter.
2Reliability
If the distribution sheet is pressed and edges are clinched to close the recess, then close contact between pipe and metal sheet is achieved, but special tooling is required which is not adapted for on-site application
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is designed to be self-installing through simple insertion into the groove. The resilient material automatically deforms and recovers to create the clamping action and close contact with the pipe, eliminating the need for special pressing tools or clinching operations. The device serves itself by using its own elastic properties to achieve the desired contact quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is a simple, inexpensive component made from readily available resilient material that can be easily manufactured and installed on-site without requiring expensive specialized tooling. Its simplicity makes it suitable for disposable or single-use installation in floor heating systems.
3Reliability
If prefabricated panels with omega-shaped recesses are used, then the pipe snaps into the recess ensuring optimum contact, but the panels are expensive and mounting is cumbersome in rooms with irregular shape
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using large prefabricated panels with integrated omega-shaped recesses, the invention segments the function into a separate, standalone holding device that can be independently installed in grooves. This segmentation allows the holding device to be used with various groove configurations and adapt to different room shapes and sizes, including irregular layouts where prefabricated panels would be cumbersome.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is designed as a universal component that can be installed in grooves of various dimensions and configurations. Its resilient nature and simple omega-shaped geometry allow it to adapt to different pipe sizes, groove depths, and room layouts, providing multi-functionality that prefabricated panels lack when dealing with irregularly shaped rooms.
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 enables cost-effective, easy installation of pipes in floor heating systems, ensuring optimal thermal efficiency by maintaining close contact with the pipe over a significant portion of its periphery, even in irregularly shaped rooms, while reducing installation complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The holding device is resilient and upwards convexly pre curved in order to, in a straightened condition after assembly, exert a pressure against the overlying floor and clamp the pipes in the grooves
Implementation Method 2
providing an optimal contact with the pipe for ensuring a good heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6(a)~7(b)
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a device and a method for holding a pipe in a groove of a temperature control system and for forming a thermal connection between the surface and the pipe. More particularly the invention is directed to a device and a method for fixing a pipe of a floor heating system or for example a ceiling cooling system and for diffusing to the exterior of the surface the flow of heat circulating in the pipe. The holding device has a longitudinal axis parallel to the groove when inserted there in and comprises a sheet of metallic material. Its cross-section section comprises a central portion and two lateral straight sections, one at each side of the central section and angled with the central section. The holding device is positioned above the groove with its longitudinal axis parallel to the groove and with the central section above the groove. The central section is flexible and resilient so that it can be inserted by deformation into the groove and it can expand back in the groove. The groove has a trapezoidal cross-section tapering to the exterior so that the expansion of the central portion has for effect that the holding device takes the shape of an omega. The opening of the then formed omega shape is slightly narrower than the outer diameter of the pipe to be inserted so that a force must be exerted on the pipe to make it enter and snap in the groove. There is also disclosed a method for forming the grooves with a trapezoidal cross-section tapering to the exterior by using elongate planks with a trapezoidal cross-section positioned in a row along the perimeter of the surface and forming a spiral. Each plank is spaced from each parallel and corresponding plank at a constant distance for forming the groove. Preferably, a double spirally shaped groove is then formed for inserting a pipe loop therein.