Protective Housing Pin for Stable Underfloor Heating Pipe Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for fixing surface heating pipes to formwork often result in slipping and damage during concrete casting, as well as exposure of pipe ends to risk of damage during transport and installation.
Innovation Solution
A protective housing with a pin that secures the holding rail and forms a protective receptacle for the surface heating pipe ends, preventing slipping and damage, and allowing for flexible installation and easy access after casting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If support rails are nailed to formwork or inserted into reusable metal formwork, then the surface heating pipes can be fixed for casting, but the exposed pipe ends are at risk of damage during transport or on-site embedding
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing encloses the exposed pipe ends, creating a nested structure where the pipe is protected within the housing. This resolves the contradiction by providing protection without requiring complex external support structures or multiple separate protective elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing combines multiple functions: it protects pipe ends from damage, prevents floating during casting, and provides structural support. By merging these functions into a single component, the invention avoids the complexity of multiple separate devices while maintaining reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support rails are fixed to formwork, then the pipes can be held in position, but the rails and pipes float and slip during pouring of concrete grout
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing is designed with a pin that protrudes into the pipe receptacle before casting occurs. This preliminary positioning action ensures stability during the pouring process without requiring complex fixing mechanisms or post-casting adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin on the protective housing acts as an intermediary element that connects the housing to the pipe receptacle, providing stable positioning during casting. This simple intermediary structure resolves the stability issue without adding complex fixing mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If pipe ends are exposed for connection, then connections can be made on-site, but the pipe ends are at risk of damage during transport or installation
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing encloses the pipe ends during transport and installation, then can be opened or removed to allow connections. This nested structure provides protection when needed while maintaining accessibility when required, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing transitions from a closed protective state during transport to an open accessible state during installation. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt between protection and accessibility requirements, resolving the contradiction through state change rather than fixed structure.
4Productivity
If reusable metal formwork is used for industrial production, then production efficiency increases, but the exposed pipe ends still float and slip during concrete pouring
Solution Approach 1:
The pin on the protective housing serves as an intermediary that provides stable positioning during the high-speed industrial casting process. This simple connecting element ensures position stability without compromising the productivity benefits of reusable metal formwork and industrial production methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for securing underfloor heating pipes (1) to a formwork is described, comprising at least one retaining rail (2) which includes two longitudinal profiles (3) extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rail and spaced apart from one another. Together, these profiles form several pipe receptacles (5) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rail, each receptacle having a pipe receiving opening (4). To prevent the retaining rails (2) and the underfloor heating pipes (1) from slipping in the formwork before a concrete grout (9) hardens and to reduce the risk of damage to the un-grouted ends (8) of the underfloor heating pipes, it is proposed that a pin (6) of a protective housing (7) be inserted into a pipe receptacle (5) of the retaining rail (2). The protective housing (7) has an opening (10) for inserting an underfloor heating pipe (1) into the protective housing (7).