U-Shaped Pipe Holder for Precise Heating Tube Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe holders for heating and cooling systems suffer from inadequate heat transfer due to direct physical contact with the insulating layer, leading to heat losses, and are not suitable for precise positioning or accommodating pipes of varying diameters, requiring multiple costly holders.

Innovation Solution

The development of U-shaped pipe holders made of plastic with integrally formed barbs and pipe support elements that rest directly on the insulating layer, featuring elastic latching elements and a nonwoven fabric support layer that contracts to secure the pipe, allowing for improved heat transfer and precise positioning of pipes of different diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the heating pipe is placed directly on the insulating layer, then the installation is simple, but heat transfer is insufficient and heat losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidheat losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pipe holder as an intermediary component between the heating pipe and the insulating layer. This pipe holder acts as a mediator that enables both simple installation (by providing a ready-made mounting structure) and effective heat transfer (by ensuring proper contact conditions with the screed layer), thus resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and heat loss prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the heating pipe is placed directly on the insulating layer, then the installation process is straightforward, but precise positioning and guiding of the tube cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation straightforwardnessVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe holder is designed as a segmented structure with distinct functional elements: positioning elements for precise location, support elements for elevation, and anchoring elements for fixation. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both straightforward installation and precise positioning simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If standard pipe holders are used for a certain outside diameter, then the pipe holder structure is simple, but multiple pipe holders are required for different pipe diameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe holder structureVSAvoidcompatibility with different pipe diameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe holder is designed as a universal component that can accommodate heating pipes of different outer diameters. The support elements and positioning elements are configured to adapt to various pipe sizes within a range, eliminating the need for multiple specialized pipe holders and reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enhances heat transfer, ensures precise and reliable positioning of pipes, and accommodates various pipe diameters without the need for multiple holders, reducing costs and heat losses, while maintaining pipe stability and preventing sound bridges.

Implementation Method 1

with two barbs (6) for anchoring the pipe holder (1) in the insulating layer (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical anchoring: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

there is not sufficient heat transfer to the screed, which results in heat losses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a nonwoven fabric support layer that contracts to secure the pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic contraction: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2474765B1Tube holder for fixing a heating pipe and/or cooling pipe and heating and/or cooling assembly
Publication Date: 2014.04.30 ROTH WERKE GMBH
  • EP2474765B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2474765B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2474765B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The tube holder (1) formed in U-shape, has a U-shaped base (4), and two U-shaped legs (5) connected to a barb (6) for anchoring the heating and/or cooling tube in the insulating layer. The inner sides of the U-shaped legs are connected with a pipe support element (9). The pipe support element functions as support element for supporting the tube on the insulating layer. A support layer made of non-woven fabric sealed with a polymer layer or with a lacquer layer is formed in the tube holder. An independent claim is included for heating and/or cooling arrangement.