Building having a metal, electrically conductive tube, electrical line positioned in a tube of this type, and metal, electrically conductive tube for this purpose

Abstract

A metal, electrically conductive tube, and electrical lines positioned in the tube for electrically powering a building, is provided. The tube includes tube sections connected by a tubular metal and electrically conductive connection part. The tube sections have end sections facing one another. The connection part extends with its inner surface facing outer surfaces of overlapping sections of the tube sections. The connection of the tube sections is achieved by plastic deformation of the connection part in the overlapping sections. A respective contact is provided between the inner surface and the outer surfaces and ensures the electrically conductive connection between the first end section, the connection part and the second end section via an indentation in the inner surface or the outer surfaces, or via fluidic contact between the outer surfaces and the inner surface.

Claims

1. A metallic, electrically conductive tube configured to install electric lines for an electrical power supply of a building in the tube, comprising: first and second electrically conductive and metallic tubular connection part having an inner surface; electrically conductive and metallic first and second tube sections which are connected to one another by a tubular connection part in an extension direction of the tube, the first tube section having first and second opposite ends, a first outer surface, and a first end section at the first end thereof, the second tube section having first and second opposite ends, a second outer surface and a second end section at the second end thereof, the first end section and the second end section facing one another, wherein an inner surface of the tubular connection part faces the first outer surface and overlaps the first outer surface in a first overlapping section, the inner surface of the connection part faces the second outer surface and overlaps the second outer surface in a second overlapping section, the tubular connection part overlaps the first end of the first tube section and overlaps the second end of the second tube section, wherein connection of the first and second tube sections is provided by compression and plastic deformation of the tubular connection part in the first and second overlapping sections and of the first and second tube sections in the first and second end sections, in which they adjoin one another directly and in a plastically deformed manner in a compressed state; a first contact providing an indentation in the inner surface and/or in the first outer surface in the first overlapping section to form an electrically conductive connection between the first end section and the connection part when in the compressed state; and a second contact providing an indentation in the inner surface and/or the second outer surface in the second overlapping section to form an electrically conductive connection between the second end section and the connection part when in the compressed state.

2. The tube according of claim 1, in combination with a building, wherein electric lines for the electrical power supply of the building are installed in the tube.

3. The tube according to claim 1, in combination with electric lines that provide electrical power supply of a building.

4. The tube according to claim 1, wherein the connection part has a receptacle recess extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the connection part; and further comprising a sealing ring in the receptacle recess.

5. The tube according to claim 1, wherein the connection part has a first receptacle recess and a second receptacle recess spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction; and further comprising a first sealing ring in the first receptacle recess and a second sealing ring in the second receptacle recess.

6. The tube according to claim 4, wherein the contact is beyond the sealing ring viewed from a free end of the connection part.

7. The tube according to claim 5, wherein the first contact is beyond the first sealing ring viewed from a free end of the connection part in the longitudinal direction, and the second contact is beyond the second sealing ring viewed from and opposite free end of the connection part in the longitudinal direction.

8. The tube according to claim 1, wherein each contact is formed by a claw part that is separate from the connection part and is arranged on the inner surface of the connection part.

9. The tube according to claim 8, wherein the claw part has claw projections on two sides that lie opposite of one another in the radial direction referred to the longitudinal axis of the connection part.

10. The tube according to claim 8, wherein the claw part is formed from a flat part having an annular shape or the shape of a ring segment, wherein the claw projections protrude from the flat part.

11. The tube according to claim 8, wherein the connection part has a receptacle recess for the claw part.

12. The tube according to claim 8, wherein the connection part has a receptacle recess extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the connection part; and further comprising a sealing ring in the receptacle recess, wherein the claw part lies in the receptacle recess together with the sealing ring.

13. The tube according to claim 1, wherein the connection part has a stopping element, which is formed beyond the contact starting from a free end of the connection part and prevents the insertion of the first and second tube sections through the connection part.

14. The tube according to claim 1, wherein the connection part has an indicator element for indicating a complete insertion of an associated tube section into the connection part.

15. The tube according to claim 14, wherein the indicator element is formed of a flexible material that is displaced radially outward due to the insertion of the tube section.

16. A metallic, electrically conductive tube configured to install electric lines for an electrical power supply of a building in the tube, comprising: an electrically conductive and metallic tubular connection part having an inner surface and opposite ends; electrically conductive and metallic first and second tube sections, the first tube section having a first outer surface, opposite first and second ends, and a first end section at the first end, the second tube section having a second outer surface, opposite first and second ends, and a second end section at the second end, the first end of the first tube section and the second end of the second tube section facing one another, wherein the inner surface of the connection part faces the first outer surface and overlaps the first outer surface in a first overlapping section, the inner surface of the connection part faces the second outer surface and overlaps the second outer surface in a second overlapping section, the connection part overlapping the first end of the first tube section and the second end of the second tube section, wherein the connection of the tube sections is provided by compression and plastic deformation of the connection part in the first and second overlapping sections and of the first and second tube sections in the first and second end sections, in which they adjoin one another directly and in a plastically deformed manner in a compressed state; a first contact between the inner surface and the first outer surface in the first overlapping section, the first contact having projections extending therefrom which form indentations in the inner surface when in the compressed state, and projections extending therefrom which form indentations in the first outer surface in the first overlapping section in the compressed state; and a second contact between the inner surface and the second outer surface in the second overlapping section, the second contact having projections extending therefrom which form indentations in the inner surface when in the compressed state, and projections extending therefrom which form indentations in the second outer surface in the second overlapping section in the compressed state.

17. The tube according to claim 16, wherein the connection part is a singular part separate from the first and second tube sections prior to the compressed state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings that, however, merely show an exemplary embodiment. A component, which is described with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments and not replaced with a different component in another exemplary embodiment, is therefore also described as a potentially existing component in this other exemplary embodiment. In the respective drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a building with a tube for accommodating an electric line;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective detail of a tube with installed electric line;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a connection part for connecting two tube sections prior to carrying out a connecting process;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the region IV in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment in the form of an illustration corresponding to FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 3, however, after the connecting process has been carried out;

(8) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged detail of the region VII in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows another embodiment in the form of an illustration corresponding to FIG. 3;

(10) FIG. 9 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 8 after the connecting processes been carried out;

(11) FIG. 10 shows an enlarged detail of the region X in FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a detailed section through another embodiment of a connection part with an associated cover element;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a detailed section according to FIG. 11 through another embodiment with an indicator element;

(14) FIG. 13 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 12, however, after an associated tube section has been inserted into the connection element and thereby acted upon the indicator element; and

(15) FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section through another embodiment of a connection part in the position, in which it is connected to a tube section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(16) A metallic, electrically conductive tube 1, which consists, e.g., of aluminum and serves for accommodating and installing an electric line 2 for the electrical power supply of a building 3, is initially described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, the tube is illustrated excessively large in relation to the building 3.

(17) The tube 1 is essentially composed of tube sections 5 and 6 that are connected by means of tubular connection parts 4 in the extension direction of the tube 1. The connection part 4 is realized in a sleeve-like manner and designed for producing a mechanical connection, but particularly also an electrically conductive connection, with the tube sections 5 and 6 as a result of plastic deformation, particularly a compression.

(18) A first end section 7 of a first tube section 5 that is inserted into the connection part 4 typically faces a second end section 8 of a second tube section 6, preferably with the same axial orientation along the longitudinal axis x defined by the tubular connection part 4.

(19) The tubular connection part 4 shown has an inner surface that points radially inward and faces a first outer surface 10 of the first tube section 5 and a second outer surface 11 of the second tube section 6.

(20) In the inserted state of the tube sections 5 and 6 into the connection part 4, e.g. according to the illustration in FIG. 3, a first overlapping section A is formed in the overlapping region between the inner surface 9 and the first outer surface 10 of the first tube section 5 and a second overlapping section B is formed in the overlapping region between the inner surface 9 of the connection part 4 and the second outer surface 11 of the second tube section 6.

(21) The connection part 4 may have a stopping element 12 in order to respectively prevent an insertion of a tube section 5, 6 through the connection part 4 or to define a predetermined insertion position of a tube section 5 or 6 within the connection part 4. This stopping element may be formed centrally of the connection part 4 with respect to the extension of the longitudinal axis x as shown, e.g. and preferably as a result of the formation of a bead 13 that extends circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis x and protrudes radially inward over the inner surface 9. The bead 13 may be formed as a result of a corresponding deformation of the connection part wall 14.

(22) The free end face of the respective end section 7 or 8 of the respective tube section 5 or 6 abuts on the bead 13 that protrudes radially inward such that its insertion is limited by the stopping element.

(23) The detail according to FIG. 5 furthermore shows that the bead 13 may radially protrude from the inner surface 9 by a dimension that is chosen equal to or greater than the wall thickness of the tube section wall 15. An electric line 2 routed through a thusly designed connecting region is protected from damages by the potentially sharp-edged free outer edge of the tube section by the bead 13, which protrudes radially inward over this free outer edge.

(24) The connection of the tube sections 5 and 6 is achieved as a result of plastic deformation of the connection part 4 in its first and second overlapping sections A and B and of the first and second tube sections 5 and 6 in the first and second end regions 7 and 8. This plastic deformation preferably is achieved, for example, as a result of a compression, e.g. by utilizing a preferably hydraulic pressing apparatus with correspondingly adapted pressing jaws.

(25) A contact means K respectively becomes effective in the overlapping section A, as well as in the overlapping section B, during the course of the plastic deformation in order to produce or improve the electrical conductivity of the tube 1 as a whole, particularly in the region of the described connection.

(26) The contact means K may be realized in the form of a claw part 16 that is realized separately of the connection part 4 and arranged on the inner side thereof as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3 to 7. The claw part 16 is made of an electrically conductive material, particularly a metallic material such as steel.

(27) The claw part 16 may furthermore be realized in the form of an altogether annular flat part, wherein claw projections 17 that protrude radially outward and radially inward are formed on said flat part. In the exemplary embodiment shown, three claw projections 17 extending in the circumferential direction of the claw part 16 are respectively provided on the radially outer side, as well as on the radially inner side. The claw projections 17 and the claw part 16 preferably are realized integrally and consist of the same material.

(28) The claw part 16 or the contact means K formed thereby is respectively assigned to the overlapping section A and the overlapping section B and lies in a correspondingly positioned groove-like receptacle recess 18, which preferably extends circumferentially referred to the longitudinal axis x and preferably is only open toward the inner surface 9 of the connection part 4.

(29) The receptacle recess 18 is formed at a distance from the associated free end of the connection part 4 referred to the extension of the longitudinal axis x.

(30) The connection part 4 furthermore comprises two seals 19 that are respectively realized, in particular, in the form of a sealing ring of a thermoplastic material. Each sealing ring 19 extends transverse and therefore in the circumferential direction referred to the longitudinal axis x of the connection part 4 and is respectively associated with an insertion end of the connection part 4.

(31) Each sealing ring 19 may be arranged in a separate receptacle recess of the connection part 4 or, as respectively illustrated, in the receptacle recess 18 that at the same time also accommodates the contact means K.

(32) Viewed from the facing free end of the connection part 4, the contact means K according to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13 preferably is respectively formed or accommodated in the connection part 4 beyond the directly associated sealing ring 19. Viewed in the extension direction of the connection part 4 along the longitudinal axis x, the contact means K for interacting with the tube sections 5 and 6 are accordingly arranged in a position, in which they are protected from fluid ingressing from outside by the sealing rings 19.

(33) In the connected position, the sealing rings 19 respectively act against the first outer surface 10 of the first tube section 5 and against the second outer surface 11 of the second tube section 6 in a sealing manner.

(34) During the course of the compression, the wall regions of the connection part 4 and of the tube sections 5 and 6, which are acted upon by the pressing tool, are plastically deformed in the overlapping sections A and B such that a mechanical connection, which preferably can no longer be separated in a non-destructive manner, is subsequently produced between the connection part 4 and the tube sections 5 and 6. After this plastic deformation, the sealing rings 19 are in a sealing position between the inner surface 9 of the connection part 4 in the region of the receptacle recess 18 and the directly facing outer surface 10 or 11 of the tube section 5 or 6.

(35) The contact means K, i.e. the claw part 16 according to the first exemplary embodiment, is simultaneously subjected to a load during such a plastic deformation in such a way that the claw part 16 buries itself radially outward in the facing inner surface 9 of the connection part 4 and radially inward in the facing first or second outer surface 10, 11 of the first or the second tube section 5, 6 with its claw projections 17. A potentially existing oxidation layer on the outer surface 10, 11 and/or the inner surface 9 in the region of the receptacle recess 18 is overcome as a result of this burying action of the claw projections 17 such that the electrical conductivity of the connection is ensured (see FIG. 7).

(36) An indentation is thereby produced in the inner surface 9 and/or the first and the second outer surface 10, 11.

(37) According to the second exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the contact means K may also be formed by an indentation 20 in the inner surface 9 of the connection part 4. Viewed from a free end of the connection part 4, this indentation 20 is also formed and arranged beyond the directly associated sealing ring 19 and therefore in the shadow of the sealing ring 19.

(38) The indentation 20 may be formed by a groove-like depression that extends in the inner surface 9 circumferentially referred to the longitudinal axis x. Viewed in the extension direction of the longitudinal axis x, a plurality of indentations 20, for example up to five or ten or fifteen such circumferential indentations 20, may be respectively associated with an overlapping section A or B.

(39) With respect to a longitudinal section through this region according to the enlarged detail in FIG. 10, the indentations 20 leave tooth-shaped projections that bury themselves in the respective facing outer surface 10 or 11 of the first or the second tube section 5, 6 during the course of the plastic deformation resulting from a compression or the like in order to thereby ensure the electrically conductive connection.

(40) The dimensions of the indentations 20 or also of the claw projections 17 of the claw part 16, particularly with respect to their extension in the radial direction, are chosen such that they can approximately bury themselves by up to a third, preferably by up to a sixth or eighth, optionally by only up to a tenth or twentieth, of the thickness of the tube wall 15 viewed in the radial direction.

(41) The contact means K may also be an electrically conductive contact fluid 21. The contact fluid may be realized, for example, on the basis of grease and optionally contain solid fractions such as soot and/or carbon particles in order to additionally improve the conductivity.

(42) Such a contact fluid 21 may be arranged in the contact region in addition to the claw part 16 or the indentation 20.

(43) The contact means K may alternatively also be formed by the contact fluid 21 only. According to the embodiment in FIG. 11, such a contact fluid 21 may be arranged in a correspondingly designed separate (second) receptacle recess 22. This receptacle recess 22 is with respect to the free end of the connection part 4 formed beyond the directly associated sealing ring 19 and the receptacle recess 18 accommodating this sealing ring 19.

(44) A plug-like cover element 23, which penetrates into the interior from the free end of the connection part 4, is provided prior to the use of the connection part 4 and protects the contact fluid 21 accommodated in the receptacle recess 22 from drying out and/or escaping.

(45) Once the cover element 23 has been removed and an associated tube section 5 or 6 has been inserted, the receptacle opening 22 with the contact fluid 21 contained therein is exposed radially inward in order to contact the facing outer surface 10, 11, particularly after the compression has been carried out.

(46) According to the illustration in FIG. 14, the contact means K may also be the outer edge 24 on the free end of the connection part 4, wherein said outer edge 24 at the same time defines the associated receptacle recess 18 for the sealing ring 19. The outer edge 24 points radially inward and is pressed into the respective facing outer surface 10 or 11 of the respective tube section 5 or 6 during the course of the plastic deformation for producing the connection, particularly such that the outer edge 24 at least partially buries itself in the tube wall 15.

(47) The connection part 4 may have an indicator element 25 alternatively or additionally to a stopping element 12. According to the example illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, this indicator element may be realized in the form of an element that consists of a flexible material, e.g. a rubber material.

(48) The indicator element 25 is respectively arranged on or in the connection part 4 in such a way that it can serve for indicating a properly inserted tube section 5, 6.

(49) For example, the indicator element 25 may be arranged in an opening 26 in the wall 14 of the connection part as shown such that it fills out this opening completely and preferably in a sealing manner.

(50) In the embodiment shown, the indicator element 25 is in the no-load state according to the illustration in FIG. 12 realized such that it bulges radially inward beyond the inner surface 9 of the connection part 4. The bulge points radially inward and manifests itself radially outward such that it is visible for the user in the form of a corresponding depression 28 within the opening 26. Viewed from the associated free end of the connection part 4, the indicator element 25 is arranged beyond the associated sealing ring 19, as well as beyond the associated contact means K, and accordingly beyond the indentations 20 in the illustrations in FIGS. 12 and 13.

(51) The indicator element 25 is accordingly arranged in a region that lies behind the sealing means and the contact means referred to the extension direction of the tube section 5 or 6 into the connection part 4.

(52) When the respective tube section 5 or 6 is inserted into the connection part 4, the corresponding end section 7 or 8 acts upon the bulge 27 of the indicator element 25 in the region of the corresponding outer surface 10 or 11 once the predetermined insertion depth is reached such that the indicator element 25 is displaced radially outward (see FIG. 13). The originally visible depression 28 is thereby subjected to a significant change that can be perceived optically, as well as haptically. The depression 28 is not pronounced as deep as in the no-load position in FIG. 12, wherein the radial displacement of the indicator element 25 toward the outside can also lead to the indicator element 25 being aligned radially outward with the surrounding surface of the connection part wall 14 or even protruding over this surrounding surface, e.g. in a dome-like manner.

(53) In addition to the sleeve shape shown, the connection part 4 may also be realized in accordance with all other conventional tube connector designs, e.g. in the form of an arc-shaped connector or in the form of a T-shaped connector, wherein each connecting region for receiving a tube section preferably is realized in accordance with the above-described characteristics.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(54) 1 Tube

(55) 2 Electric line

(56) 3 Building

(57) 4 Connection part

(58) 5 Tube section

(59) 6 Tube section

(60) 7 End section

(61) 8 End section

(62) 9 Inner surface

(63) 10 First outer surface

(64) 11 Second outer surface

(65) 12 Stopping element

(66) 13 Bead

(67) 14 Connection part wall

(68) 15 Tube section wall

(69) 16 Claw part

(70) 17 Claw projection

(71) 18 Receptacle recess

(72) 19 Sealing ring

(73) 20 Indentation

(74) 21 Contact fluid

(75) 22 Receptacle recess

(76) 23 Cover element

(77) 24 Outer edge

(78) 25 Indicator element

(79) 26 Opening

(80) 27 Protruding bulge

(81) 28 Depression

(82) x Longitudinal axis

(83) A Overlapping section

(84) B Overlapping section

(85) K Contact means