PRESSURE HOSE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PRESSURE HOSE

Abstract

A pressure hose (1) for a water-carrying system is shown and described, especially for connecting sanitary taps or for connecting parts of the water-carrying system, having a corrugated inner hose (2) made of plastic, wherein at least one hose end (3, 5) of the pressure hose (1) is provided with a connecting piece (4, 6), designed such that it differs from the inner hose (2), for joining the pressure hose (1) to a complementarily designed connecting piece of a sanitary tap and/or a part of the water-carrying system. According to the invention, it is provided that the inner hose (2) and the connecting piece (4, 6) are formed as one piece and the inner hose (2) and the connecting piece (4, 6) are preferably produced via extrusion in a common extrusion process.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A pressure hose adapted for a water-carrying system for connecting sanitary taps, comprising: a hose portion made of plastic, a connecting piece provided at an end of the pressure hose, the connecting piece differing in shape from the hose portion, and a sealing element, wherein the hose portion and the connecting piece are one monolithic element of one material, wherein the connecting piece comprises at an end face a receiving region on which the sealing element is received, wherein the connecting piece comprises an adjoining region adjoining the hose portion, wherein the connecting piece has on a circumference at least one radially protruding shoulder, the shoulder forming an axial end stop for a tightening element, wherein the shoulder is arranged between the receiving region and sealing element on one side and the adjoining portion on an opposite side, and wherein both an inner and an outer diameter of the connecting piece are smaller in the receiving region than in the adjoining region.

11. The pressure hose according to claim 10, wherein both the inner and outer diameter of the connecting piece directly before and directly behind the shoulder are different.

12. The pressure hose according to claim 10, wherein the inner and outer diameter in the receiving region is constant over the length of the receiving region.

13. The pressure hose according to claim 10, wherein the inner and outer diameter in the adjoining region is constant over the length of the adjoining region.

14. The pressure hose according to claim 10, wherein the pressure hose is adapted for a water pressure of 40 bar or more.

15. The pressure hose according to claim 10, wherein the hose portion and the connecting piece are made of polyphenylsulfone.

16. The pressure hose according to claim 10, wherein both ends of the hose are provided with connecting pieces having a different geometry, a first connecting piece configured to connect a first hose end to a complementarily connecting piece of a tap, and the second connecting piece configured to connect a second hose end to a complementarily connecting piece of a water supply line.

17. The pressure hose according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second connecting piece has, in a transitional region to the hose portion, a larger inner diameter or flow cross section than the hose portion.

18. The pressure hose according to claim 17, wherein the second connecting piece is the connecting piece comprising the shoulder and wherein the first connecting piece comprises an encircling groove on a circumference in which a further sealing element is received.

19. The pressure hose according to claim 10, wherein the hose portion is surrounded over an entire length by a sheathing.

20. The pressure hose according to claim 19, wherein the sheathing is pressed onto the hose portion at least at one hose end from the outside by a clamping element or a pressing sleeve.

21. An extruded product, comprising: a plurality of corrugated hose portions, and a plurality of connection geometry portions, the connection geometry portions differing in shape from the corrugated hose portions, wherein each of the plurality of connection geometry portions is substantially cylindrical, wherein the extruded product with the plurality of corrugated hose portions and the plurality of connection geometry portions is one monolithic element consisting of one plastic material, wherein the plurality of corrugated hose portions and the plurality of connection geometry portions are alternating such that each one of the plurality of connection geometry portions is arranged between two of the plurality of corrugated hose portions and vice versa, wherein each of the connection geometry portions comprises a parting section defining a parting plane that is substantially perpendicular to a main longitudinal extension of the extruded product, and wherein the respective connection geometry portions are cuttable at the parting section along the parting plane to obtain a plurality of hoses such that each of the plurality of hoses has one corrugated hose portion and two connecting pieces on opposite sides of the one corrugated hose portion, the two connecting pieces being substantially cylindrical and formed by portions of two of the cut connection geometry portions.

22. The extruded product according to claim 21, wherein the connection geometry portions are mirror-symmetrical with respect to their parting plane.

23. The extruded product according to claim 21, wherein some or all of the plurality of connection geometry portions have on a circumference at least one radially protruding shoulder, the shoulder forming an axial end stop for a tightening element after cutting of the extruded product.

24. The extruded product according to claim 21, wherein the extruded product is made of polyphenylsulfone.

25. The extruded product according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of connection geometry portions comprises a first type of connection geometry portions and a second type of connection geometry portions, wherein the first type and the second type differ in shape.

26. The extruded product according to claim 25, wherein the arrangement of the plurality of corrugated hose portions and the plurality of connection geometry portions is such that each corrugated hose portion is arranged between one connection geometry portion of the first type and one connection geometry portion of the second type.

27. The extruded product according to claim 25, wherein each connection geometry portion of the second type of connection geometry portions has at least one radially protruding shoulder, the shoulder forming an axial end stop for a tightening element after cutting of the extruded product.

28. The extruded product according to claim 27, wherein each connection geometry portion of the second type of connection geometry portions has exactly two shoulders, wherein one of the two shoulders is located on one side of the parting plane and the other of the two shoulders is located at the opposite side of the parting plane.

29. The extruded product according to claim 25, wherein each connection geometry portion of the first type of connection geometry portions comprises two encircling grooves on a circumference, wherein both an inner and an outer diameter of the connection geometry portion between one of the two grooves and an adjacent hose portion of the plurality of hose portions is larger than an inner and an outer diameter of the connection geometry portion between the two grooves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Further benefits, features, properties and aspects of the present invention will emerge from the claims and the following specification of preferred embodiments with the aid of the drawing. The described and/or depicted benefits, features, properties and aspects of the present invention may be combined with each other as required, even if this is not described or shown in detail. Indicated ranges include all integer values lying in between.

[0052] In the drawing:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a pressure hose according to the invention in a first embodiment,

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the pressure hose shown in FIG. 1,

[0055] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 2 in the region of a first hose end of the pressure hose according to the invention,

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a further enlarged section of FIG. 2 in the region of a second hose end of the pressure hose according to the invention,

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the pressure hose according to the invention in a second embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the pressure hose according to the invention shown in FIG. 5;

[0059] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 6 in the region of the first hose end of the pressure hose;

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a profile hose produced by extrusion in a continuous process having first corrugated hose portions and further hose portions alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the profile hose, the further hose portions forming the connection geometries for the connection to a sanitary tap;

[0061] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a pressure hose according to the invention in a third embodiment and

[0062] FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a device to carry out an extrusion process for producing a profile hose of the kind shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] In the following description, the same reference numbers are used for the same and similar parts and components, with corresponding properties and features resulting from them even without a repeated description.

[0064] FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic side view, a pressure hose 1 according to the invention for a water-carrying system (not shown). In particular, the pressure hose 1 is configured for connecting sanitary taps to a water supply line, especially an angle valve.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through the pressure hose 1 according to the invention of FIG. 1.

[0066] The pressure hose 1 comprises a corrugated inner hose 2 to carry a flow of water, especially a flow of drinking water.

[0067] As is seen especially in FIG. 2, a first connecting piece 4 is provided or formed at a first hose end 3 of the pressure hose 1, and a second connecting piece 6 at a second hose end 5. In this case, the first connecting piece 4 is designed for connecting the first hose end 3 to a complementarily designed connecting piece of a sanitary tap, and the second connecting piece 6 for connecting the second hose end 5 to a complementarily designed connecting piece of a water supply line, especially an angle valve.

[0068] According to the invention, the inner hose 2 and the connecting pieces 4, 6 are made as a single piece, preferably by means of extrusion.

[0069] In order to ensure a pressure-resistant design of the pressure hose 1 according to the invention, a sheathing 7 is provided, especially a stainless steel or polyester braiding. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sheathing 7 extends along the entire length of the inner hose 2 and also partially extends along the connecting pieces 4, 6. Connection portions at the connecting pieces 4, 6, by which the connecting pieces 4, 6 can be joined in sealing manner to complementary connecting pieces of a sanitary tap and/or to parts of a water supply line, are deliberately not enclosed by the sheathing 7. This simplifies the installation of the pressure hose 1 to parts of the water-carrying system.

[0070] For the preferably force-locking connection of the sheathing 7 to the inner hose 2 and the connecting pieces 4, 6, there is provided at each hose end 3, 5 a clamping element 8 in the form of a pressing sleeve. The clamping elements 8 press the sheathing 7 circumferentially against the inner hose 2 and against the connecting pieces 4, 6. This is merely for the purpose of securing the sheathing 7, and not to join the inner hose 2 and the connecting pieces 4, 6 to each other, as in the prior art.

[0071] Preferably, no narrowing of the cross section occurs in the region of the transition between the inner hose 2 and the connecting pieces 4, 6, so that there is no impairment of the flow behavior in this region.

[0072] It is not shown that the clamping elements 8 may also be multipiece, for example, in the form of two half shells. Furthermore, each clamping element 8 may also be provided as a winding, preferably a metal winding, in the region of the hose ends 3, 5.

[0073] In the following, the design of the connecting pieces 4, 6 shall be discussed more closely with the aid of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connecting pieces 4, 6 are formed completely free of corrugation with a cylindrical inner contour. The inner diameter of the connecting pieces 4, 6 may vary in the axial direction.

[0075] In particular, the connecting pieces 4, 6 form a corrugation-free prolongation of the inner hose 2, while the outer diameter of the connecting pieces 4, 6 adjacent to the inner hose 2 has substantially the same outer diameter as the inner hose 2. This makes possible a secure bearing and/or pressing against the sheathing 7 by means of the clamping element 8 and thus a kink-free configuration.

[0076] Furthermore, the connecting pieces 4, 6 have a larger inner diameter than the inner hose 2 adjacent to the inner hose 2, so that a widening of the flow cross section is formed at the transition from the inner hose 2 to the connecting pieces 4, 6.

[0077] FIG. 3 shows a first sectional enlargement of the first connecting piece 4 in the region of the first hose end 3. The first connecting piece 4 is preferably designed for connecting to a complementary designed connecting piece of a sanitary tap (not shown). The first connecting piece 4 is preferably designed so that it can be introduced preferably entirely axially into the sanitary tap, wherein the clamping element 8 may form an inserting end stop for the first connecting piece 4. Furthermore, the first connecting piece 4 has an encircling receiving groove 9 on its circumference to receive a sealing element 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sealing element 10 is formed as a sealing ring with a rectangular cross section.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows a second sectional enlargement of the second connecting piece 6 in the region of the second hose end 5. The second connecting piece 6 is preferably designed for connecting to a complementarily designed connecting piece of a water supply line, for example an angle valve. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second connecting piece 6 is tightened by means of a tightening element (not shown), such as a union nut, against the complementarily designed connecting piece, wherein the tightening element can be screwed onto an external thread of the complementarily designed connecting piece. However, a corresponding tightening element, especially a union nut, may also be provided, of course, for the securing of the first connecting piece 4 to the complementarily designed connecting piece.

[0079] The tightening element may also be part of the pressure hose 1, held on it in captive manner.

[0080] The second connecting piece 6 comprises on its circumference a radially projecting shoulder 11, which forms in particular an abutment and/or an axial end stop for the tightening element and/or the clamping element 8. In this way, a secure attachment of the second hose end 5 and a compact construction are made possible.

[0081] For the end-face sealing of the second hose end 7, the second connecting piece 6 has at its end face a radially encircling holding region and/or receiving region 12 for holding and/or receiving a sealing element 13, preferably a sealing ring. The sealing element 13 can be slid and/or plugged onto the receiving region 12 as far as the shoulder 11. Preferably, the second connecting piece 6 has a larger inner diameter and/or flow cross section than the inner hose 2 in the region of the receiving region 12.

[0082] This makes it possible to tighten the second hose end 7 via the shoulder 11 by means of the tightening element against the complementary connecting piece, wherein in particular the sealing element 13 assures a reliable end-face sealing.

[0083] In the following, a further, second embodiment of the pressure hose 1 according to the invention shall be discussed, wherein the previous explanations apply in particular correspondingly or additionally, even if no repeat description is given.

[0084] FIG. 5 shows in a schematic side view a pressure hose 1 according to the invention in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the pressure hose 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 5.

[0085] The second embodiment of the pressure hose 1 according to the invention differs from the first embodiment in particular regarding the configuration of the first connecting piece 4, whereas the second connecting piece 6 has substantially the same configuration in both embodiments. However, the first connecting piece 6 may also of course be adapted specifically to the manufacturer and/or country in the sense of the solution according to the invention.

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a sectional enlargement of the first connecting piece 4 in the region of the first hose end 3. In this variant, the first connecting piece 4 has two encircling receiving grooves 9 on its circumference, each receiving groove 9 accommodating a sealing element 10 configured as an O-ring. The sealing elements 10 are arranged offset from each other in the axial direction.

[0087] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first connecting piece 4 has a smaller outer diameter than the inner hose 2 and a smaller inner diameter and/or flow cross section. The clamping element 8 may form an insert end stop here. This facilitates the insertion of the first hose end 3 into a complementary connecting piece.

[0088] Of course, the dimensioning and/or shaping and/or configuration of the connecting pieces may differ from the embodiments shown in the figures and accordingly the embodiments shown are merely exemplary in nature.

[0089] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a profile hose produced by continuous extrusion having first corrugated hose portions 26 arranged in an alternating manner in the longitudinal direction of the profile hose with further hose portions 27 and 28, which form the connection geometries for the connection to a sanitary tap. The dot-and-dash lines shown in FIG. 8 respectively designate a parting plane 25 at which the profile hose may be cut to length. Each further hose portion 27, 28 comprises two connection geometry portions 29, 30 arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction of the profile hose and in mirror symmetry to the parting plane 25, so that when the profile hose is cut to length along the respective parting plane 25 two hose portions are obtained with connecting pieces 4, 6 formed at the ends. In this way, one obtains individual corrugated inner hoses 2, each inner hose 2 being joined at both ends to a respective connecting piece 4 and 6 as a single piece. The cutting to length may be done by machining, for example by sawing.

[0090] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the pressure hose according to the invention in a third embodiment. The pressure hose 1 comprises a sheathing 7, two different connecting pieces 4, 6, and a sealing element 10.

[0091] FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a device to carry out an extrusion process to produce a profile hose of the kind shown in FIG. 8. The molten material 14 is delivered from an extruder 15 through a nozzle 16. Inside the nozzle 16 there is arranged a mandrel 17. The mandrel 17 has the effect of making the molten material 14 leave the nozzle 16 as a tubular extrudate.

[0092] The molten material 14 is delivered from the nozzle 16 of the extruder 15 into a so-called corrugator 18. The corrugator 18 consists of two oppositely situated tool cycle systems 19. Each of the two tool cycle systems 19 forms a cycle of individual tool parts, so-called jaws 20. Preferably, the two tool cycle systems 19 have the same number of jaws 20. One jaw 20 of one tool cycle system 19 forms with one jaw 20 of the other tool cycle system 19 a pair of jaws 21, respectively. Opposite jaws 20 are brought together in the transport direction X prior to the exit 22 of the material 14 from the nozzle 16, thereby forming a pair of jaws 21. In this way, a start position of the pair of jaws 21 is defined.

[0093] If a pair of jaws 21 has just been brought together in the production direction X prior to the exit 22 of the material 14 from the nozzle 16 of the extruder 15, no material will yet have been delivered into this pair of jaws 21. The pairs of jaws 21 are conveyed in the transport direction X at the speed of production and/or extrusion. Material is conveyed into a first pair of jaws 21 starting at the time at which the first pair of jaws 21 reaches the exit 22 of the nozzle 16. Behind the first pair of jaws 21 in the production direction X, a second pair of jaws 21 is brought together at the start position and is thus available for the extrusion process. The two successively arranged pairs of jaws 21 lie firmly against each other, without forming a gap, and together form an extrusion tool extending in the production direction X. When the further pair of jaws 21 arranged behind the first pair of jaws 21 reaches the exit region 22 of the nozzle 16, the material 14 will be conveyed into the second pair of jaws 21 starting at that time. A further, third pair of jaws 21 behind the second pair of jaws 21 in the production direction X may be brought together behind the second pair of jaws 21 at the start position and lie against the second pair of jaws 21 without forming a gap. In this way, an extrusion tool consisting of a plurality of consecutive pairs of jaws 21 in the production direction X is formed, running in the production direction X.

[0094] The pairs of jaws 21 may have different internal geometries. Thus, a first pair of jaws 21 for example may form the outer geometry of a further hose portion 27 and a second pair of jaws 21 the outer geometry of a first hose portion 26 (cf. FIG. 8). A third pair of jaws 21 may form the outer geometry of a further hose portion 28 (cf. FIG. 8), thereby obtaining a profile hose with two different connection geometries. Subsequently, the geometry of a first hose portion 26 (FIG. 8) may be extruded with the aid of a fourth pair of jaws 21 directly onto this profile hose. Thus, a profile hose is produced consisting of alternately arranged first hose portions 26 and further hose portions 27, 28. In this way, a virtually endless profile hose can be formed, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0095] If the material 14 extruded into a pair of jaws 21 has cooled enough so that the shaped part, i.e., the portion of the profile hose, has a stable shape, the corresponding pair of jaws 21 can be opened. For this, the individual jaws 20 of the respective tool cycle systems 19 are moved perpendicular to the transport direction X, preferably in opposite directions. The individual jaws 20 may then be transported back, against the transport direction X, to the defined start point, namely, to a position in front of the exit 22 of the nozzle. The jaws 20 may then be brought together again to form a pair of jaws 21 and can then again receive extruded material 14 and shape it. The movement of the jaws 20 and/or the pairs of jaws 21 may be performed with the aid of a transport system, such as a chain drive and/or a rail system.

[0096] The mandrel 17 may have a compressed air feed 23, by which compressed air can be supplied by means of a pressurized duct in order to create an excess pressure inside the closed pairs of jaws 21 into which the material 14 is being conveyed. A sealing plug 24 may be arranged at a distance from the exit 22 of the nozzle 16 in the transport direction X. The sealing plug 24 has the effect that the excess pressure can act across a defined number of pairs of jaws 21, i.e., across a defined length. The excess pressure has the effect that the material 14 is pressed against the inner contour of the pairs of jaws 21, thereby forming the contour of the profile hose inside the pairs of jaws 21. Alternatively, a negative pressure can also be produced across the jaws 20, which likewise has the effect of pressing the material 14 against the inner contour of the jaws 20.

[0097] Depending on the material used, it may be necessary to keep the jaws 20 at a defined temperature. For this purpose, a cooling and/or a heating system may be necessary. When using PPSU as the material 14, it is advantageous for the jaws 20 to be heated to a temperature of around 250 to 300° C. With other materials, temperature-adjustment of the jaws might not be necessary, or a cooling of the jaws may be advantageous.

[0098] After the corrugator 18, a cooling device may be provided (not shown), which further cools down the profile hose, for example with the aid of a water bath. Once the profile hose has been cooled down enough, the profile hose can be wound up on rolls of up to 500 to 700 m or even more. Alternatively, it is also possible to separate the profile hose at the parting planes 25 and to individually roll up, package, or immediately continue processing the inner hoses 2 obtained in this manner, which are connected respectively at their ends to connecting pieces 4 and 6 in a single-piece construction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0099] 1 Pressure hose [0100] 2 Inner hose [0101] 3 Hose end [0102] 4 Connecting piece [0103] 5 Hose end [0104] 6 Connecting piece [0105] 7 Sheathing [0106] 8 Clamping element [0107] 9 Receiving groove [0108] 10 Sealing element [0109] 11 Shoulder [0110] 12 Receiving region [0111] 13 Sealing element [0112] 14 Material [0113] 15 Extruder [0114] 16 Nozzle [0115] 17 Mandrel [0116] 18 Corrugator [0117] 19 Tool cycle system [0118] 20 Jaw [0119] 21 Pair of jaws [0120] 22 Exit [0121] 23 Compressed air feed [0122] 24 Sealing plug [0123] 25 Axis of symmetry [0124] 26 Hose portion [0125] 27 Hose portion [0126] 28 Hose portion