CA2050469A1

CA2050469A1 - Prefabricated tile for an underfloor-air-conditioning system

Info

Publication number: CA2050469A1
Application number: CA002050469A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gerhard Pirchl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Stramax AG
Priority date: 1990-01-19
Filing date: 1991-01-10
Publication date: 1991-07-20
Also published as: NO176938B; HUT58409A; EP0464164B1; DK0464164T3; NO176938C; WO1991010866A1; NO913669D0; BG95135A; FI914375A0; FI96987C; ES2056629T3; HU912987D0; RU2041328C1; HU210628B; FI96987B; BG61238B1; DE59101831D1; PL292007A1; PL167257B1; ATE107011T1

Abstract

(54) Title: (in English) PREFABRICATED TILE FOR AN UNDERFLOOR AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM
(54) Title: PREFABRICATED TILE ELEMENT FOR AN AREA AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM
(57) Abstract: (in English) The tile described has a heat-conducting layer ( 10) located between an insulating layer (2) and a load-distribution layer (12). The insulating layer (2) has a recess (6) designed to hold a tube (8) through which a heat-carrying fluid passes. In order to avoid hotspots in the load-distribution layer (12) above the tube (8), insulation (20, 20a) is fitted between the load-distribution layer (12) and the tube (8).

Description

(57) Summary:
Between an insulating layer (2) and a load distribution ]ayer (12), a heat conducting layer (10) is arranged. The insulating layer (2) contains a recess (6) for receiving a pipe (8) which carries a heat carrying medium. To avoid temperature peaks above the pipe (8) in the load distribution layer (12), between it and pipe (8), an insulation (20, 20a) is provided.

WO9 1/10~66 PCI /CH9 1/00007 Prefabricated Tile Flemen~ for an Area ~ir Conditioning Syslem The invention concerns a prefabricated tile element for an area air conditioning system in accordance with the essence of Claim 1.
A prefabricated tile element of the type mentioned above, is, for instance, manufactured, distributed and fabricated by the firm John & Co. in Achen/Baden under the name of "JOCO-Fussbodenheizung Top 2000" (JOCO Floor Heating Top 2000). In these known prefabricated tile elements, after installing them, a separating layer must be put down over which a normal DIN (Gerrnan Industrial Standard) floor finish must then be applied. Only then can the floor covering be put down. Aside from the fact that this construction method is relatively complicated, it requires a structural height which is not suitable for the rehabilitation of old buildings. Additionally, there is the fact that the top flooring heats more above the pipes, thus causing uneven heat distribution.
The object of the invention is designing a prefabricated tile element of the type mentioned above in such a way that the mentioned disadvantages are avoided.
In accordance with the invention, the task is solved by the characterizing features of Claim 1.
As a resu]t of the fact that the load distribution layer has a thickness which is smaller than that of the insulating layer, a particularly low structural height results so that an area air conditioning system of such tile elements is particularly suitable even for the rehabilitation of old bui]dings. As a result of the fact that the load distribution layer is connected to the heat conducting layer and/or the insulating layer, the installation work is simplified because the additional application of a Qoor finish layer is no longer required. On the load distribution layer, the floor superstructure such as, for instance, ceramic tiles, carpeting or parquet flooring can be attached directly or, if necessary, after prior application of a compensating layer. In spite of the low total height of the tile element, uniform heat distribution results nevertheless, because, as a result of the insulation, above the pipes, the area of the load distribution layer is essentially heated as much as the neighboring areas in which the load distribution layer is directly connected to the heat conducting layer.
Advantageous refinements of the tile element are described in Claims 2 through 20.

The insulation above the pipes can, in the simplest case, be formed, in accordance with Claim 2, by an air gap. Also expedient is an embodiment in accordance with Claim 3, where the insulation strip can be simply inserted into the recess or can be arranged on the underside of a covering strip covering the recess.
The heat peaks in the areas of the pipes can be further reduced by a refnement in accordance with Claim 4.
The heat conducting layer can, for instance, be formed by metallic vapor-sputtering of the insulating layer. More advantageous, however, is a refinement in accordance with Claim S because, as a result of it, particularly a thicker heat conducting layer becomes possible and the risk of damage and thereby an interruption of the heat transfer is reduced. Advantageous is a refinement in accordance with Claim 6. The air gap formed as a result of the distance of the piece of heat conducting sheet metal in the recess reduces the heat transfer in an undesired direction, i.e. toward the subflooring. For this pur~,ose, the tile element is preferable improved in accordance with Claim 7.
In principle, it is possible to design the load distribution layer in such a way that it is applied at the building site, after laying the pipes, for instance by gluing in accordance with Claim 19 or interlocking in accordance with Claim 20. But more advantageous is a refinement in accordance with Claim 8, because then, with the exception of the covering strips, the load distribution layer is, directly prefabricated, connected to the insulating layer and the heat conducting layer. After laying the pipelines, the recesses need merely be closed off by means of the covering strips so that the tile element and/or the area air conditioning system is ready for the application of the top flooring. In principle, it is possible to design the tile elements in such a way that, in the case of contiguous tile elements, the individual layers are also buttjoined. Advantageous, however, is an improvement in accordance with Claim 9, because the covering strips which overlap the contact points allow better load distribution and prevent the contact points from bleeding through the finished top flooring. A particularly advantageous refinement of thecovering strips is described in Claim 10. It is also advantageous to reinforce the covering strips in accordance with Claim 11. The covering strips can be separately supplied and installed. Advantageous, however, is a refinement in accordance with Claim 12 which prevents covering strip losses and simplifies installation. The attachment of the covering strips can be improved by a refinement in accordance with Claim 13.
Particularly advantageous is a refinement of the tile elements in accordance with Claim 14 which improves the interconnection of the individual adjacently placed tile elements.
This also prevents the risk of having contact points bleed through on the top flooring. It J~

is also particularly advantageous, if the tile elements are improved in accordance with Claim 15 so that any unintentional detachment of adjacent tile elements is prevented.
In principle, it is possible to build up the tile elements of the most varied materials. Thus the insulating layer can consist of natural materials such as cork, fibers and similar. But plastics, in particular foamed plastics, are also a possibiiity. Moreover, for this purpose, the insulating layer and the load distribution layer can consist of different or like materials but, no matter what, materials of different specific gravities. Particularly advantageous is a refinement of the tile element in accordanoe with Claim 13 because MegithanR and ReprolitR have proven to be environmentally safe, toxicologically harmless materials which additionally present exoellent physical properties and display good tolerance to foreign matter.
The load distribution layer will advantageously be refined in accordance with Claim 17 and thus offers not only high stability but, in particular, also good heat distribution.
On the underside of the tile element, the latter can additionally be reflned in accordance with Claim 1~, in order to irnprove the insulating characteristics and the foot-step sound characteristics.
Particularly advantageous is also a refinement in accordance with Claim 19 in which the individual layers are glue-bonded to each other, (and) particularly, (if bonded) by means of the same material of which the insulating layer and the load distribution layer in accordance with Claim 16 consist. If neoessary, as mentioned above, the load distribution layer can be attached in accordance with Claim 20.
Sample embodiments of the object of the invention are described in more detail below, based on the drawings which show the following:
Figure I A tile element with an insulating layer, a heat conducting layer and a load distribution layer in a lateral view and in a cutout;
Figure 2 A tile element in which, on an insulating layer, a load distribution layer and, above it, a heat conducting layer is arranged, in a cross section and in a cutout;
Figure 3 A tile element with an anchoring link on the heat conducting layer, in a cross section and in a cutout;

$ ~
Figure 4 A tile element with integrally formed fastening cam of the load distribution layer in the insulating lay~r, in a cross section and in a cutout;
Figure 5 A tile element with snap-type latching of the load distribution layer in the heat conducting layer, in a cross section and in a cutout; and Figure 6 A tile element with snap-type latching of the covering strip, in a cross section and in a cutout;
Figure I shows, in a cross section and in a cutout, a tile element which has an insulating layer 2 which is arranged on an attenuation layer 4, for instance a felt layer or a fleece layer. Insulating layer 2 contains one or more recesses 6, each for one pipe 8 for conducting a heat carrier medium. On the upper side of insulating layer 2 and recess 6, a heat conducting layer 10 is arranged which consists, for instance, of a piece of sheet aluminum. Above heat conducting layer 10 lies a load distribution layer 12, the thickness D2 of which is [smaller (Gersnan word missing)] than thickness D, of the insulating layer. The individual layers are glue-bonded to each other.
Recess 6 in insulating layer 2 is designed in such a way that heat-conducting layer 10 encloses the pipe firmly over at least 180 and forrns, at the same time, an air gap 14 with inside wall 16 of recess 6. For spacing, sectionally arranged beads 18, oriented towards the outside, are provided in heat conducting layer 10. This reduces the heat transfer downward.
Recess 6 is designed in such a way that, above pipe 8, insulation is present through to the load distribution ]ayer 12 which (insulation) attenuates the heat transfer from pipe 8 to load distribution layer 12. This insulation will, in the simplest case, be formed by an air gap 20. For widening the air gap, in insulating layer 2 recesses 22 are present on both sides of the pipe. But it is also possible to insert into recess 6, including the lateral recesses 22, an insulation strip 20a, as indicated by dots and dashes. This insulation strip 20a can be detached or attached to the underside of a covering strip 24 and can be inserted together with it.
Above the insulation and/or air gap 20, above pipe 8, load distribution layer 12 is divided and contains covering strip 24 which laterally overlaps the recesses 22. In the example shown, on the left side, by means of a material bridge 26, covering strip 24 is flexibly connected to the adjacent parts of load distribution layer 12. On the right side, covering strip 24 has a latching lobe 28 by means of which it latches in an undercut 30 of the adjacent load distribution layer. At its front faces 32,34, the tile element has a cross section which causes it to positively latch with Ihe neighboring tile elements. For this purpose, two abutting front faces 42 have a comb 36 which is preferably conically desi~ned. The remaining front faces 34 are provided with corresponding grooves 28.
Furthermore, in the area of front faces 32,34, load distribution layer 12 is set back and the remaining gap between neighboring tile elements is bridged by a covering strip 40 which can preferably be designed in analogy to covering strip 24 above a recess 6. As a result, contact point 42 between two tile elements P"P2 is safely covered.
In the example shown, the tile element consists of insulating layer 2 which is preferably formed of a foamed MegithanR (a caprolacton compound) or ReprolitR (a polyacrylic polyurethane compound) and preferably has a specific gravity between 800 and 1000 N/m3. Thickness D, of the insulating layer is, for example, 18 to 23 mm. The heat conducting layer is formed by a piece of sheet alurninum which may, for example, have a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mrn. The load distribution layer 12 can, for exarnple, have a thickness D2 of 2 to 10 mrn and can also be formed of the most varied materials,preferably, however, it consists of MegithanR or ReprolitR with a corresponding higher density of 2 000 to 3 000 N/m3, for instance. In any case, the embodiment is such that the common load values for tloors, for example 10 000 to 20 000 Ntcm2 are achieved.
Load distribution layer 12 will expediently be provided with a filler material, for example graphite or aluminum powder, in order to increase the heat conductivity. If necessary, the load distribution layer can also have a reinforcing insert, in the form of glass fibers, for instance. Covering strip 24 which covers up the recess preferably consists of the same material as load distribution layer 12 but without heat conducting filler materials. On the other hand, covering strip 24 can also be provided with a reinforcing insert, in the form of glass fibers, for instance. Covering strip 40 at contact point 42 will expediently again be provided with a heat conducting filler material and can, moreover, receive a reinforcing insert.
The entire build-up of the tile element is preferably made in such a way that the total thickness will be approx. 25 mm. The size of the tile element will preferably be 450 x 900 or 600 x 900 mm. Every tile element contains a number of recesses 6 for pipes 8 the distance of which is preferably 150 mm.
Figure 2 shows another sample embodiment of a tile element with an insulating layer 44 which has a recess 46 for pipe 8. In this sample embodiment, on insulating layer 44, there is arranged first of all load distribution layer 48 and finally, above it, heat conducting layer 50 in the form of a piece of sheet aluminum. Load distribution layer 48 and insulating layer 44 have a recess 52 in which a covering strip 54 is arranged which covers up recess 46 and a lateral recess 56. Covering strip 54 is thicker than load distribution layer 48. Moreover, the covering strip contains, on both longitudinal faces 58, lobes 60 by means of which it latches in grooves 62 in the two lateral walls 64 of recess 52. In this sample embodiment, again, the individual layers, i. e. insulating layer 44, load distribution layer 48 and heat conducting layer 50 are preferably glue-bonded to each other by means of MegithanR. Insulating layer 44 and load distribution layer 48 preferably also consist of MegithanR and/or ReprolitR of different specific gravities.
Heat distribution layer 50 can be covered by a protective layer or protective plastic sheet in a manner which is not specifically illustrated.
Figure 3 shows another sample embodiment of a tile element in which heat conducting layer 66 is embedded between insulating layer 68 and load distribution layer 70. Heat conducting layer 66 which again consists of a piece of sheet metal, has an integrally formed anchoring ]ink 72 which is embedded in insulating layer 68.
In the tile element of Figure 4, a heat conducting layer 74 is again embedded between an insulating layer 76 and a load distribution layer 78. Heat conducting layer 74 contains an orifice 80 through which, during application of load distribution layer 48 and compression of the same, a material plug 82 was pressed into the softer insulating layer 76, creating or improving the connection between the layers.
In the sample embodiment of Figure 5, a heat conducting layer 84 is again embedded between an insulating layer 86 and a load distribution layer 88. For fastening the load distribution layer 88, a snap-type latching device 90 is present, with heat conducting layer 84 which is positively connected to insulating layer 86, containing a latching recess 92, into which a head-type latching element 94 of load distribution layer 88 latches. The arrangement can be made in such a way that the connection between load distribution layer 88 and heat conducting layer 84 and/or insulating layer 86 is achieved exclusively across a multiplicity of latching devices which are distributed over the tile element.
Figure 6 shows another tile element in which a heat conducting layer 96 is sandwiched between an insulating layer 98 and a load distribution layer 100. Insulating layer 98 contains again a recess 102 for receiving pipe 8 as well as a recess 104 for receiving a covering strip 106. The latter overlaps recess 102 and an expanding recess 108. Covering strip 106 is connected, by means of a snap-type latching device 110 in analogy to latching device 90 of Figure 5, to the heat conducting layer 96 and thereby also to insulating layer 98. For this purpose, heat conducting layer 96 contains integrally formed latching recesses 112 and covering strip 106 contains head-type latching elements 114 projecting downward which latch into latching recess 112. Instead of the latching device 220, covering strip 106 can also be provided with integrally formed suction cups which are not illustrated and which attach by suction to the bottom of the recesses. Otherwise, the tile element of Figure 6 corresponds essentially to the tile element of Figure 1.

REFERENCE LIST
P, Tile element P2 Tile element D2 Thickness of 12 Dl Thickness of 2 2 Insulating layer 4 Attenuating layer 6 Recess 8 Pipe 10 Heat conducting layer 12 Load distribution layer 14 Air gap 16 Inside wall 18 Beads 20 Air gap 22 Recess 24 Covering strip 26 Material bridge 28 Latching lobe 30 Undercut 32 Front face 34 Front face 36 Comb 38 Channel 40 Covering strip 42 Contact point 44 Insulating layer 46 Recess 48 Load distribution layer 50 Heat conducting layer 52 Recess 54 Covering strip 56 Recess 58 Longitudinal front face 60 Lobe 62 Groove 7~

64 Side wall 66 Heat conducting layer 68 Insulating layer 70 Load distribution layer 72 Anchoring link? element 74 Heat conducting layer 76 Tnsulating layer 78 Load distribution layer Orifice 82 Material plug 84 Heat conducting layer 86 Insulating layer 88 Load distribution layer 90 Latching device 92 Latching recess 94 Latching element 96 Heat conducting layer 98 Insulating layer 100 Load distribution layer 1 02 Recess 104 Recess 106 Covering strip 108 Recess 110 Latching device I l2 Latching recess 114 Latching element

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Prefabricated tile element for an area air conditioning system, with an insulating layer (2,44,68,76,86,98) which has recesses (6,46,102) arranged in accordance with a laying pattern for receiving pipes (8) for a heat carrier medium, with the upper side of the insulating layer and the recesses being connected to a heat conducting layer (10,50,66,74.84,96), characterized by the fact that above the insulating layer (2,44,68,76,86,98) and/or above the heat conducting layer (10,50,66,74.84,96), aload distribution layer (12,48,70,78,88,100) connected to same is arranged the thickness (D2) of which is smaller than that (D,) of the insulating layer and with each recess (6,46,102) being designed in such a way that, between the pipe (8) and the load distribution layer, insulation (20,20a) is present.

2. Tile element in accordance with Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the insulation above pipe (8) is formed by an air gap (20).

3. Tile element in accordance with Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the insulation is formed by an insulating strip (20a).

4. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 3, characterized by the fact that in the insulating layer (2,44,98), on both sides of the recess (6,46,102), a recess (22,56,108) is present which widens the insulation (20,20a) above the pipe.

5. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 4, characterized by the fact that the heat conducting layer (10,50,66,74,84,96) is formed of a piece of heat conducting sheet metal, preferably of aluminum.

6. Tile element in accordance with Claim 5, characterized by the fact that the piece of heat conducting sheet metal (10) is arranged in the recess (6) at least in sections at a distance from its inside wall (16).

7. Tile element in accordance with Claim 6, characterized by the fact that the piece of heat conducting sheet metal (10) has, in the area of the recess (6), beads (18) which run diagonally to the longitudinal direction of the recess and that these beads determine the distance from the inside wall (16) of the recess.

8. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 7, characterized by the fact that, in the area of the recess (6,46,102), the load distribution layer(12,48,100) is formed by a covering strip (24,54,106) which is wider than the recess and has preferably greater stability and/or lower heat conductivity than the remainder of the load distribution layer.

9. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 8, characterized by the fact that the load distribution layer (12) is formed, in the area of the contact point (42) with a neighboring tile element (P2), by a covering strip (40) projecting over the contact point (42).

10. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 8 and 9, characterized by the fact that the covering strip (54,106) is thicker than the load distribution layer (48,100) and that the insulating layer (44,98) has a corresponding recess (56,104) for receiving the covering strip (54,106) in such a way that the upper side of the covering strip is flush with the upper side of the adjacent load distribution layer.

11. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 8 through 10, characterized by the fact that the covering strips (24,40,54,106) have a reinforcing insert, preferably a fiberglass reinforcement.

12. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 8 through 10, characterized by the fact that the covering strips (24,40) are unilaterally flexibly conencted to the load distribution layer (12).

13. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 8 through 10, characterized by the fact that the covering strips (24,40,54,106) are arranged latchably.

14. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 13, characterized by the fact that, on each of two neighboring front faces (32), it has a preferably conical comb (36) and on each of the other front faces (34), it has corresponding channels (38).

15. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 14, characterized by the fact that the front faces are designed latchable with the front faces of neighboring tile elements.

16. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 15, characterized by the fact that the insulating layer (2,44,68,76,86,98) and/or the load distribution layer (12,48,70,78,88,100) consists of MegithanR or ReprolitR, but that the layers have different specific gravities.

17. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 16, characterized by the fact that the load distribution layer (12,48,70,78,88,100) contains a heat conducting filler material, for example graphite powder or aluminum powder.

18. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 17, characterized by the fact that, under the insulating layer (2), additionally a felt layer or a fleece layer is arranged.

19. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 18, characterized by the fact that the individual layers are glue-bonded to each other, preferably bymeans of MegithanR.

20. Tile element in accordance with one of the Claims 1 through 18, characterized by the fact that the load distribution layer (78,88) is connected, positively locking, preferably by means of latching elements (82,90), to the heat conducting layer (74,84) and the insulating layer (76,86).