WO2002034094A1

WO2002034094A1 - Weather-resistant mat having electric heating

Info

Publication number: WO2002034094A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/012013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Damitz
Original assignee: Sinoda Industriegummi Gmbh; Creafloor
Priority date: 2000-10-21
Filing date: 2001-10-17
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: DE20018040U1; AU2002219043A1; WO2002034094B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a weather-resistant mat (10, 110) having electric heating (14, 114). The mat comprises a plate-like support made of (preferably flexible) plastic or rubber, inside of which (at least) a resistance wire (14, 114) is embedded that enables the surface of the support to be heated by means of externally supplied electric energy (16, 18). According to the invention, at least two opposite lateral faces (20, 122) of the mat (10, 110) are provided with two (or more) connection means (24, 26), which are compatible with one another and which are designed in such a manner that they enable a second mat (110) equipped with identical connection means to be mechanically and electrically connected to the first mat (10).

Description

Weatherproof floor mat with electric heating

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a weatherproof floor mat with electrical heating, comprising a plate-like carrier made of plastic or rubber, in which a heating wire is embedded, by means of which the surface of the carrier can be heated by means of externally supplied electrical energy.

Brief description of the state of the art

DE 39 12 898 A1 discloses a heating mat for electrically heating floors, the heating mats being embedded in an investment material (screed). The b e k a n te H e i z m a tte w i rd a l s F fl a c h e n e l e m e n t a n g e b ote s, which allows connecting devices for connecting different heating mats to one another in a geometrically predetermined manner. These connecting devices can be detachable connecting devices, push buttons, plug connections, Velcro fasteners, zippers. A central conductor is described as a heating conductor that can only be connected on one side, with a central conductor insulation layer and a heating wire arrangement spirally wound on the central conductor insulation layer, a heating wire insulation layer and possibly an outer copper braid on the heating wire insulation layer, which serves as a neutral conductor. A plastic film serves as a placeholder and fixing device for the heating cable and is at the same time an additional mechanical protection for the heating cables. As a mat element, the heating mat can be kept in stock and makes planning work superfluous. An electrician can take stock goods to the construction site and mount them there immediately.

It is disadvantageous that the known heating mat can only be used as a heating device to be used in the screed area or under a floor covering.

From DE 41 26 723 A1 a wall or floor covering is known, with one Fibers, threads or castable material made of a plate-shaped, flexible layer and a large number of one or both sides on the outside of the layer stand a ngeo nd n ned n thread sections to enlarge the possible uses. The layer consists of layer parts, which extend parallel to the layer plane and can be connected to one another, from the same or different materials. In the common parting plane of the layer parts, electrical resistance heating conductors, supported directly or indirectly by holding members, are laid in a loop or arc shape and can be connected to an external electrical power source.

As the first conductor of the wire or strip made of a resistance heating material. Here, the heating wires or heating tapes can be laid along the parting plane of the layer parts. However, the heating wires or heating tapes can also comprise a silicone jacket which is temperature-resistant up to approximately 180 ^° C. and can be insulated from one another by this. They can be laid in the separation plane of the layer in the form of loops or arches with the same spacing or with different spacing from one another. A transformer that can be connected to the power supply system is specified as the current source, the secondary winding of which can be connected to the heating wires or strips is designed, for example, for voltages between 12 and 42 V. Such a power source is stated to be accident-proof. The heating wires or heating tapes can form a single circuit, but two circuits are preferred, which can normally be applied to the power source individually or simultaneously via switch or plug connectors. In this way, performance levels are made possible. A continuously working, e.g. B. mentioned in the form of a phase control provided arrangement.

A connection of such a floor covering arrangement to another is not provided.

Both known arrangements are not suitable for outdoors. Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a weatherproof floor mat according to the type mentioned, which makes it possible to be combined with similarly constructed, further floor mats, so that ultimately any surfaces and surface shapes can be heated outdoors. In this way, for example, sidewalks can be kept ice-free in winter, or dangerous or heavily inclined vehicle driveways can be made snow and ice-free and / or kept. The weatherproof floor mat should also be designed so that stairs can be secured.

solutions

The object is achieved in that the floor mat on opposite side surfaces comprises two (or more) mutually compatible connection means which are designed such that a second floor mat equipped with the same connection means can be mechanically and / or electrically connected to the first floor mat. In this way, any length of strip-shaped surface can be uniformly heated with a single type of floor mat, and surfaces of any width can also be covered by juxtaposing a plurality of such strips. If such compatible connection means are provided on more than two opposing end faces of the floor mats or side faces of the strips, the individual strips can also be connected to one another at least mechanically.

If you make the connection means between two floor mats so flexible that you can bend the mats around their connecting line by at least 90 ^° , this also enables laying in the area of stepped sub-floor forms, for example in the area of stair treads. According to a further development, the connection can be a plug-in or keder rod connection that can be locked against unintentional loosening. This ensures that the floor mats are placed side by side do not unintentionally separate from each other due to mechanical stress.

The connection can be a perpendicular or parallel to the top of the mat, in the profi le a h i nte sci ng a n u a s on u, z. B. be dovetail-shaped mechanical plug-in or piping rod connection, which holds the side edges of two mats lying next to each other in close contact.

The connection can have an electrically conductive contact point or contact strip in the area of the mechanical plug connection, which has an electrical connection to a heating wire and optionally to a contact strip of another, e.g. B. opposite connector of the same mat.

As a further construction, it is conceivable that the plug connections of the floor mat can be connected to those of laterally adjacent floor mats in such a way that the heating wires of the individual floor mats are electrically parallel to one another, so that the overall voltage remains low.

Alternatively, however, the connection can also be made in such a way that they (or groups of them) are electrically connected in series.

The connection of two floor mats can take place via tongue and groove connecting devices, or via a wedge or keder bar which engages in corresponding grooves of mats lying next to one another. According to a further development of a connection that is flexible, the connections can form a distance that allows movement play between the side surfaces of adjacent floor mats, in such a way that, for example, adjacent floor mats can be pivoted to one another by a tilt angle of up to 180 ^° . This would have the advantage that already connected floor mats can be kept in stock, the storage either being rolled up or, for example, folded like an accordion. Such a connection can be realized particularly easily in that the mechanical and optionally also electrical connection is made by means of two (or more) essentially parallel metal wires, such as (solid or stranded) steel wires. A series of such floor mats connected by means of steel wires results in a strip-like floor mat surface. So that several such strip-shaped surfaces can be placed next to one another and fixed, it is advantageous if the end faces of a row of rectangular floor mats connected by metal wires have devices for engaging the end faces of a second, further row of floor mats lying next to the first row to take.

The gap areas remaining between the individual abutting floor mats can be covered according to a development of the invention by sealing lips which protrude from one edge of the one floor mat to the adjacent floor mat and thereby prevent moisture and rain from penetrating into the gap.

This has the advantage that existing electrical connection devices do not corrode.

The floor mat expediently has holding knobs on its underside in order to prevent unwanted displacement when the floor mat is subjected to a lateral load.

The floor mat can have through holes from the upper side to the support surface so as to allow rainwater and thaw water to pass through, the water running downwards being able to drain through cavities which are formed between the knobs.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a floor mat, according to which, in a two-part or multi-part form, the mat material around in a central plane the heating wires arranged with the mold are molded, cast or pressed around with connecting contacts.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawings.

It shows:

Fig. 1 in a plan view three rectangular weatherproof

Floor mats which are mechanically linked to one another via tongue-and-groove connections arranged perpendicular to the surface, in the area of which electrical contact devices are also provided;

2 shows a top view of floor mats which are aligned and held to one another by means of steel bands or steel cables;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the arrangement of held with steel strips

Floor mats on a staircase;

4 is a perspective view of a dovetail

Connection between two floor mats;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through the connection according to FIG. 4 to explain sealing lips;

Fig. 6 in a plan view of a floor mat with a reversible egg-shaped insert

Heating wire, with contacts and through holes for water;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the floor mat shown in Fig. 6 for Explanation of knobs on the underside;

Fig. 8 shows schematically a way of connecting similar

Floor mats to a larger area and their electrical connection in parallel;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 for the case of electrical

Series;

10 is a perspective view of the connection of two mats by means of a dovetail-shaped connecting piece, the profile axis of which is perpendicular to the floor mat surface;

Fig. 11 shows a corresponding connection as Fig. 10, but in which

Profile axis is arranged parallel to the floor surface;

FIG. 12 shows a mold, schematically shown in side view, for producing a floor mat; FIG.

13 shows a plan view of two mats lying next to one another which are connected to one another by means of mechanical, detachable connecting means;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the U-shaped

Connection means;

15 shows a sectional view through a floor mat with a cavity receptacle of a plug connection; and

16 shows a cross-sectional view through the arrangement according to FIG. 15.

Detailed description of the invention Fig. 1 shows a weatherproof floor mat 10 with electrical heating, comprising a plate-like or strip-like carrier 12, for. B. in the form of a rectangle, made of (preferably flexible) plastic or rubber, in which (at least) a heating wire 14 is embedded, by means of the externally supplied electrical energy, see transformer 16 and the connecting cable 18, the surface of the carrier 12 can be heated is. The floor mat 10 has at least two opposite side surfaces 20, 22 (or 120, 122 with respect to a further floor mat 110) two (or more) connecting means 24, 26 or 124, 126 aligned with one another, 24 in the embodiment shown dovetail-shaped undercut groove in the side surface is aligned perpendicular to the plate surface, while 26 is a corresponding dovetail-shaped tongue that can be inserted into this groove.

With the help of the two connection means, two floor mats 10, 110 can be mechanically connected to one another. If corresponding contact strips are also provided in the area of the connection, there is also an electrical connection which makes it possible to supply electrical energy to the heating wires 14, 114 arranged near the surface of the mats via the connecting line 18.

1, the dovetail-shaped grooves 24 of the heating mat 10 are connected to the connecting line 18 via a connecting strip 28, which carries corresponding spring contacts 24. The connecting line 18 supplies, for example, an electrical direct current or alternating current via two line poles, which flows via the two contacts 24 shown and via corresponding connecting lines 30, 32 extending through the mat to further contacts 26. Resistance wires 14, 414 are connected to these two lines 30, 32, which may be present as lines embedded in the mat material, but also as contact strips 430, 432, for mats 10 and 410, for example, in the form of meandering resistance wires 14, 414. Alternatively, As with the mat 110, a series of resistance wires 114 arranged in parallel can also be provided. These resistance wires 14, 414, 1 14 are also enclosed in the mat material and are thus protected against damage and weather conditions.

In Fig. 2 several elongated floor mats 210 can be seen, with connection means that allow adjacent floor mats 210 or 310 to be flexibly linked to each other, which makes it possible, for example, to occupy a staircase, as shown in Fig. 3. The simplest, most stable and safest in terms of electrical contact is a construction in which z. B. two (at 310) or three (at 210) mutually parallel metal wires 34 are provided, which on the one hand serve to supply power and in this respect supply resistance wires 14 with electrical energy in the manner already described, on the other hand adjacent floor mats 210 and 110 respectively connect with each other in such a way that they can be pivoted towards each other. In order to enable the desired flexibility between two adjacent mats connected to one another by means of wires, the sides of the mats lying against one another can either be flexible and / or rounded, or, more simply, have a certain distance 36, several of these being connected to one another by means of steel wires 34 Mat elements in turn form a unit, for example a unit consisting of (according to FIG. 2) six mats 210, shown on the left, or, narrower and shorter, two mats 310 (shown on the right in FIG. 2). Different units can then e.g. B. can be linked to one another in a suitable manner by means of welded or clamped connections 38. In this way, different, even irregular, surface shapes can be covered, as is to be indicated by the oblique line 40. Such units consisting of several mats can be downsized by simply separating individual mats with their corresponding wire sections. For example, three units, each with two mats, can be obtained from a unit comprising six individual mats, as shown on the right in FIG. 2. Longer elements can also be shortened by simply sawing off part of the element, for example from the two mats with three wires in FIG. 2 Above right, the shortened mats with two wires according to FIG. 2 can be obtained at the bottom right.

End faces 42, 142, see FIG. 10, can also be provided with undercut depressions 44, 144, into which, for example, a dovetail-shaped connecting wedge 46 can be inserted in order to connect the two end ends 42, 142 to one another.

This connection between the end edges can either be perpendicular to the surface of the floor mat 210, 310, as shown in FIG. 10, or parallel to it, as shown in FIG. 11.

Adhesive connections are also possible.

Fig. 4 shows that an electrically conductive contact point or contact strip 48, 148 can be provided in the area of a mechanical plug connection, for example to connect connecting wires 30, 32 of a floor mat 10 with corresponding connecting wires or lines of another floor mat 110 (Fig. 1 ) connect to. In order to mechanically connect the two mat areas 10, 110 shown in FIG. 4, one only needs to insert the tongue area 26 from above into a correspondingly designed recessed groove area 124 in the direction of arrow 50.

The sealing lips 52 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4 can be provided, sealing the remaining gaps 54 between the two parts 10, 110 upwards in order to enable additional weather protection, in particular of the contact surfaces 48, 148, and to prevent their corrosion.

A corresponding sealing lip 152 can also be attached to part 110 on the underside, see FIG. 5. Also in the construction shown in FIG. 2, the gap 36 between two floor mats 210 or 310 can be bridged and closed by a sealing lip, e.g. B. in the form as can be seen in Fig. 3 at 56.

A single mat 14 is shown in FIG. 6, in which a meandering heating wire 414 ends on both sides in contact strips 430, 432. These contact strips extend over the entire edge length of the floor mat. They thus replace the lines 30, 32 in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. Floor mats 410 of this type can be arranged in series according to FIG. 8 and connected in parallel, so that they all receive the same voltage from a voltage source 416, supplied via parallel connection lines 418 ,

In this circuit, contact points 58, 60 or 158, 160 are connected to corresponding contact points of adjacent mats, see FIG. 8.

However, an interconnection according to FIG. 9 can also be carried out, the individual floor mats lying horizontally according to FIG. 9 being connected in series, so that there is a four-fold voltage requirement and a correspondingly reduced current requirement with the same heating power for the current source 516 connected via lines 518, since it is a series connection.

A particularly secure and stable connection between adjacent floor mats results if the mechanical connection means consist of a U-bracket 646, which consist of a detachable or non-detachable crossbar 746, the U-bracket legs extending through abutting edge areas of mats 610, 710 which abut one another. For this purpose, it is expedient if the mats have edge openings 644 which receive the U-legs, while the web of the U-shaped bracket 646 and the transverse web 746 can expediently be inserted in depressed areas of the mat, in order to ensure that the surface is as flat as possible to preserve for the mat construction. The ends of the leg of the U-bracket 646 can be equipped with a thread for attaching fastening screws, or also with a roughening for attaching clamping disks or the like.

The mechanical coupling of several floor mats of this type also reduces the risk of theft, since the relatively high weight of the individual mats makes it unlikely that a plurality of such mats can simply be carried away.

FIG. 13 shows on the left the top of two mats lying next to one another with the openings 644, 744 perpendicular to the mat surface, with the transverse channel 647 aligned with one another, into which the U-shaped bracket 646, FIG. 13 on the far left, can be inserted. The right half of FIG. 13 shows the back of two mats lying next to one another, with again the openings 644, 744 of the two mats 610 and 710, which in turn are connected by a transverse channel, in which mat 710 is designated by reference number 749 , The transverse web 746, which can be placed on the U-leg ends, can in turn be inserted in this transverse channel and finally locked with a nut or other fastening means, see the right-hand side in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

A particularly good fuse for the electrical connection means is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. In this case, a connecting wire 818 emerging from the mat material of the mat 810 is provided with a plug 850 (or correspondingly with a plug socket or the like. Electrical connecting means), while a connecting wire 918 emerging from the mat material of a second, adjacent mat 910 with a socket 960 or plug or The like. Electrical connection means (one being female and the other male, so that they can be plugged into one another) is equipped, which connector is provided with connecting wires in a slot-like cavity arranged on the underside of the first and / or second mat 810, 910, in the plugged or otherwise connected plugs, sockets, plug combinations or the like. Electrical connection means 858, 960 are protected together with the associated connecting wire or wires (818, 918) and, if necessary, can be accommodated in a dustproof and watertight manner. The slot can be shaped in such a way that, after the connection means have been accommodated, it closes automatically as a result of the elasticity of the material and thereby closes the cavity towards the bottom and is thus secured against dirt and moisture, as in FIG. 16, a cross-sectional illustration of FIG. 15, is indicated.

The perspective view of the lower edge of the floor mat 410 according to FIG. 6, see FIG. 7, shows that the floor mat can be provided with openings 59 in order to discharge rainwater or other moisture which may collect on the surface downwards.

Knobs 61 can be arranged on the underside of the floor mat 410 in order to increase its slip resistance on the surface.

In addition, the distance of the lower mat surface from the support surface (floor) that is obtained in this way enables better drainage of rain or condensation water passing through the openings 59.

The heating not only enables faster defrosting of ice and snow, but also the surface dries faster after a snowfall or rain.

A floor mat, for example that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, can be produced in that in a two-part (or multi-part) form the mat material, such as synthetic rubber, for example, around heating wires arranged in the central plane 62 of the two mold halves 64, 66 or Terminal contacts 414, 430 are sprayed around or pressed around or encapsulated. It would thus be possible to insert two rubber disks 68, 70 with heating wires 414 and contacts 430 between them into the mold halves 64, 66 and then to close the mold, the material of the rubber disks being caused by high temperature and high pressure fuses or vulcanizes with each other, enclosing wires and contacts, and flows into the recesses 72 to form the knobs 61, while at the same time projecting pins 74 produce the openings 59. The process is very efficient and inexpensive and also enables the production of several contiguous mats, which can then be wound up into a roll or stacked into a stack stacked like an accordion.

Alternatively, plastic mats can also be produced by spraying.

A great advantage of the heating mat construction according to the invention is that if a heating mat (in a row of heating mats) is damaged, for example due to a heating wire breaking, only this mat has to be replaced, this being very simple, while in conventional systems, for example in the screed embedded, or lie below paving stones, the screed must first be broken open or the paving stones removed.

Temperature sensors or sensors arranged in a suitable place can use control devices to ensure that the system is switched on and thus electricity is only used at sufficiently low temperatures and precipitation that lead to black ice and snow.

The arrangement according to FIG. 2 can be marketed by the meter, it can be stored and transported in a rolled-up or folded-up state.

Industrial applicability

The invention can be evaluated commercially in the rubber goods industry.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Weatherproof floor mat (10) with electrical heating, comprising a plate-like carrier (12) made of (preferably flexible) plastic or rubber, in which (at least) a heating wire (14) is embedded, by means of the externally supplied electrical energy (16, 18) the surface of the carrier (12) can be heated, characterized in that the floor mat (10) has at least two opposite side surfaces (20) two (or more) mutually compatible connecting means (24, 26, 28, 30, 32), which are designed such that a second floor mat (1 12) equipped with the same connection means can be mechanically and / or electrically connected to the first floor mat (12).

2. Floor mat according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means are so flexible that they allow kinking about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side surfaces.

3. Floor mat according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means represent a lockable against unwanted loosening plug or keder rod connection (Fig. 9, 10).

4. Floor mat according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection means a perpendicular or parallel to the top of the floor mat (12), in profile having an undercut, z. B. are dovetail-shaped mechanical plug-in or wedge bar connection, which holds the adjacent side surfaces (20, 22) of two floor mats (12, 112) close to each other.

5. Floor mat according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the mechanical connection means consist of a U-bracket (646) with detachable or non-detachable crossbar (746), the U-bracket legs through Pass adjoining edge areas of adjacent mats (610, 710).

6. Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connection means in the area of the mechanical plug connection have an electrically conductive contact point or contact strip (48, 148) which with the heating wire (14, 114) and optionally with a contact strip other, e.g. B. opposite connector is connected.

7. Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical connection means comprise the following: a connecting wire emerging from the mat material of a first mat (810)

(81 8) with plug or socket (858) or d g l. electrical

Connection devices, one emerging from the mat material of a second, adjacent mat (910)

Connection wire (918) with socket or plug (960) or the like electrical

Connection devices, and a slot-like cavity (876) arranged on the underside of the first and / or second mat (810), in which the plug-and-socket combination or dg l. electrical

Connection devices together with associated connecting wires or

Connection wires (818, 918) preferably dust and waterproof can be accommodated.

8. Floor mat according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the plug connections (58, 60; 158, 160) of the floor mat (12, 1 12, 410) can be connected to those of laterally adjacent floor mats that the heating wires ( 414) of the floor mats are electrically parallel to one another (FIG. 8).

9. Floor mat according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the plug connections (58, 60; 158, 160) of the floor mat (410) can be connected to those of laterally adjacent floor mats (410) in such a way that the heating wires (414) the floor mats (410) are electrically in series with one another (FIG. 9).

10. Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connection is made by an intermediate piece (46, Fig. 10) or an intermediate rod (246, Fig. 11).

11. Floor mat according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means (14, 34) between the side surfaces (20, 22) of adjacent floor mats (210; 310) leave a clearance allowing movement, such that adjacent floor mats to one another by a tilt angle of 90 °, preferably 180 ^° can be pivoted.

12. Floor mat according to claim 11, characterized in that the mechanical and optionally also the electrical connection by means of two (or more) mutually parallel metal wires (14, 34), such as simple or stranded steel wires.

13. Floor mat according to claim 12, characterized in that the end faces (42, 142) of a row of metal wires (34) interconnected rectangular floor mats (210, 310) have means (26, 124; 46) to end faces (42, 142) of a second row of floor mats (310, 210) lying next to the first row.

14. Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that sealing lips (52, 152) (56) which emanate from at least one of the floor mats (110) cover the gaps (54) (34) located between the floor mats.

15. Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that knobs (61) are arranged on the underside of the floor mats.

16. Floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that through holes (59) extend from the top of the floor mat (410) to the underside of the floor mat.

17. A method for producing a floor mat according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that in a two-part or multi-part form (64, 66) mat material (70) around heating wires (414, 430) arranged in a plane of the form with connecting contacts and possibly connecting means is injected or pressed around.

18. A method for producing a floor mat according to claim 17, characterized in that several floor mats are produced simultaneously or in succession in such a way that they can be rolled up as a row or folded like an accordion by means of the connecting means.