Silencer for installation in an air duct

Abstract

The invention relates to a sound damper (401) for installation in an air duct (421), in particular in a flat duct, having at least one sound-absorbing damping element (402) which extends essentially in the longitudinal direction (X) and having at least one holding device (403) which at least partially accommodates the damping element (402) and which has fastening means (404) for fixing the sound damper (401) in the air duct (421). A combination comprising an air duct (421) and such a sound damper (401) is also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a muffler for installation in air ducts, particularly in flat ducts, the muffler having at least one sound-absorbing damping element extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the air duct and having at least one retaining device that at least partially receives the damping element and has a fastening means for securing the muffler in the air duct. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising an air duct and a muffler. Background Technology

[0002] DE10126475A1 discloses a silencer for operation in an air duct of an indoor area processing unit, used to determine the volumetric flow rate through the duct. However, structural details of the installation of the silencer in the air duct are not disclosed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a silencer for air ducts that is easy to install and can be variably adapted to different installation conditions.

[0004] This objective is achieved by air ducts and components having the features of the independent claims.

[0005] Therefore, a muffler for installation in air ducts, particularly in flat ducts, is proposed, the muffler having at least one sound-absorbing damping element extending substantially in the longitudinal direction, and having at least one retaining device that at least partially receives the damping element and has a fastening device for securing the muffler in the air duct.

[0006] One advantage of the muffler according to the invention is that it can be variably adapted to different spatial conditions. By means of a retaining device provided only locally, for example on the end face, the muffler can be adjusted to almost any desired length, and thus, in different situations, corresponding damping elements of appropriate length or several parallel damping elements can be installed.

[0007] Another advantage is that the standardized connection between the muffler and the air duct makes it particularly easy to install the muffler at almost any point in the air duct without the need for additional fasteners, and the muffler can be easily repositioned later if needed.

[0008] Specifically, the silencer can be a splitter silencer. For example, the sound-absorbing damping element can be a damping pad. The silencer can be designed as a multi-element silencer. It can be configured such that the silencer or at least one damping element has different pad materials. In particular, at least one damping element can be fixed between two end-mounted retaining devices. The fastening device can be designed such that the silencer can be inserted longitudinally into the installed air duct. The fastening device can be designed such that the silencer can only move in the longitudinal direction of the air duct. Furthermore, the fastening device can be preloaded in the installed state such that a predetermined force threshold must be overcome to displace the silencer in the longitudinal direction. It can be configured such that a portion of the damping element is not surrounded or received by at least one retaining device. Therefore, a part protruding from the damping element receiving portion of at least one retaining device can be installed at an exposed position in the air duct.

[0009] The silencer can be configured to have at least two damping elements made of different sound-absorbing materials, the at least two damping elements being configured to attenuate sound in different frequency ranges. Since sound is emitted primarily over a very wide frequency range—for example, fans operate up to 1000 Hz—but a single material cannot adequately cover the entire relevant frequency range, it is advantageous to use at least two different damping materials. In particular, the use of foam materials is advantageous. It is conceivable that at least one of the padding materials includes melamine resin foam. It is also conceivable that polyurethane, polyether, polyester, or rigid sound-absorbing foams are used as additional foam insulation materials. The use of two or more materials in a multi-material silencer results in a significant improvement in sound insulation performance across the entire relevant frequency band, making the silencer particularly suitable for non-industrial applications where comfort is increasingly important, and where low noise emissions are meaningful.

[0010] The retaining device can be configured to have at least one thickened portion, particularly spherical or lenticular, arranged on its outer periphery, for generating a defined clamping force between the muffler and the air duct. Alternatively, the fastening device can be designed not as part of the air duct, but as an element of the muffler. In this embodiment, when the muffler is inserted into the air duct, the thickened portion results in a defined and predictable clamping force between the retaining device and the air duct.

[0011] The fastening device can be configured to have at least two undercut locking portions protruding in the lateral direction of the muffler. Specifically, the fastening device can be centrally located on the outer side of the retaining device. Alternatively, the fastening device can be located on the upper and / or lower side of the retaining device. The locking portions can be inserted into the outer contour of the retaining device as undercut L-shaped grooves.

[0012] Furthermore, the undercut locking portion may be part of at least one guide rail arranged longitudinally on the outer periphery of the retaining device. At least one guide rail may be recessed into the outer contour of the retaining device. In particular, the guide rail may be formed as an undercut L-shaped groove extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] The device can be configured such that the retaining device has two half-shells, which are detachably connected to each other, particularly in the height direction of the muffler, and the damping element is at least partially received and secured between the two half-shells. The half-shells may have a separation plane located in the lateral direction of the muffler. Furthermore, the half-shells may be designed as identical components. A detachable connecting device can be formed on the opposing separation planes. The connecting device may be a locking device. Elements arranged facing each other on the half-shells can be designed to be aligned with each other, particularly aligned with each other in the separation planes.

[0014] It can be configured such that the outer contour of the interconnected half-shells corresponds to the flow cross-section of the air duct. This means that when the muffler is installed in the air duct, the outer contour of the retaining device can abut against the inner contour of the air duct. This allows the interconnected half-shells to have an annular outer geometry.

[0015] Alternatively, the half-shell can surround at least one air channel aligned in the longitudinal direction. The geometry of the air channel can correspond to the inner contour of the assembled half-shell. It can also be configured such that the half-shell surrounds multiple longitudinally aligned air channels. Each air outlet can lead to an air channel formed by two parallel, laterally adjacent damping elements.

[0016] Alternatively, at least one web is formed between interconnected half-shells, the web traversing the flow cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and having an open damping element receiving portion facing the damping element in the longitudinal direction, the damping element being received in the receiving portion at the end face.

[0017] Specifically, multiple parallel webs, particularly three webs, can be provided for each retaining device. One of the webs can be centrally arranged in the transverse direction, and two webs can be arranged on the outer side of the retaining device. This allows the central web to centrally separate the two air diffusers. Each outer web defines an air inlet adjacent to it with an air guide surface located on the inner side of the retaining device. Conversely, the outer side of the outer web is defined by the outer contour of the retaining device. The multiple webs are connected by a substantially transversely extending half-shell portion defining the air inlets. The damping element retainer can be formed by a recess extending longitudinally into the web. This allows the face section of the damping element to be inserted into and anchored therein within the damping element receiving portion. In the separation plane of the half-shell, the webs of the lower and upper parts can each have surfaces aligned to face each other. Releasable connecting devices for connecting the half-shells can be arranged on each surface.

[0018] Alternatively, the damping element can be configured to extend through the flow cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, corresponding to the web. The damping element receiving portion can extend from the bottom to the top of the retaining device in the height direction. Therefore, the damping element received in the retaining device can correspond to the height of the web. In the case of a flat channel, the damping element can extend from the bottom to the top of the channel.

[0019] Alternatively, the web can be arranged within the retainer such that it centrally separates the air passages. It can also be configured such that a retaining means for holding the damping element is provided within the damping element retainer. This allows for the formation of uniform air passages on the left and right sides of the web in the lateral direction.

[0020] Alternatively, the retaining means may include retaining tips aligned laterally to the longitudinal direction, on which damping elements slide. Specifically, the retaining tips may be aligned parallel to the connection direction of the half-shell. The retaining tips may also be aligned in the height direction of the muffler.

[0021] Alternatively, the damping element retainer may include an air-guiding surface surrounding the damping element in the longitudinal direction, the air-guiding surface laterally shielding the damping element relative to at least one air passage. The air-guiding surface may extend from the bottom to the top of the retaining device.

[0022] Alternatively, the air-guiding surfaces can be arranged such that the webs meet on the side of the webs away from the damping element, causing the webs to taper in the longitudinal direction. This tapering of the webs has a favorable effect on the airflow into the retaining device. The webs arranged on the outer sides can each have an air-guiding surface facing the inner side of the retaining device. This air-guiding surface can be bent away from the outer webs on the side away from the corresponding damping element retainer, thus tapering towards the outer contour of the retaining device in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] Alternatively, the retaining device can be configured to have multiple webs spaced parallel to each other, with corresponding multiple damping elements spaced parallel to each other housed within the webs. For example, the retaining device may have three webs, each web housing a damping element in a damping element receiving portion. The housed damping elements may have a substantially cubic geometry. The outer damping elements may have laterally recessed outlet regions in the area of ​​at least one retaining device to improve airflow.

[0024] Alternatively, at least one damping element may be held by two opposing retaining devices, the damping element receiving portions of which are aligned to face each other. Thus, at least one damping element can be fixed between the two opposing retaining devices. Between the retaining devices, the muffler may have a section in which the damping element extends freely and unrestricted. Air thus flows into the muffler through an air passage in one of the retaining devices and is then guided, under different conditions, through a duct laterally defined by the two damping elements. On the opposing side, air flows out of the muffler again through a corresponding air inlet of the second retaining device.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a component comprising an air duct and the aforementioned muffler, wherein the muffler is capable of being secured in the air duct by a fastening device.

[0026] Alternatively, the air duct may include fastening devices complementary to the fastening devices of the muffler. For example, the air duct may extend substantially in the longitudinal direction, wherein the duct wall surrounds the flow cross section, and the duct wall has fastening devices on its inner side for fastening a muffler that can be received in the air duct.

[0027] The fastening device for an air duct may have at least one linear track extending at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the duct. Specifically, the linear track may be centrally located on the duct wall including the linear track. The linear track may extend along the entire length of the duct.

[0028] The fastening device for the air duct can have at least two undercut locking portions, whereby the muffler can be pushed onto the fastening device in the longitudinal direction of the duct. For example, at least one linear track can have a longitudinal groove in which two locking portions are designed to face each other in an undercut manner. Alternatively, at least one linear track can have two locking portions on its outer side that are opposite to each other in the transverse direction.

[0029] The fastening device may include two parallel linear rails, each with an undercut locking portion. To simplify the passage of the muffler, the two linear rails may have widened sections at the longitudinal ends of the channel piece, or may be slightly spaced apart. Correspondingly, the locking portions may also be widened at the widened ends.

[0030] At least one linear track of the air duct may have a first section extending substantially perpendicularly away from the duct wall and an adjacent second section extending substantially parallel to the duct wall. In this respect, the undercut locking portions may face each other. Alternatively, the undercut locking portions may point away from each other. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Further features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the silencer according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the retaining device according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the assembly process of the muffler according to the present invention; and

[0035] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a muffler received in an air duct according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 and Figure 2An embodiment of a muffler 401 is shown, having two retaining devices 403 arranged on the front side and three parallel damping elements 402 positioned therebetween and spaced apart in the lateral direction Y. The muffler extends substantially in the longitudinal direction X. Additionally, the muffler 401 has a lateral direction Y and a height direction Z. In operation, the muffler 401 is inserted into an air duct of a corresponding size, through which exhaust gas, particularly a fume hood, flows in the longitudinal direction X through the muffler 401. For this purpose, the exhaust gas flows into one of the retaining devices 403, through the free space defined by the damping elements 402, and again out of the opposing retaining device 403 from the muffler 401. To accommodate different air duct elements or locations used within the exhaust system, the damping elements 402 can be shortened to a desired length. Because the damping elements 402 are separate from each other, different insulating materials can be used simultaneously within the muffler 401 so that the silencing can be individually adapted to installation specifications or specific customer requirements. Each retaining device 403 includes a semi-shell-shaped upper part 406 and a semi-shell-shaped lower part 407, wherein they have an outer contour corresponding to the inner contour of the flat channel in the assembled state. Two parallel air passages 408 are formed between the upper and lower parts 406, 407, through which air can flow into and out of the muffler in the longitudinal direction X. The air passages 408 are formed in the longitudinal direction X, and in particular, three evenly spaced webs 409 are formed between the upper and lower parts 406, 407. These webs are laterally defined by an air guiding surface 410 and have a damping element receiving portion 420 at the rear. In the separation plane between the upper and lower parts 406, 407, each web 409 has a surface facing each other, on which releasable connecting devices 413 are arranged in different cases. As shown, for each surface, the releasable connecting device has a locking pin and a locking hole arranged nearby. Since the upper and lower components are designed as identical parts, the locking pins engage in their respective opposing locking holes. On the front side, i.e., on the air inlet side, the central web 409 has a flow-optimized taper 412, at the tip of which the lateral air guide surfaces 410 meet. The lateral webs 409 also have taper 412, thus these lateral webs have tips formed from the air guide surfaces 410 facing the air passage 408, which engage on the front side with the outer contour of the retaining device 403 or the corresponding half-shells 406, 407. In the assembled state, the respective opposing web elements, such as the air guide surfaces 410, are aligned with each other in the height direction Z. Above the central web 409, the retaining device has a fastening device 404 for securing the muffler in the air duct 421, which is achieved by an L-shaped groove formed in the outer contour of the retaining device 403, the L-shaped groove having a laterally protruding guide engagement 405.The muffler 401 may have a fastening device 404 on its upper or lower side only, or on both its upper and lower sides. Figure 2 Thickening portions 423 are also shown, arranged on the outer periphery of the retaining device 403 and achieving a locally designed material buildup. Thickening portions 423 serve to create a clamping connection between the air passage 421 and the retaining device 403. Of course, in addition to the illustrated embodiment, other embodiments can be provided, each having only one of the two aforementioned fastening devices as the fastening device: either an L-shaped groove with a laterally projecting guide joint 405 or thickening portions 423. In embodiments with thickening portions 423, it can also be configured such that the air passage does not have its own fastening device. Damping elements 402 are made of different materials, with the intermediate muffler element 414 shown being made of a different material than the outer muffler element 415. As can be seen on the rear retaining device 403, each damping element receiving portion 420 has a retaining tip 411 aligned in the height direction Z, by which the corresponding damping element 402 can be fastened in the corresponding damping element receiving portion 420. Meanwhile, openings leading to the corresponding muffler elements 414 and 415 are provided on the outer periphery of the retaining device 403. For example, if the damping elements need to be replaced after a certain operating time, these muffler elements can be pressed out or removed from the retaining device from the outside through the openings. In particular, in Figure 2 As can be readily seen, the retaining device 403 has a concave recess 419 distributed around its outer periphery at the front and arranged rearward in the longitudinal direction X. This recess is arranged on the half-shell section 418, which extends substantially in the transverse direction Y and defines the air inlet 408. Furthermore, it can be seen that the web 409 has a concave orientation at the front in the height direction Z and is arranged rearward in the longitudinal direction X. These concave elements arranged in two different planes have the particular advantage of optimizing the flow behavior of the incoming air. Figure 2 It is also shown that the lateral muffler element 415 has an outlet region 417 in the region of its associated damping element receiving portion 420, which widens the flow cross-section and conforms to the contour of the associated damping element receiving portion 420. Lateral recesses 416 can also be seen on the outer upper and outer lower sides of the lateral muffler element 415.

[0037] Figure 3An assembled muffler 401 is shown, inserted into a flat conduit 421 in the longitudinal direction X for assembly. Attenuator elements 402 are secured in corresponding attenuator element receivers 420 by sliding on retaining tips 411, and then the upper and lower parts 406, 407 of retaining device 403 are clamped together via a releasable connecting device 413. During assembly, the muffler elements 402 are completely shielded relative to the air guiding surface 410 in the region of the air passages 408. Each air passage 408 is aligned with the opposite air passage 408 of the opposite retaining device. Between the air passages, airflow is laterally guided by insulating pads 414, 415 of different materials. To insert the muffler, a fastening device 404 is inserted with slight pre-tightening into complementary fastening devices 422 of the flat conduit 421, allowing the muffler to be pushed into the desired position with slight pressure. The bias is selected such that the muffler 401 remains in the desired position even in the vertically oriented flat conduit.

[0038] at last, Figure 4 The final position of the muffler 401 in the flat pipe 421 is shown, wherein the retaining device 403 abuts against the inner contour of the flat pipe 421 to provide the largest possible flow cross section to minimize the flow resistance generated by the muffler.

[0039] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, drawings, and claims are essential for implementing the invention, either alone or in any combination.

[0040] List of reference numerals

[0041] 401 silencer

[0042] 402 Damping Element

[0043] 403 Holding device

[0044] Fastening device for 404 silencer

[0045] 405 Locked Section

[0046] 406 Upper Component

[0047] 407 Lower Component

[0048] 408 Airway

[0049] 409 Web

[0050] 410 Air guiding surface

[0051] 411 Holding method (pointed tip)

[0052] 412 tapering section

[0053] 413 Releasable connecting device

[0054] 414 Middle silencer attenuator

[0055] 415 Lateral muffler element

[0056] 416 Recess (Side silencer)

[0057] 417 Exit (Side Silencer)

[0058] 418 Semi-shell section

[0059] 419 Concave recess

[0060] 420 Damping Element Receiving Section

[0061] 421 Air duct

[0062] 422 Fastening device air duct

[0063] 423 Thickened section

[0064] X Vertical direction

[0065] Y (horizontal direction)

[0066] Z-axis height direction

Claims

1. A silencer (401) for installation in an air duct (421), comprising at least one sound-absorbing damping element (402) extending substantially in the longitudinal direction (X) of the air duct and at least one retaining device (403) having at least partially receiving the damping element (402), wherein, The retaining device (403) has a fastening device (404) for securing the muffler (401) in the air duct (421). The retaining device (403) has two half-shells (406, 407) detachably connected to each other in the height direction (Z) of the muffler (401), and a damping element (402) is at least partially received and secured between the two half-shells. The outer contours of the interconnected half-shells (406, 407) correspond to the flow cross-section of the air duct (421), and at least one... A web (409) is formed between interconnected half-shells (406, 407). The web traverses the flow cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and has an open damping element receiving portion (420) facing the damping element (402) in the longitudinal direction (X). The damping element (402) is received in the receiving portion at the end face. The damping element (402) extends through the flow cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to the web (409). The longitudinal direction (X) is perpendicular to the height direction (Z).

2. The muffler (401) according to claim 1, comprising at least two damping elements (402) made of different sound-absorbing materials, the at least two damping elements being used to attenuate sound in different frequency ranges.

3. The silencer (401) according to claim 1, wherein, The retaining device (403) has at least one thickened portion (423) arranged on its outer periphery, which is spherical or lenticular, for generating a defined clamping force between the muffler and the air duct.

4. The silencer (401) according to claim 1, wherein, The fastening device (404) includes at least two undercut locking portions (405) protruding in the lateral direction (Y) of the muffler (401).

5. The silencer (401) according to claim 4, wherein, The undercut locking portion (405) is part of at least one guide rail arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) on the outer periphery of the retaining device (403).

6. The silencer (401) according to claim 1, wherein, The half-shell (406, 407) surrounds at least one air passage (408) oriented in the longitudinal direction (X).

7. The silencer (401) according to claim 1, wherein, The web (409) is disposed in the retaining device (403) to centrally separate the air passage (408).

8. The silencer (401) according to claim 1, wherein, A holding means (411) for holding the damping element (402) is provided in the damping element receiving part (420).

9. The silencer (401) according to claim 8, wherein, The retaining means (411) includes a retaining tip oriented laterally to the longitudinal direction (X), and a damping element (402) sliding on the retaining tip.

10. The muffler (401) according to claim 1, wherein the muffler receiving part (420) includes an air guiding surface (410) that surrounds the muffler element (402) in the longitudinal direction (X) and laterally shields the muffler element (402) relative to at least one air passage (408).

11. The silencer (401) according to claim 10, wherein, The air guiding surface (410) is connected to the side of the web (409) away from the damping element (402), so that the web (409) tapers in the longitudinal direction (X).

12. The silencer (401) according to claim 4, wherein, The retaining device (403) includes a plurality of parallel-spaced webs (409), and a plurality of parallel-spaced damping elements (402) are received in the plurality of webs.

13. The silencer (401) according to claim 1, wherein, At least one damping element (402) is held by two opposing holding devices (403), wherein the damping element receiving portions (420) of the holding devices (403) are aligned facing each other.

14. A component having an air duct (421) and a silencer (401) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The silencer (401) is fixed in the air duct (421) by a fastening device (404).

15. The component of claim 14, wherein, The air duct (421) includes a fastening device (422) that is complementary to the fastening device (404) of the silencer (401).

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