Flanged air pipe and manufacturing method and connecting method thereof
By replacing the internal bolt connection with a snap-fit structure in the flanged duct, and combining the design of flexible gaskets and butt bolts, the problems of high construction difficulty and poor sealing of traditional ducts are solved, achieving efficient and reliable connection and sealing effect, while reducing equipment cost and precision control difficulty.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202512052710.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-03
AI Technical Summary
Traditional duct structures with internal bolt connections lead to construction difficulties, affect sealing performance, and increase construction costs. Furthermore, traditional flanged designs are costly to process and difficult to control in terms of precision.
The boltless snap-fit structure is adopted. The snap-fit structure is formed on the flange through multiple bending processes, which is inserted and fixed to the inner side plate. During the docking, flexible gaskets and docking bolts are used to transfer the fastening force to enhance the clamping force.
It reduced construction difficulty and labor intensity, improved construction efficiency, ensured the reliability and sealing performance of the connection, and reduced equipment costs and precision control difficulty.
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Figure CN121589159A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of duct manufacturing technology, specifically to a flanged duct and its manufacturing and connection methods. Background Technology
[0002] Reference Figure 1 As shown, a traditional duct structure includes an inner plate 3, an outer plate 4, flanges 1 clamped at the upper and lower ends, and angle iron 2 connected to the outside of the duct. Figure 1 In the middle, the flange 1, inner side plate 3, and outer side plate 4 form a cavity structure for the air duct. The cavity is filled with filler 7, and the angle iron 2 is set on the outer side of both ends for connecting the first and last air ducts.
[0003] Angle iron 2, flange 1, and outer side plate 4 are fixedly connected together by outer side bolts 5. The inner side of flange 1 is fixedly connected to inner side plate 3 by inner side bolts 6, and sealant a is provided at the junction of the inner bottom of flange 1 and inner side plate 3. However, this structure is inconvenient in actual construction because the inner side bolts 6 are located inside the duct, and they also affect the sealing effect inside the duct. Therefore, sealant needs to be applied at the inner side bolts 6, further increasing the construction difficulty. Thus, this structure needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a flanged duct and its manufacturing and connection methods.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a method for manufacturing a flanged duct, comprising: Includes the following steps: S1: Provide a plate, and process the ends of the plate into a snap-fit structure with a predetermined shape through multiple bending processes to make a flange. S2: Provides inner side panel; S3: The end of the inner side plate is inserted into the snap-fit structure of the flange to achieve boltless mechanical snap-fit fixing.
[0006] Preferably, the multi-bending process described in step S1 specifically includes: The first bend is made so that the end of the plate bends toward its body, forming a first bending segment and a first deformation cavity; A second bend is made so that the end of the first bend is bent away from the first deformation cavity to form a second bend. A third bend is made, so that the end of the second bend is bent toward the first deformation cavity, forming the third bend and the second deformation cavity.
[0007] Preferably, step S2 further includes: The end of the inner side plate is bent to form a horizontal flange for horizontal insertion with the snap-fit structure.
[0008] Preferably, after forming the horizontal flange, a step bend is further performed on the horizontal flange to form a flange step. The flange step divides the upper surface of the horizontal flange into a low area for connection with the snap-fit structure and a high area for alignment with the upper surface of the flange flange.
[0009] This invention also discloses a method for connecting flanged ducts, used to connect ducts manufactured by the above-described method, characterized in that it includes: A flexible gasket is placed between the mating ends of the two duct sections; Use butt bolts to pass through the angle irons of the two sections of duct and press the flexible gaskets together; The tightening force of the connecting bolts is transmitted to the snap-fit structure through the angle iron and the flange to enhance its clamping force.
[0010] The present invention also discloses a flanged duct, which is manufactured according to the above-described manufacturing method, and the flanged flange and the inner side plate are detachably boltless connected by the snap-fit structure.
[0011] Preferably, the snap-fit structure is configured such that when it is located on the edge of the duct and participates in the end-to-end connection of the duct, it can convert the axial clamping force of the external connecting bolts into deformation that enhances the radial clamping force of the snap-fit structure.
[0012] The present invention also discloses a flanged duct assembly, wherein a flexible gasket is sandwiched between the mating end faces of at least two flanged duct sections; The at least two sections of flanged duct are connected by butt bolts that pass through their angle irons, and the tightening force of the butt bolts acts simultaneously on the flexible gasket and the snap-fit structure of each duct section.
[0013] The present invention also discloses a flanged flange for duct connection, the end of which has a snap-fit structure integrally formed by multiple bending processes. The snap-fit structure is configured to be directly inserted into a flat plate or an inner plate with a flange and generate an elastic clamping force.
[0014] The aforementioned snap-fit structure includes a first bent section, a second bent section, and a third bent section. The first bent section bends inward from the end of the flange and forms a first deformation cavity with the flange body; the end of the first bent section is close to the flange body. The second bent section bends from the end of the first bent section towards the side opposite to the first deformation cavity. The third bent section 16 bends from the end of the second bent section towards the side of the first deformation cavity, and the third bent section and the second bent section form a second deformation cavity. The first and second deformation cavities are close to each other, and a insertion cavity is formed between the second and first bent sections. The outer walls of the first and second deformation cavities form a snap-fit structure for insertion into the insertion cavity.
[0015] This invention employs a snap-fit structure, completely eliminating the need for bolts located inside the duct. Construction workers do not need to enter the duct or perform complex internal operations, significantly reducing installation difficulty, labor intensity, and safety risks, while improving construction efficiency.
[0016] It achieves a good balance in several key dimensions such as "manufacturing cost", "connection reliability", "construction convenience" and "sealing performance", overcoming the difficulties of traditional bolt connection construction and the high processing cost and difficulty of precision control of integrated flange solution. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partial disassembly diagram of the components of this invention; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the power column connection of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the linkage structure between the striking part and the feeding unit; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding section. Figure 8 for Figure 7 Exploded view of the disassembled structure. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0019] Please refer to the attached diagram for a flanged duct and its manufacturing process. Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment mainly addresses the construction difficulty of the inner bolt 6. The main idea of this embodiment is to eliminate the setting of the inner bolt 6.
[0020] The first scheme adopted in this embodiment refers to... Figure 2 As shown, the flanged flange 1 and the inner side plate 3 are designed as a single integral structure. Alternatively, this can be understood as eliminating the flanged flange 1 and directly flanged the inner side plate 3, creating a U-shaped structure at the end that bends towards the center, achieving the sealing effect of the original flanged flange 1. Finally, the flanged inner side plate 3, outer side plate 4, and angle iron 2 are connected and fixed using outer bolts 5. See details... Figure 2 As shown.
[0021] Figure 2 The proposed solution perfectly resolves the issues caused by the inner bolt 6 and eliminates the need for any internal ductwork construction. Its drawback is that, due to the relatively large size of the inner duct plate 3, its flanging and reprocessing requires specialized equipment. Therefore, implementing this structure on top of traditional processes increases equipment costs. Furthermore, controlling the bending precision of large components is more challenging. Figure 2 In the middle, both ends need to be bent into a 90° structure twice, otherwise it will affect the installation of the air duct and may even cause deformation during subsequent use.
[0022] Therefore, based on the above, this embodiment proposes a second solution, referring to... Figures 3 to 8 As shown. The overall concept of the second scheme is to retain the structure of the flange 1, but change the connection method between the flange 1 and the inner plate 3. The traditional bolt connection is changed to a snap-fit connection.
[0023] Furthermore, to simplify the processing, the snap-fit mechanism is installed on the flange 1. As shown in the figure, the flange 1 has a relatively small overall structure, and cold bending can be completed using a general bending machine. Moreover, the flange 1 itself also requires bending and flanging operations during production, so no additional equipment costs are required.
[0024] Reference Figure 4 As shown, the snap-fit structure used in this embodiment is formed by bending the end of the flange 1. Traditional snap-fit structures are generally U-shaped or V-shaped bayonet structures. During connection, another connecting structure is inserted into the bayonet, and the pre-tightening force is achieved by relying on the elasticity of the material itself. Thus, the connection is completed.
[0025] To balance connection stability and sealing, this embodiment features a specially designed snap-fit structure. For example... Figure 4As shown, the snap-fit structure is similar to a hairpin with multiple bends. Specifically, the snap-fit structure includes a first bent section 14, a second bent section 13, and a third bent section 16. The first bent section 14 bends inward from the end of the flange 1, forming a first deformation cavity 11 with the flange 1 body. The end of the first bent section 14 is close to the flange 1 body. The second bent section 13 bends from the end of the first bent section 14 towards the side opposite to the first deformation cavity 11. The third bent section 16 bends from the end of the second bent section 13 towards the side of the first deformation cavity 11, forming a second deformation cavity 12 with the second bent section 13. The first deformation cavity 11 and the second deformation cavity 12 are close to each other, and an insertion cavity is formed between the second bent section 13 and the first bent section 14. The outer wall of the first deformation cavity 11 and the outer wall of the second deformation cavity 12 form a snap-fit structure for insertion into the insertion cavity. The outermost outer walls of both the first deformation cavity 11 and the second deformation cavity 12 are arc-shaped structures, and the arc-shaped outer walls at both ends are staggered in the insertion direction, which can provide a guiding function.
[0026] In summary, the snap-fit structure, formed by the flange 1, allows for a secure connection to the inner plate 3 without the need for additional fasteners. Furthermore, the snap-fit structure itself is formed through multiple bends, ensuring both connection stability and sealing performance.
[0027] Reference Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 The vertical cross-section of the flange 1 is an inverted U-shaped structure. The snap-fit structure is located on the inner vertical side of the flange 1. In this structure, the inner plate 3 does not need to be bent vertically and is a flat plate. The upper and lower ends are vertically inserted into the snap-fit structure. In this structure, the inner plate 3 does not need to be flanged. It is formed by flanges on both sides of the flange 1. One side is fixedly connected to the angle iron 2 and the outer plate 4 by bolts or rivets (outer bolt 5 shown in the figure), and the other side is snapped to the inner plate 3 to form a whole.
[0028] Continue to refer to Figure 5 As shown, with Figure 3 The difference in the structure shown is that... Figure 5 In the proposed design, the flange 1 has an overall L-shaped structure in its vertical cross-section. As shown in the figure, the outer flange of the flange 1 is fixedly connected to the angle iron 2 and the outer plate 4 by a screw or rivet (outer bolt 5 shown in the figure). The snap-fit structure is located at the horizontal end of the vertical cross-section of the flange 1. Referring to the figure, the inner plate 3 has a horizontal flange structure in its vertical cross-section, and the horizontal flange of the inner plate 3 is horizontally inserted with the snap-fit structure to form an integral whole.
[0029] Continue to refer to Figure 6 As shown, with Figure 5 The difference between the proposed schemes is that... Figure 6 The horizontal flange length of the inner side plate 3 is greater than Figure 5 The proposed solution. First, refer to... Figure 5 As shown, the flange 1 completely covers the horizontal flange of the inner side plate 3, and keeps the upper sealing edge of the duct flush with the entire duct. And... Figure 6 In this design, a stepped structure appears on the top edge of the duct. In practical applications, this stepped structure is located inside the duct, forming a small air gap, which may affect the flow field within the duct. However, due to... Figure 6 The inner side panel 3 of the solution has a long horizontal flange, which has more adjustment redundancy, a large adjustment space during installation, and a longer lever arm for better stability.
[0030] Based on the above, this embodiment proposes another design scheme, referring to... Figure 7 As shown, in this scheme, the inner side plate 3 is bent to form a long horizontal flange, and a flange step 31 is further bent on this horizontal flange, as shown in the figure. Figure 7 As shown, the flange step 31 creates two staggered ends on the upper surface of the horizontal flange. The lower end is inserted into the snap-fit structure of the flange flange 1. After insertion, the upper surface of the flange flange 1 is flush with the higher flange end, thereby making the upper sealing edge of the entire duct flush. At the same time, due to the design of the flange step 31, the overall structure has better stability.
[0031] Finally refer to Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, when the duct is connected in multiple sections, the ends of the two duct sections are aligned, and the two angle irons 2 are fixedly connected by the connecting bolts 21. The connecting structure also includes a gasket 8, as shown in the figure. The gasket 8 is installed between the ends of the duct sections being connected, and the gasket 8 is made of a flexible material. The sealing effect is achieved by the compression of the bolt tightening force.
[0032] It is worth mentioning that when the snap-fit structure is located on the upper end face of the duct (i.e. Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 (In this design), the bolt clamping force also acts on the snap-fit structure, specifically on the first deformation cavity 11 and the second deformation cavity 12 of the snap-fit structure. These two deformation cavities are located at the snap-fit joint and have a certain deformation space. Through the action of the clamping force, the clamping force of the snap-fit structure is increased, which also improves the tightness. From the perspective of the installation structure, the two deformation cavities provide deformation redundancy, absorb stress, and prevent duct deformation due to the application of bolt force during docking. Specifically, this design innovatively places the snap-fit structure on the transmission path of the bolt clamping force. When the docking bolts are tightened, their axial force acts on the deformation cavity of the snap-fit structure, converting it into additional radial clamping force, achieving a beneficial effect of "the more you press, the tighter it gets," while absorbing stress and preventing duct deformation.
[0033] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a flanged duct, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Provide a plate and process the end of the plate into a snap-fit structure with a predetermined shape through multiple bending processes to make a flange (1). S2: Provide inner side plate (3); S3: The end of the inner side plate (3) is inserted into the snap-fit structure of the flange (1) to achieve boltless mechanical snap-fit fixing.
2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-bending process described in step S1 specifically includes: The first bend is made so that the end of the plate bends toward its body to form a first bending segment (14) and a first deformation cavity (11). Make a second bend so that the end of the first bend (14) bends away from the first deformation cavity (11) to form a second bend (13). Make a third bend so that the end of the second bend (13) bends toward the first deformation cavity (11) to form the third bend (16) and the second deformation cavity (12).
3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step S2 also includes: The end of the inner side plate (3) is bent to form a horizontal flange for horizontal insertion with the snap-fit structure.
4. The manufacturing method according to claim 3, characterized in that: After the horizontal flange is formed, a step bend is further performed on the horizontal flange to form a flange step (31). The flange step (31) divides the upper surface of the horizontal flange into a low area for connection with the snap-fit structure and a high area for alignment with the upper surface of the flange flange (1).
5. A method for connecting flanged ductwork, used to butt-connect ductwork manufactured by any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, include: A flexible gasket (8) is placed between the mating ends of the two duct sections. Use butt bolts (21) to pass through the angle irons (2) of the two sections of air duct and press the flexible gaskets (8) tight; The fastening force of the butt bolt (21) is transmitted to the snap-fit structure through the angle iron (2) and the flange (1) to enhance its clamping force.
6. A flanged duct, characterized in that, It is manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the flange (1) and the inner side plate (3) are detachably boltless connected by the snap-fit structure.
7. The flanged duct according to claim 6, characterized in that, The snap-fit structure is configured such that when it is located on the edge of the duct and participates in the end-to-end connection of the duct, it can convert the axial clamping force of the external butt bolt (21) into deformation that enhances the radial clamping force of the snap-fit structure.
8. A flanged duct assembly, comprising at least two flanged duct sections according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: A flexible gasket (8) is sandwiched between the mating ends of at least two flanged duct sections. The at least two sections of flanged duct are connected by butt bolts (21) that pass through their angle iron (2), and the tightening force of the butt bolts (21) acts synchronously on the flexible gasket (8) and the snap-fit structure of each section of duct.
9. A flanged flange for duct connection, characterized in that, Its end has a snap-fit structure integrally formed by multiple bending processes. The snap-fit structure is configured to be directly inserted into a flat plate or an inner side plate (3) with a flange and generate an elastic clamping force.
10. A flanged flange according to claim 9, characterized in that, include: The snap-fit structure includes a first bending section (14), a second bending section (13), and a third bending section (16). The first bending section (14) bends inward from the end of the flange (1) and forms a first deformation cavity (11) with the flange (1) body. The end of the first bending section (14) is close to the flange (1) body. The second bending section (13) bends inward from the end of the first bending section (14) towards the side opposite to the first deformation cavity (11). The third bending section... The curved segment 16 bends from the end of the second curved segment (13) toward the side of the first deformation cavity (11), and the third curved segment (16) and the second curved segment (13) surround to form the second deformation cavity (12). The first deformation cavity (11) and the second deformation cavity (12) are close to each other, and the second curved segment (13) and the first curved segment (14) surround to form an insertion cavity. The outer wall of the first deformation cavity (11) and the outer wall of the second deformation cavity (12) surround to form a bayonet structure for insertion into the insertion cavity.