Air Duct Filter Mounting via Integrated Sealing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air ducts made from blow-molded plastics face challenges in supporting filters due to their thin and lightweight walls, leading to weakened sealing when filters are inserted or removed, necessitating additional support elements that increase costs and assembly time.
Innovation Solution
An air duct with a double-layered wall structure and a central aperture that includes a recess with a supporting element, allowing direct attachment and sealing of the filter without additional mounting parts, providing enhanced support and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If additional support elements are used to strengthen the duct walls, then the filter mounting stability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function and sealing function into a single integrated sealing element that directly contacts both the filter and the duct wall. This eliminates the need for separate support elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining filter mounting stability through the combined structural design of the sealing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing between the filter and duct wall, supports the filter during insertion and removal, and reinforces the thin duct wall structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized support elements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional support elements are used to strengthen the duct walls, then the filter mounting stability is improved, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining support and sealing functions into one element, the assembly process is simplified to installing a single component rather than multiple separate elements, directly reducing assembly time while maintaining the stability needed for filter mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is pre-designed with integrated support features during manufacturing, so no additional support elements need to be installed during assembly. The structural reinforcement is already in place before the filter is mounted, eliminating time-consuming assembly steps.
3Strength
If the duct walls are made thicker to support the filter, then the structural strength is improved, but the weight and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire duct wall thicker, the patent applies local reinforcement through the sealing element only at the specific location where the filter is mounted. This provides the necessary structural strength locally without increasing the overall weight and material consumption of the duct.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as a composite structure combining sealing material with structural reinforcement features, providing high local strength at the filter mounting position without requiring the entire duct to be made from heavier materials.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An air duct (1) having a recess (8) for receiving a filter (5). The duct (1) has a wall (4) wherein a part (6) of the wall extends into the duct (1). Said wall part (6) is provided with an element (7) which extends perpendicular to the wall part (6). The element (7) and the wall part (6) define a recess (8) within the duct (1) for receiving a filter (5). The recess (8) has an aperture through to the duct and when a filter (5) is fitted, said element (7) abuts with the filter (5) and said wall part (6) engages with a sealing means (10) associated with the filter (5).