Air Duct with Variable-Position Fastening for Functional Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air ducts face difficulties in easily accommodating functional elements, making their insertion laborious and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The air duct design incorporates a fastening device with linear rails and undercut locking sections, allowing functional elements to be securely fastened with locking feet, and features varying wall thickness and riblet structures to minimize friction and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a simple duct design is used, then material usage is reduced, but the ease of accommodating functional elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The duct wall is segmented into multiple sections (first wall section, second wall section, third wall section, fourth wall section) with different thicknesses. This segmentation allows the duct to accommodate functional elements in specific sections without increasing the overall material usage of the entire duct structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct exhibits local quality variations through different wall thicknesses in different sections. The first and second wall sections have greater thickness to accommodate functional elements, while the third and fourth wall sections have reduced thickness to minimize material usage. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between material efficiency and functional element accommodation.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform wall thickness is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the structural integrity and functionality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is designed with local quality variations where specific wall sections (first and second) have greater thickness to provide structural support for functional elements, while other sections (third and fourth) have reduced thickness. This localized differentiation maintains structural integrity where needed while simplifying manufacturing in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct wall is divided into distinct segments with different thickness characteristics. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function - some sections for structural support and others for material efficiency - while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility through a systematic design approach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If functional elements are added to expand duct functionality, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is designed with universal adaptability through standardized wall sections that can accommodate different functional elements (support elements, cable ducts, insulation layers) in the first and second wall sections. This multi-functional design allows the same duct structure to serve multiple purposes without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct structure is segmented into functional zones where specific wall sections are designated for accommodating various functional elements. This segmentation provides a systematic framework for adding functionality while maintaining overall structural simplicity and manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
Air duct (301), which extends essentially in a longitudinal direction (X), with a duct wall (302) enclosing a flow cross-section, which has on its inside at least a fastening device (303) for fastening at least one functional element (304) that can be received in the air duct (301) in a position that can be variably positioned in the longitudinal direction (X).