Air Fitting With Simultaneous Mechanical and Electrical Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing aeraulic connections for connecting air ducts to air boxes require numerous complex assembly steps, making installation lengthy and difficult, especially for non-professionals, and increase the risk of poor connections.

Innovation Solution

An aeraulic connection that allows simultaneous mechanical and electrical fixation to an air box, featuring a modulation member, control box, and electrical connector, enabling a 'plug-and-play' configuration with a simplified installation process through a single or dual movement fixing system, accompanied by visual and audible indicators for confirmation of complete connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate mechanical and electrical connection steps are used, then connection reliability is improved, but installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mechanical connection system (fixing the air connection body to the air box) and the electrical connection system (connecting the electrical connector to the power supply connector) into a single integrated fixing system. This merging allows both mechanical and electrical connections to be established simultaneously in one operation, reducing installation steps while maintaining connection reliability through coordinated design of both connection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple assembly steps are required, then connection security is improved, but installation time and error risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple connection functions (mechanical fixing and electrical connection) into a single unified connection operation. The fixing system is designed so that one fixing action simultaneously secures both the mechanical attachment and electrical connection, eliminating sequential steps and reducing installation time while maintaining security through the coordinated design of both connection types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connector and power supply connector are pre-positioned and aligned within the air connection body and air box respectively, so that when the mechanical fixing is performed, the electrical connection interfaces are already in the correct position for automatic engagement. This preliminary positioning ensures that the electrical connection occurs simultaneously with the mechanical fixing without requiring separate alignment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If complex assembly procedures are used, then connection stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mechanical fixing system and electrical connection system into a single integrated operation. The fixing system is designed so that one simple fixing action simultaneously establishes both mechanical attachment and electrical connection, making the installation process as easy as a single connection step while ensuring stable connections through the coordinated design of both systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both mechanical fixation and electrical connection purposes simultaneously. This universal fixing mechanism eliminates the need for separate operations, making the installation process simpler and more intuitive while maintaining the stability required for both types of connections through its dual-function design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4155618B1Air-driven connection element with simultaneous electrical and air connection
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 ATLANTIC CLIMATISATION & TRAITEMENT DAIR IND
  • EP4155618B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4155618B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4155618B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention provides an air fitting for connecting an air duct to an air box, for example a controlled mechanical ventilation unit, comprising: - a modulation element (40) configured to modulate the air flow of an airflow circulating through said air fitting, - a control box (42) electrically connected to the modulation element and configured to control said modulation element, - an electrical connector (50) electrically connected to the control box and configured to connect to an electrical power connector of an air box, - a system for fixing said air fitting to an air box, the air fitting being characterized in that the fixing system is configured to allow the fixing of said air fitting to the air box simultaneously with the electrical connection of the electrical connector with an electrical power connector.