Collapsible Hood Design for HVAC Units to Reduce Shipping Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems face challenges with the cost and complexity of shipping and installing large rain hoods, which are typically non-collapsible and must be shipped separately, leading to increased expenses and logistical difficulties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a collapsible rain hood into the HVAC system cabinet, which can be shipped in a collapsed configuration and easily expanded on-site into a working configuration, thereby reducing shipping costs and installation complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-collapsible rain hood is used, then the hood provides effective protection against water infiltration, but the shipping cost and logistical complexity increase due to separate shipping and installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rain hood is divided into multiple collapsible panels that can be folded together during shipping and easily separated/expanded during installation. This segmentation allows the hood to be compact for transport while maintaining full protective function when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The rain hood transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, collapsible structure that can change its configuration. The hood includes panels that can be folded and unfolded, allowing it to adapt between a compact shipping state and an expanded protective state, reducing shipping complexity while maintaining protection reliability.
2Area of stationary object
If a large, non-collapsible rain hood is shipped separately from the AHU cabinet, then the hood can provide adequate coverage, but the shipping weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rain hood panels are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, similar to nested dolls. This allows the large-area hood to be compacted into a small volume for shipping, reducing both the effective shipping weight burden and space requirements, while maintaining full coverage area when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood utilizes three-dimensional folding and collapsing mechanisms to reduce its spatial footprint. By transforming from a two-dimensional expanded surface to a compact three-dimensional folded structure, the hood minimizes shipping volume and associated weight costs while preserving its protective coverage area.
3Strength
If a non-collapsible rain hood is used, then the hood structure is simple and robust, but the installation process requires heavy equipment such as cranes or forklifts
Solution Approach 1:
The hood is segmented into multiple panels connected by hinges or folding mechanisms. This segmentation reduces the weight of individual components that need to be handled during installation, eliminating the need for heavy lifting equipment like cranes or forklifts, while the assembled structure maintains sufficient structural strength for protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood employs dynamic folding mechanisms that allow the structure to be easily assembled and disassembled by hand. The panels can be folded and locked into place without requiring heavy equipment, improving installation ease while the interlocking design ensures the assembled hood maintains necessary structural strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The collapsible rain hood allows for efficient packaging, reduced shipping costs, and simplified on-site installation, enhancing the overall logistics and installation process of HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
The hood plate is pivotally connected to the cap plate. Each of the pair of side plates is pivotally connected to the cap plate and the base bracket.
Data Source
AI summary
An air handling unit (AHU) includes a cabinet and a collapsible hood. One or more components of the AHU are arranged in the cabinet, which defines at least one air vent. The collapsible hood includes a cap plate, base bracket, hood plate, and pair of side plates. The cap plate is fixedly connected to the cabinet above the at least one air vent. The base bracket is fixedly connected to the cabinet below the cap plate. The hood plate is pivotally connected to the cap plate. Each of the pair of side plates is pivotally connected to the cap plate and the base bracket.