Duct Connection Collar With Overlapping Tabs for Secure Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collars for connecting channeling modules in air processing systems are complex and expensive to produce, and their simplified structures lack the necessary overlapping portions for secure closure, leading to instability and reduced sealing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A collar with a main body comprising a circular or box shape, featuring a concave portion and abutment portions that overlap to provide a stable and symmetrical embracing of channeling modules, along with tabs that cooperate with a blocking device for secure engagement and easy assembly/disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collar with blocking portions fixed by welding or riveting is used, then the constraint of channeling modules is efficient, but the structure becomes complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blocking portions with the main collar body by integrating them into a single piece structure. The blocking portions are formed as integral extensions of the collar body through bending operations, eliminating the need for separate welding or riveting steps. This reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the constraint function.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is designed with distinct functional zones: the main circular body for radial constraint and the blocking portions for axial constraint. These segments are formed from a single piece but perform separate functions, allowing the collar to constrain modules both radially and axially without requiring multiple separate components.
2Device complexity
If a collar with two separate shells is used, then the structure is simplified, but overlapping portions are lost reducing support and closure safety
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two separate shells, the patent employs a single continuous collar body that provides complete circumferential support. The single-piece construction eliminates gaps between shells while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated blocking portions that prevent module separation.
3Device complexity
If the whole profile is bent to define tabs, then the structure is simplified, but the cross-section is crushed causing weakening of coupling portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies localized bending only to specific regions of the collar body to form the blocking portions, rather than bending the entire profile. This selective deformation preserves the cross-sectional integrity and coupling strength in critical areas while still providing the necessary tab structures for module constraint.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
A collar (1), in particular for connecting channeling modules (100) for air processing systems. The collar (1) comprises a main body (2) developing along a predetermined path (T2) for substantially defining a crown and exhibiting, according to a cross-section, a shape having a concave portion (3) and two abutment portions (4) emerging from free edges of the concave portion (3). The main body (2) is configured so as to be arranged about channeling modules (100) that are aligned and in contact with each other; the concave portion (3) of the main body (2) is configured so as to partially embrace respective shoulders of the modules (100) while the abutment portion (4) is configured so as to substantially abut on an external lateral surface (101a) of a channeling module (100). The main body comprises at least a first and a second end portions (2a, 2b) which, in an operative condition of the collar (1) are configured for operating in proximity to each other; the main body (2) has an opening (5) at the first and second end portion (2a, 2b). The collar comprises at least a first tab (6) emerging transversally from the first end portion (2a) and at least a corresponding second tab (7) emerging transversally away from the second end portion. The first and second tabs (6, 7) are a prolongation of the abutment portion (4); the recessed portion (3) extending to a lying plane of at least one of said tabs.