Duct Connection Sealing With Compressed Foam Rubber
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing duct structures face challenges in maintaining effective sealing at the connection points between the duct and piping members due to variations in wall thickness, which can cause the grommet to become wobbly or fail to engage properly, leading to deteriorated sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A duct structure that incorporates a foamed rubber sealing material in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the piping portion and the edge of the duct opening, utilizing its restoring force to maintain sealing even with changes in duct wall thickness, and featuring a sheet-shaped sealing material wound around the piping portion to cover protrusions, ensuring excellent sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a grommet is used to connect the piping member to the duct opening, then the connection is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealing performance deteriorates when the duct wall thickness fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from a rigid geometric fit (grommet groove engaging duct edge) to a compliant material-based seal (foamed rubber compressed between piping and duct). The foamed rubber's compressibility allows it to adapt to wall thickness variations, maintaining sealing performance despite dimensional fluctuations in the duct.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses foamed rubber as a composite sealing material that combines the advantages of rubber elasticity with foam compressibility. This composite material can be compressed to fit tight spaces while maintaining sealing pressure, resolving the contradiction between simple connection and reliable sealing under dimensional variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the duct wall thickness is controlled precisely, then the grommet engagement is reliable, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foamed rubber sealing material serves itself by automatically adapting to the actual duct dimensions through compression. Instead of requiring precise duct manufacturing to achieve proper grommet engagement, the sealing system self-adjusts to accommodate dimensional variations, eliminating the need for tight wall thickness controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes from a dimension-critical sealing approach (requiring precise wall thickness) to a pressure-critical sealing approach (using compressed foamed rubber). This parameter shift allows the system to tolerate dimensional variations while maintaining sealing effectiveness through material compliance rather than geometric precision.
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 solution ensures consistent and superior sealing performance at the connection points between the duct and piping member, regardless of duct wall thickness variations, while also reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The compressed foamed rubber sealing material is pressed against the edge of the opening of the duct and the piping portion by its own restoring force
Data Source
AI summary
A duct structure having excellent sealing performance at a connection portion between a duct and a piping member. The duct structure includes a duct and a piping member. The duct includes an opening in a tubular portion, and the piping member includes a piping portion. The piping portion is inserted into the opening and connected to the duct, and a foam rubber sealing material is disposed in a compressed state between an outer peripheral surface of the piping portion and an edge of the opening.