Elastic body for closure, air conditioning device, and closure method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning device closure methods require time-consuming alignment correction processes due to misalignment between refrigeration piping and partition plate axes, hindering efficient manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
An elastic body for closure with a fitting portion that fits against the peripheral edge of the through-hole, eliminating the need for a support member and allowing relative displacement, enabling easy attachment even with misaligned axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber body for closure with a support member is used to close a piping penetration portion, then water-tightness is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming due to welding requirements and alignment correction
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is extracted/removed from the closure structure. The elastic body is designed to directly fit against the peripheral edge portion of the through-hole without requiring a separate support member for attachment, eliminating the welding process and simplifying installation
Solution Approach 2:
The closure structure is made dynamic and adaptable through the elastic material properties and the displacement allowance portion. The elastic body can deform to accommodate misalignment between the piping center axis and through-hole center axis, allowing installation without precise alignment correction
2Reliability
If a rigid closure structure is used to ensure water-tightness, then sealing is achieved, but misalignment between piping axis and through-hole axis requires time-consuming correction processes
Solution Approach 1:
The closure structure transitions from rigid to elastic, changing the physical parameter of rigidity to flexibility. This allows the closure to deform and adapt to misaligned conditions while maintaining water-tightness, eliminating the need for time-consuming alignment correction processes
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement allowance portion provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the elastic body to shift and deform to accommodate misalignment between the piping center axis and through-hole center axis during installation
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
Facilitates efficient manufacturing of air conditioning devices by simplifying the attachment process and ensuring water-tightness without the need for additional support members or alignment correction.
Implementation Method 1
the displacement allowance portion (33) connects the pressurized insertion receiving portion (31) and the fitting portion (32). Thus, even when the center axis of the shaft and the center axis of the through-hole are misaligned, a process for correcting the misalignment can be omitted.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rubber body (30) for closure as an elastic body for closure closes a gap between a partition plate (11) in which a through-hole (11a) is formed and refrigeration piping (P) inserted through the through-hole (11a). The rubber body (30) for closure includes a pressurized insertion receiving portion (31) having formed therein an opening into which the refrigeration piping (P) is pressed and inserted, the pressurized insertion receiving portion (31) elastically pressing and contacting in a liquid-tight manner an external surface of the refrigeration piping (P) that is pressed and inserted in the opening; a fitting portion (32) fitted in a liquid-tight manner the peripheral edge portion of the through-hole (11a) in the partition plate (11) in a state in which an inner circumferential surface of the through-hole (11a) is elastically pressed; and a displacement allowance portion (33) that closes a gap between the pressurized insertion receiving portion (31) and the fitting portion (32), and to allow a relative displacement of the pressurized insertion receiving portion (31) and the fitting portion (32) in a direction parallel to the partition plate (11) by elastically deforming the pressurized insertion receiving portion (31) and the fitting portion (32).