Modular Flexible Insulated Air Duct With Zipper Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning ventilation ducts are often rigid, leading to poor insulation, fire resistance, and air leakage issues, with complex and costly customization requirements for varying site specifications, and inefficient installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A flexible insulation duct system comprising an annular pipe with an inner and outer insulation layer, equipped with zipper connections for modular assembly and disassembly, allowing for quick site-specific configuration and standardization, enhancing insulation, fire resistance, and ease of transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid ducts (iron sheet, glass steel, polyurethane, phenolic, polystyrene, fiberglass) are used, then structural strength is improved, but insulation effect and fire resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The duct combines rubber plastic material (providing flexibility and insulation) with aluminum foil coating (providing fire resistance and structural reinforcement). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties: the rubber plastic core offers thermal insulation and flexibility, while the aluminum foil layer provides fire resistance and structural strength, achieving both structural integrity and reliable insulation/fire resistance performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible rubber plastic material as the base duct material instead of rigid materials. This flexible shell provides inherent insulation properties and can be coated with thin aluminum foil layers for fire resistance enhancement. The flexible nature allows the duct to maintain insulation effectiveness while adapting to installation requirements, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and insulation/fire resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized duct specifications are produced for each application site, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is divided into standardized modular sections with uniform dimensions and connection interfaces. Each module can be produced independently using standardized manufacturing processes, reducing production costs and time. The modular segments are then assembled on-site to create duct systems of various lengths and configurations, maintaining adaptability to different application sites without requiring custom manufacturing for each project.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops universal duct modules with standardized connection mechanisms (such as zipper connections) that can be used across different application scenarios. These universal modules serve multiple functions: they can be assembled in various configurations, adapted to different site requirements through combination, and produced using the same manufacturing process. This universality resolves the contradiction by enabling one size-fits-most approach while maintaining site-specific adaptability through modular assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-standard customized ducts are produced, then adaptability is improved, but packaging and transportation convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is segmented into standardized modular units with uniform dimensions optimized for packaging. These modules can be efficiently stacked and packaged in standard shipping containers or pallets, greatly improving transportation convenience. On-site, the same modular segments are assembled in various configurations to meet different application requirements, maintaining customization capability while enabling efficient logistics and distribution.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid ducts are used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic connection mechanisms such as zipper connections that allow the duct modules to be easily assembled and disassembled. These connections provide sufficient structural stability when closed while enabling rapid assembly and replacement operations. The flexible nature of the rubber plastic material also allows for easy adjustment and reconfiguration during installation, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of assembly by providing connections that are both secure and maneuverable.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct modules are pre-assembled with connection mechanisms (such as zippers) already in place during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid on-site assembly without requiring complex field fabrication or adjustment. The pre-configured connections maintain structural stability while enabling quick installation and replacement, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and assembly ease by shifting complexity to the manufacturing stage rather than the installation stage.
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 flexible insulation duct system provides improved heat preservation, fire resistance, and air leakage prevention, enabling rapid on-site assembly and reducing construction costs with convenient packaging and transportation, while allowing for customizable duct structures.
Implementation Method 1
the insulation layer is made of rubber plastic materials
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a flexible insulated air duct and a modular flexible insulated air-duct system; the flexible insulated air duct includes an air-duct main body (1); the air-duct main body (1) includes an inner air-duct layer (5) and a heat-insulating layer (4) integrally formed on the inner air-duct layer (5); the inner air-duct layer (5) is arranged inside the heat-insulating layer (4), and the heat-insulating layer (4) is a rubber/plastic material. The modular flexible insulated air-duct system made by assembling a main air duct (7), a branched air duct (8), and a connecting air duct (9) may be rapidly connected on-site using a zip fastener to form an air-duct system having any configuration.