Flexible-Tab Dust Cover for Secure HVAC Duct Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction sites often have airborne dust and debris that can contaminate HVAC equipment, leading to improper functioning, and existing solutions like tape may not securely cover the points of entry into HVAC ducts.

Innovation Solution

A dust cover with a main body member and an annular wall featuring flexible tabs with transverse grooves, designed to securely fit over points of entry into HVAC ducts, preventing dust and debris from entering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tape is used to cover the points of entry into the ducts, then the HVAC equipment is protected from dust and debris, but the tape may come loose and fall off, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure coverage of duct entry pointsVSAvoidsimplicity of dust cover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The annular wall is divided into multiple flexible tabs separated by slits, creating segmented structures that can independently engage with the duct surface. This segmentation allows each tab to flex and conform to the duct geometry, providing secure attachment without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tabs with transverse grooves provide dynamic adaptability to the duct surface. The grooves allow the tabs to bend and conform to the curved surface of the duct, while the flexibility enables the tabs to maintain engagement under varying conditions, ensuring reliable coverage without rigid complex structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a secure fit is achieved using flexible tabs with grooves, then dust and debris are prevented from entering, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust and debris contaminationVSAvoidstructure of dust cover with tabs and grooves

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust cover utilizes flexible tabs made from thin, adaptable material that can conform to the duct surface. These flexible elements create an effective seal against dust and debris entry while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the need for complex rigid sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse grooves in the flexible tabs add a dimensional feature that enables engagement with the duct surface in a new way. The grooves allow the tabs to bend and conform to the curved surface, creating an effective seal through geometric adaptation rather than complex mechanical fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12320544B1Dust cover and method of use to protect HVAC equipment from dust and debris

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 BT GRACE HOMES INC

AI summary

Dust covers for use in protecting HVAC equipment from dust and debris during construction are disclosed. A dust cover may include a main body member having an upper surface and an annular wall extending downwardly away from the upper surface; and a plurality of flexible tabs extending downwardly from the annular wall. The flexible tabs may include an upper transverse groove and a lower transverse groove. The upper transverse groove may be between the lower transverse groove and the upper surface. The annular wall may include a plurality of evenly spaced slits defining the flexible tabs therebetween. The slits may be parallel to each other.