Modular Duct Seal Structure for Shear-Free Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing duct systems face issues with seal quality due to misalignment between installation and sealing directions, leading to shear forces that cause damage such as holes or warping in sealing interfaces, reducing the effectiveness of fluid conveyance.
Innovation Solution
The duct system design aligns the installation direction with the sealing direction by using a first and second duct with specific contact surfaces and seals, where the second duct is installed along a lateral direction, engaging with angled contact surfaces and seals to ensure proper alignment and sealing, and includes fasteners and seals to maintain fluid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If modular duct system components are installed with installation direction not aligned with sealing direction, then duct assembly is simplified, but sealing surfaces experience shear force causing holes, warping, cracking, or other damage that reduces seal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional duct connection approach by designing the sealing direction to be perpendicular to the installation direction rather than parallel. The sealing surfaces are oriented such that when ducts are installed horizontally or vertically, the sealing action occurs in the radial direction, eliminating shear forces on the seal while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Reliability
If sealing surfaces are designed to engage during installation, then seal quality improves, but installation direction must be aligned with sealing direction complicating the assembly process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the sealing action from the longitudinal dimension (parallel to installation direction) to the radial dimension (perpendicular to installation direction). By designing sealing surfaces that engage radially when ducts are connected, the system achieves high seal quality without complicating the assembly process, as the radial sealing action occurs naturally during standard installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If duct components are designed with misaligned installation and sealing directions, then manufacturing flexibility increases, but sealing interfaces experience damage reducing fluid conveyance effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the sealing direction perpendicular to the installation direction rather than parallel. This allows duct components to be manufactured with standard orientations while achieving reliable sealing, as the radial sealing surfaces engage automatically during installation without requiring special alignment or causing shear damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A duct system for an air intake system for a vehicle, the duct system including a first duct having a first duct wall that defines a first duct opening and forms a conduit configured for conveying fluid through the first duct opening in an axial direction of the first duct opening, and a rim fixed with the first duct wall and extending from the first duct in the axial direction of the first duct opening, and disposed around the first duct opening, with a first rim portion and a second rim portion disposed along opposite sides of the first duct opening in a lateral direction of the first duct opening perpendicular to the axial direction of the first duct opening. The duct system also includes a second duct including a second duct wall that defines a second duct opening in fluid communication with the first duct opening.