Panel for external air-conditioning ducts and similar products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-supporting air ducts exposed to bad weather lack effective insulation and durability, requiring additional thermal insulation materials that increase costs and are bulky for transport and storage, while existing solutions with metal sheaths are not suitable for outdoor use without protection.
Innovation Solution
A 'sandwich'-type panel structure with a mineral wool core, an external layer of UV-resistant plastics and aluminium, and an internal layer of aluminium or glass fabric, bonded with a glue, providing a durable and moisture-resistant, heat-resistant, and cold-resistant solution for air ducts that can be easily assembled and manufactured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If self-supporting ducts are used outside without protective coating, then assembly is quick and easy, but they lack durability and moisture resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The duct panel combines mineral wool core with multiple protective layers including UV-resistant plastics, aluminium sheet, and glue bonding system. This composite structure provides both the ease of assembly of self-supporting ducts and the durability needed for outdoor exposure to weather, moisture, and UV radiation.
2Reliability
If metal sheath is used for outdoor ducts, then durability and weather resistance are improved, but assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional metal sheath with a composite panel structure consisting of mineral wool core bonded to UV-resistant plastics and aluminium sheet. This provides equivalent weather resistance and durability while maintaining the simplicity and speed of assembly characteristic of self-supporting duct systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior covering uses UV-resistant plastics material with specific thickness parameters (0.05-0.50 mm) and bonding strength characteristics that match or exceed metal sheath performance. The aluminium sheet layer provides reflective properties and structural integrity, while the multi-layer composite achieves weather resistance without metal assembly complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If ducts are made without thermal insulation, then manufacturing is simpler, but additional insulation materials are required increasing cost and transport bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation function is merged into the duct panel itself by using mineral wool as the central core material. This eliminates the need for separate insulation materials, reducing both manufacturing steps and transport volume while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mineral wool core serves dual purposes as both structural support and thermal insulation. The composite panel structure integrates insulation, structural integrity, and weather protection into a single manufactured unit, eliminating the need for additional insulation materials and reducing overall material volume.
4Reliability
If UV protection layer is added to exterior covering, then durability against sunlight is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV protection is integrated into the exterior covering by using UV-resistant plastics material as one of the layers in the composite structure. This provides durable UV protection while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized multi-layer panel production process.
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 offers quick and economical assembly of thermally insulated, vapour-tight air ducts with enhanced durability and versatility, capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions, reducing material costs and transport complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an external layer that is resistant to bad weather and made up of a layer of plastics material covered with an aluminium sheet which, in turn, is protected in particular from ultraviolet radiation
Implementation Method 2
a core of insulating material, preferably mineral wool
Implementation Method 3
said external layer being fixed to said central core by means of a glue
Data Source
AI summary
A panel for self-supporting ducts, in particular air-conditioning ducts, made up of a core of mineral wool or the like, covered on its external face and on its internal face with an exterior covering and an interior covering, respectively. The interior covering includes or preferably is made up of an aluminum sheet, a layer of a glass fabric or a layer of a glass web. The exterior covering includes the succession of a first layer of plastics material, an aluminum sheet, and a second layer of plastics material. The layers of plastics material are bonded to the aluminum sheet directly or via an adhesive. The exterior covering is bonded to the external surface of the core by glue.