Piping cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piping covers for heat source devices face challenges in workability due to the requirement for a certain width to secure strength, which limits the formation of figure 8-shaped holes, leading to potential deformation or damage from engagement protrusions and restricted space for pipe disposal.
Innovation Solution
A piping cover design featuring a side plate with an L-shaped notch on the connecting flange, including a first slit opening inward and a second slit extending outward, allowing for easy insertion and secure connection of the connector from the casing without requiring a wide flange, thereby enhancing workability and preventing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a figure 8-shaped hole is drilled in the flange to enable connector insertion, then the piping cover can be detachably connected to the casing, but the flange width must be sufficiently large which limits the space for pipe disposal below the casing
Solution Approach 1:
The notch is divided into two separate slits: a first slit for connector insertion and a second slit for connector engagement. This segmentation allows the connector to be inserted and secured in a linear path without requiring a complex figure 8-shaped hole, thereby reducing the flange width requirement while maintaining detachable connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the connector to pass through a complex figure 8-shaped hole path, the invention inverts the approach by providing two separate linear slits that guide the connector in a simpler insertion path, with the second slit engaging the connector after insertion to provide securing function.
2Ease of operation
If a figure 8-shaped hole is drilled in the flange, then the piping cover can be connected to the casing, but the engagement protrusion collides with the flange causing deformation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection path is segmented into two separate slits rather than one complex figure 8-shaped hole. The first slit allows clean insertion of the engagement protrusion without collision, while the second slit provides engagement path, separating the insertion and engagement functions to prevent flange deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-slit notch structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that guides the engagement protrusion through a controlled path, preventing direct collision with the flange material that would cause deformation, while still achieving secure connection.
3Volume of stationary object
If the flange width is reduced to secure space for pipe disposal, then more space is available below the casing, but the figure 8-shaped hole cannot be formed and connection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The complex figure 8-shaped hole is segmented into two simpler linear slits that can be formed even in narrow flanges. This segmentation reduces the minimum flange width requirement while maintaining the connection function, enabling both compact design and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the connection feature from a complex curved figure 8-shaped hole to simple linear slits with specific width and length dimensions. This parameter change allows the feature to be manufactured in narrower flanges while maintaining functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A piping cover (6) has a side plate (8), wherein the side plate (8) includes a connecting flange (81) extending toward an inside of the piping cover (6) at an upper end thereof, the connecting flange (81) has an L-shaped notch (85) into which a connector (5) protruding downward from a bottom surface (23) of the casing (1) is inserted, and the L-shaped notch (85) includes a first slit (85a) opening to an inner end of the connecting flange (81) and extending outward from the inner end of the connecting flange (81), and a second slit (85b) bent and extending from an outer end of the first slit (85a).