Split Flange Wall Lead-Through with Hinge Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall ducts with divided flanges are complex and difficult to install due to insufficient positioning and guidance of individual parts, leading to increased costs and assembly challenges, especially when replacing damaged or destroyed flanges in existing installations.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a hinge joint mechanism with half-flange parts featuring a hinge bolt and hinge strap at separation points, ensuring secure assembly and alignment, along with a ring-like seal for effective sealing and strain relief, allowing for easy replacement and integration with pre-assembled cables or lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a divided flange is used to enable retrofitting in existing installations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to insufficient positioning and guidance of individual parts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is divided into two half-flange parts that can be assembled separately and then connected to form a complete flange. This segmentation enables retrofitting in existing installations where a complete flange cannot be installed as a single piece, while the hinge joint ensures proper alignment and positioning during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two half-flange parts, providing both connection and alignment functions. This intermediary element ensures that the individual parts are properly positioned and guided relative to each other and to the wall, resolving the positioning problem while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If individual parts are divided for easier installation, then ease of operation is improved, but difficulty of assembly increases due to insufficient positioning and guidance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge joint provides a dynamic connection that allows the half-flange parts to be assembled in a sequential manner. The hinge allows for some movement during assembly to accommodate positioning tolerances, then locks into a fixed position once aligned, making the assembly process easier while ensuring proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge joint serves as an intermediary that guides the relative positioning of the two half-flange parts. By incorporating the hinge into one of the half-flange parts, it automatically provides the necessary alignment and guidance during assembly, reducing the complexity of the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If different connecting means are used on each half-flange part, then reliability of connection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The two half-flange parts have asymmetric designs with different connecting means (hinge bolt vs. hinge strap). This asymmetry provides reliable connection through complementary fitting, where the hinge bolt of one part engages with the hinge strap of the other. The asymmetric design actually reduces manufacturing precision requirements by providing built-in alignment features that guide the parts into correct positioning during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3033560B1Wall lead-through
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 PFLITSCH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3033560B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3033560B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3033560B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wall lead-through for laying elongate shaped parts, pipes, lines and/or cables through walls of equipment, housings or components provided with walls, wherein the wall has a through-hole and a flange (1) is fastened to the wall by means of fastening means, which flange has a hole (2) coaxial to the through-hole, wherein the flange (1) comprises two half-flange parts (3) which cross centrally the hole (2) thereof with a parting plane, which half-flange parts are or can be connected to one another by means of integrally moulded connecting means (4), and wherein the half-flange parts (3) have an identical shape, wherein each half-flange part (3) has a first connecting means at one parting point and a second connecting means at a second parting point and the connecting means are different from one another but compatible with one another in the desired mounting position of the half-flange parts (3).