Externally Tensioned Pliable Air Ducts to Prevent Sagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pliable air ducts often sag when deflated, creating an unsightly appearance and may produce objectionable sounds during rapid inflation due to sudden expansion, and existing solutions do not effectively maintain a consistent shape or reduce noise effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of a pliable tubular sidewall air duct assembly with internal hoops and hangers that maintain the duct's shape when deflated, utilizing a combination of hoops, loops, and hangers to keep the duct taut and prevent sagging, and employing tension configurations to minimize noise during inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pliable air ducts are used to allow easy installation and flexibility, then ease of installation is improved, but the duct sags when deflated creating unsightly appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into multiple sections with expansion joints between them, allowing each section to be independently supported and shaped. This segmentation enables the duct to maintain its shape when deflated while still being flexible enough for easy installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct uses a flexible pliable material that can be easily installed and configured, while incorporating internal support structures (expansion joints and connectors) that prevent sagging when the duct is deflated, thus maintaining shape consistency.
2Productivity
If pliable air ducts are allowed to expand rapidly during inflation, then airflow efficiency is improved, but objectionable sounds are produced due to sudden expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is segmented into multiple sections with expansion joints that allow controlled, progressive expansion during inflation. This prevents sudden simultaneous expansion of the entire duct, thereby reducing noise while still maintaining airflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion joints and connectors are designed to allow controlled dynamic expansion during inflation, enabling the duct to expand progressively rather than all at once. This dynamic control reduces noise while preserving airflow efficiency.
3Ease of repair
If connectors are added to suspend the duct from cable or track, then the duct can be readily removed for cleaning, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into modular sections connected by connectors that can easily attach to and detach from cables or tracks. This segmentation enables simple removal of individual sections for cleaning while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are designed to serve multiple functions: suspending the duct from cables or tracks, allowing easy removal for cleaning, and maintaining structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting complexity increase.
4Shape
If internal hoops are added to maintain duct shape when deflated, then shape consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding continuous internal support structures, the duct uses segmented expansion joints with integrated hoops or rigid elements at specific intervals. This provides shape consistency where needed while minimizing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct combines flexible pliable material with minimal internal support elements (hoops or rigid expansion joints) strategically placed to maintain shape when deflated, rather than using extensive internal bracing that would increase complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.