Two-Part Bracket Suspension for Low-Pressure Inflatable Air Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for inflatable air ducts in greenhouses require high air pressure to maintain duct openness, leading to dry greenhouse conditions and inefficiencies, and are often complex, costly, and prone to air flow hindrances and structural issues.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system featuring a two-part support bracket with bent ends that prevent rotation and sagging by providing multiple holding points, allowing for easy installation and adaptation to various suspension structures, ensuring the air duct remains open even at low pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If prior art suspension systems are used with inflatable air ducts, then the duct can be suspended, but high air pressure is required to maintain duct openness over the entire length
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is divided into two separate components: a first bracket component and a second bracket component. Each component supports one side of the duct independently, allowing the duct to maintain its shape without requiring high internal pressure. The segmented structure provides distributed support along the duct length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from internal pressure support (one-dimensional) to external structural support in three-dimensional space. The bracket components extend into the space around the duct, providing geometric constraints that maintain duct openness without relying on internal pressure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high air pressure is used to keep the duct open, then the duct remains open over the entire length, but the air in the greenhouse becomes too dry
Solution Approach 1:
The function of maintaining duct openness is extracted from the air pressure system and transferred to the external bracket structure. By removing the dependency on high air pressure, the harmful effect of drying out the greenhouse air is eliminated while the duct remains open.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the power station is started slowly with low power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the duct sags because air pressure is too low
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket components are installed on the duct before the power station is activated. This preliminary structural support ensures the duct maintains its open position from the start, allowing the power station to be started slowly without causing the duct to sag.
4Stability of the object's composition
If external rib cage structures are used to keep the duct open, then the duct remains open at low pressure, but the system takes up a lot of space in height
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a continuous external rib cage, localized bracket components are used at specific positions along the duct. Each bracket provides support at its local position with minimal height, avoiding the need for a tall continuous external structure.
5Stability of the object's composition
If internal frameworks are used in the air duct, then the duct can maintain its shape, but the framework hinders air flow and is too complicated to install
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the support structure inside the duct (internal framework), the support is inverted to the outside of the duct. The bracket components wrap around the external circumference, providing structural support without interfering with internal air flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex internal framework is extracted and replaced with simpler external bracket components. The support function is moved outside the duct, eliminating the need for complicated internal structures that would hinder air flow.
6Reliability
If grommets and additional plastic layers are added to the duct for attaching hangers, then the duct can be suspended, but the installation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket components are designed with universal functionality, incorporating both the support function and the suspension attachment function in a single integrated structure. The brackets can be attached to various suspension structures (cables, rods, beams) without requiring duct modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket components serve as intermediary elements between the duct and the suspension structure. Instead of directly modifying the duct with grommets and plastic layers, the brackets mediate the connection, simplifying the installation process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Suspension system for supporting an inflatable air duct comprising at least one support bracket arranged to support the inflatable air duct, said at least one support bracket being suspendable, wherein said at least one support bracket includes a first bracket component arranged to support a first side of the inflatable air duct, and a second bracket component arranged to support a second opposite side of the inflatable air duct, wherein a first end of each of said first and second bracket components comprises a plurality of bends such as to provide at least one holding point to prevent said first and second bracket components from rotating in opposite direction towards each other around an axis in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the inflatable air duct.