Method for forming a seal between ventilation ducts and/or their terminal units, and combination of a seal and a channel/duct part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for forming seals between ventilation ducts and their terminal units result in seals that are either difficult to install due to stiffness or require excessive force for opening, compromising ease of installation without sacrificing tightness.

Innovation Solution

The method involves extruding sealing compound in overlapping turns with a significant overlap (at least 10 mm) and seaming adjacent parts together using compressed gas or a water jet, allowing for a flexible and continuous seam that facilitates easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple turns of sealing compound are extruded to form a wide seal, then the tightness of the seal is improved, but the stiffness of the seal increases making installation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightness of sealVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into multiple overlapping turns that are seamed together, creating a segmented structure that maintains tightness through overlapping layers while allowing flexibility through the seamed joints between segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the sealing compound is changed by controlling its hardness and elasticity parameters, allowing it to be extruded in overlapping turns that can be seamed together, achieving both tightness and flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a continuous seal is formed by extruding sealing compound around the perimeter, then the tightness is improved, but the seal becomes stiff requiring excessive force for opening

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidforce required for opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous seal is segmented into overlapping turns that are joined by seams, creating a structure that maintains continuity for tightness while introducing flexible joint points that reduce the force needed for opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If overlapping turns of sealing compound are extruded and seamed together, then the flexibility of the seal is improved, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of sealVSAvoidcomplexity of extrusion and seaming process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extrusion and seaming operations are merged into a coordinated process where sealing compound is extruded in overlapping turns and immediately seamed together, integrating multiple operations to manage complexity while achieving flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach ensures a tight, elastic seal that is easy to install and remove, maintaining adequate tightness while simplifying the installation process.

Implementation Method 1

carrying out the seaming by blowing adjacent/overlapping parts together with compressed gas, such as compressed air, on one or both sides of the seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed gas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

carrying out the seaming by blowing adjacent/overlapping parts together with a water jet on one or both sides of the seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater jet pressure: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3757473B1Method for forming a seal between ventilation ducts and/or their terminal units, and combination of a seal and a channel/duct part
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 FLAKTGRP SWEDEN AB
  • EP3757473B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A method for forming a seal (4) between ventilation ducts and/or their terminal units, which method involves extruding sealing compound around the perimeter of a duct part (3). The invention is implemented by extruding sealing compound for more than a turn so that the part (4") exceeding the turn is extruded next to the beginning (4') of the seal (4), and by causing an upward or downward spiral on the sealing compound in connection with extrusion, which allows the beginning (4') and end (4") to settle adjacently without colliding, and by seaming these adjacent seal parts (4', 4") together at least the most part, and by extruding sealing compound so that it overlaps by at least 10 mm. The invention additionally relates to a seal made by means of the method.