HVAC Viewing Window Rotary Joint Anti-Loosening Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing viewing windows for HVAC systems and climatic chambers require additional holes in the housing wall for anti-reverse devices, leading to installation challenges, visual impairments, and susceptibility to faults due to potential leaks and moisture ingress.

Innovation Solution

A viewing window design featuring a locking device integrated with the rotary joint, which secures the slewing ring against unintentional loosening without the need for additional holes, utilizing a ratchet-like mechanism with latching elements and spiral-shaped fastening means for secure angular positioning and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an anti-rotation device is mounted by drilling a hole in the housing wall, then the rotary joint is secured against unintentional loosening, but the housing wall is visually impaired and susceptible to leaks and moisture ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-rotation securityVSAvoidleaks and moisture ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is integrated into the rotary joint structure itself, combining the anti-rotation function with the existing rotary connection between disk carriers. This eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation devices that require drilling holes in the housing wall, thereby maintaining pressure tightness while providing reliable anti-rotation security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary element within the rotary joint that prevents unintentional loosening without requiring direct connection to the housing wall. The locking elements engage with each other within the rotary joint assembly, providing the necessary anti-rotation function while preserving the integrity of the housing wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple holes are drilled into the housing wall for anti-rotation devices, then the rotary joint can be secured, but installation effort increases and contaminants can penetrate the wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotary joint securityVSAvoidinstallation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation function is merged into the rotary joint assembly itself, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations on the housing wall. The locking mechanism is installed simultaneously with the rotary joint assembly, reducing installation steps and avoiding multiple drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary joint assembly with integrated locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-securing. Once assembled, the locking elements automatically engage to prevent unintentional loosening, eliminating the need for additional installation steps on the housing wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a locking mechanism is integrated with the rotary joint, then no additional holes are needed in the housing wall, but the rotary joint structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure tightnessVSAvoidrotary joint structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into discrete locking elements that are distributed around the rotary joint circumference. This modular approach allows the locking function to be distributed rather than concentrated, reducing the complexity of any single component while maintaining overall functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding complexity to the housing wall mounting structure, the locking function is inverted and placed within the rotary joint assembly itself. This reverses the conventional approach of securing anti-rotation devices to the housing, thereby preserving pressure tightness while managing complexity within the rotary joint components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The solution provides a secure, easy-to-assemble, and fault-resistant viewing window that prevents unintentional loosening of the slewing ring, maintaining a pressure-tight seal and reducing installation effort and susceptibility to faults.

Implementation Method 1

the locking mechanism is designed in the form of a ratchet. This ratchet-like design allows the rotary joint to be secured at discrete intervals and thus angles of rotation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 2

The two pane supports are mounted in the viewing opening via a rotary connection, whereby the two pane supports are rotated relative to each other and mounted in the viewing opening in the manner of a screw connection.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew connection: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3701109B1Viewing window for ventilation and air-conditioning systems and climate chambers

Publication Date: 2021.06.30 EMKA BESCHLAGTAILE GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a viewing window for insertion into a viewing opening (2), in particular a viewing opening (2) in a ventilation and air-conditioning system and/or a climate chamber, said viewing window comprising two pane supports (3, 4) which can be connected to one another by a rotary joint (30) that is prevented, by means of a notched locking mechanism (31), from accidentally coming loose.