JP7705766B2 - Duct Connection Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection structure for air conditioning equipment in a building, and in particular to a duct connection device that connects the end of a flexible duct to an air conditioning device.

In general, buildings such as houses, commercial buildings, and factories are provided with air conditioning equipment for ventilation and heating/cooling. For example, ducts constituting air flow paths are installed in the ceiling. Ends of the ducts are connected to air conditioning equipment that performs ventilation and heating/cooling (see Patent Document 1, etc.).
A known type of duct is a flexible duct that has a structure in which a flexible insulating material such as glass wool is held in a cylindrical shape by a coiled core material (see Patent Document 2, etc.). A short connecting pipe protrudes from the air conditioning equipment side. The end of the flexible duct is fitted around the outer periphery of the connecting pipe, and adhesive tape or a band is wrapped around the outer periphery of the end of the flexible duct. Furthermore, the flexible duct is secured against coming loose with pins, nails, staples, etc.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-197039 JP 2016-035345 A

Conventional duct connection procedures, such as wrapping adhesive tape or bands around ducts and hammering in pins, are cumbersome, time-consuming, and require a certain level of skill.
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object to provide a duct connection structure that can easily and quickly connect the end of a flexible duct to an air conditioning device in an air conditioning facility of a building.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a duct connection device for connecting a flexible duct and an air conditioning device, comprising:
The flexible duct has an end portion, and a connecting tube is provided, the connecting tube being covered with a soft insulating material on the outer periphery thereof.
The connecting cylinder is characterized by including a first engaging portion that fits into a first engaging receiving portion formed on the connection port member of the air conditioning equipment, and a spiral groove formed on the connecting cylinder that engages with a coil-shaped core material of the flexible duct.
At the construction site, the flexible duct and air conditioning equipment can be connected with a single touch by simply mating the first locking portion of the connecting cylinder with the first locking receiving portion of the connection port member.
The insulating material of the flexible duct covers the connecting cylinder, thereby ensuring thermal insulation at the duct connection portion.
The engagement between the core material and the spiral rib enables the flexible duct and the connecting cylinder to be securely connected, and reliably prevents the connecting cylinder from falling off the flexible duct.
The helical rib may include a helical groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connecting cylinder, or may be a helical ridge protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting cylinder.

The connecting cylinder is formed with a second locking portion,
It is preferable that an annular band is fitted onto the outer periphery of the end of the flexible duct, and the annular band is formed with a second engaging portion that engages with the second engaging receiving portion.
By sandwiching the flexible duct between the annular band material and the connecting cylinder, the flexible duct and the connecting cylinder can be joined more reliably.

The duct connection device may further comprise an annular locking member having the first locking portion and fitted onto an outer periphery of the connection port member.
As a result, the connecting cylinder is connected to the connection port member via the locking member. Even if the connection port member itself does not have the first locking member, the flexible duct can be connected to the air conditioning device.

It is preferable that a notch is formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the first locking receiving portion or the first locking portion.
When separating the air conditioner from the flexible duct, a tool is inserted into the notch to release the engagement between the first locking portion and the first locking receiving portion, thereby separating the duct connection device from the connection port member.

The connection port member or the connection cylinder is preferably provided with a strip (grip) extending outward from between the first locking receiving portion and the first locking portion.
When separating the air conditioner from the flexible duct, the first engaging portion or the first engaging receiving portion is deformed by pinching and pulling the strip, which disengages the first engaging portion from the first engaging receiving portion, allowing easy separation.

According to the present invention, the end of a flexible duct can be easily and quickly connected to an air conditioning device.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a duct connection structure for a building air conditioning system using a duct connection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circle II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the duct connection device in a state before it is attached to the end of a flexible duct. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the annular band and the connecting cylinder of the duct connection device in a state where they are fitted into the flexible duct. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the duct connection device attached to the end of the flexible duct. FIG. 6 shows the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view showing the state before the locking receiving member is fitted into the connection port member of the air conditioner. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a duct connection structure for a building air conditioning facility using the duct connection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a duct connection structure for a building air conditioning system using a duct connection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 9A and 9B are side views and cross-sectional views of the connecting cylinder of the duct connection device of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled portion X in FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5)
FIG. 1 shows an air conditioning system 1 for a building. The air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning device 2 and a flexible duct 3. The air conditioning device 2 is a ventilation chamber installed in, for example, the ceiling of a building, but is not limited thereto, and may be an air conditioner module, a cooling and heating module, or an air outlet unit. The installation location of the air conditioning device 2 is not limited to the ceiling, but may be under the ceiling, indoors, or behind a wall. The housing 2a of the air conditioning device 2 is provided with a cylindrical connection port member 40 that constitutes the connection port 4. The connection port member 40 includes a mouth tube portion 41, a tapered flange 42, and a fixed tube portion 43. The mouth tube portion 41 protrudes outward from the housing 2a of the air conditioning device 2. The flange 42 is attached to the outer surface of the housing 2a. A male thread 43a on the outer periphery of the fixed tube portion 43 is screwed into a female thread on the inner periphery of the opening of the housing 2a.

As shown in Fig. 2, a first locking receiving portion 44 that is annular and recessed in a step shape is formed on the side of the outer end portion 42c of the flange 42 facing the housing 2a. As shown in Fig. 1, a concave cutout portion 45 is formed at one or more locations in the circumferential direction of the flange outer end portion 42c including the first locking receiving portion 44. The bottom surface of the cutout portion 45 is flush with the bottom surface of the first locking receiving portion 44 or is recessed radially inward from the bottom surface of the first locking receiving portion 44. Preferably, a plurality of cutout portions 45 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange outer end portion 42c.
Preferably, a marking (not shown) is provided at the position where the cutout portion 45 is disposed in the circumferential direction of the connection port member 40 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible duct 3 includes a soft cylindrical insulating material 3a made of glass wool or the like, an inner layer 3b along the inner circumference of the insulating material 3a, a coil-shaped core material 3c, and an outer layer 3d covering the outer circumference of the insulating material 3a. The end 3e of the flexible duct 3 is connected to the connection port 4 of the air conditioning equipment 2 via a duct connection device 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the duct connection device 5 includes a connection cylinder 10 (socket) and an annular band material 20 (ring). The connection cylinder 10 includes a cylinder body 11, a flange 12, a first locking portion 13, and a second locking receiving portion 14. A helical thread 15 is formed in the cylinder body 11. The helical thread 15 extends helically along the circumferential surface of the cylinder body 11, and is raised from the cylinder body 11 toward the outer periphery so that the cross section is roughly U-shaped, forming a helical groove 15a inside the helical thread 15. The helical groove 15a opens on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 11. The helical diameter of the helical thread 15 is substantially equal to the helical diameter of the core material 3c. The helical pitch of the helical thread 15 and therefore the helical groove 15a is substantially equal to the designed helical pitch of the core material 3c (the helical pitch when it is in a neutral state without expansion or contraction).

The end of the tube body 11 on the duct side (left side in FIG. 3) is expanded all around to form an annular large diameter section 16. The large diameter section 16 has approximately the same diameter as the outer periphery of the helical thread 15. The end of the helical thread 15 on the duct side (left side in FIG. 3) is integrally connected to the large diameter section 16. The helical groove 16a is connected to the internal space of the large diameter section 16.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a flange portion 12 is connected to the end of the tube body portion 11 on the air conditioner side (the right end in Figure 1). The flange portion 12 widens in a tapered shape as it moves away from the tube body portion 11. The taper angle of the flange portion 12 is steeper than the taper angle of the flange 42. The outer end portion (the end portion on the large diameter side) of the flange portion 12 extends in an annular shape toward the air conditioner side (the right end in Figure 1), and a first locking portion 13 and a second locking receiving portion 14 are provided on the extending portion.

The first locking portion 13 has a cylindrical portion 13a and a claw portion 13f, and is formed with an L-shaped cross section. The cylindrical portion 13a has a larger diameter than the outer end portion 42c of the flange 42. The claw portion 13f is provided at the end of the cylindrical portion 13a on the air conditioning equipment side (the right end portion in FIG. 2). The claw portion 13f protrudes radially inward from the cylindrical portion 13a and is annular around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 13a. The inner diameter of the inner peripheral edge of the claw portion 13f is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer end portion 42c of the flange 42 and is larger than the annular bottom surface of the first locking receiving portion 44.

A second locking receiving portion 14 is provided between the tapered portion 12a of the flange portion 12 and the cylindrical portion 13a of the first locking portion 13. The second locking receiving portion 14 is in the form of an annular recessed groove that opens to the outer periphery of the connecting cylinder 10. In the second locking receiving portion 14, the outer diameter of the groove wall portion 14a on the tapered portion 12a side is smaller than the outer diameter of the groove wall portion 14b on the first locking portion 13 side. In other words, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 13a is larger than the outer diameter of the large-diameter end of the tapered portion 12a.

The material of the connecting tube 10 is preferably a hard resin, but is not limited to this and may be metal.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the air conditioning equipment 2 and the flexible duct 3 are connected by the duct connection device 5, the connection cylinder 10 covers the outer periphery of the connection port member 40. The cylinder main body 11 surrounds the port cylinder portion 41. The flange portion 12 is overlapped on the outside of the flange 42. The cylindrical portion 13a of the first locking portion 13 surrounds the outer end portion 42c of the flange 42. The claw portion 13f fits into and is locked into the first locking receiving portion 44. This prevents the connection cylinder 10 from coming loose from the connection port member 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the connected state, the claw portion 13f is abutted against or close to the outer surface of the housing 2a. When the claw portion 13f is abutted against the outer surface of the housing 2a, the back side corner portion 14c of the second locking receiving portion 14 abuts against the tapered portion near the outer end of the flange 42. The R-shaped corner portion 12c connecting the inner end of the flange portion 12 and the tube main body portion 11 is close to or abuts against the middle part of the tapered portion of the flange 42.

In the connected state, the connecting cylinder 10 is interposed between the insulating material 3a at the end 3e of the flexible duct 3 and the core material 3c and inner layer 3b. The cylinder body 11 of the connecting cylinder 10 is disposed inside the insulating material 3a. In other words, the insulating material 3a covers the outer periphery of the cylinder body 11. The end face of the insulating material 3a is placed against the outer surface of the flange portion 12.

In the connected state, the core material 3c and the inner layer 3b are inserted between the connecting tube 10 and the nozzle 41. The core material 3c is fitted into the helical groove 15a of the helical thread 15. The inner layer 3b covers the outer circumference of the nozzle 41.

As shown in FIG. 2, the annular band material 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21, a second engaging portion 22, and a duct holding portion 23. The cylindrical portion 21 has approximately the same diameter as the cylindrical portion 13a of the first engaging portion 13, and has a longer axial length than the cylindrical portion 13a. The second engaging portion 22 is provided at the end of the cylindrical portion 21 on the air conditioning equipment side (the right end in FIG. 2). The second engaging portion 22 protrudes radially inward (lower in FIG. 2) from the cylindrical portion 21 and is formed in an annular claw shape that extends around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 13a. The inner diameter of the inner peripheral edge of the second engaging portion 22 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral portion of the annular groove wall portion 14a of the second engaging portion 14, and is larger than the annular groove bottom 14d.

A duct holding portion 23 is provided on the annular band material 20 on the opposite side of the cylindrical portion 21 from the second engaging portion 22 (the left side in FIG. 2 ). The duct holding portion 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion 21. A step portion 24 is formed between the duct holding portion 23 and the cylindrical portion 21. The inner diameter of the duct holding portion 23 is smaller than the outer diameter of the insulating material 3a of the flexible duct 3 in an uncompressed state.
The annular band material 20 is preferably softer than the connecting cylinder 10 and is made of an elastically deformable resin, but is not limited to this and may be made of a thin plate metal as long as it is soft.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the air conditioning equipment 2 and the flexible duct 3 are connected by the duct connection device 5, the annular band material 20 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the end 3e of the flexible duct 3. The insulating material 3a and the outer layer 3d of the end 3e of the flexible duct 3 are sandwiched between the annular band material 20 and the connecting cylinder 10. The duct pressing portion 23 compresses the insulating material 3a by pressing the end 3e of the flexible duct 3 from the outer periphery.

In the connected state, the second locking portion 22 fits into and is locked to the second locking receiving portion 14 from the outer periphery. The outer layer 3d is sandwiched between the second locking portion 22 and the second locking receiving portion 14. The end of the outer layer 3d extends outward from between the second locking portion 22 and the second locking receiving portion 14 and is folded back onto the outer periphery of the annular strip 20.

The flexible duct 3 and the air conditioning equipment 2 are connected by the duct connection device 5 as follows.
The duct connection device 5 is attached to the end 3e of the flexible duct 3 in advance. First, as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 3, the annular band 20 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the end 3e of the flexible duct 3. When fitting, the soft annular band 20 is elastically deformed and the soft insulating material 3a of the flexible duct 3 is compressively deformed, as necessary. As a result, the annular band 20 is positioned slightly behind the end 3e of the flexible duct 3, as shown in Fig. 4. Preferably, the distance from the end face of the insulating material 3a to the annular band 20 on the flexible duct 3 is set to be greater than the axial length of the tube main body 11.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the connecting cylinder 10 is fitted around the outer periphery of the end 3e of the flexible duct 3. That is, the cylinder body 11 is inserted between the heat insulating material 3a and the core material 3c and inner layer 3b. At this time, the end of the core material 3c is guided from inside the large diameter portion 16 into the end of the spiral groove 15a. Furthermore, the connecting cylinder 10 is inserted while being rotated relative to the flexible duct 3, so that the core material 3c is fitted into the spiral groove 15a. This engages the core material 3c with the spiral thread 15. As a result, the connecting cylinder 10 can be firmly connected to the end 3e of the flexible duct 3, and the connecting cylinder 10 can be reliably prevented from falling off the flexible duct 3. At this stage, the annular strip 20 is retreated to the rear side of the end 3e of the flexible duct 3, so that the fitting operation of the connecting cylinder 10 can be easily performed.

Next, as shown in Fig. 5, the annular band material 20 is slid toward the end 3e of the flexible duct 3. Then, the second locking portion 22, sandwiching the outer layer 3d, comes into contact with the tapered surface of the flange portion 12 and is elastically deformed, climbing over the groove wall portion 14a, and is fitted into and locked by the second locking receiving portion 14 (Fig. 2). The insulating material 3a is sandwiched and compressed between the duct pressing portion 23 and the tube main body portion 11.
This ensures that the duct connection device 5 is securely attached to the end 3e of the flexible duct 3.
The end portion of the outer layer 3 d is folded back onto the outer peripheral surface of the annular strip material 20 .

As shown in Fig. 1, when connecting an air conditioner 2 and a flexible duct 3 at a construction site of an air conditioner 1 for a building, the duct connection device 5 at the end 3e of the flexible duct 3 is axially aligned with the connection port member 40 and then pushed straight into the air conditioner 2. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2, the connection cylinder 10 is fitted into the outer periphery of the port cylinder portion 41, and the first locking portion 13, while being elastically deformed by hitting the tapered surface of the flange 42, overcomes the outer end portion 42c and fits into and is locked in the first locking receiving portion 44.
In this way, the air conditioner 2 and the flexible duct 3 can be connected easily and in an extremely short time via the duct connection device 5. Almost no skill is required for the work.
According to the duct connection structure using the duct connection device 5, the insulating material 3a of the flexible duct 3 covers the outer periphery of the connecting cylinder 10, thereby ensuring thermal insulation at the connection portion.

When separating the air conditioner 2 and the flexible duct 3, a tool is inserted into the cutout 45 to elastically deform the first locking portion 13, releasing the engagement between the first locking portion 13 and the first locking receiving portion 44. This separates the connecting tube 10 from the connection port 4. As a result, the flexible duct 3 can be separated from the air conditioner 2.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and the description thereof will be omitted.
Second embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 7)
As shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a connection port member 40B constituting the connection port 4 of the air conditioner 2 is not provided with the first locking receiving portion 44 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the duct connection device 5B according to the second embodiment includes a connection cylinder 10 and an annular band material 20, as well as a locking member 30 that is separate from the connection port member 40B. The locking member 30 is formed in an annular shape with an outer peripheral surface 31 that tapers toward the air conditioning equipment. A first locking member 33 consisting of a stepped annular recess is formed on the outer periphery of the enlarged diameter end surface 32 of the locking member 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the duct connection structure of the second embodiment, the cylindrical mouth tube portion 41 of the connection port member 40B is inserted into the center hole 34 of the locking receiving member 30, so that the locking receiving member 30 is fitted to the outer periphery of the connection port member 40. The enlarged diameter end surface 32 of the locking receiving member 30 abuts against the flat flange 46 of the connection port member 40B. The flange portion 12 of the connection cylinder 10 is placed on the outside of the locking receiving member 30. The first locking portion 13 is locked to the first locking receiving portion 33. This connects the connection cylinder 10 to the connection port member 40B via the locking receiving member 30. Therefore, even if the connection port member 40B itself does not have a first locking receiving portion, the flexible duct 3 can be connected to the connection port 4 of the air conditioning equipment 2.

Third embodiment (FIGS. 8 to 10)
As shown in Fig. 9(a), in a duct connection device 5C according to a third embodiment of the present invention, a helical ridge 17 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tube body 11 of the connecting cylinder 10. As shown in Fig. 9(b), a helical groove 17b is formed in a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the tube body 11 corresponding to the helical ridge 17, but the helical groove 17b may be eliminated and the entire inner circumferential surface of the tube body 11 may be formed as a smooth cylindrical surface without irregularities. The large diameter portion 16 (see Fig. 1) is not formed at the duct side end (left end in Fig. 9(a)) of the connecting cylinder 10, and the entire tube body 11 has a straight cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inner layer 3b at the end 3e of the flexible duct 3 covers the outer peripheral surface of the tube main body 11. The core material 3c is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the tube main body 11 and engaged with the helical ridge 17. Preferably, the core material 3c is hooked onto the helical ridge 17 from the air conditioner 2 side (the right side in FIG. 8). The core material 3c may partially ride up onto the helical ridge 17 and intersect with it.

The heat insulating material 3a directly covers the outer periphery of the inner layer 3b and the core material 3c at the end 3e of the flexible duct 3. Therefore, the entire end 3e of the flexible duct 3 is disposed on the outer periphery side of the tube main body 11. The inner periphery of the tube main body 11 directly faces the air passage of the air conditioning equipment 1.
According to the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent the heat insulating material 3a at the end 3e from being turned over when the connecting tube 10 is assembled into the end 3e of the flexible duct 3. It is also possible to prevent the end of the inner layer 3b from sagging into the air passage of the air conditioning equipment 1 and vibrating due to the air flow. Therefore, it is not necessary to process the end of the inner layer 3b to prevent the vibration.

As shown in FIG. 10, a strip 50 (grip piece) is provided on the outer surface of the flange 42 of the connection port member 40. The strip 50 is, for example, made of a resin tape of a fixed width. A fixed end 51 of the strip 50 is attached via an adhesive (not shown). An intermediate portion 52 of the strip 50 is bent and sandwiched between the first locking receiving portion 44 and the first locking portion 13. An active end 53 of the strip 50 extends outward from between the first locking receiving portion 44 and the first locking portion 13.

When separating the flexible duct 3 from the air conditioner 2, the working end 53 of the strip 50 is pinched and pulled to deform the first locking portion 13, thereby releasing the engagement between the first locking portion 13 and the first locking receiving portion 44. This allows the connecting tube portion 10 to be easily separated from the connecting port 4.
Therefore, there is no need to provide the notch 45 (see FIG. 1) in the connection port member 40 .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the annular band 20 may be omitted. Instead of the annular band 20, the connecting cylinder 10 and the flexible duct 3 may be fixed by wrapping an adhesive tape, a fastening band, or the like around the outer periphery of the end 3e of the flexible duct 3. In this case, the second locking receiving portion 14 of the connecting cylinder 10 is not necessary.
Instead of providing a notch 45 in the connection member 40 for inserting a separation tool when separating the flexible duct 3 and the air conditioning equipment 2, a notch for inserting the separation tool may be provided in a portion of the circumference of the first engagement portion 13.
The first and second embodiments (FIGS. 1 to 7) may also be provided with a separation strip 50. The strip 50 may be attached to the connecting cylinder 10.
In the third embodiment (Figures 8 to 10), as in the second embodiment, a locking receiving member 30 separate from the connection port member 40 of the air conditioning equipment 2 may be provided, and a cutout portion 45 similar to that in the first embodiment may be provided instead of the strip 59.
The connecting cylinder 10 may be provided with a packing to ensure airtightness.

The present invention can be applied to air conditioning systems for residential buildings such as detached houses and apartment complexes, commercial buildings, factories, and other buildings.

Reference Signs List 2 Air conditioning equipment 3 Flexible duct 3a Insulation material 3b Inner layer 3c Core material 3d Outer layer 3e End portion 4 Connection port 40 Connection port member 41 Nozzle portion 42 Flange 44 First locking receiving portion 45 Cutout portion 5 Duct connection device 10 Connection tube 13 First locking portion 14 Second locking receiving portion 15 Spiral rib 15a Spiral groove 20 Annular band material 22 Second locking portion 23 Duct holding portion 40B Connection port member 30 Locking receiving member 33 First locking receiving portion 5B Duct connection device 17 Spiral ridge (spiral rib)
17b Spiral groove 50 strip

Claims (4)

A duct connection device for connecting a flexible duct and an air conditioning device,
The flexible duct has an end portion, and a connecting tube is provided, the connecting tube being covered with a soft insulating material on the outer periphery thereof.
the connecting cylinder includes a first locking portion that is fitted with a first locking receiving portion formed on a connection port member of the air conditioner, and a spiral rib that is formed on the connecting cylinder and engages with a coil-shaped core material of the flexible duct ,
The connecting cylinder is formed with a second locking portion,
A duct connection device characterized in that an annular band is fitted around the outer periphery of the end of the flexible duct, and a second locking portion is formed on the annular band to lock onto the second locking receiving portion . The duct connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with an annular locking member having the first locking portion and fitted onto the outer periphery of the connection port member. 3. The duct connection device according to claim 1, wherein a notch is formed in a circumferential portion of the first locking receiving portion or the first locking portion. The duct connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the connection port member or the connection cylinder is provided with a strip extending outward from between the first locking receiving portion and the first locking portion.