JP2015183939A - flexible duct - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve accuracy in attachment of a branch duct of a flexible duct to a main duct.SOLUTION: A duct connecting part 30 is arranged at a communication hole 18 in a main duct 10 of a flexible duct 1. A branch pipe 31a of a branch member 31 of the duct connecting part 30 is protruded to the outside of the main duct 10, and connected to the branch duct 20. An attachment part 31b is arranged at a base end part of the branch pipe 31a. The attachment part 31b is inserted between a heat insulation layer 13 and a core material 11, and directly abuts on the core material 11. Furthermore, a fixed member 32 is applied to an internal peripheral face of an inner membrane body 12, and the attachment part 31b and the fixed member 32 are connected to each other by connecting means 34 with the inner membrane body 12 and the core material 11 sandwiched therebetween.

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible duct in an air conditioning facility for a building.

  In general, buildings such as office buildings are provided with air conditioning equipment for air conditioning and ventilation. The air conditioning equipment includes a duct through which air passes. Usually, the duct has a main duct extending from an air conditioner such as an air conditioner and a branch duct branched from the main duct. A branch duct extends to each air conditioning area. In recent years, as a duct of this type, there is an increasing demand for flexible ducts that are lightweight and have elasticity (see Patent Document 1, etc.). The main duct and the branch duct of the flexible duct are each configured by surrounding the outer periphery of an inner membrane body shaped like a tube by a core material with a heat insulating layer such as glass wool and further surrounding the outer periphery with an outer membrane body. Yes. A communication hole is formed in the main duct. A duct connection portion is provided in the communication hole. The main duct and the branch duct are connected via the duct connecting portion.

  The duct connection part of the flexible duct in patent document 1 is provided with the branch pipe and the fixing member. A proximal end portion (root portion) of the branch pipe is inserted into the communication hole, and a distal end portion protrudes from the main duct and is connected to the branch duct. A plurality of claws are provided at the base end of the branch pipe at intervals in the circumferential direction. Each nail | claw part is addressed to the internal peripheral surface of the main duct by bend | folding radially outward from a branch pipe. On the other hand, the fixing member has a washer shape (small annular shape). A plurality of fixing members are arranged at intervals around the communication hole on the outer peripheral surface of the main duct. The claw portion and the fixing member face each other with the main duct interposed therebetween, and the claw portion and the fixing member that face each other are connected by a connecting pin that penetrates the main duct. In this way, the branch pipe is attached to the main duct.

Japanese Patent No. 4791428

In the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the claw portion of the branch pipe and the fixing member sandwich the main duct from the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the main duct. Therefore, the heat insulation layer of the main duct is interposed between the claw portion and the fixing member. This heat insulating layer is made of glass wool that is flexible and stretchable, is easily deformed, and has an unstable shape and thickness. Therefore, the facing distance and relative posture between the claw portion and the fixing member are not constant, and the attachment angle and attachment position of the branch pipe with respect to the main duct are likely to be inaccurate. As a result, the mounting accuracy of the branch duct with respect to the main duct is deteriorated.
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to improve mounting accuracy of a branch duct to a main duct.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a spiral core material fixed to the outer periphery of a tubular intima body, and the outer periphery of the intima body and the core material is surrounded by a heat insulating layer, The heat insulation layer includes a main duct surrounded by an outer membrane body, and a branch duct branched from the main duct. A communication hole is formed in a peripheral side portion of the main duct, and is provided in the communication hole. In the flexible duct in which the main duct and the branch duct are connected via a duct connection portion, the duct connection portion includes a branch member and a fixing member that fixes the branch member to the main duct, A branch member is inserted into the communication hole and a distal end portion protrudes to the outside of the main duct and is connected to the branch duct, and an attachment projecting radially outward from the base end portion of the branch tube And the attachment portion is connected to the station. It is inserted between the heat insulating layer and the core material in the peripheral part of the hole and directly contacts the core material, and the fixing member is directed to the inner peripheral surface of the intima body in the peripheral part of the communication hole. The attachment portion and the fixing member are connected by a connecting means with the core material and the intima body interposed therebetween.
Accordingly, the heat insulating layer can be prevented from being interposed between the attachment portion and the fixing member, and the attachment portion can be directly applied to the core member (without the inner membrane body or the like). Therefore, the branch member can be accurately and stably installed in the main duct regardless of the deformation state of the heat insulating layer or the inner membrane body. As a result, the mounting accuracy of the branch duct to the main duct can be improved.

  It is preferable that the attachment portion is in direct contact with the core member at a plurality of locations in the extending direction and the circumferential direction of the main duct. This makes it possible to more stably install the attachment portion and thus the branch member on the main duct, and to further improve the attachment accuracy of the branch duct to the main duct.

  The attachment portion is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the branch pipe and is curved so as to follow the circumferential direction of the main duct, and the core is covered from the outer peripheral side with the attachment portion It is preferable that the mounting portion and the core member are in direct contact with each other over substantially the entire area. This makes it possible to more stably install the attachment portion and thus the branch member on the main duct, and to further improve the attachment accuracy of the branch duct to the main duct.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the attachment precision to the main duct of a branch duct can be improved in a flexible duct.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a flexible duct according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the duct connecting portion of the flexible duct and its peripheral portion along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the duct connecting portion of the flexible duct and its peripheral portion along the line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the duct connecting portion of the flexible duct and the main duct in the vicinity thereof, as seen from the side of the branch duct, omitting the outer membrane body and the heat insulating layer of the main duct.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a flexible duct 1 used as piping for air conditioning equipment in a building such as an office building. The flexible duct 1 is an air conditioning pipe that is lighter than the aluminum duct and is flexible and expandable. The flexible duct 1 includes a main duct 10 and a branch duct 20. A main duct 10 extends from an air conditioner and a ventilator (not shown). A branch duct 20 branches from the main duct 10. This branch duct 20 extends to each air conditioning area (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the main duct 10 includes a core material 11, an inner membrane body 12, a heat insulating layer 13, and an outer membrane body 14. The core material 11 is made of a metal such as steel or iron and has a spiral shape. The inner membrane body 12 is composed of a nonwoven fabric or a resin sheet. The core material 11 is fixed to the outer periphery of the intima body 12, whereby the intima body 12 is retained in a tubular shape. A gas flow path 19 is defined inside the inner membrane body 12. Gas such as air whose temperature is adjusted (cooled and heated) and air to be ventilated is passed through the gas flow path 19.

  The heat insulating layer 13 is made of flexible glass wool and has a tubular shape. The heat insulating layer 13 surrounds the outer periphery of the inner membrane body 12 and the core material 11.

The outer membrane body 14 is formed by laminating a resin single layer such as polyethylene or a resin layer such as polyethylene terephthalate and a metal layer such as aluminum, and has a tubular shape. The outer membrane body 14 surrounds the outer periphery of the heat insulating layer 13.
2 and 3, the thicknesses of the inner membrane body 12 and the outer membrane body 14 are exaggerated with respect to the thickness of the heat insulating layer 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the branch duct 20 is branched from the peripheral side portion of the main duct 10. The branch duct 20 has the same structure as the main duct 10. That is, the branch duct 20 has a core material 21, an inner membrane body 22, a heat insulating layer 23, and an outer membrane body 24. The core material 21 is made of a spiral metal. The inner membrane body 22 is composed of a nonwoven fabric or a resin sheet, and is held in a tubular shape by being fixed to the core material 21 from the outer peripheral side. A gas flow path 29 is defined inside the inner membrane body 22. The heat insulation layer 23 is made of flexible glass wool and surrounds the outer periphery of the inner membrane body 22 and the core material 21. The outer film body 24 is configured by a laminated body of a resin layer and a metal layer, and surrounds the outer periphery of the heat insulating layer 23.
2 and 3, the thicknesses of the inner membrane body 22 and the outer membrane body 24 are exaggerated with respect to the thickness of the heat insulating layer 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a substantially circular communication hole 18 is formed at a branch portion of the branch duct 20 in the peripheral side portion of the main duct 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the communication hole 18 passes through the inner membrane body 12, the heat insulating layer 13, and the outer membrane body 14. A part of the core material 11 is exposed in the communication hole 18. A duct connection portion 30 is installed in the communication hole 18. The main duct 10 and the branch duct 20 are connected via the duct connecting portion 30, and the gas flow path 19 and the gas flow path 29 are communicated with each other. The gas in the gas flow path 19 is diverted to the gas flow path 29 through the inside of the duct connection portion 30.

  The duct connecting portion 30 includes a branch member 31 and a fixing member 32. The branch member 31 is fixed to the main duct 10 by the fixing member 32, and the branch duct 20 is branched from the main duct 10 via the branch member 31.

  The branch member 31 integrally includes a branch pipe 31a and an attachment portion 31b. The material of the branch pipe 31a and the attachment portion 31b is a metal such as aluminum, iron, or steel, but may be a hard resin or the like. The branch pipe 31a has a cylindrical shape. The branch pipe 31a passes through the heat insulating layer 13 and the outer membrane body 14 by being inserted into the communication hole 18 of the main duct 10, and protrudes to the outside of the main duct 10 (upward in FIGS. 2 and 3). Yes.

  An annular connection heat insulation layer 33 is fitted on the outer periphery of the protruding portion of the branch pipe 31a. The connection heat insulation layer 33 is composed of hard (non-flexible) glass wool or the like. By disposing the connection heat insulating layer 33 at the corners between the outer peripheral surface of the branch pipe 31a and the outer surface of the main duct 10, the heat insulating property (heat retention) of the duct connecting portion 30 is ensured. Note that a paste 35 for preventing small pieces of glass wool from scattering is applied to the front end surface (the upper surface in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the connection heat insulating layer 33, and a coating sheet such as aluminum foil is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the connection heat insulating layer 33. 36 is covered. Further, adhesive fillers 41 and 42 such as a caulking agent are applied between the connection heat insulating layer 33 and the main duct 10, and an adhesive tape 37 is attached.

  The distal end portion (the upper end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the branch pipe 31a protrudes outward from the connection heat insulating layer 33. The branch duct 20 is connected to the tip of the branch pipe 31a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base end portion (the lower end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the branch pipe 31 a is located near the boundary between the heat insulating layer 13 and the inner membrane body 12 inside the communication hole 18. ing. An attachment portion 31b is provided at the base end portion of the branch pipe 31a. The attachment portion 31b has an annular flange or flange shape that protrudes radially outward from the branch pipe 31a and extends in the circumferential direction of the branch pipe 31a. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the attachment portion 31 b has a curvature of the core material 11, that is, a curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the main duct 10 when viewed from the extending direction of the main duct 10 (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 3). In addition, it is curved in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the main duct 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting portion 31 b is inserted between the inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating layer 13 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the core material 11 and the inner membrane body 12 in the peripheral portion of the communication hole 18. Yes. Therefore, the inner side surface (the surface facing the inner side of the main duct 10, the lower surface in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the mounting portion 31 b is in direct contact with the core material 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer diameter φ _31b of the mounting portion 31 _b is several times or more the spiral pitch P ₁₁ of the core material 11 (φ _31b > n × P ₁₁ , preferably n = 1 to 30). Further, the projecting width _{W 31b} of the branch pipes 31a of the mounting portion 31b is larger than the helical pitch _{P 11} of the core _{11 (W 31b> P 11)} . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the attachment portion 31b directly contacts the core 11 at several places in the extending direction of the main duct 10, and also on both side portions of the extending direction of the main duct 10 with the branch pipe 31a interposed therebetween. At least two locations are in direct contact with the core material 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, since the attachment portion 31b has an arc shape that matches the curvature of the core material 11, the core portion 10b also has a core portion on both sides in the circumferential direction of the main duct 10 across the branch pipe 31a. It is in direct contact with the material 11. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the attachment portion 31 b and the core material 11 directly contact each other over substantially the entire area where the core material 11 is covered from the outer peripheral side by the branching member 31 (broken line portion in FIG. 4). It touches. Specifically, preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more, and even more preferably 99% or more of the covered portion (broken line portion in FIG. 4) of the core material 11 directly contacts the mounting portion 31b. It touches.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing member 32 has an annular plate shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing member 32 is curved in an arc shape in accordance with the curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the main duct 10 when viewed from the extending direction of the main duct 10 (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 3). doing. The outer diameter of the fixing member 32 is larger than the diameter of the communication hole 18 and is approximately equal to the outer diameter φ _31b of the mounting portion 31b, but may be slightly larger or smaller than the outer diameter φ _31b of the mounting portion 31b. Good. The inner diameter of the fixing member 32 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the communication hole 18, but may be larger than the diameter of the communication hole 18.

  The material of the fixing member 32 is a metal such as aluminum, iron, or steel, but may be a hard resin or the like. Preferably, the fixing member 32 is elastic enough to be deformed and put into and out of the communication hole 18. The fixing member 32 is accommodated in the gas flow path 19 and is assigned to the inner peripheral surface of the inner membrane body 12 in the peripheral portion of the communication hole 18. Therefore, the core material 11 and the inner membrane body 12 are sandwiched between the attachment portion 31 b and the fixing member 32.

  An insertion hole 31d is formed in the attachment portion 31b so as to penetrate in the thickness direction. A plurality of insertion holes 31d are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the attachment portion 31b. Similarly, the fixing member 32 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 32d at intervals in the circumferential direction. These insertion holes 31d and 32d are aligned one to one, and rivets 34 (connection means) are inserted through the insertion holes 31d and 32d at the same position. An intermediate portion of the rivet 34 penetrates the inner membrane body 12. Both end portions of the rivet 34 are engaged with the outer side surface (upper surface in FIGS. 2 and 3) and the inner side surface (lower surface in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the fixing member 32, respectively. Thus, the attachment portion 31 b and the fixing member 32 are connected by the rivet 34. As a result, the branch member 31 is supported by the main duct 10.

  An adhesive filler 43 is filled between the proximal end portion of the branch pipe 31 a and the inner peripheral edge of the fixing member 32. The adhesive filler 43 extends in an annular shape over the entire circumference of the inner periphery of the branch pipe 31 a and the fixing member 32. The adhesive filler 43 hermetically seals between the branch pipe 31 a and the fixing member 32. As the adhesive filler 43, a caulking agent or packing is preferably used. The material of the caulking agent is preferably synthetic rubber or silicone.

An example of a procedure for connecting the branch duct 20 to the main duct 10 will be described.
The outer membrane body 14, the heat insulating layer 13, and the inner membrane body 12 at the portion where the branch duct 20 in the main duct 10 is to be branched are cut into a circular shape to form a communication hole 18.
The fixing member 32 is inserted into the main duct 10 through the communication hole 18. At this time, although the fixing member 32 has a larger diameter than the communication hole 18, the fixing member 32 is elastically deformed to be bent, for example, or deformed to widen the peripheral portion of the communication hole 18 in the main duct 10. Accordingly, the fixing member 32 can be easily inserted into the main duct 10 from the communication hole 18. Thereafter, by releasing the deformation force, the fixing member 32 or the main duct 10 can be restored to its original shape by its own elastic force. Depending on the distance from the opening at the end in the extending direction of the main duct 10 to the communication hole 18, the fixing member 32 may be inserted from the opening into the main duct 10.

  Next, while deforming the heat insulating layer 13 and the outer membrane body 14 around the communication hole 18, the proximal end portion of the branch pipe 31 a and the attachment portion 31 b are inserted into the communication hole 18, and the attachment portion 31 b is inserted into the heat insulation layer 13. It is inserted between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surfaces of the core material 11 and the inner membrane body 12. Then, the attachment portion 31b and the fixing member 32 are connected by a rivet 34 with the inner membrane body 12 and the core material 11 interposed therebetween. An adhesive filler 43 is applied between the proximal end portion of the branch pipe 31 a and the inner peripheral edge of the fixing member 32.

  A connection heat insulating layer 33 is fitted on the outer periphery of the portion of the branch pipe 31a protruding from the main duct 10. The base end surface of the connection heat insulating layer 33 is directed to the outer surface of the main duct 10. Then, the branch duct 20 is connected to the branch pipe 31a.

  According to the flexible duct 1, the heat insulating layer 13 is not interposed between the mounting portion 31 b and the fixing member 32 by inserting the mounting portion 31 b between the heat insulating layer 13 of the main duct 10 and the core material 11. Can be. In addition, the attachment portion 31 b can be brought into direct contact with the core material 11, and the inner membrane body 12 can be prevented from being interposed between the attachment portion 31 b and the core material 11. Therefore, regardless of the deformation state of the heat insulating layer 13 or the inner membrane body 12, the attachment portion 31 b and thus the branch member 31 can be accurately and stably installed in the main duct 10. For example, even if the inner membrane body 12 made of a nonwoven fabric or the like is deformed, the attachment portion 31b can be prevented from being inclined or distorted. Even if the fixing member 32 is inclined or distorted due to the deformation of the intima body 12, the mounting portion 31b can be prevented from being inclined or distorted. Further, since the attachment portion 31b directly contacts the core material 11 at several places in the extending direction and the circumferential direction of the main duct 10, the attachment portion 31b and thus the branch member 31 are more accurately and stably installed on the main duct 10. be able to. Furthermore, by curving the attachment portion 31b in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the main duct 10, the region where the attachment portion 31b and the core member 11 directly contact can be expanded, and the core member 11 is covered by the attachment portion 31b. The attachment portion 31b and the core material 11 can be in direct contact with each other over substantially the entire broken portion (broken line portion in FIG. 4). Therefore, the attachment angle and the attachment position of the branch pipe 31a and the branch duct 20 with respect to the main duct 10 can be made accurate and stabilized. As a result, the mounting accuracy and mounting strength of the branch duct 20 to the main duct 10 can be improved.

  Further, even if the branch member 31 vibrates due to the gas flow in the gas flow path 20, it is possible to avoid the vibration from being directly transmitted to the inner membrane body 12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent the intima body 12 from being damaged or torn.

  Moreover, since the attachment part 31b and the rivet 34 are covered with the heat insulation layer 13, the heat (or cold heat) in the gas flow path 19 reaches the outer surface of the flexible duct 1 through the attachment part 31b and the rivet 34. Can be prevented. Thereby, the heat retention of the flexible duct 1 can be enhanced, and condensation on the outer surface of the flexible duct 1 can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the attachment portion 31b does not necessarily have an annular shape over the entire circumference of the branch pipe 31a, and is configured by a plurality of convex pieces protruding radially outward from the branch pipe 31a, and these convex pieces are mutually connected to the branch pipe 31a. It may be arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.
The fixing member 32 does not necessarily have an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the communication hole 18, and may be configured by an annular washer that is small enough to lock the head of one rivet 34. A plurality of washers may be arranged around the communication hole 18 at intervals.
Instead of the rivets 34, bolts and nuts may be used as connecting means for connecting the attachment portion 31b and the fixing member 32. Further, as the connecting means, a locking claw is provided so that either one of the attachment portion 31b or the fixing member 32 protrudes, and the other is provided with a locking portion such as a hole for locking the locking claw. May be.
The main duct and the branch duct of the present invention are relative, and when the second branch duct is further branched from the branch duct 20, the branch duct 20 becomes a “main duct” with respect to the second branch duct. Thus, the second branch duct can be a “branch duct”.

  The present invention can be used, for example, as air conditioning piping in an office building.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible duct 10 Main duct 11 Core material 12 Inner membrane body 13 Heat insulation layer 14 Outer membrane body 18 Communication hole 20 Branch duct 30 Duct connection part 31 Branch member 31a Branch pipe 31b Attachment part 32 Fixing member 34 Rivet (connection means)

Claims (1)

A spiral core material is fixed to the outer periphery of the tubular inner membrane body, the outer periphery of the inner membrane body and the core material is surrounded by a heat insulating layer, and the outer periphery of the heat insulating layer is surrounded by an outer membrane body. A main duct and a branch duct branched from the main duct, a communication hole is formed in a peripheral side portion of the main duct, and the main duct and the branch are connected via a duct connection portion provided in the communication hole. In flexible ducts connected to ducts,
The duct connecting portion includes a branch member, and a fixing member that fixes the branch member to the main duct,
The branch member is inserted into the communication hole, and a distal end portion protrudes to the outside of the main duct and is connected to the branch duct, and is protruded radially outward from a base end portion of the branch tube. A mounting portion,
The mounting portion is inserted between the heat insulating layer and the core material in the peripheral portion of the communication hole and directly contacts the core material,
The fixing member is addressed to the inner peripheral surface of the intima body in the peripheral portion of the communication hole,
The flexible duct, wherein the attachment portion and the fixing member are connected by a connecting means with the core material and the inner membrane body interposed therebetween.

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