FLEXIBLE CONDUIT ASSEMBLY FOR THE FLOW OF FLUIDS AND A PROCEDURE FOR SHAPING THE FLEXIBLE CONDUIT FOR THE FLOW OF FLUIDS

Abstract

A fluid flow conduit assembly includes a flexible conduit having a closed cross section, and a connector. The connector has first and second layers with the flexible conduit extending between the first and second layers, and wherein the first and second layers are permanently attached to each other outside of the flexible conduit.

Claims

1. A fluid flow conduit assembly comprising: a first flexible conduit (11) including a closed cross section; a connector (12) including first and second layers (13, 14) with the first flexible conduit (11) extending between the first and second layers (13, 14), and the first and second layers (13, 14) are permanently attached to each other outside of the first flexible conduit (11).

2. The fluid flow conduit assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first portion of the first flexible conduit (11) is longitudinally curvilinear and disposed between the first and second layers (13, 14).

3. The fluid flow conduit assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first portion of the first flexible conduit (11) is longitudinally rectilinear and disposed between the first and second layers (13, 14).

4. The fluid flow conduit assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first portion lies in a single plane.

5. The fluid flow conduit assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first portion lies in a three-dimensional space.

6. The fluid flow assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a second flexible conduit (11) including a second portion disposed between the first and second layers (13, 14).

7. The fluid flow assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the first and second portions extend substantially straight.

8. The fluid flow assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second portions is longitudinally curvilinear.

9. The fluid flow assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector (12) is made of a plastic film.

10. The fluid flow assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first layer (13) is welded to the second layer (14) in a plurality of weld segments (15) that are linearly perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flexible conduit (11).

11. A method of shaping a flexible fluid flow conduit (11) in which a connecting device (20) that has a primary form (21) with a primary pocket insert (22) and a second pocket insert (24) is used, the method comprising: the primary form (21) of the connecting device (20) is placed in the primary pocket insert (22), which reproduces the course of the flexible conduit (11), the primary layer 13 of the connector (12); the flexible conduit (11) is placed in the first layer (13) of the connector (12) in the primary pocket insert (22) of the primary form (21) of the connecting device; the second layer (14) of the connector (12) is placed in the first layer (13) of the connector (12) and the flexible conduit (11) which are placed in the primary pocket insert (22) in the shape of the connecting device (20); the connecting device (20) is closed off by a second shape (23) so that the second pocket insert (24) with the second shape (23) of the connecting device (20) fits in the second layer (14) placed in the flexible conduit (11); the first layer (13) of the connector (12) is permanently attached to the second layer (14) of the connector (12).

12. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first layer (13) is permanently attached to the second layer (14) by welding.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the first layer (13) is permanently attached to the second layer (14) by welding with high-frequency currents.

14. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first layer (13) is permanently attached to the second layer (14) by welding in basically a line that is perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the flexible conduit (11).

15. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein at least two flexible conduits (11) are placed between the first layer (13) and the second layer (14) in the first pocket insert (22) with the second shape (23).

16. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the connector (12) is made of a plastic film.

17. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the connector (12) is formed about the flexible conduit (11) by the connecting device (20).

18. The method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising: removing the connecting device (20) from the connector (12) after forming.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The subject of the present disclosure is shown in an example of implementation in the drawing in which

[0031] FIG. 1 represents the flexible conduit assembly in a perspective view;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the elements of the flexible conduit assembly in an exploded view in the course of shaping the flexible conduit system;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the first form with the first layer of the main connector and the flexible conduit placed in it;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows the first form with the second form placed on it and elements of the flexible conduit assembly between them;

[0035] FIG. 5a shows the flexible conduit assembly bent at an angle of 180° in three projections and in the perspective view;

[0036] FIG. 5b shows the flexible conduit assembly bent at an angle of 90° in three projections and in the perspective view;

[0037] FIG. 6 shows the first example of using the flexible conduit assembly, and

[0038] FIG. 7 shows an example of using the flexible conduit assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible conduit assembly 10 may include a flexible conduit 11, and a main connector 12 having first and second layers (13, 14). The flexible conduit 11 may be placed between the first layer 13 and the second layer 14. The first layer 13 and the second layer 14 of the main connector 12 are permanently attached to each other. The flexible conduit 11 is placed between these layers, and the attachment of the first layer 13 to the second layer 14 of the flexible conductor 12 occurs at their outer flaps, generally extending from their distal edges to the flexible conduit 11.

[0040] In the example of implementation shown in FIG. 1, the first layer 13 and second layer 14 of the main connector 12 are connected to each other by induction welding in special shaping molds, or forms (i.e., the connecting device 20).

[0041] The two layers 13, 14 of the main connector 12 are connected so that getting the desired shape for the flexible conduit 11 that results from its course at the point of destination. This course may be arbitrarily shaped in accordance with the structural foundation and destination of the flexible conduit assembly 10.

[0042] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5 b show sample courses for the positions of the flexible conduit 11 in the connector 12 of the assembly 10.

[0043] As shown, in the example of implementation, in FIG. 5a, the flexible conduit 11 in the flexible conduit assembly 10 changes the direction of its course by 180° and is stiffened in the flexible connector 12 between the first layer 13 and the second layer 14 to such an extent that does not threaten to break it, limit flow, or cause other damage that may lead to problems with its proper functioning.

[0044] As shown in the example of implementation in FIG. 5b, the flexible conduit 11 in the connector 12 of the assembly 10 changes the direction of its course by 90°, and is stiffened in, and by, the flexible connector 12 between the first layer 13 and second layer 14.

[0045] In both the examples of implementation shown in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, the flexible conduit 11 in the connector 12 of the assembly 10 lies in one plane, but it is evident that the course of the flexible conduit 11 formed by the flexible connector 12 can be arbitrary and may run at any angle from 0° (for the flexible conduit 11, or flexible conduits 11, that run straight in the assembly 10) to 180° or more for conduits that turn back or are looped. These flexible conduits 11 can also run in the connector 12 of the flexible conduit assembly 10 in a three-dimensional space and not just in one plane.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of a method of shaping and reinforcing the flexible conduit 11 by utilizing the connector 12 and the connecting device 20 is generally illustrated.

[0047] The method of forming the flexible conduit assembly 10 for the flow of liquids utilizes the connecting device 20 that has a first form with a first pocket and a second form with a second pocket. The connecting device 20, which reproduces the course of the flexible conduit 11, the first layer 13 of the main connector 12, is placed in the first pocket 22 of the first form 21. The flexible conduit 11, which is shown in FIG. 3, is placed in the first layer 13 of the main connector 12 in the first pocket 22 of the first form 21. The second layer 14 of the main connector 12 is placed in the first layer 13 of the main connector 12 in the first pocket 22 of the first form of the connecting device 20. The second layer 14 of the main connector 12 is placed in the first layer 13 of the main connector 12 and flexible conduit, which is placed in the first pocket in the first form 21 of the connecting device. The connecting device 20 ends with the second form 23 so that the second pocket 24 in the second form 23 of the connecting device 20 fits in the second layer 14 placed on the flexible conduit 11. The first layer 13 of the main connector 12 is connected to the second layer 14 of the main connector 12 by high-frequency welding of the two layers such that the first layer 13 of the main connector 12 is permanently attached to the second layer 14 of the main connector 12 by a linear weld, substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the flexible connector 11.

[0048] Here, it is clear that the two layers 13, 14 of the main connector 12 may be joined with quick-drying adhesive. It is apparent to create all types of flexible conduit assemblies 10 described above, and in the patent claims by using the method based on this invention.

[0049] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show sample applications of the flexible conduit assembly 10. These sample applications include automobile seats with a massage function using chambers 16 that are filled as needed with air supplied from a pneumatic installation. The air is supplied from a pneumatic installation at a distance from the car seats by means of flexible conduits 11. At the point where a change in the direction of the flexible conduits 11 is necessary, they are placed in a flexible conduit system 10 so that the desired direction of the flexible conduit 11 run is ensured by this assembly 10. As FIGS. 6 and 7 show, air supplied by the flexible conduits 11 is directed to the controller 17, which regulates the parameters of the fluid in the system such as pressure, temperature, pulsation, and the like after the change in the direction of their course in the flexible conduit 11 assembly 10. From the controller 17, air is directed by the flexible conduits 11 to the chamber 16 that may be in the shape of cushions. Along its path, the direction of the course of the flexible conduits 11 is altered in the flexible conduit assembly 10. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 shows this node in the car seat with a pneumatic massage unit that is fragmented from different sides.

[0050] While the present disclosure is described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, various modifications may be applied to adapt the teachings of the present disclosure to particular situations, applications, and/or materials, without departing from the essential scope thereof. The present disclosure is thus not limited to the particular examples disclosed herein, but includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims