Abstract
A component for conducting a gas such as air, having a tubular main body and a connection element for connecting in a form-fitting manner to a further component, the connection element configured to be integral with the tubular main body, wherein the tubular main body and the connection element are configured from an elastic material, and wherein the connection element is configured to be formed by the tubular main body.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. An air duct of a heating, ventilation, and/or air-conditioning installation of a vehicle, comprising: a tubular main body; and a connection element configured to connect to a first component in a form-fitting manner, the connection element integral with the tubular main body; wherein the tubular main body and the connection element are configured from an elastic material; and wherein the connection element is configured from the tubular main body wherein the tubular main body in a basic state has an at least partially encircling material weakening along which the tubular main body is configured to form the connection element, and wherein the material weakening is includes at least one of a perforation, an interrupted cut, a serrated material thinning, and a thermally induced weakening.
17. The air duct as claimed in claim 16, wherein the connection element is configured from an axial end region of the tubular main body, and wherein the axial end region of the tubular main body extends more than 90 about the tubular main body.
18. The air duct as claimed in claim 17, where the axial end region of the tubular main body extends more than 135 about the tubular main body.
19. The air duct as claimed in claim 17, wherein the connection element is configured as at least one of as an internal circumferential face and an external circumferential face of the tubular main body.
20. The air duct as claimed in claim 19, wherein the tubular main body comprises a foamed material.
21. The air duct as claim in claim 20, wherein the tubular main body comprises a closed-cell foam material.
22. The air duct as claimed in claim 20, wherein, in the basic state, the ratio of the material thickness of the tubular main body to a spacing of the material weakening from the axial end of the tubular main body is less than 0.5.
23. The air duct as claimed in claim 22, wherein the ration of the material thickness of the tubular main body to the spacing of the material weakening from the axial end of the tubular main body is less than 0.3.
24. The air duct as claimed in claim 22, wherein the tubular main body is configured from at least two interconnected shells.
25. The air duct as claimed in claim 24, wherein the connection element in a longitudinal section has at least one of a curved, angular and inclined shape.
26. The air duct as claimed in claim 25, wherein the tubular air duct has a plurality of connection elements which are configured as circumferentially disposed and spaced apart lugs.
27. An assembly of components, wherein at least one air duct is configured as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the air duct is configured to connect to a second component in a form-fitting manner.
28. The assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein the second component along at least part of a circumference of the second component has a latching element that connects the connection element in a form-fitting manner.
29. The assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein the air duct is configured to be releasably connected to the second component.
30. The air duct as claimed in claim 16, wherein the connection element is configured as at least one of as an internal circumferential face and an external circumferential face of the tubular main body.
31. The air duct as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tubular main body comprises a foamed material.
32. The air duct as claim in claim 31, wherein the tubular main body comprises a closed-cell foam material.
33. The air duct as claimed in claim 16, wherein, in the basic state, the ratio of the material thickness of the tubular main body to a spacing of the material weakening from the axial end of the tubular main body is less than 0.5.
34. The air duct as claimed in claim 33, wherein the ration of the material thickness of the tubular main body to the spacing of the material weakening from the axial end of the tubular main body is less than 0.3.
35. The air duct as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tubular main body is configured from at least two interconnected shells.
36. The air duct as claimed in claim 16, wherein the connection element in a longitudinal section has at least one of a curved, angular and inclined shape.
37. The air duct as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tubular air duct has a plurality of connection elements which are configured as circumferentially disposed and spaced apart lugs.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] The invention will be described in more detail hereunder by means of preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the appended schematic figures in which:
[0055] FIG. 1 shows method steps for producing an embodiment of a component according to the invention, in a perspective view and in a sectional view;
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a component according to the invention;
[0057] FIG. 3 shows method steps for producing an embodiment of a component according to the invention, and a connection to a further component, in a sectional view;
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a design embodiment of an end region of an embodiment of a component according to the invention, including the interaction with a further component;
[0059] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view and a sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of the component according to the invention;
[0060] FIG. 6 shows two components that are interconnected according to the invention; and
[0061] FIG. 7 shows the connection of two embodiments of components to one another, in a sectional view.
[0062] Same elements, or elements of equivalent function, are identified by the same reference signs in all figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0063] A production process of a component 10 according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 1b. FIG. 1a shows a tubular initial body 20 which presently is embodied as a foam material body, in particular from a foam film. The tubular body is preferably created from two clamshells 30, 32 (cf. FIG. 2) which are interconnected, in particular welded, along a welded periphery 34. A flow duct 36 is defined by the tubular initial body 20.
[0064] The initial body 20 at one axial end region has an encircling (continuous or interrupted) material weakening 22 which subdivides the tubular initial body 20 into a base portion 24 and a forming portion 26. For example, the material weakening 22 can be created by an encircling incision, for example in an external face of the initial body 20.
[0065] The forming portion 26 in the embodiment illustrated is folded over inward. However, folding over or folding over outward is also possible in principle. The welded periphery 34 is trimmed in the region of the forming portion 26. In other words, the welded periphery 34 in the region of the forming portion 26 can have been removed at least partially, preferably completely. Despite the welded periphery 34 present, this enables the turning over, or the folding over, respectively, of the forming portion 26 in the case of an initial body 20 that is created from two clamshells 30, 32.
[0066] FIG. 1b finally shows the completed component 10. The latter comprises a tubular main body 40 which is created from the base portion 24 of the tubular initial body 20, and a connection element 50 which is created by the turned-over forming portion 26 of the tubular initial body 20.
[0067] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the base portion 24 of the tubular initial body 20, or a cross-sectional view of the tubular main body 40 of the component 10. It can be seen that the two clamshells 30, 32 each have an outwardly pointing protruding collar. The interconnected protruding collars create the welded periphery 34 which extends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the initial body 20, or of the main body 40, respectively.
[0068] A component 10 according to the invention and the form-fitting connection thereof to a second component 100 are illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3a shows a tubular initial body 20 which is created from two clamshells 30, 32 and has a welded periphery 34 that runs in the longitudinal direction of the initial body 20. In order for the component 10 according to the invention to be produced, the welded periphery 34 at an axial end region is at least largely removed or cut off, respectively. Moreover, a material weakening 22 is incorporated along a circumferential direction of the tubular initial body 20, for example by performing an incision in the tubular initial body 20. On account of the machining of the tubular initial body 20, in particular on account of the material weakening 22 and/or the severed end of the welded periphery 34, the tubular initial body 20 is subdivided into a base portion 24 and a forming portion 26.
[0069] In principle, the tubular initial body 20 can have an arbitrary cross-sectional shape, for example an angular, round, circular, elliptic, polygonal shape, or any combination thereof.
[0070] FIG. 3b corresponds substantially to a cross-sectional view of the component illustrated in FIG. 1a.
[0071] FIG. 3c in a cross-sectional view shows the folding over, or the turning over, respectively, of the forming portion 26, in a manner analogous to that of FIG. 1b. It can be seen in the cross-sectional view that a transition portion 60 along which the initial body 20, or the component 10, respectively, is angled is created between the base portion 24, or the tubular main body 40, respectively, and the forming portion 26, or the connection element 50, respectively. The transition portion 60 has a material thickness that is less than that of the adjacent portions, or of the tubular main body 40 and of the connection element 50, respectively, and creates an elastic articulation or hinge. FIG. 3c shows a completed component 10 according to the invention.
[0072] The form-fitting connection of the component 10 to a second component 100 is illustrated in FIG. 3d. The second component 100 comprises a tubular main body 104, at least one latching element 106 in the form of a protrusion being disposed on the external circumference of said tubular main body 104. The latching element 106 can be configured in a partially or completely encircling manner along the tubular main body 104. A form-fitting connection is achieved by plug-fitting the components 10, 100 into one another, wherein the connections element 50 during plug-fitting first passes the latching element 106 and subsequently engages behind the latter by way of a rebound movement. It is thus prevented that the form-fitting connection is released again. The connection element 50 along the transition portion 60 is resiliently mounted on the tubular main body 40 and in the radial direction pushes against the external circumference of the second component 100. A sealed state between the components 10, 100 is established in this way. A sealing face, or a sealing line, respectively, herein is created in particular by a distal edge of the connection element 50.
[0073] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a component 10 according to the invention, having a modified end region in order for sealing in relation to the second component 100 to be improved. FIG. 4a shows a modified initial body 20 in an illustration that corresponds to that of FIG. 3b. The illustration according to FIG. 4b corresponds substantially to a connected state of the components 10, 100 as is visualized in FIG. 3d. In order for an increased contact pressure of the connection element 50 on the second component 100 to be achieved, the connection element 50 as opposed to FIG. 3d is angled or bent in the longitudinal section. It can be seen in FIG. 4b that the connection element 50 is bent or angled from the transition portion 60 to the distal end in the direction of the second component 100. To this end, the forming portion 26 of the tubular initial body 20 is already bent or angled. Said forming portion 26 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is designed as a widening. By turning over the bent or angled forming portion, respectively, a correspondingly bent or angular connection element 50, respectively, is created. The inclined lip seal shape offers improved wedging with the latching hook. An enhanced sealing effect is moreover achieved.
[0074] FIG. 5 shows a further design embodiment of a component 10 according to the invention, for connecting to a further component. As can be seen, the component 10 comprises a multiplicity of circumferentially disposed connection elements 50. The connection elements 50 are configured substantially in the form of lugs which by way of the material weakenings 22 are capable of being swung, or are swung, respectively, or are capable of being folded or are folded, respectively, outward, or as is illustrated, inward. The material weakenings 22 in one preferred embodiment are provided in such a manner that said material weaknesses do not extend across the entire circumferential extent of the lugs. The further component can likewise be created from a foam material or foam body, respectively, for example from a foam film. It is provided in particular that the components are created from or composed of the same material. The further component comprises a tubular main body and a latching element only along only part of the circumference of said main body, said latching element in a manner analogous to the production of the connection element 50 being created by bending over or turning over, respectively, an axial end region of the further component. The latching element is bent over outward such that said latching element can catch on the connection element 50 that is disposed on the internal side of the main body 40. To this end, the further component is plug-fitted into the component 10. However, in principle, a reversed arrangement is also possible, that is to say connection element 50 that is disposed on the external circumference of the tubular main body 40 and a latching element that is disposed on the internal circumference of the tubular main body.
[0075] FIG. 6 shows a stable and leakage-tight connection of the components 10, 100, said connection being established by plug-fitting the components 10, 100 into one another.
[0076] FIG. 7 shows the form-fitting connection of two components 10, 10 according to the invention. In the case of a first component 10 according to the invention, the connection element 50 that is created integrally with the tubular main body 40 is disposed on an external side of the tubular main body 40. The component 10 has been created by turning over, or folding over, respectively, a forming portion 26 outward. A second component 10 according to the invention corresponds substantially to FIG. 1 and has been created by turning over, or folding over, respectively, a forming portion 26 inward. The components 10, 10 are plug-fittable into one another. The components 10, 10 are interconnected in a form-fitting manner by the respective connection elements 50, 50. The turned-over end regions (connection elements 50, 50) herein block one another. The connection elements 50, 50 herein can also be configured so as to corresponds to FIG. 4. Sealing elements are created on account of the connection elements 50, 50. The lip seal shape causes an enhanced sealing effect.
[0077] The latching element 106 in FIG. 3 creates a partial holding lug. A plug-fitted air guide is produced by plug-fitting the components 10, 100 into one another. The respective end regions of the tubular main bodies 40 or initial bodies 30 herein are turned over inward or outward, respectively.
[0078] FIG. 7 shows the connection of two foam air guides or components 10, 10, respectively, according to the invention. No separate adaptation parts, or adhesive bonding and/or welding, respectively, are required herein. In the case of a first air guide, the end region is turned outward, and in the case of a second air guide is turned inward. A form-fit is established upon joining of the two air guides, such that a firm fit is ensured. The connection elements 50, 50 create lips which by virtue of the pretension seal positively in relation to the adjacent air guide wall. The end region of the air guide that is turned outward has the tendency to restore itself back to the initial shape. Targeted pretensioning of the lip (of the connection element) thus arises. In other words, there is the tendency for the radii region (transition portion 60) to elongate.
