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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of Polish Patent Application No. P417875 filed on Jul. 7, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       INTRODUCTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to fluid flow conduits, and more particularly to a flexible fluid flow conduit assembly reinforced by a connector. 
         [0003]    Flexible conduits used in various structures in which a liquid or gas must be transported from one place to another are exposed to different environmental influences. For example, pressure from within or without or relatively strong vibrations can act on them. Simply installing thin and fragile conduits made of a synthetic material such as polyvinyl chloride, for example, exposes them to uncontrolled bending or even fracture. The space for flexible conduits in the places where they are mounted is also usually very limited. 
         [0004]    Flexible conduits can initially be formed into any desired shape conditioned by the purpose of the conduit. If, for example, a flexible conduit must be bent in order to change the direction of its course, there may be a chance that the flexible conduit will be subject to damage, from the standpoint of operation, plastic deformation, bending, fracture, and the like. This problem is such that it is necessary to take steps to prevent it. Solutions to this problem known in the state of technology pertain primarily to stiffening the segment of the flexible conduit where a change in the direction of its course will occur. 
         [0005]    Various technical measures have been used for this purpose. One such technical measure is placing an additional connector made of a rigid synthetic material (e.g., plastic) in the flexible conduit at the point of a change in its direction. This connector can be bent to the required angle, 90°, for example. Should the need arise for the angle for deflection of the flexible conduit to be 180° and at that point, a rigid connector with a double right-angle bend or two connectors bent at right angles may be used that are joined by a short length of flexible conduit. 
         [0006]    The solutions known from the state of technology only partially solve the problems relating to a change in the course of the flexible conduit. Joining a flexible conduit to a connector is accomplished by sliding the flexible conduit onto the tip of the connector. This may cause leakage, or failure, at the union of the two elements, which may have a negative effect on the operation of this type of junction and the entire device. In addition, at the point where the angled connector is attached to the flexible conduit there may be a threshold that causes unnecessary noise to be generated during the flow of air through the node. 
         [0007]    Flexible conduits joined by connectors known from the state of the art at the point of change in course direction can require additional elements necessary for suspending or mounting them at the point of assembly. 
         [0008]    A solution pertaining to the seat in a motor vehicle in which the seat cushion and backrest are equipped with a number elements intended for pressure massage that can be activated by the driver to obtain various massage effects is known from German patent description DE10242760. These elements are mounted on the surface of the seat and back-rest of the car seat and connected by flexible conduits that run with changes in direction without any protection against breakage, bending, or deformation. 
         [0009]    A solution in which air chambers mounted on the surface of the seat and backrest of the car seat are connected to an air supply system using flexible conduits made of plastic not protected against breakage is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,601, filed Jul. 28, 1965. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The object of the present disclosure is to develop a solution that is free of the defects known from the state of the art, that is, to protect flexible conduits used in various air and hydraulic installations against deformation, bending, breakage, and the like, as well as against the generation of noise in the installation, and also to reduce production costs. 
         [0011]    A fluid flow conduit assembly according to one, non-limiting, embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first flexible conduit having a closed cross section, and a connector. The connector has first and second layers with the first 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 first flexible conduit. 
         [0012]    Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, a first portion of the first flexible conduit is longitudinally curvilinear and disposed between the first and second layers. 
         [0013]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, a first portion of the first flexible conduit is longitudinally rectilinear and disposed between the first and second layers. 
         [0014]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first portion lies in a single plane. 
         [0015]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first portion lies in a three-dimensional space. 
         [0016]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the fluid flow assembly includes a second flexible conduit including a second portion disposed between the first and second layers. 
         [0017]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first and second portions extend substantially straight. 
         [0018]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, at least one of the first and second portions are longitudinally curvilinear. 
         [0019]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the connector is made of a plastic film. 
         [0020]    n the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first layer is welded to the second layer in a plurality of weld segments that are linearly perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flexible conduit. 
         [0021]    A method of shaping a flexible fluid flow conduit according to another, non-limiting, embodiment, utilizes a connecting device that has a primary form with a primary pocket insert and a second pocket insert. The method includes the primary form of the connecting device being placed in the primary pocket insert, which reproduces the course of the flexible conduit, the primary layer of the connector. The flexible conduit is placed in the first layer of the connector the primary pocket insert of the primary form of the connecting device. The second layer of the connector is placed in the first layer of the connector and the flexible conduit, which are placed in the primary pocket insert in the shape of the connecting device. The connecting device is closed off by a second shape so that the second pocket insert with the second shape of the connecting device fits in the second layer placed in the flexible conduit. The first layer of the connector is permanently attached to the second layer of the connector. 
         [0022]    Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the first layer is permanently attached to the second layer by welding. 
         [0023]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first layer is permanently attached to the second layer by welding with high-frequency currents. 
         [0024]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first layer is permanently attached to the second layer by welding in basically a line that is perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the flexible conduit. 
         [0025]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, at least two flexible conduits are placed between the first layer and the second layer in the first pocket insert with the second shape. 
         [0026]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the connector is made of a plastic film. 
         [0027]    n the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the connector is formed about the flexible conduit by the connecting device. 
         [0028]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the method includes removing the connecting device from the connector after forming. 
         [0029]    The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting. 
     
    
     
       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. 5 a    shows the flexible conduit assembly bent at an angle of 180° in three projections and in the perspective view; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5 b    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. 5 a    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. 5 a   , 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. 5 b   , 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. 5 a    and  FIG. 5 b   , 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