Annular Tube Retainer with Segmented Cross-Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube retaining devices in fluid transport circuit elements have minimum dimensions that cannot be reduced due to their geometry, leading to increased thickness and size of circuit components, which complicates maintenance and space constraints in complex systems.
Innovation Solution
A tube retaining member with a carrier part having a substantially continuous annular shape in cross-section, featuring an active attachment direction and an inactive direction with the smallest external dimension, allowing for a reduced transverse bulk without compromising attachment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional annular retainers with hooking means extending over the entire circumference are used, then the tube can be firmly retained, but the transverse dimensions of the retainer become large, increasing the thickness of the circuit element
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is segmented into an active transverse direction with hooking means and an inactive transverse direction without hooking means. This segmentation allows the retainer to provide firm tube retention in the active direction while minimizing its external dimension in the inactive direction, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the circuit element without compromising retention reliability.
2Length of stationary object
If the transverse dimensions of the retainer are reduced, then the circuit element thickness can be reduced, but the attachment means may become weaker and less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer exhibits local quality by concentrating the hooking means and attachment functionality in the active transverse direction, while the inactive transverse direction has minimal external dimension. This localized concentration of attachment functionality ensures sufficient strength in the active direction without requiring large dimensions in the inactive direction, thus reducing circuit element thickness while maintaining attachment effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If the carrier part is made discontinuous to reduce material usage, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the structural integrity and firmness of attachment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier part is segmented such that it extends continuously in the active transverse direction to ensure structural integrity and firm attachment, while being discontinuous or minimized in the inactive transverse direction. This selective continuity ensures that the attachment means maintains sufficient strength and reliability where needed, while reducing material usage and simplifying manufacturing in non-critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an element (10) for holding a tube in a circuit element, the holding element comprising a supporting part (10; 30) from which at least one lateral anchoring means (14, 33) of the tube extends, the supporting part having, in the cross-section thereof, a shape that is, in essence, continuously annular, and having an active transversal direction (12, 36) on which the anchoring means is placed, and an inactive transversal direction (15, 37) according to which the supporting part is devoid of anchoring means and has smaller outer dimensions. The invention also relates to a circuit element comprising a holding element of the aforementioned type.