Articulated Rigid Fluid Links for Tolerance-Tolerant Sealed Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid circulation systems in internal combustion engine environments face challenges with manufacturing and assembly tolerances, deformations, and the need for flexible hoses that are difficult to automate, requiring manual installation and ensuring leak-tight connections.
Innovation Solution
A system using rigid but articulated fluidic links composed of nested rigid female tubes and male fittings, allowing limited rotational and translational displacement, with compression seals and locking means, to accommodate tolerances and deformations while maintaining leak-tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible hoses are used to connect functional housings, then the system can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and operational deformations, but the installation becomes difficult and requires manual assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic link is divided into separate rigid components (tube, duct, fitting) that can be individually manufactured with high precision and then assembled through a standardized nesting interface. This segmentation allows each component to be produced independently with tight tolerances while the assembly process remains simple and automatable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a nesting connection where one rigid tube is inserted into another rigid duct, which is then inserted into a rigid fitting. This nested structure provides precise alignment and positioning automatically during assembly, enabling automated installation while maintaining adaptability to tolerances through the nested geometry.
2Extent of automation
If rigid tubes are used for fluidic connections, then automated assembly becomes feasible, but the system cannot accommodate manufacturing tolerances and operational deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The nested rigid components are designed with controlled clearances and articulation capabilities that allow limited relative movement between components. This dynamic design enables the rigid structure to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and operational deformations while maintaining the precision required for automated assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different hose types are used to accommodate varying distances and paths, then the system can adapt to different configurations, but the device complexity and variety of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested rigid tube-duct-fitting assembly serves as a universal connector that can accommodate various distances, angles, and paths through the articulation and positioning capabilities of the nested components. A single standardized interface design replaces the need for multiple specialized hose types, reducing component variety while maintaining adaptability.
4Reliability
If intermediate attachments are added to flexible hoses for significant length or sensitive environments, then reliability improves, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic path is divided into multiple rigid segments (tube, duct, fitting) connected through standardized nesting interfaces. This segmentation provides inherent reliability by allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function and environment, while the modular nature simplifies assembly compared to traditional flexible hose configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for circulating fluid between at least one first body or housing (2) and at least one second body or housing (3), the system comprising an arrangement of multiple fluid connections (4, 4′, 4″, 4″) between, on the one hand, the first body or housing (2) provided with at least two mutually separate openings (5, 5′, 5″, 5″) and, on the other hand, at least one second body or housing (3) also comprising mutually separate openings, each connection establishing a sealed fluid connection between an opening of the first body or housing (2) and an opening of the second body or housing (3), or of one of the second bodies or housings. Said system (1) is characterised in that each of the fluid connections (4, 4′, 4″, 4″) is rigid but hinged, and formed by successive interlocking of a rigid female tubing (7, 7′, 7″, 7″) and a rigid or diabolo pipe (9, 9′, 9″).