Bayonet-Connected Flowmeter Assembly With Single-Orientation Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flowmeters for beverage preparation machines face challenges with high costs due to the use of diamond point bearings and require complex assembly steps, leading to accuracy issues and unnecessary assembly mistakes due to multiple assembly orientations.
Innovation Solution
A flowmeter design featuring a bayonet connector with pairs of interconnecting securing parts that allow assembly in only one or a limited number of positions, eliminating the need for additional assembly orientation markers and reducing production costs by integrating bearing parts during moulding, using food-safe materials like POM and PBT with low friction and abrasion rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diamond point bearings are used in the flowmeter, then the flowmeter achieves reliable operation, but the manufacturing cost increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive diamond point bearings with inexpensive molded-in bearing surfaces made from POM and PBT materials. These bearing surfaces are integrated directly into the housing and measuring body during molding, eliminating the need for separate diamond bearings while maintaining adequate reliability for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the bearing function with the housing and measuring body structures by molding-in the bearing surfaces directly into these components. This integration eliminates separate bearing parts and reduces assembly steps while maintaining the necessary rotational support functionality.
2Strength
If multiple assembly hooks are provided for bayonet connector, then the connection strength increases, but the number of assembly positions increases leading to assembly mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the two securing parts on the bayonet connector. One securing part is positioned at a different location than the other, creating a unique assembly orientation. This asymmetric arrangement maintains the mechanical strength of multiple securing parts while eliminating ambiguous assembly positions, as only one orientation allows both securing parts to engage correctly.
3Reliability
If food-safe materials like POM and PBT are used, then the flowmeter meets safety requirements, but the friction and abrasion occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific material parameters for POM and PBT that optimize the balance between food safety compliance and friction/abrasion characteristics. By controlling material composition and molding parameters, the patent achieves low-friction bearing surfaces that meet food safety requirements while minimizing wear during operational rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
A flowmeter (1) comprises a housing (2,4) delimiting a measuring chamber (10). The housing is formed of a first body (4) and second body (2) that are assembled together by a bayonet connector having a number of pairs of interconnecting securing parts (25, 25′, 25a, 26, 26′, 26a, 45, 45′, 45a). The pairs of securing parts are arranged so that the first and second bodies (2,4) are assemblable in only one position or in a number of different positions that is smaller than the number of pairs of interconnecting securing parts.