Bracing Ring Connector Locking for Rotation-Free Housing Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for fluid-channeling components often require additional costly machining steps to prevent rotation during transportation, complicating the manufacturing of housings with receiving depressions, especially when using straightforward lathe methods.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a bracing ring with predetermined breaking points that expands axially to securely lock into a receiving depression, eliminating the need for additional rotation-prevention measures in the housing, allowing for straightforward lathe manufacturing and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional rotation-prevention measures are implemented in the housing, then the connector positioning stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a stub and a bracing ring that can expand independently. The bracing ring separates the positioning function from the connector body, allowing it to expand radially after insertion to prevent rotation without requiring complex features in the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracing ring transitions from a compact state during insertion to an expanded radial state after insertion. This dimensional change in the radial direction enables rotation prevention without adding complexity to the axial insertion path or housing structure.
2Reliability
If the bracing ring is designed to expand radially after insertion, then the rotation prevention capability is improved, but the insertion force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracing ring is pre-configured with predetermined breaking points that prepare it for expansion. The breaking points create controlled weak sections that will fail at predetermined locations, initiating the expansion sequence without requiring excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the bracing ring are designed to change from a rigid pre-insertion state to an expandable post-insertion state. The predetermined breaking points create localized stress concentrations that facilitate controlled plastic deformation and expansion at specific locations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the bracing ring has predetermined breaking points, then the controlled expansion is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the breaking points increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The predetermined breaking points are designed as sacrificial features that are intentionally created to fail. Rather than requiring high-precision permanent features, the breaking points are simple material discontinuities that can be manufactured cost-effectively and are designed to be consumed during the expansion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The breaking points self-initiate the expansion process through controlled failure. Once the connector is inserted and the bracing ring is constrained by the housing, the breaking points automatically fail under stress, triggering the expansion without requiring external actuation or complex control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The connector is reliably positioned and secured in the receiving depression without additional machining, ensuring a rotationally fixed connection while maintaining cost-effective manufacturing processes for both the connector and housing.
Implementation Method 1
the bracing ring (16) is designed so that, as a result of an axial force acting on the bracing ring (16) and being directed towards the frontal end (12), possibly the at least one predetermined breaking point (38) breaks, so that the bracing ring (16) can be pushed all the way onto the lateral surface (14), an external diameter being increased in the process
Data Source
AI summary
In the case of a connector for inserting into a receiving depression in a housing, having a stub with a flow channel formed therein, the flow channel extending as far as a frontal end of the stub and being surrounded by a lateral surface. Provision is made for a bracing ring to surround the lateral surface. The bracing ring is designed so that, as a result of an axial force acting on the bracing ring and being directed towards the frontal end, the bracing ring can be pushed all the way onto the lateral surface, an external diameter being increased in the process.