Elastically Deformable Closing Element for Vehicle Heater Combustion Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of combustion chamber assemblies for vehicle heaters is complex due to the need for precise alignment and sealing of ignition elements and electric lines, which often requires intricate mechanical configurations and tools, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An elastically deformable closing element with a meshing area that interacts with the housing wall, allowing for axial stretching and radial reduction during assembly, simplifies the insertion process by using an assembly tool to pull the closing element into place, ensuring a stable and fluid-tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an elastically deformable closing element is used for closing the ignition element access opening, then the assembly process becomes simpler and faster, but the structural complexity of the closing element increases due to the need for elastic deformation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element utilizes elastic deformation by changing its physical state from rigid to flexible during assembly. The element is deformed elastically to pass through the ignition element access opening and then returns to its original shape to form a tight seal, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element is designed as an elastically deformable component that can flexibly adapt to the ignition element access opening. This flexible structure allows the element to be inserted easily and then expand to create a fluid-tight seal, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the outer bottom surface is offset towards the fluid flow space in relation to the inner meshing area, then the assembly tool can act on the closing element more effectively during assembly, but the precision of alignment between the closing element and the housing wall decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset between the outer bottom surface and the inner meshing area creates an intermediary zone where the assembly tool can effectively apply force to the closing element. This geometric arrangement allows the tool to pull the closing element into the access opening while the elastic deformation ensures proper alignment with the housing wall, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and alignment precision.
3Device complexity
If the closing element is designed to be pulled into the ignition element access opening by an assembly tool, then the assembly process is simplified, but additional assembly tools and procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is designed to be self-installing through its elastic deformation capability. When pulled by the assembly tool, the element automatically deforms and then returns to its original shape to form a tight seal, eliminating the need for complex mechanical configurations or multiple assembly steps. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall assembly process while minimizing the requirements for specialized tooling.
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
This solution significantly simplifies the assembly process by allowing easy insertion of the closing element into the ignition element access opening, reducing assembly time and complexity while ensuring a stable and tight seal, thus facilitating the assembly of combustion chamber assemblies for vehicle heaters.
Implementation Method 1
An elastically deformable closing element made, for example, of a rubber-elastic material, is provided for closing the ignition element access opening
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle heater combustion chamber assembly includes a housing area (14) with an ignition element mount (36) supporting an ignition element (34) and another housing area (16) defining a fluid flow space (26) with an access opening (32). The ignition element or/and an electric ignition element line (76) is moveable through the access opening. An elastically deformable closing element (40) closes the access opening and includes a meshing area (48), interacting with a housing area wall (42) surrounding the ignition element access opening and including an inner meshing area supported relative to an inner surface of the wall, which faces the fluid flow space. The closing element includes a closing element bottom (44) with an outer bottom surface (94) oriented outwardly, in the direction away from the fluid flow space. The outer bottom surface is offset in a direction of a closing element longitudinal axis towards the fluid flow space.