Vehicular Conduit Clip Retention Using Printed Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive fluid conduits face challenges in maintaining proper spacing and accurate attachment of support clamps during transportation and installation, as these clamps often become displaced due to handling and transportation processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of mechanically printed protrusions on the outer perimeter surface of fluid conduits, which serve as retention features for mounting clips, allowing for secure attachment to a vehicular structure without the need for welding, using thermoplastic materials and various printing processes such as flexographic, gravure, or digital printing to create robust locating structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If support clamps are attached to conduits during manufacturing, then proper spacing and location can be maintained, but the clamps become displaced during transportation and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching support clamps to conduits during manufacturing with proper spacing and location, then using printed protrusions as retention features to prevent displacement during transportation and handling. The protrusions are mechanically printed on the conduit outer surface to engage with corresponding features on the support clamps, securing them in place before installation.
2Strength
If welding is used to attach mounting clips to conduits, then secure attachment is achieved, but welding equipment and complex installation process are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding mechanical system with a mechanical interlocking system. Printed protrusions on the conduit outer surface engage with corresponding recesses or features on the mounting clips, providing secure attachment through mechanical interference rather than thermal welding. This substitution eliminates the need for welding equipment while maintaining attachment strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex assemblies of multiple conduits with support clamps are manufactured and bundled together, then proper spacing and routing are maintained, but the support clamps are displaced during transportation from manufacture to installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-securing support clamps to conduits during manufacturing using printed protrusions as retention features. These protrusions prevent displacement during transportation and handling, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-location and re-attachment operations at the installation site.
4Reliability
If mechanically printed protrusions are used as retention features, then support clips remain accurately located during transportation, but additional manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical retention features (such as separate brackets or complex molding operations) with mechanically printed protrusions. These protrusions are directly printed onto the conduit outer surface using printing processes, simplifying the manufacturing process while providing reliable retention for support clips during transportation and installation.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a conduit or pipe retention assembly for a vehicle. A vehicle fluid conduit outer perimeter surface includes one or more protrusions mechanically printed on the outer perimeter surface of the conduit or pipe. A mounting clip is mounted to the fluid conduit adjacent to one of the protrusions. The mounting clip includes retention devices for attaching the conduit to a vehicular structure.