Conduit Connector Locking Structure With Sheet Metal Retainers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors for liquid or gaseous media in motor vehicles have complex structures, making them difficult to manufacture while compromising on functionality.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring a sleeve-shaped outer jacket section with through openings for a locking element, a separate holding element as a formed sheet metal part, and an annular space between the inner and outer jacket sections, allowing for easy assembly and high rigidity, with features like fastening sections, support sections, and bevels for secure locking and easy insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex connector design with integrated retaining features is used, then structural strength and locking reliability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: the outer jacket section with through-openings, the locking element, and the retaining element as a separate formed sheet metal part. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity and locking reliability through precise assembly of these specialized parts.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate retaining element acts as an intermediary component between the outer jacket section and the locking element. This retaining element, formed as a sheet metal part with specific geometric features, mediates the connection by providing a dedicated retaining structure that simplifies the overall design compared to integrating all retaining features directly into the jacket section, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty while ensuring reliable locking.
2Ease of manufacture
If a separate retaining element is provided for each through-opening, then ease of assembly and manufacturing flexibility are improved, but the number of components and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining function is segmented into separate retaining elements for each through-opening, allowing each element to be manufactured independently as a formed sheet metal part. This segmentation provides manufacturing flexibility as each retaining element can be produced using optimized sheet metal forming processes, and defective elements can be replaced individually without affecting other components, thus improving ease of manufacture despite the increased component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements are designed as formed sheet metal parts with specific geometric parameters optimized for their function. By changing the manufacturing approach from traditional methods to sheet metal forming, the parameters of the retaining elements can be precisely controlled, improving manufacturing flexibility and consistency while maintaining a manageable number of components through standardization of the forming process.
3Weight of moving object
If the retaining element is designed as a formed sheet metal part, then weight is reduced and strength-to-weight ratio is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed as a formed sheet metal part with optimized geometric parameters that achieve the required strength and stiffness while minimizing weight. The sheet metal forming process allows for precise control of thickness, curvature, and feature dimensions, meeting manufacturing precision requirements through process capability while producing a lightweight component with high strength-to-weight ratio suitable for the connector application.
Solution Approach 2:
The formed sheet metal retaining element effectively creates a composite structure where the metal material is shaped into a configuration that combines lightness with high strength. The forming process creates geometric complexity and structural reinforcement features within the sheet metal itself, achieving composite-like performance characteristics that reduce overall weight while maintaining the precision and reliability needed for the locking mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connector (2) comprising a connector body (5), the connector body (5) having at least one sleeve-type outer casing section (13) which when viewed in cross-section surrounds a central longitudinal axis (8) of the connector (2). At least two passages (33) are formed in the outer casing section (13), the passages being provided for receiving an end section of a locking element (6). The locking element (6) is designed to secure the connector (2) relative to a mating connector (3), and a retaining element (38) for securing the locking element (6) is arranged in at least one of the passages (33). The retaining element (38) is designed as a formed sheet metal part and a separate retaining element (38) is provided for each passage (33').