Automotive Connection Device with Rotational Indexing and Axial Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for air conditioning and power steering circuits in motor vehicles are complex and costly due to the high number of elements required for angular indexing, and they do not allow axial sliding of tubes once locked in rotation, making assembly and connection configurations restrictive.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with a connection flange and two tubes, where at least one tube has flat sections that cooperate directly with the flange's locking housing to lock it in rotation while allowing axial sliding, reducing the need for additional parts and enabling separate mounting of tubes through the flange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional indexing parts (inserts, locking tabs) are used to lock tubes in rotation, then the tube angular indexing is achieved, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the angular indexing function with the tube housing structure itself. The flat face formed by the housing wall integrates the indexing feature directly into the housing, eliminating the need for separate indexing inserts or locking tabs. This reduces the number of parts while maintaining reliable angular positioning of the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the tube, and creates the angular indexing feature through its flat face. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated indexing components, reducing device complexity while maintaining indexing reliability.
2Reliability
If additional indexing parts are used to lock tubes in rotation, then the tube angular indexing is achieved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing feature is merged into the housing structure, which is typically a single molded or machined component. This eliminates the need to manufacture, inventory, and assemble separate indexing parts, thereby reducing production cost while maintaining reliable angular indexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing function is extracted from separate components and integrated directly into the housing structure. This simplification reduces the bill of materials and assembly steps, leading to lower production costs while preserving the reliability of tube angular positioning.
3Reliability
If the tube is locked in rotation by an insert, then the angular indexing is maintained, but the tube cannot slide axially
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flat face zone for angular indexing and a longitudinal zone for axial movement. The flat face provides rotational positioning while the open longitudinal space allows the tube to slide axially. This spatial segmentation enables both angular indexing reliability and axial sliding capability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the tube to have dynamic movement capabilities: it is constrained rotationally by the flat face indexing feature while maintaining freedom of axial movement. This dynamic configuration enables the tube to be positioned angularly and then slide axially as needed, combining both functions without conflict.
4Reliability
If the flange is assembled to the tubes before connecting to the circuit, then the connection is secured, but the connection configuration becomes restrictive and may interfere with connection operations
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed with pre-integrated angular indexing features (flat faces) that automatically position the tube correctly as it is inserted. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for separate indexing operations or complex assembly sequences, allowing flexible connection configurations while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables flexible connection configurations, and ensures secure attachment through integrated indexing features. This multi-functionality allows the flange to be assembled in various configurations without requiring pre-assembly of separate indexing components, maintaining both connection security and operational flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (1) has circular section lockable tubes (20, 30) housed in respective through housings (12, 13) of a connection clamp (10) and provided with flanges (21, 31) supporting against a stop surface (14) of the clamp. Each tube has a longitudinal flat bar (22) terminating at a distance from the flanges measured along an axial direction of each tube, where the distance is lower than axial thickness of the clamp. The bar directly cooperates with a flat surface (12a) of each housing so as to block the rotation of the tube in housing while authorizing axial sliding of tube in the housing.