Cylindrical Component Mounting Assembly for Vibration and Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening arrangements for cylindrical components in mobile air conditioning systems, such as accumulators, are complex and costly due to high thermal and pressure loads, particularly with CO2 as a refrigerant, requiring a more cost-effective and reliable solution.

Innovation Solution

A fork-shaped receptacle with orthogonal grooves and a blind hole on the cylindrical component, combined with a U-shaped holding device and fastening element, provides a secure and cost-effective fastening system. The holding device can be made of metal or plastic, with optional vibration-damping decoupling elements to absorb different directional forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fastening arrangements with brackets and fasteners are used, then operational reliability is ensured, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding reliabilityVSAvoidfastening arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the holding function and fastening function into a single integrated U-shaped receptacle structure. The receptacle includes integrated fastening openings in its legs, eliminating the need for separate brackets and fasteners. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the reliable holding of cylindrical components under thermal and pressure loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The U-shaped receptacle serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical holding for the cylindrical component, includes integrated fastening openings for secure attachment, and can accommodate vibration-damping decoupling elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional fastening arrangements are used, then operational reliability is ensured, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the holding structure and fastening elements into a single U-shaped receptacle, the number of parts to be manufactured and assembled is reduced. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces production costs while maintaining the reliable holding required for CO2 refrigerant systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle is designed with self-contained fastening openings integrated into its structure, allowing it to perform both holding and fastening functions without requiring additional separate fastening components. This self-sufficiency reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration-damping decoupling elements are added, then vibration transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidfastening arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces vibration-damping decoupling elements as intermediary components between the cylindrical component and the U-shaped receptacle. These decoupling elements absorb vibrations and reduce harmful transmissions while being integrated into the existing receptacle structure through the fastening openings, minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If the holding device is made of metal, then strength and reliability are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding strengthVSAvoidholding device weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows the U-shaped receptacle to be manufactured from composite materials or plastic injection molded parts with fiber reinforcement. This enables the holding device to achieve sufficient strength and reliability for CO2 refrigerant systems while reducing the weight compared to traditional metal constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3085972B1Mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP3085972B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3085972B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3085972B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement (1) for a cylindrical component (2), such as an accumulator in a mobile air conditioning system, on the body (3) of a motor vehicle (4). It is essential to the invention that the cylindrical component (2) has two parallel grooves (10) aligned orthogonally to the cylinder axis (9) that are dug into a lateral surface in some areas and a blind hole (11) on the front side, - that a holding device (5) with a U-shaped receptacle (6) and a head section (7) with a through-opening (8) is provided, - that the component (2) and the holding device (5) are matched to one another in such a way that the component (2) has a positive fit with its both grooves (10) can be pushed into the U-shaped receptacle (6) until the front blind hole (11) is aligned with the through-opening (8) in the head section (7) of the holding device (5), - that a fastening element (12) is provided which can be inserted or screwed through the through-opening (8) of the head section (7) into the blind hole (11) of the component (2).