Deformable U-Shaped Pin Connector for Fluid Transfer Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for fluid transfer lines, particularly in fuel injection rails for motor vehicles, fail to ensure the male end is correctly positioned in the female end before locking, leading to potential misalignment and instability under pressure.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a female connector with a deformable positioning means, such as a U-shaped hairpin with wings passing through diametrically opposite slots, and a locking member that slides to cover the wings in a locked position, ensuring the male end is securely positioned and locked within the groove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple holding means is used to connect male and female ends, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of positioning and locking is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device is divided into distinct functional segments: a positioning means with deformable elements (wings) that engage with the groove, and a separate locking means that secures the positioning means in place. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning means performs a preliminary action by deforming radially outward to engage with the groove before the locking means is activated. This ensures correct positioning is established prior to final locking, preventing misalignment and ensuring reliable connection.
2Manufacturing precision
If a positioning means is added to ensure correct positioning in the groove, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning means is designed to be self-positioning through its deformable wings that radially outwardly deform to engage with the groove. The geometry of the wings and groove work together to automatically align and position the male end correctly without requiring additional positioning mechanisms or complex adjustment procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the connection to be dynamically assembled and disassembled. The deformable wings provide a degree of flexibility during assembly, and the locking means secures this flexible positioning means in its final locked state, balancing stability with operational ease.
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 provides a stable and reliable double locking mechanism that prevents radial deformation, ensuring the male end is correctly aligned and secured within the female end, enhancing operational security and ease of use by providing a clear connection validation and manual locking/unlocking surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable positioning means which is designed to be mounted on the female connector through the or each light and which is adapted to be housed in the groove so as to position the male end axially inside the female end
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The device (103) has a deformable positioning unit mounted on a tubular female endfitting (110) through a pair of circular arc traversing slots and constituted of a U-shaped pin with two deformable wings (21). The wings respectively form two traversing portions to traverse the diametrically opposed traversing slots and are connected with each other by a web to be radially mounted at an exterior of the female endfitting. A locking unit (130) formed of a sleeve, receives the wings in a locked position by closing the slots. The pin is made of plastic material. An independent claim is also included for a method for mounting/demounting a connecting device.