Compact Duct Connector With Integrated Locking and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic connection devices for motor vehicle air intake ducts are complex and require a separate coupling and locking zone, making them less compact and necessitating additional seals, which complicates assembly and increases the number of pieces required.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic connection device design where a female end piece with a smooth internal face and an external locking pin or claw couples with a male end piece having a skirt and a spring tongue, allowing for a sealed connection without additional seals and minimizing the number of pieces, while dissociating the coupling zone from the locking zone to achieve compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate coupling zone and locking zone are used as in prior art, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the device becomes more complex and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling zone and locking zone into a single integrated structure. The male end piece simultaneously performs both coupling and locking functions through its dual features: the peripheral ring forms the coupling interface while the protruding pin provides locking engagement with the female end piece's recess. This eliminates the need for separate coupling and locking components, reducing device complexity while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If a peripheral ring and additional locking components are used as in prior art, then the connection is secure, but the number of pieces increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The male end piece is designed as a single integrated component that combines the peripheral ring and locking pin into one piece. This reduces the total number of components needed in the connection system and simplifies manufacturing, as fewer separate parts need to be produced, assembled, and quality-checked compared to prior art solutions that used separate coupling rings and locking mechanisms.
3Length of moving object
If the connection end pieces are shortened to improve compactness, then the device becomes more compact, but maintaining sealed connection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both compactness and sealing reliability by integrating the coupling and locking functions into a single short connection structure. The peripheral ring provides the sealing surface while the pin provides mechanical locking, allowing the end pieces to be shortened without compromising sealing capability. The smooth bore of the female end piece and the peripheral ring of the male end piece create an effective seal over a shortened distance.
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
The solution enables a compact, sealed connection that shortens the connection end pieces and eliminates the need for additional seals, improving assembly efficiency and reducing the number of components, with a sealing ratio greater than 80:100, enhancing the device's compactness and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring tongue provided with a reception housing for receiving said pin for locking the first and second end pieces together
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic connection device couples a first end piece of a first tubing/equipment item and a second end piece of a second item/equipment item. The first constitutes a female end piece with a first tubular ending with a smooth internal face, the external face carrying a locking pin or claw. The second end piece constitutes a male end piece with a second tubular ending forming with the first tubular ending a mating part and whose smooth outer face forms a sealed link for the connection with the first tubular ending's smooth inner face. The second end piece includes: a skirt surrounding the mating part; and a spring tongue with a reception housing receiving the pin, locking the first and second end pieces together. The skirt is coupled to a rear part of the second tubular ending by an annular crown forming an introduction stop of the first tubular ending.