Elastic Hose Clip Structure for Vehicle Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle hose and pipe clips made of molded plastic materials fail to effectively absorb sound and vibrations, especially when securing plastic hoses, leading to noise and vibration transmission to the vehicle body.

Innovation Solution

A clip design comprising a plastic portion with an elongate body and an elastic connection portion featuring through-holes and ribs, formed through two-step injection molding or separate assembly, which absorbs vibrations and reduces sound transmission by ensuring the hose only contacts the elastic portion, thereby preventing direct contact with the vehicle frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a molded plastic clip is used to secure hoses or pipes, then the connection is secure and easy to manufacture, but sound and vibrations are not effectively absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsound and vibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clip combines a rigid plastic portion (for structural support and secure connection) with an elastic connection portion (for vibration absorption and noise reduction). This composite structure allows the clip to maintain manufacturing simplicity while effectively dampening sound and vibrations that would otherwise transmit through the connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the clip have different material properties tailored to their specific functions: the rigid plastic portion provides structural integrity and secure mounting, while the elastic connection portion specifically addresses vibration absorption. This localized differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between secure connection and vibration damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an elastic connection portion is added to absorb vibrations, then sound and vibration transmission is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound and vibration transmissionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic connection portion is merged with the rigid plastic portion to form an integrated clip assembly. This combination creates a unified component that performs both structural support and vibration absorption functions simultaneously, reducing the need for separate vibration-damping elements and minimizing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating two different material types (rigid plastic and elastic material) into a single composite structure, the invention achieves vibration absorption without requiring multiple separate components. The composite design simplifies the overall device while maintaining the necessary vibration-damping functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the hose contacts the plastic portion of the clip, then the connection is secure, but sound transmission occurs between stiff parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidsound transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic connection portion serves as an intermediary element between the rigid plastic portion and the hose. This intermediate layer maintains the secure connection provided by the rigid structure while preventing direct contact between the hose and the stiff plastic portion, thereby eliminating the sound transmission path through rigid components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The clip design applies different material qualities at different locations: the rigid plastic portion provides secure structural support, while the elastic connection portion specifically at the hose contact point provides vibration isolation. This localized differentiation ensures both strong connection and sound transmission prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 clip effectively dampens vibrations and reduces noise transmission by using an elastic connection portion, maintaining a secure connection while minimizing contact with the vehicle frame, achieving a dynamic stiffness of 5-10 N/mm compared to prior art clips' 100 N/mm, suitable for plastic hoses.

Implementation Method 1

the connection portion comprises a base portion connected to the head, opposing side portions extending on sides of the through-hole and a top portion connecting to each of the opposing side portions... Such a configuration can help provide for damping of any sound and vibration by absorbing sounds and/or vibrations through the flexibility and materials of the connection portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a connection portion connected to the second side of the head, the connection portion comprising a through-hole and formed of an elastic material... While connection portion is able to flex with any movement or forces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4644751A1clip
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4644751A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4644751A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4644751A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A clip comprises a plastic portion comprising an elongate body with a head, the head with a first side connected to the elongate body and second side; and a connection portion connected to the second side of the head. The connection portion comprises a through-hole and is formed of an elastic material.