Elastically Deformable Conduit Assembly for Wire Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire retaining conduit assemblies face issues with positional variation due to manufacturing variances, leading to loose fits, movement, and undesirable noises like squeaking and rattling, as a result of clearance between alignment features.
Innovation Solution
An elastically deformable conduit assembly made of materials like metals, polymers, or composites that can deform from a relaxed to an elastically deformed condition, narrowing to fit snugly within a mating component, thereby reducing positional errors and securing wires effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clearance is provided between alignment features to accommodate manufacturing variances, then ease of assembly is improved, but positional precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its dimensions. During assembly, the conduit can be compressed to fit through clearance gaps, then expands to achieve a tight fit against the mating component, eliminating gaps while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the conduit from rigid to elastically deformable. This parameter change allows the conduit to temporarily alter its dimensional parameters (compress to fit through clearance, then expand to eliminate gaps), resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and positional precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid conduit is used with clearance fit, then ease of manufacture is improved, but quality perception deteriorates due to movement and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit material parameter is changed from rigid to elastically deformable. This allows the conduit to maintain a tight fit without requiring precision manufacturing, while simultaneously eliminating movement and noise through elastic contact with the mating component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an elastically deformable conduit that acts as a flexible structure. This flexible conduit can conform to the mating component's geometry, eliminating gaps and preventing relative motion that causes noise, while remaining easy to manufacture.
3Manufacturing precision
If elastically deformable conduit is used to eliminate clearance gaps, then positional precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complicating the device structure to eliminate gaps, the invention changes the material parameter of the conduit to be elastically deformable. This single parameter change allows the conduit to automatically adapt to manufacturing variances, achieving positional precision without increasing device complexity.
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 elastically deformable conduit assembly addresses positional variations by maintaining a tight, fitted engagement between the conduit and mating component, reducing wire movement and noise, enhancing the perceived quality by ensuring a secure and stable arrangement of wires.
Implementation Method 1
a conduit (12) formed of an elastically deformable material, the conduit (12) configured to deform from a relaxed condition to an elastically deformed condition
Data Source
AI summary
An elastically deformable conduit assembly includes a conduit comprising an outer surface and formed of an elastically deformable material, the conduit configured to deform from a relaxed condition to an elastically deformed condition. Also included is a mating component configured to engage the outer surface of the conduit in the elastically deformed condition.