Engine Duct Retaining Assembly for Vibration-Tolerant Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle engine duct assemblies face issues with relative displacement due to vibrations, alignment defects, and difficulty in assembly/disassembly, posing safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A retaining system for hollow conduits allowing partial rotational and translational movement, comprising a protrusion and blocking means with parallel branches and retaining tabs to secure the conduits while enabling limited movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conduits are assembled by interlocking, then assembly is simplified, but positioning defects and alignment defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means incorporates a movable blocking element that can shift position to accommodate alignment variations during assembly, then lock into place to maintain the connection. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to tolerate positioning defects while still achieving secure assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking means is designed to change its positional parameter in response to the protrusion's location, allowing it to adapt to different alignment conditions. This parameter change enables the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and achieve proper alignment after initial interlocking.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conduits are rigidly fixed together, then positioning stability is improved, but vibration-induced displacement and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means allows dynamic movement between the first and second conduits through the interaction of the protrusion and movable blocking means. This controlled mobility enables the assembly to absorb vibration energy and accommodate relative displacement without rigid constraint, preventing vibration-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its positional parameters dynamically in response to vibration forces, allowing the conduits to shift relative to each other within controlled limits. This parameter adaptation prevents stress accumulation and damage while maintaining overall system stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conduits allow relative movement, then vibration tolerance is improved, but disassembly risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means is preliminarily positioned to engage with the protrusion, creating a pre-established connection mechanism. This preliminary action ensures that while movement is permitted during operation, the conduits remain reliably connected and cannot accidentally disassemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion and blocking means act as intermediary elements between the two conduits, mediating the interaction between them. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled movement while maintaining reliable connection, preventing both excessive rigidity and accidental disassembly.
4Reliability
If a complex retaining mechanism is used, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining means is segmented into distinct functional elements: a protrusion on one conduit and a blocking means on the other. This segmentation allows each element to be simple in design while collectively providing reliable connection, avoiding the need for a single complex retaining mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking means serves multiple functions: it blocks the protrusion to prevent disassembly, allows controlled movement to tolerate vibration, and can be preliminarily positioned to facilitate assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
This set of hollow conduits (1) comprises a first hollow conduit (2) and a second hollow conduit (3) assembled together by partial insertion of the second conduit (3) into a portion (4) of the first conduit (2), the set of conduits (1) comprising a retaining means (5) of the first conduit to the second conduit, the retaining means (5) being configured to permit a partial rotational movement and a translational movement of the second conduit (3) relative to the first conduit (2).