Fastening arrangement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening arrangements for cylindrical components in mobile air-conditioning systems, such as accumulators, are complex and costly to produce, failing to provide a reliable and cost-effective holding solution under high pressure and temperature loads.
Innovation Solution
A fork-shaped socket with complementary grooves and a blind hole is used to securely hold the cylindrical component, combined with a head portion and fastening element, allowing for positive insertion and optional wedging, and vibration-damping decoupling elements to minimize vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fastening arrangements with hoops and integrated catches are used, then reliable holding under high pressure and temperature loads is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening arrangement is divided into separate functional components: a U-shaped socket for positive engagement, a head portion for positioning, and a separate fastening element for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing compared to integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped socket serves multiple functions: it provides positive engagement through its internal contours matching the component's external contours, offers wedging retention through the obliquely aligned head portion surface, and enables fastening through the through opening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If conventional fastening arrangements are used, then secure holding is achieved, but production expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Its straightforward geometry allows for cost-effective production through standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device can be manufactured using different materials and processes depending on requirements - metal forming for high strength applications or injection molding for cost-sensitive applications. This flexibility in manufacturing parameters allows optimization of production cost while maintaining holding security.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple wedging retention is used, then cost is reduced, but holding reliability under vibration loads decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The obliquely aligned head portion surface creates a wedging action that provides retaining force before vibration loads are applied. This pre-positioning and mechanical retention counteract the effects of vibration, preventing the component from becoming loose or dislodged during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening element acts as an intermediary that transforms the simple wedging retention into a more reliable mechanical fastening. It provides additional securing force while maintaining the simplicity of the overall design, bridging the gap between cost-effective manufacturing and reliable holding under vibration.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle may have a cylindrical component having two grooves aligned orthogonally to a cylinder axis, recessed into local areas of a lateral surface, and running parallel to each other, and a blind hole in an end of the cylindrical component. A fastening component for the cylindrical component may include a holding device having a U-shaped socket and a head portion having a through opening. The holding device may be matched to the cylindrical component in such a way that the cylindrical component is positively insertable via the two grooves into the U-shaped socket until the blind hole in the end is in alignment with the through opening in the head portion of the holding device. The fastening arrangement may also have a fastening element that is insertable and screwable through the through opening in the head portion into the blind hole in the cylindrical component.