Flanged Clamp Union With Keyhole Retention for One-Side Bulkhead Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional four-bolt flange connections in bulkhead assemblies of work machines require disassembly from both sides, leading to increased weight, complexity, and cost due to large manifolds and multiple fasteners, complicating assembly and service operations.

Innovation Solution

A flange clamp union assembly with a projecting portion that allows independent assembly and disassembly on one side, utilizing a retaining portion that fits into a keyhole in the bulkhead plate for alignment and anti-rotation, reducing the need for large manifolds and multiple fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional four-bolt flange connections are used in bulkhead assemblies, then reliable fluid coupling is achieved, but weight and device complexity increase due to large manifolds and multiple fasteners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid coupling reliabilityVSAvoidbulkhead assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bulkhead assembly is segmented into modular components: a bulkhead plate with keyhole openings, separate flange clamps with retaining portions, and fluid connectors. This segmentation eliminates the need for large manifolds while maintaining reliable fluid coupling through standardized interfaces. Each component can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining portion is extracted as a distinct feature from the flange clamp, designed to fit into keyhole openings in the bulkhead plate. This extraction allows for simplified attachment mechanism that reduces the number of fasteners needed while maintaining secure connection and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If conventional four-bolt flange connections are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase due to multiple fasteners and bilateral disassembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidnumber of fasteners

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single retaining portion feature on the flange clamp. This retaining portion engages with the keyhole opening in the bulkhead plate to provide both positioning and attachment strength, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and reducing device complexity while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining portion serves multiple functions: it provides attachment strength, prevents rotation of the flange clamp, and enables alignment during assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining the required attachment strength and simplifying the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional flange connections require disassembly from both sides, then complete detachment is achieved, but assembly time and service operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete detachmentVSAvoidassembly and service time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining portion is pre-configured on the flange clamp to engage with the keyhole opening in the bulkhead plate. This preliminary configuration allows the flange clamp to be attached and detached from only one side of the bulkhead, eliminating the need for bilateral disassembly operations and reducing assembly and service time while maintaining complete detachment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Shape

If retaining portion with keyhole engagement is used, then alignment and anti-rotation are achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment and anti-rotationVSAvoidkeyhole and retaining portion tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining portion and keyhole opening are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide inherent alignment and anti-rotation characteristics. The asymmetric shape ensures proper orientation during assembly while the tolerances can be maintained within standard manufacturing capabilities, balancing alignment requirements with manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20250257826A1Flanged clamp union and method of assembly

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A flange clamp is provided for coupling a fluid connector to a bulkhead plate of a bulkhead assembly. The flange clamp includes a clamp body having an inner surface configured to engage with the fluid connector, and a plurality of openings formed in the clamp body. The plurality of openings includes at least a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. At least one extended body portion is integrally formed at an outer periphery of the clamp body. A retaining portion is formed with the at least one extended body portion and projects away therefrom. The retaining portion is configured to be disposed within an opening formed in the bulkhead plate, where the retaining portion is configured to selectively maintain an orientation of the clamp body on the bulkhead plate.