Conductive Floating Pipe Clip Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clips for holding fuel lines in automobiles fail to effectively isolate vibrations, leading to noise transmission in the passenger compartment, and often allow improper assembly due to lack of orientation constraints.

Innovation Solution

A conductive floating pipe assembly clip with a rigid outer structure and a flexible inner structure, featuring discrete connectors and bumpers, which provides vibration isolation and ensures proper assembly orientation through poka-yoke construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid clip structure is used to securely hold fuel lines, then positioning stability is improved, but vibration isolation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clip is divided into a rigid outer structure and a flexible inner structure that can move independently. The inner structure includes a tube seat suspended by discrete flexible connectors, allowing the fuel line holding portion to isolate vibrations while the outer structure maintains positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the clip have different mechanical properties: the outer structure is rigid for stable mounting, while the inner tube seat and connectors are flexible for vibration isolation. This local differentiation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a simple clip design is used, then manufacturing ease is improved, but assembly correctness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidassembly correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner structure is designed with asymmetric features including a cam-shaped connector that can only be inserted in the correct orientation. This asymmetric design provides poka-yoke (mistake-proofing) to ensure proper assembly without complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The cam-shaped connector acts as an intermediary element between the inner and outer structures. Its asymmetric geometry mediates the assembly process by physically preventing incorrect orientation, ensuring reliability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 isolates vibrations, reducing noise transmission and ensuring correct assembly by using a combination of rigid and flexible components, along with poka-yoke features to prevent improper assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The tube seat is suspended by discrete flexible connectors from an outer body of the inner structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Bumpers can be the provided between the outer body and the tube seat to limit deflection of the inner seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8910912B2Conductive floating pipe assembly clip

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An isolating clip for holding tubes, fluid lines and the like is provided with a rigid outer shell and a flexible insert. The insert includes an outer body and a tube seat suspended from the outer body by flexible connectors. Bumpers can be provided in the space between the outer body and tube seat to limit deflection of the tube seat.