Flow Restricting Orifice With Breakaway Visual Size Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow restricting orifices used in the automotive industry for cooling applications cannot be visually verified after a tube is connected to a tube connector, making it difficult to confirm if the correct size orifice is mounted.
Innovation Solution
A flow restricting orifice with a visible marking element that remains on the tube connector or tube after connection, allowing for visual inspection to confirm the presence and size of the orifice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow restricting orifice is inserted into the mouth of a tube connector, then the flow restriction function is achieved, but the ability to visually verify the orifice after tube connection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restricting orifice is divided into two functional segments: the tubular nozzle body that provides flow restriction, and a separate marking element that provides visual verification. The marking element is connected via a frangible connection that allows it to be separated from the nozzle body during tube installation, enabling the marking element to remain visible on the tube connector while the nozzle remains inside for flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
A marking element acts as an intermediary between the hidden flow restricting orifice and the external observer. This marking element carries visual information (color coding) about the orifice specifications and remains visible on the tube connector after installation, serving as a mediator that communicates the presence and type of the otherwise invisible orifice.
2Loss of information
If a color marking is applied to the flow restricting orifice, then visual identification during selection is enabled, but visual verification after tube connection becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The marking element is pre-connected to the tubular nozzle via a frangible connection before assembly. This preliminary connection ensures that the marking element is automatically positioned and retained during the assembly process, and will be released at the appropriate time when the tube is pushed onto the connector, providing automatic visual verification without requiring additional steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking element utilizes color coding to convey information about the flow restricting orifice specifications. Different colors indicate different orifice sizes or flow restriction levels, enabling quick visual identification during selection and verification after installation. The color marking is applied to the marking element which remains visible on the tube connector.
3Strength
If the marking element remains connected to the tubular nozzle, then structural integrity is maintained, but the marking element cannot be retained for external visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the marking element and tubular nozzle transitions from a static strong connection to a dynamic frangible connection. This frangible connection is designed to be strong enough to maintain structural integrity during handling and assembly, but weak enough to break when the tube is pushed onto the connector, automatically releasing the marking element for external visibility while the nozzle remains in place for flow control.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for connecting a tube having a tube connector and a flow restricting orifice. The flow restricting orifice includes a tubular nozzle having an insert portion for insertion into a mouth of the tube connector and a visible marking having a marking element which extends radially outwardly from the tubular nozzle and which includes a frangible connection which is connected to the tubular nozzle and which has at least one predetermined breaking point. The frangible connection is configured to release the marking element when the frangible connection is broken before the tube is completely pushed onto the tube connector. The marking element is configured to be retained on the tube connector or on a tube connected to the tube connector to remain, wherein the flow restricting orifice is fitted in a mouth of the tube connector.