Fluid Circuit Tube Stop Positioning for Standardized Pipe Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid flow circuits are designed specifically for particular uses, making it impossible to generalize a tube for different applications, leading to significant manufacturing costs due to the need for tubes of different dimensions or materials.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing a fluid flow circuit that includes a step of selecting a predetermined design standard for the insertion distance between the tube's free end and an axial stop means, allowing the same tube to be used across various applications by overmolding the stop means onto the tube, and joining tubes via welding or overmolding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate production facilities are used for wiring harnesses and circuit boards, then specialized manufacturing capabilities are maintained, but production time and logistics complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecialized manufacturing capabilitiesVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate production facilities for wiring harnesses and circuit boards into a single integrated production facility. This allows both components to be manufactured in the same location using shared resources and infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate specialized facilities while maintaining manufacturing capabilities through multi-functional equipment and processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The production facility is designed with universal capabilities to manufacture both wiring harnesses and circuit boards using the same infrastructure. The facility incorporates multi-functional equipment and flexible production lines that can be configured for different manufacturing tasks, allowing one facility to perform the functions previously requiring separate specialized facilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If separate production facilities are used for wiring harnesses and circuit boards, then specialized manufacturing processes are preserved, but logistics complexity and transport requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecialized manufacturing processesVSAvoidlogistics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates separate production facilities into one integrated facility, combining the manufacturing of wiring harnesses and circuit boards in the same location. This eliminates the need for complex logistics chains involving transport between separate facilities, while specialized manufacturing processes are maintained through dedicated production zones and equipment within the integrated facility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If circuit boards are produced separately and then connected to wiring harnesses, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but assembly time and production cycles increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary integration by producing circuit boards and wiring harnesses in close proximity within the same facility, allowing for immediate coordination and integration. This preliminary positioning and preparation of components enables faster assembly when the final connection is made, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining the flexibility to produce different configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If production facilities are located far apart, then regional manufacturing advantages are utilized, but transport costs and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregional manufacturing advantagesVSAvoidtransport costs and environmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges production facilities into a single location that can leverage regional manufacturing advantages while eliminating the need for long-distance transport between separate facilities. The integrated facility consolidates manufacturing operations to reduce transportation requirements, thereby lowering energy consumption and environmental impact associated with moving components between geographically separated production sites.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4479638B1Method for producing a circuit for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 RENAULT SA
  • EP4479638B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a fluid circuit (1) comprising at least one tube (2, 20), the tube having a free end (3, 30) for attachment of a pipe, in particular a deformable pipe, the method comprising a preliminary step of producing and supplying at least one tube (2, 20), a step of selecting the predetermined design standard to be applied in order to define a fitting distance (C) between the free end (3, 30) of the tube (2, 20) and an axial stop means (4), and a step of forming said axial stop means (4) relative to the at least one tube (2, 20) such that one of the transverse edges (41) of said axial stop means (4) is positioned at the distance (C) from the free end (3, 30) of the tube.