Fluid Connection Assembly With Solder Gap Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid connection arrangements in vehicles require complex calibration and high forming forces, leading to potential metal particle detachment and increased manufacturing effort, especially when using metallic components.

Innovation Solution

A fluid connection arrangement featuring a receiving part with a receiving wall and a tubular connecting part having comb-shaped support points and curved wall regions, where solder is used to create a cohesive and fluid-tight connection by penetrating into gaps between the parts, reducing the need for flanging machines and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional calibration using a flaring machine is used to ensure gap width during brazing, then the gap width is controlled, but high forming forces and complex calibration processes are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap width controlVSAvoidcalibration process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular connecting part is pre-formed with comb-shaped support points and curved wall regions during the extrusion process, eliminating the need for subsequent calibration operations. The gap width is determined by the pre-formed geometry rather than requiring post-processing calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration step is completely removed from the manufacturing process. Instead of using a flaring machine to calibrate the tube end, the extrusion process directly produces the final geometry with the required gap width, extracting the complex calibration operation from the process chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional calibration with flaring machine is used, then gap width is ensured, but high forming forces are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap width controlVSAvoidforming force
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The gap geometry is created during the initial extrusion process rather than requiring high-force calibration later. The comb-shaped support points and curved wall regions are formed in the same low-force extrusion operation that creates the basic tube shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If metallic components are used with soldered connections, then stable connection is achieved, but metal particle detachment and cleaning requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection method changes from mechanical calibration and soldering to a direct extrusion-formed connection. The geometric parameters of the tubular connecting part (comb-shaped support points, curved wall regions) are optimized during extrusion to create inherent mechanical interlocking and fluid-tight sealing without requiring additional cleaning or soldering operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If workpieces require cleaning and degreasing before brazing, then proper bonding is achieved, but additional manufacturing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning and degreasing steps are extracted from the manufacturing process. The extrusion-formed connection creates a geometry that inherently prevents contamination and ensures proper bonding without requiring preliminary surface preparation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution ensures a stable, fluid-tight connection with lower forming forces and reduced manufacturing effort, eliminating the need for complex calibration and relative movement between workpieces, while preventing leakage and twisting of components.

Implementation Method 1

a solder is received in the gap in order to ensure a materially bonded and fluid-tight connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the comb-shaped support points contact the receiving wall inner side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

a solder is received in the gap in order to ensure a materially bonded and fluid-tight connection between the receiving wall inner side and the curved wall region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid sealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3992510B1Fluid connection assembly
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 VERITAS AG
  • EP3992510B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3992510B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3992510B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fluid connection arrangement (100) for establishing a fluid connection, comprising a receiving part (129) which has a receiving wall (135), wherein the receiving wall (135) has an inner receiving wall surface (109) which defines an interior of the receiving part (129), a tubular connecting part (101) which is received at least partially in the interior of the receiving part (129), and which has a tube wall (103), wherein the tube wall (103) has a plurality of comb-shaped support points (105) which extend along a longitudinal direction (107) of the tubular connecting part (101), wherein the comb-shaped support points (105) contact the inner receiving wall surface (109), and wherein the tube wall (103) has at least one curved wall region (113) which extends between two adjacent comb-shaped support points (105).wherein at least one gap (115) is arranged between the at least one curved wall region (113) of the tubular connecting part (101) and the receiving wall inner surface (109) of the receiving part (129), wherein a plumb line is received in the gap (115) to ensure a material-bonded and fluid-tight connection between the receiving wall inner surface (109) and the curved wall region (113).