Fluid Connector Secondary Retainer for High-Pressure Tube Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors in automotive systems face failures due to improper installation or high fluid pressure, necessitating a secondary retainer for added securement and backup in case of retaining clip failure.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connection assembly featuring a secondary retainer with a cylindrical portion and arm portions that engage a connector body groove, providing additional retention force to a retaining clip, ensuring secure attachment of tubes in connector bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single retaining clip is used to secure the tube in the connector body, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is insufficient under high pressure or improper installation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system is divided into two independent functional segments: a retaining clip that secures the tube to the connector body, and a secondary retainer that provides backup securement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively improving reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary retainer acts as a pre-positioned backup mechanism that engages before failure can occur. By having this redundant securing mechanism in place beforehand, the system compensates for potential failures of the primary retaining clip under high pressure or improper installation conditions, ensuring continuous securement.
2Reliability
If a secondary retainer is added to provide backup securement, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary retainer and retaining clip are merged into a coordinated system where both components work together within the same connector assembly. The secondary retainer integrates with the connector body structure, and its arm portions engage with the retaining clip, combining multiple securing functions into a unified assembly that improves reliability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary retainer serves multiple functions: it provides backup securement when the retaining clip fails, prevents ejection of the tube under high pressure, and works in conjunction with the retaining clip during normal operation. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component by delivering several benefits from a single addition.
3Ease of manufacture
If the retaining clip is designed to be simple for ease of manufacture, then the manufacturing precision may be compromised, leading to improper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary retainer is pre-configured in the connector body with arm portions that automatically engage with the retaining clip during assembly. This preliminary positioning ensures that even if the retaining clip has manufacturing variations, the secondary retainer will compensate and provide proper engagement, eliminating the need for high precision in the retaining clip manufacturing while maintaining installation accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A fluid connection assembly (10), comprising: a connector body (40), including: a first end; a second end; a through-bore; and, a first radially outward facing surface comprising a groove, the groove including a second radially outward facing surface, at least one axial surface, and at least one aperture; a retaining clip (70) arranged in the groove and operatively arranged to extend into the through- bore; and, a secondary retainer (100), including: a cylindrical portion comprising a third end, a fourth end, a radially inward facing surface, and a third radially outward facing surface; and, at least one arm portion, comprising: a first member pivotably connected to the fourth end; and, a second member pivotably connected to the first member and operatively arranged to engage the groove to connect the secondary retainer (100) to the connector body (40).