Fluid Connector Lock Indicator With Split Elastic Lugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid connection devices for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving optimal elastic deformation capacity for retention and locking mechanisms, often compromising on features such as resistance to spacing and displacement capacity, which can affect the reliability of connection and disconnection processes.
Innovation Solution
The fluid connection device features a female connector with independent pairs of elastically deformable tabs, allowing for adjustable elastic deformation capacity to adapt to specific functions, ensuring secure retention and visual indication of correct positioning through a locking indicator mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pair of elastically deformable tabs is used for both retention and locking functions, then the device structure is simple, but the elastic deformation capacity cannot be optimized for specific functions, compromising reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The witness structure is segmented into two independent pairs of legs: a first pair for retention function and a second pair for locking function. This segmentation allows each pair to be independently optimized for its specific function, with the first pair providing elastic deformation capacity for retention and the second pair providing resistance to spacing for locking, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the elastic deformation capacity of tabs is increased to improve retention, then the retention function is enhanced, but the resistance to spacing and displacement capacity decreases, affecting locking reliability
Solution Approach 1:
Different local qualities are assigned to different parts of the witness structure. The first pair of legs is designed with higher elastic deformation capacity for optimal retention, while the second pair of legs is designed with higher resistance to spacing for optimal locking. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between retention reliability and spacing resistance by allowing each region to be optimized for its specific function.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tabs are configured to be sandwiched between lock tabs and side walls, then the locking function is enhanced with better positioning, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second pair of legs is pre-configured in a constrained position between the lock tabs and the side wall of the female connector. This preliminary positioning ensures that during assembly, the legs automatically achieve the correct constrained position without requiring additional adjustment or complex manufacturing processes, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and manufacturing ease.
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 enhances the reliability of fluid connections by allowing independent adjustment of elastic deformation capacities, ensuring secure retention and correct positioning, thereby improving the overall performance and functionality of the fluid connection device.
Implementation Method 1
a generally U-shaped lock carried by said female connector and comprising a pair of elastically deformable tabs, these tabs being arranged substantially in a first plane perpendicular to said axis A and on either side of said axis and being intended to cooperate by elastic snap-fastening with said male connector so as to ensure retention of said male connector in said female connector along said axis A
Implementation Method 2
said witness comprises at least a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the legs of the first pair being separated from the legs of the second pair and the legs of the first pair having a capacity for elastic deformation by spacing the one from the other
Implementation Method 3
said second pair of legs being intended to cooperate by abutment with the tabs of said lock to limit their spacing, when said indicator is in its second position
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~12
AI summary
Fluid connection device (10), in particular for a fluid circuit of a motor vehicle, comprising a female fluid connection (12), a lock (14), and a locking indicator (16), characterized in that said indicator comprises at least a first pair of lugs (74) and a second pair of lugs (76), the lugs of the first pair being separated from the lugs of the second pair and the lugs of the first pair having an elastic deformation capacity by separation from each other, which is different from the same capacity of the second pair, said first pair of lugs being intended to cooperate by elastic deformation with said male connection, from a first substantially free position without constraint in which these lugs cooperate with said female connection to prevent translation of the indicator, to a constrained position in which said indicator is able to move in translation,said second pair of legs being intended to cooperate by way of abutment with legs (62) of said lock to limit their separation, when said witness is in its second position.