Fluid Coupling Transport Securing for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings require complex and costly latching systems to manage tolerances during installation, which can lead to components becoming irreversibly fixed, necessitating unnecessary high-strength materials and complicating the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling design featuring an axially projecting cantilever arm and a radially projecting latching lug, with a radial bore, allows for secure clamping during transport without high material loading, enabling easy assembly and disassembly, and a guide device facilitates clamping only during transport, reducing the need for high-strength materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex latching systems with high-elasticity elements are used to manage tolerances during installation, then reliability of connection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two functional segments: a first component for connection to the first element and a second component for connection to the second element. These components can be separated and repositioned independently, eliminating the need for complex latching systems while maintaining connection reliability through simple form-fit connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device introduces dynamic movability between the first and second components along the longitudinal direction, allowing them to adjust to tolerance variations during installation and operation. This dynamic adjustment capability replaces the need for high-elasticity latching elements, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability.
2Strength
If high-strength materials with high elasticity are used for latching elements, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, high-strength latching elements made from materials like glass fiber reinforced PA 6.6 with simpler, less costly components. The first and second components use standard materials and simple form-fit connections, eliminating the need for expensive high-elasticity materials while maintaining sufficient connection strength for the application.
3Ease of operation
If components are made separable with latching elements, then ease of disassembly is improved, but device complexity and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into separable first and second components that can be easily detached from each other. This segmentation provides simple disassembly capability without requiring complex latching mechanisms, as the components are designed to be naturally separable through their connection geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using active latching elements that require elastic deformation and complex mechanisms for separation, the invention inverts the approach by designing passive form-fit connections that allow easy separation through simple axial movement, eliminating the need for complex release mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If tolerances are minimized to ensure proper line course and insertability, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device accommodates manufacturing tolerances through dynamic movability of the first and second components relative to each other along the longitudinal direction. This dynamic adjustment allows the coupling to adapt to tolerance variations in the connected elements, eliminating the need for tight tolerance control while maintaining proper line course and insertability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid coupling (1) with tolerance compensation for the flexible connection of two media-conducting elements. The invention was based on the object of improving a fluid coupling (1) of the described type in such a manner that the use of complicated latching systems for transport can be omitted. This object is achieved in that the fluid coupling (1) has at least one transport securing device (8, 12), by means of which a separation of the components (2, 3) of the fluid coupling (1) from one another prior to installation can be prevented.