Multi-Lumen Fluid Line Bundle Breakaway Connection for Leak-Tight Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting fluid lines in fully automatic coffee machines are complex and disordered, requiring multiple individual lines that need separate securing, which complicates assembly.
Innovation Solution
A method for connecting a multi-lumen fluid line bundle involves breaking a web-like connection at one end to isolate an individual fluid line, allowing easy access for connection to a fitting, using a breakaway process with specific dimensions and materials to ensure reliability and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual fluid lines are used for fluid transport, then connection flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity increases and lines require separate securing
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual fluid lines are merged into a single multi-lumen fluid line bundle during extrusion, where individual lines are connected in a web-like manner. This combining approach maintains the functionality of multiple lines while reducing assembly complexity, as the bundled lines can be installed together as one unit rather than separately securing multiple individual lines
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-lumen fluid line bundle is designed with breakaway connections at the ends that allow individual lines to be separated from the bundle only when needed for connection. This segmentation enables easy access to individual lines at the ends while maintaining the bundled structure during installation, thus preserving connection flexibility without requiring complete disassembly of the bundle
2Ease of operation
If individual fluid lines are separated at ends for connection, then connection accessibility is improved, but bundle integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid line bundle exhibits different structural properties at different locations: the middle section maintains strong web-like connections to preserve bundle integrity, while the ends are designed with breakaway connections of reduced strength (0.3 to 0.7 mm width) that can be easily separated. This local differentiation allows individual lines to be accessed at the ends without compromising the overall bundle structure during installation
3Ease of operation
If breakaway connection width is reduced for easy breaking, then ease of separation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential unintentional breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The breakaway connection width is optimized to a specific range (0.3 to 0.7 mm, preferably 0.35 to 0.6 mm) that balances ease of separation with prevention of unintentional breaking. This parameter optimization ensures the connections are thin enough to be easily broken by an installer when needed, but sufficiently robust to resist accidental breaking during normal handling and operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the liquid-tight connection of a multi-lumen fluid line bundle (1) extruded from polymer material to at least one connection element (20), wherein the multi-lumen fluid line bundle (1) consists of at least two parallel individual fluid lines (2, 3, 4) arranged side by side, which were connected to each other in a web-like manner during their extrusion in the fluid line direction (x). At least one web-like connection of the individual fluid lines (2, 3, 4), designed as a breakaway connection (10), is destroyed only at at least one end of the multi-lumen fluid line bundle (1) by a breakaway process, so that at least one individual fluid line (2), separated at its end, is accessible for the connection of the corresponding connection element (20).