Fluid line connector with fixed insert for throttling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid line connectors for cooling or heating systems require significant assembly effort, maintenance, and are costly due to the need for complex valves and multiple fluid lines with different cross-sections for hydraulic balancing.

Innovation Solution

A fluid line connector design featuring a housing part with adjustable insert parts that can be fixed in various positions to alter the effective cross-sectional area of the fluid channel, eliminating the need for additional reducers or valves, and allowing for hydraulic balancing with minimal components and assembly effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex adjustable valves are used for hydraulic balancing, then flow rates can be adjusted, but production cost and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate adjustmentVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the adjustment function from complex valves and implements it through simple insert parts with different cross-sectional areas that can be inserted into the housing. This eliminates the need for expensive adjustable valves while maintaining the ability to adjust flow rates by selecting different insert parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert parts are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced. Instead of using expensive adjustable valves that require maintenance, the system uses cheap insert parts that can be swapped out to change flow characteristics, reducing both production cost and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different fluid lines with different cross-sections are used for hydraulic balancing, then flow optimization is achieved, but assembly work and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the function of different cross-sectional fluid lines into a single housing with multiple insert parts. Instead of having separate fluid lines with different cross-sections laid in a complex manner, all cross-sectional variations are integrated into one housing through interchangeable insert parts, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple different insert parts, each providing a different cross-sectional area. This multi-functional housing eliminates the need for multiple specialized fluid lines, reducing system complexity while maintaining flow optimization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable valves are used for hydraulic balancing, then flow control is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow controlVSAvoidmaintenance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The insert parts are designed as simple, maintenance-free components that replace expensive adjustable valves. Since the insert parts have no moving parts or adjustment mechanisms, they require no maintenance and can simply be replaced if needed, dramatically reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining flow control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Manufacturing precision

If complex assembly methods are used for hydraulic balancing, then precise flow adjustment is achieved, but assembly effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow adjustment precisionVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the flow control function into separate insert parts that can be independently selected and inserted. Each insert part provides a specific cross-sectional area for precise flow adjustment, while the modular design allows for easy assembly by simply inserting the appropriate insert into the housing without complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3591268B1Fluid line connector with fixed insert for throttling
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 VOSS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3591268B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3591268B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP3591268B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fluid line connector (1) for cooling or heating systems, comprising a housing part (3) with at least two connection areas (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for connecting a fluid line. The connection areas (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are fluidically connected via a fluid channel in the housing part (3). The housing part (3) has at least one receiving opening (9) fluidically connected to the fluid channel (7) and an insert (11) inserted into the receiving opening (9). The insert (11) can be inserted into the receiving opening (9) in such a way as to be adjustable relative to the housing (3) that, depending on the relative position to the housing (3), it establishes an effective cross-sectional area of ​​at least one channel section (7a, 7b, 7c) of the fluid channel, and the insert (11) is fixed in a defined position in the receiving opening (9) and is sealed media-tight in the receiving opening (9) relative to the housing (3).Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid connector strip for a fluidic cooling or heating system, comprising at least two such fluidic fluid line connectors (1) connected to each other, wherein the insert parts (11) of at least two of the fluid line connectors (1) are fixed in a different relative position.