Fluid Line Component Attachment Using Deformable Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fluid technology, attaching components like sensors or valves to fluid lines using soldering or laser welding results in high process and quality assurance costs, with low tolerances and high component costs, prompting the need for alternative solutions to simplify and speed up the attachment process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a deformable housing that uses plastic deformation of fastening webs to create a positive or non-positive connection with the fluid line, eliminating the need for soldering or laser welding, allowing for quick and correct insertion of the fluid line and component, and featuring connecting channels for fluid connection and a seal for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering or laser welding is used to attach components to fluid lines, then a secure connection is achieved, but process costs and quality assurance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal joining processes (soldering, laser welding) with a purely mechanical deformation process. The housing is plastically deformed to create a form-fit connection with the fluid line, eliminating the need for heat-based joining methods and their associated high costs and quality assurance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the housing material through plastic deformation. By permanently altering the shape and dimensions of the housing in the deformation area, a secure mechanical interlock is created with the fluid line, achieving reliable connection without thermal processes.
2Reliability
If soldering or laser welding is used to attach components to fluid lines, then a secure connection is achieved, but the attachment process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming thermal joining processes with a rapid mechanical deformation process. The housing is deformed using simple pressing or caulking actions that can be performed quickly without the setup, heating, and cooling cycles required by soldering or laser welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-formed with a deformation area that is ready to be activated. This preliminary preparation allows the securing action to be performed quickly by simply applying the deformation force, without needing complex preparation steps before the actual joining process.
3Reliability
If soldering or laser welding is used to attach components to fluid lines, then a secure connection is achieved, but component costs increase due to low tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plastic deformation to create a connection that is tolerant of dimensional variations. The deformation process accommodates a range of fluid line dimensions while still creating a secure form-fit connection, reducing the need for tight tolerances compared to thermal joining methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as a flexible element that can be deformed to adapt to the fluid line dimensions. This flexibility allows the connection to accommodate variations in fluid line size and shape without requiring precise dimensional control, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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 simplifies and accelerates the attachment process, reducing time and costs while ensuring a secure, undetachable connection between the fluid line and component, with the option for reversible or non-reversible detachment.
Implementation Method 1
Partial areas of the housing are deformed for positive and/or non-positive fixing of the section of the fluid line in the line receiving area of the housing. The deformation is a plastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for attaching a component to a fluid line (100), comprising a housing (12) which has a line receiving area (14) for receiving a section of the fluid line (100) and a component receiving area (16) for receiving the component, wherein the section of the fluid line (100) can be fixed in the line receiving area (14) by deformation of the housing (12) in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner.