Fluid Line Connector With Elastic Threaded Sealing and Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for fluid lines face challenges in securely retaining the connecting unit in the fastening opening of a carrier component while maintaining cost-effectiveness and requiring precise manufacturing, which limits their applicability and ease of installation.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device featuring an integral fastening body with rubber-elastic properties and an annular retaining element anchored exclusively in the head section, allowing for secure sealing and retention without additional sealing elements, and enabling easy assembly with minimal manufacturing precision requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid fastening bodies with separate sealing elements are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fastening body and sealing element into a single integrated component made of rubber-elastic material. The fastening body itself provides both the threading function and the sealing function through its material properties, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the fastening body from rigid to rubber-elastic. This material parameter change enables the fastening body to provide both mechanical fastening and sealing functions simultaneously, as the elastic material can deform to create sealing contact surfaces while maintaining structural integrity for threading.
2Reliability
If precise manufacturing dimensions are required for retaining elements, then retention security is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the retaining element from rigid to rubber-elastic. This enables the retaining element to compensate for manufacturing tolerances through elastic deformation, maintaining secure retention of the fluid line without requiring high manufacturing precision. The elastic material can adapt to slight dimensional variations while still providing effective retention.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for fastening and retaining, then functional reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening body and retaining element into a single integrated component. This unified structure maintains functional reliability by ensuring proper coordination between fastening and retention functions, while significantly improving ease of manufacture through reduced part count and simplified production processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fastening body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides threading for secure attachment, maintains structural integrity for positioning, and provides retention through its elastic deformation capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components while maintaining overall system reliability.
4Reliability
If additional sealing elements are added to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the fastening body to rubber-elastic, enabling the fastening body itself to provide sealing functionality. This eliminates the need for additional sealing elements while maintaining sealing reliability, as the elastic material can deform to create effective sealing contact surfaces against the mating component.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, secure, and easy-to-install connecting device that compensates for manufacturing tolerances, ensuring reliable retention and sealing without the need for precise dimensions, facilitating quick assembly and easy removal of fluid lines.
Implementation Method 1
the integral fastening body including its external thread consists of a material with rubber-elastic properties
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of retaining claws protruding into the insertion opening which are designed to impinge upon the outer circumference of the inserted fluid line for the purposes of holding it
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device for a fluid line, which has a connecting unit which, by using a threaded section having an external thread of a fixing element consisting of resilient material, can be fixed in a fixing opening provided with an internal thread of a carrier component. The threaded section is followed axially by a top section correspondingly having a greater diameter, in which an annular retaining element is fixed. The connecting unit is penetrated by an insertion opening, into which the fluid line to be connected can be inserted, such that the fluid line projects through the annular retaining element and is fixed by retaining claws of the retaining element.