Compact Fluid Pressure Connection Apparatus with Retained Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection apparatus for fluid pressure devices are complex in structure and bulky in scale, requiring multiple parts and assembly steps, with through holes increasing the thickness of the body and distance between devices.
Innovation Solution
A connection apparatus with a body having a hole and pair of fastening members with shaft portions that allow holders to connect fluid pressure devices, reducing the thickness of the body and simplifying the structure by eliminating the need for through holes, enabling a more compact and balanced interconnection of fluid pressure devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a through hole is formed in the body and a bolt is inserted through it to connect fluid pressure devices, then the devices can be interconnected, but the thickness of the body increases and the overall scale becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting a bolt through a through hole from one side to the other, the invention inverts the approach by having the fastening member's main body portion retained in the body with the shaft portion projecting from one side only. This inversion eliminates the need for a through hole and reduces the required body thickness while maintaining the connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional approach by transitioning from a through-hole configuration (requiring thickness for bolt passage) to a blind-hole retained configuration where the fastening member integrates into the body structure. This dimensional change allows the body thickness to be determined by the main body portion width rather than bolt length, reducing overall thickness.
2Reliability
If multiple parts and assembly steps are used to connect fluid pressure devices, then reliable connection is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the fastening member with the body by having the main body portion retained in the body, effectively combining two separate components (body and fastening member) into an integrated structure. This reduces the total number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining reliable connection through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening member serves multiple functions: the main body portion provides structural integration with the body, the shaft portion provides the connection interface for holders, and the integrated design itself serves as both structural support and connection mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the body is made thicker to accommodate through holes and bolts, then connection is achieved, but the distance between adjacent fluid pressure devices increases and the overall unit becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the connection approach from through-hole to retained main body portion configuration, the invention eliminates the need for excessive body thickness. The body thickness is reduced to only what is needed to retain the main body portion, rather than accommodating a full bolt length, thereby reducing the distance between adjacent devices and overall unit volume.
Data Source
AI summary
In relation to fluid pressure devices, a connection apparatus, by which a filter, a regulator and a lubricator that constitute a fluid pressure unit are mutually connected, is equipped with a base member having a hole therein, a pair of first and second fastening members mounted respectively on one side surface and another side surface of the base member, and first and second holders in which the first and second fastening members are retained. Additionally, the first and second holders engage respectively with engagement projections of the filter, the regulator and the lubricator, and first and second nuts are screw-engaged with the first and second fastening members, whereby the fluid pressure devices are connected together through the first and second holders.