Heated Fluid Connector Assembly Without Delicate Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for fluid media in motor vehicles, such as urea solutions, face issues with unreliable latching mechanisms and potential errors due to delicate latching means, leading to incomplete connections and uneven heating distribution, which increases manufacturing costs and waste.
Innovation Solution
A modular connector system with a connection part, assembly aid, and encapsulation, where the assembly aid is force-fitted onto the connection part using a thermoplastic elastomer, providing a secure and immovable attachment without latching, and the encapsulation covers the heating means to ensure a stable connection and efficient heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If latching means are used to secure the assembly aid on the connection part, then the assembly aid can be fixed in position, but the latching means are delicately formed and represent potential sources of error leading to insufficient latching connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the latching means from the connection part and replaces it with an assembly aid that has its own self-retention capability through elastic deformation. The assembly aid is pushed onto the connection part and retains itself through elastic force, eliminating the need for separate latching elements and their associated reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly aid acts as an intermediary element between the heating wire and the connection part. It provides a reliable mechanical interface through elastic deformation, allowing the heating wire to be securely held while maintaining a simple and reliable connection to the connection part without delicate latching mechanisms.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heating wire is wound around the assembly aid, then heating function is provided, but the heating wire may easily slip causing uneven surface distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based holding of the heating wire with a form-fitting mechanical interface. The assembly aid has a specific geometry that creates a form-fitting connection with the heating wire, preventing slipping through geometric interlocking rather than relying on friction alone.
3Reliability
If elaborate latching means are designed to secure the assembly aid, then connection reliability can be improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the elaborate latching means from the design. Instead of adding complex latching mechanisms to improve reliability, it uses a simple elastic deformation principle where the assembly aid is pushed onto the connection part and retains itself through elastic force, achieving reliability with minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly aid is self-retaining through its elastic properties. When pushed onto the connection part, it deforms elastically and maintains the connection through its own elastic restoring force, without requiring any additional latching mechanisms or complex assembly procedures.
4Ease of operation
If assembly aid is rigidly formed and pushed in axial or radial direction, then assembly can be performed, but insufficient latching movement can occur leading to no or insufficient latching connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the assembly aid by using elastic materials. This allows the assembly aid to deform during assembly and then retain itself through elastic restoring force, providing a tolerance-compensating mechanism that ensures reliable connection even with variations in assembly precision.
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 ensures a reliable and efficient connection with reduced manufacturing costs and waste by providing a secure attachment of the assembly aid to the connection part, ensuring consistent heat distribution and improved stability of the heating means, thereby enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the connector.
Implementation Method 1
the assembly aid shrinks after molding, so that force-fitting between the assembly aid and the connection part is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a connection part formed with two connection ends, an assembly aid and an encapsulation. The inner channel of the connection part connects the connection ends to each other for the purpose of the passage of a fluid medium. The connection part has a middle section between the connection ends, and the assembly aid is arranged at least in a partial region of the middle section on the outside of the connection part. A heating means is arranged on the assembly aid, and the encapsulation covers at least a portion of the heating means. Further, the assembly aid is arranged on the connection part by means of force-fitting.