Hose alignment subassemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioner and refrigeration system subassemblies face difficulties in assembly and servicing, particularly in small, hard-to-access locations, due to the lack of effective constraints on translational and rotational movement of hoses relative to the bracket, leading to uneven clamp load and space inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

The subassembly design includes a bracket with cutouts for hose fittings that define a recess for a fastener, with the fastener's axis aligned with the hose fittings' curvature, constraining movement and facilitating alignment, and a tapering bracket to reduce weight and space, along with a fastener that secures the assembly and constrains rotational and translational movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hoses are attached to the bracket without specific alignment features, then assembly is simpler, but translational and rotational movement is uncontrolled leading to uneven clamp load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidclamp load uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved alignment features including a circular opening in the bracket and a corresponding circular protrusion on the hose assembly. These curved geometric features guide the relative positioning and rotation of the hose assembly during attachment, ensuring proper alignment while maintaining simple assembly operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If a standard bracket design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but space efficiency is reduced in tight installation locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbracket footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is designed with segmented functional zones: a main body portion for structural support, and extended portions that provide mounting surfaces and alignment features. This segmentation allows the bracket to achieve complex spatial relationships and alignment functions while maintaining a compact overall footprint suitable for tight installation spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If hose fittings are constrained with alignment features, then orientation is controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose fitting orientationVSAvoidalignment feature complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment features are integrated directly into the existing bracket and hose fitting structures rather than being separate components. The circular opening and protrusion are formed as part of the respective components' geometry, combining the alignment function with the structural elements to minimize additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3296607B1Hose alignment subassemblies

Publication Date: 2019.09.04 EATON CORP

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AI summary

Subassemblies for air conditioners and other mechanical systems, and methods of assembling the same. In some embodiments, the subassemblies facilitate the proper installation, alignment, and servicing of hoses leading to and from thermal expansion valves in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The subassemblies can be particularly helpful when installing thermal expansion valves in areas that are hard to reach or of limited space.