Hose Connector Assembly With Integrated Rotational Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hose connector assemblies for pressurized fluid systems in the automotive industry face challenges in preventing leakage and unintentional hose release, particularly due to relative rotations between adapter tubes and sockets, which can lead to wear and tear and damage, and existing solutions require external fixation or separate assembly steps for rotational locking.
Innovation Solution
The hose connector assembly incorporates complementary locking surfaces on the adapter tube and socket that engage when the adapter tube is fully inserted, providing rotational locking without the need for additional components or assembly steps, using notches and wedge-shaped projections to prevent relative rotation and ensure secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external fixation means are mounted to prevent relative rotation between adapter tube and socket, then rotational locking is achieved, but device complexity increases and additional assembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotational locking function with the existing plug-in connection mechanism by integrating locking surfaces directly into the adapter tube and socket structures. The locking surfaces are formed as integral parts of these components, merging multiple functions (connection and rotational locking) into a single integrated system, thereby eliminating the need for separate external fixation means
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter tube and socket are designed to automatically engage their locking surfaces when the adapter tube is inserted into the socket. The complementary locking surfaces self-align and engage during the normal plug-in operation, providing rotational locking without requiring additional assembly steps or external intervention. The structure serves its own locking function through its geometric design
2Reliability
If external fixation means are used to prevent relative rotation, then rotational locking is achieved, but assembly procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotational locking function with the plug-in connection operation. The locking surfaces are integrated into the adapter tube and socket such that a single insertion motion simultaneously achieves both the mechanical connection and the rotational locking, eliminating the need for separate locking steps
Solution Approach 2:
The complementary locking surfaces automatically engage during the normal insertion process. When the adapter tube is pushed into the socket, the locking surfaces self-align and lock the rotational position without requiring the assembler to perform additional actions. The system performs the locking function automatically as part of the connection process
3Ease of operation
If simple plug-in connection is used without rotational locking, then assembly is simple, but wear and tear occurs due to relative rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the simplicity of plug-in connection with the reliability of rotational locking by integrating locking surfaces into the basic connection structure. The locking surfaces are formed as part of the adapter tube and socket geometry, allowing the same simple insertion motion to simultaneously achieve both connection and rotational stabilization, preventing wear without complicating the assembly process
Data Source
AI summary
A hose connector assembly for connecting a hose to a port of a pressurized fluid system, the system including a socket and an adapter tube in fluid communication, with an end portion of the socket adapted to be connected to a port and having a receiving opening. The adapter tube has a plug-in end portion to be pushed into the receiving opening which is adapted to cooperate with the plug-in end portion to form a plug-in connection mechanism. The adapter tube has a hose connector end fitting adapted to be received in, hold and retain a hose end portion. Complementary locking surfaces of the receiving opening and plug-in end portion are engaged when the plug-in end portion is connected by the plug-in connection mechanism to the socket to lock the adapter tube with respect to the socket against rotation about the longitudinal axis of the adapter tube within the socket.