Vehicle Housing Conduit Fixing With an Integrated Elastomer Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arrangements for securing conduits on motor vehicle housing parts are not reliably fixed, leading to potential dislodgment during assembly, which can cause assembly interruptions and increased costs due to the need for additional fixing aids like adhesive strips.
Innovation Solution
A dual-function elastomer seal is used, where one longitudinal region seals the housing part against the housing element and another region, extending obliquely or perpendicularly, positively locks the conduit in a recess, preventing it from falling out during assembly, thus serving both sealing and fixing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive strips are used to fix the conduit in the recess, then the conduit can be secured, but the device complexity increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to combine two separate functions: sealing the housing part against the housing element, and fixing the conduit in the recess. The sealing element integrates the conduit fixing function directly into its structure, eliminating the need for separate adhesive strips or other fixing aids. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable conduit fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides sealing between the housing part and housing element, acts as a fixing mechanism for the conduit through its specific geometric design, and serves as an assembly aid. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated fixing components, reducing both device complexity and assembly time.
2Reliability
If adhesive strips are used to fix the conduit, then the conduit can be secured, but assembly time increases due to additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element integrates conduit fixing functionality into its structure, allowing the conduit to be fixed during the same assembly operation where the sealing element is installed. This eliminates the need for separate adhesive application and curing steps, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable conduit fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is pre-designed with geometric features that provide automatic conduit fixing upon installation. The conduit is secured in the recess simply by the act of installing the sealing element, without requiring subsequent fixing steps. This preliminary integration of fixing action into the sealing element installation process reduces assembly time.
3Reliability
If additional fixing aids like adhesive strips are used, then the conduit can be secured, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to perform both sealing and conduit fixing functions in a single component. This eliminates the need to manufacture, store, and apply separate adhesive strips or other fixing aids, reducing production costs while ensuring reliable conduit fixation through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element serves multiple functions including sealing and conduit fixing, eliminating the need for additional dedicated fixing components. This multi-functionality reduces the total bill of materials and manufacturing complexity, lowering production costs while maintaining reliable conduit securing.
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
This solution provides a reliable, cost-efficient, and time-saving method for fixing conduits on motor vehicle housing parts, eliminating the need for additional fixing aids and ensuring secure conduit placement during assembly, enhancing process reliability and reducing assembly errors.
Implementation Method 1
A seal (30) formed from an elastomer is held on the housing part (14), by means of which the housing part (14) can be sealed against a corresponding housing element (20)
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement includes a housing part for a motor vehicle and a conduit, designed to carry electric current, disposed on the housing part. A first longitudinal region of the conduit is disposed in a recess of the housing part. A seal formed from an elastomer is held on the housing part and via the seal the housing part is sealable against a housing element. A second longitudinal region of the seal extends over the first longitudinal region of the conduit such that the first longitudinal region is fixed in a positive-locking manner in the recess.