Hydraulic Connector Spring-Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in connections for hydraulic clutch and brake systems in motor vehicles require high assembly forces, making them difficult to assemble in overhead or hard-to-reach locations.
Innovation Solution
A detachable plug-in connection design featuring a spring-elastic securing element preloaded on the receiving part, which is triggered by the insertion of the male part, allowing for secure engagement with minimal force, using a driver attached to the plug-in part to displace the securing element and snap into place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the securing element is designed to spring up during insertion to latch behind an abutment surface, then the male part is reliably secured against unintentional withdrawal, but considerable assembly forces are required making assembly difficult in overhead or hard-to-reach locations
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element is pre-loaded in a pre-assembly position before the male part is inserted. The spring force is accumulated in advance, and the securing action is triggered only when the male part reaches the final assembly position, avoiding the need for high assembly forces throughout the insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
A protective plug is inserted into the receiving part to prevent premature triggering of the securing element. The protective plug counteracts the spring force of the securing element, keeping it in the pre-assembly position during transport and handling, and is only removed or displaced when the male part is ready to be assembled
2Force
If the securing element is preloaded as a spring force accumulator, then assembly forces are reduced enabling easy assembly in difficult situations, but the securing element must be triggered at the precise final assembly position
Solution Approach 1:
A driver is introduced as an intermediary component that transfers the insertion motion of the male part to the securing element. The driver engages with the securing element and triggers the releasing action at the appropriate moment, ensuring precise triggering without requiring high precision in the male part's insertion position
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element is designed to move in a direction transverse to the joining direction of the male part. This dimensional change allows the securing action to be triggered by the insertion motion without requiring precise axial positioning, as the driver converts the linear insertion motion into lateral displacement of the securing element
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
Reduces assembly forces required, enabling reliable assembly even in challenging situations by utilizing prestressed spring force for secure engagement with minimal force release in the final assembly position.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-elastic securing element attached to the receiving part in a pre-assembly position for securing the plug-in part to the receiving part in the final assembly position of the plug-in connection, wherein the securing element in the pre-assembly position is attached to the receiving part as a preloaded spring force accumulator and from its preloaded state in the final assembly position of the Plug-in connection for securing the male part on the female part can be triggered
Data Source
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AI summary
A detachable plug connection for hydraulic lines and units, particularly for use on motor vehicles, is proposed, consisting of a receiving part (2) and a complementary insertion part (3) which is sealed against the receiving part in the final assembly position. A spring-elastic locking element (5), which is captive and pre-tensioned as a spring energy storage device in a pre-assembly position on the receiving part, is displaced relative to the receiving part by the insertion part when the final assembly position is reached, such that its stored spring force is released by the insertion movement itself and the locking element engages forcefully between the contact surfaces (19, 26) of the receiving part and the insertion part.The resulting axial locking between the receiving part and the insertion part can only be achieved when disconnecting the plug connection by sliding the locking element laterally, for which the locking element must be bent elastically. The pre-assembled position of the locking element on the receiving part can be secured for transport and handling purposes by axially inserting a protective plug into the receiving part in place of the insertion part.