Thermally Insulated Component Connection for Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component connections fail to effectively thermally decouple temperature-sensitive components from heat sources due to direct heat transfer and manufacturing tolerance issues, leading to potential damage and complex assembly challenges.

Innovation Solution

A component connection design utilizing at least two thermal insulators that can be positively connected, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and preventing direct heat transfer between components, allowing tool-free assembly and thermal decoupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single thermal insulator is used to thermally decouple components, then thermal insulation is provided, but manufacturing tolerances cannot be compensated and assembly is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal decoupling effectivenessVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulator is divided into two separate insulators (first thermal insulator and second thermal insulator) that can be positively connected to each other. This segmentation allows each insulator to independently compensate for manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective thermal decoupling between the hot and cold components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two thermal insulators act as intermediary elements between the hot component and cold component. They provide thermal decoupling while their positive connection features serve as mediators to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and enable easy assembly without requiring precise tolerance matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If metal fasteners are used for their strength properties, then connection strength is improved, but thermal conductivity causes heat transfer to temperature-sensitive components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastener strengthVSAvoidheat transfer to cold component
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation function is extracted from the fastener system by introducing separate thermal insulators. This allows the fastener to maintain its metal construction for strength while the insulators are taken out as distinct elements to prevent heat transfer to the temperature-sensitive cold component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal insulators serve as intermediary elements between the metal fastener and the cold component. They mediate the thermal interaction by blocking heat transfer paths while allowing the fastener to maintain its structural strength function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If direct contact between hot and cold components is prevented, then thermal decoupling is achieved, but assembly complexity increases due to tolerance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal decouplingVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation system is segmented into two insulators with positive connection features, which reduces assembly complexity compared to a single complex insulator. Each insulator can be independently positioned to accommodate tolerances while maintaining thermal decoupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the geometric parameters of the insulators to include positive connection features that accommodate manufacturing tolerances. This allows the insulators to self-align and connect easily without requiring precise tolerance control during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures effective thermal insulation of temperature-sensitive components from heat sources, protecting them from damage while enabling assembly of components with varying thicknesses and material properties.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting device comprises at least two thermal insulators that can be positively connected to one another and by means of which the warm component and/or the cold component is/are thermally decoupled from the connecting means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4015843B1Component connection and connection device
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 CLAAS TRACTOR
  • EP4015843B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4015843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4015843B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a component connection (1) comprising a hot component (2) having a first temperature, a cold component (3) having a temperature lower than that of the hot component (2), and a connecting device (4), wherein the connecting device (4) has a connecting element (5) with a screw bolt (6) and a screw nut (7) designed corresponding to the screw bolt (6), wherein by means of the interaction of the screw bolt (6) with the screw nut (7) an indirect or direct positive engagement of the connecting element (5) is produced with both the hot component (2) and the cold component (3), so that the hot component (2) and the cold component (3) are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner.In order to provide a component connection (1) by means of which the cold component (3) and/or the hot component (2) are thermally decoupled from the connecting element (5), it is proposed according to the invention that the connecting device (4) comprises at least one thermal insulator (8, 9) by means of which the hot component (2) and/or the cold component (3) are thermally shielded from the connecting element (5).