Technologies for manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle manufacturing is complex and expensive due to manual labor and numerous components, and efficiently packaging components in limited spaces without affecting reliability and serviceability is challenging.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of manifolds in vehicles to facilitate fluid conduction processes, replacing individual hoses or pipes, which are hard-mounted to a manifold during manufacturing, allowing for efficient integration of components such as compressors, heat exchangers, and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If individual hoses or pipes are used to connect components, then fluid conduction between components is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to numerous separate components and manual labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual hoses and pipes into a single integrated manifold component. The manifold consolidates multiple fluid conduction pathways that would otherwise require separate hoses or pipes, thereby reducing the total number of components and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the same fluid distribution functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a distribution hub for multiple fluid pathways, provides mounting surfaces for various components (compressors, heat exchangers, sensors), and enables both fluid conduction and mechanical integration in a single component, replacing what would otherwise require multiple separate parts.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple separate components are used, then fluid conduction pathways are established, but packaging efficiency decreases due to limited space availability
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple fluid conduction pathways into a single manifold structure, the patent reduces the spatial footprint required for connecting components. The integrated design allows multiple fluid pathways to be routed through a compact manifold body, improving packaging efficiency in limited vehicle spaces compared to using multiple separate hoses and pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold utilizes three-dimensional internal routing channels to conduct fluids between multiple ports and connected components. This internal dimensional routing allows complex fluid pathways to be achieved within a compact external footprint, maximizing space utilization in the vehicle's limited packaging area.
3Ease of manufacture
If manifolds are integrated during manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but serviceability may be affected due to hard-mounted connections
Solution Approach 1:
While the manifold itself is an integrated component, the patent maintains serviceability by designing the system with modular connectivity - components can be detached from the manifold at standardized connection points, allowing for repair and replacement of individual components without requiring replacement of the entire manifold assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprising a compressor and a manifold physically and fluidly coupled to the compressor.