Interdigitated Latch Plate Assembly for Pipe Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing latch plate assembly systems for coupling pipes to a motor vehicle housing face issues such as overlapping latch plates, misalignment, and potential leakage due to incorrect assembly order, which can lead to stress and durability problems.
Innovation Solution
A latch plate assembly comprising two symmetric, co-planar latch plates with interdigitated teeth that define a bore for a fastener, ensuring correct alignment and secure coupling of pipes to the housing without overlapping, thereby preventing erroneous assembly and ensuring proper sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two latch plates are attached to the housing via a single fastener, then the assembly is simplified, but the latch plates overlap causing misalignment of pipes and seals
Solution Approach 1:
The single fastener attachment system is segmented into two separate fasteners, each attaching to its own latch plate independently. This eliminates the overlap problem while maintaining assembly simplicity, as each fastener only needs to secure one latch plate without interfering with the other.
2Reliability
If latch plates are made asymmetric to define specific top and bottom positions, then correct assembly order can be enforced, but the latch plates cannot be reused in different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The latch plates are designed with asymmetric features including a protrusion on one latch plate and a corresponding recess on the other, along with non-uniform tooth distributions. These asymmetric elements enforce correct assembly order while still allowing the latch plates to be attached to different pipes in various configurations, maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the latch plates are made co-planar and symmetric with interdigitated teeth, then assembly error is prevented and sealing is improved, but the structural complexity of the latch plates increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the latch plate structure: the interdigitated teeth provide both mechanical interlocking for alignment and sealing, while the protrusion-recess feature simultaneously enforces assembly order and prevents rotation. This integration achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for a latch plate assembly for coupling pipes to a housing of an engine component. In one example, the latch plate assembly comprises: a first latch plate couplable to a first pipe; and a second latch plate couplable to a second pipe, the first and second latch plates being couplable to the housing, wherein the first and second latch plates are together configured to define a bore at an interface between the first and second latch plates. The bore receives a fastener to couple the first and second latch plates to the housing and wherein the bore has a perimeter, the first latch plate defines a first portion of the bore perimeter and the second latch plate defines a second portion of the bore perimeter, the first and second portion together defining the bore perimeter.