L-Shaped Pipe Connector for Liquid-Air Cooler Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection devices for liquid-air coolers, such as hydraulic oil air coolers, face challenges in accommodating varying orientations due to limited space, particularly during installation, and lack flexibility in adjusting the pipeline connection orientation.

Innovation Solution

A connection device featuring a parallelepiped liquid distributor with a stepped or L-shaped recess and a rectangular cuboid adapter attachment that allows for easy orientation adjustment using screw bolts and an L-shaped through-channel, enabling horizontal orientation changes with minimal space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a parallelepiped distributor with a flattening in the corner area is used, then the adapter attachment can be mounted with different orientations, but the pipe connection points obliquely upwards which requires additional space for installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector body utilizes the vertical dimension by extending upwards from the distributor surface, allowing the pipe connection to point vertically upwards rather than obliquely. This dimensional change enables the connection to be made in a direction that requires minimal horizontal space while maintaining orientation flexibility through the adapter attachment's positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If a parallelepiped-shaped connector body with L-shaped bore is used, then the pipe connector can be mounted on the distributor, but the orientation cannot be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector constructionVSAvoidorientation adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate functional components: the distributor body, the adapter attachment, and the connector body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the connector body maintains a simple L-shaped construction for ease of manufacture, while the adapter attachment provides the flexibility to change orientations by positioning the connector at different angles relative to the distributor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a complicated connection body is mounted in a recess in the front wall, then the connection allows connection only in the direction of the distribution channel, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection directionalityVSAvoidconnection body structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection functionality is extracted from a complex integrated structure and separated into distinct components. The connector body with its simple L-shaped bore is detached from any complex mounting mechanism, allowing it to be mounted independently on the distributor. This extraction simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to connect in the desired direction through proper positioning of the separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2255145B1Device for connecting pipes to a liquid/air cooler
Publication Date: 2015.07.08 ASA HYDRAULIK GES
  • EP2255145B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~4
  • EP2255145B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP2255145B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A connecting device for the parallelepipedic liquid distributor (2) of a liquid/air cooler which has, in an end section, a pipe connecting body (5) which has a base with a liquid passage corresponding to the liquid passage of the distributor, and a pipe connection, wherein the connecting body is designed as a rectangular parallelepiped which extends outwards from a step-shaped recess (2'', 2''') of the end section of the distributor and has an L-shaped through duct (51) which ends at one end in the liquid passage (3) in the base of said pipe connecting body and at the other end in a connecting thread (6) which is formed in a connecting body section (5'') protruding over the distributor.