Lever-Based Pipe Connection for Tool-Free Assembly and Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connection methods for household appliances, such as washing machines, require significant force for assembly and disassembly, are prone to overstretching, and complicate automation due to the use of deformable materials, making manual and robotic manipulation challenging.
Innovation Solution
A connection system with a protruding part and a catch housing featuring tangentially movable side arms and a locking mechanism that allows for easy manual disconnection without tools, ensuring secure locking and preventing overstretching, while simplifying production and assembly processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clamps or brackets are used to fixedly attach the pipe to the counterpart, then the connection is secure, but the assembly and disassembly require increased effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from static clamps to dynamic side arms with levers that can be easily actuated. The side arms can be moved between locked and unlocked positions through lever operation, enabling quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure connection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The levers incorporate curved or arc-shaped paths for movement, allowing the side arms to be easily deflected and repositioned. This curved mechanism enables simple manual operation to release the locking position, significantly reducing disassembly effort and time.
2Reliability
If deformable tubes with tight fit are used for connection, then the sealing is improved, but significant force is required for assembly and special tools are needed for automation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system separates the sealing function from the locking function. The sealing is achieved through the interface between the pipe and catch housing, while the locking is provided by the side arms and levers. This segmentation allows sealing without requiring excessive assembly force.
Solution Approach 2:
The side arms act as intermediary elements that provide mechanical advantage through their lever action. This intermediary mechanism amplifies the user's input force, enabling easy manual operation without requiring special tools or excessive force for assembly.
3Reliability
If additional clamps are mounted to ensure tightness, then the sealing is improved, but the connection complexity increases and automation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the sealing interface and locking mechanism into a single integrated structure. The side arms are fixedly connected to the catch housing and work in conjunction with the pipe interface, eliminating the need for separate additional clamps and reducing overall connection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side arms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable locking through lever action, and facilitate easy release. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate components, simplifying the overall connection system and making it more amenable to automation.
4Reliability
If lamellar retaining elements with substantial length are used, then the locking is secure, but the connection area length increases and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side arms utilize dynamic lever action rather than static substantial length for locking. The levers provide mechanical advantage that enables secure locking with compact dimensions, reducing the overall connection area length while maintaining locking security.
5Ease of operation
If levers are used for easy disconnection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection area length increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism is localized to specific positions on the side arms rather than extending the entire connection area. This localized implementation provides ease of operation at the lever actuation points while keeping the overall connection area length compact.
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
The system enables efficient, tool-free connection and disconnection of pipes, reducing assembly costs and improving reliability, durability, and facilitating automation-friendly assembly.
Implementation Method 1
at least one side arm is each fixedly connected to the catch housing at its respective end facing away from the front opening thereby forming a bendable lever, wherein when in an equilibrium state of the bendable levers the pipe can be locked in or to the catch housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A connection means (10) for connecting a pipe (1) to a counterpart (CP) of a household appliance (100), comprises a protruding part (2) which is located on an outer surface of the pipe (1) and which protrudes away from the pipe (1), wherein the protruding part (2) forms a ridge (2a) towards a first direction of the pipe (1) and an pushing area (2b) towards a second direction of the pipe (1) which is opposite to the first direction; a catch housing (3) arranged at the counterpart (CP) with a front opening (3a) for receiving the pipe (1) and having a fluid opening (3b) for a fluid connection between an interior of the catch housing (3) and the counterpart (CP); a first side arm (5) and a second side arm (6) which are each extending along a lateral side of the catch housing (3) and outside the catch housing (3) and a clamp part (7) which connects the first side arm (5) with the second side arm (6) at least partly in an axial circumference around a central axis of the catch housing (3) and outside the catch housing (3), wherein the clamp part (7) has a locking region (8) at a half length of the clamp part (7) between the side arms which locking region (8) forms a locking ridge (8a) towards the front opening (3a) and an inclined face or pushing face (8b) facing away from the front opening (3a), and wherein the first side arm (5) and the second side arm (6) are each fixedly connected to the catch housing (3) at their respective ends facing away from the front opening (3a) thereby forming a bendable lever each, wherein when in an equilibrium state of the bendable levers the pipe (1) can be locked in the catch housing (3) with the locking ridge (8a) being placed in contact to the ridge (2a) and the pipe (1) can be unlocked from the catch housing (3) when bending the levers and separating the locking ridge (8a) from the ridge (2a).