Line Connector Fastening with Integrated Blocking Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting line connectors to media lines often result in errors, such as incomplete connections, where the line connector is inserted without being properly attached to the line, leading to loose connections that can fail under pressure, causing damage during operation.

Innovation Solution

A blocking body is integrated into the line connector or line that prevents mating connections until the fastening device securely attaches the line connector to the line, ensuring proper attachment by removing the blocking body only after successful fastening, which can be achieved through detachment, deformation, or removal by a fastening device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual connection of line connector and line is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to human errors such as incomplete connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking body is integrated into the line connector that prevents mating connector connection until the fastening device has securely fastened the line connector to the line. This preliminary protective measure blocks the connection path in advance, preventing incomplete or loose connections from being made. Only after successful fastening does the blocking body get removed, allowing the mating connector to be connected. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while eliminating human error through a built-in safety mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If blocking body is made removable only by fastening device, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking body removal function is merged with the fastening device's existing deformation tool. The same mechanical structure that deforms the line connector to secure it to the line also serves to remove the blocking body. This integration eliminates the need for separate blocking body removal mechanisms, maintaining connection security while minimizing additional device complexity. The blocking body is designed with a geometry that allows it to be removed by the deformation tool's motion path and force application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If blocking body prevents mating connection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror preventionVSAvoidconnection process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking body automatically performs the safety check function without requiring separate operator actions. The fastening device, when performing its normal fastening operation, automatically removes the blocking body as an integral part of the fastening process. The operator simply needs to perform the fastening operation once; the system self-manages the blocking body removal. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining error prevention while avoiding additional manual steps, as the safety mechanism serves itself through the existing fastening motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8997328B2Method in which a line connector by a fastening device is fastened to a line for liquid and/or gaseous media
Publication Date: 2015.04.07 HENN GMBH & CO KG
  • US8997328B2 patent drawing
  • US8997328B2 patent drawing
  • US8997328B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, wherein a line connector (1), in particular a plug connector, by a fastening device (2) is fastened to a line (3) for liquid and/or gaseous media, wherein during or after the fastening of the line connector (1) to the line (3), a blocking body (4) already present on the line connector (1) and/or on the line (3) is removed from the line connector (1) and/or from the line (3) by means of the fastening device (2), wherein the blocking body (4) prevents a mating connector (5) from being connected to the line connector (1) as long as the blocking body is present on the line connector (1) and/or on the line (3).