Manifold Engagement Surfaces for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid control device manifolds require large drawing loads for press-fitting, leading to size impediments and increased component counts, with potential for fluid leakage and operation failures due to excessive loads and erroneous disengagement of clamp members.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates engagement surfaces on the inner sides of the bodies extending perpendicular to the drawing direction, eliminating the need for additional mounting grooves and utilizing screw holes and molding cutouts as engagement surfaces to disperse loads and prevent slant press-fitting, while a clamp with a wide engagement area secures the connection without dedicated fixing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mounting grooves are provided on the first and second bodies to withstand large drawing loads, then the press-fitting reliability is improved, but the distance between the bodies increases and size reduction is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of the mounting grooves and the engagement surfaces by making the engagement surfaces extend in the drawing direction from the end faces of the bodies. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting grooves while maintaining the ability to withstand large drawing loads, thus improving press-fitting reliability without increasing the distance between bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement surfaces are designed to extend in the drawing direction (one dimension) rather than requiring additional mounting grooves in a different spatial arrangement. This dimensional approach allows the load-bearing function to be achieved within the existing space between the bodies, preventing size increase.
2Reliability
If a dedicated fixing member and groove space are used to fix the manifold to the fixed plate, then the fixing reliability is improved, but the number of components increases which counteracts size reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dedicated fixing member from the system by enabling the clamp to directly fix the manifold to the fixed plate through the engagement surfaces. This eliminates the need for separate mounting grooves and dedicated fixing members, reducing component count while maintaining fixing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only holds the first and second bodies together during press-fitting but also fixes the assembled manifold to the fixed plate. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixing members, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the engagement area of the clamp is increased to prevent erroneous disengagement, then the clamp reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the clamp's holding function with its fixing function. The clamp engages with the engagement surfaces that extend from the end faces of the bodies, creating a unified structure that prevents erroneous disengagement without requiring additional complex retention mechanisms. The wide engagement area is achieved through the extended engagement surfaces rather than complex clamp geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control device manifold includes a first body, a second body, and a connection part configured to interpose a seal member between the first and second bodies and allow a connecting tool to engage with engagement surfaces of the bodies. When a load is applied to the engagement surfaces to draw the first and second bodies close to each other, the seal member is press-fitted into the bodies. This press-fitted state is held by a clamp. One or both of the first and second bodies are internally provided with a plurality of the engagement surfaces extending in a nearly perpendicular direction to a drawing direction.