Multi-Connector Frame Locking for Fast Fluid Port Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid connectors in vehicles, particularly in battery electric vehicles, are prone to misassembly due to their proximity and require multiple assembly operations, leading to increased assembly time and space constraints.

Innovation Solution

A multi-connector system comprising a plurality of connectors and a connecting frame with a frame locking mechanism that supports and locks the connectors to fluid channel ports, allowing for simultaneous connection at multiple positions with a single assembly operation, reducing misassembly and assembly time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate connectors are used for each fluid connection, then each connection can be made independently, but assembly time increases and misassembly risk increases due to multiple operations in confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly accuracyVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate connectors are merged into a single integrated multi-connector assembly that performs multiple fluid connections simultaneously. The multi-connector includes multiple connector bodies arranged in specific spatial configurations, allowing one assembly operation to establish multiple fluid connections at once, thereby reducing total assembly time and eliminating misassembly risks associated with multiple separate operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-connector is pre-configured with multiple connector bodies positioned in predetermined spatial arrangements before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the multi-connector is installed, all fluid connections are established in the correct positions and orientations without requiring multiple separate assembly operations, thus preventing misassembly and reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate connectors are assembled in confined spaces, then each connection can be made individually, but space requirements increase and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate connectors are merged into a single integrated multi-connector assembly that performs multiple fluid connections simultaneously. The multi-connector includes multiple connector bodies arranged in specific spatial configurations, allowing one assembly operation to establish multiple fluid connections at once, thereby reducing total assembly time and eliminating misassembly risks associated with multiple separate operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If separate connectors are used for each fluid connection, then connection flexibility is maintained, but the number of parts increases and assembly operations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidconnector quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate connectors are merged into a single integrated multi-connector assembly that performs multiple fluid connections simultaneously. The multi-connector includes multiple connector bodies arranged in specific spatial configurations, allowing one assembly operation to establish multiple fluid connections at once, thereby reducing total assembly time and eliminating misassembly risks associated with multiple separate operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-connector serves multiple functions by providing multiple fluid connections through a single assembly operation. Each connector body within the multi-connector can handle fluid connections independently, allowing the single multi-connector component to replace multiple separate connectors and perform multiple connection functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240200704A1Multi-Connector

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a multi-connector for connecting a plurality of fluid channel ports provided on at least one device to a plurality of to-be-connected channels. The multi-connector includes a plurality of connectors and a connecting frame. The plurality of connectors are configured for connecting the plurality of fluid channel ports to the plurality of to-be-connected channels. Each of the plurality of connectors has a device connecting port and a to-be-connected channel connecting port. The connecting frame is configured to support the plurality of connectors. The device connecting port of each of the plurality of connectors is configured to be connected to a respective one of the plurality of fluid channel ports on the at least one device. The to-be-connected channel connecting port of each of the plurality of connectors is configured to be connected to a respective one of the plurality of to-be-connected channels. The layout pattern of the device connecting ports of the plurality of connectors on the connecting frame matches the layout pattern of the plurality of fluid channel ports on the at least one device.