Pipe Coupling With Elastic Locking for Leak-Tight Vibration Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connection systems for motor vehicle applications face challenges in achieving a flexible and adaptable connection while maintaining structural integrity and mechanical rigidity, particularly in environments subject to thermal expansion and vibrations, and often require significant assembly efforts.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a male end portion with a locking pin and a female end portion with a guided circulation path that allows interlocking through translation and rotation, utilizing an elastically deformable part for sealing and automatic locking, without the need for separate inserts, ensuring flexibility and controlled adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate locking devices such as clamps or clips are used to secure pipe connections, then the mechanical strength and reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device integrates the clamp and clip functions into a single unitary component that simultaneously provides both mechanical locking and sealing functions, eliminating the need for separate locking devices and reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining connection reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If bayonet connection systems with protruding lugs and flow paths are used, then the adaptability and flexibility of the connection is improved, but the forces required for assembly increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking surface incorporates a curved cam profile that converts rotational motion into controlled linear displacement, allowing the locking mechanism to engage gradually through a rolling action rather than requiring sudden high-force insertion, thereby reducing assembly forces while maintaining geometric flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system employs dynamic elements including elastic deformation of the locking tongue and spring-loaded sealing components that adapt during assembly, allowing the system to accommodate misalignments and reduce peak assembly forces through controlled deformation and energy absorption
3Reliability
If multiple successive operations are required to assemble connections with separate locking devices, then the reliability of each individual operation can be optimized, but the assembly time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device combines multiple functions (positioning, locking, and sealing) into a single integrated component that achieves all three objectives through one assembly motion, eliminating the need for multiple successive operations and significantly improving assembly productivity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tongue is pre-formed with the correct geometry and elasticity properties during manufacturing, allowing it to automatically perform positioning and locking functions upon insertion without requiring separate adjustment or tightening operations, thereby accelerating assembly while ensuring reliable engagement
4Adaptability or versatility
If cutouts or slots are made in the conduit wall to create flow paths, then the adaptability of the connection geometry is improved, but the structural integrity of the conduit is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism employs a flexible locking tongue made of elastic material that can deform during assembly and return to its original shape, providing the necessary geometric adaptability without requiring permanent cutouts or slots in the conduit wall, thereby maintaining structural integrity while achieving the required flexibility
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 solution provides a reliable, leak-tight, and mechanically rigid connection that accommodates assembly clearances and tolerances, reduces assembly efforts, and compensates for thermal expansion and vibrations, maintaining structural integrity and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable part of the wall of the female end portion (4), which corresponds to a terminal segment of the guided circulation path (5'), constitutes a locking element for the pin (5) in its receiving housing (5'')
Implementation Method 2
second mutually cooperating means (6, 6') dedicated to establishing a sealed connection by compression of at least one seal (6) against at least one contact surface (6')
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for assembling two pipes (2 and 2'), a first of which is provided with a male end portion (3) and the second with a female end portion (4), which are configured to be assembled with simultaneous creation of a mechanical link and a gas- and/or liquid-tight seal, the male end portion (3) comprising at least one locking pin (5) and the wall (4') of the female end portion (4) integrating a circulation path (5') for the or each pin (5) up to a receiving housing (5") that locks. Assembly device (1) characterized in that the receiving housing (5") comprises an opening in the wall (4') of the female end portion (4) with a dimension in the axial direction that is greater than that of the pin (5) and in that an elastically deformable part of the wall (4') of the female end portion (4), corresponding to a terminal segment of the guided circulation path (5'), constitutes a member for blocking the pin (5) in its receiving housing (5"), the seal being created regardless of the axial position of the pin (5) in the latter.