Pivotable Supporting Clip for Fuel and Brake Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supporting clips for tubular members like fuel and brake pipes are prone to deformation under external loads during transportation, leading to logistical challenges and assembly issues due to their limited stability and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A supporting clip with a design featuring pivotable first and second supporting portions and a locking structure that prevents rotational movement, along with a torsional reinforcing structure, to maintain tubular members in position and reduce deformation, allowing for angular adjustment and enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single supporting portion is used to engage the tubular member, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the assembly under external loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting clip is divided into multiple supporting portions (first supporting portion and second supporting portion) that can be pivotable relative to each other. Each portion engages the tubular member at different positions, distributing the external loads across multiple engagement points rather than a single point, thereby improving assembly stability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting portions are configured to be pivotable relative to each other about a rotational axis, introducing rotational freedom in one dimension while maintaining positional stability in other dimensions. This allows the assembly to accommodate angular adjustments during installation while preventing unwanted movements during transport, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the supporting portions are fixed relative to each other, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different installation angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portions are designed with pivotability, transforming the structure from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic adjustable one. The pivotable connection allows the supporting portions to rotate relative to each other about a rotational axis, enabling adaptation to different installation angles while maintaining precise relative positioning when locked in place, thus balancing manufacturing precision with installation versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular relationship between supporting portions can be changed by pivoting them relative to each other. This parameter change allows the same supporting clip design to accommodate various installation angles and configurations without requiring multiple different clip designs, improving adaptability while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If no locking structure is provided, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of position maintenance under external loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portions can be pivotably adjusted to the desired angular position and then locked in place, allowing the structure to self-adjust and maintain its configuration under external loads. The locking mechanism enables the supporting portions to maintain their relative angular positions reliably during transport and installation without requiring continuous external intervention, thus improving position maintenance reliability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
A supporting clip (100) is configured to support at least one tubular member (11, 12), in particular a fuel pipe or a brake pipe (15). The supporting clip (100) extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises a first supporting portion (110), a second supporting portion (120), and a locking structure (130). The first supporting portion (110) supports the tubular member (11, 12) at a first position (16). The second supporting portion (120) supports the tubular member (11, 12) at a second position (17) which is spaced apart from the first position (16) in the longitudinal direction. The locking structure (130) is disposed between the first supporting portion (110) and the second supporting portion (120). The first supporting portion (110) and the second supporting portion (120) are pivotable relative to each other about a rotational axis (A), thereby defining an angular position. The locking structure (130) prevents a relative rotational movement between the first supporting portion (110) and the second supporting portion (120) when the first supporting portion (110) and the second supporting portion (120) are arranged at predetermined angular positions.