Plastic Retainer for Control Device Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retainer systems for pressure tanks on heavy commercial vehicles are cumbersome, time-consuming to fit, and difficult to maintain, with insufficient shock-absorbing capabilities, leading to ergonomic issues and increased costs during assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A retainer made of plastic with an open recess for sideways insertion of a control device, such as a wire, and a channel for a strap-like element to secure it to the vehicle, allowing easy access and axial movement for valve operation, reducing complexity and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed loop or hollow structure is used for the retainer, then the control device can be retained securely, but the fitting operation becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into two separate components: an open recess for receiving the control device and a closed loop for secure retention. This segmentation allows the control device to be inserted easily through the open recess while the closed loop provides secure retention, resolving the contradiction between easy fitting and secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The open recess is prepared in advance as part of the retainer structure, allowing the control device to be inserted sideways before the final retention step. This preliminary action separates the insertion phase from the retention phase, making the overall fitting process faster while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If the control device is firmly fixed in the retainer, then it remains securely held, but it becomes difficult to move axially for valve operation
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer provides different qualities in different locations: the open recess area allows free axial movement for valve operation, while the closed loop area provides firm retention. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between secure holding and operational freedom.
3Reliability
If a complex retainer structure with multiple parts is used, then retention and security are improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer merges two previously separate components (open recess structure and closed loop structure) into a single integrated part. This combining maintains the security benefits of both structures while reducing the total number of parts, simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
4Reliability
If precision pushing of rubber bushing into wire retainer is required, then secure retention is achieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rubber bushing component entirely from the design. By removing this intermediate element, the need for precise pushing and alignment operations is eliminated, dramatically speeding up the fitting process while maintaining retention security through the direct open recess-closed loop structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a retainer (6) which is intended to fix a control device (4) to, for example, a pressure tank (1) or similar container and which is fitted/fastened by means of a straplike element (12). The invention is effected by the retainer (6) being provided with a hollow (8) forming a first limb (10a) and a second limb (10b), at least one of which limbs (10a, b) is resilient relative to the other in such a way that the outer end portions of the limbs (10a, b) are pressed towards one another when the straplike element (12) is tightened, thereby reducing the width of the hollow (8) and preventing a control device/wire (4) inserted in the hollow (8) from sliding out of the retainer (6).