Plate-Shaped Manifold Design to Reduce Vehicle Assembly Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle manufacturing is complex and costly due to the need for numerous components and efficient packaging in limited spaces, which complicates reliability and serviceability without design tradeoffs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating plate-shaped manifolds that facilitate fluid conduction processes between vehicle components, reducing the need for individual hoses or pipes by hard-mounting components to a manifold, thereby simplifying manufacturing and maintaining reliability and serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple individual hoses or pipes are used to connect vehicle components for fluid conduction, then fluid transfer can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual hoses or pipes into a single integrated manifold structure. The manifold includes multiple ports and internal fluid passages that consolidate the functions of multiple separate fluid conduction components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and the total number of parts while maintaining fluid transfer capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a fluid distribution hub, provides structural support for mounting components, and integrates various fluid pathways (suction, discharge, refrigerant lines) into a single multi-functional component, reducing the overall system complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If components are efficiently packaged in limited spaces using traditional connections, then space utilization improves, but reliability and serviceability are negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple connection points and fluid pathways into a single manifold component, the patent reduces the number of connection interfaces and potential failure points. The integrated structure improves reliability by eliminating multiple seals and joints while maintaining efficient space utilization through the compact manifold design.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple individual fluid conduction components are used, then fluid transfer is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple individual fluid conduction components into a single manifold, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This integration directly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining the necessary fluid transfer functionality.
4Productivity
If traditional component connections are used, then assembly is straightforward, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold integrates multiple connection points and fluid pathways into a single component, reducing the number of assembly steps required. Instead of connecting multiple separate hoses and pipes, the manifold can be connected as a single unit, thereby improving assembly efficiency and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprising a compressor and a manifold physically and fluidly coupled to the compressor.