Fluid Line Connector Using PPA/PPS to Reduce Ion Leaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid-carrying systems in vehicles, particularly those using plastics like polyamide 66, 11, or 12, suffer from ion leaching, leading to increased conductivity and potential short circuits in fuel cells due to ion concentration and ion deposition in fuel cell components.
Innovation Solution
A connecting element made from polyphthalamide (PPA) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) with a design featuring a receiving sleeve and insertion nozzle, locked by locking arms and a groove system, ensuring a fluid-tight connection and reducing ion leaching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional plastics (polyamide 66, 11, or 12) are used for fluid lines and connecting elements, then the system is cost-effective and easy to manufacture, but ion leaching occurs leading to increased conductivity and potential short circuits in fuel cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional polyamides to polyphthalamide (PPA) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), which have inherently lower ion leaching properties. This material substitution maintains manufacturability while significantly reducing ion contamination of the fluid medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element is formed as a composite structure combining PPA/PPS material with an integrated locking mechanism. The material composition is specifically selected to resist ion leaching while the structural design integrates multiple functions (connection, locking, sealing) into a single component.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional plastics are used for fluid-carrying systems, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but ion concentration increases leading to short circuits in fuel cells
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter is changed from conventional polyamides to polyphthalamide or polyphenylene sulfide, which have superior resistance to ion leaching. This change maintains ease of manufacture through standard plastic processing while dramatically improving reliability by preventing ion-related short circuits.
3Reliability
If condensation water carries ions to the fuel cell, then the fuel cell function is impaired, but using conventional plastics causes ion washing out
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter is changed to PPA or PPS, which have low ion release characteristics. This prevents ion washing out by condensation water, thereby protecting fuel cell function without requiring additional complex protective measures.
4Reliability
If a locking mechanism with multiple locking arms is implemented, then the connection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is integrated directly into the connecting element body, merging the connector and locking mechanism into a single component. The locking arms are formed as integral parts of the connecting element, eliminating separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arms are designed to automatically engage with the receiving sleeve when the connecting element is inserted. The spring element provides automatic resetting action, allowing the locking mechanism to self-engage without manual intervention, thereby simplifying the user interaction while ensuring reliable locking.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a connecting element (100) for establishing a fluid connection with two fluid lines, comprising: a receiving sleeve (101) which can be fluidically connected to a first fluid line, wherein the receiving sleeve (101) has a sleeve wall (103) which defines a sleeve interior (105), wherein a plurality of sleeve slots (125, 125-1, 125-2, 125-3) are formed in the sleeve wall (103); an insertion nozzle (107) which can be fluidically connected to a second fluid line, wherein the insertion nozzle (107) can be inserted into the sleeve interior (105) of the receiving sleeve (101) to provide the fluid connection, wherein the insertion nozzle (107) has a nozzle wall (108) on which a groove (110) is formed that at least partially circumferentially surrounds the insertion nozzle (107). wherein in the inserted state of the insertion nozzle (107) into the receiving sleeve (101) the majority of sleeve slots (125, 125-1, 125-2,125-3) of the receiving sleeve (101) is arranged in alignment with the groove (110) of the insertion nozzle (107), and a locking element (127) for locking the insertion nozzle (107) to the receiving sleeve (101), wherein the locking element (127) has a plurality of locking arms (129, 129-1, 129-2), wherein, in the inserted state of the insertion nozzle (107) into the receiving sleeve (101), the locking arms (129, 129-1, 129-2) each engage in a sleeve slot (125, 125-1, 125-2, 125-3) of the plurality of sleeve slots (125, 125-1, 125-2, 125-3) and in the groove (110) to secure the to lock the insertion nozzle (107) to the receiving sleeve (101), wherein the insertion nozzle (107) and/or the receiving sleeve (101) is formed at least partially from polyphthalamide (PPA) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).