Retaining Clip Cartridge for Cleaner Fluid Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors require post-process machining for retaining clip slots, leading to debris and difficulty in assembly, and the retaining clips are prone to loss and improper installation, compromising structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A retaining clip cartridge with molded slots and a retaining clip that is contained within a cartridge, eliminating the need for post-process machining and ensuring the clip is always present, reducing insertion force and improving assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If post-process machining is used to create slots for the retaining clip, then the retaining clip can be installed, but manufacturing complexity and debris generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is pre-formed with slots and apertures during the initial molding process, eliminating the need for subsequent machining operations. The retaining clip is pre-installed on the cartridge in a controlled environment, ensuring proper positioning before the cartridge is inserted into the connector body.
Solution Approach 2:
The slots and apertures are extracted from the connector body design and transferred to the cartridge component. This allows the cartridge to be manufactured separately with integrated features, avoiding the need to machine the connector body after assembly.
2Reliability
If the retaining clip is installed separately onto the connector body, then the clip can engage the tube end form, but assembly difficulty and risk of improper installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip is merged with the cartridge by pre-installing it onto the cartridge during manufacturing. This creates a single integrated unit where the clip and cartridge cannot be separated, ensuring the clip is always properly positioned and eliminating assembly errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge serves as an intermediary component that carries the retaining clip to the final installation location. This mediator ensures the clip is delivered in the correct orientation and position, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliability.
3Volume of moving object
If the retaining clip is made thin and small to fit the connector, then the connector size is reduced, but the risk of loss and misplacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip is nested within the cartridge structure, which provides a containing environment. The cartridge acts as a protective housing that prevents the small, thin clip from being lost or misplaced during handling and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge serves as an intermediary that protects and transports the fragile retaining clip. This mediator ensures the clip remains contained and secure throughout the assembly process, eliminating the risk of loss while maintaining the compact connector design.
4Productivity
If slots are machined in the connector body for the retaining clip, then the clip can protrude and engage, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
All necessary features including slots and apertures are created in advance during the cartridge molding process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming post-process machining operations on the connector body, significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot-making operation is extracted from the connector body manufacturing process and transferred to the cartridge manufacturing process. This allows slots to be created efficiently during molding rather than requiring subsequent machining time.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for a fluid connector including a connector body having a bore and a flange, and a tube end form, the cartridge including a first end, a second end, a through-bore, a first radially outward facing surface including at least one aperture extending radially inward to the through-bore, and a retaining clip including at least one protrusion operatively arranged to extend into the through-bore.