Retention Collar Structure for Vibration-Tolerant Fluid Line Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connecting devices for fluid-carrying lines, such as charge-air lines in motor vehicles, are prone to damage due to movement and deformation during operation, leading to a short service life and potential fluid connection disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A retaining collar with first and second retaining projections that engage with locking contours on the fluid-carrying lines, providing axial displacement limitation and a secure fluidic connection while allowing for flexibility to compensate for vibrations and temperature changes, and featuring a circumferential sealing design for enhanced stability and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connecting devices are used for fluid-carrying lines, then the connection can be established, but the connection is damaged by movement and deformation during operation, leading to short service life
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining collar incorporates retaining projections with slits that allow dynamic adjustment and deformation accommodation. The slits enable the retaining projections to flex and adapt to movements and deformations of the fluid-carrying lines while maintaining the locking engagement, thus preserving connection stability under dynamic operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining collar design allows for parameter changes in the form of axial displacement within limited ranges. The retaining projections engage with locking contours to permit controlled axial movement while preventing complete disconnection, enabling the connection to accommodate thermal expansion, vibration, and other operational parameter variations.
2Reliability
If the retaining collar limits axial displacement to prevent disconnection, then connection security is improved, but flexibility to accommodate vibrations and temperature changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining projections are designed with slits that provide dynamic flexibility. These slits allow the retaining projections to deform elastically under vibration and thermal stress while maintaining engagement with the locking contours, thus preserving both connection security and adaptability to operational variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining collar functions as a flexible component with slit-containing retaining projections that can deform to accommodate vibrations and temperature changes. This flexible design allows the connection to absorb operational stresses while the locking mechanism prevents complete disconnection, balancing security with adaptability.
3Reliability
If multiple retaining projections are used to ensure secure fixation, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining collar is segmented into multiple retaining projections distributed around its circumference. Each projection independently engages with corresponding locking contours on the fluid-carrying lines, providing distributed fixation points that enhance connection stability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple retaining projections are combined into a single integrated retaining collar component rather than separate elements. This merging approach provides secure multi-point fixation while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate parts, simplifying assembly and reducing the number of components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a connecting device (100) for connecting fluid-carrying lines (101, 103), comprising a first fluid-carrying line (101) having a first connecting section (109), a second fluid-carrying line (103) having a second connecting section (113), wherein the second connecting section (113) can be axially inserted into the first connecting section (109) to provide a fluid connection between the first and second fluid-carrying lines (101, 103), and a retaining sleeve (105) for fixing the connecting sections (109, 113) to one another, wherein the retaining sleeve (105) has first retaining projections (121) which are configured to engage in a first locking contour (129) on the outside of the first fluid-carrying line (101), and wherein the retaining sleeve (105) has second retaining projections (123).which are designed to engage in a second locking contour (131) on the outside of the second fluid-carrying line (103), wherein the first retaining projections (121) engage in the first locking contour (129) and wherein the second retaining projections (123) engage in the second locking contour (131) in order to limit an axial displacement of the first connecting section (109) relative to the second connecting section (113).