Reversible Conduit Clip Assembly for Multi-Diameter Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip assemblies for fluid conduits in vehicles struggle to accommodate conduits of varying diameters efficiently, requiring separate designs for different conduit sizes, which complicates installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A clip assembly with a reversible attachment module that allows for flexible orientation adjustment, featuring a frame with conduit retainers and a pivotable retainer portion that accommodates conduits of different diameters, and includes a base portion with a guide for removably attaching to the frame in either orientation, enabling secure retention of conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate clip designs are used for different conduit diameters, then each conduit size can be securely retained, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clip assembly is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple conduit diameters through a single design. The retention passage can adjust its effective diameter to securely retain conduits of varying sizes, eliminating the need for separate clip designs for different conduit diameters while maintaining secure retention for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer portion is made pivotable, allowing the retention passage to dynamically adjust its configuration. This dynamic adjustment enables the same clip assembly to adapt to different conduit diameters, providing secure retention across multiple sizes without requiring multiple fixed designs.
2Device complexity
If a single clip assembly accommodates all conduit diameters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of fit for each conduit size may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable retainer portion allows the retention passage to dynamically adjust its effective diameter and shape to precisely fit different conduit sizes. This dynamic adjustment mechanism ensures that each conduit size achieves a precise fit comparable to dedicated clips, while using a single universal assembly design.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip assembly changes its geometric parameters (specifically the effective diameter of the retention passage) through the pivotable retainer mechanism. This parameter adjustment enables the single clip design to achieve precise fits for multiple conduit diameters by varying the retention passage dimensions to match each specific conduit size.
3Ease of manufacture
If the attachment module is fixed in one orientation, then the manufacturing and installation process is simplified, but the adaptability to different installation scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment module employs asymmetric features (such as asymmetric rails and corresponding asymmetric engagement features on the frame) that allow the module to be attached in multiple orientations. This asymmetric design enables flexibility in installation scenarios while maintaining secure attachment, as the asymmetric features naturally guide and secure the module in valid orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment module is designed with universal attachment capabilities that function in multiple orientations. The guide and rail system is configured to accommodate attachment in different orientations, making the module versatile for various installation scenarios while maintaining ease of manufacture through a standardized attachment interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A clip assembly includes a frame having a conduit attachment portion having at least one conduit retainer, a module attachment portion having at least one module retainer, and a frame attachment portion configured to attach the frame to a body. The clip assembly also includes an attachment module removably attachable to the module attachment portion between a first orientation and a second orientation. The attachment module includes a base portion having a guide configured to be removably attached to the module attachment portion on the frame in either the first orientation or the second orientation. The attachment module also includes a retainer portion pivotably connected to the base portion and moveable between an open position and a closed position. The base portion and the retainer portion at least partially define a first conduit retention passage and a second conduit retention passage when in the closed position.