Rotatable Tube Fastener Assembly for Flexible Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube fastener assemblies for refrigerant cycles in vehicles lack flexibility in adjusting the mounting direction of tubes, requiring multiple flange types and involving complex assembly processes, including bending and pre-assembly limitations.
Innovation Solution
A tube fastener assembly comprising a retention element with a fastener and holding portion, and a connection element that is rotatable about an axis before being fixed, allowing for pre-assembly in any desired direction and secure bonding for high connection strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flange types are provided for different mounting directions, then the adaptability of the tube fastener assembly is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is designed to be rotatable about an axis relative to the retention element before being fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the tube mounting direction. After rotation to the desired orientation, the connection element is fixed to the holding portion, converting the dynamic state to a static fixed state. This eliminates the need for multiple flange types while maintaining adaptability to different mounting directions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pipe is inserted into the pipe joining hole and rotated to adjust mounting direction, then the adaptability is improved, but the assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is pre-designed with a rotation capability about an axis relative to the retention element before fixation. This preliminary design allows the tube to be rotated to the desired mounting direction during assembly, and then quickly fixed in position. The pre-planned rotation mechanism reduces assembly time compared to traditional methods requiring multiple flange types or complex bending operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tube is bent to connect to the passage of the connection object, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the tube to achieve different connection angles, the invention provides dynamic rotatability of the connection element about an axis relative to the retention element. This allows the tube to be oriented in different directions through rotation rather than bending, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving the required adaptability for connecting to passages at various orientations.
4Strength
If the flange and pipe are welded or joined during connection to the connection object, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of assembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is pre-designed with a holding portion that can be fixed to the retention element before the final connection to the connection object. This preliminary fixation allows the tube to be securely attached to the fastener assembly in advance, and then the entire assembly is mounted to the connection object as a unit. This separates the tube-faster assembly step from the final installation, improving ease of assembly while maintaining connection strength through proper fixation mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A tube fastener assembly (1) comprising: a retention element (9) having a fastener portion (10) and a holding portion (11), a connection element (15) having a fluid channel (4) for a flow of fluid between a connection end (6) of the fluid channel (4) and a tube end (5) of the fluid channel (4), said connection element (15) is adapted for being fixed to the holding portion (11) of said retention element (9), wherein the connection element (15) is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to said retention element (9) before being fixed to the holding portion (11) of said retention element (9).