Securing bracket for maintaining a position of flexible conduit within a water heating appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible conduits within water heating appliances tend to deflect during maintenance, interfering with access and potentially getting damaged by rotational torque exerted on threaded fasteners.

Innovation Solution

A support bracket that engages the inlet and outlet retainer ends of flexible conduits, absorbing rotational torque from threaded fasteners and distributing it through a torque distributing portion attached to the top cover of the appliance, maintaining conduit position and preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible conduits are used for fluid inlet and outlet, then ease of installation and adaptability are improved, but the conduits deflect during maintenance and may be damaged by rotational torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit flexibilityVSAvoidconduit position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A support bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible conduits and the appliance housing. The bracket engages the conduits at multiple points and transfers rotational torque away from the conduits to the appliance housing, preventing conduit deflection and damage while maintaining conduit flexibility for installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If access panels are provided for maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but rotational torque on threaded fasteners can damage flexible conduits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidrotational torque damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket serves as a mediator that intercepts rotational torque generated during maintenance operations on threaded fasteners. By engaging the flexible conduits and transferring torque to the appliance housing, the bracket protects conduits from damage while allowing maintenance access panels to function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support bracket is installed beforehand to provide protective engagement with the flexible conduits. This pre-positioned support structure cushioning against potential torque damage before maintenance operations begin, preventing conduit damage rather than remedying it afterward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If conduits are secured rigidly to prevent deflection, then position stability is improved, but conduit flexibility and ease of installation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit position stabilityVSAvoidconduit installation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket applies localized engagement points on the flexible conduits rather than rigidly securing the entire conduit length. This selective support at critical locations (near access panels and torque-prone areas) maintains conduit flexibility for installation while providing position stability where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250297779A1Securing bracket for maintaining a position of flexible conduit within a water heating appliance

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 BRADFORD WHITE CORP

AI summary

A water heating appliance that includes a fluid inlet that has an inlet retainer end, a fluid outlet that has an outlet retainer end, and a bracket that engages the inlet retainer end and the outlet retainer end. A rotational torque that is exerted on a threaded fastener of one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is absorbed by the bracket and transferred from a torque receiving end proximate the threaded fastener and distributed through the bracket to a torque distributing portion of the bracket.