Self-Locking Pin-Hole Mat Element Assembly for Fluid Treatment Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid treatment devices require complex connection methods for mat elements, which complicates the installation process and can lead to unintentional separation of connected elements.
Innovation Solution
The use of self-locking pin-hole arrangements with flexible clamping tongues that protrude into receiving openings, ensuring a secure connection between adjacent mat elements, and a thickness gradient in mat elements for enhanced fluid interaction and surface exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex connection methods are used for mat elements, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to be self-locking through the interaction between the pin's geometric shape and the receiving opening's configuration. The connection automatically secures itself without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly steps, thereby achieving strong connections while simplifying the installation process
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a pin with a specific geometric shape that flexibly engages with the receiving opening. The pin's design allows it to deform slightly during insertion and then lock into place, providing a secure connection through a simple, flexible component rather than a rigid, complex fastening mechanism
2Ease of operation
If simple connection methods are used for mat elements, then installation ease is improved, but reliability of connection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking mechanism automatically ensures reliable connection upon insertion. The geometric interaction between the pin and receiving opening creates an automatic lock that prevents unintentional separation, making the simple installation process inherently reliable without requiring additional verification or securing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The connection design anticipates and prevents unintentional separation before it can occur. The self-locking feature creates preliminary resistance against separation forces, ensuring that the connection remains secure under normal operating conditions without requiring complex retention mechanisms
3Ease of manufacture
If mat elements are connected with traditional pin-hole arrangements, then manufacturing is simplified, but unintentional separation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pin's geometric shape is designed to flexibly engage with the receiving opening, creating a secure mechanical interlock. This simple yet effective design maintains manufacturing simplicity while preventing unintentional separation through the inherent locking geometry of the pin-receiving opening interface
Solution Approach 2:
The pin and receiving opening are designed with asymmetric geometries that create a one-way locking mechanism. The pin can be easily inserted in one direction but cannot be removed without deliberate action, providing connection stability while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple asymmetric shaping rather than complex fastening features
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the connection of mat elements, prevents unintentional separation, and increases the interaction surface area between the working fluid and the treated fluid, enhancing the treatment efficiency, such as in humidification and cooling processes.
Implementation Method 1
each having an opening edge from which a flexible clamping tongue protrudes into the receiving opening, and each receiving opening one through the free end of the at least one clamping tongue and the region of the opening edge opposite this end
Implementation Method 2
A gas is cooled with the aid of such devices according to the principle of adiabatic cooling (evaporative cooling)
Implementation Method 3
devices for treating gases, in particular for humidifying, cleaning and/or cooling gases such as air
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The installation device for a device for treating, in particular humidifying and/or cleaning, a utility fluid, in particular a gas, by means of a working fluid, in particular a liquid, and in particular for cooling water vapor by means of spray and/or dripping water, is provided with at least one installation package (10) consisting of several rectangular, corrugated mat elements (12) arranged one above the other or side by side. Adjacent mat elements (12) are mechanically connected to one another by means of pin-hole arrangements, in that pins (42) projecting from one mat element (12), each having a free end, are inserted into receiving openings (34) formed in the other mat element (12). The receiving openings (34) each have an opening edge (36) from which a flexible clamping tongue (38) projects into the receiving opening (34).Each receiving opening (34) has a surface area (40) defined by the free end of the at least one clamping tongue (38) and the area of the opening edge (36) opposite this end, or by the free ends of several, in particular two or three, clamping tongues (38), which is smaller than the cross-section of the pin (42) in the state received by the receiving opening (34), in which the at least one clamping tongue (38) is bent with its free end towards the free end of the pin (42) and rests against it.