Sheet Metal Mating Connector for Easier Fluid Line Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mating connectors for liquid or gaseous media are complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A mating connector designed as a sheet metal formed part, particularly a deep-drawn part, with a connector body comprising a first and second jacket section and a locking mechanism, allowing for easy assembly and high stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional multi-component mating connector design is used, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple traditional connector components (body, sealing elements, locking mechanisms) into a single integrated sheet metal formed part. This merging reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the functional reliability of the connection through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet metal formed part is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, creating sealing surfaces, enabling locking mechanisms, and facilitating connection to various components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining connection reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a sheet metal formed part is used for the connector body, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes sheet metal forming to create a connector body that leverages the inherent strength-to-weight ratio of metal sheets. Through strategic forming and shaping, the thin sheet metal structure achieves sufficient structural strength for connector applications while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard sheet metal forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the sheet metal through forming processes, creating varied thicknesses, reinforcements, and geometric configurations that optimize both structural strength and manufacturability. The sheet metal is transformed from a simple flat sheet into a complex three-dimensional structure with enhanced mechanical properties.
3Productivity
If a deep-drawn single-piece connector body is used, then manufacturing time is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deep-drawing process is designed as a preliminary forming operation that creates the basic connector body shape in a single step. Subsequent operations build upon this pre-formed structure, allowing for efficient sequential manufacturing while maintaining precision through the controlled deformation of the sheet metal during each stage.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mating connector (3) for connecting components for liquid or gaseous media, comprising a connector body (11) having: - a plug-in section (7) which is used for being plugged into a receiving opening (6) of a plug connector (2); - a component part connection (10) which is used for connecting to one of the components, characterized in that the connector body (11) is designed as a shaped sheet metal part.