Spring-Loaded Keyhole Retainer for Manifold Shipment Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for securing manifolds to mounting structures during shipment, installation, and operation in cooling systems often result in insecure connections, leading to potential cosmetic and functional damage due to movement during transport and installation, and require additional labor and materials for securing and removing zip ties or wire.
Innovation Solution
A retainer system with a flexible body that is affixed to the mounting structure, featuring an aperture aligned with the retention portion of a keyhole slot, which flexes away upon contact with a mounting protrusion and rebounds to capture it within the aperture, ensuring secure attachment without additional labor or materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods (zip ties or wire) are used to secure manifolds to mounting structures, then the connection can be established, but additional labor and materials are required for securing and removing the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to automatically capture and secure the manifold during installation without requiring manual intervention for fastening or unfastening operations. The spring-loaded mechanism self-actuates to engage and disengage the mounting feature, eliminating the need for additional labor to secure and remove zip ties or wire.
2Reliability
If conventional securing methods are used during shipment and installation, then connection can be established, but the connection remains insecure leading to potential cosmetic and functional damage due to movement
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer incorporates a curved or spring-loaded body that provides continuous contact and adaptive securing force on the mounting feature. This curved mechanism maintains secure engagement while accommodating movement, preventing cosmetic and functional damage during shipment and installation.
3Reliability
If a secure connection is established using conventional methods, then the manifold can be attached, but removal requires additional labor and materials
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer employs a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism that can easily transition between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic design allows the connection to be securely established during installation while enabling simple removal by actuating the release mechanism, eliminating the need for additional labor and materials to remove conventional securing methods.
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
The retainer system provides a secure, stable connection between the manifold and mounting structure, preventing disconnection during shipment and installation, reducing the risk of damage and simplifying the installation process by automatically securing the manifold without additional labor or materials.
Implementation Method 1
The body can be configured to flex away from the mounting structure about the flex axis upon contact with the mounting feature, when the mounting feature extends through a receiving portion of the keyhole slot, and can rebound when the mounting feature is further received within the retention portion of the keyhole slot
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer for securing a manifold can include an aperture that can be positioned adjacent to a retention portion of a keyhole slot in a mounting structure. The retainer can be flexed away from the mounting structure when a mounting protrusion on the manifold extends through a receiving portion of the keyhole slot. The retainer can resiliently move toward the mounting structure when the mounting protrusion is moved into the retention portion of the keyhole slot to capture the mounting protrusion within the retention portion of the keyhole slot.