Vehicle Joint Locking Structure for Collision-Resistant Connection Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The connection between male and female joints in vehicle systems, such as fuel and cooling systems, is unstable and prone to accidental separation during collisions.

Innovation Solution

A joint apparatus comprising a first joint, a second joint, and a limiting assembly with extension portions and limiting members that prevent the joints from moving apart, ensuring a stable connection by limiting movement in a specific direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simple insertion connection is used between male and female joints, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection stability deteriorates and the joints are prone to accidental separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into multiple functional components: the insertion portion for initial connection, the limiting assembly (comprising limiting members and limiting portions) for preventing separation, and the identification portion for verification. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively achieving both ease of manufacture and connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting members are pre-configured with limiting portions that extend into the socket to prevent separation before any accidental collision occurs. The identification portion is also pre-positioned to indicate the correct insertion state, so that when the joints are assembled, the connection is immediately protected and verified without requiring additional actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a limiting assembly with multiple limiting members is added to prevent joint separation, then the connection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple limiting members are merged into a unified limiting assembly that works collectively to prevent separation. The limiting members are integrated with the socket structure, and their limiting portions are coordinated to provide comprehensive protection against joint separation in multiple directions, reducing the need for separate complex locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting members are designed to automatically engage and provide separation protection without requiring external activation or complex control systems. The identification portion serves itself by visually indicating the correct insertion state, eliminating the need for additional sensors or verification systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the joint apparatus is designed with a compact structure for limited installation spaces, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The joint apparatus employs a nested structure where the insertion portion fits into the socket, and the limiting members are integrated within the socket body. The identification portion is nested within or on the joint structure. This nesting allows the compact design to fit limited spaces while maintaining clear functional separation that simplifies manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4656923A1Joint apparatus and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LANGFANG SHUCHANG AUTOMOBILE COMPONENTS
  • EP4656923A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4656923A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4656923A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The embodiments of the present application provide a joint apparatus and a vehicle, belonging to the technical field of vehicles. The joint apparatus includes a first joint 110, a second joint 120 and a limiting assembly 130, where the first joint includes a first extension portion 111 and a second extension portion 112, which are provided in a first direction, and an end of the second joint is provided with a socket 121. When the first joint and the second joint are in a mounted state, the first extension portion 111 is inserted into the socket 121 in the first direction, and the limiting assembly 130 is configured to limit the first joint and the second joint from moving away from each other in the first direction. By means of the limiting assembly, the first joint and the second joint can be prevented from moving away from each other in the first direction, so as to ensure a stable connection between the first joint and the second joint, thereby improving connection stability between the first joint and the second joint. Therefore, the joint apparatus and the vehicle provided in the embodiments of the present application can improve the connection stability between the first joint and the second joint.