Waveform Impact Absorber Assembly for Vehicle Conduit Strain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular conduits and fittings experience strains due to operational conditions such as vibrations and impacts, leading to potential punctures and bending, which existing technologies fail to adequately mitigate.
Innovation Solution
An impact absorber assembly comprising a core and a frame with a cavity, where the frame's side walls feature a waveform shape and recesses to absorb energy, and a base strap to prevent undesirable opening, effectively reducing strains on conduits and fittings by distributing and dissipating impact loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid fittings and conduits are used in vehicle operational conditions, then structural strength is maintained, but plastic strain increases to dangerous levels (0.22 under contact, 0.1778 under bending) causing punctures and bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating an impact absorber assembly with a core and frame structure positioned between the fitting and conduit. The waveform side walls and base strap are pre-configured to deform and absorb impact energy before it reaches the conduit, reducing plastic strain from 0.22 to less than 0.0222 under contact conditions and from 0.1778 under bending conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the structural parameters of the fitting assembly through the impact absorber. The waveform shape of the side walls and the base strap configuration change the mechanical properties of the assembly, transforming it from a rigid structure vulnerable to strain into a semi-flexible structure that dissipates impact energy, thereby changing the strain parameters from dangerous levels to acceptable levels.
2Strength
If rigid structural components are used to maintain fitting integrity, then strength is preserved, but impact energy is not dissipated leading to conduit punctures and bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful impact energy into beneficial deformation of the impact absorber assembly. The waveform side walls and base strap are designed to deform under impact, converting the harmful kinetic energy into deformation energy that is dissipated through the material structure, thereby protecting the conduit and fitting from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible structural elements in the form of waveform side walls and a base strap that can deform elastically and plastically to absorb impact energy. These flexible components allow the fitting assembly to accommodate vibrations and impacts without transmitting full force to the rigid conduit, thus converting harmful rigid-structure interactions into beneficial flexible energy dissipation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional fitting designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but vulnerability to vibrations and impacts increases causing operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fitting assembly into distinct functional components: a fitting body, an impact absorber assembly with a core and frame, waveform side walls, and a base strap. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability, as each segment can be fabricated using standard automotive manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by combining different materials and structural forms in the impact absorber assembly. The core and frame may use different material properties to achieve both strength and energy absorption characteristics, creating a composite structure that provides enhanced vibration and impact resistance while remaining manufacturable through conventional automotive processes.
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 impact absorber assembly significantly reduces plastic strain on conduits and fittings, limiting strain values from 0.22 to less than 0.0222 under contact and 0.1778 under bending, thereby enhancing their durability and operational resilience.
Implementation Method 1
The frame includes a first side wall and a second side wall that are spaced apart to, at least in part, define a cavity. Each of the first side wall and the second side wall includes an intermediate portion that is configured to absorb, at least in part, the energy of an impact.
Implementation Method 2
an impact absorber assembly having a core that has an aperture to receive the air conditioning conduit. The impact absorber assembly also includes a frame having a cavity that is sized and shaped to receive the core
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus that has a conduit and an impact absorber assembly. The impact absorber assembly includes a core and a frame, where the core has an aperture configured to receive the conduit and the frame includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the core. The frame also has a first side wall and a second side wall that are spaced apart to define, at least in part, a cavity. The first and second side walls also include an intermediate portion that includes a waveform shape. The waveform shape includes at least a pair of ridges and a trough between the ridges.