Support Assembly

• US 20190316720A1
• Filed: 07/25/2016
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Kongsberg Actuation Systems II, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kongsberg Actuation Systems II, Inc.
• Inventors: Hidley, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 11,326,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/086 fixed with screws
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/24 for joints between metal and plastics pipes

Abstract

A support assembly (20) is disclosed. The support assembly (20) comprises a mounting bracket (22) and a coupling component (24). The mounting bracket (22) comprises a first material and has an engagement surface (26) defining a void (28) along a first axis (30). The coupling component (24) comprises a second material, which is different than the first material. The coupling component (24) has a first end (32), a second end (34), and an intermediate portion (36). The intermediate portion (36) extends through, and partially fills, the void (28) defined by the mounting bracket (22). The intermediate portion (36) defines a fluid passageway (38) about the first axis (30) within the void (28) and also presents a locking surface (40). The locking surface (40) abuts the engagement surface (26) to prevent rotation of the coupling component (24) with respect to the mounting bracket (22).

Claims

1. A support assembly, said assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket comprising a first material with said mounting bracket presenting an engagement surface defining a void along a first axis;

a coupling component comprising a second material different from said first material with said coupling component having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion with said intermediate portion extending through and partially filling said void to define a fluid passageway about said first axis through said void with said intermediate portion having an inner wall facing said fluid passageway and a locking surface abutting said engagement surface to prevent rotation of said coupling component with respect to said mounting bracket;

wherein said mounting bracket has first and second opposing surfaces and said intermediate portion has a first flange engaging said first surface and a second flange engaging said second surface to fully enclose said void.

2. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement surface defines at least one groove with said groove filled by said second material of said intermediate portion to prevent rotation of said coupling component with respect to said mounting bracket.

3. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement surface defines a plurality of grooves with said plurality of grooves filled by said second material of said intermediate portion to prevent rotation of said coupling component with respect to said mounting bracket.

4. The support assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said plurality of grooves of said engagement surface collectively define a polygonal cross-sectional profile.

5. The support assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said polygonal cross-sectional profile is selected from a triangular configuration, a rectangular configuration, an isotoxal star configuration, and combinations thereof.

6. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement surface defines a closed curve with said closed curve filled by said second material of said intermediate portion.

7. The support assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said closed curve defines a cross-sectional profile selected from an oval, an ellipse, a curved groove, and combinations thereof.

11. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement surface has an outer diameter and said first and second flanges each have outer diameters with said outer diameter of each of said first and second flanges being greater than said outer diameter of said engagement surface to fully enclose said void.

12. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inner wall defines an inner diameter of said fluid passageway and a thickness of said intermediate portion between said inner wall and said engagement surface varies between a first thickness and a second thickness.

13. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first end has a female connection.

14. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first material is a metal.

15. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second material is a polymer.

16. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling component is overmolded on said mounting bracket.

8-10. -10. (canceled)

17. A method of manufacturing a support assembly comprising the steps of:

forming a mounting bracket having an engagement surface defining a void; and

overmolding a coupling component to the mounting bracket to form a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion with the intermediate portion extending through and partially filling the void to define a fluid passageway about the first axis through the void, and forming the intermediate portion with an inner wall facing the fluid passageway and a locking surface abutting the engagement surface to prevent rotation of the coupling component with respect to the mounting bracket;

wherein the step of overmolding the coupling component includes the step of forming the intermediate portion with a first flange engaging a first surface of the mounting bracket and a second flange engaging a second surface of the mounting bracket.

19. The method of manufacturing a support assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of overmolding the coupling component includes the step of forming a variable intermediate portion having a first thickness and a second thickness between the fluid passageway and the engagement surface.

18. (canceled)

20. A fluid system for a vehicle comprising:

a hose for transporting a fluid; and

a support assembly coupled to said hose and adapted to be coupled to the vehicle, said support assembly comprising;

a mounting bracket adapted to be secured in the vehicle, said mounting bracket comprising a first material with said mounting bracket presenting an engagement surface defining a void along a first axis; and

a coupling component comprising a second material different from said first material with said coupling component having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion with said first end being coupled to said hose and said intermediate portion extending through and partially filling said void to define a fluid passageway about said first axis through said void with said intermediate portion having an inner wall facing said fluid passageway and a locking surface abutting said engagement surface to prevent rotation of said coupling component with respect to said mounting bracket;

wherein said mounting bracket has first and second opposing surfaces and said intermediate portion has a first flange engaging said first surface and a second flange engaging said second surface to fully enclose said void.

21. The fluid system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said engagement surface defines at least one groove with said groove filled by said second material of said intermediate portion to prevent rotation of said coupling component with respect to said mounting bracket and said hose.

22. The fluid system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said engagement surface defines a closed curve with said closed curve filled by said second material of said intermediate portion to prevent rotation of said coupling component with respect to said mounting bracket and said hose.

24. The fluid system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said inner wall defines an inner diameter of said fluid passageway with an inner diameter of said hose being substantially similar to said inner diameter of said fluid passageway, and a thickness of said intermediate portion between said inner wall and said engagement surface varying between a first thickness and a second thickness.

23. (canceled)