HEAT SHRINK CLAMPING SYSTEM FOR JOINING TWO OR MORE FLUID CONDUITS IN A VEHICLE

Abstract

A vehicle includes a prime mover including at least two fluid conduits, and a heat shrink sleeve provided around the at least two fluid conduits. The heat shrink tube forms a conduit bundle of the at least two fluid conduits.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a prime mover including at least two fluid conduits; and a heat shrink sleeve provided around the at least two fluid conduits, the heat shrink tube forming a conduit bundle of the at least two fluid conduits.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least two fluid conduits are formed from a material including rubber.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least two fluid conduits are formed from a metal.

4. A method of forming a fluid conduit bundle in a vehicle comprising: aligning two or more fluid conduits; placing a heat shrink sleeve over a portion of the two or more conduits; and applying heat to the heat shrink sleeve to join the two or more fluid conduits into a conduit bundle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:

[0011] The FIGURE depicts a vehicle including at least two fluid conduits joined by a heat shrink sleeve forming a conduit bundle, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawing, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0013] A vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is illustrated at 10 in the FIGURE. Vehicle 10 includes a system 12 such as a prime mover 14. Prime mover 14 may take on a variety of forms including internal combustion engines, electric motors, and hybrid motors. System 12 includes a first fluid conduit 18 and a second fluid conduit 20. The number, location, and purpose of fluid conduits may vary. First and/or second fluid conduits 18 and 20 may be formed from a material that includes rubber, metal, plastic, or combinations thereof. First and second fluid conduits 18 and 20 may be joined by a heat shrink sleeve 24 to form a conduit bundle 28.

[0014] Heat shrink sleeve 24 may take on a variety of forms, lengths, and materials. The particular length may vary depending upon conduit bundle requirements. The particular material may vary depending upon environmental factors. For example, exposure to particular chemicals, temperatures, and other environmental factors may have an impact on a particular material choice. In accordance with an exemplary aspect, heat shrink sleeve 24 may be formed out of a material that can withstand substantially continuous exposure to temperatures in excess of about 200 C. Conversely, clips, as used in the prior art, may only withstand substantially continuous exposure to temperatures of about 105 C.

[0015] In accordance with an exemplary aspect, first and second fluid conduits 18 and 20 may be aligned or placed side-by-side. Heat shrink sleeve 24 may be placed about first and second conduits 18 and 20. Heat may then be applied to heat shrink sleeve 24. The application of heat causes heat shrink sleeve 24 to contract forming conduit bundle 28. It is to be understood that the number of conduits joined to form conduit bundle 28 may vary. It also to be understood that heat shrink sleeves may include a thickness that is considerable less than that of a clip thereby leading to greater under hood space. Further, as a heat shrink sleeve may be cut to various lengths, the need to carry multiple different clips in inventory is eliminated thereby leading to a cost savings.

[0016] The terms about and substantially are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, about and substantially can include a range of 8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

[0017] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

[0018] While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.