Cover Port Design Application UI


The User Interface Dialog is split in seven sections. Each section controls a different portion of the Port design. These sections are as follows:

  1. Coupling Size Specs
  2. Port Location
  3. Port Boss Parameters
  4. Cuff Parameters
  5. Flow Indicator Parameters
  6. Port Ribs Parameters
  7. Got Thoughts?

Down below every section is described.

Coupling Size Specs

In this section of the dialog users can select the size of the port by the "Select Port Size" option menu. There are eight sizes available, though not all of them are used very often. As a matter of fact 5/16 and 3/8 are the more common.Additionally users can alter standard dimensions should they need to. At left side of the sizes option menu there is a " plus" button; this button brings the SAE-J2044 dialog up in which standard values can be edited.

size and manual edit

To edit Standard Values at the SAE-J2044 dialog simply switch from "Standard" to "Manual" for every parameter that needs changing; this makes the corresponding field sensitive to type in the desired value. There is a reference picture to match every parameter with the dimension it effects. Also at the right side of the dialog there is a read out section that shows the "Standard Value" for the selected size. If default "Zero" is left unchanged the "OK" button will be unavailable.

The only way to exit this dialog is clicking "OK"

manual edit dialog

WARNING: Edited values have to be within a valid range. eg: Dimension "D" must be greater than dimension "1". Any invalid input will make geometry creation or update to fail. Some invalid inputs will cause the next message to pup up; if this message is ignore it will raise again and cause an error when creating or updating the Port. 

Error mess

Port Location

Placement attributes are given from the Port feature Coordinate System and where the WCS is placed has no impact. However it is advisable to orient WCS to the "Absolute CSYS" for better reference and also to verify the Cover has been placed at the right spot as shown below.

cover position

The orientation of the port depends on three parameters:

  1. "Distance Along X" moves Port in "X" direction. 
  2. "Distance Along Y" moves Port in "Y" direction.
  3. "Port Angle From X" rotates Port about the longitudinal axis of the Boss of the Port. The angle is referenced from absolute "X" axis.

To finish placement of Port two more inputs are required:

  1. "Distance from Port Center to Cover" is the height the center of the Quick Connector Interface is at from the Cover Face the Port is seating on.
  2. "Define Port CSYS" button allows the user to define the Coordinate System for the Port Feature. if no CSYS is declared "OK" and "Apply" buttons will be insensitive.
locate port

NOTE: If Port Design Application is called by another application the "Define Port CSYS" button may be insensitive if the other application passes this information on. 


Port Boss Parameters

The boss that holds the Quick Connector interface can be controlled in three different ways. In some applications this boss has been added with a flat face under the Quick Connector interface; this additional geometry provides reinforcement and serves as a physical stop for the Connector; the Port Design Application has the option to add or not such geometry by turning on or off "Boss has Flat Face" toggle. Finally the "Boss Height Offset" input allows control over the offset height from the tangent line of the Quick Connector interface Nominal diameter; this parameter is used to align the height of all the Port present on the Cover.

boss UI Boss Geo

NOTE: If "Boss Height Offset" is minor than "Zero" or greater than "4.5" mm a message will pup up warning the user. If the message is ignored and continue to create or update the Port Feature an error will raise and creation or update of the Port will fail. When the Port feature has no Flat Face the maximum value for "Boss Height Offset" is "3.5" mm.

Boss Height Offset

Cuff Parameters

The Cuff section has been divided in 3 parts which are explained down below. Cuff design is based on drawings 25338645 (5/16), 25164799 (3/8) and 25326728 (1/2)

Cuff Size and Barbs

  1. "Select Cuff Size". There are three sizes to choose from. This option refers to the size of the tube being connected to the Cuff.
  2. "Additional Barbs". Defines the number of additional barbs. Up to two barbs can be added.
  3. "Thickness".  Sets thickness for the Cover Body at the face where the Port  is on. 

Cuff Size UI

Cuff Boss

  1. "Cuff has Boss?". Indicates whether or not the Cuff has boss at its base. This is used to extend the Cuff and yet provide physical stop to the tube.
  2. "Boss Height". Input field to specify the height of the boss should the Cuff has it. This field won't be sensitive if the "Cuff has Boss?" toggle is off.
  3. "Boss Dia". Controls Cuff Boss diameter. This value can not be minor than the diameter of the biggest barb. If this rule is not obeyed a message will pup out; if the message is ignored an error will occur during Port creation or update.
Cuff Boss UI

Cuff Ribs

  1. "Cuff has Ribs?". This toggle switches on and off ribbing for the Cuff Boss. If this option is turned off the rest parameters will be unavailable.
  2. "Number of Ribs". Up to four Ribs can be added. It also controls the availability of angle parameters. eg. If "Number of Ribs" is 2 the third and fourth angle parameters will be insensitive.
  3. "Ribs Start Angle from Port Axis". This is angle counted from Port's longitudinal axis.
  4. "Angle to R2".This input controls the angle from the Port's longitudinal axis to the second Rib.
  5. "Angle to R3".This input controls the angle from the Port's longitudinal axis to the third Rib.
  6. "Angle to R4".This input controls the angle from the Port's longitudinal axis to the fourth Rib.
Cuff Ribs UI
Cuff geo

NOTE: Ribbing for Cuff Boss will only be available if Cuff "Boss Height" is greater then 10 mm and the "Cuff has Boss?" toggle is ticked. For angle parameters refer to "Port Ribs Parameters"

Flow Indicator Parameters

The "Flow Indicator" feature indicates the direction of the flow passing through the Port. If the fuel is leaving the MRA the direction is identified as "Forward"; if the fuel is returning to the Tank direction is named as "Return" Some applications have an "Arrow" to indicate flow's direction but some others use a  "Letter" instead. Flow indicator is placed over the Port Boss. Also, the Indicator can be added to the Port but it can also be subtracted from it. For consistency with the NX Solution these options have been called as "Pad" and "Pocket " accordingly.

Indicator UI

Port Ribs Parameters

Ribbing is a common practice on molded plastic components; Ports are not the exception. The Port Design Application provides a generic type of ribs to reinforce Ports.In this section of the User Interface (UI) there are five parameters to control ribbing of Port Boss.

  1. "Port has Ribs?". This toggle switches on and off ribbing for the Port Boss. If this option is turned off the rest parameters will be unavailable.
  2. "Number of Ribs". Up to three Ribs can be added. It also controls the availability of angle parameters. eg. If "Number of Ribs" is 2 the third angle parameter will be insensitive. 
  3. "Ribs Start Angle from Port Axis". This is angle counted from Port's longitudinal axis.
  4. "Angle to R2".This input controls the angle from the Port's longitudinal axis to the second Rib.
  5. "Angle to R3".This input controls the angle from the Port's longitudinal axis to the third Rib.

Ribs UI Ribs Geo

NOTE: If Port is of size 5/8 ribbing will be disable. 

Got Thoughts?

This UI section provides means to get help. From this section user can invoke a child dialog with a reference drawing image that provides quick help by clicking the "Visual Aid" button. For more detailed information this on-line document can be accessed through the "On-line Help" button.

Help UI

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