Automotive Oil Pump Pick-Up Pipe

The manufacturer of a pick-up pipe for an automotive oil pump required a Compression Limiter to reinforce their plastic component.

Due to molding concerns total hole tolerance could not be reduced to accommodate traditional press-in solutions and molding in was not an option. The customer required a cost effective Compression Limiter for post-mold installation in a large tolerance hole. The installation would be automated so nesting and interlocking of the Compression Limiter was not permissible.

Total hole tolerance presented a number of problems for the customer. First, a turned or machined solution is static and cannot compensate for changes in hole tolerance. In the minimum material condition such a solution would be difficult or impossible to install without damaging the component. In the maximum material condition there would be little or no retention. Though a roll formed tubular part could compensate for a large hole tolerance they are typically manufactured with straight gaps and are therefore prone to nesting and interlocking. Due to the short length to diameter ratio the solution would also need a broken or rounded edge to ease insertion and keep the Compression Limiter straight during installation.