Clamping ring for fastening pipe
By designing the clamping ring of a single part, using strips, levers and clamp structures, the complex problem of pipe installation in heating and ventilation systems is solved, reducing costs and time, adapting to different pipe diameters, and providing support through cut structures, improving Installation flexibility and stability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410729723.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-05-22
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-06
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-10
AI Technical Summary
In existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, the installation of pipes is complex and time-consuming, especially non-perfect cylindrical or wide manufacturing tolerances, which lead to difficult installation, and the multi-piece design of pipe fasteners leads to high manufacturing costs and complex assembly. .
Design a single part clamping ring consisting of strips, levers and clips, connected by a split connector, the strips and levers are disconnected during movement, the clips grasp the strips, and the lever pushes the ends of the strips, clamping The ring adapts to different pipe diameters through the cut structure and includes a locking structure to prevent accidental opening.
Tube fasteners made of single parts are realized, reducing production costs, avoiding component breakage and assembly time, adapting to different pipe diameters, and providing additional support through cut structures, improving installation flexibility and stability.
Smart Images
Figure CN119103419A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a clamping ring for fastening a pipe. Background Art
[0002] Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems require the interconnection of multiple pipes. This can be time consuming and difficult because such systems are often installed in confined spaces.
[0003] Another problem arises when the tube is not perfectly cylindrical or is manufactured with wide tolerances, which results in slight variations that the installer needs to account for.
[0004] Pipe fasteners can be complex, multi-piece fittings that are difficult to handle. A system may require a large number of such fasteners, which are expensive to manufacture due to their multiple individual parts. Summary of the invention
[0005] According to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a clamping ring for fastening a tube, the clamping ring comprising a strip, a lever and a clip, wherein the strip is attached to the lever and the lever is attached to the clip, the clip is arranged to grip the strip, and, in the case where the lever grips the strip, the lever is arranged to push the opposite ends of the strip towards each other; wherein the clamping ring is made of a single part, the strip, the lever and the clip are connected to each other by separate connections, and these separate connections are disconnected when the strip, the lever and the clip move relative to each other. Making the tube fastener from a single part greatly reduces production costs because multiple different processes are not required. In addition, there is no risk of breakage of the individual components of the tube fastener during transportation, and time is saved because the user of the fastener does not need to assemble the tube fastener or prepare the tube fastener for use. Suitably, the strip comprises an inner strand and an outer strand connected at opposite ends, the outer strand being longer than the inner strand. The arrangement of multiple strands enables the clamping ring to accommodate different tube diameters. Since the inner strands are shorter, they can accommodate tubes with relatively smaller circumferences than the outer strands can accommodate.
[0006] The inner strands may expand, stretch or otherwise deform to conform to a tube of larger circumference, down to a tube of circumference matching the length of the outer strands.
[0007] Preferably, the inner strand and / or the outer strand include one or more cutout structures between the inner strand and the outer strand. The cutout structures may be convex or concave. Matching cutout structures may be arranged on each of the outer strand and the inner strand. A concave cutout structure may be paired with a convex cutout structure. The cutout structures provide additional material between the strands, whereby if a tube having a circumference less than the length of the outer strand is placed in the clamping ring and the clamping ring is in a closed position, the cutout structure on one strand contacts the opposing strand or opposing cutout structure, which enables the opposing strand to provide additional structural support and avoid component redundancy.
[0008] Preferably, at least one cutout structure in the clamping ring is convex.
[0009] Preferably, at least one cutout structure in the clamping ring is concave.
[0010] Preferably, at least one matching cutout structure is arranged on each of the outer strands and the inner strands.
[0011] Preferably, at least one female cutout structure is paired with at least one male cutout structure.
[0012] Suitably, the strap comprises a locking structure arranged to prevent movement of the lever when the clamping ring is placed in the closed position. The locking movement of the lever when the clamping ring is in the closed position is advantageous in preventing accidental opening of the clamping ring due to shock or vibration.
[0013] Preferably, a first breakaway connection is provided at a first pivot point between the strap and the lever, and a second breakaway connection is provided at a second pivot point between the lever and the clip.
[0014] If the user must (if necessary) rotate the lever, clip and strap about the pivot point to adjust the clamping ring, this arrangement of the breakaway connector ensures that no additional operation is required by the user to disconnect the breakaway connector.
[0015] Preferably, the clip comprises a hook designed to engage with a hook on the strap to grip the strap.
[0016] Preferably, the clip hook and the strap hook each include a radial or circumferential projection to inhibit lateral movement between the clip and the strap.
[0017] Preferably, the clip hook and the strap hook each comprise a pair of hook portions which are radially and / or circumferentially offset relative to each other to provide a radial or circumferential protrusion.
[0018] Preferably, the clip hook includes a reinforcing ridge along at least a portion of its length.
[0019] Preferably, the clip hook comprises, over at least a portion of its length, lateral reinforcing ridges perpendicular to the reinforcing ridges.
[0020] Preferably, the strap includes, over at least a portion of its length, ridges projecting from its inner surface to engage the outer surface of the tube to which the clamping ring is fastened.
[0021] Suitably, the strip comprises a tongue arranged to guide and / or retain the clip, and optionally wherein the tongue comprises a guide wall, and further optionally or alternatively the tongue comprises a ramp.
[0022] Preferably, the strap includes one or more couplings connecting the inner strands to the outer strands. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024] [ Figure 1 ] illustrates a clamping ring in an open position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] [ Figure 2 ] illustrates a clamping ring in a closed position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] [ Figure 3 ] illustrates a close-up view of a portion of a clamping ring according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] [ Figure 4 ] shows a cross-section of a clamping ring according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] [ Figure 5 ] shows a clamping ring in an open position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] [ Figure 6 ] shows a clamping ring in an open position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] [ Figure 7 ] illustrates a clamping ring in a closed position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0031] [ Figure 8 ] shows A. a clamping ring in an open position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, B. a clamping ring in a semi-closed position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, and C. a clamping ring in a closed position according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] For convenience and not limitation, a number of terms are used in the following description. The words "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "lower", and "downward" refer to directions referenced in the drawings and to the components described when assembled and installed. The words "inward", "inwardly", "outwardly", and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described elements, respectively, and the specific meanings are apparent from the context of the specification.
[0033] In addition, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include a direct connection between two elements without other components intervening therebetween, as well as an indirect connection between elements with one or more other elements interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.
[0034] Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," and "third," etc. merely indicates that different instances of similar objects are referenced and does not imply that the objects so described are necessarily in a given order temporally, spatially, hierarchically, or in any other manner.
[0035] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same features.
[0036] The component is able to secure the tube or pipe with pressure distributed over the entire circumference.
[0037] The component is capable of fixing a tube or pipe with a pressure distributed over the entire periphery. The component consists of a retaining member comprising a strip, a tensioning lever element and a clamp element. These three components are injection molded in a single operation using small connectors that can be disconnected when locked onto the tube to be fixed. Due to the movement between the individual components around their rotation axis, the tensioning lever device is able to obtain a high clamping force. The retaining part can be provided with several cutout structures to adjust the clamping force. The strip portion that is in contact with the tube to be fixed has the advantage of being flexible and conforming to the shape of the tube that may be slightly deformed. A small locking clip attached to the retaining part prevents accidental opening of the tensioning lever. Exemplary application: for heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning systems for motor vehicles.
[0038] Figure 1 A perspective view of the clamping ring 102 in an open position is shown. The clamping ring 102 comprises a strap 104, a lever 106 and a clip 108 connected to one another. The strap 104 is connected to the lever 106 via a first pivot point 116. The lever 106 is then itself connected to the clip 108 via a second pivot point 118. The strap 104, the lever 106 and the clip 108 can rotate relative to one another about the first pivot point 116 and the second pivot point 118.
[0039] One or both of the first pivot point 116 and the second pivot point 118 may be provided with a support area, ie, a body of additional material, arranged to contact the lever 106 when the clip 102 is moved from the open position to the closed position.
[0040] The strip 104 is made of an inner strand 110 and an outer strand 112 connected at respective ends. The strip 104 has a substantially open circular shape. Due to its substantially circular shape, the outer strand 112 is necessarily longer than the inner strand 110, and the two strands generally follow a circular path. The diameter of the circular path followed by the inner strand 110 is smaller than the diameter of the circular path followed by the outer strand 112.
[0041] The strap 104 (and the corresponding inner and outer strands 110, 112) are made of a resilient material, such as metal or plastic, and are capable of bending or deforming to guide the corresponding ends from a separated position to a relatively close position, thereby forming a closed circle.
[0042] The strap 104 further includes a locking structure 114, which is shown as being located on the outer strand 112, but it is apparent that the locking structure 114 may also be located at other suitable locations on the clamping ring 102. The purpose of the locking structure is to prevent the movement of the lever 106 when the clamping ring 102 is in the closed position, so the locking structure 114 may be disposed at any location on the clamping ring 102 that can achieve this function.
[0043] The inner strand 110 and the outer strand 112 include notch structures 120. The notch structures 120 are arranged on opposite sides of the inner strand 110 and the outer strand 112 so that the notch structures 120 of one strand interfere with or otherwise interact with the notch structures 120 of the other strand or strands. These notch structures allow the two strands to provide a support function regardless of whether the tube inserted into the clamping ring 102 has a circumference comparable to that of the outer strand 112.
[0044] Preferably, at least the inner strands 110 are capable of expanding or otherwise deforming to accommodate a range of pipe circumferences, which enables the clamping ring 102 to be effectively coupled to pipes having reduced manufacturing tolerances or deformed pipes.
[0045] The clip 108 is provided with a gripping device (such as a hook) with which the clip can grip one end of the strip 104, for example via a matching recess, so that the clip 108 can push the one end of the strip 104 towards the other end under the action of the lever 106. In this example, the clip 108 includes a hook 180 designed to engage with the hook 140 on the strip 104 to grip the strip 104.
[0046] Lever 106 is disposed between clip 108 and strap 104, connecting and engaging the various components via first and second pivot points 116, 118. Lever 106 provides a means for pushing the ends of strap 104 together via clip 108 and placing clamping ring 102 in a closed position.
[0047] Once in the closed position, the lever may be stopped by a locking structure 114. The locking structure 114 may be reversible, and one possible embodiment includes providing a pawl on the outer strand 112 and providing matching teeth on the lever 106, such as Figure 1 The locking structure 114 can be released by releasing the pawl teeth, and the clamping ring 102 can be returned to the open position, thereby enabling maintenance of the pipes connected using the clamping ring 102.
[0048] Figure 2 Shown in closed position Figure 1 The clamp ring 102 in the clamping ring 108. The clip 108 grasps the strap 104, and the respective ends of the strap 104 are pulled into close proximity with each other so that the strap 104 forms a generally closed circle. The lever 106 is placed in a locked position, where the lever engages the locking structure 114.
[0049] Figure 3 1 is a close-up view of a first pivot point 116 and a second pivot point 118 on the clamping ring 102 between the strap 104, the lever 106, and the clip 108. At the first pivot point 116 and the second pivot point 118, there is a breakaway connection 312 between the strap 104, the lever 106, and the clip 108. Such a breakaway connection 312 allows the clamping ring 102 to be manufactured in a single manufacturing step, such as by casting or injection molding. The breakaway connection 312 forms a passage through which material can flow from one component to another, thereby ensuring that the complete clamping ring 102 is formed in a single manufacturing step.
[0050] It will be appreciated that more than one breakaway connector 312 may be provided between each point, even though the number of breakaway connectors 312 is limited by the need for the user to be able to manually disconnect the breakaway connectors 312. Too many breakaway connectors 312 may hinder the user from being able to operate the clamping ring 102 or require tools to operate, which may compromise the ease of use of the clamping ring and / or the speed with which the clamping ring can be operated. Figure 3 3. Three separate connectors 312 are shown by way of example at each pivot point.
[0051] To make them easier to disconnect, the breakaway connections 312 may include tapered sections (including less material), which makes them easier to disconnect.
[0052] It will be appreciated that the breakaway connectors 312 may be located anywhere between the strip 104, lever 106, and clamp 108 as long as the breakaway connectors 312 can perform their function as passages through which material can flow, thereby enabling the complete clamping ring 102 to be formed in a single manufacturing step.
[0053] exist Figure 3, the breakaway connector 312 is shown at the first pivot point 116 and the second pivot point 118 because the user must rotate these parts relative to each other during normal use of the clamping ring 102, which means that the user does not need any special movement, rotation or operation to disconnect the breakaway connector 312.
[0054] Figure 4 A cross section is shown through the pivot point of the clamping ring 102. The components may be a lever 106 and a strap 104, or a lever 106 and a clip 108. This does not matter as the functionality described herein is the same for all components.
[0055] The breakaway connection 312 is shown in cross-section spanning the gap between portions of the clamp ring 102 at the first pivot point 116 .
[0056] To make it easier to disconnect the breakaway connector 312 , the thickness of the breakaway connector 312 is reduced compared to the thickness of the component it connects.
[0057] Figures 5 to 7 A clamping ring 202 according to another example is shown, which is similar to Figures 1 to 4 The clamping ring 102 in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1, wherein similar features are indicated by the same reference numerals plus 100. The clamping ring 202 according to this example is similar to the Figures 1 to 4 The clamping ring in FIG. 2 differs in that the hook 280 of the clip 208 and the hook 240 of the strap 204 each include a radial or circumferential pitch 281 , 241 to inhibit lateral movement between the clip 208 and the strap 204 .
[0058] More specifically, the hook 280 of the clip 208 and the hook 240 of the strap 204 each include a pair of hook portions 282 , 283 , 242 , 243 that are radially and / or circumferentially offset relative to each other to provide radial or circumferential elevations 281 , 241 .
[0059] In this example, the hook 280 of the clip 108 also includes a reinforcing ridge 284 over at least a portion of its length and a lateral reinforcing ridge 285 perpendicular to the reinforcing ridge 284 over at least a portion of its length.
[0060] The strap 204 also includes, over at least a portion of its length, ridges 244 projecting from an inner surface 245 of the strap to engage the outer surface of the tube to which the clamping ring is secured.
[0061] The lever 206 also includes an inner ridge 260 to reduce play and sideways movement when the clamp ring 202 is closed and the lever is closed. It makes the entire assembly more stable.
[0062] Figure 8A clamping ring 302 according to another example is shown, which is similar to Figures 1 to 7 1 and 2, wherein like reference numerals denote like features. The clamping ring 302 further comprises a tongue 391 attached to the outer strand 112 and arranged so that the tip of the tongue 391 is adjacent to the strap hook 140. The purpose of the tongue 391 is to act as a guide for the clip 108 to ensure that the clip is properly advanced toward and engaged with the strap hook 140, and also to keep the clip 108 connected to the strap hook 140, for example, when the clamping ring 302 is transported, thereby maintaining the clamping ring 302 in a semi-closed position. In the presence of the tongue 391, the breakaway connector 312 may be omitted.
[0063] In this way, the tongue 391 means that the clamping ring 302 can be installed one-handedly, as the tongue 391 guides the clip 108 into position. This effect can be further enhanced by providing an optional sidewall 394 or wall on the tongue to ensure correct lateral positioning of the clip 108 and / or providing an optional ramp 393 to ensure that the tongue 391 easily captures the clip 108. Here, "laterally" means movement in a direction that is substantially perpendicular or at least non-parallel to the intended direction of movement of the clip 108 (i.e., towards and away from the strap hook 104).
[0064] The tongue 391 is formed of a resilient material so that once the clip 108 is captured by the tongue 391 , the clip is pushed by the tongue towards the clamping ring 302 .
[0065] One or more connectors 392 may also be optionally provided between the outer strands 112 and the inner strands 119. The connectors connect the strands at a location intermediate the ends being connected (see discussion above) to increase the rigidity of the entire clamping ring 302. The increased rigidity helps the end user assemble and retain the collar. The one or more connectors 392 may also prevent the clamping ring 302 from plastic deformation when the clamping ring 302 is placed in the closed position.
[0066] Those skilled in the art will note that the examples detailed above are described by way of example only and are by no means limiting, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Various changes may be made to the detailed examples described above.
[0067] In the specification and claims of this application document, the words "include" and "comprise" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and are not intended to exclude (and do not exclude) other fragments, additives, components, wholes or steps. In this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the singular includes the plural. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, unless the context requires otherwise, this specification should be understood to cover the plural as well as the singular.
[0068] Any feature, whole, characteristic, compound, chemical fragment or grouping described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the present invention should be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example defined herein, unless inconsistent therewith. All features described in this specification section, and / or all steps of any method or process described thereby can be combined in any combination, except that at least some of these features and / or steps are mutually exclusive combinations. The present invention is not limited to the details of the aforementioned embodiments. The present invention extends to any new feature or feature combination described in this specification section, or to any new step or step combination in any method or process described thereby.
[0069] List of Reference Numerals
[0070] Clamping ring 102
[0071] Strip 104
[0072] Leverage 106
[0073] Clip 108
[0074] Domestic stocks 110
[0075] Foreign shares 112
[0076] Locking structure 114
[0077] First Pivot Point 116
[0078] Second Pivot Point 118
[0079] Cut structure 120
[0080] Clip hook 180
[0081] Strip hook 140
[0082] Separate connector 312
[0083] Clamping ring 202
[0084] Strip 204
[0085] Leverage 206
[0086] Clip 208
[0087] Domestic stocks 210
[0088] Foreign shares 212
[0089] Locking structure 214
[0090] First Pivot Point 216
[0091] Second Pivot Point 218
[0092] Cut structure 220
[0093] Strip hook 240
[0094] The radial or circumferential protrusion 241 of the strap hook
[0095] Strip hook portion 242
[0096] Strip hook portion 243
[0097] Strip Ridge 244
[0098] Strip inner surface 245
[0099] Lever inner ridge 260
[0100] Clip hook 280
[0101] The radial or circumferential protrusion 281 of the strap hook
[0102] Clip hook part 282
[0103] Clip hook part 283
[0104] Strengthening ridge 284
[0105] Lateral reinforcement ridge 285
[0106] Clamping ring 302
[0107] Tongue 391
[0108] Connector 392
[0109] Slope 393
[0110] Guide wall 394
Claims
1. A clamping ring (102) for fastening a pipe, the clamping ring (102) comprising: strap (104), lever (106) and clip (108), wherein the strap (104) is attached to the lever (106), and the lever (106) is attached to the clip (108), The clamp (108) is arranged to grasp the strip (104), and, with the lever (106) grasping the strip (104), the lever (106) is arranged to push opposite ends of the strip (104) toward each other; The clamping ring (102) is made in a single piece, and the strip (104), the lever (106) and the clip (108) are connected to each other by a separate connecting piece (312), and the separate connecting piece is disconnected when the strip (104), the lever (106) and the clip (108) move relative to each other.
2. The clamping ring according to claim 1, characterized in that The strip includes an inner strand (110) and an outer strand (112) connected at opposite ends, the outer strand (112) being longer than the inner strand (110).
3. The clamping ring according to claim 2, characterized in that The inner strand (110) and / or the outer strand (112) include one or more cutout structures (120) located between the inner strand (110) and the outer strand (112).
4. The clamping ring according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one cutout structure (120) is convex.
5. The clamping ring according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that At least one cutout structure (120) is concave.
6. The clamping ring according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that At least one matching cutout structure (120) is disposed on each of the outer strand (112) and the inner strand (110).
7. The clamping ring according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that At least one concave cutout structure (120) mates with at least one convex cutout structure (120).
8. Clamping ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The strap (104) includes a locking structure (114) arranged to prevent movement of the lever (106) when the clamping ring (102) is placed in a closed position.
9. The clamping ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A first breakaway connector (312) is disposed at a first pivot point (116) between the strap and the lever, and a second breakaway connector (312) is disposed at a second pivot point (118) between the lever (106) and the clip (108).
10. The clamping ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clip (108, 208) includes a hook (180, 280) for engaging a hook (140, 240) on the strap (104, 204) to grasp the strap (104, 204).
11. The clamping ring according to claim 10, characterized in that The hook (280) of the clip (208) and the hook (240) of the strip (204) each include a radial or circumferential protrusion (281, 241) to inhibit lateral movement between the clip (208) and the strip (204), and optionally, wherein the hook (280) of the clip (208) and the hook (240) of the strip (204) each include a pair of hook portions (282, 283, 242, 243) radially and / or circumferentially offset relative to each other to provide the radial or circumferential protrusion (281, 241).
12. The clamping ring according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The hook (280) of the clip (108) includes a reinforcing ridge (284) over at least a portion of its length, and optionally, the hook (280) of the clip (108) includes a lateral reinforcing ridge (285) perpendicular to the reinforcing ridge (284) over at least a portion of its length.
13. The clamping ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The strip (204) includes, over at least a portion of its length, ridges (244) projecting from its inner surface (245) for engaging the outer surface of a tube to which the clamping ring is secured.
14. The clamping ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The strip (104) comprises a tongue (391) arranged to guide and / or retain the clip, and optionally, wherein the tongue (391) comprises a guide wall (394), and further optionally or alternatively, the tongue (391) comprises a ramp (393).
15. The clamping ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The strap (104) includes one or more couplings connecting the inner strand (110) to the outer strand (112).