Clamps with markings

Abstract

This disclosure provides a "marked clamp". A clamp includes a body, a first protrusion, and a tab. The body is configured to surround a catheter and includes a first end and a second opposing end. The first protrusion extends from the first end of the body. The tab protrudes from the second opposing end of the body. The first protrusion is concealed by the tab in response to the body being in an open position, and the first protrusion is exposed from the tab in response to the body being in a closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a marked clamp. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are provided only as background information in connection with this disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Vehicles may include multiple clamps to secure conduits (e.g., hoses) to fittings. Detecting whether each clamp has moved from an open to a closed position during visual or other forms of vehicle inspection can be challenging. This disclosure addresses these issues related to the positioning of the clamps, as well as other issues related to using clamps to secure conduits to fittings. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This section provides a general overview of this disclosure and is not a full disclosure of its entire scope or all its features.

[0005] In one embodiment, this disclosure provides a clamp including a body, a first protrusion, and a tab. The body is configured to surround a catheter and includes a first end and a second opposing end. The first protrusion extends from the first end of the body. The tab protrudes from the second opposing end of the body. The first protrusion is concealed by the tab in response to the body being in an open position, and the first protrusion is exposed from the tab in response to the body being in a closed position.

[0006] In a variation of the clamp described in the previous paragraph, which can be implemented individually or in any combination: the body is biased toward a closed position; the body defines a slot in which the first protrusion is received when the body is in the open and closed positions; the tab extends over a portion of the slot; the first protrusion has an end face including a mark; the first protrusion extends in a first direction, and the tab extends in a second direction different from the first direction; the tab is planar or arcuate; the clamp further includes a second protrusion extending from a second opposite end of the body, from which the tab extends; the second protrusion extends in the first direction, and the tab extends in a second direction different from the first direction; the clamp further includes a finger proximate to the first end of the body, the finger engaging the second protrusion in response to the body being in the open position and disengaging from the second protrusion in response to the body being in the closed position; the second protrusion extends a greater distance outward from the body than the first protrusion; and the body is arcuate.

[0007] In another embodiment, this disclosure provides a clamp including a body, a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a tab. The body is configured to surround a conduit. The body defines a slot and includes a first end and a second opposing end. The first protrusion is received in the slot of the body and extends from the first end of the body. The second protrusion extends from the second opposing end of the body. The tab extends from the second protrusion over a portion of the slot. The first protrusion is concealed by the tab in response to the body being in the open position, and the first protrusion is exposed from the tab in response to the body being in the closed position.

[0008] In a variation of the clamp described in the previous paragraph, which can be implemented individually or in any combination: a first protrusion is configured to traverse a slot when the body moves between an open and a closed position; the first protrusion has an end face including a mark; the first protrusion extends in a first direction, and the tab extends in a second direction different from the first direction; the tab is planar or arcuate; and the second protrusion extends a greater distance outward from the body than the first protrusion.

[0009] In another embodiment, this disclosure provides a method comprising: positioning a clamp onto a conduit; moving the clamp from a preset position, wherein a protrusion near a first end of the clamp is concealed by a tab near a second opposing end of the clamp to the set position, wherein the protrusion is exposed from the tab; and identifying the protrusion in response to the clamp being moved to the set position. In one embodiment, identifying the protrusion comprises identifying the protrusion using a camera.

[0010] Further applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the descriptions and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To better understand this disclosure, various forms of the disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a clamp arranged around the catheter in the open position according to the principles of this disclosure; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the clamps surrounding the catheter in the closed position; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the clamp in the open position; Figure 4 yes Figure 1An end view of the fixture in the open position; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the clamp in its closed position; Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An end view of the fixture in the closed position; Figure 7 It shows including Figure 1 A block diagram of the components of the clamping system; and Figure 8 It describes the method for detecting according to the teachings of this disclosure. Figure 1 The flowchart shows the algorithm for determining the position of the fixture.

[0012] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or its uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0014] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image shows clamp 10. Clamp 10 may be positioned above the first conduit 12 (e.g., pipe, fitting, or sleeve) of vehicle 14, and may be in an open position ( Figure 1 That is, the preset position and the closed position. Figure 2 The first conduit 12 can move between two positions (i.e., the set position). In the open position, a portion of the first conduit 12 can contact the second conduit 16 (e.g., a pipe, fitting, or sleeve), and the first conduit 12 and the second conduit 16 can move relative to each other. In the closed position, a larger portion of the first conduit 12 can contact the second conduit 16, and the first conduit 12 and the second conduit 16 can be prevented from moving relative to each other. In this way, the clamp 10 provides a clamping force to the first conduit 12 and the second conduit 16. In the example shown, the second conduit 16 is at least partially received within the first conduit 12. In one form, the first conduit 12 and the second conduit 16 can be made of different materials. That is, the first conduit 12 can be rubber, and the second conduit 16 can be metal. It should be understood that the vehicle 14 can be an electric vehicle (e.g., a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV), or a fuel cell vehicle) or a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (i.e., an ICE vehicle). This application can be used outside the automotive industry (washing machines, appliances, construction, etc.). It should also be understood that the first conduit 12 and the second conduit 16 may be, for example, conduits containing fluid or conduits containing electrical components (e.g., wires).

[0015] As will be described in more detail below, the clamp 10 provides enhanced visibility for detection between an open and closed position. In one embodiment, an operator can detect between the open and closed positions of the clamp 10. In another embodiment, a sensor (e.g., a camera or other vision system) can detect between the open and closed positions of the clamp 10.

[0016] In the example shown, clamp 10 can be a single, integral component and can be made of metal. In some forms, clamp 10 may include multiple components assembled together. (Reference) Figures 3 to 6 The clamp 10 includes a body 20, a first protrusion 22 and a second protrusion 24, fingers 26, and tabs or marks 28. In the example shown, the body 20 is arcuate. In other words, the body 20 has a generally circular shape and a biasing force that biases the body 20 toward a closed position. The body 20 defines one or more slots 30, 32 and has a first end 34a and a second opposing end 34b. The slot 30 can open through the second end 34b such that the slot 30 receives the first protrusion 22, which will be described in more detail below. The body 20 also defines an inner cylindrical surface 36a and an outer cylindrical surface 36b. The slot 30 also opens through the inner cylindrical surface 36a and the outer cylindrical surface 36b. The length (i.e., axial length) of the second end 34b of the body 20 is greater than the length of the first end 34a of the body 20. In this way, the first end 34a of the body 20 can be received in the slot 30 formed near or at the second end 34b.

[0017] Continue to refer to Figures 3 to 6 The first protrusion 22 extends from the body 20 in a direction away from the center of the body 20. In the example shown, the first protrusion 22 extends radially from the first end 34a of the body 20. The first protrusion 22 is also received in a slot 30 of the body 20 and is configured to traverse the slot 30 when the clamp 10 moves between an open position and a closed position. That is, when the clamp 10 is in the open position ( Figure 3 When the first protrusion 22 is located at the open end of the slot 30 passing through the end 34b of the body 20, and when the clamp 10 is in the closed position (compare...), the first protrusion 22 can be located at the open end of the slot 30 passing through the body 20, and when the clamp 10 is in the closed position (compare...). Figure 3 and Figure 5When the clamp 10 is in the closed position, the protrusion 22 may be located at or near the opposite end of the slot 30. The end surface of the first protrusion 22 may include a mark 38 to aid in identification of the first protrusion 22 when the clamp 10 is in the closed position. In this way, it may aid in detecting the clamp 10 in the closed position. In one embodiment, the mark 38 may include a material such as a printing material. In one embodiment, the printing material may include a glossy coating (e.g., a long or short afterglow, phosphorescent coating) that illuminates in response to exposure to light (e.g., sunlight, blue light, or ultraviolet A (UVA) light).

[0018] The second protrusion 24 extends from the body 20 in a direction away from the center of the body 20. In the example shown, the second protrusion 24 extends from the second end 34b of the body 20 in a generally radial direction. The second protrusion 24 extends outward from the body 20 by a greater distance than the first protrusion 22. The second protrusion 24 includes opposing arms 40 and one or more connecting members 42. The connecting members 42 may be spaced apart from each other and may connect the opposing arms 40 to each other.

[0019] Finger 26 extends from the body 20 near the first end 34a. In other words, finger 26 extends from the body 20 away from its center. Finger 26 is configured to engage one side of the second protrusion 24 when the clamp 10 is in the open position, and is configured to engage the other side (i.e., the bottom) of the second protrusion 24 when the clamp 10 is in the closed position. That is, a tool (not shown) can actuate finger 26 to move finger 26 from one side of connecting member 42 to the other side of connecting member 24. This, in turn, allows a biasing force to move the clamp 10 toward the closed position (compare to...). Figure 4 and Figure 6 The finger 26 is located on one side of the second protrusion 24 when the clamp 10 is in the open position, and on the opposite side of the second protrusion 24 when the clamp 10 is in the closed position.

[0020] In the illustrated example, tab 28 extends from the end of second protrusion 24 above at least a portion of slot 30. In some forms, tab 28 extends from second protrusion 24 at a location between the ends of second protrusion 24. First protrusion 22 and mark 38 are concealed by tab 28 in response to clamp 10 being in the open position (i.e., tab 28 covers the end face of first protrusion 22 such that first protrusion 22 and mark 38 are below tab 28), and exposed from tab 28 in response to clamp 10 being in the closed position. In the illustrated example, tab 28 is a thin metallic material with a planar shape (i.e., the thickness of tab 28 may be less than the thickness of body 20). In some forms, tab 28 has an arcuate shape. As shown in the figures, tab 28 extends in a direction different from that of first protrusion 22 and second protrusion 24. Tab 28 is spaced apart from first protrusion 22 and spaced apart from body 20 of clamp 10. It should be understood that the position of the tab 28 remains unchanged as the clamp 10 moves between the open position and the second position. In this way, the first protrusion 22 moves relative to the tab 28. The tab 28 has a predetermined length that conceals the first protrusion 22 when the clamp 10 is in the open position and exposes the first protrusion 22 when the clamp 10 is in the closed position.

[0021] refer to Figure 7 One or more sensors 50 may be disposed in the area of ​​the clamp 10 and may be configured to detect the position of the clamp 10. That is, the sensors 50 are configured to detect the mark 38 on the first protrusion 22 when the clamp 10 is moved to the closed position. In one form, the sensor 50 may be a camera, a region reflective sensor, or any other device capable of detecting or identifying the mark 38 on the first protrusion 22. The controller 52 may communicate with the sensors 50 and may receive data from the sensors 50. The controller 52 may also instruct the sensors 50 to acquire data from the clamp 10 and may also warn or notify the user when the clamp 10 has been moved to the closed position (i.e., when the sensors 50 have detected the mark 38 on the clamp 10). The clamp 10, the sensors 50, and the controller 52 form a system for identifying or detecting the position of the clamp 10.

[0022] refer to Figure 8A method 100 for detecting the position of a clamp 10 will be described in detail. In one embodiment, the method can begin once the clamp 10 is moved to a predetermined area within the manufacturing facility. At 104, the clamp 10 is positioned onto a first conduit 12. At 108, the first conduit 12 is coupled to a second conduit 16 (e.g., positioned above the second conduit 16). It should be understood that in some embodiments, the first conduit 12 is coupled to the second conduit 16 before the clamp 10 is positioned onto it. At 112, the clamp 10 is moved from a preset position to a set position, as described above. In this way, a first protrusion 22 is exposed from a tab 28. At 116, the first protrusion 22 is identified. In one embodiment, the first protrusion 22 can be manually identified by an operator. In another embodiment, the first protrusion 22 can be identified using a controller 52 and a sensor 50. A mark 38 on the first protrusion 22 aids in the identification / detection of the first protrusion 22.

[0023] The clamp 10 of this disclosure, including tabs 28 and markers 38, provides enhanced visibility for detection between open and closed positions. In one embodiment, the operator can detect between the open and closed positions of the clamp 10. In another embodiment, a sensor (e.g., a camera) can detect between the open and closed positions of the clamp 10. In one embodiment, the clamp 10 may be a pre-opening pre-positioning (popp) clamp.

[0024] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values ​​indicating mechanical / thermal properties, percentage of composition, dimensions and / or tolerances or other characteristics should be understood as being modified by the words “about” or “approximately” when describing the scope of this disclosure. Such modification is desired for various reasons, including: industrial practice; material, manufacturing and assembly tolerances; and testing capabilities.

[0025] As used herein, the phrases A, B, and C at least one should be interpreted as representing logic (A or B or C) using the non-exclusive logic "or", and should not be interpreted as representing "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C".

[0026] In this application, the terms “controller” and / or “module” may refer to, be part of, or include the following: application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; composable logic circuit; field-programmable gate array (FPGA); processor circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes code; memory circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that stores code executed by the processor circuitry; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or combinations of some or all of the foregoing, such as in a system-on-a-chip.

[0027] The term memory is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term computer-readable medium does not cover transient electrical or electromagnetic signals propagated through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); therefore, the term computer-readable medium can be considered tangible and non-transient. Non-limiting examples of non-transient tangible computer-readable media include non-volatile memory circuits (such as flash memory circuits, erasable programmable read-only memory circuits, or mask read-only circuits), volatile memory circuits (such as static random access memory circuits or dynamic random access memory circuits), magnetic storage media (such as analog magnetic tape or digital magnetic tape or hard disk drives), and optical storage media (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs).

[0028] The apparatus and methods described in this application can be implemented, in part or in whole, by a dedicated computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to perform one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. Function blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications that can be translated into computer programs through the routine work of a technician or programmer.

[0029] The description in this disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and therefore, variations without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are intended to be made within its scope. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0030] According to the present invention, a clamp is provided having: a body configured to surround a conduit, the body defining a slot and including a first end and a second opposite end; a first protrusion received in the slot of the body and extending from the first end of the body; a second protrusion extending from the second opposite end of the body; and a tab extending from the second protrusion over a portion of the slot, wherein the first protrusion is concealed by the tab in response to the body being in the open position, and the first protrusion is exposed from the tab in response to the body being in the closed position.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the first protrusion is configured to traverse the slot when the body moves between the open position and the closed position.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the first protrusion has an end face including a mark.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the first protrusion extends in a first direction, and the tab extends in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the tabs are planar or arc-shaped.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the second protrusion extends a greater distance outward from the body than the first protrusion.

Claims

1. A clamp comprising: A body configured to surround a catheter and including a first end and a second opposite end; A first protrusion extends from the first end of the body; as well as A tab, the tab being located near the second opposing end of the body. The first protrusion is hidden by the tab in response to the body being in the open position, and the first protrusion is exposed from the tab in response to the body being in the closed position.

2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the body is biased toward the closed position.

3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the body defines a slot, and wherein the first protrusion is received in the slot when the body is in the open position and the closed position.

4. The clamp of claim 3, wherein the tab extends over a portion of the slot.

5. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion has an end face including a mark.

6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion extends in a first direction and the tab extends in a second direction different from the first direction.

7. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the tab is planar or arcuate.

8. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the second protrusion extends from the second opposite end of the body, and wherein the tab extends from the second protrusion.

9. The clamp of claim 8, wherein the second protrusion extends in a first direction and the tab extends in a second direction different from the first direction.

10. The clamp of claim 8, further comprising a finger near the first end of the body, the finger engaging the second protrusion in response to the body being in the open position and disengaging from the second protrusion in response to the body being in the closed position.

11. The clamp of claim 8, wherein the second protrusion extends a greater distance outward from the body than the first protrusion.

12. The clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is arc-shaped.

13. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the body further defines a slot, and the first protrusion is configured to traverse the slot as the body moves between the open position and the closed position.

14. A method comprising: Set the clamp onto the conduit; The clamp is moved from a preset position, in which the protrusion near the first end of the clamp is hidden by the tab near the second opposite end of the clamp to a set position, in which the protrusion is exposed from the tab; as well as The protrusion is identified in response to the clamp being moved to the set position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein identifying the protrusion includes identifying the protrusion with a camera.

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