Angled Clamping Jaw Clip for Thermal Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamps, especially those used in high-temperature applications, face issues with internal stress and deformation due to temperature changes, leading to unreliable clamping forces and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

The clamp features inclined clamping jaws with a reinforcing line and a rotation device, along with a friction-reducing coating on the screw bolt, to minimize internal tensions and ensure reliable clamping even under temperature variations, allowing for higher and more reproducible clamping forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional clamping jaws are used without reinforcing lines, then the clamp structure is simpler, but internal stresses increase under temperature changes leading to unreliable clamping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping reliabilityVSAvoidclamp structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing line acts as a stress distribution element that prevents uneven deformation and internal tension buildup in the clamping jaw during thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining structural integrity and clamping reliability under temperature variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping jaw is formed as a composite structure with the reinforcing line integrated into the jaw body, creating a multi-component design that enhances structural stability and reduces internal stresses without significantly increasing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If parallel clamping jaws are used, then the clamping mechanism is simpler, but deformation is uneven and internal tensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation controlVSAvoidjaw arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping jaws are arranged asymmetrically at an angle to each other rather than parallel, creating a convergent geometry that distributes deformation more evenly across the clamping surface and reduces internal tensions during the clamping process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The jaw arrangement transitions from a parallel (one-dimensional alignment) to an angled convergent configuration, introducing a angular dimension that improves deformation control and stress distribution across the clamping interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If friction-reducing coating is applied to the screw bolt, then friction losses increase during clamping, but clamping force reproduction decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force generationVSAvoidclamping force reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A friction-reducing coating is applied to the screw bolt surface, modifying the friction parameter to reduce friction losses during clamping operations, enabling more efficient force transmission and higher achievable clamping forces with improved reproducibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design reduces internal stresses, enhances durability, and maintains a secure hold across temperature changes, enabling higher clamping forces with improved reproducibility and reduced friction losses.

Implementation Method 1

the screw bolt has an external thread with a friction-reducing coating. Thus, a further reduction of friction losses takes place during the clamping of the clamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3308065B1Clip
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 NORMA GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3308065B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3308065B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3308065B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The invention relates to a clip (1) comprising a clip band (2) having a clamping head (3) with two clamping jaws (4, 5), in each of which a guide-through opening (17) is formed, through which a clamping element (6) for clamping the clip (1) is guided, wherein at least one contact surface (20, 21) is formed on a respective edge (19) of the guide-through openings (17), on which contact surface a support surface of the clamping element (6) can at least partially be contacted. In order to achieve minimum inner tensions in the clip (1), the clamping jaws (4, 5) are arranged at an angle to one another, wherein at least one reinforcing bead (18) is formed in the clamping jaws (4, 5) and one of the clamping jaws (4, 5) has an anti-rotation means for the clamping element (6).