C-Clip Open-Hole Structure to Eliminate Protruding Ring Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional C-clips with peripherally closed holes have protruding ring portions that limit their usability due to the outer diameter being greater than the clip width, making them inconvenient for fitting around objects and operation with retaining ring pliers.
Innovation Solution
A C-clip design featuring a C-shaped clip body with two peripherally open holes on its lateral sides, allowing for elastic opening and closing, and enabling the outer diameter to be adjusted using a retaining ring plier without protruding portions, with stop edges to prevent the plier tips from escaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peripherally closed holes are provided in conventional C-clips, then the tips of retaining ring plier can be inserted to operate the C-clip, but protruding ring portions are formed that limit usability and make fitting inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The peripherally closed hole structure is segmented into two separate peripherally open holes positioned on lateral sides of the clip body. This segmentation eliminates the need for protruding ring portions while maintaining the functionality of allowing plier tips to be inserted for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing closed holes that require protruding ring portions for plier insertion, the invention inverts the approach by providing open holes on lateral sides. The stop edges are positioned to prevent plier tips from escaping, achieving the same operational function without protrusions.
2Ease of operation
If peripherally closed holes with ring portions are used, then the C-clip can be operated with retaining ring plier, but the outer diameter becomes greater than the clip width causing limitations in use
Solution Approach 1:
The single closed hole structure is divided into two separate open holes on lateral sides, eliminating protruding ring portions. This reduces the outer diameter and allows the C-clip to be used in various situations where space is limited, while still enabling operation with retaining ring pliers.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole structure transitions from a peripheral closed configuration to lateral open configurations. This dimensional change allows plier access through the lateral sides rather than requiring protruding ring portions, reducing the overall outer diameter and improving adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If peripherally open holes are provided on lateral sides, then the outer diameter is reduced and usability is improved, but the plier tips may escape from the holes during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The peripherally open holes are provided with stop edges at specific locations to prevent plier tip escape. This local quality enhancement at critical points maintains reliability while the overall open hole structure provides reduced outer diameter and improved adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop edges act as intermediary elements between the peripherally open holes and the plier tips. They prevent plier tips from escaping during operation while allowing the holes to remain open for plier insertion, thus mediating between the need for reduced outer diameter and operational reliability.
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
The C-clip can be easily operated and fitted around various objects without protrusions, enhancing usability and preventing separation from the retaining ring plier, thus offering improved convenience and versatility compared to traditional C-clips.
Implementation Method 1
The C-shaped clip body can be opened and closed elastically
Data Source
AI summary
A C-clip includes a C-shaped clip body and two peripherally open holes. The clip body can be opened and closed elastically. The peripherally open holes are provided on two lateral sides of the clip body respectively and are adjacent to or located at the two ends of the clip body respectively. The peripherally open holes are provided in the clip body and each have a communication opening and a closed end. A wall between the communication opening and the closed end of each peripherally open hole forms a stop edge for preventing a tip of a retaining ring plier from moving out of the peripherally open hole. The outer diameter of the clip body can be changed by applying forces to the clip body via the peripherally open holes respectively. As the clip body does not have any particularly protruding portion, the C-clip can be used in various situations.