Clamp with Non-Circular Shaft for Flanged Tube Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps for larger diameter flanged tubes experience hinge failure upon prolonged use and are awkward and difficult to use, especially when trying to secure them with a one-handed operation due to symmetrical screw and nut arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a joint with a non-circular shaped shaft and complementary aperture, along with a nut and projection system, to prevent tang rotation and over-tightening, enhancing stability and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw and nut arrangement is used at both sides of the clamp, then the clamp provides secure connection, but it becomes awkward, difficult to use and cannot be used one handed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one of the two screw-nut arrangements from the clamp design, retaining only a single screw-nut mechanism. This extraction simplifies the operation to one-handed use while maintaining secure connection through the remaining fastening system combined with the projection-aperture locking feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of connection and rotation prevention into a single integrated mechanism. The projection on the screw shaft and complementary aperture in the tang merge the fastening function with the anti-rotation function, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying operation.
2Reliability
If symmetrical screw and nut arrangement is used, then secure clamping is achieved, but one-handed operation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts one set of fastening components from the symmetrical arrangement, reducing the total number of parts from two screw-nut sets to one. This asymmetrical configuration maintains secure clamping through the single fastening mechanism while enabling one-handed operation by eliminating the complexity of managing multiple fasteners.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional hinge connection is used in larger clamps, then initial assembly is simple, but hinge fails on prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry through the non-circular shaft and complementary aperture configuration. This asymmetrical design prevents relative rotation between the screw and tang, eliminating the rotational wear that causes hinge failure in traditional symmetrical designs, while maintaining simple assembly through the straightforward insertion of the shaft into the aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection-aperture mechanism provides beforehand cushioning against rotational movement. By designing the connection to inherently prevent rotation from the outset, the patent eliminates the progressive wear that leads to hinge failure over time, ensuring durability without complicating the assembly process.
4Stability of the object's composition
If non-circular shaft and aperture are used, then rotation of tang is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by using a non-circular (e.g., square or rectangular) shaft cross-section and a complementary non-circular aperture. This asymmetric geometry inherently prevents rotation of the tang relative to the screw, providing stable positioning. The manufacturing complexity is minimal as these simple geometric shapes are easily produced using standard machining operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A clamp for connecting flanged tubes comprises a pair of tangs (2,4) having a tapered groove around their insides to engage the flanges. One of the tangs (2) is provided with a pivotally connected screw (46), which passes through an aperture in one end. A nut (44) attached to the screw holds the tangs (2,4) in position. To prevent rotation of the tang about the screw, the lower shaft (53) of the screw (46) is provided in a non-circular shape, with the aperture (54) in the tang (4) being provided in mating conformity.