Clamp Pre-Positioner Band for Secure Radial Clamp Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamps with pre-positioners face issues of high production costs and risk of detachment, particularly when used with profile clamps that require radial movement, as they are not universally applicable and lack secure attachment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A clamp with a pre-positioner featuring a carrier band with angled fastening areas attached to one side of the clamp band, allowing for secure and flexible attachment to lines with radial play, utilizing a part-circular area that is radially inside the clamp band and having a resilient design for stable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pre-positioner with two part-circular areas is used, then the clamp can be pre-positioned on the line, but the production cost increases and there is a risk of unintentional detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-positioning stabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-positioner is segmented into a part-circular area and two fastening areas, allowing simplified construction while maintaining functional effectiveness. This segmentation enables the pre-positioner to be manufactured more easily without compromising its ability to securely attach to the line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-positioner with part-circular area and fastening areas serves multiple functions: it provides initial positioning on the line, maintains radial play for profile clamps, and prevents unintentional detachment through secure fastening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, lowering production costs while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a pre-positioner with hook-like tip is used, then assembly is simplified, but the line is damaged and it cannot be used with profile clamps requiring radial movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidline damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-positioner utilizes a flexible part-circular area that can deform elastically to accommodate radial movement of profile clamps during engagement. This flexibility allows the pre-positioner to adapt to the line geometry without causing damage, while still providing secure initial positioning and maintaining attachment throughout the clamping process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the part-circular area is made rigid, then attachment security is improved, but radial play and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidradial movement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-positioner incorporates elastic deformability in its part-circular area, transitioning from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible component. This allows the pre-positioner to adapt radially during clamp engagement while maintaining secure attachment through its fastening areas, achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables universal application, secure attachment, and cost-effective production by ensuring the pre-positioner remains firmly attached to the clamp band, allowing for radial movement and axial stability, thus preventing detachment and enabling reuse.

Implementation Method 1

the radial section enables a relatively large relative radial movement between the pre-positioner and the clamp band, without the clamp being able to detach from the line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the carrier tape then rests against the line with a certain pretension and is accordingly not only held by a form fit but also by a non-positive fit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3308066B1Clamp having a clamp band and a pre-positioner
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 NORMA GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3308066B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamp, comprising a clamp band (2) and a pre-positioner (3), wherein the pre-positioner (3) is designed as a supporting band (23), which has a partial-circle-shaped region (16), which extends over more than 180°. In order to enable simple production and to prevent loss of the pre-positioner, the supporting band (23) has, at each end thereof, a fastening region (17, 18) bent in relation to the partial-circle-shaped region, wherein the fastening regions (17, 18) are fastened on the same side of the clamp band (2).