Clamp Ring Element Positioning With Anti-Twist Holding Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for positioning a ring element in a clamp, such as profile clamps, face challenges in precise alignment and anti-twist protection, making the installation process difficult and requiring additional tools or complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A ring element with holding elements, including spring sections and fixing tabs, is integrated into the clamp band, allowing for radial positioning and axial offset, enabling easy alignment and secure attachment without tools, while the fixing tabs prevent rotation and ensure correct insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ring element is separate and not attached to the clamp or flange, then the user can handle the clamp and ring element separately, but the installation becomes difficult requiring simultaneous handling of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element is merged with the clamp band by integrally forming the holding elements as part of the same piece. This combining of previously separate components (ring element and clamp band) allows the ring element to be automatically positioned during installation without requiring separate handling, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining simple device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holding elements are preliminarily configured on the ring element before installation, with spring sections and fixing tabs pre-positioned to engage with the clamp band. This preliminary arrangement ensures that during installation, the ring element is automatically guided and secured without requiring additional manual positioning steps, resolving the contradiction between ease of handling and installation complexity
2Reliability
If deformable fastening clips are used to positively fix the ring element, then the ring element is securely positioned, but the design becomes more complex requiring additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The holding elements are integrally formed with the ring element as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate fastening clips or additional positioning components. This merging achieves reliable positioning through the holding elements' spring sections and fixing tabs while maintaining simple design complexity by avoiding additional parts
Solution Approach 2:
The holding elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: the spring sections provide elastic deformation for secure engagement, the fixing tabs prevent rotation, and the overall structure enables tool-free installation. This multi-functionality achieves reliable positioning without requiring multiple separate components, thus improving reliability while keeping design complexity low
3Ease of operation
If the ring element is held non-positively with spacers, then tool-free insertion is enabled, but anti-twist protection and precise alignment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The holding elements combine multiple functions in a single integrated structure: spring sections for elastic engagement enabling easy insertion, and fixing tabs extending radially outward for anti-twist protection. This merging achieves both ease of insertion and precise alignment without requiring separate components or complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing tabs are designed with asymmetric geometry, extending radially outward from the ring element to engage with corresponding features on the clamp band. This asymmetric design provides effective anti-twist protection while maintaining simple tool-free insertion, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and alignment precision
4Reliability
If additional holding features are added to the ring element, then anti-twist protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding elements are designed as multi-functional components where the same structure provides both positioning and anti-twist protection. The fixing tabs extend radially outward to prevent rotation, while the spring sections enable elastic engagement for secure holding. This universality achieves improved anti-twist protection without increasing device complexity by avoiding additional separate components
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 simplifies the installation process by maintaining the ring element's axial position during clamp tightening, providing anti-twist protection and ensuring a secure, form-fitting connection without the need for tools, thus enhancing the ease of assembly and seal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the holding element has at least one spring section which extends at least in sections in the circumferential direction and radial direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamp (10) having a clamping strip (14) and an annular ring element (24), wherein the clamping strip (14) has two clamping heads (16, 18) which are interconnected by means of a clamping element (20), wherein the ring element (24) is positioned radially within the clamping strip (14). For simple pre-positioning, the ring element (24) has at least one holding element (28) for supporting on an inner side of the clamping strip (14), which is offset in an axial direction with respect to the ring element (24) via a fastening section (32) and extends at least in sections outwards in a radial direction.