Clamping Collar Flexible Connecting Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping collars with rigidly connected extension and front parts suffer from deformation under tightening forces, leading to stress on the front part despite the primary force being exerted on the extension, which compromises the circularity and rigidity of the collar.
Innovation Solution
The connection between the extension and front part is made flexible through a connecting loop forming an axial tunnel, allowing inclination and distributing deformation, while bracing elements maintain rigidity and prevent radial movement, allowing the collar to adjust curvature without overstressing the clamping rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the extension and front part of the extension lug are rigidly connected, then the structural rigidity is improved, but the deformation of the front part under tightening forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting loop transforms the rigid connection into a dynamic, flexible connection that allows the extension to incline relative to the front part during tightening. This flexibility enables the structure to adapt to tightening forces without transmitting excessive stress to the front part, thereby maintaining circularity while providing sufficient structural rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting loop acts as a flexible element between the extension and front part. This flexible connection allows controlled deformation of the extension while protecting the front part from excessive stress, resolving the contradiction between needing structural rigidity and maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the extension is made flexible to reduce front part deformation, then the circularity is improved, but the structural rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lug is segmented into three distinct parts: the front part, the extension, and the connecting loop. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties - the front part and extension maintain rigidity where needed, while the connecting loop provides flexibility to preserve circularity during tightening.
3Manufacturing precision
If the connecting loop is made more flexible to allow inclination, then the deformation distribution is improved, but the stability of relative positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting loop serves as an intermediary element between the extension and front part. It mediates the tightening forces by allowing controlled inclination while the holding lug acts as a stabilizing intermediary that prevents excessive radial movement, thus maintaining optimal bore alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding lug automatically engages with the tunnel during tightening to stabilize the relative positions. This self-stabilizing mechanism ensures that the flexible connecting loop does not compromise the alignment of the bores, as the holding lug passively corrects any excessive deviation.
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 deformation of the front part, maintains the circularity of the collar, and ensures the clamping rod remains aligned and unstressed, eliminating the need for a separate nut and enhancing the collar's rigidity and flexibility during tightening.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting loop has increased flexibility with respect to the extension and the front part of the lug to extension. During tightening, the curvature of the connecting loop is modified to allow the variation of the inclination between the extension and the front part of the lug
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The collar has a metal band (10), a pair of protruding lugs (12, 14), a tightening rod (16) disposed in holes in these lugs, and tightening elements (16A, 16B) cooperating with this rod and with support portions of the lugs. At least one of the lugs in the pair is an extended lug (14) whose support portion is formed in an extension (17) of this lug, which is folded back and has a hole for the tightening rod. The extension (17) and the front portion (15) of the extended lug (14) are connected by a portion of a band (20) forming a connecting loop that defines an axial tunnel with open axial ends, so that the inclination between the extension (17) and the front portion (15) of the lug can change when the collar is tightened.The connecting loop offers increased flexibility compared to the extension and the front part of the extended ear.