Clamping Collar Loop Design for Reduced Part Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping collars for pipes in the automobile and aircraft industries require multiple parts and complex assembly processes, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining good clamping performance.

Innovation Solution

A clamping collar design where at least one free end of the belt forms a loop with the inner belt portion extended beyond the strip, and the tightening system engages with the outer belt portion, eliminating the need for internal blocks and simplifying assembly by distributing forces on the outer belt portion, which reduces manufacturing costs and eliminates the need for welding or bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blocks are used inside the loops to engage the tightening system, then the clamping performance is maintained, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping performanceVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of the block with the loop structure itself. The tightening system engages directly with the outer belt portion of the loop, eliminating the need for separate blocks. The loop is designed with an extended inner belt portion that provides the engagement surface, combining what were previously separate components into a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the blocks from the clamping collar assembly. By redirecting the tightening system to engage with the outer belt portion of the loop instead of requiring blocks inside the loops, the design removes unnecessary components while maintaining the essential clamping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If blocks are used inside the loops to engage the tightening system, then the clamping performance is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the clamping and tightening functions into a single integrated structure. The loop with its extended inner belt portion serves both as the clamping element and as the engagement mechanism for the tightening system, eliminating the need for separate blocks and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive blocks with a simpler, more cost-effective loop structure that can be manufactured as an integral part of the belt. The extended inner belt portion provides the necessary engagement surface without requiring additional costly components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Force

If the tightening system engages with the inner belt portion via the inside of the loop, then the clamping force is applied, but the loop deforms and the clamping outline becomes discontinuous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidloop deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the engagement approach: instead of the tightening system engaging with the inner belt portion from the inside of the loop, it engages with the outer belt portion from the outside. This reversal prevents loop deformation while maintaining effective clamping force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the loop. The outer belt portion is designed for engagement with the tightening system to apply force, while the extended inner belt portion provides structural support and maintains the clamping outline continuity, preventing deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 the number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective clamping performance by distributing tightening forces on the outer belt portion and using friction to stabilize the inner belt portion, preventing deformation and ensuring a continuous clamping outline.

Implementation Method 1

While the collar is being tightened, friction forces are generated between the article to be clamped, said inner belt portion, and the strip. Said friction forces can be sufficient to prevent any movement of the inner belt portion and thus to oppose deformation (flattening) of the loop.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8336172B2Clamping collar

Publication Date: 2012.12.25 ESTAB CAILLAU SARL

AI summary

A clamping collar including: a belt comprising a strip and two free ends, each of said the ends being curved back to form a loop and each loop being defined by an outer belt portion and by an underlying inner belt portion; and a tightening system suitable for bringing the loops closer together and for tightening the belt; and in which each of ends of the belt is curved back towards the inside of the collar, the inner belt portion being extended beyond the loop, under the strip, and the outer belt portion presenting a tightening wall with which the tightening system, comes into engagement.