Multipart Clamping Jacket for Electric Heater Radial Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric heaters with clamping mechanisms face challenges in operability due to increased space requirements and difficulty in loosening the clamping elements, especially in narrow channels and when multiple clamping devices are needed for adequate contact.
Innovation Solution
A multipart clamping jacket with adjustable radial force is introduced, featuring pressing and clamping segments with guide elements that allow for varying the width of gaps between edges, enabling easier operation and adjustment of the clamping force, even in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece clamping jacket with wedge mechanism is used, then the heater can be fixed on the body to be heated, but the space requirement in the radial direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jacket is divided into multiple segments (first clamping segment and second clamping segment) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the clamping function to be achieved without requiring a large radial space for a wedge mechanism, as each segment can be actuated separately to provide the necessary clamping force.
2Reliability
If clamping elements are arranged one after another in the axial direction, then sufficient contact between heater and object is guaranteed, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clamping segments are combined into a single integrated clamping jacket structure. The first and second clamping segments work together in a coordinated manner, allowing multiple clamping points to be achieved while maintaining a unified structure that is easier to operate than separate independent clamping devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If the heater is pushed over in a narrow tubular channel, then installation is possible, but the loosening of clamping element becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping segments are designed with actuating elements that extend in opposite directions (first clamping segment has actuating element extending in first direction, second clamping segment has actuating element extending in second direction opposite to first direction). This inversion allows one segment to be actuated from the accessible end while the other segment can be actuated from the opposite side, facilitating both installation and loosening operations in narrow channels.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric heater (100) with an axial opening (131) for receiving an object to be heated, with an electric heating element (130) surrounding the axial opening (131) in at least in some sections and with an essentially cylindrical or essentially frustoconical clamping jacket (110) surrounding the electric heating element (13) at least in the radial direction for generating an adjustable force acting radially in the direction of an axis (A) of the axial opening (131). The clamping jacket (110) is a multipart clamping jacket and has at least one pressing segment (113, 114) for introducing the force acting radially in the direction of an axis (A) of the axial opening (131) as well as at least one clamping segment (111, 112), with which the width of the gap (119a, 119b) between adjacent edges of oppressing segments (113, 114) can be varied for adjusting the force acting radially in the direction of an axis (A) of the axial opening (131) by moving the clamping segment (111, 112) relative to the pressing segment (113, 114).