Clamping Ring Assembly for Low-Dead-Space Hose Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose connections for relatively rigid hoses lack simplicity, safety, and repeatability in assembly and disassembly, often resulting in dead space issues and contamination risks, especially when handling susceptible media like milk.
Innovation Solution
A clamping ring design featuring a hollow cylindrical section with protruding arms and stop elements, combined with limiting elements on the outside, allows for secure attachment and detachment of hoses without manual pre-plugging, using a fastening nut that restricts axial movement but allows rotational movement, ensuring a hose connection with minimal dead space and enhanced compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional plug-in connection is used for relatively rigid hoses, then the assembly is simple, but dead space is created leading to contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a clamping ring with hollow-cylindrical section for positioning, and a fastening nut for securing. This segmentation allows the hose to be clamped close to the cone, eliminating dead space while maintaining assembly simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping ring acts as an intermediary component between the hose and the cone/fastening nut system. It provides the hollow-cylindrical positioning surface that enables the hose to be accurately positioned and clamped without creating dead space, while the fastening nut provides the securing function
2Ease of operation
If the hose is pushed firmly onto the cone by hand, then assembly is simple, but it is not visible whether the hose has been pushed far enough
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring with its hollow-cylindrical section provides visual and physical feedback during assembly. The hose can be seen entering the hollow-cylindrical section, and the stop elements provide tactile feedback when the hose reaches the correct position, eliminating uncertainty about positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping ring with pre-positioned stop elements and the fastening nut are prepared in advance. The fastening nut is designed to be slipped onto the clamping ring before final tightening, allowing the hose to be positioned correctly before the clamping force is applied
3Manufacturing precision
If a larger cone angle is used to tighten the hose more, then the tolerances are better compensated, but more force is required to push the hose on
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion and clamping functions are separated. The hollow-cylindrical section of the clamping ring guides the hose during insertion with minimal resistance, while the fastening nut provides the clamping force. This eliminates the need for a high cone angle during insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping ring with hollow-cylindrical section serves as an intermediary that facilitates easy hose insertion through its guiding surfaces, while the fastening nut acts as a separate mechanism that applies the necessary clamping force to achieve tight connection and compensate for tolerances
4Ease of manufacture
If the hose remains on the cone after union nut removal, then reassembly is simple, but great effort is required to pull the hose off
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic reusable system. The fastening nut provides controlled clamping that can be easily released, allowing the hose to be removed without great effort while maintaining security during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping function is separated from the positioning function. The clamping ring with hollow-cylindrical section maintains positioning accuracy, while the fastening nut provides removable clamping. This allows easy disassembly by simply removing the fastening nut without requiring great pulling force
5Adaptability or versatility
If loose parts are used for the clamping device, then assembly is flexible, but parts can be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring and fastening nut are designed to work together as an integrated clamping device system. The fastening nut is slipped onto the clamping ring and tightened to secure both components and the hose together, preventing any parts from being lost while maintaining assembly flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device with clamping ring and fastening nut serves multiple functions: positioning the hose through the hollow-cylindrical section, securing the hose through clamping, and preventing part loss through the integrated design where the fastening nut retains both itself and the clamping ring
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 and secures the assembly and disassembly of rigid hoses, reduces the risk of contamination, and allows for easy compensation of leaks, while eliminating the need for manual hose manipulation during assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The hose is pushed onto a cone. As a result, it is expanded (also plastically deformed).
Implementation Method 2
When tightening the union nut, the hose is clamped between the clamping ring and the cone. As a result, the hose is firmly seated even when the medium pressure is present.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a clamping ring for hose connections. The clamping ring comprises a hollow cylindrical section (1) arranged around a central axis of the clamping ring for receiving a hose or pipe, and a plurality of arms (4) extending parallel to the central axis of the clamping ring from a first open end of the hollow cylindrical section. At least one stop element (2) is arranged at a second open end of the hollow cylindrical section to prevent a hose or pipe from being fully inserted through the hollow cylindrical section. Limiting elements (5, 7) are arranged on the outside of the clamping ring, extending at least partially around the central axis of the clamping ring and arranged such that movement of a fastening nut (8) mounted on the clamping ring in both directions, parallel to the central axis of the clamping ring, is restricted or prevented.The clamping ring according to the invention enables simplified, secure, and repeatable assembly and disassembly of relatively rigid hoses onto a cone for the creation of dead-space-free or at least low-dead-space hose connections. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a clamping device comprising the clamping ring according to the invention, a hose connection comprising the clamping device according to the invention, a beverage maker comprising the hose connection according to the invention, and the use of a clamping ring or a clamping device according to the invention for the fluid-tight fixing of a hose or pipe for a liquid medium, preferably milk, in a beverage maker.