Clip-In Pipe Fixation with Spring Damping and High Pull-Out Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixation devices for cylindrical items like pipes and cables struggle to provide high reliability and vibration-damping while maintaining a balance between push-in and pull-out forces, often requiring tools and failing to securely attach these items to carrier structures under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fixation device comprising a clip-in part, frame part, and spring element part, where the clip-in part deforms to accommodate the cylindrical item during insertion and reshapes to lock it in place, utilizing a spring element to provide vibration-damping and a frame part to enhance locking, allowing tool-free attachment with adjustable force ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plastic brackets with Omega clips are used to fix cylindrical items, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the pull-out force is insufficient and the fixation reliability deteriorates over time especially at higher temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is divided into three functional segments: a frame part for mounting to the carrier structure, a clip-in part for receiving the cylindrical item, and a spring element part for providing elastic force. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element part introduces dynamic elasticity to the fixation device, allowing it to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction of the cylindrical item. The elastic force dynamically adjusts to maintain secure fixation under varying temperature conditions, preventing the device from bending open easily as conventional plastic brackets do.
2Ease of operation
If the clip-in part is designed to deform significantly during insertion to accommodate the cylindrical item, then the push-in force is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the structural strength of the clip-in part may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The clip-in part features localized deformation zones with reduced wall thickness or integrated hinge structures at specific points, allowing controlled bending during insertion while maintaining sufficient strength in other critical areas. This enables the opening to expand adequately for item insertion without compromising the overall structural integrity of the clip-in part.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness and geometric parameters of the clip-in part are optimized to achieve the desired balance between flexibility and strength. By carefully controlling the dimensions and material distribution, the clip-in part can deform sufficiently during insertion to reduce push-in force while maintaining the structural strength needed to withstand operational loads.
3Ease of operation
If the opening of the clip-in part is made larger to facilitate insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the holding capability and pull-out force are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element part provides dynamic elastic force that actively closes the opening after the cylindrical item is inserted. This allows the opening to be larger during insertion for ease of operation, while the elastic force subsequently reduces the opening size to create strong holding capability and high pull-out force for secure fixation during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element part is pre-loaded to exert closing force on the clip-in part before the cylindrical item is even inserted. This preliminary action ensures that once the item is in place, the opening is automatically reduced to gripping size, providing high pull-out force without requiring the opening to be small from the beginning, thus maintaining ease of insertion.
4Ease of operation
If the clip-in part is made more flexible to reduce insertion force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability and vibration-damping capability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device separates the flexibility function (clip-in part with spring element) from the stability function (frame part). The spring element part absorbs insertion forces and provides vibration damping through elastic deformation, while the frame part maintains rigid stability for secure mounting to the carrier structure, preventing excessive flexibility from compromising overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element part is designed with specific flexibility characteristics localized to where vibration damping is needed, while the frame part and critical connection points maintain higher rigidity. This local differentiation allows the device to be flexible enough for easy insertion and vibration absorption, yet stable enough to maintain secure fixation and resist excessive movement during operation.
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
The device achieves reliable, tool-free attachment with high pull-out forces relative to push-in forces, maintaining vibration-damping through the spring element's flexibility and frame part's locking mechanism, enhancing stability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element part is configured for providing vibration-damping of the clip-in part, and thus the cylindrical item when inserted, with respect to the frame part
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fixation device that secures cylindrical items, like pipes or cables, to an external structure, such as a vehicle, without tools. The device features a clip-in part that deforms to allow insertion of the item. The clip-in part then reshapes to a closed state and holds the item securely. A frame part attaches the device to the carrier. A spring element part connects the clip-in and frame parts, allowing the clip-in part to move from a neutral position to a locking position where it touches the frame part. This design ensures high reliability and vibration-damping for the attached item.