Compressible Flange with Indicator Pin for Sealing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pinch flanges face challenges in ensuring consistent sealing effectiveness and detecting the required axial pinch force, particularly in applications where a torque wrench is not available, and they often require precise manufacturing to fit different pipe diameters, leading to potential leaks and deformation issues.
Innovation Solution
A pinch flange design featuring an annular elastic sealing element with clamping elements and a display element, such as a pin, that indicates the correct axial pinching through a sudden release mechanism, allowing for clear visual and auditory feedback of proper installation, and adaptable to various diameters with adjustable ring elements and latching devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a torque wrench is used to ensure adequate tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring specialized tools not normally available to installers
Solution Approach 1:
The pinch flange system performs self-checking through the indicator pin mechanism. The installer simply applies axial force until the pin releases, and the system automatically indicates whether the correct pinch has been achieved. This eliminates the need for external measurement tools or specialized equipment, allowing the installation process to be self-verifying.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator pin provides immediate visual feedback to the installer about the sealing status. When the pin releases and becomes visible, it gives clear feedback that the correct axial pinch has been applied. This feedback mechanism guides the installer through the process without requiring interpretation of torque values or specialized measurement instruments.
2Reliability
If the sealing element is manufactured to fit precisely, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and adaptability to different diameters decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses adjustable ring elements that can be moved axially to change the effective sealing diameter. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same sealing element to adapt to different pipe or cable diameters without requiring precise manufacturing for each specific size. The ring elements can be positioned to match the actual diameter being sealed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable ring elements change the geometric parameters of the sealing system. By moving the rings axially, the effective sealing diameter and the axial pinch distribution are modified. This allows a single sealing element design to work across a range of diameters by simply repositioning the rings rather than manufacturing different sized elements.
3Reliability
If axial pinch force is increased to ensure tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but the risk of permanent deformation and leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator pin provides real-time feedback during the pinching process. As axial force is applied, the sealing element deforms and eventually causes the pin to release. This feedback mechanism allows the installer to stop applying force at the precise moment when adequate sealing is achieved, preventing excessive force that would cause permanent deformation of thin-walled pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies just enough axial force to achieve the required sealing effect without excessive compression. The indicator pin release point corresponds to the optimal pinch level, ensuring that the sealing element deforms sufficiently to create a seal but not so much as to damage the enclosed pipe or cable.
4Ease of operation
If a simple assembly control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and reliability of detecting the required axial pinch worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator pin provides a clear visual change from hidden to visible, creating a distinct binary signal that is easy to detect. This simple visual indicator delivers precise measurement information (whether the correct pinch has been achieved) in an easily observable form that does not require complex measurement instruments or interpretation.
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
Ensures a high degree of sealing effectiveness with simple, cost-effective assembly control, providing clear installation feedback and adaptability to different diameters, reducing the risk of leaks and deformation, and allowing for multiple uses.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic sealing element, which usually consists of a rubber material or a similar elastic material, is squeezed between two clamping elements or annular flanges. This axial crushing leads to a radial deformation of the sealing element.
Implementation Method 2
an indicator pin that can be displaced in the axial direction is mounted on a pressing body and is displaced in the axial direction by the squeezing and deformation of the sealing element
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a crimp flange with a substantially annular elastic sealing element (1) and with a first (2) and a second (3) clamping element, wherein the clamping elements (2, 3) are arranged axially on both side regions of the sealing element (1) with respect to a central axis (4) of the sealing element (1) and can be pressed against the elastic sealing element (1), wherein at least one of the clamping elements (2, 3) is provided with at least one through-hole (5), wherein regions of the elastic sealing element (1) can be pressed into the through-hole (5), wherein an indicator element (6) displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the through-hole (5) is arranged in the through-hole (5), wherein the indicator element (6) is received in a starting position in the through-hole (5), characterized in that the indicator element (6) in the starting position is held by means of a locking device (7,8) is locked in the through-hole (5) and can be ejected into a display position by pressing the sealing element (1) into the through-hole (5), wherein the display element (6) is held in the display position by means of a retaining device (7, 18) in the through-hole (5) and only partially protrudes from the through-hole (5).