Dual Cam Lever Hose Clamp for Fast Large-Bore Hose Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of large bore hoses requires significant time and specialized tools due to the need for multiple fasteners and specific torque tightening, which hinders rapid repair and resiliency in military and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A dual cam lever hose clamp system that uses two cam levers with different cam rates and detents to securely clamp and tighten hose ends without requiring additional tools, allowing for quick adjustment and assembly of hoses with varying diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-section clamps with multiple fasteners are used for large bore hoses, then the clamp can securely fasten high-pressure hoses, but the assembly time increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple clamp sections and fasteners into a single integrated clamp assembly with one cam lever fastening mechanism. The clamp consists of a body portion with integrated cam lever that simultaneously secures all sections together, eliminating the need for multiple separate fastening operations while maintaining the secure fastening required for high-pressure hoses
Solution Approach 2:
The cam lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it simultaneously fastens all clamp sections to the hose, secures the sections to each other, and provides adjustable positioning along the hose. This multi-functional mechanism replaces multiple dedicated fasteners, reducing assembly steps while ensuring reliable secure fastening
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fasteners are installed and tightened for each clamp section, then the clamp can accommodate varying hose diameters, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates an adjustable cam lever mechanism that can be positioned at different locations along the hose and adjusted to accommodate varying hose diameters. The cam lever provides dynamic adjustment capability through its cam surface and follower design, allowing the operator to quickly adapt the clamp to different hose sizes without complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp body is divided into multiple sections that can be independently adjusted and positioned, yet are all secured by the single cam lever mechanism. This segmentation allows the clamp to adapt to varying hose diameters while the unified fastening system maintains simplicity in the assembly process
3Reliability
If specific torque tightening is applied to ensure high-pressure compliance, then the connection reliability improves, but the assembly time increases due to precise tightening requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cam lever mechanism is designed to automatically apply the appropriate clamping force when actuated, eliminating the need for operators to manually control torque application. The cam surface geometry inherently provides the force multiplication and distribution needed for high-pressure compliance, allowing rapid assembly without specialized torque tools while ensuring reliable connections
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
Enables rapid and efficient assembly of hose ends, reducing assembly time and accommodating varying hose thicknesses while ensuring secure connections compliant with high-pressure standards.
Implementation Method 1
a first cam lever pivotally coupled to the first linkage and adapted to fasten the first ends of the upper and lower clamp halves when a first cam follower cammingly engages a first cam surface of the upper clamp half
Implementation Method 2
The first cam surface may be located on the first end of the upper clamp half and may comprise a first detent for latching the first cam follower into the retaining position
Implementation Method 3
a first linkage pivotally coupled to the first end of the lower clamp half and adapted to traverse through first grooves laterally located on the first ends of the upper and lower clamp halves
Data Source
AI summary
A dual cam lever hose clamp may comprise: first and second cam lever clamps and upper and lower clamp halves. The cam lever clamps may move between a retaining position and release position. The upper and lower clamp halves may form a collar when opposing ends of the clamp halves fasten together via the cam lever clamps. The first cam lever clamp may comprise a first linkage pivotally coupled to a first end of the lower clamp half and a first cam lever pivotally coupled to the first linkage. The second cam lever clamp may comprise a second linkage pivotally coupled to a second end of the lower clamp half and a second cam lever pivotally coupled to the second linkage. The first and second cam lever clamps may comprise cam levers that cammingly engage cam locking surfaces on the upper clamp half to fasten and tighten the collar.