Elastic Clamp Structure for Secure Tubular Shell Fastening

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clamps face difficulties in attaching tubular connecting members to counter members due to the easy bending of straight corresponding sections, which leads to reduced contact force and inability to enlarge the clamp body diameter effectively, making it troublesome to secure the connection.

Innovation Solution

A clamp design with straight corresponding sections configured to bend less easily than curved sections, allowing the clamp body to be elastically deformed to match the tubular connecting member's shape, utilizing the elastic restoring force to secure the connection without requiring additional fastening tools or work.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the straight corresponding sections are made more easily bent than the curved corresponding sections, then the clamp body can be enlarged in diameter by pinching the tabs, but the straight corresponding sections may plastically deform and lose contact force with the hose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of clamp body enlargementVSAvoidcontact force maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body is designed with different bending characteristics in different sections: the curved corresponding sections are made more easily bent than the straight corresponding sections. This local differentiation allows the curved sections to accommodate the hose curvature while the straight sections maintain rigidity to preserve contact force with the hose, preventing plastic deformation during the enlargement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the straight corresponding sections are made more easily bent than the curved corresponding sections, then the clamp body diameter can be enlarged, but it becomes difficult to sufficiently widen the clamp body relative to the counter member shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamp body enlargementVSAvoidclamp body shape conformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body is designed with different bending characteristics in different sections: the curved corresponding sections are made more easily bent than the straight corresponding sections. This local differentiation allows the curved sections to accommodate the hose curvature while the straight sections maintain rigidity to preserve contact force with the hose, preventing plastic deformation during the enlargement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional ring member swaging is used to fasten the tubular connecting member, then the connection is secure, but the work process becomes troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidattachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body utilizes its own elastic restoring force to fasten the tubular connecting member to the counter member. The elastic member is deformed to expand the clamp body diameter, allowing it to be attached to the hose, and then releases to apply clamping force. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional fastening tools or operations such as ring member swaging, significantly reducing attachment time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If a wire clamp or worm thread clamp is used instead of a ring member, then the attachment process is simplified, but the clamping operation remains troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidclamping operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body utilizes its own elastic restoring force to fasten the tubular connecting member to the counter member. The elastic member is deformed to expand the clamp body diameter, allowing it to be attached to the hose, and then releases to apply clamping force. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional fastening tools or operations such as ring member swaging, significantly reducing attachment time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 clamp achieves improved close-contact between the tubular connecting member and the counter member, allowing for easy attachment and maintaining contact pressure without plastic deformation, thus simplifying the attachment process and enhancing the clamp's functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member extending in an axial direction of the clamp body, and having both ends intersecting each other at opposite ends of the clamp body in a state where the clamp body has a contracted shape in the axial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

utilizing the elastic restoring force of the clamp itself to secure the connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic restoring force: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS11320071B2Clamp

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 TOGO SEISAKUSYO CORP

AI summary

A clamp serves to fasten a shield member to a tubular portion of a shield shell using the elastic restoring force of the clamp. The clamp includes an annular clamp body and a pair of tabs. The tubular portion includes a tubular outer contour having two straight sections and two curved sections in a cross-sectional view. The clamp body includes a straight corresponding section corresponding to one of the straight section of the tubular portion and curved corresponding sections corresponding to the curved sections. The straight corresponding section is configured to bend less easily than the curved corresponding sections.