Elliptical Hoop Asymmetry for Pipe Fitting Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoop designs for pipe fittings face issues with loosening due to mismatched diameters, requiring complex installation processes and increasing production costs and inefficiencies, with a high risk of breakage during clamping.
Innovation Solution
A hoop with an elliptical sleeving area and clamping connection notches, allowing for easier installation and reduced risk of breakage by distributing stress uniformly and delaying the stress on critical points, thereby enhancing stability and reducing deformation needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner diameter of the lug clip is reduced to be equal to the outer diameter of the pipe fitting, then the anti-loosing effect is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to surface-surface friction making it inconvenient to sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the sleeving area elliptical rather than circular. The elliptical shape has a longer major axis that provides clearance for easy installation, while the shorter minor axis provides contact for anti-loosing effect after installation
2Reliability
If the inner diameter of the lug clip is made equal to the outer diameter of the pipe fitting, then the anti-loosing effect is improved, but the device complexity increases due to required pre-deformation and secondary clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The elliptical sleeving area eliminates the need for pre-deformation and secondary clamping operations. The asymmetric geometry allows the hoop to be directly installed and automatically achieve both clearance for installation and contact for anti-loosing effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the sleeving area from circular to elliptical, which fundamentally alters the installation characteristics and eliminates complex multi-step installation procedures
3Reliability
If the fastening part is pre-deformed to reduce inner diameter, then the anti-loosing effect is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-wasting secondary clamping operations
Solution Approach 1:
The elliptical geometry eliminates the need for pre-deformation and secondary clamping operations, allowing direct installation and significantly improving production efficiency while maintaining anti-loosing effect
Solution Approach 2:
The elliptical shape is pre-formed during manufacturing, eliminating the need for field pre-deformation and secondary clamping operations, thus improving productivity
4Reliability
If the fastening part is sequentially subjected to secondary deformation, then the anti-loosing effect is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling applying force and increased breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The elliptical sleeving area eliminates sequential deformation operations, removing the source of uncontrolled applying force and significantly reducing breakage risk while maintaining anti-loosing effect
Solution Approach 2:
The elliptical shape is pre-formed during manufacturing, eliminating the need for field pre-deformation and secondary clamping operations, thus improving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a hoop and a manufacturing method and a use method of the hoop. The hoop includes a clamping belt, the clamping belt is bent to form a hoop body with a sleeving area; the hoop body forms a superposed part; the superposed part includes an outer belt body and an inner belt body and the sleeving area is elliptical. The manufacturing method thereof includes the steps of producing a clamping belt at first, and then directly bending the clamping belt to form a hoop body with an elliptical sleeving area.