360° Plastic Clamping Tie for Contamination-Free Flange Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting lines or flanges, especially for contamination-free docking of containers or pipelines, are often complex and expensive, and current clamps for such connections face challenges in being cost-effective and suitable for both plastic and metal materials without operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A 360° encircling clamping-action tie made entirely of plastic, designed for single-use applications, which can be easily opened and closed, and used with ergonomic tools to securely clamp axially abutting parts without risk of injury, allowing for defined tightening and flush cutting, facilitating a contamination-free docking method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking clamps with wing nuts are used to connect lines or flanges, then a secure connection is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body is divided into two functional halves: a stationary U-shaped body and a movable clamping arm. This segmentation allows the complex locking function to be distributed across simple components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a single-use disposable component made from inexpensive plastic material. After one use, the clamp is discarded rather than reused, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and maintenance, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable connection during its service life.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional clamps are used for connecting plastic and metal materials, then versatility is achieved, but operational problems and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp uses a plastic material with specific mechanical parameters (flexibility, friction characteristics) that allow it to adapt to different materials (plastic and metal lines/flanges). The material parameters enable the clamp to conform to various surfaces without galvanic corrosion or material incompatibility issues, achieving versatility while keeping manufacturing simple and cost-effective.
3Reliability
If manual tightening of traditional clamps is performed, then connection is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arm is designed to be dynamically movable during installation, allowing quick positioning and engagement. Once installed, it provides static clamping force. This dynamic design enables rapid installation without complex tools, reducing time loss while ensuring reliable connection, as the arm can be easily snapped into place and locked.
4Ease of manufacture
If single-use plastic clamps are used instead of reusable metal clamps, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but clamping force and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp utilizes plastic material with optimized composite properties or reinforced structure to achieve sufficient clamping force despite being single-use and plastic-based. The material composition or structural design compensates for the inherent limitations of plastic, ensuring adequate strength for the application while maintaining low manufacturing cost and disposable nature.
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 solution provides a reliable, versatile, and cost-effective method for connecting lines or flanges, ensuring a secure seal while being safe and automatable, suitable for both plastic and metal materials, and gentle on joints.
Implementation Method 1
one single 360° encircling manufactured tie clamps two axially abutting parts against each other
Implementation Method 2
the other hand can pull upon a free end of the clamping tie, with or without further tools, to complete the clamping
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping-action tie, in particular for docking two lines or flanges, which consists of at least one flexible tie with a closure end and a free end, which should be connected to the closure end, which tie can be closed in a stepped manner, with latching action, or stepless manner around an axis, wherein at least one closing side of the tie is intended to interact mechanically with the closure end during a closing operation, wherein the closing side and/or a further side of the tie, in the form of a clamping side, has at an axial spacing apart from one another over the length of the tie, at at least two circumferential locations, at least two roughly radially inwardly directed elevations directed towards a tied article which runs radially inwards in the direction of the axis, wherein a-clamping region is made between each interacting arrangement of elevations.