Floating-Bushing Pole Clamp for Secure Non-Slip Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pole clamps fail to provide sufficient force to securely hold devices on generally cylindrical structures without loosening, slipping, or deforming the structure.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part clamp system featuring semi-spherical floating bushings and a coupling sub-system with threaded rods and nuts, allowing for adjustable and secure attachment to cylindrical support structures, including those above ground level, with integrated drop-prevention structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional pole clamps are used to bind devices to cylindrical structures, then the clamp can be installed on the structure, but the clamp fails to provide sufficient binding force and loosens or slips over time
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into multiple segments including a U-shaped body with jaw members that can independently contact the cylindrical structure at multiple points. This segmentation allows the binding force to be distributed across multiple contact points, increasing overall holding reliability while maintaining sufficient binding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw members feature curved or rounded contact surfaces that conform to the cylindrical shape of the support structure. This curvature enables better contact geometry, increasing friction and binding force while preventing the clamp from slipping or rotating on the rounded surface.
2Force
If band clamps are used to increase binding force, then more binding force is achieved, but the clamp cannot be easily separated and repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body is segmented into movable jaw members that can be opened and closed independently. This allows the clamp to be opened for easy installation and removal, then closed to provide strong binding force, combining the advantages of both U-bolts and band clamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw members are designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing them to transition between open and closed positions. This dynamic design enables easy installation when open, secure binding when closed, and simple repositioning by opening and moving the clamp along the cylindrical structure.
3Force
If high binding force is applied to hold devices securely, then the device is held firmly, but the cylindrical structure may deform or be crushed
Solution Approach 1:
The binding force is segmented and distributed across multiple jaw members that contact different portions of the cylindrical structure. This distribution prevents concentration of force at single points, reducing the risk of local deformation or crushing while maintaining overall binding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw members feature localized contact surfaces with optimized geometry and material properties. The contact surfaces are designed to distribute pressure evenly across the interface with the cylindrical structure, providing high binding force locally while preventing harmful stress concentrations that could cause deformation.
4Reliability
If the clamp is designed to resist rotation and slipping, then holding reliability improves, but the clamp complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contact surfaces of the jaw members naturally resist rotation and slipping on the cylindrical structure through geometry alone. The arc-shaped contact surfaces conform to the cylinder's curvature, creating friction-based resistance to rotational and sliding movements without requiring additional mechanical locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable jaw members dynamically adapt to the cylindrical structure's surface through controlled movement and adjustment. This dynamic adaptation allows the clamp to self-adjust to maintain optimal contact and resistance to rotation and slipping, achieving high reliability through simple mechanical motion rather than complex locking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp includes a first clamp body portion arranged for removable coupling about a generally cylindrical support structure to a second clamp body portion. The first clamp body portion includes a first clamp structure containing a first generally semi-spherical floating bushing, the first generally semi-spherical floating bushing coupled to the first clamp structure. The second clamp body portion includes a second clamp structure containing a second generally semi-spherical floating bushing, the second generally semi-spherical floating bushing coupled to the second clamp structure.