Guided Flange Clamping Assembly Without Bolt-Hole Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange assemblies for connecting pipes or hoses often require precise alignment of through-holes for bolt insertion, which can be challenging and may lead to misalignment or damage during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A flange assembly with a disk-shaped rim and at least three clamps spaced circumferentially around the contact face, each clamp having a pivotably secured clamp body and a movable clamp member that adjusts the clamping force, allowing for efficient retention of opposing flanges without the need for through-hole alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If through-holes are aligned for bolt insertion to secure flanges, then flanges can be connected, but alignment precision and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection function is segmented into two independent parts: (1) through-holes for bolt insertion to secure flanges to the pipe, and (2) clamps with clamp faces for retaining opposing flanges in face-to-face contact. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without requiring precise alignment between them, resolving the contradiction by eliminating the need for through-hole alignment while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping function is extracted from the through-hole connection system. Instead of relying solely on bolted through-holes for both securing and clamping, the invention extracts the clamping function into separate clamps with clamp faces that engage with the flange contact faces. This extraction allows the through-holes to be used only for bolt insertion without requiring precise alignment for clamping, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If clamps are fixed in position to clamp flanges, then clamping force is applied, but the contact face is obscured during flange location
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a retracted position (first position) and a clamping position (second position). During flange location and engagement, the clamp body pivots to the retracted position where it does not obscure the contact face, enabling easy operation. Once alignment is achieved, the clamp body pivots to the clamping position to apply retention force. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation during assembly and reliable retention during service.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp body is designed to be preliminarily positioned in the retracted position before flange engagement occurs. This preliminary action ensures the contact face is unobscured during the critical location and engagement phase. After engagement is complete, the clamp body is then moved to the clamping position. This sequence of preliminary retraction followed by clamping resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and retention security.
3Ease of manufacture
If clamp face position is fixed relative to flange, then assembly is simple, but adjustment of clamping force is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member is designed with movable capability relative to the clamp body through a pivot connection. This dynamic arrangement allows the clamp face position to be adjusted relative to the flange contact face, enabling clamping force adjustment for different applications. The pivot connection maintains a relatively simple assembly structure while providing the versatility needed for force adjustment, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the clamp face relative to the contact face is made variable through the movable clamp member. By changing the position parameter of the clamp member along its movement path, the clamping force can be adjusted to suit different operational requirements. This parameter change capability is achieved through the pivot connection between clamp member and clamp body, which allows simple assembly while providing adjustment versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flange assembly (10) comprises a flange (12) in the form of a disk-shaped rim for connection to a hose or pipe (62), the flange (12) defining a contact face (14) for engagement, in use, with a contact face of an opposed flange; and at least three guide members (52) circumferentially spaced around the contact face of the flange (12), each guide member (52) being detachably secured to an outer edge of the flange (12) so as to extend generally perpendicularly relative to the contact face (14) of the flange (12), and reducing in width so as to define a tapered nose section (54) spaced from the contact face (14) of the flange (12).