Half-Ring Connection Clamp With Tangential Latching Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection clamps, such as Tri-Clamps, require high manufacturing complexity and multiple materials, making them costly and unsuitable for single-use applications, and often necessitate pre-assembled line sections, limiting their adaptability and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A connection clamp design featuring half-ring segments with bilateral latching mechanisms, allowing for assembly without pre-assembly and using threaded means to generate clamping force, reducing material complexity and enabling easier assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional Tri-Clamp connection clamps are used, then reliable connection and clamping force are achieved, but manufacturing complexity and material costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection clamp is divided into two separable half-ring segments that can be assembled around the line sections independently. Each half-ring segment has simplified structure without requiring complex pivotable connections or multiple materials, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection reliability through the latching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional closed-loop clamp that must be pre-assembled, the invention uses two open half-ring segments that are assembled in reverse sequence - each half-ring is placed separately and then joined through latching means, eliminating the need for complex pre-assembly operations and enabling adaptation to existing line sections.
2Force
If traditional Tri-Clamp connection clamps are used, then strong clamping force is achieved, but additional tools and pre-assembly are required
Solution Approach 1:
The half-ring segments incorporate self-latching mechanisms with latching means that automatically engage when the segments are brought together. The latching means include latching elements on one half-ring that engage with corresponding receptacles on the other half-ring, creating a self-servicing connection that maintains clamping force without requiring additional tools or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching means are nested within the structure of the half-ring segments themselves, with latching elements and receptacles integrated into the segment ends. This nesting eliminates the need for separate fastening components or tools, allowing the clamping force to be maintained through the inherent structure of the assembled half-rings.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-use applications are implemented, then cost-effectiveness improves, but connection clamp performance and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection clamp is designed as a disposable single-use element with two separable half-ring segments that can be manufactured cost-effectively. The simplified structure of each half-ring segment, without complex pivotable connections or multiple materials, reduces manufacturing costs while the latching mechanism ensures reliable connection performance during the single use, after which both the clamp and line sections are disposed of together.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an annular connection clamp with a first clamping flange (22) which protrudes radially inwards and with an axial counter bearing (24) which is spaced from the clamping flange and which is made of a first and a second half-ring segment (20), each half-ring segment having a first and a second segment end. The first segment end of the first half-ring segment (20) has latching means (281) of a first type, and the second segment end of the second half-ring segment has corresponding latching means (282) of a second type, said latching means being pushed into each other in a tangential direction, thereby being latchable together. The second segment end of the half-ring segment (20) has latching means (282) of a second type, and the first segment end of the second half-ring segment (20) has latching means (281) of a first type, said latching means being pushed into each other in a tangential direction, thereby being latchable together.