Hinged Pipe Clamp with Elastic Claws for Narrow Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clamps fail to securely attach pipes with non-circular, narrow portions due to misalignment in the thrust direction, leading to potential disengagement as the wide portion of the pipe displaces and applies load to the clamp members, disrupting the connection.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a first member with a concave portion attached to the support member and a second member hinge-connected to the first member, with both members having concave portions that receive the narrow pipe portion, maintaining its orthogonal posture and distributing load to reduce engagement disruption, and incorporating elastic claws for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the clamp is designed to clamp the narrow portion of the pipe to prevent rotation, then the pipe stability is improved, but when the pipe displaces in the thrust direction, the wide portion enters the clamp and expands the members, causing connection disruption and potential pipe release
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp members are designed with differentiated local properties: the first and second concave portions have specific shapes that locally accommodate the narrow portion of the pipe, while other portions of the members have structures (such as the third concave portion and engagement features) that prevent excessive expansion. This local quality differentiation allows the clamp to maintain both pipe stability and connection reliability under displacement conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates dynamic engagement mechanisms where the second member can selectively engage with the first member through hinge connection and engagement features. This dynamic design allows the clamp to adapt to pipe displacement by maintaining engagement through controlled movement rather than rigid fixed connection, preventing connection disruption while maintaining stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the first member and second member are expanded by the wide portion of the displaced pipe, then the pipe can be accommodated, but the connection between both members may be disrupted, releasing the pipe retention
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is segmented into functional zones: the first concave portion and second concave portion that receive the narrow pipe portion, the third concave portion that accommodates the wide portion without causing expansion, and the engagement features that maintain connection. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, accommodating pipe displacement while maintaining reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The third concave portion acts as an intermediary structure between the pipe's wide portion and the main clamping action. It provides a dedicated space that receives the wide portion of the displaced pipe, preventing it from forcing expansion of the clamping members and disrupting the connection between the first and second members, thus maintaining retention reliability.
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 clamp design enhances rigidity against pipe movement in the thrust direction, maintaining secure attachment even when the pipe displaces, by distributing load orthogonally and using elastic claws to maintain engagement, thus preventing disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
a second member (3) whose base end is hinge-connected to the first member and whose front end is selectively engaged with the first member
Implementation Method 2
incorporating elastic claws for enhanced stability
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp for attaching a pipe with a narrow width portion to a support member, includes a first member including a first concave portion adapted to be connected to the support member; and a second member whose base end is hinge-connected to the first member and whose front end is selectively engaged with the first member. The second member includes a second concave portion facing the first concave portion and defines a housing portion receiving the narrow portion together with the first concave portion in a state wherein the front end is engaged with the first member. The first concave portion and the second concave portion support the narrow portion in a posture wherein the first radial direction is orthogonal to a direction in which the first member and the second member face each other, and abut against a portion in the first radial direction of the narrow portion.