Hose Clamp Ear Indentation Resists Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hose clamps with ear-like clamping devices tend to widen after tensioning due to the elasticity of the hose and clamping band, leading to reduced tension force and potential leakage, and existing reinforcement methods increase manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a concave depression in the clamping band that allows hose material to enter and become pinched within, preventing expansion when the tensioning tool is removed, thereby maintaining the clamping force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a harder or thicker clamping band material is used to limit expansion, then the clamping force is maintained, but material costs increase and the hose clamp loses elasticity needed to compensate for irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping band is designed with non-uniform cross-section: thicker at the clamping ear region to resist expansion, and thinner elsewhere to maintain elasticity and reduce material costs. This local variation in thickness optimizes both clamping force maintenance and cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing thickness uniformly in one dimension, the invention uses variable thickness across different regions of the clamping band. The clamping ear has increased thickness locally while the rest of the band remains thinner, solving the contradiction through spatial distribution of material properties.
2Strength
If reinforcement clips or brackets are attached externally to strengthen the clamping ear, then the holding power is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is merged into the clamping band itself through the thicker clamping ear region, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement clips or brackets. The clamping band integrates both clamping and reinforcement functions in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement function is extracted from separate external components and integrated directly into the clamping band structure. The thicker clamping ear region provides the reinforcement effect that would otherwise require additional attached components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the clamping ear is made thinner to reduce material costs, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the clamping ear expands too much after tensioning due to elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping band has different thicknesses in different regions: the clamping ear is thicker to resist expansion and maintain dimensional stability, while other regions are thinner to reduce material costs. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between cost and stability.
4Strength
If an outer clasp of stronger material is added to reinforce the clamping ear, then the holding power is improved, but manufacturing costs and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is merged into the clamping band itself through the thicker clamping ear region, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement clips or brackets. The clamping band integrates both clamping and reinforcement functions in a single component.
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
This solution enhances the holding power of the hose clamp by maintaining tension and reducing material costs through the use of cheaper steel, achieving a significant increase in radial force and surface pressure, thus minimizing leakage.
Implementation Method 1
A problem with this type of tensioning device is that the narrowed tensioning tube widens again somewhat when the tensioning tool is removed due to the elasticity of the hose and also of the clamping band itself.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a hose clamp having a clamping ear (15) that comprises a droplet-shaped recess (25) on the inner face of the clamping band (10) in a region that rests on the hose in the clamped state. The drop-shaped recess acts against an expansion of the clamping ear (15) after the hose clamp has been clamped.