Hose Clamp Hook Structure for Thermal Expansion and Shape Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps used in environments with significant temperature variations, such as outdoors or in vehicle engine compartments, face issues with plastic deformation under high tensile forces, leading to irreversible modifications in the hook's geometry and reduced tightening assurance due to deformation of the rear fold and increased hook length.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a metal belt with a protruding lug and a hook having a front wall and a radial gripping surface, where the side edges act as stays to prevent deformation, maintaining the hook's integrity and ensuring reversible deformation to accommodate thermal expansions without compromising the clamping force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear fold is used to provide a gripping surface for the jaw of the hook, then the tightening operation is enabled, but the hook undergoes plastic deformation under high tensile forces which modifies the positioning of the front wall and increases the length of the hook
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is divided into distinct functional zones: a gripping surface zone for tool engagement and a running part zone that maintains structural integrity. The gripping surface is positioned at the rear of the running part, separating the tightening function from the load-bearing function, thereby preventing deformation propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping surface is designed with specific local geometric properties (radial projection, controlled width between 20%-70% of running part width) to provide effective tool engagement, while the side edges maintain a different local quality (set back radially, inclined 5°-60°) to provide structural support and prevent deformation of the running part.
2Ease of operation
If the rear fold is used for tightening, then the hook can be engaged by the jaw, but the deformation of the rear fold results in an unwinding that increases the length of the hook and reduces the tightening assurance
Solution Approach 1:
The side edges are designed with specific geometric parameters (radial setback, inclination angle between 5°-60°) that transform the running part into a structurally stable configuration. These parameter changes prevent the unwinding deformation that would otherwise increase hook length, while still allowing the gripping surface to engage the jaw effectively.
3Force
If the hook is subjected to high tensile forces during tightening and closing, then the clamping function is achieved, but the running part undergoes plastic deformation which modifies the geometry of the hook
Solution Approach 1:
The running part is pre-configured with a gripping surface and side edges that create a structurally optimized geometry before the hook is subjected to tensile forces. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when tensile forces are applied during tightening, the hook maintains its shape and the front wall positioning remains stable.
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 maintains effective tightening and prevents plastic deformation of the hook, ensuring consistent attachment and reduced risk of loosening due to thermal expansions, thereby maintaining the clamping force over varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the collar must be able to accompany these expansions to a certain extent, so as to maintain the tightening without damaging the tightened object. Thus, the deformations of the object clamped by the collar can cause local deformation of the collar, and it is important that this deformation be reversible
Implementation Method 2
the hook having a front wall intended to be retained behind the ear while the hook is hooked onto the ear to hold the collar in the tightened state
Implementation Method 3
the object clamped by the collar may deform, in particular due to any thermal expansion, which may cause significant tensile forces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The hose clamp comprises a metal band (10) with a projecting lug (12) near a first end (10A) and a hook (14) near a second end (10B). The hook has a front wall (14A) and a running portion (14B). The wall (14A) is designed to be held behind the lug, while the hook (14) is hooked onto the lug (12) to maintain the clamp in the tightened position. The running portion (14B) connects the front wall (14A) to the band (10) and has a gripping surface (16) projecting radially outward and two lateral edges (18, 19) extending axially on either side of the gripping surface and being radially recessed from the gripping surface.