Hose Clamp Taper Geometry for Reduced Sliding Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose clamps face issues with increased sliding resistance and manufacturing variations leading to incomplete gripping and potential deformation, affecting the fastening force and product quality due to curved taper portions and radially outward bending of grip pieces.
Innovation Solution
A hose clamp design featuring a ring-like plate spring main body with a slit and offset locking piece, a taper portion, and a stopper portion to facilitate smooth movement and prevent deformation, ensuring consistent engagement and disengagement of grip pieces without excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If both grip pieces are formed by bending end portions radially outward, then the taper portion becomes curved, but sliding resistance increases and gripping reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The taper portion is divided into multiple linear segments rather than being a single curved surface. This segmentation into straight-line portions reduces sliding resistance while maintaining the radial outward bending structure for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the taper portion curved to facilitate grip piece movement, the invention inverts the approach by making it linear with multiple facets. This inversion resolves the contradiction by achieving smooth movement through linear geometry rather than curved geometry.
2Productivity
If grip pieces are gripped maximally close together, then the plate spring main body contracts fully, but manufacturing variation causes collision or re-engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The taper portion is designed to preliminarily guide the grip pieces into proper alignment and positioning before the final contraction occurs. This preliminary guiding action ensures that even with manufacturing variations, the grip pieces will not collide or re-engage incorrectly during the fastening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear taper structure provides a cushioning effect by distributing the closing force gradually along the linear facets, preventing sudden collisions that could occur with curved surfaces. This beforehand cushioning protects against the effects of manufacturing variations.
3Ease of operation
If the taper portion has curved geometry, then it guides the grip piece, but sliding resistance increases gradually
Solution Approach 1:
The taper portion is segmented into multiple linear facets that guide the grip piece through discrete angular transitions rather than continuous curved contact. This segmentation reduces the cumulative sliding resistance while maintaining effective guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry parameter of the taper portion is changed from curved to linear. This parameter change reduces the sliding resistance coefficient while preserving the guidance function, as the linear facets provide sufficient directional guidance without the increased friction of curved surfaces.
4Ease of operation
If excessive force is applied to gripple pieces, then movement is forced, but deformation occurs and fastening force is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The linear taper portion performs the preliminary action of guiding and positioning the grip pieces correctly before final engagement. This preliminary guidance ensures that the grip pieces move along the intended path without requiring excessive force, thereby preventing deformation of the plate spring main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved mechanical guidance system is replaced with a linear facet-based guidance system. This substitution reduces the mechanical stress and sliding resistance, allowing grip pieces to move smoothly without requiring excessive force that could cause deformation.
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 design ensures reliable movement of grip pieces, prevents deformation, and maintains consistent fastening force by reducing sliding resistance and allowing easy recognition of the final gripping position, ensuring secure hose clamping without product damage.
Implementation Method 1
the plate spring main body is diametrically contracted when it is in a free state, and by bringing the first grip piece and the second grip piece close to each other from the free state, the plate spring main body is diametrically expanded against its elastic force
Data Source
AI summary
A hose clamp includes a plate spring main body, and a slit and a first grip piece are formed at one end portion, while an insertion piece and a second grip piece are formed at the other end portion thereof. A locking piece having a hook-shaped locking portion is formed on the first grip piece via a bent portion, while an engagement holding portion is formed on the second grip piece. Provided on the locking piece are a taper portion which expands from the locking portion towards the bent portion and a stopper portion which extends substantially parallel to the first grip piece. The taper portion is disposed along a plane which is substantially parallel to a circumferential surface of the plate spring main body, and an intersection point between the taper portion and the stopper portion is offset in a width direction relative to the locking portion.