Hose Clamp With Integral Claws for Seed Delivery

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hose clamps can either crush flexible seed delivery hoses due to overtightening or fail to provide sufficient friction, leading to hose loosening under agricultural equipment vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A hose clamp design featuring a clamping band with thread elements and a fastener housing with radially protruding claws that penetrate the hose, allowing for adjustable clamping force to securely attach the hose to a receiver tube without crushing it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the clamping force of the hose clamp is increased to prevent hose loosening under vibration, then the reliability of hose attachment is improved, but the hose may be crushed and pneumatic delivery may be constricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose attachment reliabilityVSAvoidhose crushing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: the clamping band provides gentle friction-based holding, while the claws provide penetration-based security. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without the harmful effects of excessive clamping force on the hose body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The claws act as intermediary elements that transfer the clamping force directly to the hose structure through penetration, rather than applying distributed pressure across the hose surface. This intermediary mechanism secures the hose without crushing it, as the force is concentrated at the claw penetration points rather than distributed across the hose wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the clamping force is reduced to prevent hose crushing, then the harm to the hose is minimized, but the frictional clamping becomes insufficient and the hose may come loose over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose crushing preventionVSAvoidhose attachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: the clamping band provides gentle friction-based holding, while the claws provide penetration-based security. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without the harmful effects of excessive clamping force on the hose body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The claws act as intermediary elements that transfer the clamping force directly to the hose structure through penetration, rather than applying distributed pressure across the hose surface. This intermediary mechanism secures the hose without crushing it, as the force is concentrated at the claw penetration points rather than distributed across the hose wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a conventional hose clamp design is used without claws, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to securely attach the hose without crushing it is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamp structure simplicityVSAvoidhose attachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The claws are merged with the fastener housing as an integral component, forming a unified structure that combines the functions of the housing and the securing elements. This merging approach increases reliability without significantly increasing device complexity, as the claws are formed as part of the housing rather than being separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastener housing serves multiple functions: it houses the bolt mechanism, provides structural support for the clamping band, and incorporates the claws for hose penetration. This multi-functionality increases reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one component performs multiple roles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 secure attachment of the hose to the receiver tube with a low clamping force, preventing crushing and hose loosening, even under vibration, by using claws to grip the hose and allowing for adjustable clamping.

Implementation Method 1

a threaded bolt supported in a fastener housing at one end of the clamping band for meshing engagement with thread elements along the band to vary a circumference of the clamping band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded engagement: Screw

Implementation Method 2

at least one claw fixed onto the fastener housing and protruding radially inward beyond the inner surface of the clamping band towards the central axis of the clamping band for gripping the hose

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10627029B2Hose clamp with integral claws

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 AIRGUARD INC

AI summary

A hose clamp, for clamping a pneumatic seed delivery hose within a slotted receiver tube of an agricultural seed boot, including a clamping band with thread elements for cooperation with a bolt within a fastener housing at one end of the clamping band to be clamped circumferentially about the hose within the receiver tube. A set of claws are spaced apart from one another along opposing sides of the fastener housing for penetration into the pneumatic seed delivery hose when clamping the hose within the receiver tube.