Hygienic Clamp Position Feedback Without Contact Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps used in hygienic applications suffer from mechanical wear, residue build-up, and inability to withstand harsh cleaning conditions, making them unsuitable for industries requiring frequent autoclaving or exposure to aggressive chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A hygienic clamp with a non-contact sensor that detects the clamp's configuration without mechanical contact, using sensors like inductive, optical, or RFID, and is constructed from materials resistant to high temperatures and chemicals, allowing for position feedback and safety interlocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical contact sensor is used to detect clamp position, then the sensing mechanism is simple and reliable, but the sensor suffers from mechanical wear and residue build-up in harsh cleaning conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with non-contact sensing technologies such as inductive sensors, optical sensors, or capacitive sensors. These sensors detect clamp arm position without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and residue build-up while maintaining reliable position detection in harsh cleaning conditions including autoclaving and aggressive chemical exposure
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used for the clamp, then the clamp is easy to manufacture, but it cannot withstand high temperatures and aggressive chemicals during frequent autoclaving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials for the clamp body that can withstand repeated exposure to high temperatures during autoclaving and resistance to aggressive chemicals. These materials maintain structural integrity and hygiene requirements while being manufacturable through standard processes
3Reliability
If a non-contact sensor is integrated into the clamp arm, then the sensor is protected from contamination, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the non-contact sensor directly into the clamp arm structure, merging the sensing function with the mechanical component. This integration protects the sensor from contamination while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing the existing clamp arm geometry as the sensor mounting structure
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 non-contact sensor ensures reliable clamp positioning feedback and safety interlocks, preventing mechanical wear and residue build-up, while withstanding harsh conditions, ensuring cleanliness and safety in hygienic environments.
Implementation Method 1
The non-contact sensor comprises at least one of an inductive sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor
Implementation Method 2
The non-contact sensor comprises at least one of an inductive sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to a hygienic clamp with a non-contact sensor. The clamp may also include a first clamp arm, a second clamp arm, and a hinge to movably join the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm. The non-contact sensor can sense whether the clamp is closed by detecting the proximity of one arm of the clamp to its other arm, without requiring the two arms to contact one another. Since the non-contact sensor is not mechanical, no mechanical wear is produced. It is constructed to prevent build-up that can occur with other types of sensors in industries that use clamps in their applications.