Low-Profile Clamp Band Geometry for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low profile clamps with wave-type tolerance compensation elements suffer from weak impact resistance, limited elongation, and increased band length, leading to potential disengagement and reduced clamping performance.
Innovation Solution
A clamp structure with a clamping band featuring a reduced cross-section portion for tolerance compensation, allowing almost linear elongation at high closing forces, mitigating disengagement risks and maintaining radial load performance, comprising adjacent band regions with a constant width second region and linearly decreasing/increasing first and third regions, and strategically positioned cut-outs for enhanced stretchability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wave-type tolerance compensation elements are used to enable clamp elongation, then tolerance stack coverage capability is improved, but clamp resistance to impact deteriorates and disengagement risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the band material by introducing a reduced cross-section portion with specific dimensions (band width reduced from first band width to second band width). This parameter change enables controlled plastic deformation for tolerance compensation while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent disengagement under impact loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific region (reduced cross-section portion) with different structural properties than the rest of the band. This localized modification allows the band to elongate in a controlled manner at the reduced section while the rest of the band maintains its full cross-section and strength for withstanding impact forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wave profile tolerance compensation elements are included in clamp design, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but overall band length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional wave profiles that extend radially outward to a reduced cross-section portion that achieves elongation through controlled plastic deformation in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional change eliminates the need for radial extension while still providing the required tolerance compensation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By modifying the cross-sectional parameters (reducing band width in a specific region) rather than adding radial extensions, the patent achieves tolerance compensation without increasing the overall band length. The parameter change enables the band to accommodate tolerance variations through localized deformation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If slot-like openings are used for tolerance compensation, then stretchability is enhanced, but maximum resistance before breakage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized reduced cross-section portion with specific dimensional characteristics that provide controlled plastic deformation capability. This localized modification offers a more favorable balance between stretchability and strength compared to slot-like openings, as it maintains material continuity while enabling controlled elongation at high closing force values.
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 solution provides increased maximum achievable stroke before breakage, improved impact resistance, and optimized elongation characteristics without compromising clamp stiffness or cost, outperforming prior art solutions in finite element analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the object's tolerance stack must be considered. Low profile clamps, due to their fixed closing stroke, typically suffer from a limited application range and therefore reduced tolerance stack coverage capability. Therefore, clamps are provided with tolerance compensation elements to enable clamp elongation to accommodate the object's tolerance variations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved tolerance compensation means 50 for a clamp structure 10 formed by a clamping band 1 with first and second end portions 2, 3 adapted to overlap each other as inner and an outer clamping band portions when installing the clamp structure 10 around an object to be fastened. The tolerance compensation means 50 includes adjacent first, second and third band regions 51-53, whereas the second band region 52 has a constant band width Wred smaller than that of the first and third band regions 51, 53.