Tool-Free Pipe Clamp Latching for Tight Combustion Flue Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clamps for combustion air pipes in heating exhaust gas systems face challenges in achieving optimal tightness while being easy to manufacture and install, with complex assembly processes and risks of damage from over-tightening, and existing solutions are either too complex or require additional components like screws.
Innovation Solution
A pipe clamp design featuring a buckle and tab with complementary latching means that allows for simple assembly without tools, providing multiple bracing positions to adapt to production tolerances and ensuring optimal tightness, manufactured as a single plastic injection-molded part without the need for additional components like screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe clamp with radial extensions and screws is used to achieve high tightness, then the tightness of the joint is improved, but the assembly process becomes complex and the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fixing means directly into the contact ring structure, merging the clamping function and fixing function into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate screws and radial extensions, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining tightness through the integrated fixing elements that engage with the combustion air pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the screws and complex radial extension structures from the design, extracting only the essential clamping and fixing functions. The fixing means are simplified to essential elements that can be integrated into the contact ring, reducing assembly complexity while preserving the tightness function.
2Reliability
If screws are used to clamp the retaining ring, then the tightness is improved, but the risk of damage from over-tightening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing means are designed to automatically engage and secure the pipe clamp in position without requiring manual screw tightening. The integration of fixing elements into the contact ring structure allows the clamp to self-secure through its own structural features, eliminating the harmful effect of over-tightening while maintaining reliable tightness.
3Reliability
If a complex clamping element shape is used, then the tightness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clamping element and fixing means into a single integrated contact ring structure, eliminating the need for separate complex clamping elements. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the tightness function through the unified structural design that incorporates both clamping and fixing features.
4Reliability
If a pipe clamp with additional components like screws is used, then the tightness is improved, but the number of components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary additional components like screws from the pipe clamp design, extracting only the essential elements needed for tightness. The fixing means are integrated directly into the contact ring structure, reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps while maintaining the required tightness level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fixing function into the contact ring structure itself, combining multiple functions into a single component. This integration eliminates the need for separate fixing components and simplifies the installation process, making it easier to assemble while maintaining tightness through the integrated design.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2c
Figure 3a~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe clamp (1) for gripping a circumferential joint (22) between two axially adjacent combustion air pipes (20, 21) of an exhaust pipe system (10) of a heating system, with a contact ring (2) for bearing against the outer surfaces (14) of both combustion air pipes, which can be clamped around the combustion air pipes (20, 21) with fixing means (15), wherein the contact ring (2) has a first and a second free end region (3, 4) for opening the contact ring (2) for assembly purposes, and wherein, in the assembled state, an end-side overlap section (5) of the first end region (3) radially overlaps an end-side tongue (6) of the second end region (4) in the circumferential direction, wherein, in the assembled state, the overlap section (5) extends over the tongue (6) in both axial directions (7, 8) and has a contact surface (11) on each of the axial sides of the tongue (6). 12) shows,to be supported axially next to the tongue (6) on both sides of the joint (22) with a contact surface (11, 12) on the outer shell surfaces (14) of the combustion air pipes (20, 21), wherein the fixing means (15) have a buckle (24) and a tab (25) each assigned to a free end (29), wherein the buckle (24) and the tab (25) comprise mutually complementary locking means (26) for locking the pipe clamp (1) in different clamping positions.