Sound-Insulating Pipe Clamp With Hard Cleats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe clamps with sound-insulating cushion pads fail to firmly hold pipes during installation and preliminary tests due to the soft and elastic nature of the pads, leading to friction issues and instability, causing inconvenience and frequent re-locking of the locking mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A pipe clamp design featuring two main coupling components with one having an arc length greater than the semicircular arc and the other less than, equipped with hard cleats and sound-insulating cushion pads, where the cleats are inserted into holes to securely hold the pipe, preventing it from falling and ensuring stability during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-insulating cushion pads are used to hold pipes, then sound insulation is improved, but the pipe cannot be firmly held during installation due to the soft and elastic nature of the pads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidpipe holding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into two functional parts: sound-insulating cushion pads for noise reduction and hard cleats for mechanical support and pipe positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp combines different materials with complementary properties: soft elastic material for sound insulation and hard rigid material for structural support. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between softness (for sound insulation) and hardness (for stable pipe holding).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the arc length of the clamp component is greater than semicircular, then the pipe can be accommodated, but friction prevents the pipe from entering and the component cannot hold the pipe firmly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe accommodationVSAvoidpipe insertion and holding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the clamp have different properties: the cushion pad region provides soft contact for sound insulation, while the cleat region provides hard contact for mechanical support. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between accommodating the pipe and enabling easy insertion/secure holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hard cleats act as intermediaries between the pipe and the clamp component, providing a rigid contact point that overcomes the friction and elastic deformation issues caused by the soft cushion pad alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If pressure is increased to force the pipe inside, then the pipe can be inserted, but the cushion pad deforms and increases contact area, increasing friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe insertionVSAvoidfriction force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is extracted from the soft cushion pad and transferred to the hard cleats. This allows the cushion pad to focus on sound insulation without bearing the mechanical load of holding the pipe, thereby reducing friction and deformation issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the locking mechanism is repeatedly locked and opened for pipe regulation, then the pipe can be repositioned, but the components easily fall apart causing inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe regulationVSAvoidcomponent stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hard cleats are pre-positioned to provide immediate mechanical support and pipe positioning upon insertion, eliminating the need for repeated locking and unlocking operations. This preliminary structural support ensures component stability while allowing pipe regulation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 clamp effectively holds pipes temporarily and securely during installation and preliminary tests, reducing the need for frequent re-locking and preventing components from falling off, enhancing installation efficiency and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

inner sound-insulating cushion pads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

the cushion pad after extrusion will produce an elastic force which will push the pipe out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

this trend will produce friction force Fy which will prevent the pipe from getting into component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2730830B1Pipe pre-fixing sound-insulating clamp
Publication Date: 2015.03.11 WU JIAN
  • EP2730830B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2730830B1 patent drawingFigure 6~12
  • EP2730830B1 patent drawingFigure 13~17

AI summary

This invention relates to a sound-insulating pipe clamp, which is equipped with pipe pre-fixing system. The clamp comprises two main coupling components 1,2, the arc length of one of the two main coupling components 1 is greater than the semicircular arc, and that of the other 2 is smaller than the semicircular arc; the component 1 with which hard cleats 6, 7 are equipped has an arc length greater than the semicircular arc and a cushion pad 5 is adhering to its inner surface of the section with an arc length smaller than (at most equal to) the semicircular arc (below diameter line) and the remaining section (above diameter line) without cushion pad adhering to is used for hard cleats 6, 7; the smallest distance C between the left and right hard cleats 6, 7 must be a little less than the inner diameter D of the inner circular arc which is formed after cushion pad is adhering to. This invention is characterized in that the pipe pre-fixing during sound-insulating pipe installation only depends on one of its two main coupling components with two cleats. This invention can prevent the pipe, the cushion pad, the main component, the parts of the locking mechanism and the like from falling off during pipe installation and preliminary test, which saves the installers opening and re-locking the clamp and makes pipe installation more convenient and efficient.