Pipe Clamp Spring-Elastic Screw Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clamps are prone to unintentional opening during assembly, especially in non-hanging configurations, and handling is complex, especially in restricted spaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring-elastic element to securely hold the clamping screw through a through-opening, which generates a restoring force to maintain the clamp brackets' alignment and provides a locking mechanism, along with an internal undercut in the insertion opening for enhanced stability and ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipe clamp is assembled in non-hanging configuration without a spring-elastic element, then the assembly process is simpler, but the clamp is prone to unintentional opening during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-elastic element is introduced as an intermediary component between the clamp brackets and the clamping screw. This element acts as a mediator that provides restoring force to maintain the clamp brackets in their engaged position, preventing unintentional opening while adding minimal complexity to the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-elastic element is pre-installed in the clamp bracket to provide beforehand cushioning against unintentional opening. The spring is pre-compressed or pre-tensioned to generate a restoring force that actively counteracts any forces that might cause the clamp to open during assembly or operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the clamp brackets are braced against one another without alignment guidance, then the assembly is more stable, but the alignment precision during assembly is poor
Solution Approach 1:
An acoustically perceptible signal (clicking sound) is implemented as feedback to indicate correct alignment of the clamp brackets. When the insertion opening and through-opening are properly aligned, the clamping screw passes through both openings and generates a characteristic clicking sound, providing immediate feedback to the assembler that correct alignment has been achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment signal utilizes mechanical vibration in the form of a clicking sound generated when the clamping screw passes through the aligned openings. This acoustic vibration provides a clear, detectable signal that guides the assembly process and confirms proper alignment without requiring complex alignment tools or procedures.
3Strength
If the clamping screw is passed through a tight-fitting opening, then the holding force is stronger, but the screw cannot be properly positioned during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The opening in the clamp bracket is designed with local quality variation: it has a larger dimension in the plane spanned by the clamping screws to facilitate easy insertion and positioning, while maintaining sufficient structural integrity and holding force. This localized dimensional adjustment allows the opening to serve both functions of easy positioning and strong holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening dimensions are segmented into different directional measurements: a larger clear width in the plane spanned by the clamping screws for easy positioning, and sufficient height to maintain structural strength and holding force. This segmentation of dimensional properties allows the single opening to satisfy both ease of operation and strength requirements.
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 ensures high security against unintentional opening and simplifies handling by maintaining the clamping screw's position, even in unfavorable assembly conditions, and provides an audible signal for correct alignment, ensuring secure fixation of pipes or cables.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping screw passed through the through-opening is held elastically in the through-opening by a spring-elastic element
Implementation Method 2
a restoring force is generated by the spring-elastic element counter to the direction of the insertion opening
Implementation Method 3
due to the spring-elastic element and/or friction between the spring-elastic element and the clamping screw, the pivotable clamp bracket for the assembly of the line to be fixed is held in the open pivoted position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The pipe clamp, with two yokes (12,22) interconnected via flanges and tensioning screws, has the clamping screw (6) which passes through a through-hole (28) in the flange (24) at one end of one of the yokes elastically retained in the through-hole by a flexible element (31). The flexible element is a strip section which at least in areas encompasses the clamping screw and one of the yokes. The strip section is circumferentially closed.