Pipe Clamp Sleeve Assembly Without Weld Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe clamps and sliding gliders face issues with corrosion at welding points, leading to potential detachment and heat-induced damage, which compromises the secure fastening of pipes and the integrity of elastic inserts.

Innovation Solution

A fastening element with a sleeve made of metal, connected to a sheet metal part via a collar formed by pressing the sheet metal part into the sleeve's internal thread, creating an external thread that provides a non-positive and positive connection without heat input, and featuring anti-twist devices to prevent unintentional disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the sleeve and clamp body are joined by welding, then a strong connection is achieved, but corrosion forms at the weld points leading to potential separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/chemical joining) with a mechanical threading system. The sleeve has internal threads and the clamp body has external threads, allowing assembly through screwing rather than welding. This eliminates weld points that are susceptible to corrosion while maintaining strong mechanical connection through the threaded interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If welding is used to join the sleeve and clamp body, then a secure connection is achieved, but heat input damages the elastic inserts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidheat damage to elastic inserts
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the welding process with a mechanical threading and pressing system. The sleeve is pressed onto the clamp body's threaded protrusion, creating a secure mechanical connection without thermal input. This preserves the elastic inserts by eliminating the heat source that would otherwise degrade them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic inserts are placed into the clamp body before the sleeve is assembled. The threading and pressing operations are performed after the inserts are already in position, ensuring they are not exposed to heat or damage during the joining process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the sleeve and clamp body are joined by welding, then a permanent connection is achieved, but the elastic inserts can only be inserted after welding and cooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection permanenceVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic inserts are installed into the clamp body before the sleeve is assembled. The threaded connection allows the sleeve to be screwed onto the clamp body with the inserts already in place, eliminating the need to wait for cooling after welding and enabling insert installation prior to final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical threading system allows for sequential assembly operations without thermal cycles. The sleeve can be threaded and pressed onto the clamp body after the inserts are in place, providing operational flexibility and eliminating cooling wait times required by welding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution prevents corrosion and heat-related issues, ensuring a stable and secure connection between the sleeve and sheet metal part, while the anti-twist devices enhance the locking mechanism, making it difficult to unscrew the sleeve, thus providing a reliable fastening system for pipes.

Implementation Method 1

A plunger is driven through a pre-drilled hole in the sheet metal part... towards the first end face of the sleeve. This draws the metal of the sheet metal part into the sleeve, thus forming the collar. The external thread ensures that the sleeve is axially fixed and positively and force-fit connected to the sheet metal part.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4124762B1Fastening element
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 FISCHERWERKE ARTUR FISCHER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4124762B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4124762B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening element (1), for example, a pipe clamp. The fastening element (1) has a sleeve (2) with an internal thread (6) for receiving a threaded rod. A sheet metal part (3), for example, a clamp bracket of the pipe clamp, is connected to the sleeve (2) by a collar (9) which is drawn into the internal thread (6) of the sleeve (2) in a force-fit and form-fit manner. Anti-rotation features are formed between the sleeve (2) and the sheet metal part (3), which ensure that the sleeve (2) can no longer be detached from the collar (9).