Pipe Clip With Curved Threaded Element For High Holding Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe clamps have limited holding force due to thin threaded elements, which restricts their ability to securely fasten heavier pipes, and often require significant force for assembly and closure, making them difficult to use effectively.

Innovation Solution

A pipe clamp design featuring a half-cylindrical or half-roller threaded element with a convex contour and a concave recess allows for a thicker threaded element with multiple turns, enabling high clamping forces and easy assembly through a smooth click closure mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a thin threaded element is used, then the device complexity is reduced and assembly is simpler, but the holding force and clamping capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidthreaded element thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded element is designed with a curved, roller-like cross-section instead of a straight cylindrical shape. This curvature allows the element to pivot and roll during operation, enabling a thicker design with multiple thread turns that provides increased holding force while maintaining smooth operation through rolling motion rather than sliding friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If a thicker threaded element with multiple threads is used, then the holding force increases, but the restoring element cannot effectively act upon it for click closure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidclick closure functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The curved roller-like shape of the threaded element enables it to pivot smoothly on its axis when acted upon by the restoring element. This curvature allows the restoring element to effectively engage with the threaded element even when it is thicker, facilitating the click closure mechanism where the clamping screw automatically clicks into the pipe clamp fork upon closing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded element is designed to be dynamically pivotable and rollable rather than statically fixed. This dynamic capability allows the restoring element to effectively act upon the threaded element during the closing operation, enabling the automatic click closure function while accommodating the thicker design with multiple thread turns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If significant force is applied during assembly, then the clamping screw can be pivoted against the spring clip, but the unfavorable lever ratios make handling difficult and prevent quick assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidforce required for closure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The curved roller-like threaded element reduces friction during pivoting by enabling rolling motion. This significantly reduces the force required to pivot the clamping screw against the spring clip during assembly, eliminating the unfavorable lever ratio problem and allowing quick, easy handling without requiring excessive closing force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design provides a secure and easy-to-use pipe clamp that can hold heavier pipes securely with minimal effort, ensuring a permanent hold and easy pre-assembly with a harmonious movement sequence.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-elastic restoring element, which presses the plate against the corresponding clamping flange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2166265B1Pipe clip with improved lock
Publication Date: 2013.04.24 SINN EDGAR EMIL
  • EP2166265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2166265B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2166265B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The clip has a clip body comprising clamping flanges (6). A concave recess (12) is formed in one of the clamping flange supporting a thread element (9) or in a reset element (13) operating on the thread element. The thread element comprises a convex contour on a side, where the contour lies in the concave recess. A rotational movement of a clamping screw (8) during closing and/or opening the clip is connected with rotation and /or rolling of the thread element in the concave recess. The reset element is made of stainless steel or plastic.