Pipe Clip Vibration Isolator with Hardened Edge Ribs
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration-isolating inserts for pipe clips face challenges in maintaining effective vibration isolation and secure pipe holding due to deformation of lateral ribs under load, leading to increased friction and risk of the insert being pulled out during pipe movement.
Innovation Solution
The vibration-isolating insert features lateral edge ribs made entirely or predominantly of a material with a lower friction coefficient and greater hardness, which reduces deformation and enhances grip by engaging the pipe surface only when the pipe clip is tightened, ensuring better holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ribs at lateral edges are made of vibration isolating material, then vibration isolation is improved, but deformation under load increases leading to increased friction and insert pull-out risk
Solution Approach 1:
The rib at each lateral edge is constructed as a composite structure with a harder material layer (higher deformation resistance) on the pipe-contacting surface and a vibration isolating material core. This composite design allows the rib to maintain its shape under load while still providing vibration isolation, resolving the contradiction between vibration isolation performance and deformation resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert employs non-uniform material distribution: the pipe-contacting surface of the lateral edge ribs uses harder material with higher deformation resistance, while the interior and other ribs use softer vibration isolating material. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally - the harder surface prevents deformation and insert pull-out, while the softer interior provides vibration isolation.
2Ease of operation
If ribs at lateral edges stand out above other ribs, then pipe sliding is facilitated during installation, but deformation under load causes pipe surface contact with lower ribs increasing friction
Solution Approach 1:
The standing-out rib structure is reinforced with harder material at the pipe-contacting surface, allowing it to maintain its elevated position during pipe installation (facilitating sliding) while resisting deformation under subsequent loads (preventing insert pull-out). The composite construction ensures the rib remains dimensionally stable despite the height differential.
Solution Approach 2:
The material hardness parameter is increased at the critical pipe-contacting surface of the lateral edge ribs, transforming the material properties locally to resist deformation. This parameter change allows the rib to maintain its standing-out geometry under operational loads, ensuring continued ease of pipe installation without compromising insert retention.
3Ease of operation
If all ribs are provided with friction-reducing surface layer, then pipe sliding is easier, but grip on pipe is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-reducing harder material is applied locally only to the pipe-contacting surface of the lateral edge ribs, not to all ribs. This localized application ensures that pipe sliding during installation is facilitated where needed (at the lateral edges), while other ribs maintain higher friction characteristics for secure pipe holding after installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is segmented into different functional zones: lateral edge ribs with friction-reducing material for installation phase, and other ribs with higher friction material for operation phase. This segmentation allows different parts of the insert to perform different functions at different times, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and pipe holding force.
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 design significantly reduces the risk of pipe surface contact with lower ribs during installation and increases grip on the pipe, providing improved vibration isolation and secure fixation.
Implementation Method 1
a rib is provided having a tip made of a more rigid (lower friction coefficient) material than the vibration isolating material of the strip
Implementation Method 2
Said material with the lower friction coefficient has a greater hardness than said vibration-isolating material
Implementation Method 3
a vibration-isolating insert for a pipe clip... adapted to bear against an inner circumference of a substantially annular pipe clip body and ultimately - in use - to be positioned between the outer circumference of a pipe and the pipe clip body
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7
AI summary
A vibration-isolating insert (1) for a pipe clip, the insert (1) comprises an elongate strip (2) of vibration-isolating material and has a pipe clip facing side and a pipe facing side. The pipe facing side has a plurality of longitudinal ribs (5, 6). At each of the lateral edges of the strip a rib (6) is provided having a tip made of a material with a lower friction coefficient than the vibration isolating material of the strip. At least one longitudinal rib (5) made of the vibration isolating material and having a tip of this material is located between the ribs at the lateral edges. The ribs (6) at the lateral edges stand out above the at least one rib between them and are made entirely or for the larger part of a material with a greater hardness and a lower friction coefficient than the vibration-isolating material.