Pipe Clip Locking Mechanism for Heavy Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clips with open-ended slots in the first flange face issues with fixation loss under heavy loads and temporary attachment instability, as the flange portions can shift and the screw shank can escape during pipe alignment and tightening.
Innovation Solution
A pipe clip design featuring a longitudinal slot with an inclined end portion on the first flange, where the screw head is guided towards the slot's end and a collar portion is received in a circular groove of the screw head, providing a stronger locking mechanism that prevents screw shank escape and enhances stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an open-ended slot is used in the first flange for screw insertion, then ease of assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates as the screw shank can escape during pipe alignment and the fixation is lost under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The collar portion is integrated into the first flange structure, forming a nested configuration where the collar is positioned at the closed end of the slot to receive and retain the screw shank, preventing escape while maintaining the open-ended slot for assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The first flange is segmented into distinct functional zones: an open-ended slot for screw insertion, a collar portion at the closed end for retention, and an inclined end portion for guiding, allowing each segment to perform its specific function independently
2Ease of operation
If the slot is open at both ends for easy screw insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but strength deteriorates as flange portions adjacent the slot are pulled from underneath the screw head under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The collar portion is positioned at the closed end of the slot to provide preliminary retention of the screw shank, preventing the harmful action of screw escape before it can occur during pipe alignment or under load
Solution Approach 2:
The first flange is designed with non-uniform structure: the collar portion at the closed end provides localized reinforcement and retention functionality, while the inclined end portion provides guided insertion, allowing different regions to have optimized properties for their specific functions
3Reliability
If a separate retaining means is added to prevent screw escape, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional manufacturing and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The collar portion is merged with the first flange as an integral structure, combining the retention function with the existing flange rather than requiring a separate retaining component, thus improving reliability without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The first flange is designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural support, guiding screw insertion via the inclined end portion, and retaining the screw shank via the collar portion, eliminating the need for separate dedicated retaining components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A pipe clip for fastening a pipe to a support structure, comprises an annular pipe clip body for surrounding the pipe to be fastened. The pipe clip body has a first and a second flange (13, 16) which in use are pulled towards each other by means of a male fastening element (18) having a head (19) and a shank (20). The second flange (16) is associated with a female fastening means (30) via which the male fastening element is connected to the second flange. The first flange (13) has a longitudinal slot (14) which has an open end opposing the closed end, said open end opening up in an edge of the first flange for introducing the shank of the male fastening element into the slot. The first flange (13) has an upstanding collar portion (13A) around said closed end of the cutout (14). The head (19) of the male fastening element has a circular groove (22) in its underside. The groove is engageable with the collar so as to mutually lock the head and the first flange in position at said closed end. The first flange adjacent the slot has an inclined end portion (15) with respect to the plane of the second flange, which inclined end portion is bent away from the second flange. The inclined end portion guides the head of the male fastening element towards the end portion of the slot and towards the upper surface of the first flange with the head over the collar portion, such that the collar portion is received in the groove in the head.