Pipe Clip Movable Retaining Shoe Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clips require excessive force to insert and remove the fastening element due to the deformation of the retaining shoe's narrowing slot, leading to reduced effectiveness with repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A movable retaining shoe with a wedge portion that moves transversely between a retaining and receiving position, allowing the fastening element to pass through a narrow passage with reduced force and facilitating easy release, combined with reset means like spring members or elastomeric layers to maintain the retaining function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retaining shoe has a narrowing slot portion that deforms elastically to retain the screw shank, then the fastening element is securely retained, but excessive force is required to insert and remove the fastening element
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining shoe is made movable relative to the second flange, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a retaining position (where the wedge portion engages the shank) and a receiving position (where the shank can be easily inserted or removed). This dynamic movement reduces the force required for insertion and removal while maintaining secure retention during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge portion acts as an intermediary element between the shank and the retaining shoe structure. By engaging the shank at an angle, the wedge portion gradually pushes the retaining shoe into the receiving position during insertion, distributing the force required and reducing the peak force needed compared to direct perpendicular insertion.
2Reliability
If the narrowing slot portion is used to retain the fastening element, then secure retention is achieved, but repeated mounting and demounting reduces the retaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The movable retaining shoe resets to the retaining position after each insertion/removal cycle, allowing the narrowing slot portion to return to its original undeformed state. This dynamic resetting prevents cumulative deformation damage that would occur with fixed retaining shoes, enabling repeated mounting and demounting without loss of retaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining shoe temporarily yields during insertion by moving to the receiving position, allowing the shank to pass through the narrowing slot portion. After insertion, the resetting mechanism recovers the retaining shoe to its original retaining position, preserving the integrity and effectiveness of the narrowing slot portion for future operations.
3Force
If the slot in the retaining shoe is made wide enough to easily pass the shank, then insertion force is reduced, but the retaining function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The slot width is dynamically adjusted through the movement of the retaining shoe. During insertion, the retaining shoe moves to the receiving position where the effective slot width is larger, reducing insertion force. During operation, the retaining shoe moves to the retaining position where the wedge portion creates an effective narrowing, providing secure retention. This dynamic width adjustment resolves the contradiction between easy insertion and secure retention.
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 reduces the force required for inserting and removing the fastening element and allows for multiple mounting and demounting without losing retaining effectiveness, unlike previous designs that deform and reduce retention.
Implementation Method 1
the slot of the retaining shoe has a wedge portion on one side edge of the slot forming the narrowing slot portion
Implementation Method 2
reset means like spring members or elastomeric layers to maintain the retaining function
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A pipe clip (1) for fastening a pipe with a body, having a first and a second flange (8,10) which are pulled towards each other. The second flange has a slot (14) which opens up in a lateral edge of the second flange to laterally receive the shank of the male fastening element. On the second flange a retaining shoe (15) is arranged, having a slot which is arranged in a direction corresponding to the slot in the second flange. The entire slot in the retaining shoe has a width which is equal to or exceeds the diameter of the shank of the male fastening element. The slot of the retaining shoe has a wedge portion on one side edge of the slot forming a narrowing slot portion. In one position of the retaining shoe, the wedge portion extends beyond the corresponding side edge of the slot in the second flange and the effective distance between the opposing side edge of the slot in the second flange and the wedge portion is smaller than the diameter of the shank of the male fastening element. Thus, the shank engages said wedge portion upon introduction in the slot and forces the retaining shoe to move allowing the shank to pass beyond the wedge portion.