Plastic Pipe Clip With Pinching Flanges for One-Handed Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic pipe clips require two hands to open and install, making them inconvenient for single-handed use.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a slitted annular body with pinching flanges that allow single-handed installation, featuring a hinging zone and elongated ears for easier pinching, and optional second flanges for versatility in pipe orientation, along with a separate insert part for adjustable diameters and a closure mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plastic pipe clips are designed with a simple annular body and mounting flanges, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but two hands are required to open and install them
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe clip incorporates a hinging zone that allows the body to dynamically open and close around the pipe. The flexible portion enables the clip to transition from a closed mounting configuration to an open installation configuration and back, allowing single-handed operation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The annular body is segmented into a rigid portion (for structural strength and mounting) and a flexible portion (for opening and closing). This segmentation allows different parts of the clip to perform different functions - the rigid parts provide stability while the flexible part enables easy operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pipe clip is designed to accommodate only one pipe diameter, then the structure is simple, but it lacks versatility for different pipe sizes and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe clip is designed with two pairs of mounting flanges positioned at right angles to each other, allowing the same clip to be mounted on support structures in different orientations. This universal design enables a single clip type to accommodate pipes running in multiple directions without requiring different clip variants
Solution Approach 2:
An insert part with a through slit can be inserted into the annular body to accommodate smaller diameter pipes. The insert part nests within the main body, allowing the same clip structure to handle multiple pipe diameters - the insert provides the inner diameter adjustment while the outer annular body maintains the mounting functionality
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
Enables single-handed installation and increased versatility in pipe orientation, with the ability to accommodate different pipe diameters, enhancing convenience and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
A longitudinal through slit is formed in the annular body. The annular body is at least partially flexible such that it can be bent open to open the longitudinal slit.
Data Source
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AI summary
A plastic pipe clip (11) comprises a slitted annular body (12) having a through slit (13) to allow receiving a pipe in the annular body (12). The pipe clip (11) includes pair of mounting flanges (14) integrally formed on the annular body (12) on an opposite side of the annular body (12) as the side where the slit (13) is located. The mounting flanges (14) each having a support surface (16) and at least one mounting hole (15) adapted to mount the pipe clip (11) to a support structure. The mounting flanges (14) are arranged and configured to be pinched together so as to open the slit (13) on the opposite side of the annular body (12).