Torque Limiting Cap for Pipe Clip Vibration Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clips compress vibration insulating layers excessively when tightened, reducing their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a torque limiting cap on the screw head that restricts the maximum torque applied during tightening, ensuring the flanges do not tighten excessively and maintaining optimal vibration insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pipe clip is tightened with a certain force, then the pipe clip secures the pipe firmly, but the vibration insulating effect of the layer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a torque limiting cap that changes the parameter of applied torque from uncontrolled to controlled. The cap is designed to break at a specific torque value, thereby limiting the maximum torque applied to the screw and preventing excessive compression of the vibration insulating layer while still ensuring adequate securing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque limiting cap is designed as a disposable component that breaks after use. This inexpensive sacrificial element protects the more valuable vibration insulating layer by absorbing the excess torque through its controlled breakage, eliminating the need for complex reusable torque control mechanisms.
2Force
If the flanges are tightened towards each other excessively, then the pipe clip holds the pipe more securely, but the vibration insulating layer is compressed too much
Solution Approach 1:
The torque limiting cap provides preliminary protection against excessive compression by being designed to fail at a predetermined torque level. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect of over-compression before it can damage the vibration insulating layer, while still allowing sufficient clamping force to be applied during the tightening process.
3Ease of operation
If no torque limit is provided, then the tightening screw can be tightened to any degree, but the vibration insulating function cannot be assured
Solution Approach 1:
The torque limiting cap makes the tightening system self-regulating. The cap automatically limits the torque through its designed breakage point, eliminating the need for operators to have specialized knowledge or tools for torque control. The system serves itself by using the cap's structural failure as the torque limiting mechanism.
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 torque limiting cap prevents excessive compression of the vibration insulating layer, maintaining its effectiveness by limiting the torque applied during the tightening process, allowing for consistent and efficient vibration reduction.
Implementation Method 1
said torque limiting cap including at least one torque transferring feature that couples the cap to the screw head in a rotational direction
Implementation Method 2
The protrusion that mates with a recess in the screw head such that a torque can be transferred from the cap to the screw head
Implementation Method 3
the pipe clip has a vibration insulating lining provided on the inner side of the annular clip body
Implementation Method 4
If the pipe clip is tightened with a certain force the vibration insulating layer is compressed between the pipe clip body and the pipe surface
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A pipe clip (1) comprises a metal annular clip body (2) having at least two opposing radial flanges (3) defining an opening (5) adapted to arrange the pipe clip (1) around a pipe (6). The clip body (2) has at one of the radial flanges (3) a female fastening means. The pipe clip (1) comprises a tightening screw (17, 27, 37, 7) having a head (27A, 37A) and a shank. The shank is provided with a male thread adapted to cooperate with the female fastening means. The head (27A, 37A) engages the other of the flanges (3) so as to tighten the flanges (3) towards each other and tighten the pipe clip (1) around the pipe (6). The pipe clip (1) has a vibration insulating lining (8) provided on the inner side of the clip body (2). A torque limiting cap (19, 29, 39, 9) is arranged on the screw head (17A, 27A, 27, 37A, 37, 7A) of the tightening screw (17, 27, 37, 7). The torque limiting cap (19, 29, 39, 9) includes at least one torque transferring feature that couples the cap (19, 29, 39) to the screw head (17A, 27A, 27, 37A, 37, 7A) in a rotational direction.