Pipe Coupling Bridge Structure to Prevent Fastener Shearing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe coupling assemblies often experience deformation or shearing of fasteners, such as rivets or screws, due to excessive clamping force applied during the tightening process, which compromises the structural integrity and sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an anti-shearing structure featuring a male and female connection between the bridge and the band, including protrusions and apertures or tabs, to distribute and absorb shearing forces, preventing deformation and shearing of fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tightening fasteners are used to apply clamping force to the sealing ring, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but fasteners may deform or shear under excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge acts as an intermediary component between the tightening fasteners and the band. The fasteners apply force to the bridge, which then distributes this force to the band through multiple attachment points (first and second bands). This intermediate structure prevents excessive localized stress on individual fasteners while maintaining the necessary clamping force for sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: tightening fasteners, bridge, first band, second band, and sealing ring. The bridge itself is segmented to connect to multiple band sections. This segmentation allows the force application path to be distributed across multiple connection points, reducing the burden on each individual fastener and preventing shear deformation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If bridge is added to span the gap and maintain seal position, then sealing stability is improved, but fasteners securing the bridge may shear under tightening force
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is designed with a dimensional extension that spans the gap between band ends. By extending the bridge in the dimensional space across the gap, the sealing stability is maintained while the force distribution is improved. The bridge's extended structure allows it to bridge the gap and distribute loads across multiple attachment points rather than concentrating stress at a single location.
3Reliability
If tightening force is increased to ensure proper seal compression, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but risk of fastener shearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge structure serves as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes the tightening force before it reaches the fasteners. The bridge's rigid but distributed structure prevents excessive force concentration that would otherwise be transmitted directly to the fasteners, thereby cushioning them against shear deformation while still allowing adequate seal compression to occur.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
A pipe coupling assembly (10) includes a band (12) having an inner annular seal element (14) wrappable around a pipe, opposing clamp members (18) that extend from the band (12), at least one tightening element (20) for clamping together the clamp members (18), and a bridge (26) secured to the band (12) with one or more bridge securing fasteners (28). The bridge (26) spans a gap between the opposing clamp members (18). Anti-shearing structure (30) is coupled to the bridge (26) and the band (12), configured to prevent shearing or deformation of the bridge securing fasteners (28).