Profile Clamp Latching Tab for Clear Pre-Positioning and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing profile clamps with annular ring elements and clamp bands face difficulties in clear prepositioning and secure sealing due to complex locking mechanisms and small tongues, making assembly cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A profile clamp with a clamp band and annular ring element featuring a first locking tab that projects axially, providing point or line contact with the flange, allowing easy pre-positioning and secure locking, and a free-swinging section that generates a noticeable locking noise upon correct alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple small tongues are used on the clamp band for clamping, then the clamping connection is secured, but it becomes impossible to clearly determine whether individual tongues are clamped, requiring follow-up checks that are cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection function from the multitude of small tongues and concentrates it into a single large locking tab with a visible indication element. This indication element protrudes from the clamp band and provides clear visual feedback about clamping status, eliminating the need for follow-up verification checks while maintaining reliable clamping connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses visual indication through a visible element on the locking tab that changes position or appearance to indicate clamping status. This provides immediate visual feedback to the operator about whether proper clamping has been achieved, eliminating ambiguity and the need for additional verification steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ring element is separate and not attached to the clamp or flange, then the clamp can be placed on flanges, but the user must handle the clamp, ring element, and pipes simultaneously making installation more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements preliminary action by providing pre-positioning elements (locking tabs) on the ring element that engage with the clamp band before final tightening. This allows the ring element to be pre-positioned on the flange with the clamp band, securing it in the correct location before the clamping operation begins, thereby eliminating the need to handle all components simultaneously during installation.
3Reliability
If fastening clamps interact with the clamp band internally, then the ring element is secured to the clamp, but the interaction is disadvantageous and makes determination of secure locking ambiguous
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback by providing a visible indication element on the locking tab that gives immediate visual confirmation of secure locking. The indication element's position or appearance changes to clearly signal when the ring element is properly secured to the clamp, eliminating ambiguity and making locking status easily detectable without additional verification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention proposes a profile clamp (10) with a clamp band (14) and an annular ring element (24) with a ring body (26), wherein: the clamp band (14) has two clamping heads (16, 18) which are connected to one another via a clamping element (20); the ring element (24) comprises at least one first latching tab (50), which is arranged projecting from the ring body (26) in the axial direction of the profile clamp (10) and projecting out of the profile clamp (10) at least in some sections; the first latching tab (50) has a first latching portion (52) and a free-swinging portion (54) extending opposite thereto; the first latching portion (52) is designed to exert a force, acting in the direction of the transversal central plane (Q10) of the profile clamp (10), onto a flange of a pipe end, and the first latching portion (52) has a first contact edge (56) that is designed to create a point contact or a line contact with the flange of the pipe end.