Profile Clamp Positioning Aid for Tight-Space Pipe Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Profile clamps face challenges in precise alignment and installation in cramped spaces, particularly when connecting pipe ends with radially outward flanges, as existing solutions require precise positioning to avoid overlapping with other components.
Innovation Solution
A profile clamp with a profile band and annular sealing element featuring radially outer positioning aids with spring-elastic support sections that cling to shape features of the pipe ends, allowing for easier alignment and maintaining the holding force without impairing clamping or alignment, and can be made from separate components with adaptable material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a profile clamp is used in cramped installation spaces, then the connection can be made in tight spaces, but precise alignment becomes difficult and overlapping with other components may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning aids with spring-elastic support sections are pre-configured on the profile band to engage with shape features on the pipe end before clamping occurs. This preliminary positioning action ensures correct alignment is established prior to the clamping force being applied, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation in tight spaces and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-elastic support sections act as intermediary elements between the profile band and the pipe end. These intermediaries provide both positioning functionality and compliance, allowing the profile clamp to be installed in cramped spaces while maintaining precise alignment through the elastic deformation capability of the positioning aids.
2Manufacturing precision
If positioning aids are added to the profile clamp, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning aids are constructed using spring-elastic support sections that function as flexible elements. This approach provides precise positioning capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the elastic components can be integrated into the existing profile band design without adding significant structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-elastic support sections utilize changes in elastic parameters (deformation) to achieve positioning functionality. By leveraging the elastic properties of the material and its ability to deform and recover, the system achieves precise positioning without requiring complex mechanical structures, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and device complexity.
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 precise positioning and secure clamping in tight spaces without interfering with the clamping process, allowing for easier initial placement and maintaining alignment through elastic deformation of the positioning aids.
Implementation Method 1
The elasticity of the positioning aid means that when the profile strip is braced, the positioning aid can follow the bracing movement. The diameter of the profile strip, which decreases when it is braced, only causes an elastic deformation of the positioning aid and does not impair either the clamping or the correct alignment of the profile strip.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a profiled clamp (26) with a profiled strip (12) and an annular seal element. The profiled strip (12) has two clamping heads (14, 16) which are connected together via a clamping element (18, 28). The invention is characterized in that the profiled strip (12) has at least one radially outer positioning aid (34) which has a spring elastic contact section (38) for adapting to a shape characteristic (32) of a line end (30) that can be coupled to the profiled clamp (26), said aid being arranged in an axially offset manner to the profiled strip (12).