Profile Clamp Spring Tilting Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profile clamps with two half-shells are difficult to set up, especially in tight spaces, due to undefined positions of the half-shells and clamping element, making precise alignment challenging.

Innovation Solution

A profile clamp design featuring a prestressed spring element that presses the half-shells apart at their second ends, allowing them to tilt to a maximum opening angle and maintain axial stability, enabling easy alignment and one-handed operation, with the spring element held on the clamping element to prevent slipping and ensure secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the half-shells are not connected to each other before tightening, then the profile clamp can be pre-assembled with the clamping element, but the position of the half-shells is not defined making alignment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-assembly capabilityVSAvoidalignment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the clamping element with the clamping heads before final installation. The clamping element is threaded into the clamping heads in advance, allowing the profile clamp to be prepared beforehand. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final installation process while maintaining precise alignment capabilities through the defined geometric relationships between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the half-shells are tilted to maximum opening angle for easy alignment, then alignment becomes simple, but the position stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment easeVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing the tiltable connection between half-shells and clamping element, allowing the opening angle to vary. The clamping element can pivot within the clamping heads, enabling the half-shells to be tilted to a maximum opening angle for easy alignment during installation. Once positioned, the geometric constraints and connection geometry stabilize the configuration, maintaining position stability while preserving alignment ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the clamping element is tightly fixed in the clamping heads, then the clamping force is improved, but the ability to tilt and align the half-shells is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidalignment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the clamping element with tiltable connections in the clamping heads. The clamping element can pivot or tilt within the clamping heads during alignment, providing dynamic movement capability for easy positioning. Once aligned, the same connection geometry provides rigid fixation that generates strong clamping force on the pipes, thus achieving both alignment capability and clamping strength through a dynamic connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 spring element facilitates easy and precise alignment of the half-shells, allowing for simple one-handed operation and secure clamping, even in tight spaces, with high operational safety and reduced assembly forces.

Implementation Method 1

the spring element bears against an inner side of the half shells under prestress which presses the half shells apart at their second ends

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring prestress: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the spring element provides sufficient elasticity so that not only tilting, but also twisting of the half-shells relative to one another is possible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2589847B1Profile clamp
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 NORMA GERMANY GMBH
  • EP2589847B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2589847B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a profile clamp (1) with two half-shells (2, 3), each having a clamping head (4, 5) and a connecting geometry (9, 10). The clamping heads (4, 5) are connected to each other via a clamping element (6), wherein at least one half-shell (3) is tiltable relative to the clamping element (6). To enable one-handed operation, a spring element (11) is provided which, under preload, bears against an inner surface (12, 13) of the half-shells (2, 3) such that the ends of the half-shells having the connecting geometry (9, 10) are forced apart.