Profiled Clamp Positioning Aid for Confined Pipe Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Profiled clamps face challenges in accurately positioning within confined installation spaces, particularly when connecting pipe ends with radially outward flanges, as existing solutions require precise orientation to avoid overlapping with other components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating radially outer positioning aids with spring elastic bearing portions that can cling to shape features on the pipe ends, allowing for axial offset and providing holding forces in the circumferential direction, enabling easier and accurate placement of the profiled clamp without interfering with bracing or orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a profiled clamp is used in confined installation spaces, then the connection can be achieved in limited space, but precise orientation is required to avoid overlapping with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning aid with spring elastic bearing portion automatically clings to the shape feature on the line end through elastic deformation, enabling self-positioning of the profiled clamp without requiring manual alignment or precise orientation by the installer
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical clinging mechanism replaces the need for precise manual orientation. The spring elastic bearing portion uses elastic mechanics to automatically adapt to and cling onto the shape feature, substituting the manual positioning operation with an automatic mechanical engagement system
2Force
If a rigid positioning aid is used, then the holding force is strong, but it interferes with the bracing movement during tensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning aid transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic spring elastic structure that can adapt its shape during bracing movement and return to its original clinging position after tensioning, enabling both strong holding force and movement compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing portion changes its physical state from a fixed rigid form to an elastic deformable form. During bracing, the spring elastic material allows deformation to accommodate the changing diameter of the profiled band, while maintaining clinging force through elastic recovery
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 positioning aids facilitate precise initial placement and maintain the profiled clamp's position through elastic deformation, ensuring correct orientation and secure connection without interfering with the bracing process, even in tight spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The positioning aid has a spring elastic bearing portion (38) which is adapted in its shape to the shape features (32) in question. By virtue of the axial offset, the positioning aid can extend from the profiled band (12) toward the line end (30). The clinging of a bearing surface of the bearing portion leads to the fact that a holding force is applied to the profiled band at least in the circumferential direction
Implementation Method 2
The elasticity of the positioning aid leads in the meantime to the positioning aid being able to follow the bracing movement when the profiled band is being braced. The diameter of the profiled band, which becomes smaller during bracing, causes only an elastic deformation of the positioning aid and interferes neither with the bracing nor with the correct orientation of the profiled band
Data Source
AI summary
A profiled clamp with a profiled strip and an annular seal element. The profiled strip has two clamping heads which are connected together via a clamping element. The profiled strip has at least one radially outer positioning aid which has a spring elastic contact section for adapting to a shape characteristic of a line end that can be coupled to the profiled clamp, the aid being arranged in an axially offset manner to the profiled strip.