Sanitary Fitting Clamp With Hinge Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining sterility during the transfer of contents between sanitary fittings is challenging due to the lack of effective sealing mechanisms that prevent exposure to the external environment, leading to potential contamination and connection failures.
Innovation Solution
A clamp system comprising a first and second arcuate member with a hinge assembly and latch mechanism, which allows for relative rotation and secure engagement of sanitary fittings with a gasket, providing a 360-degree seal and preventing over-compression, ensuring a sterile transfer of contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used for sanitary fittings, then assembly is simple, but sterility cannot be maintained due to lack of effective sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two separate arcuate members (first and second arcuate members) that can be assembled around the sanitary fittings. This segmentation allows the clamp to enclose the fittings and maintain sterility while keeping the individual components simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly combines the first and second arcuate members into a unified clamp structure that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This merging provides both the simplicity of operation and the reliability of sealing required for sterile connections.
2Reliability
If a rigid clamp structure is used to ensure sealing, then sterility is maintained, but over-compression of fittings occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate members are designed with specific curvature radii and thicknesses that allow them to apply sufficient compression for sealing while preventing over-compression of the fittings. The geometric parameters are optimized to balance sealing effectiveness with fitting protection.
3Ease of operation
If a detachable hinge assembly is used to enable clamp disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly provides dynamic functionality, allowing the clamp to be easily assembled and disassembled when needed, while maintaining a secure, reliable connection during operation. The hinge can be rotated to open and closed positions, providing both ease of operation and connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the first and second arcuate members, enabling controlled movement and secure engagement. This intermediary structure ensures that the detachable nature of the clamp does not compromise connection reliability.
4Reliability
If the clamp provides tight compression for sealing, then sterility is maintained, but the risk of connection failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate members are designed with optimized geometric parameters including curvature radius and thickness that distribute compression forces evenly, providing sufficient sealing pressure to maintain sterility while preventing the excessive compression that leads to connection failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp for sanitary fittings includes a clamp body formed of a first arcuate member and a second arcuate member movable about a hinge assembly from an open configuration to a closed, latched configuration. The hinge assembly detachably couples the first arcuate member to the second arcuate member. The hinge assembly includes an arcuate finger extending from an end of the first arcuate member, a pin-receiving recess formed within the arcuate finger, and a post formed on an end of the second arcuate member. Upon assembly, the arcuate finger cradles around the post and the post fits within the pin-receiving recess.