Segmented Biopharm Hose Clamp with Intermediary Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clamping devices for flexible hoses carrying biopharmaceutical fluids are often cumbersome to install, require anticipation of clamp placement during assembly, and can weaken the hose structure, compromising pinching efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a clamp body featuring a rear and front opening, paired with clamping jaws and interacting securing elements, allowing for flexible assembly along a hose and ensuring efficient clamping without the need for pre-installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional clamp with slide-on installation is used, then the clamp can be locked in closed position to stop fluid communication, but the clamp must be installed at assembling phase and requires cutting pipes for recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body is divided into two separate parts: a first body part with a first clamp end and a second body part with a second clamp end. These segmented parts can be independently positioned and assembled around the hose at different locations, enabling flexible installation without requiring pre-planning or cutting the hose.
Solution Approach 2:
A connector is introduced as an intermediary element to join the first and second body parts. The connector includes a first connector section and a second connector section that can be coupled together to complete the clamp assembly, allowing the clamp to be assembled in place without requiring the hose to be cut or pre-modified.
2Ease of operation
If lateral slots are added to permit flexible tube positioning, then subsequent addition of clamp is allowed, but the clamp structure is weakened and pinching efficiency may be altered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding lateral slots to a single integrated clamp body, the clamp is segmented into two separate body parts that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the clamp to be assembled around the hose without compromising the structural integrity of either body part, maintaining pinching efficiency while enabling subsequent installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector serves as an intermediary that joins the two body parts without requiring lateral slots in the clamp body itself. The connector receives the hose and transmits clamping force through the connector structure, preserving the strength and pinching efficiency of the main clamp body while enabling flexible positioning.
3Reliability
If a robust clamp structure is used for efficient pinching, then pinching efficiency is maintained, but the clamp requires pre-installation at assembling phase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body is segmented into two parts that can be independently handled and positioned around the hose at the desired location. This segmentation removes the requirement for pre-installation at the assembling phase, allowing the clamp to be installed at any time during operation without compromising pinching efficiency, as each body part can be independently secured to maintain structural integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
The clamping device (1) has a body having opposite openings (31, 32) forming a passageway for flexible hose. Two jaws allow a hose clamping, in a closed position maintained at jaw front ends by a tongue (5) engaged with complementary securing means (TS). An upper jaw (11) is downwardly movable to close the device when pushing a top pressing surface (PS). The body has a left body part and a right body part, interconnected at a connector section (CC). The front end (E1) of first jaw comprises the tongue (5) and a hollow upper bulge (B1) offset upwardly. This front end consists of two halves, one of which is arranged at front end of a first connector section belonging to a body part. The first connector section has an insert (41) extending inside said bulge and engaged in a transverse passage of the second half forming the second connector section.