Seismic Pipe Fixing Assembly With Wire Retention and Spring Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe fixation methods fail to prevent pipes from falling during earthquakes due to vibration-induced stress on clamps, leading to frequent accidents as the supporting force is lost when clamps are dislodged.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device comprising a top body with a hollow portion, an elastic member, a bottom body, and a wire, where the elastic member is wrapped around the top body and protrudes inwardly to secure the bottom body, and the wire maintains connection between the top and bottom bodies to prevent pipe fall when vibration occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a clamp is used to fix the pipe to the building structure, then the pipe is stable and securely fixed, but during seismic vibration the clamp is dislodged and the pipe falls down
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device transitions from a static clamp connection to a dynamic system with movable components. The first and second fixing bodies can move relative to each other along the pipe axis, and the elastic member dynamically adjusts to vibration forces, allowing the system to adapt to seismic conditions while maintaining pipe retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is divided into separate functional components: a first fixing body, a second fixing body, and an elastic member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the fixing bodies provide anchoring while the elastic member provides resilient connection, enabling the system to maintain reliability under vibration.
2Strength
If a rigid clamp connection is used to secure the pipe, then the pipe is firmly fixed, but the vibration stress concentrates on the clamp causing it to be removed from the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by introducing elasticity and compliance. This transforms the rigid, stress-concentrating clamp connection into a flexible connection that can absorb vibration energy, reducing the stress transmitted to the fixing bodies and the structure while maintaining adequate fixing strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and dissipates vibration energy before it can be transmitted to the fixing bodies and structure. This beforehand cushioning prevents the concentration of stress that would otherwise lead to clamp removal during seismic events.
3Stress or pressure
If the clamp is removed to reduce stress during vibration, then the pipe can move freely, but the pipe loses supporting force and falls down
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device combines multiple functions in a single system: the fixing bodies provide anchoring support, the elastic member provides both stress absorption and continuous supporting force, and the wire provides additional safety retention. This multi-functionality ensures that the pipe maintains both stress reduction and supporting force simultaneously, preventing falls while reducing vibration stress.
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 device effectively prevents pipe falls by maintaining the connection state between the top and bottom bodies through the wire, ensuring the pipe remains secured even during seismic events, thereby reducing secondary accidents.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member (200) wrapped on an outer surface of the top body (100) in a ring shape by an elastic force
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes: a top body formed in a shape of a pipe having a hollow portion continuously formed from a top to a bottom of the top body, and fastened to a fixing anchor fixedly installed on the structure; an elastic member wrapped on an outer surface of the top body in a ring shape by an elastic force; a wire having a predetermined length, and having an upper portion fastened to the top body and a lower portion fastened to the bottom body so as to prevent the pipe from falling down when the bottom body is separated from the top body due to the falling down of the pipe, wherein the elastic member is formed in a shape of a coil spring and is installed on the top body after being deformed into a ring shape such that both ends thereof are connected to each other.