Single-Piece Clamp Ring for Fast Pipe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems face challenges in interconnecting pipes due to confined spaces, minor variations in pipe dimensions, and the complexity and cost of multi-part pipe fasteners, which are difficult to handle and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A clamp ring made from a single piece with a strap, lever, and clip connected by breakaway connectors, featuring an inner and outer strand with notches for adaptability and a latch for secure closure, allowing for easy installation and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-part pipe fasteners are used, then the pipe can be securely fastened, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate fastener components (clip, lever, strap, and securing element) into a single integrated clamp ring structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate parts while maintaining the fastening function, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece clamp ring design performs multiple functions that previously required separate components: the integrated structure provides both the clipping mechanism and the leveraged tightening action, making the device more universal and reducing overall complexity.
2Reliability
If multi-part pipe fasteners are used, then the pipe can be securely fastened, but the manufacturing cost increases due to multiple separate parts
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple fastener components into a single molded clamp ring, the patent eliminates the need for multiple manufacturing processes, assembly operations, and associated quality control steps, directly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining fastening reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakaway connectors are designed to be discarded after serving their temporary purpose of holding the lever in the molding process, eliminating the need for complex permanent connections and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If multi-part pipe fasteners are used, then the pipe can be securely fastened, but the assembly time increases due to complex assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of all fastening components into a single piece eliminates assembly time entirely, as the clamp ring requires no assembly - it is installed as a complete unit, directly resolving the time loss associated with multi-part fastener assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp ring is pre-assembled and tested during the single molding process, with breakaway connectors pre-positioned to enable automatic lever release. This preliminary action during manufacturing eliminates field assembly requirements and reduces installation time.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece clamp ring is used, then the manufacturing cost reduces and assembly time saves, but the adaptability to varying pipe diameters must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an elastic strap within the single-piece clamp ring that can dynamically stretch and compress to accommodate varying pipe diameters. This dynamic element allows the rigid molded structure to adapt flexibly to different pipe sizes while maintaining a simple manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of the strap allow the clamp ring to change its dimensional parameters (circumference, tension) to match different pipe diameters, maintaining adaptability despite the simplified single-piece construction.
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 clamp ring efficiently secures pipes with varying diameters, reduces assembly time, and prevents parts from coming apart, offering a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for pipe fastening in HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
the strap, lever and clip being connected to each other by breakaway connectors that break when the strap, lever and clip are moved relative to each other
Implementation Method 2
The inner strand can distend, stretch or otherwise deform to adapt to pipes with larger circumferences
Implementation Method 3
the lever being arranged to push opposite ends of the strap towards each other
Implementation Method 4
the clip being arranged to grip the strap
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamp ring (102) for fastening a pipe, the clamp ring comprising a strap (104), a lever (106) and a clip (108). The strap (104) is attached to the lever (106), and the lever (106) is attached to the clip (108), the clip (108) being arranged to grip the strap (104), and, with the lever (106) gripping the strap (104), the lever (106) being arranged to push the opposite ends of the strap (104) towards each other. The clamp ring (102) is made in a single piece, the strap (104), the lever (106) and the clip (108) being connected to each other by breakaway connectors that break when the strap, the lever and the clip are moved relative to each other.