Single-Use Tri-Clamp Latch Design to Prevent Over-Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps used for coupling pipes with mating flanges can be over-tightened, leading to impaired component integrity, potential pressure failure, and contamination of fluids.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring first and second jaw members with an articulated lever and latch mechanism, allowing for a 360-degree encirclement of pipe flanges and a self-locking operation that prevents over-tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a threaded bolt and winged locking nut are used to clamp pipes, then the clamp can be tightened to create a clamping force, but the clamp can be over-tightened which impairs component integrity and causes pressure failure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism is designed to automatically lock itself in the correct position through the interaction between the lever and latch. When the jaw members are brought together, the lever naturally engages with the latch, creating a self-regulating system that prevents over-tightening without requiring user judgment or adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of how clamping force is applied and controlled. Instead of using a threaded mechanism that allows continuous adjustment and potential over-tightening, the patent uses a lever-latch system that provides discrete, predetermined clamping force levels, eliminating the parameter variability that leads to over-tightening.
2Strength
If a threaded bolt and winged locking nut are used to clamp pipes, then the clamp can be tightened to secure the connection, but over-tightening causes protrusion of the hygienic seal into the sterile flow-path
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking mechanism through lever and latch engagement automatically secures the clamp at the appropriate force level, preventing user error that would lead to over-tightening and seal protrusion. The system self-regulates to maintain proper seal position.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp design incorporates preliminary geometric constraints where the jaw members and latch are shaped to guide the closing action and prevent excessive force application before the locking engagement occurs, ensuring the seal is never pushed into the flow path.
3Ease of operation
If a threaded bolt and winged locking nut are used in the clamp, then the clamp can be adjusted and tightened, but the complex mechanism can be damaged easily by user error
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking lever-latch mechanism eliminates the need for complex threaded adjustments and multiple components that can be misused. The simple two-jaw design with automatic locking is more forgiving of user error and resistant to damage from improper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the vulnerable threaded bolt and winged locking nut components from the clamp mechanism, replacing them with a simpler lever-latch system that is inherently more resistant to damage from over-tightening or misuse.
4Reliability
If a threaded bolt and winged locking nut are used to clamp pipes, then the clamp can be tightened to create a seal, but the mechanism requires multiple components that increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the jaw members themselves. The jaw members simultaneously provide the clamping surface, the locking mechanism (through integrated latches), and the sealing interface, eliminating the need for separate bolts, nuts, and washers while maintaining reliable seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw members are designed as multi-functional components that perform clamping, locking, and sealing functions simultaneously. This universal design reduces the total number of parts needed while ensuring reliable sealing through the integrated geometry of the jaw members.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp having a first arcuate clamp member pivotally connected to a second arcuate clamp member via a first pivot member 16 located at one end of the clamp members, the clamp members being pivotable between an open configuration in which the free ends of the clamp members are displaced from one another facilitating the insertion of the mating pipe flanges to be clamped, and a closed configuration wherein the free ends of the clamp members contact one another and encircle the mating flanged end connections. Associated with the first arcuate clamp member is an arcuate articulated lever which itself is pivotally attached by a third pivot member linking to member, which is itself pivotally attached by second pivot member to the free end of the first clamp member.