Snap-Fit Preassembly Clamp for One-Handed Conduit Flange Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps for connecting conduits with connector flanges require two hands for assembly, making it difficult or necessitating a second operator to hold the conduits in place during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a preassembly state held by a snap-fit mechanism, allowing one-handed operation to secure conduit flanges and enabling a transition to a tightening state without additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional clamps are used to connect conduits with connector flanges, then the connection between conduits is secured, but two hands are required for assembly making it difficult or necessitating a second operator
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two functional parts: a clamp band for securing the connection and a preassembly device for positioning. The preassembly device includes separate locking members that can engage independently, allowing one-handed operation while the clamp band provides the securing function
Solution Approach 2:
The preassembly device performs preliminary positioning of the connector flanges before the final tightening. The locking members engage in a snap-fit manner to temporarily secure the flanges in position, allowing the operator to position both flanges with one hand before final tightening
2Stability of the object's composition
If the clamp holds connector flanges in position during preassembly, then the flanges remain stable without additional support, but the tightening heads must be spaced apart to allow opening
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp band is segmented with a first end portion containing a tightening head and a second end portion containing another tightening head. The locking members are positioned at specific locations that allow the band to maintain stability when closed while permitting the ends to be spaced apart when open
Solution Approach 2:
The locking members act as intermediaries between the clamp band ends and the tightening heads. They provide the stabilizing engagement needed for preassembly while allowing the tightening heads to remain spaced apart, facilitating one-handed operation
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
Simplifies the assembly process by allowing one-handed operation and secure preassembly of conduit flanges, eliminating the need for a second operator to hold the conduits in place.
Implementation Method 1
the second locking member can be fixed to the first locking member in a snap-fit manner
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
AI summary
A clamp (10) for preassembling and connecting conduits (32, 34) having connector flanges (28, 30), the clamp (10) comprising: a clamp band (12) and a preassembly device (14); the clamp band (12) comprising a first end portion (16) with a first tightening head (20) and a second end portion (18) with a second tightening head (22); the preassembly device (14) comprising a first locking member (24) at the first end portion (16); wherein, in an open state of the clamp (10), the first tightening head (20) and the second tightening head (22) are spaced apart from each other by a gap (26), and in a preassembly state of the clamp (10), the first tightening head (20) and the second tightening head (22) are arranged closer to each other than in the open state and the clamp (10) is configured to hold two connector flanges (28, 30) of conduits (32, 34) in position to each other; characterized in that the preassembly device (14) further comprises an extension member (36) with a second locking member (38) being lockable to the first locking member (24) in a snap-fit manner; wherein in the open state, the second locking member (38) is unlocked from the first locking member (24), and in the preassembly state, the second locking member (38) is fixed on the first locking member (24) and locks the clamp (10) in the preassembly state.