Snap-Fit Wire Clamp for Accurate Fuel Pipe Break Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamps for clamping break detection wires on fuel pipes are difficult to manufacture and install, leading to inaccurate positioning and increased risks of installation errors.

Innovation Solution

A clamp design featuring identical first and second clamping elements with male and female connection portions that snap together, allowing for easy assembly and tool-free installation, and a cooperation portion that secures the clamp to the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamp comprises several different clamping elements, then the clamp can provide adequate clamping function, but the manufacturing and installation become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping functionVSAvoidnumber of distinct elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into two identical half-clamps, each comprising a clamping element with a male connection portion and a female connection portion. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of identical components while maintaining the functional integrity of the complete clamp assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The male connection portion and female connection portion are integrated into a single clamping element body, combining the clamping function and connection function into one unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate connection elements, reducing the total number of distinct parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a clamp comprises several different clamping elements, then the clamp can provide adequate clamping function, but the installation becomes difficult and positioning accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping functionVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into two identical half-clamps that can be independently handled and positioned. This segmentation allows for easier manipulation during installation, with each half-clamp being simpler to position than a complex multi-element assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The male and female connection portions are designed to self-align and snap-fit together without requiring additional tools or complex alignment procedures. The complementary geometries of the connection portions guide the assembly process, enabling tool-free installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a clamp comprises several different clamping elements, then the clamp can provide adequate clamping function, but the manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping functionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into two identical half-clamps, each with the same geometry and features. This segmentation enables standardized manufacturing processes, where a single mold or machining setup can produce both halves, significantly simplifying manufacturing compared to producing multiple different elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Both clamping elements are made identical in terms of geometry, material, and features. This homogeneity allows for simplified inventory management, quality control, and manufacturing processes, as only one type of component needs to be produced and tracked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

4Reliability

If a clamp uses multiple distinct elements, then the clamp can provide adequate clamping function, but the risk of installation errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping functionVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

While the overall clamp consists of two identical halves, each half-clamp features asymmetric male and female connection portions that can only mate in one orientation. This asymmetric design within each identical component ensures correct positioning and prevents installation errors, as the connection geometry itself provides alignment guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20250354629A1Clamp for a clamping a wire on a pipe, associated break detection arrangement, fuel distribution system, aircraft and method of clamping a wire on a pipe

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A clamp for a clamping a wire on a pipe is disclosed including a first clamping element, and a second clamping element, both the first and second clamping elements being identical, each of the first and second clamping elements including a male connection portion, defining a passage configured for receiving the wire, a female connection portion, defining a lumen configured for receiving the male connection portion of the other of the first and second clamping elements, and a cooperation portion, connecting the male and female connection portions and configured to cooperate with the pipe to hold the clamp on the pipe.