Spring-Biased Container Fastening for Stable Clamping Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for containers, especially pressure vessels, face challenges in maintaining a consistent clamping force due to the increased diameter of the vessel under pressure, leading to excessive stress and difficulty in setting the initial clamping force during assembly and reconnection.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device featuring a band arrangement with a compression spring, an abutment, and a tightening member, where the abutment is displaced to compress the spring, and a stop surface prevents further displacement, ensuring a predetermined clamping force is maintained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a rigid fixation fastening device is used to control initial clamping force, then the clamping force can be controlled initially, but the clamping force increases steeply as the container diameter increases under pressure, putting considerable additional stress on the fastening device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the fastening device by introducing a spring mechanism that allows the clamping force to adjust dynamically. The spring constant and precompression force are specifically selected to limit the clamping force increase to a predetermined maximum value, transforming the rigid fixation into a compliant system that adapts to container expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device transitions from a static rigid fixation to a dynamic system where the spring continuously adjusts the clamping force. As the container diameter increases under pressure, the spring compresses and the clamping force increases gradually within a limited range, rather than steeply as in rigid fixation systems.
2Reliability
If a spring-based fastening device is used to expand with container diameter increase, then the clamping force increase is limited, but the initial clamping force is difficult to set during assembly and service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by precompressing the spring with a predetermined force during assembly. The spring is precompressed to provide an initial clamping force within a specific range, and this precompression is maintained as the container is pressurized, ensuring consistent initial conditions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device performs self-service through the spring mechanism that automatically maintains the clamping force within the predetermined range. The spring's elastic properties enable it to self-adjust and maintain appropriate clamping force without requiring external intervention or complex control systems during operation.
3Force
If the abutment is displaced to compress the spring, then the clamping force is applied to the container, but uncontrolled displacement could lead to over-tightening or under-tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the spring mechanism that provides continuous mechanical feedback on the clamping force. As the abutment displaces and compresses the spring, the spring's resistance force provides immediate feedback, automatically limiting the clamping force to the predetermined maximum value and preventing both over-tightening and under-tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and limits the clamping force before excessive force can be applied. The predetermined spring constant and precompression create a cushioning effect that prevents over-tightening, while the spring's ability to maintain contact ensures adequate clamping force is always applied.
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
This configuration provides a secure and consistent clamping force, minimizing the risk of over-tightening or under-tightening, and allows for easy and cost-effective mounting, while accommodating the expansion of pressure vessels by limiting the increase in clamping force.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening device comprises a spring, in particular a compression spring, which provides a clamping force on a container (4)
Implementation Method 2
the at least one band is of low elasticity, the clamping force increase steeply and puts considerable additional stress on the fastening device
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure concerns a fastening device configured for fastening a container to a vehicle. The fastening device comprises: a first band end and a second band end, a compression spring, an abutment for the compression spring, a tightening member, and an elongated element. The first band end, the second band end, the compression spring, and the abutment are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the elongated element. The abutment is displaceable by the tightening member along the longitudinal axis in a direction towards the first band end to compress the compression spring. The fastening device comprises a stop surface configured for preventing further displacement of the abutment when the abutment reaches a predetermined distance from the first band end.