Spring-Section Pipe Clamp for Tool-Free Secure Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening elements for pipe units in heating systems are costly due to their robust construction and require tools for adjustment, limiting their cost-effectiveness and ease of assembly/disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve-like fastening element with a band-shaped base element and clamping means featuring a spring section for elastic deformation, allowing tool-free adjustment and assembly, and a monolithic design for simplified production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robust metal ring construction with clamping screw is used, then the fastening element achieves virtually indestructible design and secure force-fit connection, but material costs increase and tool requirement is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic and modifies the connection mechanism from screw-based to snap-fit based. The plastic fastening element uses a clamping arm that deflects elastically to engage with the pipe, eliminating the need for metal rings and clamping screws while maintaining secure connection through elastic deformation and geometric interlocking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, durable metal components with cheaper plastic components that achieve sufficient reliability for the application. The plastic fastening element is designed to be cost-effective while providing adequate securing force through its elastic clamping mechanism, sacrificing the 'virtually indestructible' quality for cost reduction
2Adaptability or versatility
If a clamping screw with thread is used for stepless adjustment, then the metal ring can be adjusted to any diameter, but a tool is required for tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables tool-free operation by designing a snap-fit mechanism where the clamping arm can be manually deflected and locked into position on the pipe. The fastening element serves itself by using the installer's hand force to achieve both adjustment and securing, eliminating the need for external tightening tools while maintaining stepless adaptability through continuous positioning along the pipe surface
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a screw thread that requires rotational motion and tools to tighten, the patent inverts the mechanism to use direct linear deflection of the clamping arm. The adjustment and securing actions are reversed from the conventional screw method to a snap-fit method where the arm is bent into position and locked, achieving tool-free operation while preserving adaptability
3Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic plastic design is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but adjustment precision may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements into the monolithic plastic design through the elastic clamping arm that can deflect and adapt to different pipe diameters. The snap-fit mechanism allows the fastening element to dynamically adjust its position along the pipe surface, achieving precise positioning through elastic deformation and geometric locking rather than rigid fixed positions, thus maintaining adjustment precision while using cost-effective monolithic manufacturing
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 solution enables cost-effective, tool-free assembly and disassembly of the fastening element, ensuring continuous adjustment to pipe diameters while maintaining a secure, non-positive contact, thus reducing material costs and improving usability.
Implementation Method 1
the base element, between the locking unit and the locking devices, comprises a spring section elastically deformable along an extension path for force-fit clamping of the base element around the pipe unit
Data Source
Figure 1a~4
Figure 5a~5d
Figure 6a~6c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cuff-like fastening element for circumferential clamping to a pipe assembly, in particular an exhaust system of a heating system, comprising a band-shaped base element formed in a basic state along an axis of extension for circumferential contact with a shell surface of the pipe assembly in a clamped state, clamping means with a locking unit arranged at a first end of the base element, and locking means forming at least two clamping positions adjacent to each other on the base element along the axis of extension, wherein the clamping means are designed such that the locking unit for circumferential clamping of the base element to the pipe assembly can be fixed in one of the at least two clamping positions. According to the invention, the base element comprises a spring section.