Tube Clamp Assembly with Segmented Locking for Uniform Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clamping arrangements face issues with uneven pressure distribution and radial movement of material, leading to compromised sealing effectiveness due to asymmetric deformation and material displacement during clamping.
Innovation Solution
A pipe clamp design featuring a clamping element with locking sections that engage in a form-fitting manner, a separate clamping element connected via locking sections, and a tab to prevent radial movement, ensuring uniform seal and improved tightness by distributing clamping force effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a clamping ring with an ear is compressed with pliers to tighten the clamping ring onto a pipe end, then the clamping ring can be tightened onto the pipe end, but the pressure on the pipe end becomes uneven and the seal tightness is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring is divided into two separate clamping halves that can be positioned symmetrically around the pipe end. Each half is equipped with its own locking element, allowing independent adjustment and symmetric compression forces to be applied uniformly around the circumference, eliminating the uneven pressure distribution caused by single-ear compression
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are pre-positioned on the clamping halves before assembly. During tightening, the locking elements engage with corresponding receptacles in a predetermined sequence, ensuring that the clamping force is distributed uniformly around the pipe end from the beginning of the tightening process rather than progressively creating uneven pressure zones
2Ease of operation
If a pipe clamping arrangement without an ear but with locking elements at each end is used, then the clamping ring can be tightened with locking elements connected to one another, but the material in the area of the locking elements moves radially outward which is disadvantageous for the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping halves are designed with different functional zones: the locking element areas are structurally reinforced to prevent radial outward movement, while the clamping surfaces maintain flexibility for uniform compression. This local differentiation allows the locking mechanism to function independently without compromising seal integrity at the clamping surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping halves are designed with inherent structural features that compensate for the radial outward movement tendency of the locking elements. The symmetric bilateral design ensures that any radial movement is evenly distributed and compensated, preventing localized seal failure while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness
3Ease of manufacture
If locking elements are slightly asymmetrically deformed during production of the lock, then the locking mechanism can be formed, but the sealing effect is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The symmetric bilateral design creates a balanced system where asymmetric deformations in individual locking elements are compensated by the corresponding element on the opposite side. This equipotential configuration ensures that minor manufacturing asymmetries do not create dominant stress concentrations that would compromise sealing, as the symmetric arrangement distributes stresses evenly around the circumference
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe clamp (1) for connecting a pipe (2) comprises a connector (3) that can be inserted into one end of the pipe (2), a clamping clamp (4) with an annular clamping section (5) that surrounds the connector (3) at least partially, wherein each end of the annular clamping section (5) comprises a locking section (6). The pipe clamp (1) further comprises a clamping element (7) with at least one detent section (8) for receiving the locking sections (6), wherein the locking sections (6) are connected to each other via the clamping element (7) in at least one clamping position in which the locking sections (6) engage positively in the detent sections (8).