Patent Application
20170254457
The present disclosure relates to clamp designs and, more specifically, to a design for a hose clamp.
Hose clamps are commonly utilized to join together hoses and fittings or connectors, for example, within the automotive industry. Hose clamps may include a liner that may be spot welded, riveted, or otherwise fastened to a circular outer band and a locking mechanism to couple the ends of the outer band together and apply tension to the clamp. A radial load may be created by the tension and may be transmitted to the fittings of the joint as a radial load. Examples of hose clamps are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,650,719; 8,677,571; and 7,302,741, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Hose clamps may be sold to companies that supply hose or duct sub-assemblies to the end user. These sub-assemblies typically include a hose substrate and one or more clamps. A typical hose clamp application targets a predetermined band tension that is determined empirically or theoretically to affect a seal on a hose/fitting assembly (joint). Band tension is a function of installation torque, bolt diameter, thread “K” factor, spring rate of the hose/joint, and friction between the clamp and the hose.
In many clamp designs, spring rate, friction, “K” factor, and bolt diameter are assumed to be constant such that the band tension is then directly proportional to installation torque. This assumed proportionality of band tension and installation torque has led many clamp users to target a pre-determined installation torque to generate the targeted band tension to affect the proper seal. This assumed proportionality is difficult to replicate during manufacturing, when typical manufacturing tolerances make it difficult to maintain the spring rate, friction, “K” factor, and bolt diameter constant.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a hose clamp is disclosed. The hose clamp comprises an annular band, a tension mechanism configured to tighten the annular band to increase band tension, and a mechanical indicator configured to fracture at a predetermined band tension.
In some embodiments, the mechanical indicator may comprise a tooth connected to a spine. The tooth may be configured to fracture at the predetermined band tension.
In some embodiments, the mechanical indicator may comprise a fuse coupled to the spine, and the fuse may include the tooth.
In some embodiments, the tooth may be formed from a plastic material, and, in some embodiments, the annular band may be formed from a metallic material.
In some embodiments, the annular band may include the spine.
In some embodiments, the annular band may include a pair of spines. The tooth may extend between the pair of spines.
In some embodiments, the annular band may include the spine and the tooth.
In some embodiments, the predetermined band tension may be equal to about 800 lbs.
The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures, in which:
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been illustrated by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to
In the illustrative embodiment, the locking mechanism 16 is a typical screw-type tensioner that includes a screw 20 configured to engage slots 22 defined in the band 14. An end of the band 14 may be advanced into a slot defined between the tensioner 16 and the band 14 such that when the screw 20 of the tensioner is turned, the screw 20 engages the slots 22 to pull the band 14 along the slot to reduce the diameter of the clamp 10 and tighten the band 14 around the hose substrate. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments other tensioning or locking mechanisms may be used to tighten the band 14.
The outer band 14 is formed from a metallic material such as, for example, a stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, any ferrous material, and any non-ferrous material. The outer band 14 includes an elongated strip 30, and the slots 22 are defined in the strip 30. As shown in
The mechanical indicator 12 includes a spine 50 that extends from a base 52 attached to the end 40 of the main section 36 of the strip 30 to a tip 54. The mechanical indicator 12 also includes a tooth 56 extending between the tip 54 of the spine 50 and the end 38 of the strip 30. In the illustrative embodiment, the geometries of the legs 42,44, spine 50, and tooth 56 are selected such that the tooth 56 fractures under the strain created when proper band tension is achieved, thereby alerting the user that the clamp is properly tensioned.
Referring now to
The mechanical indicator 112 includes a pair of spines 148, 150. The spine 148 extends from a base 152 attached to the end 40 of the main section 36 of the strip 30 to a tip 154. The mechanical indicator 112 also includes a tooth 156 extending from the tip 154 of the spine 148. The other spine 150 extends from a base 158 attached to the end 38 of the main section 36 of the strip 30 to a tip 160. The tooth 156 connects the tips 154, 160 of the spines 148, 150, as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the geometries of the legs 42,44, spines 148, 150, and tooth 156 are selected such that the tooth 156 fractures under the strain created when proper band tension is achieved, thereby alerting the user that the clamp is properly tensioned.
As shown in
The mechanical indicator 212 includes a spine 250. The spine 250 extends from a base 258 attached to the end 38 of the main section 36 of the strip 30 to a tip 260. The mechanical indicator 212 also includes a tooth 256 extending from the tip 260 of the spine 248 to the end 40 of the main section 36. As with the other embodiments, the geometries of the legs 42,44, spine 250, and tooth 256 are selected such that the tooth 256 fractures under the strain created when proper band tension is achieved, thereby alerting the user that the clamp is properly tensioned
Referring now to
The outer band 314 is formed from a metallic material such as, for example, a stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, any ferrous material, and any non-ferrous material. The outer band 314 includes an elongated strip 330. As shown in
The mechanical indicator 12 includes a spine 50 that extends from a base 52 attached to the end 40 of the main section 36 of the strip 330 to a tip 54. The mechanical indicator 12 also includes a tooth 56 extending between the tip 54 of the spine 50 and the end 38 of the strip 330. In the illustrative embodiment, the geometries of the legs 42,44, spine 50, and tooth 56 are selected such that the tooth 56 fractures under the strain created when proper band tension is achieved, thereby alerting the user that the clamp is properly tensioned.
As shown in
Referring now to
The outer band 414 is formed from a metallic material such as, for example, a stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, any ferrous material, and any non-ferrous material. The outer band 414 includes an elongated strip 430, and the slots 22 are defined in the strip 430. As shown in
The mechanical indicator 412 includes a pair of spines 448, 450. As shown in
As shown in
The fuse 470 also includes a tooth 480 that connects the plates 472, 474 in the gap 464 defined between the spines 448, 450. In the illustrative embodiment, the geometries of the legs 42,44, spines 448, 450, and tooth 480 are selected such that the tooth 156 fractures under the strain created when proper band tension is achieved, thereby alerting the user that the clamp is properly tensioned.
As shown, the fuse 470 is attached to the band 414 thru hot-staking; it is important to note the fuse can be made from any material and adhered to the spines 448, 450 spanning the gap 464 in other ways. As shown, the fuse 470 is adhered below the spines. In other embodiments, the fuse may be positioned in other orientations as long as the fuse spans the gap between the spines and is positioned to channel the strain thru the fuse tooth.
In the illustrative embodiment, the critical variables are the leg width, thickness, arch length, and material properties; and the fuse length, thickness, width and material properties. Exemplary dimensions for the dimensions are shown in
The embodiments described above attach clamps to hose substrates such that a desired radial, axial and circumferential position relative to the substrate outer diameter and hose end is maintained. The systems illustratively permit circumferential movement of the clamp band relative to the underlying hose by means of an eyeletted slide and multiple configurations of fixation retainers. It will be appreciated that the devices and methods described herein have broad applications. The foregoing embodiments were chosen and described in order to illustrate principles of the methods and apparatuses as well as some practical applications. The preceding description enables others skilled in the art to utilize methods and apparatuses in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of this disclosure have been explained and illustrated in exemplary embodiments.
It is intended that the scope of the present methods and apparatuses be defined by the following claims. However, it must be understood that this disclosure may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed in practicing the claims without departing from the spirit and scope as defined in the following claims.
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/302,579, which was filed on Mar. 2, 2016 and is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62302579 | Mar 2016 | US |
