Mechanical locking-applied component for clamps and the method of fixing said component

THE RELATED ART

The present invention relates to clamps, which are placed and tightened on the bodies of fluid carrying tools with flexible structures known as hoses or pipes, and thus enabling sealed connection of these tools with each other or with any other connection point.

The invention particularly relates to an embodiment with mechanical locking used in a mechanical locking-applied component for enabling hose clamps to be fixed on pipes and thus both reducing the mounting time period and preventing positioning errors or maintaining sealing in case of thermal expansion.

THE PRIOR ART In the prior art, various clamp structures are present which are used for carrying fluids and mostly used for connecting tools known as pipes or hoses to each other or any other installation component. Clamps are placed and tightened on the flexible hose body during use. As a clamp is tightened, its diameter gets smaller, and thus it tightens the hose body enclosed within the its body and enables it to be fixed in a stable and sealed manner. There are various structures for tightening process at the clamps. In a commonly used embodiment, the method of worm drive is used. In this method, the ends of the clamp band are fixed to each other with a screw joint. When the screw on this joint is tightened, it reduces the band diameter and thus enables the clamp to become narrower.

In some hose clamps, a mechanical locking-applied component (such as clips, springs, etc.) is found, which enables the clamp to be fixed on the hose body or maintains the sealing function in thermal expansion situations. The-wormdrive hose clamps containing said mechanical locking-applied components are often used in automotive industry. The biggest advantage of the mechanical locking-applied components is that they shorten the mounting time and prevent position errors. Another application area is fixing of the spring parts developed for thermal expansion on clamps.

In the prior art, the preferably used clips as the mechanical locking-applied component are fixed on the clamp body by using clinching or welding method. Said both mounting methods have some disadvantages. In the clinching method, the mechanical behaviour of the material is extremely parametric. The two materials to be clinched have to be chosen such that their mechanical properties are compatible with each other. The tensile strength of the clips material needs to be lower than the tensile strength of the band material. This situation necessitates the clips and band materials for clinching to be different from each other. Clinching of different materials may cause the materials to undergo electrochemical corrosion. Therefore, the number of options is reduced in material selection for the manufacturer. In addition, it is hard to check the suitability of clinching connection method at mass production stage. In the welding method, materials with high welding capacity need to be chosen. This reduces the number of options in material selection. Stainless materials need to be subjected to passivation to avoid corrosion after welding. This process increases the production costs. On the other hand, special methods are required to be applied to check the suitability of welding under mass production conditions.

The invention with Publication No. US20070018063 relates to a clamp embodiment comprising a mounting component. In the abstract, the invention is described as follows: "A clamp with a clamp band and a mounting element which is connected to the clamp band. In a clamp band of the above-described type, this object is met by connecting the mounting element to the clamp band with a clinch connection. The clinch connection may have a polygonal cross-section. The clamp band and the mounting element may be formed of different materials at least in areas where they contact each other". As can be understood from the abstract, said mounting component is clinched to the clamp. Disadvantages of the clinch connection are disclosed above.

The invention with publication no. US20090189389 relates to a system that pre- positions the hose clamp on the end of the hose. In brief, the invention comprises one or more fixing pieces that are inseparably connected to the hose clamp ring, fixed on the hose end, and having U-shaped components with their open sides facing the hose surface. In this system, the U-shaped parts are interlocked with the clamp. It is unlikely that such a connection would ensure sufficient strength.

As a result, novel embodiments are needed, which would eliminate the above said drawbacks related to connection of mechanical locking-applied components to clamp bands on clamps, and bring solution to the problems of the prior art systems. PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hose clamp, which meets the above said requirements, eliminates all of the drawbacks, and brings some additional advantages. The main purpose of the invention is to ensure mechanical locking connection between the clamp band of the hose clamp and the mechanical locking-applied component without using any screw, clinch or welding connection.

Another purpose of the invention is to introduce connecting method of clamp band and mechanical locking-applied component into the art as a better alternative to current welded - clinched assembly methods that have many disadvantages.

In mechanical locking connection method, the materials used in mechanical locking- applied components and clamp bands do not have to have the requirement of having different mechanical properties as in the materials used in welded and clinched connection methods. Thus, it is aimed to increase material options for the manufacturer. Another purpose of the invention is to make clamp production quicker and easier under mass production conditions thanks to the mechanical locking between the clamp band and the mechanical locking-applied component. Special methods are not required in order to check connection suitability following mechanical locking connection process that reveals with invention. Thus, it is aimed to bring production costs down.

Another purpose of the invention is to prevent decrease in physical life of the clamp by avoiding corrosion and rusting on junction points thanks to the mechanical locking connection system.

In order to achieve the above said purposes which would be understood better with the below given detailed description, the present invention is a clamp comprising a clamp band, a band tightening mechanism, and a mechanical locking-applied component, and which is placed and tightened on the body of a fluid carrying tool with a flexible structure in the form of a pipe, for ensuring sealing of these fluid carrying tools in their connection with each other or to any other connection point, and for a mechanically locked connection of the mechanical locking-applied component on the clamp band, it comprises:

• at least one fixing form formed on the clamp band body in order to ensure fixing of the mechanical locking-applied component therein,

• at least one form socket on the body of the mechanical locking- applied component, in which the fixing form is placed during mounting,

• at least one lock bolt ensuring mechanical locking by entering into the fixing form when it is flattened by bending.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said mechanical locking-applied component is a positioning clips ensuring fixing of hose clamps on the pipe, for both reducing the mounting time period and preventing positioning errors.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said mechanical locking-applied component is a spring that maintains sealing in case of thermal expansion. In order to achieve the above said purposes which would be understood better with the below given detailed description, also a method is developed for mechanical locking of a mechanical locking-applied component onto the clamp band for a clamp comprising a clamp band, a band tightening mechanism, and a mechanical locking- applied component, and which is being placed and tightened on the body of a fluid carrying tool with a flexible structure in the form of a pipe, and for ensuring sealing of these fluid carrying tools in their connection with each other or to any other connection point, and said method comprises the operation steps of:

• placing at least one fixing form found on the clamp band body into the at least one form socket found on the body of the mechanical locking- applied component,

• flattening by bending of at least one lock bolt ensuring mechanical locking by means of a pressing component such that it would enter into the fixing form,

• squeezing the lock bolt in between the fixing form and the clamp band by applying press to fixing form from its lower end via said pressing component.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all of its advantages shall be understood better with the figures and the detailed description given below in reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made by taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For better understanding of the embodiment of the present invention and its advantages with its additional components, it should be evaluated together with below described figures.

Figure 1 ; shows the side and front profile views of the hose clamp with the improvements according to the invention, respectively.

Figure 2 ; is a perspective view of the mechanical locking-applied component found on the hose clamp according to the invention (a clips is shown as an example in the figure).

Figure 3 ; is a side profile section view of the mechanical locking-applied component found on the hose clamp according to the invention (a clips is shown as an example in the figure).

Figure 4 ; shows the fixing form found on the body in section views taken from the clamp band body.

Figure 5a ; is a side profile view of a section taken from the area of connection of the mechanical locking-applied component (a clips is shown as an example in the figure) and the clamp band, prior to mounting.

Figure 5b ; is a side profile view of a section taken from the area of connection of the mechanical locking-applied component (a clips is shown as an example in the figure) and the clamp band, during mounting.

Figure 5c ; is a side profile view of a section taken from the area of connection of the mechanical locking-applied component (a clips is shown as an example in the figure) and the clamp band, after mounting.

Figure 6 ; shows the views of a section taken from the area of connection of the mechanical locking-applied component (a clips is shown as an example in the figure) and the clamp band, after mounting, from below the clamp band and inside the clamp band, respectively.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Clamp

2. Clamp Band

2.1. Band Tip

2.2. Thread

2.3. Fixing Form

3. Band Tightening Mechanism

3.1. Screw

3.2. Screw housing

4. Mechanical locking-applied component

4.1. Body

4.2. Form socket

4.3. Lock Bolt 4.4. Free End

4.5. Connection part

4.6. Tab

5. Pressing component

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the hose clamp (1 ) according to the invention are only disclosed for better understanding of the subject without forming any limiting effect.

The present invention relates to a clamp (1 ) embodiment, which is placed and tightened on the body of a fluid carrying tool with a flexible structure such as a hose or pipe, and thus ensuring sealing of these tools in their connection with each other or to any other connection point. In Figure 1 , side and front profile views of the hose clamp (1 ) with the improvements according to the invention are given, respectively. Accordingly, the hose clamp (1 ) essentially consists of a circularly shaped clamp band (2) surrounding the hose body from outside, a band tightening mechanism (3) combining the band tips (2.1 ) of said clamp band (2) and allowing its tightening and loosening, and a mechanical locking-applied component (4) (it is shown as clips in the figures) ensuring fixing of the clamp (1 ) on the hose.

A circular form is given to the clamp band (2) made of sheet metal material by bending. Thread (2.2) forms are found on the band (2). Said threads (2.2) ensure tightening of the clamp (1 ) by passing through the screw housing (3.2) found in the band tightening mechanism (3). The band tightening mechanism (3) consists of a screw (3.1 ) and a screw housing (3.2) bearing said screw (3.1 ).

As shown in Figure 2, a form socket (4.2) is found on the body (4.1 ). Said form socket (4.2) is the part in which the fixing form (2.3) found on the clamp band (2) body is inserted and then fixed during mounting of the mechanical locking-applied component (4) and the clamp band (2) to each other. Lock bolts (4.3) are found on both sides (on the right and left hand sides) of the form socket (4.2). As it can be better understood from the side profile view of the mechanical locking-applied component (4) given in Figure 3, while the lock bolts (4.3) preferably having "V" form prior to mounting have one of their ends combined to the body (4.1 ), the free ends (4.4) extend preferably towards the edge of the form socket (4.2). For fixing of the mechanical locking-applied component (4) designed as disclosed above onto the clamp band (2), a fixing form (2.3) is formed on the clamp band (2). The fixing form (2.3) shown in Figure 4 is essentially a handle-shaped structure that is ripped opened outwards from the clamp band (2) body and having a space at the middle portion thereof. Said fixing form (2.3) is designed such that it would reduce the strength of the clamp band (2) in strain direction minimally. The direction of the fixing form (2.3) is outward of the clamp band (2). In this way, there would be no protrusion formation within the clamp band (2) that would damage the hose, by forming the fixing form (2.3). The mounting to each other and operating principle of the hose clamp (1 ) parts according to the invention are as follows:

Worm (3.1 ) driven hose clamp (1 ) consists of a clamp band (2) and a band tightening mechanism (3), and it may also comprise a mechanical locking-applied component (4). The clamp band (2) formed during at the production stage is bent and brought into a circular form and the band tips (2.1 ) of the clamp band (2) are inserted into the screw housing (3.2), and the clamp band (2) is squeezed within the screw housing (3.2) by means of the screw (3.1 ). Afterwards, the clamp band (2) and the mechanical locking-applied component (4) are fixed to each other. For this purpose, first of all, the fixing form (2.3) found on the clamp band (2) body is inserted into the form socket (4.2) found on the mechanical locking-applied component (4) body (4.1 ). Figure 5a shows the side profile section view of this step. Afterwards, pressing is applied to the preferably "V"-shaped lock bolts (4.3) from below via a pressing component (5) (e.g. a punch). With the force applied by the pressing component (5), the lock bolts (4.3) are bent towards the body (4.1 ) and start to become flattening. As a result of flattening, the free ends (4.4) of the lock bolts (4.3) move into the fixing form (2.3) positioned in the form socket (4.2) found on the mechanical locking- applied component (4). Figure 5b shows the side profile section view of this step. As can be seen from Figure 5b, the lock bolts (4.3) are somewhat flattened with the bending force of the pressing component (5) and start to move into the fixing form (2.3). The bending operation made by the pressing component (5) continues until the lock bolts (4.3) are completely flattened. When the lock bolts (4.3) are completely flattened, they reach the same plane with the body (4.1 ) and the free ends (4.4) of the lock bolts (4.3) meet with each other within the fixing form (2.3). At the same time, the pressing component (5) also applies pressing to the fixing form (2.3) ensuring that the lock bolts (4.3) are squeezed between the clamp band (2) and the fixing form (2.3). In this way, inseparable mechanical locking of the mechanical locking-applied component (4) to the clamp band (2) is completed. Figure 5c shows the side profile section view of this step. The mechanical connection formed can bear 100 N force in all directions. Figure 6 shows the views of a section taken from the area of connection of the mechanical locking-applied component (4) and the clamp band (2), after mounting, from below the clamp band (2) and inside the clamp band (2), respectively.

With the connection method provided according to the invention; the connection between the clamp band (2) of the hose clamp (1 ) and the mechanical locking- applied component (4) is made only by mechanical locking, without using any screw, clinch or welding connection. In this way, clamp (1 ) production can be made in a quicker and easier manner under mass production conditions. Since special methods are not required in order to check connection suitability following mechanical locking connection process and since passivation is not required, it is obvious that the production costs would be reduced. Since corrosion and formation of rust is not encountered on the connection point that is in mechanical locking connections, the expected life of the clamp would not be reduced due to corrosion.

In the mechanical locking connection method, the materials used in mechanical locking-applied component (4) and clamp bands (2) do not have to have the requirement of having different mechanical properties as in the materials used in welded and clinched connection methods. Therefore, the number of options in material selection is increased for the manufacturer.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical locking-applied component (4) ensures fixing of the clamp (1 ) on the hose. In Figure 2, the perspective view of the mechanical locking-applied component (4) is given. Accordingly, the clamp (1 ) is fixed on the hose profile (for example the clips forms) by means of fixing the mechanical locking-applied component (4) onto the clamp band (2) body. The mechanical locking-applied component (4) is formed on a body (4.1 ) piece made of sheet metal. One side of the body (4.1 ) comprises a connection part (4.5) (in clips form). Said connection part (4.5) ensures that the clamp (1 ) is fixed on the hose and thus it remains fixed on the hose, until the hose is mounted to the point of application. In application, the hose clamp (1 ) is mounted to the hose body from outside. For this purpose, the hose is passed through the circular space found at the middle part of the clamp band (2). After the clamp (1 ) is mounted to the hose, the connection part (4.5) form of the mechanical locking-applied component (4) (e.g. clips) grasps the tip part of the hose and the tabs (4.6) of the connection part (4.5) penetrate to the hose body from inside. In this way, the clamp (1 ) is kept fixed on the hose, until the hose is mounted to the point of application. After the hose is mounted to the point of application, the screw (3.1 ) is tightened to reduce the diameter of clamp band (2) as much as required, and thus the sealing of the hose at the point of connection is ensured. If the mechanical locking-applied component (4) is to be used for another application without being fixed on the hose, said connection part (4.5) and tabs (4.6) are not needed. Besides, said connection part (4.5) and tabs (4.6) are components that are already known in the prior art and they don't have a direct contribution to the solution provided with the present invention.