WO2023122485A1

WO2023122485A1 - Multi-material clamps

Info

Publication number: WO2023122485A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/081698
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ravindra Desai; Mahantesh Gokavi; Satish Jadhav
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2021-12-20
Filing date: 2022-12-15
Publication date: 2023-06-29

Abstract

A multi-material clamp having a hard casing and a flexible lining. The hard casing provides mechanical strength to the multi-material clamp. The flexible lining abuts an inside surface of the hard casing through at least one dovetail joint. The flexible lining comprises at least one receptacle area configured to receive components of various sizes.

Description

MULTI-MATERIAL CLAMPS

BACKGROUND

[0001 ] Clamps are a type of fastening devices designed to bind, constrict, press two or more parts together so as to hold the parts firmly and prevent the parts from any unwanted movement or separation. Different types of clamps are used for different purposes, for example, cable clamps are used to hold cables, material handling clamps are used for heavy load lifting and pipe clamps are used for hanging pipes and conduits. In case of automobiles, wires and pipelines are outspread in the engine bay and body of a vehicle and are routed and retained by clamps mounted on body of the vehicle. More often than not, clamps in the automobiles are also used in wiring harnesses i.e., for securing multiple wires of the electrical circuitry or for securing multiple brake lines of the brake fluid circuit in a braking system of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0002] The following detailed description is provided with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and the figures are merely examples of the present subject matter and are not meant to represent the subject matter itself.

[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a lateral view of a multi -material clamp, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0004] Figure 2 illustrates another lateral view of the multi -material clamp, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0005] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of dovetail joints in the multi -material clamps, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0006] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of rabbit ear coverage in the multi -material clamp, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0007] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of clamping teeth of the multi-material clamp, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0008] Figure 6 illustrates another exploded view of clamping teeth of the multi-material clamp, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. [0009] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of joining guides in the multi -material clamp, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0010] Figures 8a through 8c illustrate different multi -material clamps, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0011] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Clamps generally used as fastening devices are made of different materials. Some clamps are made of single material, while others are made of a combination of two or more materials. Clamps made of two or more materials are generally referred to as multi-material clamps and use different materials, such as rubber and plastic where the plastic provides mechanical strength to the multi-material clamp and rubber provides grip strength to hold cables. While such multi -material clamps provide a mix of mechanical and holding strength, the performance of multi-material clamps is rather fleeting.

[0013] Generally, in a multi-material clamp, bonding between materials tend to weaken over time, resulting in peeling and reduced performance of the multi -material clamp. For example, in a dual-material clamp made of plastic and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), bonding between plastic and the TPE wears off with time causing the TPE to peel off from the plastic. The bonding between the materials of a multi-material clamp may weaken over time due to various reasons, for example, in certain cases, cables may be extracted or removed from the clamps for repair or maintenance purposes. The extraction of the cable often makes the multi-material clamp prone to damage as the bonding between dual parts can be impaired. Also, a forceful removal of the cable may cause perforations in the multi-material clamp, thereby causing abrasion between the bonding of the materials of the multi-material clamp. In other cases, when cable is removed from the multi-material clamp it leads to peeling off of the materials from the multi -material clamp. As a result, multi-material clamp has to be replaced resulting in the prolonged repair and maintenance procedure. [0014] In some situations, during installation/ re-installation, substantial insertion force may be applied for inserting the cable into the multi -material clamp. Use of such increased insertion forces have an adverse impact on structural integrity of the multi -material clamp as the bonding of the materials get weakened. Also, due to the prolonged use of the multi-material clamps, materials of the multi-material clamp tend to disassociate with each other, leading to reduction in bonding between the materials and making the multi-material clamp inefficient.

[0015] Therefore, reduced adhesion between the materials of the multi-material clamp on one hand causes fixed cables to slag, on the other may also cause damage to the cable. Further, some multi -material clamps fail to provide sufficient holding coverage and thrust force to hold cables, thereby also leading to slagging and damage to the cable.

[0016] According to an implementation of the present subject matter, a multi -material clamp is disclosed which provides secure bonding between materials of the multi-material clamp.

[0017] The multi-material clamp may include a hard casing and a flexible lining. The hard casing may provide mechanical strength to the multi-material clamp. The flexible lining may include multiple clamping teeth, such that the clamping teeth form one or more receptacle areas to accommodate a component, such as a cable or a pipe while the clamping teeth provide holding strength to the multi-material clamp. In an example, the multi-material clamp may be made of two materials, such as plastic and TPE. The hard casing of the multi-material clamp may be made of plastic to provide mechanical strength while the flexible lining may be made of TPE to provide flexibility to the multi-material clamp.

[0018] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, the materials of the multi -material clamp are bonded to each other through at least one dovetail joint. For example, the multi -material clamp made of plastic and TPE may be joined together through dovetail joints where the hard casing of the multi -material clamp and the flexible lining include tails and sockets to allow bonding between each other.

[0019] In an example, the body of the multi-material clamp and the flexible lining may be formed together through fusion molding process such that dovetail joints are formed between the hard casing of the multi-material clamp and the flexible lining of the multi -material clamp. In another example, the hard casing of the multi -material clamp and the flexible lining may be slidably inserted into each other through the tails and sockets.

[0020] Further, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter, the multi-material clamp is provided with flexible lining which cover the entire hard casing of the multi-material clamp. That is, in the described multi -material clamp, the flexible lining is disposed such that the entire hard casing of the multi -material clamp, including the rabbit ear of the hard casing is covered with the flexible lining.

[0021] Furthermore, as described, the flexible lining may include multiple clamping teeth such that the clamping teeth form one or more receptacle areas to accommodate one or more cables. Each receptacle area may accommodate components, such as pipe and cables while the clamping teeth provide holding strength to the multi-material clamp. In an example implementation of the present subject matter, the clamping teeth of the multi -material clamp include a support profile to provide enhanced holding strength to the multi-material clamp. The support profile of the clamping teeth may fully wrap the cable held by the multi-material clamp to provide the enhanced holding strength.

[0022] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, the hard casing of the multi-material clamp includes one or more joining guide to provide formation of a continuous flexible lining. The one or more joining guides enhance the adhesion between the hard casing and the flexible lining.

[0023] The described multi-material clamps have strong bonding force between the hard casing and the flexible lining, thereby reducing the chances of peel off and reduced adhesion between the materials of the multi-material clamps, such as the plastic and the TPE. Furthermore, the coverage of the flexible lining over the entire hard casing, especially the rabbit ear of the hard casing, allows the multi-material clamp to have a good dampening effect and also reduces damage to cables held by the multi-material clamp.

[0024] Moreover, as described earlier, the support profile included in clamping teeth formed in receptacle area of the flexible lining of the multi-material clamp provides increased holding strength to the multi -material clamp. The support profile increases the contact surface area of the of the clamping teeth such that the holding strength of the multi-material clamp increases. Also, the joining guides provide increased adhesion between the flexible lining and the hard casing of the multi-material clamp, thereby reducing the peel off possibilities and enhancing the performance of the multi -material clamp.

[0025] The above techniques are further described with reference to Figure 1 to Figure 8. It should be noted that the description and the figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that although not explicitly described or shown herein, statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and implementations of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate lateral views of a multi -material clamp 100, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. The multi-material clamp 100 includes a hard casing 102 and a flexible lining 104. The hard casing (102) provides mechanical strength to the multi -material clamp (100) and the flexible lining 104 abuts an inside surface of the hard casing 102. Further, the hard casing may be made up of plastic and the flexible lining 104 may be made of TPE. In an example, the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104 may be formed through a fusion molding process, such that the flexible lining 104 is molded inside the hard casing 102.

[0027] In an example implementation, the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining are joined together through dovetail joints 106. The dovetail joints 106 may include tails and sockets formed on the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104 such that the adhesion between the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104 is increased.

[0028] In an example implementation, the multi -material clamp 100 further includes the flexible lining 104 extending towards rabbit ears 108 of the hard casing 102. The extended flexible lining 104 towards the rabbit ears 108 may allow the multi -material clamp 100 to reduce noise due to relative motion between the multi-material clamp 100 and a cable (not shown). Further, the extended flexible lining 104 also reduces damage to the cable held by the multi -material clamp 100.

[0029] Further, the flexible lining 104 of the multi -material clamp 100 also includes multiple clamping teeth 110. The clamping teeth 110 are such configured that two receptacle areas R1 and R2 are formed within the multi -material clamp 100 to hold the cable. It would be appreciated that the multi-material clamp 100 may allow holding of cables in the two receptacle areas R1 and R2, such that one or more cable is held in each receptacle area.

[0030] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, the multi -material clamp 100 further includes joining guides 112. The joining guides may be formed in the hard casing 102 such that the flexible lining 104 extends from receptacle area R1 to receptacle area R2. The joining guides 112 may also increase adhesion between the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104.

[0031] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of dovetail joints 106 in the multi -material clamp 100, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. The dovetail joints 106 maybe formed between the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104.

[0032] In an example, the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104 are joined through multiple dovetail joints 106-1, 106-2, . . . , 106-N, spread across the surface 302. For the ease of reference, the dovetail joints 106-1, 106-2, ..., 106-N have been commonly referred to as dovetail joints 106. It would also be understood that the surface 302 corresponds to the surface where inner surface of the hard casing 102 abuts an inner surface of the flexible lining 104. Further, the dovetail joints 106 may include tails and sockets formed on the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104.

[0033] It would be appreciated that the tails of the dovetail joints 106 may either be formed on the hard casing 102 or the flexible lining 104. Therefore, in examples where the tails are formed on the hard casing 102, the sockets may be formed on the flexible lining 104, and in examples where the tails are formed on the flexible lining 104, the sockets may be formed on the hard casing 102.

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of rabbit ear 108, covered by the flexible lining 104 in the multi -material clamp 100, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0035] In an example, the flexible lining 104 extends towards the rabbit ear 108 in direction 402 such that the inner surface of the hard casing 102 is covered by the flexible lining 104. In an example, the flexible lining 104 extends towards edge 404 of the hard casing 102. It would be appreciated that the extension of the flexible lining 104 up to the edge 404 would allow protection to cables within the receptacle areas R1 and R2.

[0036] Figure 5 and Figure 6 illustrate exploded views of clamping teeth 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N, of the multi-material clamp 100, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. For the ease of reference, the clamping teeth 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N, have been commonly referred to as clamping teeth 110, hereafter.

[0037] Referring to Figure 5, the clamping teeth 110 are formed such that the receptacle area R1 and R2 is formed to hold the cables. In an example, the clamping teeth 110 of the multi -material clamp 100 includes a support profile on top edge to provide holding strength to the multi -material clamp 100.

[0038] The support profile may include larger surface area as compared to vase of the clamping teeth, such that a higher holding strength can be provided by the clamping teeth to the cable. In an implementation, the support profile of the clamping teeth 110 may have a slightly concave surface so that the support profile fully wraps the cable held withing the receptacle area R1 and R2.

[0039] While Figure 6 illustrates exploded views of clamping teeth 110, external surface of a cable 602 is also depicted to be held within the receptacle area R2 in Figure 6. The clamping teeth 110 include the support profile on top edge of each tooth where the surface of each support profile is slightly concave to fully wrap the cable surface 602. In an example, the area of the support profile along with the concave surface curvature may provide a holding strength of about 5 Newtons (N). Holding strength of about 5N may allow use of the multi-material clamp 100 in vehicles for acting as wiring harnesses and securing multiple fluid and electrical lines, such as brake lines of the brake fluid circuit in a braking system of the vehicle.

[0040] It would be appreciated that the support profile on each clamping teeth 110 may include different curvatures, other than slightly concave curvature, to wrap the cable surface. In an example, the surface of the support profile may be formed based on surface 602 of the cable such that the clamping teeth provide required holding strength.

[0041] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of joining guides 112-1, 112-2 in the multi- material clamp 100, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. For the ease of reference, the joining guides 112-1, 112-2 have been referred to as joining guides 112, hereinafter.

[0042] In an example, the hard casing 102 of the multi-material clamp 100 includes the joining guides 112, such that the flexible lining 104 is extended between receptacles R1 and R2. As described earlier, in an example, the multi-material clamp 100 may be formed through a fusion molding process. In such a fusion molding, the hard casing 102 may be formed and thereafter, the flexible lining 104 may be molded. Thus, the joining guides 112 may allow effective flow of flexible lining material (in liquid/ molten state) within the multi-material clamp 100 to form the two receptacles R1 and R2. It would be appreciated that the joining guides 112 would enhance the adhesion between the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104 such that the flexible material does not peel off during wear and tear of the multi -material clamp 100.

[0043] While the multi -material clamp 100 has been described to include the hard casing 102 and the flexible lining 104 such that the two receptacle R1 and R2 hold cables, it would be appreciated that a multi-material clamp may be designed such that a flexible lining may include either one, or more than two receptacles, while providing efficient adhesion between the hard casing and the flexible lining of the multi -material clamp. Figures 8a through 8c illustrate three different multi -material clamps. For example, a multi -material clamp 802, a multi-material clamp 804 and a multi-material clamp 806 depicted in Figures 8a through 8c include different configurations of the hard casings and number of receptacles formed on flexible lining.

[0044] While not shown explicitly, it would be understood that the material clamp 802, the multi -material clamp 804 and the multi-material clamp 806 include dovetail joints between the hard casing and the flexible lining to provide enhanced bonding between therein.

[0045] Although examples of the present subject matter have been described in language specific to designs and/or structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not limited to the specific designs or features described. Rather, the designs and specific features are disclosed and explained as examples of the present subject matter.

Claims

We claim:

1. A multi-material clamp (100) comprising: a hard casing (102) to provide mechanical strength to the multi -material clamp (100); and a flexible lining (104) abutting an inside surface of the hard casing (102) through at least one dovetail joint (106), wherein the flexible lining (104) comprises at least one receptacle area (Rl, R2) configured to receive components of various sizes.

2. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hard casing (102) and the flexible lining (104) comprise tails and sockets of the at least one dovetail joint (106) to allow bonding between each other.

3. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hard casing (102) comprises the tails and the flexible lining (104) comprises the sockets corresponding to the at least one dovetail joint (106).

4. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hard casing (102) comprises the sockets and the flexible lining (104) comprises the tails corresponding to the at least one dovetail joint (106).

5. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hard casing (102) is made of plastic and the flexible lining (104) is made of thermoplastic.

6. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible lining (104) is fusion molded inside the hard casing (102).

7. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hard casing comprises at least one joining guide (112) to allow flow of flexible lining material such that a continuous flexible lining (104) is formed on the inside surface of the hard casing (102).

9

8. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible lining (104) comprises at least one clamping tooth (110), and wherein the at least one clamping tooth (110) forms the at least one receptacle area (Rl, R2) for receiving the components.

9. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one clamping tooth (110) comprises a support profile on top edge, and wherein the support profile is to provide strength for holding the components.

10. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support profile has a concave surface to wrap the components, and wherein the concave surface of the support profile provides holding strength of about 5 Newton (N) for holding the components.

11. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible lining (104) extends through rabbit ears (108) of the hard casing (102), towards edges (404) of the hard casing (102).

12. The multi-material clamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible lining (104) is slidably inserted into the hard casing (102).