AU2019268990B2

AU2019268990B2 - Clamping ring

Info

Publication number: AU2019268990B2
Application number: AU2019268990A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Manuela PLASS
Original assignee: E Hawle Armaturenwerke GmbH
Current assignee: E Hawle Armaturenwerke GmbH
Priority date: 2018-05-16
Filing date: 2019-05-06
Publication date: 2022-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-06
Also published as: WO2019219424A1; NZ769573A; EP3794264C0; EP3794264B1; AT520743A4; EP3794264A1; AT520743B1; AU2019268990A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a clamping ring (1), and to a clamping ring (1) which is produced by way of the method, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing of an insert ring (2), wherein the insert ring comprises a sacrificial ring (3) and at least one reinforcing element (4) which is arranged on the external diameter of the sacrificial ring; encapsulating, in particular overmoulding, of the insert ring (2) with material, as a result of which an injection-moulded part (6) which encloses the insert ring (2) is produced; machining of the internal diameter of the injection-moulded part (6), in particular mechanical removing of the sacrificial ring (3), preferably by way of milling and/or by way of turning, as a result of which a clamping ring (1) is produced, wherein the reinforcing elements (4) terminate flush with the internal diameter of the clamping ring (1), and wherein the reinforcing elements (4) are held by way of the encapsulation, in particular in a positively locking and/or non-positive manner.

Description

Clamping ring

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of the independent patent claim and a clamping ring produced with said method.

Different clamping rings, which are in particular used as pull-out stops for pipes, and their production methods are known from the state of the art. For securing polyethylene (PE) pipes, for example, clamping rings are used which are made of polyoxymethylene (POM). However, such clamping rings only have a limited rigidity and can therefore not be used for securing polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipes, for example. In the state of the art, clamping rings with corundum are used for securing PVC pipes; however, these compounds only have a limited tensile strength.

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art or to provide a useful alternative. In particular, the object of the invention is to create a clamping ring and a method for producing a clamping ring, the clamping ring having not only a certain degree of flexibility/pliability but also a high tensile strength.

One aspect relates to a method comprising the steps of: providing a spacer ring, the spacer ring comprising a sacrificial ring and at least one reinforcing element arranged on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring, coating, in particular overmolding, the spacer ring with material, thus producing a molding, which comprises the spacer ring, mechanical machining of the inner circumference of the molding, in particular mechanical removal of the sacrificial ring, preferably by milling and/or turning, thus producing a clamping ring, wherein the reinforcing elements are flush with the inner circumference of the clamping ring and wherein the reinforcing elements are held by the coating, in particular in a positive and/or frictional manner.

Optionally, the spacer ring comprises a sacrificial ring and at least one reinforcing element. The reinforcing element may be arranged on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring. The spacer ring may further comprise the sacrificial ring and the at least one reinforcing element or the spacer ring may be composed of the sacrificial ring and the at least one reinforcing element.

After providing the spacer ring, the spacer ring is optionally coated or overmolded with material, in particular a sprayable material. Optionally, the spacer ring is held against and/or fixed on the inner circumference of the sacrificial ring during overmolding or coating. The spacer ring may in particular be coated by a so-called primary forming method.

In the context of the present disclosure, "primary forming"/"primary forming methods" is in particular to be understood as a manufacturing method according to DIN 8580:2003-09, which may be summarized under the term "create cohesion", for example. In particular, this method allows a solid body with a geometrically defined shape to be formed from a shapeless material. In particular, primary forming may be used to produce the primary shape of a solid body and to create material cohesion.

For the primary forming, starting materials in the liquid, gaseous, plastic, grainy or powdery state can be used, i.e. materials with different rheological behavior. Based on different combinations of different technologies one can distinguish between electroforming, powder metallurgy and foundry technology, for example.

By coating or overmolding the spacer ring, a molding may be produced. The molding may comprise the spacer ring and the coating material which has been used for the coating and/or overmolding. It is optionally provided that the shape of the molding and/or the clamping ring is conical. It may be provided that the molding and/or the clamping ring has/have a first and a second opening and that the jacket surface of the molding and/or of the clamping ring conically diverges in the direction of the first opening of the molding and/or the clamping ring.

The spacer ring, in particular the at least one reinforcing element may be coated or overmolded with the material. It is optionally provided that the at least one reinforcing element is surrounded, in particular entirely, by the material and/or that the sacrificial ring, in particular the inner circumference of the sacrificial ring, is free from the material. The coating or overmolding allows the spacer ring, in particular its reinforcing elements, to be connected to the material, in particular permanently and positively.

After having been coated, the molding may be mechanically machined. It may be provided that the sacrificial ring is removed from the molding, in particular mechanically. It is optionally provided that a material-removing method, such as in particular milling or turning, is used for removing the sacrificial ring. By removing the sacrificial ring from the molding, a clamping ring may be produced.

The at least one reinforcing element may further be flush with the inner circumference of the clamping ring.

It is optionally provided that, together with the removal of the sacrificial ring, parts of the molding, in particular parts of the coating material, are removed and/or machined as well. It is optionally provided that a part of the reinforcing elements, in particular the surface of the reinforcing elements facing the inner circumference, is removed and/or machined during the removal of the sacrificial ring. This allows a flush surface to be obtained between the at least one reinforcing element and the coating material.

Optionally, the spacer ring, in particular the at least one reinforcing element, is made of a material more rigid than the coating material. This allows the clamping ring to be elastically deformed in particular due to the elastic deformability of the coating material, and to have a high tensile strength, in particular due to the material of the reinforcing element.

Optionally, the spacer ring, the molding and/or the clamping ring is/are of an annular design. The spacer ring, the molding and/or the clamping ring may each comprise two openings. Optionally, chamfers are arranged in the area of the first and/or second opening on the inner circumference of the molding and/or the clamping ring. The chamfers allow sharp edges to be avoided and the clamping ring may be easily slid and/or pushed onto the part to be clamped. The clamping ring may further move on the part to be clamped without getting stuck when no mechanical load is applied. The chamfers may have an angle in the range of 100 to 600 and in particular 200.

It may be provided that the method steps according to preferred embodiments of the invention are performed in the above-described order.

It is optionally provided that the mechanical machining of the inner circumference of the molding is performed in such a way that a toothed profile, in particular a toothing, is formed on the inner circumference of the clamping ring.

It is optionally provided that the inner circumference of the molding is machined during the mechanical machining and/or removal of the sacrificial ring. The mechanical machining may be used to remove the sacrificial ring, parts of the reinforcing elements and/or parts of the molding. The mechanical machining may also yield a toothed profile, in particular a toothing, on the inner circumference of the molding. The toothing may be arranged on the reinforcing elements, in particular on the surface of the reinforcing elements facing the inner circumference, and/or on the coating material of the molding.

The toothing may be sawtooth-like, shark-like, grooved, threaded, corrugated, spiralled, crossed and/or have or not have a pitch.

The toothing allows the friction between a part to be clamped, in particular a pipe, and the clamping ring to be increased. This allows the connection created by the clamping ring to resist higher loads and the parts which are clamped together are prevented from getting loose, slipping, being pulled out or separated over a longer period of time.

It is optionally provided that the spacer ring and/or the clamping ring is/are of a closed or slotted design.

The slot allows the clamping ring to deform more easily when mechanically loaded.

It is optionally provided that the reinforcing elements have at least one holding means, in particular grooves, undercuts, counter bevels or indentations, wherein the at least one holding means is configured to produce a connection with the coating, which is in particular positive and/or frictional.

The at least one holding means of the reinforcing elements of the spacer ring allows a connection with the coating material, which is in particular positive and/or frictional, to be produced.

It may in particular be provided that the at least one holding means is configured to hold/fix the reinforcing element in the coating material when the clamping ring and, thus, also the reinforcing element are mechanically loaded. This allows the reinforcing elements to be prevented from escaping the coating material and, thus, the clamping ring is prevented from breaking apart.

The shape of the at least one holding means may vary. It is optionally provided that the at least one holding means has a groove, an undercut, a counter bevel, an indentation, a bevel and/or cut-outs. It may be provided that the spacer ring is of an annular design and has two openings. At the two openings in the area of the inner circumference of the spacer ring, bevels, in particular chamfers, may be provided. The chamfers may have an angle in the range of 100 to 600 and in particular 200.

It is optionally provided that a rotary milling machine is used for the mechanical machining, thus removing the sacrificial ring and providing only the reinforcing elements with a predetermined contour.

It is optionally provided that methods such as turning and/or milling are used for the mechanical machining.

The use of a rotary milling machine allows the selective removal of the sacrificial ring alone. Optionally, this means that the coating material and/or the reinforcing element is/are retained, in particular entirely, during the removal of the sacrificial ring.

It is optionally provided that the coating is performed by means of a primary forming method.

It is optionally provided that the thickness, in particular the profile thickness, of the sacrificial ring is in the range of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, in particular in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

It is optionally provided that the thickness of the reinforcing elements is in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, in particular in the range of 2.25 mm to 3.5 mm.

It is optionally provided that the thickness of the sacrificial ring and/or the thickness of the at least one reinforcing element depends/depend on the dimension of the clamping ring. In the context of the present disclosure, "thickness of the reinforcing elements" is to be understood as the distance between the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring and the outer circumference of the spacer ring.

It is optionally provided that the spacer ring comprises triangular, square, polygonal, round, conical and/or elliptical reinforcing elements.

It is optionally provided that the spacer ring comprises between two and one hundred, in particular between two and ten, preferably eight, reinforcing elements.

It is optionally provided that the at least one reinforcing element of the spacer ring is of a trapezoidal, round, semi-circular and/or similar design. It may also be provided that the at least one reinforcing element is designed as a ridge, in particular as a ridge extending on the outer circumference of the spacer ring.

It is optionally provided that the reinforcing elements are arranged at a distance from one another on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring and in the produced clamping ring.

It may in particular be provided that the reinforcing elements are arranged in an evenly distributed and/or evenly spaced apart manner on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring.

It may in particular be provided that between two and one hundred, in particular between two and ten, and preferably eight, reinforcing elements are arranged in an evenly spaced apart manner on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring. When the clamping ring is mechanically loaded, this allows the force acting on the clamping ring, in particular via the reinforcing elements, to be evenly distributed to the body to be clamped, in particular the pipe. The even load allows a failure of the connection/a pulling out and/or a separation of the connection to be prevented over a longer period of time.

It is optionally provided that the spacer ring comprises metal, in particular brass, high tech plastics, which are in particular suitable as metal replacement, such as in particular polyamide 4.6, polyamide 12, polyphtalamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide or polyetheretherketone, or materials, the rigidity of which is higher than that of PVC pipes and/or that the at least one reinforcing element comprises metal, in particular brass, high-tech plastics, which are in particular suitable as metal replacement, such as in particular polyamide 4.6, polyamide 12, polyphtalamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide or polyetheretherketone, or materials, the rigidity of which is higher than that of PVC pipes.

It is optionally provided that the spacer ring is made of metal, in particular brass, a high tech plastic, which is in particular suitable as metal replacement, such as in particular polyamide 4.6, polyamide 12, polyphtalamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide or polyetheretherketone, or a material, the rigidity of which is higher than that of PVC pipes and/or that the at least one reinforcing element is made of metal, in particular brass, a high-tech plastic, which is in particular suitable as metal replacement, such as in particular polyamide 4.6, polyamide 12, polyphtalamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide or polyetheretherketone, or a material, the rigidity of which is higher than that of PVC pipes.

It is optionally provided that the spacer ring is overmolded with a sprayable material, in particular a plastic or an elastomere.

Combining the materials allows a clamping ring to the produced which is deformable to a certain extent, in particular reversibly deformable, and which has a high rigidity/a high mechanical resistance thanks to the reinforcing elements.

The invention in preferred embodiments further relates to a clamping ring which has been produced or is obtainable according to the methods described above.

In the context of the present disclosure, "outer circumference" is to be understood as the outer ring and/or the outer circumference of an annular body. The outer circumference of the spacer ring may be formed by the reinforcing elements arranged on the sacrificial ring, for example.

In the context of the present disclosure, "inner circumference" is to be understood as the inner ring and/or the inner circumference of an annular body.

In the context of the present disclosure, "coating material" is to be understood as the hardened sprayable material, which has been used for coating and/or overmolding the spacer ring.

According to a further aspect there is disclosed herein a method for producing a clamping ring, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a spacer ring, the spacer ring comprising a sacrificial ring and at least two reinforcing elements arranged on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring,

- overmolding the spacer ring with material, thus producing a molding which comprises the spacer ring, - mechanical machining of the inner circumference of the molding thus producing a clamping ring, wherein the reinforcing elements are flush with the inner circumference of the clamping ring and wherein the reinforcing elements are held by the moulding.

Further features according to embodiments of the invention emerge from the claims, the description of the exemplary embodiments, and the figures.

The invention is now explained on the basis of non-limiting exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a molding according to the invention prior to mechanical machining, Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the molding according to the invention of Figure 1 following mechanical machining, i.e. a first embodiment of a clamping ring according to the invention, Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c show a first embodiment of a spacer ring according to the invention, Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c show a second embodiment of a spacer ring according to the invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, the reference numbers correspond to the following components: Clamping ring 1, spacer ring 2, sacrificial ring 3, reinforcing element 4, grooves 5, molding 6, coating material 7, holding means 8, bevel 9, indentation 10, first opening 11, second opening 12 and chamfer 13.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a molding 6 according to the invention prior to mechanical machining. The molding 6 comprises the spacer ring 2 and the coating material 7. According to this embodiment, the reinforcing elements 4 and parts of the sacrificial ring 3 are coated with the coating material 7. For producing the molding 6, the spacer ring 2, which comprises the reinforcing elements 4, is overmolded and/or coated with a sprayable material. According to this embodiment, a primary forming method was used for overmolding the spacer ring 2.

According to this embodiment, the entire spacer ring 2 is made of metal. Thus, according to the first embodiment, the sacrificial ring 3 and the reinforcing elements 4 are made of metal as well. In an embodiment which is not shown, the sacrificial ring and the reinforcing elements may be made of a different material. In this embodiment, the material used for coating the spacer ring 2 is plastic.

In the area of the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 chamfers 13 are provided. According to this embodiment, the chamfers 13 have an angle of about 200.

According to this embodiment, the molding 6 and the spacer ring 2 are of a slotted design. The slotted design allows the molding 6 to be deformed to a greater extent compared to a slotless design when mechanically loaded.

In an embodiment which is not shown, the molding 6 and the spacer ring 2 are of a slotless design. In this embodiment, the shape of the molding 6 is conical.

In this embodiment, the reinforcing elements 4 comprise holding means 8, via which the reinforcing elements 4 are held in the coating material 7. This means that the reinforcing elements 4 are prevented from escaping the coating material 7 when mechanically loaded.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a clamping ring 1 according to the invention. The clamping ring 1 according to this embodiment has been produced from the molding 6 of Figure 1 by mechanical machining. The mechanical machining of the molding 6 led to the sacrificial ring 3, parts of the reinforcing elements 4 and parts of the coating material 7 to be removed. The removal of these parts allowed a toothed profile/toothing to be formed on the inner circumference of the clamping ring 1. In particular, the toothed profile has been formed on the surface of the reinforcing elements 4 facing the inner circumference of the clamping ring 1 and on parts of the coating material 7. According to this embodiment, the clamping ring 1 was produced from the molding 6 of Figure 1 by turning.

According to this embodiment, the machining has yielded the chamfers 13 on the molding 6. This means that the chamfers 13 are at least partially present on the clamping ring 1. This allows the clamping ring 1 to be pushed onto the part to be clamped easily and without getting stuck. The clamping ring 1 may further move on the part to be clamped without getting stuck when no mechanical load is applied.

The toothing of the clamping ring 1, in particular of the reinforcing elements 4 allows the friction between a part to be clamped, in particular a pipe, and the clamping ring 1 to be increased. This allows the connection created by the clamping ring 1 to resist higher loads and the parts to be clamped are prevented from getting loose/separated over a longer period of time.

In this embodiment, the clamping ring 1 is of a slotted design. In an embodiment which is not shown, the clamping ring is of a slotless/closed design.

Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c show a first embodiment of a spacer ring 2 according to the invention. The spacer ring 2 comprises a sacrificial ring 3 and eight reinforcing elements 4. The reinforcing elements 4 are arranged in an evenly spaced apart manner on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring 3. According to this embodiment, the reinforcing elements 4 are of a substantially square design and comprise holding means 8, in particular grooves 5, bevels 9 and indentations 10.

The holding means 8 allow a connection of the reinforcing elements 4 with the coating material 7, which is in particular positive and/or frictional, to be produced. According to this embodiment, the holding means 8 are configured to hold/fix the reinforcing element 4 in the coating material 7 when the clamping ring 1 and, thus, also the reinforcing elements 4 are mechanically loaded. The design of the holding means 8 is intended to prevent the clamping ring from breaking apart, i.e. a separation of the reinforcing elements 4 from the coating material 7.

According to this embodiment, the thickness of the sacrificial ring 3 is about 1.0 mm and the thickness of the reinforcing elements 4 is about 3.0 mm.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show a second embodiment of the clamping ring 2 according to the invention. According to this embodiment, the spacer ring 2 is of a slotless design.

According to this embodiment, the spacer ring 2 comprises a sacrificial ring 3 and eight reinforcing elements 4, which are provided on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring 3 in an evenly spaced apart manner.

The features of the embodiment according to Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c may preferably correspond to the features of the embodiment according to Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments depicted, but comprises any method according to the following patent claims and the clamping rings that are or can be produced with these methods.

Claims

1. A method for producing a clamping ring, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a spacer ring, the spacer ring comprising a sacrificial ring and at least two reinforcing elements arranged on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring, - overmolding the spacer ring with material, thus producing a molding which comprises the spacer ring, - mechanical machining of the inner circumference of the molding thus producing a clamping ring, wherein the reinforcing elements are flush with the inner circumference of the clamping ring and wherein the reinforcing elements are held by the moulding.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical machining of the inner circumference of the molding is performed in such a way that a toothed profile is formed on the inner circumference of the clamping ring.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacer ring and/or the clamping ring is/are of a closed or slotted design.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing elements have at least one holding means, wherein the at least one holding means is configured to produce a connection with the molding.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein turning and/or milling is used for the mechanical machining, whereby the sacrificial ring is removed and only the reinforcing elements are provided with a predetermined contour.

6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the molding is performed by means of a primary forming method.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the sacrificial ring is in the range of 0.1 mm to 5 mm.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the reinforcing elements is in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer ring comprises triangular, square, polygonal, round, conical and/or elliptical reinforcing elements.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer ring comprises between two and one hundred reinforcing elements.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing elements are arranged at a distance from one another on the outer circumference of the sacrificial ring and in the produced clamping ring.

12. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer ring comprises metal, high-tech plastics which are suitable as metal replacements, or materials the rigidity of which is higher than that of PVC pipes.

13. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two reinforcing elements comprise metal, high-tech plastics which are suitable as metal replacement, or materials the rigidity of which is higher than that of PVC pipes.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer ring is overmolded with a sprayable material.

15. The method according to claim 7, wherein the profile thickness of the sacrificial ring is in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

16. The method according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the reinforcing elements is in the range of 2.25 mm to 3.5 mm.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the spacer ring comprises eight reinforcing elements.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the high-tech plastics suitable as metal replacement comprises polyamide 4.6, polyamide 12, polyphtalamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide or polyetheretherketone.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the high-tech material suitable as metal replacement comprises polyamide 4.6, polyamide 12, polyphtalamide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide or polyetheretherketone.

20. A clamping ring produced by the method according to any one of the preceding claims.