Easily foldable water pipe device

Abstract

A lightweight, collapsible water conduit system comprises an inner tube, an outer tube, and a connector structure. The outer tube encases the inner tube and consists of a first sheathing section and a second sheathing section with different moduli of elasticity. The connector structure includes a first connector and a second connector, each connecting to two ends of the inner and outer tubes, respectively. When the water conduit system is stretched by an external force, the first sheathing section, the second sheathing section, and the inner tube stretch simultaneously. When the external force is released, the first sheathing section contracts, causing the outer and inner tubes to coil evenly.Therefore, the present invention provides advantages such as easy folding and the prevention of tangling.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lightweight foldable water conduit device, and in particular to a structure with different moduli of elasticity on both sides, which causes the inner hose and the outer hose to wind up uniformly during elastic contraction.

[0002] Conventional fabric water pipes are divided into expandable and non-expandable water pipes. Expandable water pipes consist of inner tubes and outer tubes that encase the inner tubes. The inner tubes can stretch and contract elastically in the axial direction, while the outer tubes are made of non-elastic materials. For example, the outer tubes are woven structures made of overlapping threads. Therefore, the actual lengths of the outer tubes are greater than the actual lengths of the inner tubes.When the expandable water pipes are stretched by an external force, the inner hoses are also stretched by the external force, and the outer hoses, as they encase the inner hoses, are also stretched accordingly, allowing the expandable water pipes to reach different areas for spraying.

[0003] In the case of the aforementioned expandable and non-expandable water pipes, the primary function of the outer hoses is to limit the axial and / or radial variations of the inner hoses due to water pressure. In other words, when the expandable and non-expandable water pipes perform spraying functions, the inner hoses will, as mentioned above, undergo axial and / or radial changes due to water pressure. However, the outer hoses restrict these changes, and even the appearance of the outer hoses remains unchanged at any given water pressure.

[0004] However, both expandable and non-expandable water hoses tend to tangle and knot when in use (such as during spraying) and when not in use (such as when laid on the ground), resulting in awkward handling and storage difficulties. While coiled polyurethane water hoses are available that can reduce tangling and knotting problems, they cannot withstand high water pressure and are prone to damage and other issues. In conclusion, no water hose is currently available that combines high water pressure resistance with ease of handling and storage.

[0005] DE 23 37 598 C2 discloses a material transport hose with a multi-layered pressure reinforcement embedded in the hose, generally extending around the hose, and with diametrically opposed longitudinal reinforcement strands that occupy a total circumferential section smaller than the entire circumference of the hose without longitudinal reinforcement. The longitudinal reinforcement strands are arranged above or below the pressure reinforcement or between two layers of the pressure reinforcement within the hose material and are designed as cord layers.

[0006] DE 20 2019 102 415 U1 discloses a water hose that can expand axially according to the water pressure.

[0007] From DE 20 2015 000 918 U1 a hose is also known in which the total length of the hose automatically increases axially under water pressure.

[0008] To overcome the aforementioned disadvantages, the present disclosure provides for an easily foldable water conduit device. The contraction of the first sheathing section causes the second sheathing section and the inner hose to wind up evenly, thereby solving several current problems.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a readily foldable water conduit device. The readily foldable water conduit device comprises an inner tube, an outer tube, and a connector structure. The inner tube is made of elastic material and is hollow inside. The outer tube encloses an outer circumference of the inner tube, the outer tube consisting of a first sheathing section and a second sheathing section, the first sheathing section and the second sheathing section being connected to each other along a radial direction of the outer tube, and the first sheathing section and the second sheathing section having different moduli of elasticity.The connector structure comprises a first connector and a second connector, with the first connector being connected to one end of the inner and outer hoses, and the second connector being connected to the other end of the inner and outer hoses. When the water pipe device is stretched by an external force, the first sheathing section, the second sheathing section, and the inner hose stretch simultaneously. When the external force is released, the first sheathing section is in a contracted state, causing the outer and inner hoses to coil evenly, and the actual length of the second sheathing section is greater than the actual length of the first sheathing section.

[0010] Based on the above construction, the present disclosure utilizes the property of the outer hose's unilateral elastic contraction, which causes the outer and inner hoses to wind up uniformly during the outer hose's contraction. Therefore, the likelihood of the water pipe becoming tangled or intertwined during use is significantly reduced, effectively solving the problem of tangling or knotting in conventional expandable water pipes. Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the appearance of a water conduit device of the present disclosure when stretched by an external force. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view of the water conduit device of the present disclosure when stretched by an external force. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view of an outer hose of the present disclosure when stretched by an external force. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic view of a first cladding section of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic view of a second cladding section of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the water conduit device of the present disclosure when stretched by an external force. Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic view of the water conduit device of the present disclosure when wound evenly. Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic view of the water conduit device of the present disclosure when it is coiled up for storage.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. Section 8 relates to an easily foldable water conduit device 100. The easily foldable water conduit device 100 comprises an inner hose 10, an outer hose 20 and a connector structure 30.

[0012] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the inner tube 10 is made of elastic material and, according to some embodiments, is hollow inside. The elastic design of the inner tube 10 allows it to adapt to various application scenarios.

[0013] For example, if the inner hose 10 is subjected to water pressure within the pipe, it can expand along a radial direction Y to accommodate a greater water flow. Similarly, if external tension is applied to the inner hose 10, it can expand along an axial direction X, and when the external tension is released, the inner hose 10 can contract along the axial direction X and automatically return to its original shape to adapt to different length requirements.

[0014] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments the outer hose 20 encloses an outer circumference of the inner hose 10 to protect the inner hose 10 from damage by the external environment and to limit changes in appearance due to the water pressure. In some embodiments, the outer hose 20 is arranged outside the inner hose 10 along a circumferential direction R. The outer hose 20 consists of a first sheathing section 21 and a second sheathing section 22. The first sheathing section 21 and the second sheathing section 22 are connected to each other along the radial direction Y of the outer hose 20 and are located on opposite sides of the outer hose 20.

[0015] In some embodiments, the "radial direction Y" is perpendicular to the "axial direction X". As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, in the present embodiment the first sheathing section 21 has a first side edge 21A and a second side edge 21B parallel to the axial direction X, and the second sheathing section 22 has a third side edge 22A and a fourth side edge 22B parallel to the axial direction X. The first side edge 21A of the first sheathing section 21 and the third side edge 22A of the second sheathing section 22 are connected to each other, and the second side edge 21B of the first sheathing section 21 and the fourth side edge 22B of the second sheathing section 22 are connected to each other, so that the first sheathing section 21 and the second sheathing section 22 together form a hollow, tubular structure that can be slid onto the outer circumference of the inner tube 10.

[0016] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the connector structure 30, according to some embodiments, comprises a first connector 31 and a second connector 32. The first connector 31 is connected to one end of the inner hose 10 and the outer hose 20 along the axial direction X, and the second connector 32 is connected to the other end of the inner hose 10 and the outer hose 20 along the axial direction X, thereby establishing the connection between the inner hose 10 and the outer hose 20. For example, the connectors, the inner hose 10, and the outer hose 20 are clamped together by hose clamps (the assembly of the connectors and hoses is known in the prior art and is therefore not described in detail here).In some embodiments, the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are quick-release structures and can be connected to the water inlet structure (such as a tap) and the water outlet structure (such as a shower head or spray gun).

[0017] When the water conduit is stretched by an external force, the outer hose 20, including the first sheathing section 21 and the second sheathing section 22, and the inner hose 10 are stretched simultaneously. When the external force is released, the first sheathing section 21 contracts elastically, causing the outer hose 20 and the inner hose 10 to coil up evenly. In this contracted state, the actual length of the second sheathing section 22 is greater than the actual length of the first sheathing section 21.

[0018] In this embodiment, in particular, the first sheathing section 21 and the second sheathing section 22 have different moduli of elasticity, and the modulus of elasticity of the second sheathing section 22 is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first sheathing section 21 (the modulus of elasticity is a parameter that indicates the stiffness of the material. The greater the modulus of elasticity, the tougher the material and the greater its ability to resist axial deformation). Therefore, both sides of the outer tube 20 exhibit different reactions and deformation properties when subjected to external forces or when the external forces are released.

[0019] For example, in the manufacturing process of the first sheathing section 21 and the second sheathing section 22, an automated machine (such as a textile machine) is used to weave axial threads with radial threads and combine them into a hollow, narrow textile product with different appearances and weaving properties on the top and bottom surfaces, which ultimately forms the outer tube 20. In some embodiments, the axial threads of the first sheathing section 21 are stretchable elastic materials, and the axial threads of the second sheathing section 22 are materials that cannot be easily stretched and deformed (or materials with minimal tensile deformation).

[0020] Furthermore, in some embodiments, after the formation of the outer tube 20, the inner tube 10 is cut and formed, and the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20 are combined. In some embodiments, the formation of the inner tube 10 and the method for combining the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20 include lengthening the outer tube 20 so that the first sheathing section 21 is stretched from a first length to a second length, and the material of the inner tube 10 is cut so that it is equal to the second length of the outer tube 20 without being stretched or only slightly stretched. Then the outer tube 20 is pushed onto the outer circumference of the inner tube 10 so that the two ends of the inner tube 10 and the outer tube 20 correspond to each other.After the inner hose 10 and the outer hose 20 are combined, the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are each connected to the two ends of the inner hose 10 and the outer hose 20 respectively (with reference to . Fig. 1), whereby the water conduit device 100 of the present disclosure is formed.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. In the present embodiment, both the first sheathing section 21 and the second sheathing section 22 of the outer tube 20 are woven from a plurality of intersecting threads. In some embodiments, the first sheathing section 21 is woven from a plurality of first warp threads 211, a plurality of second warp threads 213, and a plurality of first weft threads 212, and the second sheathing section 22 is woven from a plurality of third warp threads 221 and a plurality of second weft threads 222.In some embodiments, the first warp threads 211 and the second warp threads 213 of the first sheathing section 21 and the third warp threads 221 of the second sheathing section 22 are arranged along the axial direction X of the outer tube 20, the first weft threads 212 of the first sheathing section 21 and the second weft threads 222 of the second sheathing section 22 are arranged along the circumferential direction R of the outer tube 20, and a distance between two adjacent first warp threads 211 is greater than a distance between two adjacent second warp threads 213.

[0022] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first warp threads 211 are elastic stretchable materials (such as elastic fibers) that can provide flexibility for the first sheathing section 21 so that it can extend along the axial direction X of the outer tube 20, and the second warp threads 213, the first weft threads 212, the third warp threads 221, and the second weft threads 222 are inelastic materials that can restrict the radial expansion of the outer tube 20. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the third warp threads 221 can be slightly elastic materials, and the axial deformation is much smaller than the axial deformation of the first warp threads 211.

[0023] It should be noted that, due to the different elasticity of the warp threads on both sides of the outer tube 20, the first warp threads 211 of the first sheathing section 21 stretch when the outer tube 20 is stretched by an external force, and the first warp threads 211 of the first sheathing section 21 elastically contract when the aforementioned external force is released. This causes the second sheathing section 22, which maintains its length (or contracts slightly), to wind up evenly. As a result, the inner tube 10 winds up with the outer tube 20, which is convenient for the user to roll up and store the water pipe device.

[0024] In particular, when the water conduit 100 is in a state of no tension or stretching, the actual length of the first sheathing section 21 of the outer conduit 20 contracts from the second length to the first length due to the elasticity of the material, while the actual length of the inner conduit 10 and the actual length of the second sheathing section 22 of the outer conduit 20 remain unchanged (or only contract slightly). Consequently, the contraction of the first sheathing section 21 causes the water conduit 100 to coil evenly. Furthermore, when the first sheathing section 21 contracts, the actual length of the second sheathing section 22 remains unchanged, as it cannot contract elastically.Therefore, at least part of the second sheathing section 22 forms continuous folds when the second sheathing section 22 is wound evenly. As in . Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the second sheathing section 22 has at least one fold structure 225 when the first sheathing section 21 contracts. In some embodiments, the fold structure 225 has a plurality of protrusions 2251 and a plurality of depressions 2252, and the protrusions 2251 and the depressions 2252 are arranged in an alternating pattern.

[0025] Consequently, when the water conduit device 100 is stretched by an external force, the first sheathing section 21 of the outer hose 20 is stretched and deformed from a contracted state, and the inner hose 10 and the second sheathing section 22 of the outer hose 20 are simultaneously elongated (or slightly stretched), such that the portion of the second sheathing section 22 of the outer hose 20, which has continuous folds, is stretched into a smooth shape. Furthermore, when the first sheathing section 21 is elastically stretched to achieve a maximum length, the actual length of the first sheathing section 21 is essentially equal to the actual length of the inner hose 10.When the external force is released, the first sheathing section 21 is in a contracted state, and the actual length of the inner hose 10 and the actual length of the second sheathing section 22 of the outer hose 20 remain unchanged (or contract slightly). Therefore, the contraction of the first sheathing section 21 causes the inner hose 10 and the second sheathing section 22 of the outer hose 20 to coil up evenly and automatically, which is convenient for the user to roll up and store the water pipe device.

[0026] In some embodiments, such as in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when the first sheathing section 21 of the outer tube 10 is completely contracted, two fold structures 225 form in the second sheathing section 22, each adjacent to the first connector 31 and the second connector 32, respectively. Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, when the water conduit device 100 of the present disclosure is wound up uniformly due to the drive of the outer hose 20 or is wound up and folded by the user, two fold structures 225 are generated at each of the two ends of the second sheathing section 22 of the outer hose 20, and the fold structures 225 are adjacent to the first connector 31 and the second connector 32, respectively, while the other sections remain smooth. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The number and extent of the fold structures 225 in the second sheathing section 22 of the outer hose 20 can vary depending on the elasticity and strain changes of the first sheathing section 21 of the outer hose 20.

[0027] In summary, the advantages of the present disclosure may include: Easy to fold and store. The design of the outer tube, which allows for elastic contraction, enables the water hose to collapse and coil evenly when not in use, making it easy for the user to fold and store.

[0028] Prevents tangling. Due to the unilateral elastic contraction of the outer hose, only one side of the outer hose contracts during retraction, resulting in even winding of the other side and the inner hose. This significantly reduces the likelihood of tangling or interlacing during use. Consequently, the problem of tangling or interlacing commonly encountered with conventional expandable water hoses is effectively solved.

Claims

[1] Easily foldable water conduit device (100), comprising: an inner tube (10) made of elastic material, wherein the inner tube (10) is hollow inside; an outer hose (20) that encloses an outer circumference of the inner hose (10), wherein the outer hose (20) consists of a first consists of a sheathing section (21) and a second sheathing section (22), the first sheathing section (21) and the second sheathing section (22) are connected to each other along a radial direction (Y) of the outer tube (20) and the first sheathing section (21) and the second sheathing section (22) have different moduli of elasticity; and a connector structure (30) with a first connector (31) and a second connector (32), wherein the first connector (31) is connected to one end of the inner tube (10) and the outer tube (20) and the second connector (32) is connected to the other ends of the inner tube (10) and the outer tube (20); wherein, when the water conduit device (100) is stretched by an external force, the first sheathing section (21), the second sheathing section (22) and the inner hose (10) are stretched simultaneously, and when the external force is released, the first sheathing section (21) is in a contracted state, causing the outer hose (20) and the inner hose (10) to coil evenly and an actual length of the second sheathing section (22) is greater than an actual length of the first sheathing section (21), characterized by, that the first sheathing section (21) has a first side edge (21A) and a second side edge (21B) parallel to the axial direction (X) of the outer tube (20), the second sheathing section (22) has a third side edge (22A) and a fourth side edge (22B) parallel to the axial direction (X) of the outer tube (20), the first side edge (21A) and the third side edge (22A) are connected to each other and the second side edge (21B) and the fourth side edge (22B) are connected to each other. [2] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first sheathing section (21) is woven from a plurality of first warp threads (211), a plurality of second warp threads (213) and a plurality of first weft threads (212), the second sheathing section (22) is woven from a plurality of third warp threads (221) and a plurality of second weft threads (222), the first warp threads (211), the second warp threads (213) and the third warp threads (221) are arranged along an axial direction (X) of the outer tube (20) and the first weft threads (212) and the second weft threads (222) are arranged along a circumferential direction (R) of the outer tube (20);and wherein the first warp threads (211) are elastic stretchable materials that provide flexibility for the first sheathing section (21) so that it extends along the axial direction (X) of the outer tube (20), and the second warp threads (213), the first weft threads (212), the third warp threads (221) and the second weft threads (222) are inelastic materials.; [3] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 2, wherein when the water conduit device (100) is stretched by the external force, the first warp threads (211) are in a stretched state, and when the external force is released, the first warp threads (211) contract elastically, causing the second sheathing section (22) to wind up uniformly. [4] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 2, wherein a distance between two adjacent first warp threads (211) is greater than a distance between two adjacent second warp threads (213). [5] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 1, wherein an actual length of the inner hose (10) is equal to a maximum length that can be achieved by elastically stretching the first sheathing section (21). [6] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the second sheathing section (22) is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first sheathing section (21). [7] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, when the first sheathing section (21) is in the contracted state, the second sheathing section (22) has at least one fold structure (225) which has at least one fold structure (225) a plurality of protrusions (2251) and a plurality of depressions (2252) and the protrusions (2251) and the depressions (2252) are arranged in an alternating pattern. [8] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, when the first sheathing section (21) is in the contracted state, the second sheathing section (22) has two fold structures (225), one fold structure (225) being arranged adjacent to the first connector (31) and one fold structure (225) being arranged adjacent to the second connector (32). [9] Easily foldable water conduit device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the outer hose (20) is formed by weaving axial threads with radial threads.

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