Air Hose Coupling Securing Apparatus with Padlock Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air hose couplings are prone to inadvertent disconnection, leading to safety hazards and theft, as they can become loose or disengaged easily, posing risks to personnel and causing system performance issues.
Innovation Solution
An air hose coupling securing apparatus comprising a shell with hinged shell members and an appendage that secures the couplings together, featuring a padlock housing for locking the apparatus in a closed configuration, ensuring the couplings remain connected and secure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air hose couplings are designed to be easily connected and disconnected for operational convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates as couplings become prone to inadvertent disconnection and theft
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling securing apparatus is nested within the coupling structure itself, with the shell encompassing the coupling components. The appendage with aperture is integrated into the shell structure, creating a nested configuration where the securing mechanism is contained within the overall coupling assembly, allowing easy attachment while preventing inadvertent disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The appendage with aperture serves as an intermediary element between the coupling components and the securing mechanism. It provides a interface for padlock attachment, mediating between the need for easy operation and the requirement for reliable secure connection by allowing intentional locking while maintaining operational accessibility
2Reliability
If air hose couplings are secured with locking mechanisms to prevent theft and inadvertent disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: the shell that encompasses the coupling, the appendage that provides the locking interface, and the aperture that receives the padlock. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall reliability without requiring a completely complex integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The shell serves multiple functions: it protects the coupling components, provides structural support, and houses the securing mechanism. The appendage both structurally connects components and provides the padlock attachment interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for securing air hose couplings together, and for protecting such air hose couplings. A method of securing air hose couplings together.