Angularly Spaced Hydraulic Hose for Telescopic Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible hydraulic hoses are too bulky to fit inside telescopic arms, require external reels that are prone to damage, and exhibit lateral slippage, leading to mechanical interference and handling difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A flexible hydraulic element comprising three angularly spaced conduits forming a triangular bundle, made of elastomeric material and joined by vulcanization, allowing for smaller transverse dimensions, improved sliding capabilities, and equal flexibility in multiple directions, eliminating the need for external reels and reducing mechanical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional flexible hoses are made with multiple coplanar conduits, then they can convey multiple fluids, but they have substantial transversal dimensions that prevent them from fitting inside telescopic arms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of conduits to a three-dimensional configuration where conduits are distributed radially around a central axis. This spatial reorganization allows multiple conduits to coexist within a compact circular cross-section, dramatically reducing the transversal footprint while maintaining the capability to convey multiple fluids simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where conduits are arranged concentrically around a central axis, with some conduits positioned inside others or in close proximity along the radial direction. This nesting approach maximizes the use of available space within the circular cross-section, enabling multiple conduits to fit within a compact envelope suitable for telescopic arm integration.
2Ease of operation
If external hose reels are used to accommodate hoses, then hoses can be stored and managed, but this adds complexity, cost, and creates vulnerability to shocks and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hose reel function from the system by designing a hose that can be directly integrated into the telescopic arm structure. The angularly spaced conduit configuration allows the hose to naturally accommodate extension and retraction movements without requiring external reels, thereby eliminating the associated complexity and vulnerability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the telescopic arm structure itself multi-functional by integrating hose accommodation capabilities directly into the arm design. The angular conduit arrangement allows the same structural space to serve both mechanical function and fluid transport function, eliminating the need for separate hose management components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hoses are made very flexible in one direction, then they can bend easily, but they lack flexibility in other directions and tend to slide laterally causing mechanical interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric reinforcement strategies where different layers and materials are applied differently around the conduit bundle. This asymmetric construction provides enhanced stability in the radial direction to prevent lateral slippage while maintaining flexibility in the angular direction for easy bending and handling during extension and retraction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties and reinforcement levels to different regions of the hose structure. The angular regions allow for flexibility and bending, while the radial regions provide structural stability and prevent lateral slippage. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties enables the hose to exhibit direction-dependent behavior optimized for its specific operational requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the hose to fit within telescopic arms without reels, reduces mechanical interference, and enhances handling by maintaining rigidity and uniform flexibility, decreasing maintenance needs for hydraulic equipment.
Implementation Method 1
made of elastomeric material and joined by vulcanization
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A flexible hydraulic element (1) comprises three conduits (10, 11, 12) suitable for conveying a fluid under pressure and a longitudinal portion (100) in which the axes (C1, C2, C3) of the three conduits (10, 11, 12) are arranged angularly spaced.