Annularly Pleated Circular Braid for High-Extension Retractable Hoses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extendable and retractable hoses have limited extension ratios and require folding of the outer cover when retracted, leading to a haphazard appearance and potential wear issues due to fixed maximum length and diameter.
Innovation Solution
The development of an annularly pleated circular braid that allows for greater extension ratios by compressing longitudinally, enabling the outer cover to extend and contract lengthwise and radially, with heat-set pleats for stability and wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a standard braided cover is used, then the hose maintains structural integrity, but the extension ratio is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The braided cover is segmented into multiple annular pleats that can fold and unfold independently. Each pleat acts as a discrete unit that contributes to the overall extension, allowing the hose to achieve high extension ratios while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed pleated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The braided cover transitions from a rigid standard braid to a dynamic pleated structure that can adapt its configuration. The pleats enable the cover to dynamically change its length and volume in response to extension and retraction forces, providing both high extension ratio and structural flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outer cover is designed with fixed maximum length and diameter, then the hose maintains stable dimensions, but the outer cover must fold when retracted causing wear and poor appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover transitions from a fixed-dimension design to a dynamic pleated structure that adapts its dimensions. The pleats allow the cover to extend and retract smoothly without folding, maintaining dimensional stability when extended while improving wear resistance through the self-supporting pleated configuration that eliminates contact folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The pleated outer cover functions as a flexible shell structure that can accommodate large dimensional changes. The thin-walled pleated design allows the cover to flex and deform elastically during extension and retraction, providing dimensional stability in use while avoiding the wear and appearance issues of folded configurations.
3Device complexity
If the outer cover maintains the same wall thickness in extended and retracted positions, then the hose structure is simple, but the cover must fold when retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is segmented into pleated sections that can compress and expand. This segmentation allows the cover to achieve variable effective thickness through pleat compression rather than actual material thickness changes, maintaining relatively simple construction while eliminating folding during retraction.
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
This design provides a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance, increased extension ratios, and improved wear resistance, allowing the hoses to stretch significantly without folding, thus enhancing their usability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
heat-set pleats for stability
Implementation Method 2
the annular pleats on the braided cover allow the braided fabric to compress more compactly longitudinally
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A braided cover (36) comprising a plurality of left handed fibers and a plurality of right-handed fibers (36 a-b) braided into a hollow tube of fabric. Such a braided cover may be adapted to form a plurality of annular ridges (36r) and annular valleys along the longitudinal length of the braided cover when compressed from an extended length to a compressed length.