Braided Pressure Hose Structure for High Pressure and Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure hoses with braided reinforcement layers face limitations in pressure tolerance, weight, flexibility, and inconsistent performance due to geometry variations in the braid, leading to stress concentrations and inconsistent hydrostatic and impulse performance.

Innovation Solution

A pressure hose design featuring a 'superpack' braided reinforcement layer with a high reinforcement volumetric ratio (RVR) of greater than or equal to 126%, achieved by optimizing the orientation and arrangement of ends within beams, which are braided in a layered configuration to provide uniform length and varying diameters and tensile strengths, resulting in improved mechanical compliance and adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the reinforcement layer uses a traditional braided structure with bundled ends, then the manufacturing process is relatively simple, but the pressure tolerance is limited and weight is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure toleranceVSAvoidhose weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of reinforcement layer architecture from traditional braided structure to flat layered structure with optimized end arrangements. This structural parameter change enables higher pressure tolerance (achieving RVR ≥ 126%) while reducing weight by eliminating redundant material and optimizing the distribution of ends across multiple layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of multiple flat layers with different end arrangements (first arrangement in inner layers, second arrangement in outer layers). This composite layered design allows optimization of both pressure resistance and weight by distributing reinforcement functions across different layers with specialized configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the reinforcement layer uses a traditional braided structure, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the geometry variation creates stress concentrations and inconsistent performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance consistencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves geometric homogeneity by arranging ends in systematic patterns within each layer (first arrangement and second arrangement). This homogeneous distribution eliminates geometry variations and stress concentrations, ensuring consistent hydrostatic and impulse performance across the entire reinforcement layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the reinforcement layer into multiple flat layers with different end arrangements. Inner layers use one arrangement while outer layers use another, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific position. This segmentation approach maintains reliability through consistent performance while managing structural complexity through modular layer design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If higher pressure hoses are produced by increasing reinforcement, then pressure tolerance improves, but weight and flexibility are sacrificed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure toleranceVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the architectural parameter from traditional braiding to flat layered structure, which achieves high pressure tolerance (RVR ≥ 126%) through optimized end arrangements rather than increased material quantity. This parameter change maintains flexibility by using a streamlined structure with fewer layers compared to traditional multi-layer braided designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different end arrangements locally to different layers: inner layers use a first arrangement while outer layers use a second arrangement. This local quality optimization ensures that each layer contributes maximally to pressure tolerance while maintaining overall flexibility. The varying RVR distribution across layers (higher in outer layers, lower in inner layers) optimizes both strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3892901B1Pressure hose
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 THE GATES CORP
  • EP3892901B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892901B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3892901B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Described herein are embodiments of a pressure hose having an improved reinforcement layer. In some embodiments, the reinforcement layer of the pressure hose has a reinforcement volumetric ratio (RVR) of greater than or equal to 110%. The reinforcement layer can include a plurality of braided beams, with each beam comprising a plurality of ends. In some embodiments, the plurality of ends within a beam are arranged in a multi-layer orientation. In some embodiments, the number of ends and the end orientation within each beam is identical amongst all beams in the reinforcement layer. The shape, size, and arrangement of the ends within a beam can all be adjusted to increase the surface area to volume ratio and, correspondingly, the RVR of the reinforcement layer.