Retractable Bungee Hose Braided Cover Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extendable and retractable hoses have limitations in extension ratios, wear resistance, and aesthetics, as they maintain a fixed maximum length and diameter, with the outer cover folding when retracted, leading to friction and wear issues between the inner elastic tube and the outer cover.
Innovation Solution
A braided, knitted, or woven outer cover that can longitudinally extend and retract with the inner elastic tube, featuring a structure that allows for radial expansion and contraction, reducing friction and wear, and incorporating a lubricant to enhance performance and appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the outer cover is made with fixed maximum length and diameter (prior art design), then the hose structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the extension ratio is limited and wear resistance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change its dimensions. The cover is designed to expand radially when the hose is retracted and contract radially when the hose is extended, allowing the hose to achieve greater extension ratios while maintaining structural integrity throughout the motion cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer cover's physical parameters (length, diameter, wall thickness) are made variable rather than fixed. The cover dynamically adjusts its radial dimension based on the hose's extension state, with thickness increasing during retraction and decreasing during extension, enabling adaptive performance across different operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the outer cover maintains the same wall thickness in both extended and retracted positions (prior art design), then manufacturing is simpler, but friction and wear between inner elastic tube and outer cover increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover wall thickness becomes a dynamic parameter that changes with hose extension. During retraction, the cover thickens to reduce friction and wear on the inner elastic tube. During extension, the cover thins to accommodate the expanded state. This dynamic adaptation improves reliability by minimizing wear throughout the operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness parameter of the outer cover is transformed from a constant value to a variable that responds to hose extension state. This parameter change enables the cover to optimize its protective function, providing thicker walls during high-friction retraction phases and thinner walls during extension phases.
3Ease of operation
If the outer cover is unattached and unbonded to the inner elastic tube (prior art design), then assembly is easier and manufacturing is simpler, but the hose exhibits haphazard folding and poor aesthetics when retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover is pre-formed with specific geometric features (pleats, ridges, or corrugations) during manufacturing that guide its folding behavior. This preliminary structuring ensures that when the hose retracts, the cover folds in an organized, aesthetically pleasing manner rather than haphazardly, while still maintaining ease of assembly through attachment mechanisms at the ends only.
4Length of moving object
If the outer cover is designed to fold when hose retracts (prior art design), then the hose can be compacted to smaller length, but the folding creates friction and wear issues
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover transitions from a static folding design to a dynamic expansion-contraction design. Instead of folding during retraction, the cover expands radially, eliminating the folding action that causes friction and wear. This dynamic behavior maintains compact retracted length while avoiding the harmful effects of repeated folding and unfolding.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover's radial dimension parameter changes dynamically during retraction, expanding outward to accommodate the compressed state without folding. This parameter transformation eliminates the folding mechanism entirely, replacing it with a smooth expansion motion that reduces friction and wear while achieving compact storage length.
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 provides improved extension ratios, reduced wear, and a more aesthetically pleasing design by allowing the outer cover to change dimensions based on tension and pressure, resulting in a durable and efficient retractable hose with enhanced user experience.
Implementation Method 1
When water pressure is introduced into connector 22 and inner channel 35, elastic tube 34 begins to expand longitudinally and radially
Implementation Method 2
Outer cover 36 can be designed to be stretchable during use and may be adapted to be stretched significantly even after reaching an apparent maximum length from fluid pressure alone
Implementation Method 3
A lubricant layer 37 can be seen coated on the interior surface of outer cover 36. Lubricant layer 37 can help reduce friction and chaffing of elastic tube 34 on outer cover 36
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable elastic pressure hose 30, comprising an inlet connector 22, an outlet connector 28, an inner elastic tube 34, and an outer cover 36. Outer cover 36 is designed to expand and contract radially and longitudinally in response to internal pressure and external tensions on the hose. Internal pressure within the hose tends to extend the elastic pressure hose against the retracting force of the inner elastic tube. Outer cover 36 can have a hollow circular braid structure similar to the cover on a bungee cord and is designed to stretch beyond its fully extended length by applying external tension on the elastic pressure hose.