Self-Supporting Container Fill Pipe with Garden Hose Thread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions do not provide a self-supporting device for easily filling water containers, such as aquariums, using a garden hose.
Innovation Solution
A container fill pipe comprising a hose end boss, base tube, tubular transition, and hook tube, with a female garden hose thread and axial projections for secure attachment, allowing water containers to be filled using a garden hose while being self-supporting on the container's side wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a container fill pipe is designed to be self-supporting on the side wall of a water container, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The fill pipe is divided into distinct functional segments: a support portion with clamp structure for wall attachment, a body portion for water flow, and a spout portion for directed dispensing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp structure includes resilient arms that automatically engage with the container wall when the fill pipe is inserted, providing self-supporting capability without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex assembly steps. The resilient nature of the arms allows automatic adjustment and secure attachment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a clamp structure with resilient arms is used to attach the fill pipe to the container wall, then the stability of positioning is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp structure utilizes changes in the physical state of the resilient arms from flexible during insertion to rigid when engaged, providing stable positioning. The resilient material allows the arms to deform during installation and then maintain a fixed, stable position once clamped.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill pipe is formed as a single integrated component using blow molding, combining the support portion, body portion, and spout portion into one piece. This composite construction eliminates the need for precise assembly of multiple parts while maintaining positioning stability through the integrated clamp structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fill pipe is formed as a single piece by blow molding, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability decreases due to fixed thread configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece fill pipe design incorporates multiple functional elements including integrated clamp arms, body portion, and spout all in one component. This universal design achieves versatility through integration rather than modularity, maintaining adaptability while simplifying manufacturing through the blow molding process.
Data Source
AI summary
A container fill pipe preferably includes a hose end boss, a base tube, a tubular transition and a hook tube. The hose end boss extends from one end of the base tube and the tubular transition extends from the other end of the base tube. The hook tube extends from a distal end of the tubular transition. A thread counter bore is formed in the hose end boss. A through hole is formed through an end of the thread counter bore. A female garden hose thread is formed in the thread counter bore. The female garden hose thread is sized to threadably engage a male hose end of a garden hose. The tubular transition includes an inner entrance perimeter, which is greater than an inner exit perimeter. The hook tube includes an inner perimeter, which is substantially the same as the inner exit perimeter.