Crimped Hose End Connection With Positive Stop Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible hose assemblies face challenges in achieving proper alignment and ensuring a leak-tight connection due to difficulties in determining the correct insertion depth of the hose end within the connector, particularly in crimped end connections.
Innovation Solution
A crimped collar with an internal hose end locating feature, such as an annular step portion, provides a tactile and visual indication of proper insertion depth, ensuring the hose end is aligned within the connector body, and a dog lock groove with tapered sides for secure interlocking and potential electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crimped collar connection is used for flexible hose assemblies, then the connection strength and leak-tightness are improved, but the difficulty in determining correct insertion depth and achieving proper alignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar incorporates self-aligning features including an annular groove that engages with a protrusion on the hose, and a crimping surface that automatically positions the hose at the correct insertion depth during the crimping process. These features enable the connection to self-correct alignment issues without requiring external alignment tools or complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar includes visual indicators such as colored bands or marked regions that change appearance based on insertion depth. When the hose is inserted to the correct depth, the visual indicator displays a specific color or pattern, providing immediate visual confirmation of proper alignment and insertion depth to the installer.
2Strength
If the collar is designed with interlocking features for secure retention, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into distinct functional segments: an outer crimping surface for compression, an intermediate annular groove for alignment, and an inner dog lock groove for interlocking. This segmentation allows each feature to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall structural simplicity and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into single structural elements. The annular groove serves both as an alignment feature and as part of the interlocking mechanism. The dog lock groove combines retention and alignment functions. This merging reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining structural strength.
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 ensures a reliable, leak-tight connection and secure mechanical affixation, facilitating easy installation and maintaining system integrity by providing a positive stop for hose end alignment and interlocking retention.
Implementation Method 1
The collar is crimped radially inward, such that the dog lock is received in the dog lock groove, and the hose end portion is radially compressed between the inner end portion of the collar and the nose portion of the connector body
Implementation Method 2
an inner end portion extending radially outward of and axially inward from the step portion, with the inner end portion being in radial compression against an outer surface of the hose end portion
Implementation Method 3
The dog lock contacting the tapered side surface of the dog lock groove to provide an electrically conductive connection between the collar end the connector body
Data Source
AI summary
A hose assembly includes a hose, a connector body, and a collar. The connector body has an outer end portion defining a fluid connector, an inner end defining a nose portion received in an inner bore of the hose end portion, and an intermediate portion including first and second annular flanges spaced apart to define a dog lock groove. The collar includes an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog lock received in the dog lock groove, an annular step portion extending radially outward of and axially inward of the dog lock in axial alignment with the first annular flange, and an inner end portion extending radially outward of and axially inward from the step portion, the inner end portion being in radial compression against an outer surface of the hose end portion.