Drain Hose Rib Design for Stiffness and Smooth Pipe Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drain hose connection method for automobile air conditioners is hindered by the insufficient stiffness of the drain hose extremity, leading to deformation and difficulty in smoothly inserting the drain pipe, which complicates the connection process.
Innovation Solution
A drain hose design featuring a circumferential rib on the outer surface away from the extremity and axial ribs closer to the extremity, providing increased stiffness and guiding the insertion of the drain pipe, along with a method where the operator inserts the pipe while holding the circumferential rib and verifying the positional relationship with axial ribs and identification marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drain hose is made flexible for easy handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stiffness at the extremity is insufficient causing deformation and collapse during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The drain hose is designed with different structural characteristics at different locations: the main body remains flexible for easy handling, while the extremity portion incorporates reinforcement (such as a rigid insert or thickened wall structure) to provide sufficient stiffness and prevent deformation during insertion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying flexibility where needed and rigidity where structural support is critical.
2Ease of operation
If the drain hose wall is made thin for ease of insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stiffness is reduced causing collapse at the insertion portion
Solution Approach 1:
The drain hose employs variable wall thickness design where the main body has a thinner wall for flexibility and ease of insertion, while the extremity portion features a thickened wall or integrated rigid reinforcement to maintain structural stability during the insertion process. This localized structural differentiation allows the hose to be both easy to insert and structurally stable at the critical insertion point.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drain hose is made soft for flexibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the insertion portion deforms making smooth insertion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drain hose is designed with a flexible main body for adaptability and ease of routing, while the extremity portion incorporates a rigid insert or thickened structure to maintain its shape and prevent deformation during insertion. This local structural differentiation ensures the hose remains flexible where needed while providing the structural integrity necessary for smooth insertion into the drainage hole.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A drain hose (10) includes a hose main body (11) into which a drain pipe (3) is inserted and a circumferential rib (12) formed on an outer peripheral surface of the hose main body (11) to be away from an extremity (11a) of the hose main body (11) and extend in a circumferential direction of the hose main body (11). The drain hose (10) includes an axial rib (13) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hose main body (11) to be positioned closer to the extremity (11a) of the hose main body (11) than the circumferential rib (12) and extend in an axial direction of the hose main body (11).