Expandable Garden Hose Annular Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable garden hoses require high water pressure for effective operation due to constricted flow paths and are prone to kinking or crushing, especially when using solid elastic members, which limits their usability in regions with low domestic water pressure.
Innovation Solution
A garden hose design featuring a flexible waterproof tubing portion with an elastic tube-like member that runs within, where the elastic member is connected to each end via a coupling arrangement comprising a plug and clamp, allowing water to flow through an annular passage between the tubing and the elastic member, providing a larger cross-sectional area for improved flow rates and using a tube-like member for better anti-kinking performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water flows through the interior of an inner tube-like portion, then the flow path is contained, but the cross-sectional area is reduced and high water pressure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional inner-tube flow path to an annular flow path by positioning the elastic member within the tubing portion rather than having water flow through it. This dimensional reconfiguration increases the cross-sectional area available for water flow from the inner tube diameter to the annular area between the tubing and elastic member, thereby reducing the pressure requirement while maintaining flow path containment.
2Ease of operation
If a solid elastic member of small diameter is used, then flexibility and coiling are improved, but free space increases causing kinking or crushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the elastic member from solid to tube-like with a specific diameter ratio (0.2 to 0.5 of the tubing internal diameter). This parameter optimization ensures the elastic member is large enough to prevent kinking and crushing by reducing free space, while remaining small enough to maintain flexibility and coiling characteristics for ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a larger diameter elastic member is used, then anti-kinking performance is improved, but the overall hose becomes too stiff
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the elastic member diameter to be between 0.2 and 0.5 times the internal diameter of the tubing portion. This parameter range provides the optimal balance: the elastic member is sufficiently large to prevent kinking and crushing by occupying adequate space, yet remains small enough to allow the hose to maintain flexibility and coiling ability, avoiding excessive stiffness.
4Force
If an inner tube-like elastic member is used, then contraction force is provided, but connection to connectors presents manufacturing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling arrangement as an intermediary component that connects the elastic member to the connectors. This coupling arrangement includes a clamping portion that secures the elastic member and lug portions that interface with the connectors, thereby transferring the contraction force effectively while simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process compared to direct connection methods.
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 design enables effective operation with lower water pressure and prevents kinking or crushing of the outer hose while maintaining adequate coiling characteristics and water flow, enhancing the hose's performance and usability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic tube-like member which runs within the waterproof tubing portion and is provided at each end with a respective coupling arrangement for transferring force from the elastic tube-like member to the respective connector such that the elastic tube-like member acts on the first and second connectors so as to tend to draw the connectors together and thus tend to contract the hose when the tube-like member is stretched
Implementation Method 2
the hose has a shorter length in a non-water flow contracted state and a longer length in an expanded state when water pressure is applied to the interior of the inner elastic tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A garden hose comprising a flexible waterproof tubing portion 11 for carrying water through the hose with a connector 3 mounted on each end of the tubing portion 11, the hose further comprising an elastic tube-like member 12 within the tubing portion 11 and provided at each end with a coupling arrangement 5 for transferring force from the elastic tube-like member 12 to the respective connector 3 so as to tend to contract the hose when the tube-like member 12 is stretched, wherein each coupling arrangement comprises a plug 51 disposed in the end of the tube-like member 12 and a clamp 52 comprising a clamping portion for clamping the tube-like member 12 to the plug 51 and holding the clamp 52 in position on the tube-like member 12 and at least one lug portion 52b for acting on the respective connector.