Expandable Hose Assembly with Elastic Retractor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commonly available expandable hose pipes suffer from kinking due to thick sidewalls, which lead to fluid interruption and repeated kinking at weak points, and the inner tube thins upon expansion, causing rupturing under water pressure after repeated use.
Innovation Solution
An expandable water hose assembly comprising a flexible outer tube, a collapsible water-impermeable inelastic inner tube, and an elastic flexible member, where the outer and inner tubes are secured at both ends, allowing for expansion and contraction without radial expansion, and the elastic member provides a retracting force to return the hose to a retracted configuration upon pressure release, preventing kinking and rupturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the inner tube is made from elastic material to allow expansion, then the hose can extend longitudinally, but the wall thickness thins upon expansion causing rupturing under water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is divided into two separate tubes: an inner tube made from inelastic material that maintains structural integrity and wall thickness, and an outer tube made from elastic material that provides longitudinal expansion. This segmentation allows each tube to perform its specific function without compromising the other - the inner tube prevents rupturing while the outer tube enables length extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is positioned concentrically within the outer tube, creating a nested structure. The inelastic inner tube is nested inside the elastic outer tube, allowing the combination to achieve both expansion capability and structural strength. The outer tube expands longitudinally while the inner tube maintains its dimensional stability.
2Strength
If the hose pipe has thick sidewalls to be robust for regular use, then the hose is strong enough for regular use, but it tends to kink and interrupt fluid supply
Solution Approach 1:
The hose structure is segmented into an inner tube and an outer tube with distinct functional properties. The inner tube provides robustness through its inelastic material with substantial wall thickness, while the outer tube provides flexibility and prevents kinking through its elastic material. This segmentation allows the system to have both strength and kink resistance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the hose have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The inner tube uses inelastic material for structural strength and fluid containment, while the outer tube uses elastic material for flexibility and kink prevention. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the hose to be robust without kinking.
3Length of moving object
If the hose is made bulky to deliver water to large areas, then the hose can reach far, but it becomes heavy and difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The hose transitions from a static, fixed-length structure to a dynamic, variable-length structure. The elastic outer tube allows the hose to expand longitudinally when water pressure is applied, extending the reach without requiring a permanently longer and heavier hose. When not in use, the hose contracts to a compact size, making it lightweight and easy to store or transport.
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 hose assembly remains kink-free and robust, capable of withstanding high water pressures, with a lightweight design that allows for easy storage and extended length without radial expansion, prolonging its lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic flexible member located inside the collapsible water impermeable flexible inelastic inner tube... the elastic flexible member being in an untensioned state whilst in the retracted storage configuration and a tensioned state whilst in the extended deployed configuration
Implementation Method 2
upon removal of water pressure from within the garden hose assembly the elastic flexible member may return to its untensioned state and applies a retracting force to the hose assembly to urge the collapsible inner tube into a retracted storage configuration
Implementation Method 3
the outer tube, collapsible inner tube, and elastic flexible member being movable from a retracted storage configuration to an extended deployed configuration upon application of water pressure within the garden hose assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable water hose assembly comprises a water hose and coupling means. The water hose comprises a flexible outer tube, a collapsible water impermeable flexible inelastic inner tube located inside the outer tube, and an elastic flexible member located inside the collapsible water impermeable flexible inelastic inner tube. The outer tube, collapsible inner tube, and elastic flexible member are movable from a retracted storage configuration to an extended deployed configuration upon application of water pressure within the water hose assembly. The elastic flexible member is in an untensioned state while in the retracted storage configuration and a tensioned state while in the extended deployed configuration. Upon removal of water pressure from within the water hose assembly, the elastic flexible member may return to its untensioned state and applies a retracting force to the hose assembly to urge the collapsible inner tube into a retracted storage configuration.