Expandable Reinforced Hose Structure for Low-Bulk Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pipes, such as garden hoses, face challenges with weight and bulk when stored due to their length, and the textile reinforcement used can lead to significant linear mass due to diameter stretching, which affects their usability and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A pipe design incorporating a reinforcing layer made of textile with a weave structure featuring extensible warp elements, such as nylon or spandex, and non-extensible frame elements, which allows for controlled elongation and retraction, reducing weight and bulk by expanding when fluid pressure is applied and retracting when pressure is absent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pipe is made longer to increase fluid circulation capacity, then the flow rate is improved, but the weight and bulk increase making storage difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe incorporates an expandable structure with extensible synthetic material layers that allow the pipe to dynamically change its dimensions. When fluid flows through, the pipe expands to increase internal diameter and length, maximizing flow capacity. When not in use, the pipe contracts to reduce weight and bulk for easier storage and transport.
2Strength
If textile reinforcement is added to strengthen the pipe, then the structural strength is improved, but the linear mass increases due to diameter stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement layer uses a woven textile structure with different properties in different directions. The weft threads provide circumferential strength to resist bursting pressure, while the warp threads are made extensible to allow longitudinal expansion without adding excessive weight. This directional differentiation of material properties optimizes strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe employs a composite structure combining extensible synthetic material with woven textile reinforcement. The textile layer integrates non-extensible weft threads for strength with extensible warp threads for flexibility, creating a composite material that provides both structural integrity and expandability while controlling linear mass.
3Productivity
If the pipe expands to increase length and flow rate, then the fluid circulation capacity is improved, but the weight and bulk increase for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is designed as a dynamic structure that automatically expands when fluid pressure is applied and contracts when pressure is removed. This dynamic behavior allows the pipe to achieve large flow rates during operation while returning to a compact, low-bulk state for storage, eliminating the need to choose between flow capacity and storage efficiency.
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 pipe effectively reduces weight and bulk during storage while maintaining sufficient length and flow rate, with enhanced resistance to wear and tear, and improved shock absorption due to the elastic properties of the reinforcing layer.
Implementation Method 1
The reinforcing layer (4) is made of textile and is composed of a weave which comprises a warp composed of elements (40) and a weft composed of elements (42). At least one chain element (40) is extensible.
Implementation Method 2
there are pipes with expandable properties, thanks to which the pipe lengthens and widens when water circulates inside. This ensures that the pipe has sufficient pipe length and maintains a large flow rate
Implementation Method 3
The retracted hose has a reduced weight and bulk which makes it easier to transport and store after use.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
This layer (4) for constructing a hose (H) extends around a longitudinal axis (X). This layer is capable of lengthening more in one direction than in the other with respect to the longitudinal axis (X).